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victory, for the purpose of explanation, and to correct misrepresentations in regard to them.

and were exposed at the same time to a deadly fire from the enemy's infantry; but as the column I had ordered forward to their support, I learned from Doctors Golden and Lamden, did not reach the point in time, the enemy were who came into Fredericktown after the battle, enabled to carry the piece from the field. It with a flag of truce, for the purpose of obtain was here that fell two of Indiana's noblest and ing the body of Col. Lowe and burying their bravest sous-Major Gavitt and Captain High- dead, that Thompson left the town with his forces the evening previous, and marched about ten miles toward Greenville, where he left his train. He then proceeded by another road to the point where he expected to find me encamped, intending to attack me at daylight in the morning; but finding I had taken a different route, he returned without passing through the town, and assumed the position he occupied at nine o'clock A. M.

The rout now became general, and the enemy were pursued by our troops for several miles, until the approach of night induced me to recall them to town. Capt. Stewart, however, with his squadron of cavalry followed them until late in the night, and brought in several prisoners. One field-piece was taken by the Seventeenth | Illinois, under Col. Ross, whose gallantry during the action, as well as his promptness at the commencement, are indications of the true soldier. I would remark that Col. Carlin, though exhausted by a long night's march, and claiming to rank me, came upon the field during the engagement, and reported to me in person for orders, remarking that as I had commenced the battle he would not interfere; and he obeyed my instructions during the remainder of the day.

It is with pleasure that I bear testimony to the good conduct of all the troops under my command, and to the promptness with which every order was obeyed.

Capt. George P. Edgar, who was my assistant adjutant-general, deserves special notice for the valuable service he rendered throughout the day, as also Capt. Taggart, Commissary of Subsistence, Lieut. Mitchell, of Capt. Campbell's battery of light artillery, and Lieut. Henry, of the Eleventh Missouri, who acted as my aids.

On the following morning, with the greater portion of the force, I pursued the enemy for ten miles on the Greenville road, and sent forward a reconnoitring party of cavalry twelve miles beyond. Finding further pursuit would be useless, and having but four days' rations for my command, I returned to Fredericktown the next day, and on the morning of the 24th inst. commenced my march for this place, where I arrived the following evening.

There were taken upon the field eighty prisoners, of whom thirty-eight were wounded, and left at Fredericktown. Our loss consisted of six killed and sixty wounded.

The enemy's force was about four thousand men, though some of the wounded stated it was six thousand. Their loss was very great. One hundred and fifty-eight of their dead were buried by our troops before my departure from Fredericktown, and many other bodies had been found.

I herewith append the reports of Cols. Ross, Marsh, Hovey, Baker, Lieut.-Col. Pennabaker, Maj. Schofield, Capt. Stewart, and Lieut. White, to which I would respectfully refer you for the operations of their respective commands.

Before closing this report, I feel it but proper to revert to some events which followed the

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The soldiers, after their return to town, believing the citizens, who nearly all sympathized with the enemy, had cooperated with them in their endeavor to lead us into an ambuscade, became exasperated, and some few acts of violence ensued. Six or seven buildings were burned. I exerted myself with many of the officers to put a stop to the incendiarism, and finally succeeded. I will not attempt to justify such acts of violence; but if any thing could palliate them, it would be the deserted homes and desolated fields of our Union friends, which I witnessed upon the march.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. B. PLUMMER,

Col. Eleventh Mo. Vols, Com.

To Capt. J. A. RAWLINGS, A. A.-G., Dist. S. E.
Mo., Cairo, Ill.

OFFICIAL REPORT OF COL. MARSH. HEAD-QUARTERS TWENTIETH REGIMENT ILL VOLS. CAPE GIRARDEAU, October 26, 1561.

SIR: In accordance with your request, I have the honor to submit my official report of the action of the 21st:

On Monday, the 21st inst., the regiment marched twelve miles from camp to Fredericktown, where a halt was ordered. After resting about an hour and a half, I was ordered, with the rest of the brigade, to march toward Greenville, and took my place in line in rear of the Seventeenth Illinois-being third in position, Capt. Stewart's squadron of cavalry leading the march. The march had continued scarcely a mile when the column was halted and information passed along the line that the enemy were in position directly in front.

A moment afterward, Col. Plummer, commanding the brigade, came up, ordered forward Taylor's section of artillery, and ordered me to take position on the extreme right. While moving to my place, the battle was commenced by our battery, which opened on the enemy, and was immediately replied to. I had just formed in line of battle when I was ordered to move to the left and support the Seventeenth Illinois, who were already engaged with the enemy concealed in the cornfield on the left. Assuming the position ordered, I directed the third division of my regiment to act as a reserve,

DOCUMENTS.

Shortly after I came into action, the infantry of Col. Lowe commenced retreating from the cornfield and the shelter of the fences which concealed them; they then exposed themselves to a raking fire from my left wing, which was poured in with terrible effect. At this point I sent four prisoners and six of the enemy's wounded to the rear.

and deploying the remainder as skirmishers, ad- | from their dress to be Union troops. I rode
up to a house a short distance in front, and was
I imme-
vanced and engaged the enemy.
informed that they were Union men.
diately ordered my left wing, who were firing
into them, to cease firing, fearful that they
would kill our own forces. On riding up to
the spot, we ascertained from a wounded man
that they were the rear-guard of the enemy,
and that Jeff. Thompson in person was with
them. Pursuing them at a double-quick, I suc-
ceeded in getting within long range of them at
a turn of the road, and fired, killing one. At
this time I was about three miles and a half
from our original position, and received an
order to halt and return to Fredericktown,
which I did.

While in line of battle and in deploying as skirmishers, we were exposed to the enemy's batteries, which kept up a constant discharge of grape and round shot, which flew thickly around; but, owing to the poor manner in which they handled their guns, we fortunately Two grape-shot passed escaped uninjured. through the colors, as did several rifle-balls. Shortly after the retreat of Col. Lowe, firing ceased from the enemy's batteries, and I pushed on as rapidly as possible in pursuit of the force opposed, who appeared to be retreating en masse, Lieut.-Col. Irwin, with the right wing, being on the right side of the Greenville road, and Major Goodwin, with the left wing, on the left side of the same road, my colors in the centre of the road.

During the engagement and pursuit my command behaved with coolness, and my orders were obeyed with a readiness truly commendable, taking into consideration the fact that it was the first time they were ever under fire.

When all do well, the mention of individual names is unnecessary.

My field and staff were in their proper positions, and afforded me efficient aid in the discharge of my duties. Rev. Charles Button, Chaplain of my regiment, was on the field, and was untiring in his efforts to aid the wounded and dying.

I am happy to report only three wounded and none killed, which, considering the long time we were under fire, is truly remarkable.

Herewith I send a list of the wounded, and a report of Dr. Goodbrake, surgeon of the regiment.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, C. C. MARSH, Colonel Twentieth Illinois Volunteers. Your obedient servant,

To Col. J. B. PLUMMER, Commanding.

While moving forward in this manner, many of the enemy were killed or wounded as they retreated. Shortly after passing the place where the enemy's batteries had been, Col. Baker, with the Indiana cavalry, passed me in pursuit of the retreating forces. I immediately pushed forward to support him. The cavalry had passed ine but a few moments, when I heard a discharge of artillery and a volley of musketry in front, and almost immediately after Col. Baker, with a portion of his cavalry, returned, requesting me to hurry forward, and stating that the enemy had planted their batteries in front of him, and that the infantry were behind fences in such a position that he could not charge on them. I at once moved on at a double-quick, I have the honor to report to you that this passing Col. Baker's cavalry, who were drawn His Excellency Gov. Yates, Springfield, Ill.: on each side of the road. At this time up Lieut.-Col. Irwin discovered from the right a regiment was engaged in the battle at this place battery, a short distance in advance, with the on the 21st instant, and, like all our troops, disUnion flag flying. As he had been concealed played the greatest enthusiasm in our cause. from the road for some distance by the timber The enemy retreated so fast that but three of our companies, Capt. Alden's, Capt. Rodrig's, through which he passed, he supposed them to be some of our own forces who had passed and Capt. Young's, (commanded by Lieut. H. while he was out of sight, and, fearful of injur-Tyner,) came in close conflict with them. These ing friends, he withheld his fire. While still approaching them, they limbered up and moved off at a run.

At this point several of the retreating forces were killed and wounded. About this time Col. Carlin, of the Thirty-eighth Illinois, at the head of not more than two companies, came up the road. I pushed on ahead of him, pursuWhen about two miles and a ing the enemy. half from our starting point, my left wing emerged from the timber into an open field. At this instant I discovered a short distance ahead a number of cavalry, whom I supposed VOL. III.-Doc. 23

COLONEL CARLIN'S REPORT.
HEAD-QUARTERS 38TH ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS,
FREDERICKTOWN, Mo., Oct. 23, 1861.

three companies were detached as skirmishers, and were in advance of the regiment. We pursued the enemy three miles from the first position occupied by him, when night put a stop to our pursuit. All the officers present and all the men did their whole duty, and were only disappointed at not having a harder contest. My Adjutant, Lieutenant Bailhache, was acting as my Adjutant-General on the field, and deserves great praise for his useful services. Major D. H. Gilmer commanded the main body of the regiment, the three companies above specified being under my own direction. We, fortunate

ly, have no killed or wounded in the regiment | drove the Confederates back, captured one gun, to report. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. P. CARLIN,

Colonel 38th Illinois Volunteers.

An eye-witness gives the following details of Thirty-eighth, A, B, and C, were then ordered

the engagement:

FREDERICKTOWN, Mo., Oct. 22, 1861. "We have met the enemy and they are ours." Illinois has made another impression upon the rebels of Missouri; her gallant sons have fully sustained her reputation of former years, and given the lie to any slanderous imputations that may have been preferred against her; her blood has flowed freely in the defence of her country's honor, and nobly has she vindicated it.

Last Sunday the order was issued for the troops stationed at Pilot Knob to march on Fredericktown, the rebels supposed to be intrenched at that place four thousand strong, under command of Jeff. Thompson. At three o'clock in the afternoon they took up their line of march in the following order:

The Indiana Cavalry in the lead, under command of Colonel Baker, between four and five hundred. Then came the Twenty-first Illinois, Colonel Alexander commanding. Next came a battery of six pieces, under command of Major Schofield. Then followed the Thirty-eighth and Thirty-third Illinois, and the Eighth Wisconsin; making in all a force of three thousand five hundred men. At St. Francis Bridge we made a halt of about two hours, and then continued on toward Fredericktown, where we arrived at eight o'clock on the 21st, only to find that the enemy had evacuated the place the day before. The men were very much disappointed, and very anxious to give pursuit, although we had made a march of twenty-five miles since three o'clock of the day before, and were nearly exhausted.

At twelve o'clock of the same day a force of about three thousand arrived from Cape Girardeau, consisting of the Seventeenth Illinois, the Twentieth Illinois, and two companies of Illinois Cavalry, and a battery of two guns. They were sent to cooperate with Colonel Carlin, in capturing the rebels. Colonel Carlin concluded to pursue the enemy, and sent this body of troops in the direction which the enemy was supposed to have taken.

They took up their line of march immediately on the road leading to Greenville, where it was supposed the enemy would make a stand; the artillery was in advance, and had not proceeded more than three-quarters of a mile before they discovered a large body of the rebels a mile in advance of them, just on the edge of the timber that skirts the town on the south. They immediately opened their battery on them, which was replied to by the rebels with some warmth. While the cannonading was going on, the Seventeenth Illinois advanced to within about one hundred and fifty yards of the enemy's battery, and gave them a volley. The left company of the Seventeenth then charged upon the battery,

and took several prisoners. The Twenty-first and Thirty-eighth had taken position in the rear of the artillery. Three companies of the forward, which they did, the rebels keeping about three hundred yards in advance all the time, and a running fight was thus kept up for four hours, the rebels stopping frequently and discharging their artillery at us, which did not do much execution.

The right wing of the Thirty-eighth had advanced about two miles, when they discovered a body of the rebels, with two field-pieces, about two hundred and fifty yards in advance. They immediately prepared to advance on them. At this time, the Indiana cavalry, under Major Gavitt, were advancing toward the rebels in the road, when the latter opened on them with their musketry, killing Major Gavitt, Capt. Highman, and one private, and wounding several men, and horses. While this was transpiring, the right wing of the Thirty-eighth delivered their fire, scattering death and destruction among the rebels, killing about ten or twelve and wounding several. The rebels immediately turned their guns on us, as we pushed ahead with shouts of vengeance, and gave us three volleys of grape and canister, and commenced a precipitate retreat, leaving their dead and wounded. Company A pushed on through the field to the right to gain the road on which the artillery had retreated; in doing so they left the remainder of the regiment to the left. They arrived at the road in the lead of every thing; the men were very nearly exhausted, but still anx ious to push forward. They started down the hill, when they received orders to halt. Having advanced about four miles into the woods, and fearing an attack from masked batteries, company A was ordered forward as skirmishers to cover the right wing of the advancing column, which was promptly done; the line of skirmishers advancing steadily.

The Thirty-third regiment was then ordered forward, also a large body of cavalry in pursuit. They continued the pursuit about two miles further, when, being convinced that there was no infantry within eight or ten miles of us, we abandoned the pursuit. It was now about five o'clock, and the order was given to return to the town, which was accordingly done, and we arrived at about seven o'clock. The sum total of the battle was as follows:

The force of the enemy engaged could not exceed two thousand; what reserve they may have had, we cannot say, although we pursued them seven miles and did not see any large body of infantry. Our force engaged was about three thousand five hundred, and a reserve of three thousand.

Our loss is as follows: seven killed, and about sixty wounded, some of them mortally. We captured two of the enemy's field pieces, sixpounders, took sixty prisoners. Their loss of killed we cannot correctly estimate. Among

DOCUMENTS.

their killed is Colonel Lowe, the second in command of the rebel forces. Their loss was not less than a hundred, and reports from their surgeons would indicate a much larger loss.

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They were, consequently, drawn up the road
and ordered to proceed at a slow gallop. The
road was here so narrow and crooked that they
could not keep over forty paces in the front.
Three hundred yards from the house a road
crosses the one we were upon, running to the
bridge over Goose Creek on the left, and to
Leesburgh on the right. I, however, kept
straight on, as the road presented little oppor-
tunities for observation, and would sooner
reach the high and open country around the

The troops all acted bravely and nobly. The Seventeenth Illinois did good execution at the commencement of the fight; they advanced to within about one hundred and fifty yards of the enemy's line, and poured in several well-directed volleys that told fearfully in the ranks of the rebels. After the first charge made by the Seventeenth, the right wing of the Thirty-enemy's breastworks to the left and front. eighth took the lead and continued to press forward for about four miles. The men were very much fatigued, but their ardor was not in the least cooled. A most important service was rendered by the three right companies of the Thirty-eighth in drawing the enemy's fire from the cavalry, as one discharge from their battery would have undoubtedly cut them to pieces.

Great credit is due to Col. Carlin for the prompt and efficient manner in which he conducted the pursuit. He did not give the rebels time to unlimber their batteries before he was upon them, pouring in his volleys of musketry. He was almost continually in the lead, apparently unconscious of any danger; his eye brightening at every indication of a skirmish or He was very cautious in regard engagement. to firing upon small bodies of them, and would not permit us to fire until he was fully convinced that they were rebels. Our flanking parties continued to pour in right and left. It was very difficult to discriminate.

Doc. 101.

Soon after reaching this point we drove in a
vidette of the enemy, who took the alarm too
soon to allow a reasonable chance of our cap-
turing him, and I did not wish to fatigue our
horses by useless pursuit. A negro, whom we
had met, reported that a regiment of infantry
and a body of cavalry had left the immediate
neighborhood that morning at daylight, and
taken the Leesburg road. With this intelli-
gence we proceeded on our way, and when
about twelve hundred yards further in the
Pushing rapidly
woods, our advance suddenly halted and signal-
ized "the enemy in sight.'
forward, we soon saw the bayonets glistening
above the brush; but for the thick undergrowth,
but few of the enemy could be seen. In an in-
stant the head of the columns, "by fours" came
upon the road, within thirty-five yards of us,
and five yards of one of our men, (Sergeant
Brown.) who held his position when he dis-
covered them. At the same moment, a rise in
the ground disclosed to me a long line of bay-
onets pushing rapidly forward, with the evident
intention of flanking the road on our left. I
immediately directed a fire on them from our

RECONNOISSANCE FROM EDWARDS' revolvers, which took effect on at least two of

FERRY, VA.

MAJOR MIX'S REPORT.

}

them, one an officer, who was leading the column, probably a lieutenant; we wheeled quickly about, when instantly their first platoon opened fire upon us from a distance of not over HEAD-QUARTERS VAN ALEN CAVALRY, CAMP BATES, thirty yards; we retired at a smart gallop about NEAR POOLESVILLE, MD., Nov. 4, 1861. Capt. Chas. Stewart, Assistant Adjutant-Gen- one hundred yards, when a turn in the road eral, Head-quarters Corps of Observation: protected us from their fire, which was now SIR: I have the honor to submit the follow-very rapid, but ineffective. Within thirty yards ing report of my reconnoissance on the 21st ultimo:

of their column a horse was shot, another stumbled and fell, leaving two men almost in the ranks of the enemy. These men were rescued and brought back in a most gallant manner by Captain Charles Stewart and Lieutenant George E. Gour, and were quickly mounted, when we formed for a charge, but the enemy had deployed to the right and left of the road. and again compelled us to retire, which we did leisurely, examining the ground to the right and left, and leaving videttes at the most commanding positions. The enemy did not follow us beyond the edge of the woods in the front of Monroe's house. Lieutenant Pierce and Ser

In compliance with the instructions of Brigadier-General Stone, I crossed the Potomac at Edwards' Ferry, about seven o'clock A. M., with a party of three officers and thirty-one rank and file, Capt. Charles Stewart, Assistant AdjutantGeneral, accompanying the party. A line of skirmishers, consisting of two companies of the First Minnesota, commanded the line of the hill to the right and front. After carefully examining our arms and equipments, we moved quickly forward on the Leesburg road; the house to the right, about two miles from the landing, known as Monroe's, was found vacant, and ap-geant Chesbrough were left here to observe his peared to have been left in great haste, most probably during the cannonading of the 20th.

At this passing the road enters a thick wood, with a great growth of underbrush, impenetrable to our flanking at the gait we were moving.

movements, while the remainder of the party proceeded to the left. A scout belonging to the Fourth Virginia Cavalry, "Ball's Company," was then captured. He had been reconnoitring, and had fallen in with our party unex

pectedly. Having examined the country to the left and front without discovering any thing of further importance, we fell back on our line of skirmishers, leaving the open country and the Monroe house occupied by our videttes. Thus closed our movements as a reconnoitring party; but, at their own request, Captain Murphy, Lieutenant Pierce, and Sergeant Chesbrough remained and gathered much important information during the day, and chased several parties who ventured out of the woods back into them. Upon one of these occasions they captured a wooden canteen and saddle-bag, which a scout dropped in his hurried retreat. In conclusion, sir, I cannot but commend in the highest terms the conduct of both officers and men under my command; their coolness and prompt obedience speaks well for their future reputation. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. Mix, Major Comd'g.

Doc. 102.

THE BATTLE AT WILD CAT, KY.,
FOUGHT OCTOBER 21, 1861.
COL. COBURN'S OFFICIAL REPORT.

ROCKCASTLE HILLS, CAMP WILD CAT,
October 22, 1861.

Gen. Albin Schoepff:

SIR: In pursuance of your order to take possession of, and occupy an eminence half a mile to the east of this camp, I took four companies of the Thirty-third regiment of Indiana Volunteers, at seven o'clock on the morning of the 21st instant, and advanced to the position designated. The command was composed of Capt. McCrea, Company D, Capt. Hauser, Company I, Capt. Hendricks, Company E, and Capt. Dille, Coinpany G―about three hundred and fifty men. The companies were immediately deployed around the hill as skirmishers. In less than twenty minutes the rebels, who were concealed in the woods around, began firing. At almost the first fire private McFarren, of Company D, was killed. The enemy, in ten minutes after this, appeared in front of our position, to the south, at a distance of half a mile, in the valley. They were in large numbers, and for half an hour passed by an open space in the road and formed in line; very soon they drew near us under cover of a wood, which entirely concealed their approach until we were apprised of their immediate presence by the firing of their musketry. At this time we were reinforced by a portion of the Kentucky regiment of cavalry, Col. Woolford commanding, about two hundred and fifty in number. They immediately formed and took part in the engagement. The firing at this time was very hot, and for a moment this (the Kentucky) regiment wavered and retreated, but was rallied and formed in order, and after this fought with spirit.

The enemy engaged was composed of a portion of Gen. Zollicoffer's command, and consisted of two regiments of Tennessee volunteers

under Colonels Newman and Bowler. These regiments charged up the hill upon us, and were met by a galling and deadly fire which scattered them, wounding and killing many. The front of their ranks approached within a few rods of our men, ascending the hill with their caps on their bayonets, declaring they were "Union men" and "all right," at the next moment levelling their guns at us and firing. After a fight of about an hour, the enemy retreated, leaving part of their dead and wounded and arms. Our men have found and buried their dead, and taken the wounded to our hospitals. Nineteen corpses have been found up to this time. They carried off their dead and wounded in wagons in numbers greatly exceeding those left behind. It is fair to say their loss is three hundred.

The gallantry of the Thirty-third was tested thoroughly, and I can say without hesitation that universal cheerfulness, promptness, courage, and good sense characterized their action in the fight. I will mention the brave conduct of Capt. Hauser, in fighting in company with his men, mus ket in hand, upon the very brow of the hill, until disabled by a wound, though he continued on the field all day and did his duty nobly. Capt. MeCrea with his men held a small breast work, and did fearful execution among the enemy. Capt. Dille was active in rallying and urging on the fight in all parts of the field. Capt. Hendricks, with cool and quiet courage, kept his men in their places, and fought without slacking during the engagement. I cannot pass by the active and bold Adjutant Durham, who was wherever duty and danger called him. Lient. Maze, of Company D, exhibited remarkable coolness, daring, and energy.

About the close of the engagement, four companies of the Seventeenth Ohio regin ent came upon the hill and formed in the line of battle. Company E, Captain Fox, Company C, Captain Haines, Company R, Captain Rea, and Company H, Captain Whisson, took their positions with promptness, eager for the fray, under the command of Major Ward. They remained on the field during the day and night, and assisted in fortifying the place. Alout two o'clock P. M. we were again attacked, and at this time Company C, Capt J. W. Brown, of the Fourteenth Ohio regiment, appeared on the field. They immediately formed and fired upon the enemy, and this company, with others, also assisted in making fortifications. Later at night Company G, Captain Eccles, Company B, Captain Kirk, of the Ohio Fourteenth, Col onel Stedman, reinforced us. At ten o'clock at night Lieut. Sypher, of Capt. Standart's Artillery, came on the hill, and on an alarm fired three rounds: these were the last shots fired. At about two o'clock in the morning we heard sounds which betokened a movement of Gen. Zollicoffer's army. It proved to be the retreat. From a prisoner I have ascertained that his command consisted of two Tennessee regiments, two Mississippi, and two Alabama regiments,

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