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: 793
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:
I think it probable, however, that there were five or six batteries in my
front.
After this fire had been kept up for about an hour the enemy pushed
forward a column of attack of several battalions against that part of my
line occupied by the Tenth Texas. Their artillery fire appeared to have
been concentrated against the right of that regiment, where our artil-
lery was posted. We did not open fire upon this column with small-
arms until its head was within 80 to 100 yards from our line; then we
gave them a very deadly fire, firing by file and with marked effect, as
after the first volley those who were not killed or wounded fell back in
great confusion to the shelter of the timber, from whence they kept up
a very heavy skirmishing fire.
Immediately after this repulse the enemy pushed another strong col-
umn against the left of my line, occupied by the Fifteenth Texas, Here
we met them in the same way, allowing them to come up within 80 to
100 yards before opening fire on them, and with the same result as be-
fore. Seeing that they were continually pressing toward my left flank,
evidently with the intention of passing around it through the interval
between it and the bayou, I placed Lieutenant-Colonel Hutchinson, with
his six companies of the Nineteenth Arkansas, his left resting on the
bayou and his line being nearly parallel to the prolongation of my line,
but retired somewhat so as to give him as much protection as possible
by sweeping with a flank fire from my left the ground over which the
enemy would have to pass in order to reach him. This battalion had
no intrenchments whatever, though sheltered in a measure by a pretty
heavy growth of timber. Even after this disposition was made there
was still an unoccupied and comparatively open space of about 100 to
125 yards between the left of my trench and the right of the Arkansas
battalion. The enemy made two more attacks upon the left of my line
in heavy force, but were driven back each time, as at first, with great
loss. They also pushed forward several columns against my line farther
to the center and right, but with the same result, never receiving more
than one or two volleys at close range before they would be compelled
to fall back to the cover of the timber, from whence, however, they kept
up a very heavy and unremitting fire with long-range rifles upon us.
We also kept up a slow and deliberate but effective fire from our sharp-
shooters along the line and with marked effect.
Seeing that the enemy were determined to turn my left flank, from
the large force being massed against it and extending for some distance
beyond it to my left, I sent a request to Colonel Garland for re-enforce-
ments, if he could spare me any. He very promptly ordered twelve
companies of the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Texas Dismounted
Cavalry and the Sixth Texas Infantry to report to me, under command
of Lieut. Cols. P. H. Swearingen and W. M. Neyland and Maj. A. H.
Phillips. These companies had to pass through a very galling fire
almost the entire length of the line, as it was on my extreme left
that I wanted them, and it was necessary to crawl on all fours in our
shallow trench the whole distance.
Before these re-enforcements reached me, however, as there was a
temporary cessation in the attack on my left, I passed up the line to
the extreme right and found everything going on well, my men in good
spirits, &c.; but the four pieces of artillery had been silenced some time
before, as the enemy concealed in the timber along the front of the line
kept up such an unremitting and intensely hot skirmishing fire that it
was almost impossible for a man to show himself without being struck.
Out of the horses belonging to the four pieces and their caissons only
one or two escaped being either killed or wounded.793
ARKANSAS POST.
CHAP. 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.
Matching Search Results
View 477 pages within this book that match your search.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/m1/804/?q=%221862%22: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.