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: 413
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at the salient near the railroad crossing. The First Missouri Regiment,
deployed as skirmishers, covered the rear of both brigades. The
command, after a successful evacuation, encamped at Chewalla about
sunset.
Detailed on the morning of the 5th as the rear guard of the army, the
brigade left its encampment in rear of the train at about 10 a. m., march-
ing slowly, very much annoyed and delayed by the wagons.
At 12 m. the enemy's advance overtook us, and I formed line of battle,
with the Mississippi battalion and one section of artillery, under Lieu-
tenant Barlow, in advance, our line then fronting the enemy. The at-
tack was made by their cavalry and vigorously repulsed by two com-
panies of Jackson's cavalry and the Mississippi battalion, and their
rout completed by the rapid and effective fire of Lieutenant Barlow's
section. Resuming the retreat, we were not again molested until com-
pelled to halt for several hours at the Tuscumbia River Bridge, allowing
the wagons to cross. The enemy arrived at our position near the bridge
about sunset. Deploying, they endeavored to turn my left in order to
cut me off from the bridge, at the same time advancing strongly on my
front and center. After heavy skirmishing, well maintained on both
sides, and some artillery firing by the enemy, they advanced boldly in
front of my center, opposite the Fifteenth Mississippi Regiment. Tak-
ing command of this regiment in person, I advanced it about fifteen
paces and then poured in a deliberate, well-aimed, and simultaneous
volley. This fire-which was handsomely seconded by several rounds
of canister from Bursley's (first) section, under Lieutenant Toledano, on
our immediate right, which enfiladed their line, followed up by a rapid,
well-aimed, and continuous file-fire from the Fifteenth Mississippi Regi-
ment-must have proved destructive, as the advance was not only thus
checked, but their whole force fled from the field. I then crossed the
Tuscumbia at my leisure, tore up and burned the bridge, obstructed the
ford near by, and joined the division about 3 miles beyond..
My loss in the action of the Tuscumbia was 2 or 3 killed and 8 or 10
wounded. This brigade was subsequently detailed as the rear guard of
the army, but had no other engagement with the enemy.
I have the honor to transmit herewith a full list of the killed, wounded,
and missing in the three days' actions alluded to.*
The officers of my staff were present and untiring in the discharge of
their respective duties. In addition to the assistance given by my
adjutant-general, Captain Hutchinson; my inspector-general, Captain
Percy, and Lieutenant Carter, aide-de-camp, I am indebted to Caldwell,
of the Watson Battery, for bearing orders on the. field. All of these
gentlemen were conspicuous for coolness and courage during the action
and on the retreat.
In closing I would call the attention of the division commander to
the unexampled courage and endurance displayed by the troops, who,
under hardships and privations which can only be appreciated by those
who experienced them, never faltered in the discharge of their arduous
duties. The exceptions mentioned in the report t of Colonel Farrell,
Fifteenth Mississippi Regiment, were conspicuous in a brigade which
acted so well that they deserve to be immediately punished. I know of
no better way of rewarding the 2,000 brave men than by casting out
the two or three cowards who happened to be among them. I therefore
recommend that Second Lieut. T. J. Clark, Company A, Fifteenth Mis-
sissil pi I egimaent, be dismissed in disgrace, and that Corporal Bennett
Emboied n N..10,.p.384.t.ot.fund413
CHAP. xxT. ]
CORINTH.
* Embodied in No. 106, p. 384.
t Not found.
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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 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.
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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 17, In Two Parts. Part 1, Reports., book, 1886; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth154626/m1/424/?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.