for the Thirty-third Kentucky, who had no arms, mean time was riddling them with grape and to scatter out over the country, and act in the canister, when they broke in all directions, fleecapacity of scouts. They served me admirably ing as from a belching volcano, many dropping in this respect, giving notice of Bragg's approach as they fled. At this juncture I sent Colonel when over fifty miles distant, and notifying me Emerson, of the Sixty-seventh Indiana, with one of his numbers, pieces of artillery, direction taken, more company to reenforce the redoubt, and to etc., in every movement made by him on his ad- take command. The enemy soon rallied, howvance from Cumberland River. On Saturday, ever, and seemed to be more cautious in their September thirteenth, Col. Scott, with a brigade movements, keeping up a constant fire from the of cavalry and a battery of five mountain-howit- best cover they could obtain, until half-past nine zers, came down the north side of the river from A.M., making several weak efforts to charge us Greensburgh, and at eight o'clock P.M. demanded again; but they had learned a dear lesson, and an unconditional surrender of the place. I per- profited by it. At half-past nine they sent in a emptorily refused, and at three o'clock the next flag of truce, demanding again that I should sur morning he commenced an attack by firing on our render. I again refused, when they asked the pickets. They contested the ground so stub- privilege of removing their dead and wounded. bornly that he was compelled to bring up his I gave them leave to do so. artillery to drive them in, which he accomplished At nine A. M., I was reënforced by six compaat daybreak, after losing his guide and a lieuten-nies of the Fiftieth Indiana, under Col. Dunham, ant-colonel killed. At daylight a furious attack who had come up on the railroad from Louisville, was made on the pickets, on the south side of and were thrown off the track six miles back. the river, by a large force of infantry; I immedi-At daylight they pushed through by a circuitous ately sent company K, Seventy-fourth Indiana, out to a belt of woods about a quarter of a mile in advance, to act as a reserve for the pickets to rally on. They held their ground until nearly surrounded, and only fell back when peremptorily ordered to do so by Major Cubberly, of the Eighty-ninth Indiana, who had charge of the pickets and skirmishers on the south side of the river. Our advanced line fought them stubbornly for an hour, and only came in when ordered to do so by me, as I did not wish to lose the advantage of our works. At half-past five the fight-companies Seventy-fourth Indiana, one company ing became general along the whole line, the enemy having advanced to within two hundred yards of our works in large numbers.

route, missing Scott's cavalry, on the north side of the river, and getting into the works without any loss, except one man slightly wounded. Af ter the night closed, Colonel Dunham, being the ranking officer, assumed command, and will, no doubt, make a report of the events occurring on Monday and Tuesday following the Sunday's fight. My whole force consisted of the Sixtyseventh and Eighty-ninth Indiana regiments, one company of the Eighteenth regulars, two hundred and four recruits of the Seventeenth Indiana, two

of cavalry, Louisville Provost Guard, Lieutenant Watson commanding-one twelve-pounder heavy gun, one twelve-pounder Napoleon, one twelvepounder howitzer, and one three-inch rifled gun, under Lieut. Mason; Thirteenth Indiana battery, sixty men; Thirty-third Kentucky, Capt. Wilson

the whole force amounting to two thousand one hundred and twenty-two men for duty. If were to give a list of those who did their whole duty, it would simply be a muster-roll of all who were there; no man flinched or held back a par

two parties:

The following is the correspondence that passed between the Colonel J. T. Wilder, Commanding U. S Forces at Green

River:

At half-past six A.M., the enemy advanced in line of battle upon our west or main work, and, seeing their intention to storm our position, I ordered the men to fix bayonets, when the rebels came forward with a cheer, supposing our cessation of fire was a sign of retreat. When they came within about thirty yards I directed the men to fire, which was repeated by Col. Murray, and the officers along the line, and a very avalanche of death swept through the ranks, causing them to first stagger, and then run in disorder to the wood in the rear, having left all of their fieldofficers on the ground, either killed or mortally wounded. The regiments that made this charge were the Seventh and Tenth Mississippi and Seventh Alabama. Immediately after this repulse a similar one was made on the redoubt by the Ninth and Twenty-ninth Mississippi and a battalion of sharp-shooters. They were literally murdered by a terrible fire from the gallant defenders of the work. Major Abbott sprang up on the parapet with his hat in one hand and a the following answer: drawn sabre in the other, urging his men to stand to the work, until he was shot dead under the flag he so nobly defended. A braver man never Your note demanding the unconditional surrender of my fell. The flag had one hundred and forty-six bul-you wish to avoid further bloodshed, keep out of the range of forces has been received. Thank you for your compliments. If let-holes through it, and the staff was struck my guns as to reenforcements, they are now entering my eleven times. Lieut. Mason, of the Thirteenth works. I think I can defend my position against your entire Indiana battery, commanding the artillery, in the

avoid further bloodshed, I demand an unconditional surrender "You have made a gallant defence of your positions, and to of your forces. I have six regiments of infantry, one battalion of infantry sharp-shooters, and have just been reenforced by a brigade of cavalry, under Col. Scott, with two batteries of artil lery. I have two regiments on the north side of the river, and you can't escape. The railroad track is torn up in your rest, and you can't receive reenforcements. General Bragg's army

is but a short distance in the rear.

JAMES R. CHALMERS,
Brig.-General Commanding First Brigade, Right Wing,
Army of Mississippi.
To this demand and these arguments Colonel Wilder returned

Brigadier-General Jas. R. Chalmers, Commanding First

Brigade R. W. Army of Mississippi:

force. At least I shall try to do so.

J. T. WILDES,

Colonel Commanding U. S. Forces at Green River

451

ticle. I must, however, mention W. A. Bullitt, ana volunteers, and one company (K) of the Sev-
in all four hundred and forty-six strong,
Adjutant Third Kentucky, who conveyed orders enty-eighth Indiana, attached to the Fiftieth for
for me through the hottest of the fire with as duty
much coolness as if on review; and Capt. Frank rank and file- for Green River, near Munford-
White, Fifteenth Indiana, who superintended the ville, to reenforce Col. Wilder in defence of that
earthworks, and, whenever a point was exposed point. The train ran very slowly until some dis-
to a raking fire from the enemy's batteries, im-tance below Elizabethtown, when I went forward
mediately threw up traverses to protect the men.
Our entire loss was thirty-seven killed and
wounded. The enemy admit a loss of seven hun-
dred and fourteen killed and wounded on Sunday
alone. I cannot give as complete a report as I
could wish, not having yet received a report from
the different commands engaged.

and earnestly urged the engineer to greater speed,
assuring him that it was all-important for us to
reach Green River before daylight. He did in-
crease the speed as far as safety would permit,
Just below Bacon Creek, and about seven miles
from Green River, the train stopped for wood.
I immediately passed along the cars, aroused the
men, and bid them stand by their arms in readi-
ness for any emergency, as we were approaching
dangerous ground. I then took position on the
engine, and the train moved cautiously forward.
We had proceeded about a mile when we ran
upon a portion of the track which had been un-
dermined by the enemy, and slid to one side in
such a manner as to make the injury apparent to
the engineer and myself. The train was thrown
off and several of the cars completely wrecked,
yet strange to say, not a man or horse were seri-
ously injured. The men seemed inspired with
even greater confidence, as if feeling themselves
under the especial protection of an overruling
Providence.

On Tuesday evening, at seven P.M., I was again placed in command. By this time General Polk had crossed the river ten miles above, with the right wing of Bragg's army, and coming down on the north side, took up a position on the river hills commanding our works; the left wing under Hardee, having taken position on the hills on the south side. Bragg had sent a summons to surrender, and a consultation had been held late Tuesday evening with commanders of regiments, in which it was the unanimous expression, that unless enabled by reënforcements to hold the north side of the river, we could make no successful resistance. All, however, decided to re sist, unless full evidence should be given of the They were immediately formed in line of batoverwhelming force of the enemy; and having been informed that Gen. Buell's army had not tle, an instantaneous attack being expected. The No enemy appearing, left Bowling Green at two P.M., the day before, woods which skirted both sides of the road were and having been notified by you that we could promptly reconnoitred. get no help from Louisville, our ammunition for the regiment was put in rapid march for Munsmall arms being very limited, and our men worn fordville, presuming that the road had been deIt had out by constant work and fighting for four days stroyed to prevent reënforcements from reaching and nights, and being satisfied that further re- that place. We had not proceeded far before sistance was no less than wilful murder of the cannonading in that direction was heard. now become daylight, and the men deposited their brave men who had so long contested with overWe soon met whelming numbers, I determined, after counting knapsacks and blankets in the thicket on the forty-five cannon in positions commanding our roadside and moved rapidly on. open field-works, and surrounded by over twen- crowds of frightened and fleeing citizens, from ty-five thousand men, with no possible chance of whom no satisfactory information could be got of assistance from any quarter, although promised the situation of affairs at, or of the forces investsuch by you from Bowling Green, to surrendering our works. When within between three or the entire force; which I did on Wednesday four miles of the place we were met by an intelmorning, at two A.M., marching out of the works at six A.M., with all the honors of war, drums beating and colors flying, we being allowed, by the terms of surrender, our side-arms and all priOfficers vate property, and four days' rations. and men were immediately paroled, and are about to start for the Ohio River.

I have the honor to be, your ob't servant,
J. T. WILDER,
Colonel Commanding U. S. Forces at Green River

COLONEL DUNHAM'S REPORT.

LOUISVILLE, KY., September 30, 1862.

To the A. A. General and Chief of Staff of the
Army of Kentucky:

SIR: I have the honor to report that in obedience to an order of Major-General Gilbert, on the thirteenth instant, at eleven o'clock P.M. left the dépôt of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad with six companies of the Fiftieth regiment Indi

ligent citizen, of my acquaintance, who informed me that a cavalry force of the enemy, at least two thousand strong, and a battery of artillery were posted some distance this side of the river, and covering the road approaching our works which were upon the south bank, that guns were also so planted upon both banks of the river as to cover the bridges, and that he deemed it impossible for us to pass them and get in. But nothing daunted, our little force made a detour to the right, and, by keeping under the cover of the woods, and corn-fields, and down ravines, eluded the enemy and reached the river just below the railroad bridge and opposite our works. Here a momentary halt was made under the cover of the woods to close up the column and give the men a little rest. They then plunged into and forded the river at double-quick, between the two bridges, the first notice the enemy having of our approach being the hearty cheers of our

beleaguered troops in the works. Fortunately skirmish, displayed great coolness and courage. for us, the guns of the enemy upon the northern bank, bearing upon the crossing, had just before, by a well-directed fire from our own, under Lieut. Mason, been silenced, and from those upon the southern side he had only time to throw a shell or two at our rear as it disappeared under the cover of the bank, resulting only in slightly wounding one man. His cavalry came dashing down in an attempt to cut us off, but only in time to be as hastily driven back, as we promptly turned and fired upon them.

We found the engagement still progressing. By Gen. Gilbert's written order, the command was to go according to seniority, and I being the senior officer, Col. Wilder promptly tendered me the command, but I promptly refused to assume it, feeling that to do so during the progress of the engagement would be ungenerous in me and unjust to him; but I placed myself and force under his command. He has reported the proceedings of that day.

They held the enemy's advancing column at bay for over an hour, and were only pressed back by overwhelming numbers. The object evidently was to avoid the field-work on our left, known as Fort Craig, from which he had been so fatally repulsed on Sunday, and, under the cover of the woods, to approach and carry by storm the breastworks of our right. But the promptness and energy with which he was met seemed to deter him from the attempt. Before eleven A.M. the engagement had become general along our south line, the heavy pressure being upon the west or right. The men were cool and eager for the expected assault. The fire was rapid and continuous on the part of the enemy, who kept himself under cover of the woods.

Between two and three it slackened, and by three it had almost ceased, and, supposing the enemy had withdrawn from the woods which fronted our entire south line, and, being anxious to occupy the farther edge of it that I might be On Monday, the fifteenth, I assumed command. advised of, and check a renewed attack, company The enemy had, under the cover of the night, A, Fiftieth Indiana, Captain Barrell, was thrown withdrawn from before us the infantry and ar-out as skirmishers, to feel through it. They tillery to Cave City and the cavalry up the river. Work upon the intrenchments was at once resumed and pushed forward with vigor that day, the night following, and in fact throughout all the affair on Tuesday. Wagons were sent to the wrecked train for the provisions upon it, and steps successfully taken, by the aid of Mr. William Gibson, a patriotic Union citizen of Munfordville, of whom I cannot speak in too high praise, to bring in the ammunition which had been upon it, but which the loyal men of the neighborhood had carried to the woods and concealed. Efforts were also made to repair the telegraph line. Messengers were sent to different points northward to communicate to the headquarters in this city our situation, and inform them that we expected a renewal of the attack by a largely increased force, and ask for reenforcements. Messengers with a like object, I was informed, had been sent by Col. Wilder to Bowling Green. I regarded the place as of great importance to the Government, and made every effort to save it.

On Monday night, reënforcements, under command of Colonel Owen, Sixtieth Indiana, were received from Lebanon Junction, consisting of a part of the Sixtieth Indiana, (four hundred and twenty men,) including one company of the Twenty-eighth Kentucky, Lieutenant Conaway, which had been attached to it for duty; a part of the Sixty-eighth Indiana, Colonel King, (five hundred and seventy men,) and a battery of six pieces, Captain Conkle in command.

On Tuesday, the sixteenth instant, about halfpast nine A.M. the advance of the enemy attack ed our pickets on the south of our works, and from the direction of Cave City. His advance was sternly resisted by companies A, B, and H, Fiftieth Indiana, and part of company K, Seventyeighth Indiana, under Major Wells, who, as well as the officers and men under him, in this little

soon became hotly engaged with the enemy, who attempted to turn their left flank. I immediately ordered Captain Carothers, with company G, of the same regiment, to his support. The order was promptly obeyed and the company gallantly deployed under a galling fire. This was a brilliant little affair. In it Lieutenant Burton, of company G, fell severely wounded, nobly doing his duty.* Finding that the enemy still occupied the woods in force, our men were withdrawn under a fire from the works. I should also mention that company A, Sixtieth Indiana, was thrown out as skirmishers upon the left early in the engagement, and there remained for some time, doing excellent service with a loss of one man wounded. By half-past four the firing on both sides had nearly ceased, there being only an occasional shot from our guns as opportunity offered to prevent the planting of batteries by the enemy. Between five and six o'clock a flag of truce from the enemy was seen approaching, I sent Colonel Wilder to receive it. It covered a note from General Bragg, commanding the enemy's forces, asserting that we were surrounded by an overwhelming force, all hopes of reenforcements cut off, and demanding a surrender to save the loss of human life which must result from carrying the works by storm. I promptly and peremptorily declined, but when Colonel Wilder returned, after the delivery of my reply, and informed me that so far as he had been able to observe, the force against us was truly overwhelming, and especially in artillery, and situation critical, and being a senior officer of equal rank with several others in the works, some of whom had had greater experience, I, at his sug gestion, deemed it my duty to call a council of war of those officers. I desired also to gain time in hopes of relief from this place or from Bowling Green. I, therefore, sent a note to Gen. Bragg,

Since dead.

night without our firing a gun. We got four Kanawha division, (the whole of the latter divi thousand (4000) prisoners, four thousand (4000) | sion being under command of Col. E. P. Scamsmall arms, pieces of artillery and munitions in large quantities. BRAXTON BRAGG.

The valley in which the stream runs is quite narrow, the steep slope on the right bank approaching to the water's edge. In this slope the roadway is scarped, running both ways from the bridge and passing to the higher land above by ascending through ravines, above and below-the other ravine being some six hundred yards above the bridge, the town about half that distance Further reports of this battle will be found in the Supple-bridge was a strong stone fer.ce running parallel below. On the hill-side immediately above the