The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-01-13
SEVENTH MINNESOTA.
The Battles Of the 10Th and 10th
December.
Official Report Of Lieut.. Colonel
Geo. Bradley, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS 7TH MINI. INFANTRY
In THE FIELD, Dec. %, 1864.

SIR have the honor to submit the follow.
ing report of the part taken by the Seventh
Minnesota Infantry in the engagements of the
18th and 10th instants.
On the morning of the 18th inst. the regi-
ment, commanded by Col. VIM. r. Marshall,
moved out from camp near Nashville, with
the brigade to which it belongs, at six o'clock
A. NJ. They moved out on the Hardin Pike
about mile, where they formed line of battle
and halted. During this halt the extreme
right of the army appeared to be quite heavily
engaged. Company B of my regiment, CON-
manded by Capt. A. II. Stevens, were ordered
to advance and deploy as skirmishers in front
of the regiment. Soon after the whole line
moved formed crossing the Harding Pike
obliquely to the left until they arrived in front
of the enemy's works, about three miles from
the camp we had left. Here our line was moved
somewhat to the left, which brought my regi-
ment into an open field, when they were Or
dered to lie down while the artillery in our
line opened upon the enemy. The enemy
were posted upon range of high hills upon
which they had erected strong Notifications
from which it was our business to dislodge
them. The regiment lay in the field before re-
ferred to until the first of the Notifications on
the enemy's left were charged and taken by
the brigades of our division upon our right.
when our brigade was moved forward to a hill
opposite fertilization still occupied by the
enemy, conforming our movements to those
of the troops upon our right We were shortly
moved forward again to the foot of the hill on
which the fertilization last named was situated,
from which point we charged the enemy in
his works, driving him in confusion. The
regiment moved rapidly along the enemys line
to a second fertilization little distance Off,
again driving the enemy and forcing him to
abandon three of his guns and caissons. From
this point we poured most CALLING fire upon
the retreatiDg enemy.
BY the death of the gallant officer command
ing our brigade (Col. Hill Of the 35th Iowa.
who was killed just as he reached the top of
the Hill upon which the fertilization was stu
ated, Col. Marshall was called to the CON-
mand of the brigade and the command of the
regiment divolved upon me. 1t was now dark
and the regiment bivOuacked in its place in
brigade for the night.
In this action the regiment lost seventeen
men wounded, whose names appear in the Sur
geons report of casualties, herewith furnished.
Lieut.. A. A. Rice was severely wounded while
in the skirmish line. He is q gallant officer
and performed his duty up to the time he was
wounded with courage and ability. In this
days action the regiment captured over fifty
prisoners. who were turned over to the Pro
vost Marshal General, and shared with the
other regiments of the brigade in the capture
of three gUas
On the morning of the 10th inst. we again
moved upon the enemy and took position on
the left of the 18th Iowa, in the front line of
the brigade behind fence directly in front of
q strongly fortified position held by the enemy.
The right of the 18th Iowa rested on the
Granny White Pike. The enemy was pro-
tected by high and thick wall of stone which
was strengthened by earth thrown up against
its front along a portion of the wall, and by
large rails planted firmly, and slanting from
the top of the wall to the ground along the
remainder of it. Inside of the wall cannon
were planted and deep pits dug for the pro-
lection of the men against our guns. Outside
the walls and somewhat advanced were barri.
cades made of rails piled closely together,
with rife-pits behind them from which their
sharpshoOters continually fired upon our
line. Here my regiment remained the greater
part of the day, the left of the regiment keeping
up fire upon the enemy most of the time.
We had some men wounded while occupying
this line, and two killed in advancing to it. A
heavy cannonading upon the enemy wac kept
up the whole day by the batteries upon our
right and in rear.
Towards the close of the day charge was
made upon the encmy's works, commencing
upon the right, the brigades of the LIST division
moving rapidly one after the other until the
whole line was In motion. My regiment
moved forward with the line in the face of a
heavy fire of grape and musketry, passed over
the works OF the enemy, who were completely
routed, capturing their guns and many prison.
ers. The ground over which the Regiment
passed was SOFIA portion OF the way was
cornfield-rendering the rapid movement of
the line exceedingly difficult, and greatly add.
ing to the hazard of the movement.
We advanced as far as ashigh hill beyond the
line of works where we charged the enemy,
and bivouacked for the night. In the charge
my Regiment captured four of the enemys
guns and more than 200 prisoners, making,
with those taken the day before, $50 prisoners
taken by them.
Mahr Burt, of my Regiment. had charge of
the bGgade skirmish line during the day, and
discharged his duties with his usual skin and
6delity.
Our losses in this days fight were 43; 7
killed and SO wounded, whose names are in.
cluded in the Surgeons report. The most of
he losses occurred in the charge. Capt Nc
Kelvey, of Company /, and Lieut.. Potter. of
Company E, were both wounded in this charge
the first slightly, the latter severely.
In conclusion ought not to omit to meu-
ion Corporals Sylvester, of Company /, and
Oowling of Company B, who bore the colors
If the Regiment in both days fights. Cool !
md intrepid. they pushed steadily on through
he terrible charges made upon the enemy, I'M
moved by the "leaden rain and iron hail. |
which fell thickly around them, mindful only /
# the honorable duty of bearing the colors |
rect in the van of the fight. Assistant Sur |
,eon Mattocks was constantly with US in the |
eld. fearfully exposing himself wherever bis
presence could benefit the wounded, and faith
Ill and untiring in the discharge of all his du-
les, DR.. Ames was on duty at the hospital |
uring the fight, by order of the Division Sur |
con. Chaplain Edwards was active and zeal. |
us in his ministration of the wounded, con. |
family and efficiently exerting himself in their !
ehalf
OF the officers of the field, staff and line of .
be Regiment. can only say that the conduct
( all was such that any distinction would be
,vidious. 1. Is enough to say that oil were
arrest, jealous and efficient in the discharge
every duty. Lieut.. Potter, though wounded
Y o shot through the arm, still pressed on 1
nd did not fall back till the works had bcs5 I
arried.
The conduct Of the men present in the swo
ave. engagements was unexceptionahle. They
ere fearless amid the dangers of the bsttle.
nd cheerful and accomplishing in epdgring
ne hardships and exposures OF the biyouac and