No. 18.
Report of Col. James M. Tuttle, Second Iowa
Infantry, Commanding
Second Division and First Brigade.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST
BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION,
Pittsburg, Tenn.,
April 10, 1862.
GENERAL: I have the honor to report the part taken by the
First Brigade in the action of the 6th and 7th instant, as well as such other
regiments and corps as were under my command during the engagement.
On the morning of the 6th I proceeded with my brigade,
consisting of the Second, Seventh, Twelfth, and Fourteenth Iowa Infantry, under
the direction of Brig. Gen. W. H. L. Wallace, and formed line on the left of
his division. We had been in line but a few moments when the enemy made their
appearance and attacked my left wing (Twelfth and Fourteenth Iowa), who
gallantly stood their ground and compelled the assailants to retire in
confusion. They again formed under cover of a battery and renewed the attack
upon my whole line, but were repulsed as before. A third and fourth time they
dashed upon us, but were each time baffled and completely routed. We held our
position about six hours, when it became evident that our forces on each side
of us had given way, so as to give the enemy an opportunity of turning both our
flanks. At this critical juncture General Wallace gave orders for my whole
brigade to fall back, which was done in good order. The Second and Seventh
Regiments retired through a severe fire from both flanks and reformed, while
the Twelfth and Fourteenth, who were delayed by their endeavors to save a
battery which had been placed in their rear, were completely cut off and
surrounded and were compelled to surrender.
In passing through the cross-fire General Wallace fell
mortally wounded, and as you were reported wounded, and Captain McMichael
informing me that I was the ranking officer, I assumed command of the division
and rallied what was left of my brigade, and was joined by the Thirteenth Iowa,
Colonel Crocker; Ninth Illinois, Colonel Mersy; Twelfth Illinois,
Lieutenant-Colonel Chetlain, and several other fragments of regiments, and
formed them in line on the road, and held the enemy in check until the line was
formed that resisted the last charge just before dark of that day.
On Monday morning I collected all of the division that could
be found and such other detached regiments as volunteered to join me, and
formed them in column by battalion, closed in mass, as a reserve for General
Buell, and followed up his attack until we arrived near the position we had
occupied on Sunday, when I deployed into line in rear of his force, and held my
command subject to his orders. The Second Iowa and Twelfth Illinois were called
on at one time. The Second was sent to General Nelson's division, and was
ordered by him to charge bayonets across a field on the enemy, who were in the
woods beyond, which they did in the most gallant manner, the enemy giving way
before they reached them. The Seventh Iowa, under orders from General
Crittenden, charged and captured one of the enemy's batteries, while the
Thirteenth Iowa rendered General McCook valuable service near the close of the
engagement.
On Tuesday, the 8th, when our forces were again called to
arms, I called out the Second Division, and all obeyed the call with alacrity
except Col. Crafts J. Wright, of the Thirteenth Missouri, who refused to obey
orders, and did not make his appearance during the day. The division remained
on the field all day, and were ordered to return to camp after dark.
The officers and men under my command behaved nobly and
gallantly during the whole time, with the exception above named. The officers
deserving special mention in this report are so numerous that I will confine
myself to field officers alone: Lieutenant-Colonel Baker, of the Second Iowa;
Lieutenant-Colonel Parrott and Major Rice, of the Seventh Iowa; Colonel Woods,
Twelfth Iowa; Colonel Shaw and Lieutenant-Colonel Lucas, of the Fourteenth
Iowa, particularly distinguished themselves for bravery and ability on the
field. Colonel Crocker, of the Thirteenth Iowa, although not belonging to my
command originally, was attached to it on Sunday evening, and remained with my
division until Monday evening. He proved himself to have all the qualities of a
good and efficient officer, and was prompt to duty when the enemy was to be
met. Colonel Mersy, Ninth Illinois, also proved himself a brave and efficient
officer. Colonel Morton, commanding Second Brigade, and Colonel Baldwin, Third
Brigade, on the last day turned out their brigades promptly and marched in
column to the outposts. Colonel Woods, of the Twelfth Iowa, was twice wounded,
and when the enemy was driven back on Monday he was recaptured, and is now
here, unfit for duty.
Appended I send you a list of the casualties of the brigade
only, as others will report directly to you.*
Very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
J. M. TUTTLE,
Colonel, Commanding
First Brigade, Second Division.
Brig. Gen. JOHN McARTHUR,
Commanding Second Division.
_______________
*Embodied in McArthur’s report, p. 148. See also revised statement, p. 101.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume X (Serial No. 10), Part I, pages 148-50
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