The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-07-08

most desperate struggle ensued, which continu.
ed for more than an hour, when he was driven
back with heavy loss. ] lost three of nv col.
or Quad In this engagement one of whom was
MORALLY wounded. and the other two severe
ly. Firing now cen ed and we were ordered
to retire. l fell back about 100 yards. when
discovering that the enemy was again advauc-
ing on our right, halted my regiment formed
line, and gave him q vOlly that checked his
progress for moment, but seeing that INV
command was now alone on the field, and that
the rebels were closing upon both my right
ana left, again fell back, bringing up the rear
Ct the retrea.ing column. >
u, we retreated Owly and In good or(let, for
ABOUT three-quarters of a mile across an open
heid, ana again formed in the edge of The
'woOos. Upon arriving at this point found
the 114th Illinois and q regiment of coIored
troops forming on the right of the road. and
accordingly placed my regimen: on the left and
near the open Held over which the rebels in
rye numbers were now pursuing us. They
came On however, only to be slaughtered, for
my my men, although much fatigurd, stood up to
tne work like veterans, aud held them in
S c until ag lin ordered to retire, when we
ien Oack into the road in good order, fighting
ny ny step aud again brought up the rear.
Inc conduct OF Fl 3 Strait at this point
was especially commenable and worthy O.: mo-
tice '"" "o'"' " no-
his pursuit. 'N"0'0"
we moved on steadily until we reached the
-. -. ono swamp. where we halted and allowed
the com Dand TO rest or about two hours -,
Many of my men gave out durino the n;obt
and being unable to march were douhfiess
made prisoners by the enemy On the folIowino
morning, he was again upon our rear. and con-
dnued to annOy US until we reached Ripley.
where sharp engagement took place. la
passing through the town of Ripley we found
mi orO 1od xuith
considerable confusion, and, having to lit
frequently. to allow the cavalry to pass
through our ranks. about seventy of 10y men
men were detached from the regiment. but
were afterwards gathered up by Major Mark
ham, and brought through with the column
under command of Col. Thomos of the 93d
Indiana ~. --aff, .~U w. 4EJ tGf afT
From the time we left Ripley on the nth
inst, until we arrived in Memphis on the 18Th
inst, nothing OfimpOrtance transpired, except
that many OF my men became exhausted from
hunger and long marches. and fell out of the
ranks; and upon our arrival in this city, L had
only 32z OF the 665 brave men and officers who
constituted my command at the time the expe-
ditlon lett Lafayette on the Sd inst. - +,
The patience exhibited BY both officers and
men on the marc1 out and retreat back, and
their prompt and cheerful obedience of orders
on the battle field, as well as elsewhere. emit.
ties them to great credit, and has won for them
the respect and admiration of their fellows ID
arms. and the lasting esteem of their command
ing officer. ~
g During the four hours continual fighting
on the 10th inst, not an Off cer or enlisted
man left his post without permission, but all
fought with the GOODNESS and desperation of
veterans, and drove the enemy at every point
where we made a stand az.
Lieut.. L. a Sherwood, Acting Adjutant,
discharged his duties with credit to himself
and rendered me great service.
Surgeon r FL. Bingham, and Assistant Sur
geon Dixon were very attentive to their duties
and render,r red me material aid in taking care
OF the wounded.
The conduct of Chaplin A. c. Kerr on the
field, and during the battle, was particularly
commendable He was very active in looking
after the wounded, bringing them water and
doing all that could be done under the circum-
stances to relieve their suffering, until he was
compelled to leave the field ID .s
The following are the casualties as far as
known:
- 'AA' 1 s,.......
Eniisted en- Killed. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
Ehiis'ed m n wounded and brought away. ... Is
EhIsted mn wounded and left on the fed.... 90
-, W hueu' OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 3S
rni!eted men mi sing. Observation-Disclosures. .238
TOta enlisted m, n Kill ed unded and missing .27S
ota! 0ai eis DO .........................
10 81 IS in killed, wounded and missing =. 1856
Very respectfully, your obedent servant
j. f. NJ ,kSH,
Lieutenant Colonel 9th MINI. Vols Commanding.