Year: 1862

yards In advance, were thrown lnlo con-
! fusion for few moments, but soon raj
lied and returned the fire with vigor. 1t


soon became evident that the enemy had


at last chosen his battle ground, and


whatever preparations we had to make


must be done OH the spur of the moment.


The enemy had every advantage over us


in regard to position. Their infantry


force, which consisted of two divisions,


being posted on the right and left of the


road, which wound along high ridge
extending east. On either side were ra-


vines and deep depressions Of ground
covered with underbrush, which effectu


ally screened them from observation,
while the high ridge at their front pro-


tected them from our fire. The battle
ground was situated mile and half
west of Iuka, and the line of opposing
forces extended at front from north to
south. Our right was protected in part
by the ridge of which | spoke, while our
left was drawn up behind thick belt of
timber. Immediately in our rear was
an open fed, cut up with gullies and
watercourses, on which was placed our
reserves, which consisted Of Ohio, Indi-
ana and Missouri troops. The line of
battle, as thus formed, was arranged in
the following manner: The 5th Iowa
filed to the right of the road behind
small comb of the ridge, and were in the
extreme advance. TO their left was
planted the 11th Ohio battery, supported
by the 43th Indiana, while to their left
was the 18th Minnesota, 18th Iowa, and
8Oth Ohio. The formation of the ground
would not permit the engaging Of our
the enemy's fire was principally concen-


Tated, they seeking to break the center
and turn our right flank. All of our
preparations had to be made while expo
sed to raking fire from masked batter
les and musketry, but the veterans formed
in line as coolly as though they were 60
ing out on dress parade. 1t was now 6
p. m. The sun was just sinking behind
some heavy clouds. tinging them with
significant hue of fiery red. All were
confident that the troops would merely
lay on their arms that night and com
mence the contest on the morrow. Let
The reader take into consideration the


fact that the men had marched quite a
distance over rough and dusty roads,
ard lhat the advance had been skrmish-
ing with the enemy all the afternoon,
while no one had even chance 10 make
cup of coffee, and he will readily per-
ceiye that they were not exactly in trim
for fighting. But their devotion. brave
ry and discipline, oyercamc all obstacles,
and rewarded them with the blest fruits
Of victory The 1lth Ohio battery hav-
ing got into position commenced plung-


ing few shots in among the enemy to
ascertain his location, but for time
failed to elicit any reply. An omnious
silence reigned along the lines, broken
only by the heavy tramp of infantry and
rumble of artillery. So close were we to
the rebels that we could distinctly hear
them forming in line, and could distin-
guish the commands of their officers, al.
though the ridge hid them from our
view. Pretty quick major came riding
up 10 where the 5th was formed, saying,
/" Look out, boys. tho rebel sharpshooters
are coming just over the HILL" He had
no more than spoke before broad sheet
OF flame issued from the battery and
spread along the whole line. 1t seemed
AS though all the fends Of hell were let
loose. The roar of artillery, the crash OF
musketry. the whistling balls and burst.
ing shells, swelled up in volume OF
sound that was deafening. The battle
now ragged furiously on the right and
center. The gallant 9th, though opposed
TO Two rebel brigades under the com
mand Of Green aud Marion, stubborny
held their ground and fought with the
tiercest determination. Three times they
charged and drove the rebels over the
brow OF the hill al tho point Of tie bayo-
net. 1t appeared to be the intention of
the rebels TO turn our right. but being
repulsed in this they charged on the bat
terry For some unaccountable reason
the 48th gave way and the enemy took
possession of the guns. but the fire Of the
firm infantry became too hot for them
and they had TO relinquish the ground
A / times the guns of the combatants were
muzzle TO muZzle. Here our SUPERIOR.
~ with tho bayonet was fairly proved,
for charging on them with yell that
could be heard above tho roar ofartillory
n,r hove .n,t.I .ban, "a, a,.a..