sumed command of the corps, but before the Fifth division had joined me, it, with one of the siege-batteries, was reassigned to Major-General Buell. On the fourth of May the reserves were moved forward by me--the Third division from their position near the Pittsburgh and Purdy bridge, across Owl Creek to Mickey's White House, and the First division under command of Brig.-Gen. Judah to the vicinity of Monterey. Encountering a heavy rain-storm on the march, the roads became very bad, and Lick Creek so swollen as to be impassable without re-bridging. This I caused to be done under the direction of Lieut. H. C. Freeman, Engineer of the corps. Nor should I forget to state, that during this march, I received an order to send back a detachment of cavalry under instructions to proceed to the most convenient bridge across Owl Creek, and thence to the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, at or near Bethel, for the purpose of destroying it. In conveying this order, amid the storm and press of troops and train, Capt. Norton, my Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, coming in contact with a miring, floundering horse, met with the misfortune of having one of his legs broken. Pressing on, however, he delivered the order. the absence of Col. Marsh, Twentieth Illinois, on sick leave, was in command of the Third brigade. Col. Smith was here relieved of the command of the Third brigade by Col. Lawler, his senior in rank. Being visited by his Excellency, Richard Yates, Governor of the State of Illinois, at this place, the First division was drawn out and passed in review before him—receiving the honor of his congratulations for their patriotic devotion, the lustre they had shed upon Illinois, and their soldierly appearance and expertness. At this camp Gen. Logan assumed command of the First brigade. On the eleventh the same division struck their tents and moved forward about two miles and a half, in the direction of Corinth, to the crossing of the "Old State Line" with the " Purdy and Farmington road." Encamping here, near Fielder's house, a reconnoissance in the direction of Corinth was immediately made by companies C and D, Fourth Illinois cavalry, under command of Captain C. D. Townshend, accompanied by Lieut. S. R. Tresilian, of General Logan's staff. Pushing forward his reconnoissance in advance of any that had been previously made, Captain Townshend came in contact with the enemy's pickets near Easel's house, on the "Hack road," leading from Purdy to Corinth, and drove back their accumulating numbers some distance. This position, at the cross-roads, was vital to the line of our advance upon the enemy at Corinth, as it protected our right flank from attack. Lieut.-Col. William McCollough, with the small available force at hand, consisting of only two hundred and fifty Illinois mounted men, started after nightfall, and marching through rain and mire all night, seventeen miles, came to the road, and dismounting his men under the enemy's fire, destroyed three bridges, a portion of the road-To strengthen and secure so important a position, track and telegraph-wire-throwing the latter into Cypress Creek. Having accomplished this daring feat, he turned his small force against the enemy's cavalry and, boldly attacking them, drove them back in confusion upon and through Purdy, killing a number of them and losing one man and several horses. This achievement prevented the enemy from turning our flank at Pea Ridge, and while advancing upon Corinth. All credit is due to the officers and men accomplish-repeatedly meeting the enemy's pickets and reing it. rifle-pits were dug and earthworks thrown up both as a cover for our infantry and artillery. Among several outposts, one was established upon the Little Muddy Creek near Harris's house, which, although much exposed and often threatened by the enemy, was firmly held by the Twentieth Illinois and a section of artillery, under command of Lieut.-Col. Richards. Numerous reconnoissances were also made, resulting in connoitring parties and driving them back. Encamping the Third division at Mickey's On the fourteenth, the Second brigade, under White House, and the First division south of command of Gen. Ross, was detached from the Lick Creek and within a mile of Monterey, they division and moved still further forward, about a remained here until the eleventh. Meantime, mile and a half, to a position which had just been heavy rains had fallen, sweeping away the bridge vacated by another division. Hearing that the upon the main road, across Lick Creek, and over-enemy were using the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, flowing the banks of the stream. For the pur- as a means of so disposing his forces as to enable pose of preserving and facilitating our communi-him to turn our right flank, attack us in the rear, cations with the base, at Pittsburgh Landing, I ordered a detail of two thousand men, who, under the direction of Lieut. Freeman, of my staff, and Lieut. Tresilian, Engineer of the First division, renewed the old bridge, constructed a new one, corduroyed the valley of the stream, and repaired the road for the space of some five miles back. and cut off our communication with the base at Pittsburgh, I ordered Gen. Wallace to advance one of the brigades of his division to an intermediate point on the line between his camp and the "Cross-Roads." Col. Wood, Seventy-sixth Ohio, commanding the Third brigade of the Third division, accordingly moved forward with his brigade and took and strongly fortified a commanding position. At this camp, Col. M. K. Lawler, Eighteenth Illinois, who had been in command of the First brigade during the illness of Brig.-Gen. John A. In combination with this movement, at four Logan, was relieved by that officer. Brig.-Gen. o'clock in the morning, Gen. Ross with his briL. F. Ross was in command of the Second brigade, a battalion of cavalry and eight pieces of gade, and Col. J. E. Smith, Forty-fifth Illinois, in cannon, supported by Gen. Logan's brigade as a reserve, the whole under the command of Brig.General Judah, moved forward to the railroad. Upon reaching the road, Gen. Ross instantly encountered a detachment of the enemy's forces which had been placed there to guard it, and rapidly driving them back, tore up the road for some distance, spoiling the rails by placing them on ties and other timbers which were fired and thus destroyed. The celerity of this movement took the enemy by surprise-leaving him no opportunity to reenforce the detachment thus put to flight. After having successfully acomplished the object of the movement, and marched near ten miles, our forces were returned to their camps by ten o'clock A.M. A of Major Smith, of the Forty-sixth Illinois, acting as officer of the day. Met by skirmishers of the enemy, sharp firing soon ensued, and another company from the Eighth Illinois, under command of Capt. Wilson, was thrown forward to support their comrades already engaged. spirited combat ensued, in which several of our men were wounded, and among the number Sergeant Barnard Zick, of company B, Eighth Illinois, severely, in the arm. Our further advance being restrained, we were left in the dark as to the loss sustained by the enemy, which, however, is believed to have been considerable. Afterwards and near night, the enemy's skirmishers being increased, retaliated by making an attack upon our skirmishers, confident of success. To his disappointment, however, Captains Lieb and Wilson, of the Eighth Illinois, boldly advanced their companies, and after two rounds of musketry drove him back discomfited. In this second skirmish one of our men was wounded, seven of the enemy killed, and still more wounded, who were carried from the field. Night followed, during which the brigade laid upon its arms, in the face of the enemy, prepared to meet any emergency. The conspicuous and pregnant fact, that the enemy had allowed us to approach within artilleryrange of his defences at this point without offering any formidable resistance, reasonably induced the belief that he had evacuated, or was evacuating his camp at Corinth. General Logan's On the twenty-first, Gen. Logan's brigade leaving the cross-roads, moved forward and took a fortified position within three miles of the enemy's defences around Corinth, near Easel's house. At this date the two divisions composing the reserves were disposed of in different detachments from the point named on the extreme right of our general line of advance, northward, some eighteen miles on the east side of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad and Owl Creek, quite to Pittsburgh Landing. This disposition stamped them with the double character of an advance force and a reserve, and subjected them to severe, unceasing, and most dangerous duty. It was expected of them to prevent the enemy from turning our right flank and interrupting our communication with the source of our supplies at Pittsburgh opinion agreeing with my own upon this point, Landing. This they did. he would have made a demonstration to prove A further advance upon Corinth having been the fact, with my approbation, but for want of determined upon, on the twenty-eighth Gen. Lo-authority. gan's and Gen. Ross's brigades were moved to the front and right of our general line of advance, under command of Gen. Judah, in pursuance of my order. Immediately coöperating with Gen. Sherman's division in making a strong demonstration of attacking Corinth, they first directed their march to the "Blue-Cut" on the railroad. Finding the enemy's pickets here, between whom and our own such an agreement existed, we notified them to retire, which, after an interview be tween Major Stewart, of my staff, and Captain Cochran, of the Louisiana cavalry, they did, yielding us possession of the ground they had occupied and the control of the road-track within some two miles of the enemy's defences. This was the most advanced position which had been hitherto taken on the right of our general line, and was retained and intrenched by Gen. Ross of General Sherman's troops which had come up, on account of its great strategic value. On the evening of the twenty-ninth, after General Logan's brigade had commenced marching in returning to their camp near Easel's, the enemy's guard renewed their attack upon his picket-line. Halting the regiments which had started, and retaining those which had not yet moved in their position, he ordered Captains Lieb and Cowen, of the Eighth and Forty-fifth Illinois regiments to advance their companies. These officers promptly doing so, a very severe skirmish ensued, in which this small force again signalized western courage, by beating and driving back superior numbers. According to information subsequently obtained, the enemy lost forty men killed and wounded in this combat, which the lateness of the evening and the nearness of his position to his works enabled him to carry off. Having been relieved by other the brigade returned to their camp the same This was the last engagement which took place before the enemy evacuated Corinth and we occupied the place. About the time Gen. Ross had taken posses-night. sion of this position, Gen. Logan moved his brigade obliquely to the left and united with Gen. Denver's brigade, forming the right of Gen. Sherman's division. The effect of this disposition being to extend the line of battle so as to flank the enemy's position on the west; this portion of my command, in conjunction with Gen. Sherman's division, now advanced to attack him. Skirmishers were thrown out about three hundred yards in front of the brigade under charge In commenting upon these operations, I have only to add, that the officers and men under my command bore themselves most worthily while performing the duties both of an advance column and a reserve corps. The arduous and responsible task of protecting the right flank of our grand army, and our communications for some eighteen miles back to Pittsburgh Landing, was successfully executed. At no time was our flank allowed to be surprised, or our line of communications interrupted, but throughout the siege all kinds of supplies, whether of commissary, quartermaster's, or ordnance stores, continued safely to be brought up to our advancing line. ambush. The woods swarmed with rebels, and the firing was terrific. I have since learned that over two thousand Texas troops were here drawn up in line of battle. Capt. Miller led our advance, and was immediately followed by First Lieut. Chesebro, both of whose companies were deployed as skirmishers. These companies began the fight. The little cannon was planted a short distance to the left of the road, and opened fire. The rebel advance fell back on the main line, which was concealed by thick underbrush from our men. Colonel Harris pushed on his advance until they came within range, when suddenly the enemy began a murderous fire. Our force, thus fiercely and unexpectedly assailed, was ordered to fall back, and in executing this order fell into some little confusion. The Rangers charged. Here Col. Harris was severely wounded, but still kept his horse and, though fainting, fought. I had now reached the field. The rebels, a full regiment strong, were charging at a gallop on the little steel gun which was left with Lieut. Denneman and one man. All others were gone. Capt. Potter with his company here came to the rescue, aided in limbering up, and withstood the charge of cavalry till the gun had fairly gained the road, when it was taken in charge by Lieut. Partridge. Capt. Potter was seriously wounded. To the members of my staff I have occasion to renew my acknowledgments for their accustomed zeal, activity and devotion in furthering my views throughout the siege. Colonel T. E. G. Ransom, Inspector-General of the reserves, Colonel F. Anneke, Chief of Artillery, Major J. J. Mudd, Major W. Stewart, Major E. S. Jones, Captain W. Rives, Captain H. C. Freeman, Engineer, and Lieutenant H. P. Christie, all members of my staff, were unceasing in their efforts to obtain information and advise me of the successive movements, positions and purposes of the enemy, and several times risked their lives by their near approach to his lines. Our reconnoissance particularly deserves to be noticed, in which, on the second day before the evacuation, Major Stewart and Captain Rives pushed their advance so far as to make the first discovery of the enemy's works, and to draw upon themselves his fire, which providentially proved harmless. Nor can I forbear in justice to mention with earnest and emphatic commendation, the admirable urbanity, skill, fidelity, and success with which Captain C. T. Hotchkiss, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General of the reserves, performed the important and re-road at full speed, and in great force in pursuit, sponsible duties of his office. On the thirtieth our forces entered the evacuated camp of the enemy at Corinth, thereby adding to the series of successes which have crowned the arms of the West. Yours respectfully, JOHN A. McCLERNAND, Doc. 82. BATTLE OF THE CACHE, ARK., FOUGHT JULY 7, 1862. COLONEL HOVEY'S OFFICIAL REPORT. HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, I now ordered the gun up the road in haste, and the infantry into the corn-field. As the rebels, confident of victory, came charging up the the infantry fired. The rebel column hesitated, but moved on. Another volley, and the ground was covered with their dead. Riderless horses rushed wildly in all directions. The Rangers wavered and halted. The third fire completed their demoralization and overthrow. They left as suddenly as they came, and in great disorder. It was now certain that we had engaged a large force of well-armed men; how large it was impossible to tell, nor did I know their strategy, or have any but the most imperfect idea of the topography of the adjacent grounds. It seemed prudent, therefore, to hold the position already chosen, and which had proved to be a good one, and wait events. I soon discovered a large cavalry force filing past, in front of my position, but just beyond musket-range. When fully in front they halted, and ordered a charge. I could distinctly hear the order, "Charge, charge on the corn-field!" but for some reason no charge was made. The column was again put in motion, with the intent, as I supposed, to gain my rear and cut off communication and reenforcements. Fortunately, the force which had been ordered back from the first onset, was now in position to check this movement, and again the rebels were forced to retreat. CAPTAIN Pursuant to orders, I directed Col. Harris, with parts of four companies of his regiment, the Eleventh Wisconsin infantry, and parts of four companies of the Thirty third Illinois infantry, and one small steel gun of the First Indiana cavalry, in all a little less than four hundred men, to make a reconnoissance in advance of our lines. He fell in with the rebel pickets at Hill's plantation, and fired on them. Passing Hardly had this movement failed, when I was the forks of the road at this place towards Bayou apprised of an attempt to turn my left, and imDe View, he had proceeded but a short distance mediately despatched Capt. Elliott and his comwhen I overtook and turned him back, with in-pany to thwart it. During these shiftings of posistructions to hasten down the Des Arc road, and, if possible, rescue a prisoner just captured. He marched rapidly for half a mile, and fell into an VOL. V.--Doc. 18 tions I could plainly see them caring for their dead and wounded, and removing them, but to what extent I have no means of telling. They now Illinois cavalry, Col. Bell, and a battalion of the formed on their original line of battle, and I moved upon them, extending my line till it became merely a line of skirmishers, to prevent being flanked, so great was the disproportion of the forces. No men could behave more hand-rebels appeared on the Bayou De View road and somely than did the Wisconsin Eleventh, oh my right, and the Illinois Thirty-third, on my left, while Lieut. Denneman, with his gun, supported by as large an infantry force as I could spare, held the centre. The rebels gave way, and, while driving them from the field, I heard a shout in the rear, and before fully comprehending what it meant, Lieut.-Col. Wood, of the First Indiana cavalry, with one battalion and two more steel guns, came cantering up. It was the work of a moment for Lieutenant Baker to unlimber his pieces and get in position. The woods were soon alive with shot and shell. The retreat became a rout. Our cavalry, led by Major Clendenning, charged vigorously, and the day was ours. To Captain J. W. PADDOCK, Assistant Adjutant-General. REPORT OF LIEUT.-COLONEL WOOD. Col. Conrad Baker, Commanding Fourth Brigade: Already one hundred and ten (110) of the enemy's dead have been found, while their prisoners, and the officer in charge of the flag of truce speak of the "terrible carnage," and esti-inst., I proceeded with the Second battalion First mate their dead at more than two hundred, and their wounded at a still greater number. Their loss in dead was, undoubtedly, much greater than the one hundred and ten whose bodies were found. I have been unable to ascertain the number of their wounded, or to make a reliable estimate; nor have I a report of the prisoners taken. A large number of horses were captured, and many left dead on the field. Sixty-six were counted within an area of half a mile square. Our loss was seven killed, and fifty-seven wounded. The rebel force-Texas troops-engaged in the fight could not have been far from two thousand (2000) men, and was supported by a still larger reserve force, all under the command of General Rust. The loyal force was less than four hundred, (400,) increased just at the close by a cavalry force of about two hundred, (200.) Where officers and men so uniformly behaved well, I can almost say heroically, it is, perhaps, invidious to particularize; and yet I may be pardoned for calling attention to the gallant conduct of Col. Harris and Capt. Miller, of the Eleventh Wisconsin; Major Clendenning, of the First Indiana cavalry, and Captain L. H. Potter, of the Thirty-third Illinois. Surgeon H. P. Strong was on the field throughout the action, and his services deserve recognition. Later in the afternoon, reenforcements came up, and Gen. Benton pursued the fleeing foe five or six miles towards Des Arc, killing several and taking prisoners. All along the route, he found the house filled with the dead and wounded; curb-stones were wet with blood, and in one case, even the water of the well was crimson with gore. Gen. Benton's force consisted of the Eighth Indiana, Col. Shunk; a section of Manter's battery, First Missouri light artillery, Lieut. Schofield; part of the Eleventh Wisconsin, Major Platt; one howitzer from Bowen's battalion; the Thirteenth regiment Indiana cavalry, and two steel rifled guns to the bridge across Bayou de View, which we fortunately succeeded in saving from destruction, the rebels having built a fire at the north end, ready to burn it. This we prevented by cautiously approaching their pickets, who fired upon us and filed. We returned their fire and shelled their camp, killing three. The rest, suppos ed to be five hundred, fled in the utmost confusion. In carrying out your order we incidentally engaged a large force of the enemy composed of the Twelfth and Fourteenth Texas cavalry, with several battalions of conscripts at Round Hill, eight miles north of Bayou de View. When within a mile of the place known as Round Hill, we met a messenger from Col. Hovey, who said that the Colonel had been attacked by a large force and had three companies killed. We afterward met a squad of infantry hurrying toward our camp on Cache River, who informed us that they had been "badly used up; Col. Hovey, Thirty-third Illinois volunteers, with about four hundred infantry and one gun under the command of Lieut. Denneman, First regiment Indiana cavalry, had been fighting with the rebels and had retreated before a very large force, having a great number of men killed and wounded." Increasing our speed, we arrived at Round Hill, and the first squad of infantry we saw ran from us, supposing us to be the enemy. The principal part of the infantry were standing in groups in the edge of the woods adjoining the road. These received us with demonstrations of joy, cheering us enthusiastically. Here we met Colonel Hovey and the gun belonging to the First Indiana cavalry. Col. Hovey told me that the enemy was down the road, and "plenty of them," at the same time saying to us, "pitch into them." And we did 'pitch into them," at full speed. The three guns, closely followed by the battalion of cavalry, galloped down the lane in the woods where we first discovered the enemy approaching in the form of 66 a V. Instantly forming our line of battle, with guns in battery in the centre, and with one squadron on the left and the other on the right, we poured canister into their front and shell in their rear. As the enemy gave way before this terrific fire, we followed them closely, giving no respite for about two miles, sometimes running up our guns within one hundred yards of their lines. When the enemy began to waver, by my direction Major R. M. Clendenning, with companies E and G, made a furious charge upon their right flank, engaging them in a most gallant style for about twenty minutes, coolly receiving the enemy's fire. These two companies poured volley after volley from their carbines and pistols, cutting up the enemy's ranks in a dreadful manner. These two companies deserve special notice. They fought like veteran soldiers. At one time all the officers of company E were dismounted. Capt. Wm. W. Sloan, kilied; First Lieut. Wm. V. Weathers, thrown from his horse; Second Lieut. Chas. L. Lamb (my Adjutant) having his horse shot from under him. Notwithstanding these casualties, the men fought as only brave men can fight; riding into the enemy's ranks they delivered their fire with telling effect. Unable to stand before these determined men, the enemy broke and filed in great confusion, the cavalry breaking through the infantry, panic-stricken at the intrepid daring of our men. As the enemy fled we poured canister at them and shell over them, following them until further pursuit was useless, and we remained masters of the field. During the fight Col. Hovey directed the movements of the skirmishers on our flanks. The infantry, with the exception of these skirmishers, was not engaged, but followed in the rear, ready, should any contingency arise requiring their assistance. The rebels suffered very severely. We have since ascertained their loss to be over two hundred killed and many wounded. We сарtured one prisoner. Capt. Wm. W. Sloan, company E, First Indiana cavalry, was killed while gallantly leading his men in the hottest of the fight. Major R. M. Clendenning was very severely wounded, a shot passing through the right lung, and one lodging in his arm. The conduct of Major Clendenning merits the highest commendation. He is a brave man. Corporal Nathan Collins and private James J. Clark were severely wounded. These deserve special notice. Eight others were slightly wounded. My thanks are due to Lieutenants William B. Baker and G. Denneman of the battery, and my Adjutant, Charles L. Lamb, for their cool and gallant conduct while exposed to the enemy's fire; also, to all the officers and men engaged. After a short rest, we proceeded, with seven additional companies of infantry, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Wood of the Eleventh Wisconsin regiment, to the bridge across Bayou de View, as before mentioned. I have the honor to be WILLIAM F. WOOD, ST. LOUIS "DEMOCRAT" ACCOUNT. The battle of the seventh of July, near "Bayou Cache," won against tremendous odds, resulted in the death of over one hundred and ten rebels and the utter demoralization of six Texan regiments, who have not ventured to molest us since. The army under General Curtis was encamped at the junction of the Bayou Cache and Cache River, where our progress was delayed by a blockade of fallen timber. A road had been cut through this blockade on the evening of the sixth, and early next morning Colonel Hovey, of the Thirty-third Illinois regiment, was ordered by General Steele to open the road on the opposite side of the Cache, make a reconnoissance in front down to the Clarendon road, along which the army were to march, and also to scour the woods thoroughly. Colonel Hovey detailed for this enterprise the following force: Colonel Harris, of the Eleventh Wisconsin, with parts of four companies of his regiment, namely, company D, Captain Jesse Miller; company F, Lieutenant Chesebro; company H, Captain Christie; company G, Captain Partridge; and also parts of four companies of the Thirty-third Illinois, namely, company E, Captain Elliott; company K, Captain Nixon; company F, Captain Lawton; and company A, Captain Potter, who took charge, and one small rifled gun belonging to the First Indiana cavalry. The whole force numbered not over three hundred and fifty men. Colonel Hovey started about six A.M., with company D, of the Eleventh Wisconsin, ahead. Skirmishers were thrown out, and in this way they proceeded to the Hill plantation, at the forks of the road, four miles distant from camp. On the way some pickets were driven in. The main road here leads to Cotton Plant and Clarendon. The road to the left is a neighborhood road, while that turning to the side leads across the Cache, four miles distant, and thence to the Des Arc, on the White River. Detachments were sent forward on each of these roads to reconnoitre. Colonel Harris, with three companies of the Eleventh Wisconsin, and Captain Potter, with the small rifle piece, proceeded rapidly down the Des Arc road, having no cavalry. They passed a cornfield on the left, entered an open wood, and reaching a turn in the road, at the same time rising up in elevation, they fell in with two Texan regiments of cavalry, with a regiment of conscript infantry drawn up on their right, ready to receive them. The rebels fired a murderous volley as soon as our men got into the snare, killing five of our men and wounding Colonel Harris and Captain Potter. Our men returned the fire and fell back, the enemy being too preponderating in numbers to withstand with our little force. Captain Potter, though wounded, gave them a few rounds from his piece, and fell back, firing into the enemy's ranks. The rebels then made a charge, and the retreat of our men became temporarily a panic. Colonel Hovey hearing the firing, and judging the turn affairs were taking by the clouds of dust which rose and filled the air above the trees, took the remaining companies |
