Year: 1862

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March 3. &
Col Thomas Pattison, Commanding lst Brigade,


Sd DiUisiOn South Western Army:


In obedience to Order No. :, have the honor
to submit the following report of the part taken
by the 18th Regiment Indiana Volunteers in the
recent engagement near Sugar Greek. Arkansas.


On the 9th inst the regiment under my COM
mand was ordered TO take possession of one of
the high points commanding the approach to Sn-
gar Creek by way of the main Texas road lead
ing through Cross Hollows, and to prepare rife
pits, which we did, working on the same until
about O'Clock of the 7th, when the firing hay-
ing opened some two miles in our rear, near the
village of Leetown we were by your orders
transferred to the scene of action. On arriving
at the point, we were ordered to take position on
the left, but had hardly formed our line when we
were ordered to change our position to the ex-
treme right Of our line, move down to the right
half mile, and endeavor to get in the rear of
the enemy's lett, who we're engaged with the
second brigade of our division. On endeavorng
to gain our position we met the Fifty-ninth Hi
nois retreating, having been driven back by an
overwhelming force. We were delayed few
moments by their running through our lines. As
soon as they had passed us we made left half
wheel and moved forward through dense growth
of timber and underbrush, and soon found our
selves in the reah OF the enemy, who were pursu-
ing the 37th Illinois, which was falling back in
good order. The first notice they had of our ap-
proach was receiving our fire.


The enemy's force, consisting of the Sd Lou
isiana, two regiments of Arkansas troops, and a
regiment of Cherokee Indians, Immediately turn
ed upon us and made a vigorous attack, but
having ordered my men TO lie down, we received
but little damage The 22d Indiana, which was
on my left, gave way in confusion, and the enc
my commenced passing around the left TO my
rear. ] Immediately faced nv regiment by the
rear rank, lying close to the ground, and replied
TO their hre in such manner as 10 soon throw
them into the utmost confusion. Finding my
rear clear, l faced again by the front rank, and
pressed on driving the enemy back into the open
field INTO the fire of the 37th Illinois, which rail-
lied in the woods to our left. The enemy fed in
great disorder, leaving the guns of the Peoria
Light Artillery, which they had taken and been
using upon US, throwing canister and SHE'LL the
effects of which we're only avoided by keeping
my men close to the ground. We were then or
dered to bivouac for the night


At IL o clock we were ordered to move in 81
lence from our station and take up position on the
right of the main road in the thick brush, border
ing on the low bottom field. On our right were
three pieces of artillery, the 22d Indiana and the
left wing of the 9Th Indiana. In this position we
lay until O'Clock in the morning, when our
battery opened upon the woods in front After a
couple Of shots from our battery we were opened
upor by masked battery not more than two
hundred yards in our front The FIRE was so hot
as to obige the battery and infantry on ous right
to retire in some confusion. My regiment, am
happy to say, remained in their position until or
dered by you to fall back. while the enemy poured
in perfect storm of shell and grape shot, and we
only avoided heavy loss BY lying down. When
ordered to fall back we formed our line on the
hill and awaited orders. Between 10 and II
clock we were ordered to move by our right
flank TO a position beyond the enemy's left. The
18th being on the extreme right of our whole line
we were ordered to fix bayonets and drive back
and turn the enemy's flank, which order was
obeyed, driving them back in the greatest confu-
sion Our column was halted and our men,
wearied by charging over hills and hollows and
through thick underbrush, were allowed TO rest,
the enemy having abandoned the field.


can not close this report without calling your
attention to the GOODNESS and courage displayed
/ by the men and officers Of my command; and
am greatly indebted to Major ID. O. Thomas, who
had charge Of the right wing, for his coolness
and bravery during the whole action, and his
| prompt action in carrying out all my orders.
am happy to say that Captain s. W. Short, who
had charge OF the left wing. discharged his whole
duty with promptness and fidelity Indeed my
] commissioned officers on this occasion proved