No. 20.

Report of Col. George D. Wagner, Fifteenth Indiana Infantry, commanding Twenty-first Brigade, Sixth Division.

HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-FIRST BRIGADE, In Camp near Perryville, Ky., October 11, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to orders from General Wood, at about 3 o'clock I marched to the support of General Sheridan, whose right was being turned by the enemy, at the same time engaging him in front. My advance, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Neff, Fortieth Indiana Volunteers, attacked their extreme right, while Cox's (Tenth Indiana) battery opened on them an enfilading fire with fearful effect, which brought them to right-about, march. At this time a battery, which was about one-half mile to my front, opened on us, their shell bursting with great precision within my lines. I ordered Captain Cox to concentrate his fire upon this battery, which was soon driven off to a respectful distance. I immediately advanced, the enemy falling back in the direction of Perryville, which position they held until dark. By this time Colonel Harker, of the Twentieth Brigade, had come up to my support.

The troops lay on their arms, in order of battle, without fires. This position was about one-half a mile from the town of Perryville and at least 1 mile in advance of where I first became engaged and as far in advance of the remainder of our corps (General Crittenden's).

The next morning at daylight, seeing the enemy in retreat, I ordered an advance upon the town, where they had planted a battery to protect their rear. Cox's battery soon drove them off. The troops entered the town, capturing a few prisoners. At this time a column of troops came from the left in order to gain the Danville road. This force might have been captured but for the reason that we had no support on the right, where it was said a large force of the rebels were posted, which afterward proved to the nothing but cavalry. Cox's battery was advanced so as to completely enfilade the road, causing them to scatter in every direction.

Both officers and men acted as cool as if on parade. My force consisted of the Fifteenth Indiana Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Wood; Fortieth Indiana Volunteers, Colonel Blake; Fifty-seventh Indiana Volunteers, Colonel Hines; Twenty-fourth Kentucky Volunteers, Colonel Grigsby; Ninety-seventh Ohio Volunteers, Colonel Lane, and the Tenth Indiana Battery, Captain Cox, to all of whom I am much indebted for the prompt and efficient manner in which they handled their troops, as well as to my personal staff, Captain Tinney, Captain McCutcheon, Lieutenants Casterline and Tharp, and Surgeon Glick, who did their duty well.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

Your obedient servant,
G. D. WAGNER,

Colonel, Commanding.

Capt. M. P. BESTOW,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.