The National tribune., 1900-06-07
! Lieut.. COL Pearce, Of the seth Ohio. A
more particular list will be found in bri-
gade reports herewith forwarded"

Lieut.. Col Pearce, Of the S9th Ohio. A
| more particular list will be found in bri
gade reports herewith forwarded"
GEN. MITCHELL'S REPORT.
The Second Brigade Of the Second Di
vision, Fourteenth Corps, was com,
manded by Brig. Gen. John G. Mitchell,
who reports rs to the battle:
March 10, this brigade was In the ad-
vance of the division. About IL a. m.
the command was ordered to take posi-
ton on the right of the First Division,
posted on the main Goldsborough road,
0ne-half on the left and one-half on the
right Of that road, extending the line Of
that division. In reaching the position
designated we passed through swamp,
and in advancing skirmish line another
swamp was found. When this brigade
moved into position the troops of the First
Division were building log breastworks,
and j ordered both lines of my command
to shelter themselves in like manner.
"The lines were formed with the 18th
H. as skirmishers, and 9Sth, 10Sth, and
18th Ohio, posted from left TO right, as
above stated, in the front line, and 34th
Ill. and 121st Ohio in the rear line. Heavy
skirmishing was kept up in our front and
heavy firing TO the far left and front.
About 3 p. II. the brigade of the First
Division, on which the left of my COM
mand rested, commenced rapid and dis
organized retreat through my lines. 1t
was impossible to gather any definite in
formation from them; all that was known
was that the troops on their left had
given way and the enemy had turned their
flank. As this command was moving
without instructions | ordered the COM
manding officers of the 21st Wis. and 18th
Penn. to form line across and covering
my left flank until / could communicate
with my division commander. At the
same time | ordered the left regiment of
my rear line, Saith ILL.,, to change the front
of their works forward on their left COM
pany, and the left of the 9Sth Ohio to re-
fuse the left of their works until they
should join those of the 34th ILL.,. just or
dered to be changed. The brigade then
was fortified on two sides of square and
in each side were posted three regiments.
Two regiments of the First Division, as
above mentioned, prolonged the new work
OF the 34th Ill. The 121st Ohio was now
ordered to continue the prolongation of
this refused line. Every aXman in the
brigade had been ordered to assist in COM
pleting this new work, and in less than
half an hour from the time it was COM
menced our skirmishers were driven in
and a strong line of battle opened fire
upon both fronts of our works, making
the most vigorous attack at the angle
formed by the main line with the refused
line above mentioned. The enemy's posi-
ton at this point gave them an enfilading
fire down both Of my lines. They were
driven back, however, with serious loss
except by the two regiments Of the First
Division, who, having inferior protection,
were compelled to retire, thus exposing
the 121st Ohio in such manner that it was
compelled to retreat to the First Brigade
of this division, which was posted on the
right Of my command. Through the open
ing thus formed that part of the rebel line
not repulsed swung, and the enemy who
but a few minutes before was in our
front now was directly in our rear. This
brigade at once jumped over their forti-
fcations and killed or captured all of the
enemy who appeared in our late rear. A
large proportion of the body that thus
penetrated our works were subsequently
captured by the First Brigade. Several
attempts were subsequently made to rally
the enemy to another bold attack. but
each was repulsed by our skirmish line.
The loss Of my command was very
large, when our position, fighting behind
works, is considered. The aggregate loss
is 160, only eight of whom are missing.
Il call your attention to the splendid
conduct of both officers and men with the
highest pride. When the history of the
engagement shall be fully written the no.
BILE part enacted by these men will receive
its due reward. 1 believe they held the
key-point of the battlefield on this day
under circumstances such as few other
soldiers would have done"