[CHAP. XXVIII.

the Fifth Confederate, I ordered the regiment to fall back under the brow of the hill for a new supply. Our position was soon occupied by the Forty-fourth Tennessee, under command of Major [H. C.] Ewin, who advanced beyond the position occupied by the Twenty-third, the enemy having retired from the field. Having received our ammunition we again advanced.

Night had, however, set in, the enemy yielded the field, and the firing all ceased. We took our position upon and occupied the field, threw forward skirmishers beyond where the enemy's lines were in the evening, and there remained until late at night, when we were ordered to change our position.

I carried into action 201 men, officers and privates. Lost in killed, wounded, and missing, 52, 7 of the number being killed upon the field. The loss of the enemy upon the portion of the field where we were engaged was much heavier, all who visited the spot concurring that there was not less than 100 killed left upon the field.

It would be doing injustice in such a small regiment as I had, where all, both officers and men, were so prompt to obey any order and eager to do their whole duty, to make any discrimination. The company officers were of great assistance to me in cheering and encouraging their men and the men of great assistance in encouraging and cheering each other.

Most respectfully submitted.

R. H. KEEBLE,

Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Twenty-third Tennessee Regiment.

Brigadier-General JOHNSON,

Commanding Third Division, Army of the Mississippi.

Numbers 42.

Report of Colonel John M. Hughs, Twenty-fifth Tennessee Infantry.

BRYANTSVILLE, KY., October 12, 1862.

My regiment was ordered to move from Lebanon, Ky., on the evening of the 6th instant, but after marching 5 miles we were ordered back to Lebanon. As soon as rations were cooked orders were received to move again in the direction of Perryville, at which place we arrived about 4 o'clock on the morning of the 7th. For the day we took a position in rear of the brigade, being much fatigued by our lengthy march of the previous evening and night, and also hungry and without rations.

Early on the morning of the 8th we took our place in line of battle and advanced between the Forty-fourth Tennessee on the right and the Fifth Confederate on the left. When the brigade moved forward the second time my line of skirmishers, commanded by Lieutenant Walker, moved forward half a mile to the front and took position on the hill in sight of the enemy. After a time the brigade advanced to the position occupied by my skirmishers and waited for the attack to begin on the right. In a short time the battery on our left, supported by this regiment and the Fifth Confederate, opened upon the enemy's main position. This caused the enemy to open fire upon our position. When the fight became general on the right the whole brigade was ordered forward to the attack. As soon as we advanced from under cover of the hill and timber a charge was ordered. I never witnessed a more gallant charge than that made