with alacrity by the men, but before it could be completed we were ordered by General Manson to move across the road and charge a battery which the enemy was planting some 400 yards to our front. I moved at once with that portion of the regiment which had come up, forming on the right of the road, and advancing rapidly at a charge-bayonet on the battery indicated. While we were thus engaged the enemy advanced his right and left wings, outflanking and driving our forces before him. Seeing that it would be reckless and useless to continue our assault upon the battery I ordered the regiment to halt and fall back, which they did for a time in good order, losing, however, in addition to our killed and wounded, 160 men and a large number of officers captured at this point. In forming for this charge Captains Allis and Tate, Lieutenants Bull, Crittenden, Tate, and Potts, as well as other company officers, deserve great credit for the coolness and courage they displayed.

We continued falling back for about 1 1/2 miles, where we found our cavalry drawn up in line, and where a halt was ordered and the regiment reformed. Notwithstanding my men were very much exhausted and suffering for want of water, which was difficult to obtain, they again formed with spirit and promptness. Taking our place in line, the whole army was ordered to fall back and take up a position on two commanding hills some 2 miles this side of Rogersville, where the second engagement, lasting about one hour, occurred. Here the Ninety-fifth and the other regiments forming General Cruft's brigade fought with a gallantry and determination unsurpassed by raw troops, holding the enemy in check and at one time driving him some distance, but were finally overpowered, outflanked, and compelled to fall back. The retreat from this point very soon degenerated into a complete rout, and no effort was made to rally the men until in sight of the town of Richmond. There we succeeded in collecting about 300 of the Ninety-fifth, including Captain Taylor's company, which had been on picket duty during the former engagements and was relieved by order of General Nelson, who had recently arrived upon the field. We were posted at the edge of a corn field to the right and in sight of our old camping ground, with the Sixty-sixth Indiana on our left and the Twelfth Indiana on our right. We there awaited some time the advance of the enemy, who came up each time with fresh brigades and increased confidence and engaged us in front at short range until we were again outflanked and compelled to abandon the field. The last engagement was the bloodiest of the day, our men fighting with a desperation worthy of a better result. Our loss here was sad and severe-14 killed and 52 wounded. Here Major Brumback and Captain Thomas received severe wounds, which still detain them at Richmond. Captain Darety and Lieutenant Peters were painfully wounded also during this engagement.

Too much cannot be said in praise of the endurance, spirit, and gallantry exhibited by the officers and men composing my regiment upon that unfortunate day. Only one week in the field, and during all that time bivouacked in line of battle in the face of the enemy, with heavy picket and other duties, consequent upon our advanced position, to perform, but little time or opportunity had been given to organize or drill the regiment. Laboring under difficulties and disadvantages which few if any regiments from Ohio have ever experienced, the men went into the engagements with an eagerness which only novices in was ever exhibit, and maintained themselves with a gallantry which would have done honor to veterans.

59 R R-VOL XVI