Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 6.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[68] was threatening my left flank, I immediately changed front to the left, the Nineteenth Iowa and Ninety-fourth Illinois following up the movement brought up in echelon, the Twentieth Wisconsin leading on the right. After the execution of the movement, I observed a battery of the enemy supported by infantry, trying to get into position in my front. I immediately ordered the Twentieth Wisconsin to charge on the battery, which was done in gallant style, Major Starr leading. After taking the battery, the regiment advanced under a heavy fire to the brow of the hill, when they met a heavy force of the enemy's infantry, some four or five regiments, advancing, which opened a terrific fire on the Twentieth Wisconsin, and obliged them to fall back, which they did in good order, destroying what they could (while falling back) of the battery taken before; the Twentieth fell back in good style across an open field to a fence, where they reformed and remained until the firing ceased for the day. The officers and men behaved nobly, and stood the fire like veterans. I regret that the loss of the Twentieth Wisconsin is heavy. As far as I have been able to ascertain, it amounts to forty-nine killed, one hundred and forty-eight wounded, and eight missing.

In conclusion, I cannot help but bring to your notice the gallant behavior of Major Starr, in immediate command of the Twentieth Wisconsin, as also Adjt. Morris, of the Twentieth, for the cool and prompt manner in which he executed my orders. Capt. Backhof, of the battery, behaved nobly, and his battery did good execution, although exposed for a time to a heavy fire of the enemy's infantry. Its loss of the killed and wounded will be forwarded as soon as it can be made out.

I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

sir: I have the honor of reporting to you the part that the Nineteenth regiment took in the late battle of the seventh instant.

The Nineteenth regiment, five hundred strong, was ordered into line of battle at twelve o'clock M., Lieut.-Col. McFarland commanding. By order of Col. Orme three companies were detached and deployed as skirmishers. The companies were A, B, and C, and owing to the circumstances Lieut. Root, the acting adjutant of the regiment, was ordered to take command, which was done, the skirmishers advancing under a heavy fire to a corn-field on the right of Co. E, First Missouri regiment artillery, and were ordered to hold it at all hazards, which was done until ordered to fall back and form in line of battle. The regiment was then ordered to advance to the left of the white house on the hill to support the Twentieth Wisconsin, which was hotly engaged. The Nineteenth, led by Lieut.-Colonel McFarland, advanced up the hill steady and across the orchard back of the house where the Twentieth Wisconsin gave way — the Nineteenth still advancing to the fences adjoining the woods when the enemy who lay concealed arose to their feet, three regiments deep, pouring a destructive fire on us from three sides, which caused the regiment to waver and fall back to the battery on the left of the road leading up the hill. Lieut.-Col. McFarland here fell shot through the body. I then took command and rallied what was left of the regiment, as the regiment met with a severe loss in the charge. I then left the men that I had rallied in charge of Capt. Roderick, of Co. K, and went to rally some scattered troops, when Col. Orme rode up and ordered Capt. Roderick to fall in and rally with the Ninety-fourth Illinois, which he did, led by Col. Orme in person, driving the enemy back with great slaughter and held their position until ordered to fall back and re-form. In the retreat of the Twentieth Wisconsin the color-bearer was shot, letting fall the colors, when the enemy made a desperate effort to get it, but a portion of the Nineteenth rallied, and getting possession of it, carried it off the field with them.

In making out this report it is with pleasure I can say the officers and men behaved nobly and fought desperately, as if the fate of the battle depended on them alone. I will mention especially Capt. Roderick, of Co. K, whom I left in charge of some scattered troops, also Capt. Richmond, of Co. H, and Capt. Taylor, of Co. G; also Lieut. Brooks, of Co. I, who brought the colors off the field, and in doing so was badly wounded. Others are equally meritorious, but are too numerous to mention at present.

The report of the detachment of skirmishers I give to you as received.

On the morning of the eighth I was ordered into line at six o'clock, and advanced across the creek and formed in line of battle, and advanced up through the timber on the left of the Twentieth Wisconsin. I was then ordered to occupy tho