USA > Ohio > The history of Fuller's Ohio brigade, 1861-1865; its great march, with roster, portraits, battle maps and biographies > Part 9
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Early on the morning of the 5th, we commenced the pursuit. We bivouaced that night on the state line road near Chewalla.
On the 6th we marched to Crums Mills on the Hatchie River, and on the 7th, to a point northeast of Ripley, where we lay upon our arms during the night, the chemy being reported near. On the oth, with the 27th and
43rd, made a reconnaissance four miles east of Ripley. * * *
EDWARD F. NOYES, Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding.
Report of Lieutenant-Colonel Wager Swayne.
FORTY-THIRD OHIO INFANTRY.
NEAR RIPLEY, MISSISSIPPI, OCTOBER 9TH, 1862.
I submit the following report of the part taken by this command in the recent battle of Corinth :
The regiment in command of Colonel J. L. Kirby Smith, moved from Kossuth on the morning of the 3rd instant, and, rejoining the brigade at the crossing of the Tuscumbia, reach Corinth at sundown. The same even- ing, we took position in line, facing northwest, along the crest of a ridge, connecting a 'arge battery half a mile north of Corinth, and known as Battery Williams, with a small one, distant about the length of our line, and known to us as Battery Robinett.
We remained in line during the night and throughout the action of the next day. At four o'clock in the morning, a field battery of the enemy took position a few hundred yards to our right and slightly in our rear, and opened fire, which was chiefly directed at the two earthworks between which we lay. During this fire we lost two men killed, and ten wounded.
Between daylight and ten o'clock in the morning our wounded were increased to eighteen by the fire of the enemy's sharpshooters, posted in trees. At the time of the general attack, toward noon, the enemy advanced a great force, nearly in the direction of our lines, upon the lesser earth- work on our right. Our front was immediately changed forward on first company, so as to afford us more direct range. At this moment our regi- ment suffered the most severely. Colonel Smith fell, dangerously shot through the head; Adjutant Heyl was mortally wounded in the bowels, and Captain J. M. Spangler, of Company A, was instantly killed by a ball through the head.
105
BATTLE OF CORINTHI, MISS,, OCT. 4th, 1862. The 43d Ohio Defending Battery Robinett.
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FULLER'S OHIO BRIGADE
Fire was kept up upon the enemy during and after the execution of the movement, until the head of his column had gained the parapet, and opened fire on our rear from the opposite side of the earthwork on our right. The regiment was then moved slightly to the left and the right thrown back, so as to fire into the battery and meet the enemy in the new direction. This movement was attended with confusion, which was prompt- ly checked on the appearance and by the efforts of General Stanley. The enemy was driven from the parapet, the right advanced into the battery, and the advance of the enemy, on the right of the battery, being meanwhile repulsed, our left was again thrown forward and assisted in driving the enemy into the woods. He made no further demonstration againt that part of our lines.
The behavior of the regiment was under your own inspection. I am proud to state that not one of the officers thus suddenly left to my com- mand, failed to do his duty with alacrity. I should do injustice if I failed to mention the valuable services of Major Honich, and the inseparable loss of our commanding officer.
Colonel Smith was wounded while displaying the utmost gallantry. Captain Spangler and Lieutenant Heyl fell in the courageous discharge of their duty. Captain S. F. Timmons and Lieutenants S. McClaren, H. S. Prophet and A. L. Howe being wounded, bore up without a murmur.
Our loss was sixteen killed and seventy-four wounded, embracing many of our best and bravest. Our grief for the fallen is tempered by their honorable death, and our sympathy for the wounded is heightened by the knowledge that their hearts are in the cause. *
WAGER SWAYNE, Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding. CAPTAIN W. H. LATHROP. A. A. A. Genl.
Report of Colonel John WV. Sprague, Sixty-third Ohio, Infantry, First Brigade, Second Division, Army of the Mississippi.
NEAR RIPLEY, MISSISSIPPI, OCTOBER 9TH, 1862.
Nine companies of my command (Company D, Captain Fouts, being on detached duty) consisting of two hundred and seventy-five men, left camp near Tuscumbia River, about three o'clock in the morning of the 3rd instant and marched to Corinth, distant about six miles, during the morn- ing. Our position was changed several times. In the evening we rested near the fort, north of Major-General Rosecrans' headquarters. About ten o'clock at night, I was ordered to take position immediately on the right of the field redoubt (armed with three twenty-pounder parrot guns) in front and to the left of Captain Williams' fort and headquarters. On the left of the first named work was the Forty-third Ohio and on my right was the Twenty-seventh Ohio. * * * Soon after taking this position, Companies B and G commanded by Captain C. E. Brown and Lieutenant Browning. were sent out on the Chewalla Road to the north and west from Corinth. During the night, Captain Brown captured Captain Toben of Toben's (Ten- nessee ) Battery and his Bugler and brought them in. They were sent for- ward to the headquarters of General D. S. Stanley.
107
COLONEL JOHN W. SPRAGUE'S REPORT.
Captain Brown heard the enemy near his position planting a battery and at about four o'clock in the morning, fired several volleys-it was be- lieved with good effect. Almost immediately after the enemy opened fire from their battery planted in our front, distant less than three hundred yards. During the morning several of our men were wounded by the fire from this battery and by the enemy's sharpshooters. About ten o'clock in the morning, the enemy's columns were seen emerging from the woods into the partly open ground in our front. My men were kept lying down until the enemy had advanced within fifty yards of our position. Our fire was then delivered with such effect as to check their advance, but they were again pushed on and again checked and forced to retire, leaving the ground literally covered with dead and wounded.
They again advanced after a short interval and opened a furious fire upon us. At the same time a column of the enemy charged the redoubt im- mediately on my left and advanced in strong force in front. The fire to which my regiment was exposed at this time was terrihc and deadly. Soon the enemy on my left had advanced so far as to pour an infilading fire along nearly the whole line of my regiment. My left was thrown back slightly to meet this assault and our fire was delivered with such effect upon the enemy who had reached the ditch of the redoubt mentioned as to nearly fill the ditch with their dead and wounded. Every officer and man of my command seemed to put forth superhuman exertions to hold our position, but no troops could long stand against such unequal odds pouring a fire upon front and flank.
Out of thirteen line officers, nine were killed or wounded, and forty- five per cent of my whole force shared the same fate to say nothing of the number necessarily detailed to carry off the wounded. As an evidence of the deadly fire to which my left was exposed. I may say that fifty-three per cent was either killed or wounded, and not an officer left except Captain Brown. My left wing and center fell back at my order and were gallantly replaced by the Eleventh Missouri Volunteers. In less than ten minutes, one hundred and thirty-five of my regiment were formed in the front line in good order and there remained during the res of the day and through the following night, but the battle was over and a most brilliant victory won.
I need not attempt to describe the fierce assault and murderous fire to which my command was exposed, either to General Stanley, commanding the Division, or to Colonel Fuller, commanding the Brigade, for the fight- ing of my regiment was in their immediate presence and many of my men fell fighting bravely within an arm's length of them.
I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of the officers and men under my command. Captain Frank T. Gillmore, Company A. was never, I be- lieve, excelled by any young officer for efficiency and daring. When the enemy commenced the principal infantry attack, he was in front with his skirmishers. The fierceness of the assault forced him to retire around the Thirty-ninth Ohio Regiment and thus regain his position in line, which he did at double-quick arriving in time to open fire with the rest of the regi- ment. Captain Brown, Company B, on the extreme left, went out with' twelve men and brought in one of the enemy's caissons, under a sharp fire. Captain Christopher E. Smith, Company C. was severely wounded in the leg but refused to go to the rear until the fight was over and the victory
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FULLER'S OINIO BRIGADE.
won. He displayed rare gallantry and ability. Captain George W. Fitz- simmons and Lieutenant William H. Cherry, Company E, were both wound- ed but fought bravely to the end. First Lieutenant Nesbit Conley, com- manding Company F, was stunned by a blow on the head, but joined again in the fight almost immediately. Lieutenant John W. Browning command- ing Company G, was wounded three times before leaving the field. Captain Oscar L. Jackson, Company H, a young officer of great promise, was se- verely and it is feared mortally wounded. He held his company in perfeet order until two-thirds of his men were killed or wounded. First Lieutenant William Cornell, commanding Company I, exhibited the finest qualities of an officer during the entire day. Second Lieutenant James A. Gillmon of the same company received a painful wound, but insisted that the more severely wounded should be cared for first. His conduet during the fight was most gallant. First Lieutenant W. W. Mason, Company C, behaved with coolness and bravery during the fight. Captain James McFadden. Com- nany K inst promoted, an carnest and intelligent officer, fell mortally wounded, dying the death of a patriot. Lieutenant S. W. Cunningham be- haved bravely, and was severely wounded in the face. Captain Otis W. Polloek, Acting Adjutant, rendered efficient and gallant service during the day. Assistant Surgeon A. B. Monahan was knocked from his horse in the morning by a piece of shell striking him near the eye, but when I visited the hospital in the evening, I found of the ninety of my wounded. that had been brought in, every one had been dressed and tenderly cared for by him. Aeting Assistant Surgeons Marsh and Arnold were ordered to re- port on the field. First Lieutenant Holly Skinner, Regimental Quarter- master, rendered most effective service. Chaplain Benjamin St. James was zealous in his efforts to provide comforts and in caring for the wounded.
Early on the morning of the 5th instant. I joined with my command in the pursuit of Van Dorn's and Price's Armies. On the 7th, we reached a point near Ripley. * The list of killed, wounded and missing shows a loss of twenty-four killed, one hundred and five wounded (eight mor- tally ) and three missing, or forty-eight per cent of the entire number taken into aetion.
J. W. SPRAGUE, Colonel Commanding.
Report of Captain Edward H. Cummings, C. S. A., Acting Inspector- General, on the Battle of Corinth, including the Engagement at the Hatchie River and Holly Springs, Mississippi.
OCTOBER 11TH, 1862. Dear General:
On the morning of October 3rd, with about fifteen thousand men or sixteen thousand (effective), we attacked Corinth on the northwest side, Lovell with three brigades forming our right, and Price with seven, our left. The attack commenced about eight-thirty. By eleven o'clock we had felt our way up to the rifle pits which we constructed last spring about
109
CAPTAIN EDWARD H. CUMMING'S, C. S. A., REPORT.
three miles from the town, and about twelve o'clock we stormed them. They were not obstinately defended and our loss was small. Lovell then took the south side of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, and we the north, and moved on. Our Division ( Maury's) right of Price, and center of army, was soon hotly engaged and swept several brigades before us, until we reached the inner line of works which the Yankees had put up in Corinth a few hundred yards from the intersection of the Railroads. Moore's (our First) Brigade did the heavy business, carrying three camps and turning a strong redoubt in Lovell's front, saving him the trouble of carrying it, and we rested that night within four or five hundred yards of the works mentioned. All night a great rattling of wagons and shouting of teamsters and suppressed murmurs of hurrying hosts denoted great activity, from which some of us surmised that the enemy was evacuating.
Before dawn, fourteen pieces of artillery commenced playing on the town (Corinth) and batteries from the front of our lines, four hundred or five hundred yards, as I said, and were replied to by as minhasd, superior and concentrating fire, which as soon as daylight revealed us perfectly ex- posed, compelled us to withdraw. One piece, however, was captured by a sortie of the enemy's skirmishers. We then advanced and entered Corinth. Our Division obtained the ground from the Tishomingo Hotel, back of Bragg's old headquarters. Hebert was on our left and occupied the works on the ridge northwest of your house. But we scarcely got in when we met and were overwhelmed* by the enemy's massive reserves. Our lines melted under their fire like suow in thaw. The fragments who escaped formed again before we got beyond the fire of the batteries and Lovell came over and became rear guard, and we fell back nine miles that night ; our division did not number eight hundred men.
Next morning we fell back, intending to retreat by the same route by which we had approached, but found the passage of the Hatchie River disputed by Hurlbut's Corps, twelve thousand strong. which had marched across from Bolivar and reached Pocahontas before us. The bridge was about two miles from Pocohontas. Moore's and Phifer's remnants of bri- gades crossed and were again gobbled up and w: lost one battery. The rest of the division got up and, though greatly exhausted, managed to hold the enemy in check for two hours, the other fragments of brigades and regiments composing Hebert's division coming up feebly and supporting us. We gave up the attempt to cross and fell back again and marched by anoth- er route to the south. The enemy had burned the bridge by which we now hoped to get out but Frank C. Armstrong, who proved our salvation, had, with great foresight and energy rebuilt it. The enemy did not pursue with any great vigor, and we saved nearly everything but our wounded, and some of them. Bowen lost part of his train. We brought off two captured guns and lost five, and brought along three hundred prisoners. I do not know the loss of the (our) army. Price is reduced from ten thousand to between five thousand and six thousand. Lovell has not suffered a great deal. The enemy's force I do not know. When we got into Corinth, he swal- lowed up seven brigades of as good fighting men as I ever saw, in about twenty minutes. He had abundance of heavy artillery of heavy caliber. I saw ten-inch shot in the field. No casualities in staff except Major Balfour killed, an elegant and gallant gentleman, and young Sullivane taken and
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FULLER'S OHIO BRIGADE
since parolled, both of Van Dorn's staff. More than one-half of the line officers of our ( Price's) army are killed, wounded and missing.
After all that has happened, I am happy to say that the moral of the army, or what is left of it, is astonishingly good.
General Maury has looked over this and says it is clear and correct. Here is a list of our division casualities :
Officers
Killed 34
Wounded 121
Missing 46
Aggregate 201
Men
211
805
1381
2397
--
Total
245
926
1427
2598
God bless you, my dear General, and send us better days.
Your devoted friend and servant,
E. H. CUMMINGS, General G. 1. Beauregard, C. S.
Partial Report of Major-General Earl Van Dorn, C. S. A., Commanding the Army of West Tennessee, on the Battle of Corinth, including the Engagements at Hatchic's Bridge and the Operations
of August 30th to October 12th.
HOLLY SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, OCTOBER 7, 1862. Honorable Secretary of War:
Dispatch received at Pocohontas near Corinth. Attacked Corinth, took all the outer works by storm and got within the town. Enemy received fresh reinforcements and we could not complete the work: retired. The Bolivar force (Grant's) came down on my line of retreat and prevented crossing of the Hatchie ; moved south ; crossed six miles below and now at Ripley with all baggage and as many of the wounded as we could carry. Bloody affair ; enemy still threatens; will fight him at all points; there are about forty thousand still in Tennessee ; will have nard fighting.
EARL VAN DORN, Major-General.
Indorsement-Respectfully submitted to the President:
It will be necessary to re-enforce at once if possible.
The ground was well known to me and required no study to determine where to make the attack.
In the judgment of military men, Corinth is the key to the whole posi- tion. Its stragetic importance has been recognized by the enemy as well as by ourselves.
Proceedings of Court of Inquiry convened at Abbeyville, Mississippi, by order No. 24, Department of Mississippi, and East Louisiana, Jackson, Mississippi, November 7, 1862, by order of Lieutenant-General Pemberton.
R. W. MEININGER, Assistant Adjutant General.
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GENERALS VAN DORN AND PRICE REPORTS.
Detail for the Court: Major-General Sterling Price, Brigadier-General Lloyd Tilghman, Dabney H. Maury, Captain L. B. Harris, Thirty-eighth Mississippi, Recorder of the Court.
Partial Report of Confederate General Van Dorn.
"The heavy guns of the enemy were all silenced, and all seemed about ended when a heavy fire from fresh troops from Iuka, Burnsville and Rienzi' who had succeeded in reaching Corinth, poured into our thinned ranks a disastrous fire. Exhausted from loss of sleep, wearied from hard marching and fighting, companies and regiments without officers, our troops (let no one censure them) gave way. The day was lost. The attempt at Corinth has failed, and in consequence I am condemned and have been sup- erseded in my command."
Partial Report of General Price.
"The history of this war contains no bloodier page, perhaps, thar that which will record this fiercely contested battle. The strongest expressions fall short of my admiration for the gallant conduct of the officers and men under my command. Words cannot add luster to the fame they have ac- quired through deeds of noble daring which, living through future time, will shed about every man, officer and soldier, who stood to his arms through this struggle, a halo of glory as imperishable as it is brilliant. They have won to their sisters and daughters the distinguished honor, the proud exclamation, 'My father' or 'My brother was at the great battle of Corinth'."
The following, written by Lieutenant Labruzan of the Confederate Forty-second Alabama, is his experience during that fierce and determined contest at Corinth :
On the morning of October 4, 1862, we marched with General Van Dorn in command of our army of fully thirty-eight thousand men. On October 3rd, we had the Reveille by bugle at four o'clock in the morning, and marched into Mississippi. At half-past six we heard artillery firing. Skirmishing was kept up until we crossed the Memphis and Charleston Rail- road. Our Brigade under General Moore, marched into the woods and formed line of Battle. Heavy skirmishing with steady and increasing can- nonading was heard in front. Men were detailed to attend to the wounded. We left our blankets and knapsacks here.
At about ten o'clock our brigade marched through a corn field and formed into line within half a mile of the enemy. Heavy firing was heard just in front. Saturday, October 4th, was an awful day. At four in the morning our brigade was ordered to the left, throwing out skirmishers who kept up a constant fire. A battery in front of the right of our regiment opened briskly, and the enemy replied the same for an hour and a half. Our regiment lay down close and stood it nobly. The shells flew thick and fast, cutting off large limbs from the trees and filling the air with fragments, many bursting within twenty feet, and the pieces within two or three feet. It was extremely unpleasant and I prayed for forgiveness of my sins, and made up my mind to go through.
I volunteered, and took my company to assist the Second Texas skirm- ishers. We got behind trees and logs, and the way the bullets did fly was
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FULLER'S OHIO BRIGADE.
unpleasant to hear. I think twenty must have passed within a few feet of me. Shells and splinters struck my tree several times. We could only move from tree to tree, bending low to the ground while moving. O! how anxiously I watched for the bursting of shells when the heavy roar of the cannon proclaimed their coming !
Suddenly at ten o'clock, while behind a log with Major Furges, the fight fairly opened with heavy volleys of musketry, double thundering can- non. This was on the right. In a few moments the left went into action in splendid style. At half past ten, Colonel Rogers came up by us, saying only "Alabama forces." Our regiment with the brigade rose unmindful of shot or shell, and moved forward, marching about two hundred and fifty yards, and mounting the crest of the hill. The whole of Corinth with its enormous fortifications* burst upon our view. The United States flag was waving over the forts and town. We were met by a perfect storm of grape, cannon balls and minnie balls. O! God, I have never seen the like. The men felt like grass even here. Giving one tremendous cheer, we dashed to the brow of the hill on which the fortifications were situated. Here we found every foot of the ground covered with large trees and brush cut down to impede our progress. Looking to the right and left I saw several brigades charging at the same time.
I saw men running at full speed, stop suddenly and fall upon their faces, with their brains scattered all around, others with legs and arms cut off. ·shrieked with agony. They fell behind, beside and within a few feet of me. I gave myself to God and got ahead of my company. The ground was literally strewn with mangled corpses. One ball went through my pants, and they cut twigs right by me. It seemed by holding out my hand I could have caught a dozen. They buzzed and hissed by me in all directions, but I still pressed forward. I seemed to be moving right in the mouth of the cannon, for the air was filled with grape. Ahead was one continuous blaze. I rushed to the ditch of the fort, right between some large cannon. I grappled into and half way up the sloping wall. The enemy was only three or four feet from me on the other side of the wall, but could not shoot us for fear of having their heads blown off. Our men were in the same pre- dicament, only five or six were on the wall and thirty or forty in and around the ditch. A man by my side put his head up cautiously to shoot into the fort, but he suddenly dropped his musket and his brains were dashed in a stream over my fine coat. Several were killed here on top of one another and rolled down the embankment in ghastly heaps. This was done by a regiment of Yankees coming about forty yards on our left, after finding us entirely cut off. and firing into us. Several of our men cried. "Put down the flag," and it was lowered and shot into the ditch. O! we were butchered like dogs, as we were not supported. Some one placed a white handker- chief on Sergeant Buck's musket and took it to a port hole, but the yankees snatched it off and took him prisoner. The men fell ten at a time ; the ditch being full, and finding we had no chance, the survivors tried to save them- selves as best they could. I was so far up I could not get off quickly. Captain Foster and I started together, while the air was literally filled withi
*There were no breastworks or wall along the lines attacked at Corinth.
The forts described were light earthworks surrounding the batteries .- Historian.
!
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EXPERIENCE OF LIEUTENANT LABRANZAN, C. S. A.
hissing balls. I went about twenty steps as quickly as I could, about a dozen being killed in that distance. I fell down and scrambled behind a large stump. Just then I saw poor Foster throw up his hands, and saying "O! my God" jumped about two feet from the ground, falling on his face. The top of his head seemed to cave in and the blood spurted straight up several feet. I could see men falling as they attempted to run, some with their heads torn to pieces and some with blood streaming from their backs. It was terrible. One poor fellow, being almost on me, told me his name and asked me to take his pocket book if I escaped and give it to his mother, and tell her he died a brave man. I told him to pray which he did, the cannon thundering an accompaniment. Poor fellow. I forgot his request in the excitement. His legs were literally cut to pieces.
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