Head Quarters Crescent Regiment

3^d Brigade Ruggles Division

Camp McPheeters     14^th April/62

 

To Col Preston Pond Jr

                        Cmdg 3^d Brigade Ruggles Division

 

                        Colonel

                                                I submit herewith a report of the operations of my Regiment on the 6^th & 7^th inst. in the Battle of Shiloh near Pittsburg. In obedience to your order on the morning of the 6^th I took position with my Regiment on the right of Col Sooney 38^th Tenn Regiment the left of the latter resting on Owl Creek to guard the road leading to the Enemy's Camp and to prevent their turning our left, supported by two pieces from Ketchums Battery commanded by Lt Philip Bond. We remained in this position untill about 1½ Oclock P.M. when we received orders through Col Beard Aid to Genl Bragg, to come immediately to the front. We moved both Regiments by the Right flank rapidly forward and to the right my men throwing off their blankets and all incumbrances to facilitate their movements, and passed through the enemy's camps, which appeared to have been the scene of severe conflict, towards the heavy firing in front, passing by the position / occupied by Genl Beauregard who ordered us to "go forward and drive the enemy into the Tennessee" Advancing about three hundred Yards further through open woods, raked by shell from the enemy's Batteries, we came up with Genls Polk, Ruggles and Anderson. The enemy's battery sustained by Sharp Shooters occupied a hill to the right of an open field which contained a house, a cotton pen, some cotton bales &c behind which the Sharp Shooters were posted in considerable force. After consultation Genl Ruggles directed Genl Anderson to the right and Sooney's and my Regiments to the left. I found the fire so heavy from the battery and sharp Shooters, that in my judgement it became prudent to drive them from this strong hold, before filing to the left, which we did by a charge driving them towards their Battery and from the thicket in front of it. The two pieces of Ketchums Battery came up and were assigned position by me. Lt Bond promptly responded to the heavy fire from the Enemy's batteries, and by his coolness and precision, in a short time succeeded in silencing them. I then filed my Regiment around to the left through a heavy thicket passing between two of our Regiments of what State I am unable to say, and accompanied by Genl Polk took position in front of the enemy who retreating / had taken position behind fences and houses to secure themselves from the fire of our forces, who were pressing them from the front. Our flank fire caused them to break and run to their quarters, where we opened a heavy fire upon them, and filing again to a more advanced position surrounded them, when the surrender of a large number took place. I myself received the swords of many of them, among whom were Col Morton, 23^d Mo and Capt M^cMichael Act Adjt Genl to Genl Smith. Genl Prentiss surrendered on the same spot some fifteen minutes after, not to me, because I was engaged in preventing the escape of those already prisoners, but I am told by some private of Col Freemans Tennessee Regiment, which was not present at the time of the surrender of the Brigade That my Regiment was in advance of the others at the surrender, and that I was ordered to receive the surrender by Genl Polk there is no room for doubt A Flag was surrendered at the same time but being engaged in advancing on the enemy I lost sight of it.

 

            The enemy again formed line of battle in the woods between the camp and Pittsburg, and we formed behind the batteries placed to oppose them, and after being shelled for some little time the enemy broke retreating towards Pittsburg. It is reported that / the White Flag was raised at this time, which is not so, as the Stars and Stripes were plainly visible

 

            After their retreat the Gun boats opened a most destructive fire, which we endured for some time, not being able to reply, and under orders we returned in good order from the point gained and took up our quarters for the night in one of the enemy's encampments.

 

            I received orders from Genl Beauregard to be prepared for action at 6 Oclock A.M. the next morning the 7^th inst and to move toward the Bark Road

 

            When near Genl Beauregards Head Quarters, I received orders to move to the support of Genl Chalmers who was then engaged with the enemy.

 

            We were formed in line by Genl Withers, to move forward to the support of the advanced line, with the 19^th La on our right. As the Army advanced the forces in front of us retired and the Washington Artillery, Capt Hudgson forming his battery in front of us, we we supported him. This Battery gallantly maintained their position, dealing destruction upon the foe untill the Artillery on the left retired leaving them alone. At this moment the enemy advanced in heavy force and the Artillery properly fearing such odds limbered and filed off to our left. We then advanced covering the movement of the / Artillery saving several of their pieces and driving the enemy before us. Here fell Captains Graham and Campbell, two of my best and most gallant Officers, and in this same charge fell Killed and wounded most of the gallant spirits whose loss we now deplore

            The enemy being again reinforced after having been driven back, in order to prevent being flanked we were forced to retire to the Ravine. The 1^st Mi lying under the brow of the hill, sent a volley into the enemy which threw them into confusion, and my Regiment rallying again charged the enemy

 

            Here my Color bearer Sg^t Schiller with three of the Color Guard were shot down and the flag was handed to Sergeant Lyons of the Triggs Guards who bore it faithfully and fearlessly over the hill, this time with another Regiment on our left. We drove the enemy into a wheat field and back to the undergrowth. When finding them supported by two Regiments in ambush we retired in good order to the Ravine Four times thus we drove the Enemy back every time coming upon us with fresh troops. At about 3 o'clock when the troops were ordered to retire, we did so by the order of Gens Hardee and Withers, being held with other Regiments under command of Col Wheeler of the Alabama Regiment to protect the / withdrawal of the other troops of our Army, untill between 5 five and six Oclock P.M. when we proceeded to a point about 3½ miles from Monterey where we encamped during the night returning the next morning to this Camp

 

            My men were exhausted and were absolutely sinking on the way from efforts of fatigue, want of food sleep and rest. We left the field of battle a half a mile in advance of the point where we commenced the fight and within that space lay those brave men who had fallen dead and wounded numbering One Hundred & Seven a detailed report of which is annexed.

 

            Lt Col M^cPheeters, Major Bosworth Captains Hardenberg (Commissary) and Gibble (Quartermaster) and Adjt Venables behaved gallantly.

 

            Among the line officers I have great satisfaction in mentioning the following as distinguished for Coolness, bravery and the faithful discharge of their duty

 

Co A. Lieuts Stevens Handy & LeGay. the two last wounded

 

Co B. Capt Haynes Lieuts Claiborne & Howell

 

Co C. Lieut Bullitt, who supplied the place of the lamented Graham after he fell offering to carry the Colors himself. /

 

Co D. Lieuts    Meshir Forstall

Co E.   "          Avery & Holmes

Co F. Capt Austin & Lt Guillet the latter exhibiting a courage bordering on impetuosity

Co G. Capt Helms & Lts Mellon & Shepperd

Co H. Lt Enderly, Lts Fisher & Perry being wounded early in the action

Co I. Capt Knight, who though wounded I found difficulty in keeping from the field. Lt Field, who supplying his place, conducted himself with coolness & bravery. Lt Seaman

Co K. Lieut M^cDougal supplying the place of the gallant Campbell.

Lts                               and Collie

Co L. Capt Davidson was cool & collected. on Monday I was deprived of his valuable services. Lt Lewis well filled the post. Lt Fellows was seriously wounded

 

Where there were so many privates who behaved with so much gallantry to mention some would be doing great injustice. I therefore content myself with mentioning only two Privates Hennessy Co A & Lemunier Co B. two boys of sixteen. I am Col Resp^tf Y^s

                                                                                    Marshall J Smith Col Crescent Reg^t

 

[verso] Report of Col Marshall J Smith Crescent Regt

of Battle of Shiloh 6 & 7^th April 1862

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