The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 17, In Two Parts. Part 1, Reports. Page: 28
This book is part of the collection entitled: War of the Rebellion and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
WEST TENN. AND NORTHERN MISS.
AUGUST 4-7, 1862.--Reconnaissance from Jacinto to Bay Springs, Miss.,
and skirmish.
Report of Brig. Gen. Robert B. Mitchell, U. 8. Army, commanding First
Brigade, Fourth Division, Army of the Mississippi.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., FOURTH DIV., ARMY .OF THE MLSS.,
luka, Miss., August 9, 1862.
GENERAL : I have the honor to report that, in obedience to orders
received from your headquarters, I proceeded on the morning of the
4th instant with all my command, excepting the Thirty-fifth Illinois
Volunteers and one section of the Eighth Wisconsin Battery, in the
direction of Iuka, Miss., 12 miles.
Having dispatched a messenger to that point, he returned during the
night with a dispatch from Lieutenant-Colonel Miles, commanding the
post, stating that no danger was apprehended in that quarter; where-
upon, in accordance with previous advice with you and believing the
enemy were concentrating a large force in that locality, I determined
to make a reconnaissance in force toward Bay Springs, thereby cutting
off any force that might be approaching Iuka.
Upon the road to Bay Springs, about 12 miles out, we came upon the
enemy's scouts, and pressed them so closely that they left their horses,
horse equipments, coats, and accouterments, and took refuge in the
brush and made their escape. It is proper here to state that I made
my marches in the night, in consequence of the extreme heat during the
day. I bivouacked that night at 1 o'clock about 10 miles from Bay
Springs, hoping to reach them by daylight, but the infantry was so ex-
hausted by the previous night's march that it was impossible for me to
do so. After resting two hours I moved on as rapidly as possible, and
within about 21 miles of Bay Springs the enemy's pickets fired upon my
advance. I immediately deployed two companies of the Twenty-fifth
Illinois Volunteers as skirmishers and scoured the brush until the pick.-
ets were discovered. Lieutenant Hunt, who had kindly volunteered his
services as aide-de-camp, being near by on horseback, followed them up
rapidly, wounding 1 severely and took the other prisoner. Here the
roads forked, and I sent Colonel Post, of the Fifty-ninth Illinois Volun-
teers, with five companies of the Twenty-fifth Illinois and one section
of Carpenter's (Wisconsin) battery, with two companies of the Seventh
Kansas Cavalry, Captains 8woyer and Gregory, to Bay Springs, going
myself with the balance of my command to Rogers', 2j miles south of
the Springs, where the main encampment was said to be, attacking the
enemy in the rear. My skirmishers followed them up closely, but I
found them experts on a retreat. After driving them some 3 miles and
scattering them in every direction I concluded, in consequence of the
exhausted condition of the men, to abandon the pursuit. Shortly after
I had ordered in my skirmishers a small party showed themselves in
the timber near half a mile distant. Captain Carpenter unlimbered a
12-pounder howitzer and gave them a few shells, killing 2 men and 1
horse at the second shot.
Colonel Post, on his approach to Bay Springs, had quite a lively
fire opened on his advance, but it took but one volley from his gallant
front to disperse the rebels and drive them to their favorite hiding
place-the brush. We captured a number of prisoners, I think 15 in all,
a. list of which I have sent you with the prisoners, and, as far as can be
ascertained, killed 2 and wounded several, 1 mortally. I rested for
some time at Rogers', and dined my men on green' corn, having no other28
[ClAP. XXIX.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Related Items
Other items on this site that are directly related to the current book.
The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Additions and Corrections to Series 1, Volume 17. (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 17.
Relationship to this item: (Is Referenced By)
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
United States. War Department. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 17, In Two Parts. Part 1, Reports., book, 1886; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth154626/m1/39/?rotate=270: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.