[CHAP. XXVIII.

tery on my extreme left, upon a well-chosen position, to flank me. The flank movement on the left was prevented by Stone's battery shelling the position chosen, and Donelson's brigade was again forced to retire by the well-directed and continuous fire of the Twenty-fourth Illinois and Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania. I then ordered the Twenty-first Wisconsin to fire and charge the front, but, being a new regiment, their colonel being severely wounded and their major killed at about the time such order was given, no field officer was left to carry the command into execution, although several companies, hearing the order, attempted to obey it, but being sorely pressed by the brigade and battery in front, it retired in some disorder and confusion. I immediately advanced the First Wisconsin to the front, supported by an oblique fire from the Seventy-ninth and with canister from my artillery, and held such position until many of the artillery horses were killed and the balance became unmanageable, creating such confusion that proper discharges could not be continued. Other regiments on my right at this time were retiring, and being unable to obtain any support from them, I ordered the Seventy-ninth, Twenty-fourth, and First to hold their positions, while Stone's battery, of four guns, and Bush's battery, of two (all that was manageable), were retired to a new and safer position. The retirement was made in good order, and the fire from the artillery again opened. A part of the First Wisconsin then charged to the front, capturing the colors of the First Tennessee. The fire from the Seventy-ninth and Twenty-fourth held the enemy in check, while the balance of the First Wisconsin took by hand every remaining gun and caisson from the field. The enemy by this time was completely routed, the firing ceased on our front and flank, and the regiments were retired to the support of the batteries in their new position, which was occupied until 12 o'clock at night, when a change was made by your order.

My loss in officers and men was terrible indeed.

Where all did so nobly and well, one cannot be mentioned without doing injustice to others; but I must acknowledge the great service rendered me by my staff officers, Lieutenants Franklin, Searles, and Bingham, in carrying orders to and fro in the midst of the terrible fire surrounding them.

Trusting that the brigade will receive at your hands the proper mention which it deserves for its bravery, good conduct, and magnificent fighting, I subscribe myself, yours, to command.

JOHN C. STARKWEATHER,

Colonel First Wisconsin, Commanding Twenty-eighth Brigade.

Captain W. P. McDOWELL,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Division.

Report of Lieutenant William B. Turner, Smith's (Mississippi) Battery.

IN CAMP NEAR BRYANTSVILLE,

October 12, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to report that, on the afternoon of the 8th instant, while accompanying the Third Brigade, which was advancing on the enemy, I received orders from General Maney, through Lieutenant [James M.] Keeble, to halt on the ascent of the hill, which the brigade had ascended, and immediately afterward, I received orders from General Maney, through Captain [E.] Cockrill, to advance. I had