The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 22, In Two Parts. Part 1, Reports. Page: 54
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MO., ARK., KANS., IND. T., AND DEPT. N. W. [CHAP. XXXTV
Such was the nature of the ground from the top of the mountain t
Cove Creek, a distance of 1j miles, that but few advantageous posi
tons could be found. Just before reaching Cove Creek, Captain Stan-
ley's company, of my regiment, was ordered to an eminence command
ing the road on which the enemy were to travel, with orders to fire
upon them with deliberation, and to retire immediately thereafter.
After reaching Cove Creek, Captains Gordon and Carroll, with theii
respective companies, of my regiment, were directed to occupy an emi-
nence on the right of the road. The captains fired upon the enemy
and retired, as directed. From this point on down Cove Creek, I selected
suitable positions and placed detachments of my regiment and Colonel
Shelby's brigade. At a point 2 miles below the junction of the Cane
Hill and Cove Creek roads, I ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson, with
ivre companies of my regiment and about 200 enrj of Colonel Thomp-
son's regiment, Colonel Shelby's brigade, to an cminlence immediately
over the road,, with instructions to let the enemy advance pass them
before firing. Immediately in rear of this point, Colonel Monroe formed
with 86 men in the valley below. At this time the enemy was pushing
the rear with great energy, and tmade it necessary for the companies
left ambushed to receive them to retire very rapidly alter firing. The
captains of my own command, who have reported to me, state that they
obeyed orders, receiving the enemy at close distance, the men behaving,
almost without exception, with great bravery. When the rear retired
past the position occupied by Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson and Colonel
Thompson, they were followed very closely by a detachment of the ene-
my's cavalry, a much larger number halting just before reaching the
position above referred to. A lieutenant-colonel of the enemy's force
was severely wounded by one of the volleys fired by the men under
Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson. At this time the confusion below the
position above referred to of our retiring men was disgraceful, and every
effort made by officers to halt them futile, the cry extending down the
line that our friends had gorged the road and were being sabered merci-
les:ly by the enemy. Just then the roar of shot-guns from the eminence
occupied by Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson and Colonel [G W.] Thompson
threw the enemy's advance in confusion, when they were immediately
charged by Colonel Monroe, and after the third effort driven for the first
time during the (lay, which gave time for collecting and forming the
scattered men, hitherto rapidly moving to the rear. The enemy here con-
cluded, notwithstanding the superior weight and quantity of their artil-
lery and their superior force, outnumbering ours more than ten to one,
to risk nothing against the positions of which we were availing our-
selves, and at once retired about sunset.
The conduct of the officers and men of my command throughout the
entire day, and almost without an exception, evidenced entire coolness
and determined bravery, as did the officers and men of Colonel Shelby's
brigade, of whom I assumed command and placed in position. I would
be glad to speak of them more particularly if my personal acquaintance
with these officers was such as to do so without a report from them.
I will take occasion to remark that the retiring fight, lasting from 9
o'clock ini the morning until sunset, over a rugged and narrow road, with
but a scanty supply of ammunition, pursued by a greatly superior force
moving from position to position with an astonishing rapidity, was well
calculated to have confused, and, indeed, demoralized men well drilled
and disciplined, and it is, indeed, astonishing that troops without drill
should have evinced a nerve so steady, a courage so cool. In moving
;:he battery from the first position taken in the morning, the carriage of54
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The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Additions and Corrections to Series 1, Volume 22. (Pamphlet)
Errata sheets for the Records of the War of the Rebellion include additions and corrections to the text and the index for Series 1, Volume 22.
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United States. War Department. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 22, In Two Parts. Part 1, Reports., book, 1888; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth154600/m1/57/?q=shoup: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.