Numbers 44.

Report of Colonel John S. Fulton, Forty-fourth Tennessee Infantry.

OCTOBER 11, 1862.

I have to report that the Forty-fourth Regiment Tennessee Volunteers was placed in position on the bluff of the creek on the morning of the 7th instant; that they remained there during the day and night, and on the next day the regiment was advanced toward a skirt of woods along our front about 11.30 a.m. After remaining there an hour we were advanced into the woods in front. Here we remained an hour. The enemy engaged in the mean time one of our batteries immediately on our right.

We were again ordered forward and occupied a ravine, and there remained until General Cheatham's division on our right made a charge, when we were ordered to advance upon the enemy and oblique to the left of our then present position.

The regiment was promptly in motion and charged rapidly over the hill and forward through a corn field and over a large meadow, where we were exposed to an enfilading fire coming from the enemy on our right and a battery upon our left. Obliquing to the left here we suffered terribly from the fire of the batteries right and left of us and the sharpshooters of the enemy posted in the orchard and behind the rock fence on our right. We charged rapidly up the hill with fixed bayonets to silence and take the battery on our left, and having gained the top of the hill we found it to be the Washington Artillery, and immediately reported to them that they had been playing upon their own men, when the firing ceased. This battery was supported by Brigadier-General Adams' brigade, who ordered the Forty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Tennessee Regiments to remain there to assist him, as the enemy was reported to be advancing on him to the left in heavy force.

We remained there some twenty minutes and then moved in direction of our brigade and were met by General Buckner, who ordered us to advance to the woods and form line of battle and wait further orders. This done, we remained there some twenty-five minutes and we again received orders to advance. We advanced up to the left of the burning house and occupied position there for some time, and again advanced some 250 yards to a gully at the foot of a small hill. Here we remained under a heavy fire of the enemy's small-arms and artillery.

General Adams' entire brigade fell back behind us with a battery, leaving no one in front of us or any other support. He suggested that we had better fall back. We fell back to a rail fence, where we received orders from General Hardee to advance and hold our former position so long as possible. This was done immediately. Shortly after General Adams' command (or a portion) returned to our support in our rear. They suffered from the fire of the enemy and again retired, leaving us in our position, where we remained until the musketry firing ceased. We then retired a few hundred yards to a rail fence running nearly north and south.

At 12 m. we received orders to fall back from this position and occupy the same position occupied two nights previously.

I am glad to be able to report that both officers and men of this regiment stood well under the heaviest fire of the enemy, evincing courage equal to the occasion.