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my men again rallied to the onset.
Here it was that fell the gallant Lieut.-Colonel Keith, while at the head of his regiment, and in the act of flourishing his sword, and urging his men onward to victory.
At this time my horse was shot from under me, and before I could escape, through the darkness, I was taken prisoner and conveyed from the field.
Although my men fought desperately, it was of no avail; for, being overwhelmed by vastly superior numbers, they were compelled to withdraw from the field.
Retreating under cover of a hill, the brigade was again formed in line of battle by the senior officer of the brigade, when, after consultation and learning that we had no support within one mile distant, it was deemed advisable to withdraw from the field, and fall back upon our lines, which they did.
I cannot speak too highly of the officers and men generally of my command, but they deserve the highest honor for their patriotism and courage.
I would here again mention the name of Lieut.-Col. Keith, of the Twenty-second Indiana.
Until he fell from his horse, he was every where in the thickest of the fight.
Where the battle raged hottest he was to be found, animating and cheering his men by his lofty words and noble example.
He was universally loved by all who knew him, and his loss is much regretted.
In his example there is every thing worthy of imitation.
Major Winters, of the Fifty-ninth Illinois, has my grateful thanks for the coolness and courage which he displayed during the entire engagement.
He displayed a patriotism and courage that is highly worthy of imitation.
Lieut. West, of the Thirty-ninth Illinois, and A. A.A. G., is entitled to great credit for the timely aid he afforded me, and for the energy and promptness with which he delivered my orders.
During the action he was wounded in five different places, but did not quit the field until entirely disabled.
Lieut. Adams, Acting Adjutant of the Twenty-second Indiana, is also a worthy young officer.
He had his horse shot from under him, and though sounded himself, he remained on the field, preserving great coolness and calmness of mind, and constantly urging his men forward.
Also, much praise is due to “Orderly” Gray, for his courage, promptness, and energy in delivering my orders.
Capt. Pinney, of the Fifth Wisconsin battery, cannot be spoken of too highly in this report.
He delivered his orders with great coolness and deliberation, and his battery did great execution, in forcing the rebels from their position.
The following is a list of casualties:
Of the Twenty-second Indiana there were engaged three hundred.
Killed, fifty-five; wounded, ninety-eight; missing, nineteen.
Total loss, one hundred and seventy-two.
Of the Fifty-ninth Illinois, there were engaged three hundred and twenty-five.
Killed, forty-three; wounded, ninety-eight; missing, twelve.
Total loss, one hundred and fifty-three.
Of the Seventy-fifth Illinois, there were engaged seven hundred.
Killed, forty-seven; wounded, one hundred and sixty-two; missing, twelve.
Total loss, two hundred and twenty-one.
Of the Fifth Wisconsin battery, there were engaged sixty-eight.
Killed, one; wounded, two.
Total loss, three.
Of the brigade, there were engaged one thousand four hundred and twenty-three.
Killed, one hundred and forty-one; wounded, three hundred and sixty; missing, forty-three.
Total loss of brigade, five hundred and forty-nine.
Very respectfully, I am, General,
Your obedient servant,
M. Gooding, Colonel Commanding Thirtieth Brigade
Report of Colonel Beatty.
Colonel Curran Pope, Commanding Seventeenth Brigade, Army of the Ohio:
sir: I herewith present a report of the operations of the regiment which I have the honor to command, during the engagement of the eighth instant:
At eleven o'clock A. M., my regiment was ordered to take the advance of the brigade to which it belongs, and proceeded to the crest of a hill overlooking a branch of Chaplin Creek, when the enemy in front opened upon us from a battery, and we were ordered to retire to the foot of the hill, some hundreds of yards in the rear.
There we formed in line of battle, and remained for more than an hour, while the batteries were replying to those of the enemy.
About two P. M., the enemy were seen advancing toward our position, and my regiment was ordered to the crest of the hill.
A battery known as the Washington battery, at once opened upon us, and I ordered my men to lie down and wait the approach of the enemy's infantry.
The latter advanced under cover of a house upon the other side of the hill, and reaching a point one hundred and fifty yards distant, deployed behind a stone fence, which was hidden from us by standing corn.
At this time my left wing rested upon a lane known as the----road, my line of battle extending along the crest of the hill, and passing near to and somewhat beyond, a large barn filled with hay. In this position, with a well-handled battery playing upon us, our first fire was delivered — the enemy replying with destructive effect.
Captain H. E. Cunard, company I, was one of the first to fall, shot through the head while gallantly performing his duty.
A little later Capt. Leonidas McDougal, company H, while waving his sword and cheering his men, fell, pierced by a ball through the breast.
Later still First Lieut. Starr, company K, died like a soldier in the midst of his men. About one hundred and seventy-five of my regiment were killed and wounded upon the crest of the hill.
Our line was steadfastly maintained until the barn on our right was fired by a shell from the enemy's battery, and in a few minutes the heat became so intense that my right was compelled to fall back; after rallying we were relieved by the Fifteenth Kentucky, Col. Curran Pope, and 