(Correspondence of the Cincinnati Commercial.)
{OFFICIAL REPORT.}
BATTLE FILED PITTSBURG LANDING,
April 8th, 1862.
Frank J. Jones. A. A. G. –
SIR: – I have the honor to submit the following statement of the part taken by eight companies of the 13th Regiment O. V. I. , under my command, in the action of April 7th inst., near Pittsburg Landing, On Tennessee river. After having passed the previous night in awaiting orders near the Landing, my regiment, a part of the 14th Brigade, under Acting Brigadier General [W.] S. Smith, marched out to a position in the center, about one and a half mile distant. The 13th Ohio Regiment occupied the center of the brigade. An advance of the rebels on our lines took place about 8 A. M., and during a sever struggle and through a heavy shower of musketry and artillery, this regiment, in connection with the remainder of the brigade, charged upon the rebels, and succeeded in capturing three pieces of artillery, viz two 6-pounds, and one 12-pound howitzer, belonging to the Washington battery. After spiking one of the guns, and meeting with a severe loss, [the enemy appeared] in force, and succeeded in compelling us, with their fresh troops and superior numbers, to fall back about 400 yards, when reinforcements [reached us] and a new line of battle was formed, and in regular order we recommenced the fight under a heavy fire of canister.
While charging the rebel battery and retiring from it, four of our commissioned officers and many of our non-commissioned officers and privates fell, killed or wounded while manfully and courageously performing their duties.
The enthusiasm and perservering bravery of my command, as exhibited in this charge, were highly commendable. The officers and men seemed determined to accomplish the object in view, and although our plans [were] for the time frustrated by unforeseen causes, the spirits of the men never for an instant failed them but each succeeding attempt to overpower the enemy was made with renewed courage and confidence in their abilities.
In the afternoon and towards the close of the battle, the regiment was reformed, and with the major portion of the brigade changed its position down the road and to the right of that occupied in the morning.
A sudden dash of the enemy was made on Mendenhall’s Battery, which had been posted on the roads in advance of us. Our lines were immediately placed under command of acting Brigadier General W. S. Smith, and the 13th Regiment O. V. I., forming a part of the first line of attack, charged upon, drove back the enemy, and again captured the rebel battery, which we had failed to hold in the morning. This charge was brilliant and decisive. The position was held against a strong effort of the rebels to regain possession of their battery.
I have the honor to be, &c.,
Lt.-Col. J. G. HAWKINS,
Commanding 13th Reg. O. V. I.
– Published in The Athens Messenger, Athens, Ohio, Thursday, April 24, 1862
{OFFICIAL REPORT.}
BATTLE FILED PITTSBURG LANDING,
April 8th, 1862.
Frank J. Jones. A. A. G. –
SIR: – I have the honor to submit the following statement of the part taken by eight companies of the 13th Regiment O. V. I. , under my command, in the action of April 7th inst., near Pittsburg Landing, On Tennessee river. After having passed the previous night in awaiting orders near the Landing, my regiment, a part of the 14th Brigade, under Acting Brigadier General [W.] S. Smith, marched out to a position in the center, about one and a half mile distant. The 13th Ohio Regiment occupied the center of the brigade. An advance of the rebels on our lines took place about 8 A. M., and during a sever struggle and through a heavy shower of musketry and artillery, this regiment, in connection with the remainder of the brigade, charged upon the rebels, and succeeded in capturing three pieces of artillery, viz two 6-pounds, and one 12-pound howitzer, belonging to the Washington battery. After spiking one of the guns, and meeting with a severe loss, [the enemy appeared] in force, and succeeded in compelling us, with their fresh troops and superior numbers, to fall back about 400 yards, when reinforcements [reached us] and a new line of battle was formed, and in regular order we recommenced the fight under a heavy fire of canister.
While charging the rebel battery and retiring from it, four of our commissioned officers and many of our non-commissioned officers and privates fell, killed or wounded while manfully and courageously performing their duties.
The enthusiasm and perservering bravery of my command, as exhibited in this charge, were highly commendable. The officers and men seemed determined to accomplish the object in view, and although our plans [were] for the time frustrated by unforeseen causes, the spirits of the men never for an instant failed them but each succeeding attempt to overpower the enemy was made with renewed courage and confidence in their abilities.
In the afternoon and towards the close of the battle, the regiment was reformed, and with the major portion of the brigade changed its position down the road and to the right of that occupied in the morning.
A sudden dash of the enemy was made on Mendenhall’s Battery, which had been posted on the roads in advance of us. Our lines were immediately placed under command of acting Brigadier General W. S. Smith, and the 13th Regiment O. V. I., forming a part of the first line of attack, charged upon, drove back the enemy, and again captured the rebel battery, which we had failed to hold in the morning. This charge was brilliant and decisive. The position was held against a strong effort of the rebels to regain possession of their battery.
I have the honor to be, &c.,
Lt.-Col. J. G. HAWKINS,
Commanding 13th Reg. O. V. I.
– Published in The Athens Messenger, Athens, Ohio, Thursday, April 24, 1862
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