No. 3.
Report of Col. John
Coburn, Thirty-third Indiana Infantry.
SIR: In pursuance of
your orders to take possession of and occupy an eminence on the east of this
encampment, on the morning of the 21st of October I took Company D, Captain
McCrea; Company I, Captain Hauser; Company E, Captain Hendricks, and Company G,
Captain Dille, of the Thirty-third Indiana, comprising in all 350 men. The
companies were immediately deployed around the hill as skirmishers. In less
than 20 minutes the rebels, who were concealed in the woods, commenced firing,
when at almost the first fire Private McFerran, of Company D, was killed. In 10
minutes more the enemy appeared in front of our position to the south at a
distance of half a mile in the valley. They were in large numbers, and were
over half an hour in passing by an open space in the woods, when they formed
again in line. They soon came near us under cover of a wood, which entirely
concealed their approach until we were apprised of their presence by the firing
of musketry. At this time we were re-enforced by a portion of the Kentucky cavalry,
dismounted, under Colonel Wolford, about 250 strong, who immediately formed and
took part in the engagement. The firing at this time was very severe, which
caused the cavalry to waver and retreat. They were soon, however, rallied and
formed again in order, and fought with good spirit. The enemy engaged was
composed of a portion of General Zollicoffer's command, and consisted of two
regiments of Tennesseeans, under the command of Colonels Newman and Cummings.
They charged up the hill upon us, and were met by a galling and deadly fire,
which wounded and killed many of them. The front of their column approached
within a few rods of us with their bayonets fixed, declaring themselves “Union
men” and “all right,” at the next moment leveling their guns at us and firing.
After being engaged nearly an hour the enemy retreated, bearing off a portion
of their dead and wounded and their arms. Our men have buried their dead left
on the field and taken the wounded to our hospitals. Thirty corpses have been
found up to this time. A large number of their wounded and dead were carried
off in their wagons. It is safe to estimate the loss of the enemy at least 100
killed.
The bravery of the
Thirty-third Indiana was well tested in this engagement. I am happy to state
that universal courage, cheerfulness, and promptness marked their whole actions
during the entire engagement. Too much praise cannot be given to the brave
Captain Hauser, who continued fighting at the head of his men upon the brow of
the hill until disabled by a wound. He, however, continued on the field during
the day, doing his duty nobly. Captain McCrea, with his men, held a small
breastwork, and did fearful execution upon the enemy. Captain Dille was active
in rallying the men and urging on the fight in all parts of the field. Captain
Hendricks, with coolness and courage, kept his men to their places, and fought
without slackening his fire during the engagement. I cannot omit mentioning the
bold and active Adjutant Durham, who was wherever duty called him. Lieutenants
Maze and Scott were marked for their heroic bearing.
About the close of
the engagement four companies of the Seventeenth Ohio, Colonel Connell, came
upon the hill and formed in line of battle. Company E, Captain Fox; Company C,
Captain Haines; Company K, Captain Rea, and Company H. Captain Whissen, took
their positions with promptness, eager for the fray, under the command of Maj.
Durbin Ward, of that regiment. They remained on the field during the day and
night, and assisted in completing the fortifications. About 2 o'clock p.m. we
were again attacked. At this time the Fourteenth Ohio, Colonel Steedman,
appeared upon the field. Company C, Capt. J. W. Brown, of the Fourteenth,
immediately formed and opened upon the enemy, and this company: with others,
also assisted in completing the fortifications. Afterwards Company G, Captain
Eckles, and Company B, Captain Kirk, of the same regiment, came to our
assistance. At 10 o'clock at night Lieutenant Sypher, of Captain Standart's
Ohio battery, came on the hill, and on an alarm fired three rounds. They were
the last shots fired. At about 2 o'clock in the morning we heard sounds which
betokened a movement of General Zollicoffer's army. It proved to be a retreat.
From a prisoner I have ascertained that his command consisted of two Tennessee
regiments, two Mississippi and two Alabama regiments, together with a regiment
of cavalry and a battery of six pieces of artillery. The number of our loss is
as follows: Company D, 1 killed and 5 wounded; Company I, 1 killed and 10
wounded, 3 mortally. Colonel Wolford lost 1 killed and 11 wounded. The forces
now on the hill are in good spirits and ready for further service.
In conclusion, I
must commend the coolness, courage, and manliness of Colonel Wolford, who rendered
most valuable assistance to me during the day.
Commanding Brigade.
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