taken possession of by those of my men who had been up to that hour resting in camp. At four o'clock the following morning, (Sunday the twenty-first,) all were in position prepared for an attack, but the enemy failing to make his appearance, we continued our labor on the earthwork, and were in this manner occupied until about noon. they were unable to carry off the field in our hands. Those who had shielded themselves under the bridge, not being able to make their escape with the main force, exhibited the usual token of surrender, and were ordered to and took shelter within our works. Several attempts were made to fire the trestle-work by means of cotton-balls saturated with turpentine. The fire from the blockhouse was poured in upon them with such excellent precision and rapidity that they were compelled to abandon the enterprise. Some few shielded themselves from the fire by means of the trestlework, and when the retreat was ordered were unable to get out of their position without great danger, and very wisely hoisted the white flag and presented themselves as prisoners. A few minutes after twelve м. my pickets were driven in, and information was received to the effect that the enemy (variously estimated at from five to ten thousand) was approaching from the south. The infantry were at once ordered into and took the positions assigned them, that of companies A, F, D, I, and C, of the Twenty-fifth Indiana, being in the fort or earthwork, and the cavalry (dismounted) were divided, and a part, under the command of Capt. Henry, company M, sent to the earthwork, another division to the blockhouse as a reenforcement, and a third party under Lieut. Slade to guard the approach to the river about one fourth of a mile from and to the west of our position. This disposition of my forces had scarcely been completed when the rebels (as infantry and in large force) made their appearance, formed their line for a charge, and came rapidly forward with a loud cheer, evidently expecting to force us into a surrender with little if any resistance on our part. Their impetuosity was checked, however, by the uneven ground, the river, and the steady and destructive fire from our defences. For a time their ardor appeared to have diminished, but their numbers being largely increased, an effort was made to force a passage over the bridge; and for this purpose their forces were massed and a desperate attempt made to secure a footing on our side, but after a most obstinate attempt on their part, and an equally determined resistance on ours for some minutes' duration, they were compelled to fall back with consider-left in the care of a surgeon, and from him I learn able loss. During this time their forces had been that between two and three hundred wounded gradually and rapidly augmenting, and their line were taken off in ambulances and on horseback. extended from and even beyond the railroad on Our loss was but three slightly wounded and their left to a distance of three or four hundred none killed. yards to the right, from which they poured upon us an almost continuous shower of leaden hail. Efforts were also made at several points to effect a crossing over the river, but these were unsuccessful. In a short time indications of a second attempt to cross the bridge were apparent, and deep masses, with banners flying, urged on by their officers, advanced only to be again driven back in confusion and dismay. The firing was by this time very heavy along their whole line, and concentrated upon our little earthwork and block-house; but nothing daunted, and now firm in the belief that we could hold them at bay, my gallant little band poured in upon them volley after volley in rapid succession. Shortly after the retreat, the bearer of a flag of truce appeared with a verbal message from the General commanding, desiring to know if a surrender on our part was in contemplation or had been decided upon. A respectful but decided negative was returned in reply. I am firmly impressed with the belief that such a thought had not even been entertained for a single moment by any officer or private of my command, although the enemy far outnumbered us. From the best information, I am of the opinion that the rebel force was not much less than six thousand, while my force numbered only two hundred infantry and fifty cavalry. Soon a third and similar attempt to cross was made, but met with a like defeat. A few of them, however, succeeded in crossing, but these hastily took refuge under the bridge. After a most incessant firing of three and a half hours' duration the enemy withdrew, leaving a part of their dead and such of the wounded as With such discrepancies it cannot but be said that all are entitled to great credit for their gallant defence on that day, which will be ever bright in the memory of the Twenty-fifth Indiana. The enemy left in our hands twenty-two dead, thirty wounded, and twenty prisoners, together with one hundred stand of arms. Thirty wounded were deposited by them in a house near a church, about three quarters of a mile to the rear. These were The other four companies of the Twenty-fifth Indiana were at Lamar and along the line of the railroad, under the command of Capt. E. C. Hastings of company C. His line extended from Cold Water to within three miles south of this point, and was there joined by pickets from here. Of these last, sixteen men were captured and paroled, but not without a very creditable resistance. To Major Walker, Adjutant Walker, and Capt. Larkin, of the Twenty-fifth Indiana; Capt. Henry, company M, Sixth Ohio cavalry, and the other officers and men of both arms, am I much indebted for their skill and the assistance rendered me in preparing our defences; but to single out particular officers and men as being more worthy of an honorable mention than others who were present and took part in the engagement of the twentyfirst of December, 1862, would certainly be doing an injustice. Our Senior Assistant-Surgeon, Dr. C. L. Thomas, for the skill displayed and the kind and hu DAVIS'S MILLS, Miss., December 27. This place, on Sunday, the twenty-first of December, was the scene of one of the most animated and gallant struggles of the war. The conflict was between Col. William H. Morgan, of the Twenty fifth regiment of Indiana volunteers, with two hundred and fifty men, and Lieut.-Gen. Van Dorn, with thousands of rebel cavalry. Morgan was victorious; the confident and highranking Van Dorn forced to retire from the field, leaving dead and wounded and some prisoners behind. I will give you an account of this heroic achievement, in which the resolute, determined bravery and military skill displayed by Colonel Morgan, stands forth in striking and brilliant contrast to the shameful and cowardly conduct of the Colonel commanding at Holly Springs. But, in order to convey a correct idea of the achievement, a short description of the field will be necessary. Davis's Mills are situated on Wolf River, six miles south of Grand Junction, and twenty miles north of Holly Springs. Wolf River is a narrow but deep stream, bounded on either side by wide cypress swamps, into which, at rare intervals, the elevated land extends to the main stream, thus affording natural advantages for roads, bridges, millsites, etc. At one of these points, and on the east side of the river, is the site of Davis's Mills. Here also the railroad and wagon-road cross the river, the former on a trestle structure about three hundred yards in length; the latter on a bridge built upon the mill-dam, in fact the bridge is the dam, formed of logs and earth, with a wasteway in the middle, and is fifty yards in length. The bridges are near one hundred and sixty yards apart, and between them are two mills, a saw-mill and a flouring-mill. The ground on the west side of the stream, for an extent of half a mile, is low and thickly wooded on both sides of the road, with the exception of a few rods near the bridge. On the east side, is a large corn-field, which rises very gradually for a distance of three hundred yards from the river, where it again declines toward the east, thus forming a low ridge. On the top of this ridge, and exactly facing the road bridge, is a most beautiful and symmetrical Indian mound, with a circumference at its base of one hundred yards, and an altitude of twenty feet. On Saturday morning, December twentieth, word reached here, that Van Dorn, with a force of seven thousand cavalry, had made a dash on Holly Springs, capturing the entire infantry force at that place, numbering about one thousand five hundred men, and burning the Government stores. When Col. Morgan heard this news he felt confident that if Van Dorn moved further north, this would be the next point of attack, and notwithstanding the smallness of his force, he determined to defend the post to the last extremity. His whole available force consisted of two hundred of his own men, and companies B and M, Captains Traunstine and Henry, of the Fifth Ohio cavalry. After a careful examination of the position, Col. Morgan determined to dispute the pas sage of the road bridge, and defend the railroad bridge from two points, the saw-mill and the Indian mound. The saw-mill is distant about eighty yards from either bridge, and so situated as to command both by a diagonal fire. This was, on Saturday afternoon, converted into a block-house, by means of two rows of cotton bales, one upon the other, placed in the ends, while the sides were walled up with bridge timber. And on Saturday night a breastwork of earth, about three feet in height, was thrown up around the base of the mound, and the arrangements were complete, as far as time would allow, for giving Van Dorn a warm and gallant recep tion, such an one as his high rank justly entitled him. There were two reasons for expecting a fight on the twenty-first. In the first place, the enemy would by then have had time enough to complete his work at Holly Springs and reach this point. And in the second place, it would be the Sabbathday. Accordingly on Sunday morning Col. Morgan sent out cavalry scouts, under cominand of Capt. Traunstine, and Lieutenant Slade, Fifth Ohio cav alry, on the two roads leading to Holly Springs, who were to act as committees of reception and herald the coming, should they meet the valiant knight of the C. S. A. Sufficient ammunition and provision to stand a siege of twenty-four hours was placed in the little forts; the Indian mound, soon perhaps to be bap tized in blood, christened by the men Fort Morgan, and the saw-mill, the redan. The small band of determined men, ready to take the places assigned them, company H, Twenty-fifth Indiana, with a few dismounted cavalry-men, the redan; the remainder, Fort Morgan. I shall use the terms Fort Morgan and redan in this letter merely as a matter of convenience. Thus we remained, expectant, until half-past twelve o'clock P.M., when two heralds in quick succession dashed up to the Colonel's tent, and reported that Lieutenant Slade had met the enemy and been driven into the picket-lines, and that the rebels were dismounting, and forming in line of battle by thousands, on a large plantation about a mile from the river. The men, eager for the conflict, were soon at their posts, with the command to reserve fire till the rebels reached the bridge. In a short time the pickets were driven in by the advancing enemy, who came down the I only multiply words, and utterly fail to convey an adequate conception of the bravery and determination of every man in the fort. Those who were not engaged with guns carried cartridges to those who were, breaking open box after box with picks and axes, until Col. Morgan feared the supply might not be sufficient, and sent for more. Some of the men took positions on top of the mound and acted as sharp-shooters; and, strange to say, not a man in the fort was hurt. There we stood woundless and well, may Heaven's high name be blessed for't, As erst, ere treason raised a hand against us. It would be but a repetition of the above, were to speak of the conduct of the men in the redan. Much nearer the enemy, they received a large share of his attention, and three of them were slightly wounded. General Hamilton remarked, while speaking of the fight a few days ago, that: "The Twenty-fifth Indiana was not only an honor to its commander, but to the State of Indiana, and the whole army; and that had it not been for the victory of Davis's Mills, both Lagrange and Grand Junction would have fallen into the hands of the rebels." And General Grant's father, now at Lagrange, remarked that General Grant said: "The fight at Davis's Mills was the most brilliant of the war." Soon they formed again, and urged on by their officers, and goaded to madness by their former disastrous failure, they once more sprang for the Colonel Morgan deserves the highest praise, not bridge, yelling like Indians, and once more that only for standing his ground, and successfully concentrated fire from two hundred guns swept defending the position, but also for the skilful them back. And thus the contest raged till four manner in which he did it. The determination P.M., when the enemy retired, leaving twenty dead, to resist the triumphant advance of seven thoutwenty-eight very badly wounded, and twenty sand men, with so small a force, may well be prisoners. styled the climax of bravery. But when it is Some attempts were made to cross on the rail-known that Col. Morgan not only determined to road bridge, but were speedily abandoned. An hold his ground, but actually did hold it, defeatattempt was also made at a point a half-mile low-ing the enemy, and had so formed his plans and er down, where a bridge had been torn up the night before, by order of Col. Morgan. But here also they were doomed to disappointment, for there they met Lieut. Slade of the Fifth Ohio cavalry, with a squad of his men, who had been ordered by Col. Morgan to that point, early in the fight. A few shots from the new carbines of the Fifth Ohio boys, convinced them that there was no fun going on in that particular locality, or at least, if there was, their chances for seeing it were very small, and every moment grew alarmingly less; so they beat a hasty retreat, and we saw no more of Van Dorn, with his seven thousand (minus sixty-eight) followers. During the successive attempts to cross the bridge, a few of the more determined succeeded in gaining our side of the river. Among these was a color-bearer, whose sublime indifference to every thing but the faithful performance of his duty elicited the admiration of the brave men whose duty it was to slay him. He fell beneath his flag-that accursed flag of treason-his head pierced with two balls. Fort Morgan presented a scene during the fight never witnessed but once in a lifetime. It is but faint praise to say that every man did his duty; and if I say that every man did the work of two, arranged his defences, and with so little time, as not to lose a man, it should entitle him to a high rank among the true military men of the army. Most commanders are brave; not all show method in their bravery. After leaving Holly Springs, Van Dorn's raid was a disastrous failure. After his defeat, he crossed Wolf River, ten miles west of La Grange, took a look at Bolivar, broke out of our lines at Middleburg, and was gone, with our cavalry after him. Yours, respectfully, Doc. 82. C. L. T. SKIRMISH ON THE TALLAHATCHIE.* CAMP FIRST KANSAS INFANTRY, NEAR ABBEVILLE, MISS., December 16, 1862. Editors Missouri Democrat: It is with regret that we feel called upon to make this communication. We are not in the habit of fault-finding, but we feel that it is but justice to a brave and noble officer, and the men under his command, that the glaring and seemingly wilful mistakes of your correspondent, W. L. F., should be contradicted. That he is mistaken in his account of the skirmish north of the Tallahatchie on * See "Advance on Holly Springs, Miss.," page 214 ante. November thirtieth, every man and officer of the left wing ought to know, and how he, as the medium between the army, the press, and the people, can allow himself to state so palpable a falsehood, (he that should be the most correct of the correctly informed,) is beyond our comprehension. The facts are these: On the morning of the thirtieth, Colonel Deitzler, Colonel First Kansas infantry, commanding the First brigade of McArthur's division, was ordered to take four regiments of infantry, the First Kansas, Eleventh Illinois, Thirty-ninth and Twenty-seventh Ohio, and, assisted by Col. Lee with the Seventh Kansas, Third Michigan, and Fourth Illinois cavalry, make a reconnoissance of the enemy's position. The men were ordered to take three days' rations, General Hamilton supposing it would take at least two days to accomplish the object of the movement. The battery consisted of four ten-pounder Parrott guns, and was worked under the immediate supervision of Colonel Deitzler. About half-way between our camp and the enemy, something over four miles from each, we encountered the enemy's cavalry and a battery of artillery, when our line was formed with the battery in the road, the Eleventh Illinois supporting on the right, and the First Kansas on the left; the Ohio regiments were there, but were not brought into line during the fight. At one o'clock P.M., we had driven the enemy back within their works, occupied the hills on the north side of the river, within one mile and a half of their forts, and within plain sight and range of their works. Our force lay in that position for near two hours, until observations were completed, and then returned to their camp at Lumpkins's Mills without molestation by the enemy. Colonel Lee did good service with his cavalry, but did not command the expedition. The Ohio regiments would doubtless have done good service if they had been called upon, but they were not, and only marched out and back without so much as forming a line. The only injury done to any of our artillery was the breaking of an axletree of a limber-box belonging to one of the guns, by rushing against a tree. By inserting this you will be "honoring those to whom honor is due," and much oblige, yours respectfully, N. W. SPICER, Doc. 83. THE FIGHT AT HARTSVILLE, TENN. * FRIEND H. Of course you are aware that I am a prisoner of war, and am now confined in a room seventy-three by forty-three, with one hundred *See Doc. 65, page 287, ante. and twenty-five men, composed of officers, citi zens, sutlers, thieves, deserters, highwaymen and robbers, all thrown together promiscuously, and you can fancy what a comfortable position I am in. We are full of vermin; if we did not slaughter them wholesale, every morning, we should soon be eaten up alive. As I assure you, that these filthy creepers and confederate money are the only two things abundant in Dixie. It is useless for me to write about our living, etc., in this place; I must reserve that until I see you, for I indulge the hope that I shall get out of this place by and by, but when I cannot say. I purchase the Southern papers, and from the Northern extracts contained in them, I infer that the secessionists and cowards of the North contemplate working a com promise. If they only knew how their exertions for such things are ridiculed by the Southern press, they would renounce and abandon the idea instanter. I see by the resolutions of those peace men, if they are correctly printed here, that they find great fault about putting Northern citizens in confinement for disloyalty, and call upon the Administration to cease such things; but I find nothing in those resolutions condemning the same things in the South. There are citizens in prison here, and have been here month after month, simply because they are not loyal to the conthievaracy. They should denounce Old Abe for that also. No man in the South dare speak against the rebel government. If he does, confinement is his doom. There are men in this prison who are here for being alien enemies having the misfortune to have been born in Maine. Bully for Jeff. He confines a man, if he don't happen to be born in the right spot. How much more then will he put one in the jug, if he speaks disrespectfully of his unrighteous dictatorship. Talk about settling with such men by proposing peace! It is nonsense. There was once a negro very ill, and about to die. His minister called to see him and told him he must forgive all his enemies before he died. The negro hated one of his brethren heartily, and he would not consent to forgive him for his many acts of meanness toward him. The minister told him he must do it. Whereupon the sick negro compromised as follows: "If I dies, I forgive that nigga; but if I get well, that nigga must take car." This is just my feeling toward the Confederacy, and all enemies to the old flag; and that should be the feeling of every man in the North. Carry on the war, sustain the Administration, and the its own head. I am as much in favor of peace as miserable scorpion will soon be trying to swallow any man living, but the proposition must first come from the rebels, and then if peace is ever established, the honor of our beloved Government and country must be unimpaired, and the rebels must submit to be governed by Uncle Sam; and take the consequences of such legislation as may be enacted by the loyal people to suit their case. Now, a word in reference to the fight at Hartsville, where I and my whole force were captured. I had been in command of the Thirty-ninth bri gade but a few days before the fight, having suc ceeded Col. Scott, of the Nineteenth Illinois, who gave up the command and returned to his regi- Fourth was also killed, a most excellent, brave, ment. I had in my brigade the One Hundred and and patriotic man. Lieut.-Colonel Stewart, and Fourth Illinois, the One Hundred and Sixth and Major Hill, of the Second Indiana cavalry, Lieut.One Hundred and Eighth Ohio, about two hun- Colonel Hapman and Major Widmer, and every dred and eighty of the Second Indiana cavalry, officer in these regiments, and also every man, one company of the Eleventh Kentucky cavalry, acted well their parts, and all deserve the appeland a section of Nicklin's Indiana battery. I had lation of heroes. Capt. Slater of the Eleventh my pickets and videttes well thrown out, and kept Kentucky cavalry did nobly, and Lieut. Green the country well scouted for miles around every of the battery, and all in his command, while day. My scouts reported to me that Lebanon, they had opportunity, did good execution. Lieut. Tenn., was picketed by the rebels fifteen miles J. Dewald, my Aid-de-Camp, was with me in the from Hartsville. On the evening of December most dangerous parts of the field, and did me sixth, John Morgan, with his whole cavalry force much service, by the prompt and faithful delivof over four thousand, and eight pieces of artillery, ery of orders. If ever I experienced a sensation and two regiments of infantry, (the Seventh and of mortification, it was the moment when I was Ninth Kentucky,) and Cobb's battery, started at compelled, upon consultation with some of my ten o'clock at night, eight miles from Lebanon, officers, to surrender those brave men, who had with the infantry mounted behind his cavalry, and held at bay a force of rebels for one and a half marched twenty-five miles that night, crossing hours, five times their number. I indulged the the Cumberland River, five miles below my camp, hope that reënforcements would come, but we cut off my videttes and pushed on for Hartsville. were all disappointed. There were two brigades My pickets gave the alarm in time for me to have of infantry within eight miles of us, and they my men in proper line to receive them. I com- could hear the reports of the cannonading, but menced the attack upon the enemy, and fought never came to our relief until too late. Why it him for one and a half hours. The fight, while was so, I cannot tell. I was thrown out on the it lasted, was very severe. The One Hundred and extreme left with a small force, liable to be atFourth Illinois infantry and the Second Indiana tacked, and no arrangements made to render me cavalry fought nobly; but the One Hundred and relief. From the time the fight commenced, and Sixth Ohio, led by their Colonel, behaved most we were marched away from camp, it was nearly shamefully and cowardly. I did my utmost to three hours, and no reenforcements. It was too rally them, and also called upon Colonel Stewart, bad. If they had started when the first cannon of the Second Indiana cavalry, to aid me in rally-sounded, they could have reached us, and saved ing them. But it was unavailing. They ran, with us. The force of the rebels was six regiments their Colonel, at their head, and were soon cap- of cavalry, who dismounted and fought as infantured. The One Hundred and Eighth Ohio did try; also, two regiments of infantry, and fourmuch better than the One Hundred and Sixth. teen pieces of artillery, making in the aggregate Indeed, I have no particular fault to find with the about five thousand men. My force consisted of One Hundred and Eighth, as it did not have a about four hundred and fifty men of the One single field-officer in the regiment. Capts. Phe- Hundred and Fourth, three hundred and fifty of pho and Krielder did good service. the One Hundred and Sixth, two hundred and The company of Kentucky cavalry also did fifty of the One Hundred and Eighth, and two nobly. The section of artillery also performed hundred and fifty cavalry and two cannon. My good execution. After the One Hundred and whole force in the fight was about one thousand Sixth had deserted their position without orders, two hundred, but no more. I had sent the day it left the guns without any support on the right. before to Gallatin, as an escort to our provision I ordered the One Hundred and Fourth to hold train, three companies of infantry, one company the rebels in check until I placed the cannon in of cavalry, and twenty-five men as mounted inanother position. They did so. I then ordered fantry, being about two hundred men that were them to fall back, for the reason that they were not in the fight. There was also one company flanked on the right by the rebels. They fell of infantry in the city of Hartsville, acting as back in good order, with a portion of the One provost-guard, that were not in the fight. I am Hundred and Eighth accompanying them. By astonished that with my little force, we held out this time we were completely surrounded. My as long as we did. The rebel loss in killed and gunners were either killed or wounded, no pros- wounded was about four hundred. They hauled pect of receiving reënforcements, and part of my them away by the wagon-load, but for fear that command basely deserting me, I was forced to reenforcements might come to me, they were surrender, to prevent any further slaughter, as it compelled to leave many of their dead and was entirely useless to make further resistance, wounded on the field. What my loss was, I canbeing hemmed in on all sides, by an overwhelm- not tell, as I have had no opportunity to find ing force of five or six to one. Capt. William G. out. If I had had two more such regiments as Gholson, my Adjutant-General, trying in a gal- the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois, I could lant manner to rally the One Hundred and Sixth have cut my way out, and could any way, if the Ohio to perform their duty, fell by my side, One Hundred and Sixth Ohio had stood up pierced through the head by a Minié bullet. bravely. Lieutenant M. Randolph of the One Hundred and VOL. VI.-Doc. 19 There is not an officer in my command held as |