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Report of Brigadier General Jeremiah
C. Sullivan, U. S. Army, commanding Second Brigade.
HDQRS. 2nd Brigadier , THIRD DIV., ARMY OF THE MISS.,
Camp near Corinth, Miss., October 11, 1862.
CAPTAIN: I herewith submit the following report of the part taken by the Second Brigade,
Third Division, Army of the Mississippi, in the battle of Corinth, on the 3rd and 4th
instant, and the subsequent pursuit of the enemy:
At 1.30 o'clock on the morning of the 3rd instant I received orders from General C. S.
Hamilton, commanding the Third Division, Army of the Mississippi, to form my brigade and
march to Corinth, distant from my encampment about 3 miles. I was informed by his aide
that Major-General Price, of the rebel army, was expected to make an attack at daylight on
Corinth with 40,000 men, and that our troops were being rapidly concentrated to defend the
position. Allowing the men to cook a hasty breakfast, tents were struck, wagons packed,
and the brigade, with its entire train of camp and garrison equipage, was in motion by 3
o'clock. the prospect of again meeting General Price aroused the enthusiasm of the troops,
which was a sure presage of victory.
On arriving at Corinth our first line was formed under the immediate direction of General
Hamilton, which position was occupied until about 9 a. m., when orders were received to
advance on the Purdy road and occupy the breastworks between the Purdy road and swamp,
which lies to the right of the railroad, and joining which, immediately across the
railroad, the right of General Davies' division rested.
By the time the last position was taken the enemy made a determined attack on General
Davies' division in overpowering numbers, and although resisted gallantry the superior
numerical forces of the enemy compelled our troops to fall back, thus exposing our left
flank to the enemy's attack. Our front was immediately changed, and a ridge was occupied,
which gave us an opportunity to advance and attack the enemy on the flank as they moved
forward, following General Davies' division, which was falling back toward Corinth, and
also secure a road on which we could retire in case of necessity.
The enemy still advancing, General Hamilton ordered me with three regiments to attack
their left flank. While the First Brigade would support me on my right. Between my
position and the enemy lay a swamp, covered with a dense growth of underbrush, vines, and
fallen trees, through the center of which runs the dry bed of a creek, whose banks, some 6
feet deep, afforded a fine shelter for the enemy. Cautioning the men to silence, with the
Seventeenth and Tenth Iowa and Eightieth Ohio, numbering about 800 men, I moved forward to
the attack. Our advance was so entirely unexpected by the enemy that, had we been
supported as intended, I may be pardoned for stating that in my opinion the fight of the
succeeding day would not have occurred. Taken by surprise the enemy fell back, but not
rapidly enough to save themselves from a loss of 82 prisoners. We were compelled to halt
to halt for support, which the enemy noticing rallied and opened on us a heavy fire of
grape and canister from two batteries, when the column fell back in good order with its
face to the foe. This ended the fighting of the day, although a sharp skirmish was kept up
until darkness closed the scene and death ceased from his busy harvest.
Having received a severe contusion during the latter part of the engagement I was unfitted
for service, and the disposition of the troops for the anticipated attack of the enemy the
next morning was made by Colonel Samuel A.
Holmes, of the Tenth Regiment Missouri Volunteers.
There was no desponding heart in camp that night. Our own general we had tried and
Rosecrans had ever been victorious. But two short weeks before we had slept victors on the
battle-field of Iuka, and memories of that glorious fight but nerved us to more desperate
deeds. Ordnance officers were kept busy distributing ammunition; soldiers were occupied
cleaning their weapons; while general officers were engaged in consultation.
By 3 o'clock perfect quiet reigned through our entire lines. We knew the enemy were
desperate; we left death was preferable to surrender, and friends separated determined to
meet no more on earth unless victory perched on our banners.
Just before dawn the enemy opened a heavy cannonade. Ere the first report had ceased
reverberating through the woods our whole force was under arms. Our artillery quickly
responded and the ear was deafened with the answering reports. General Hamilton's division
held the right or our line, having been formed in line of battle by General Hamilton
himself, with a support of three regiments, General Davies' division the right center. No
attack was made by the enemy on our right until 8 o'clock, when the rebels in force
(commanded by Major-General Price in person and numbering as many as our whole army)
emerged from the woods in front and advanced rapidly in column of attack on our whole
line. Part of General Davies' division fled at the first fire, leaving several of our
batteries exposed, which the enemy temporarily took possession of, the Tenth Missouri,
Fifty-sixth Illinois, Eightieth Ohio, and Tenth Iowa bravely holding their ground. The
Twelfth Wisconsin Battery cool playing grape and canister into the massed columns of the
enemy caused them to halt. The desperate charge made by the First Brigade recaptured the
batteries and drove the enemy from that portion of the field. By order of General Hamilton
two regiments were placed under my command to drive back the enemy, who had penetrated our
center. Heroically our boys rushed to the fight; two well-delivered volleys, a charge, a
cheer, and the enemy fled. leaving us their colors, their dead, wounded, and over 300
prisoners. The enemy was routed on our right wing and our part of the line was safe.
Where each regiment and the batteries of my brigade won imperishable honor by their
steadfastness and bravery through two days' hard fighting it is hard to particularize the
deed which entitles them to most merit. On the first day's fight the Seventeenth and Tenth
Iowa and the Eightieth Ohio, by their steadiness and coolness in marching to make the
attack upon the enemy's flank, deserve special mention. One company of the Seventeenth
Iowa fought a superior force of the enemy until they had expended all their cartridges and
were compelled to fall back for a supply. One company of the Eightieth Ohio brought off
safely 33 prisoners, taken under a heavy fire and in the presence of a greatly superior
force of the enemy. The Tenth Iowa maintained its usual name for discipline and courage.
On the second day the Tenth Missouri and Fifty-sixth Illinois charged the enemy and retook
two batteries. Their courage was deserving of all praise, as five times their numbers had
fled ingloriously from the foe they drove from the field. For over half an hour the Tenth
Missouri had sustained a fire of musketry without answering, losing one-sixth of their
number killed and wounded. The Fifty-sixth Illinois in this their first fight proved that
consciousness of a just cause makes men invisible. All honor to their noble dead; praise
and credit to the living.
The Eightieth Ohio, after losing their only field officer present, nobly fought on, nor
ceased until the fight was done. Their list of dead and wounded proves the position they
held was one of danger, and by their valor they made it the post of honor.
The Tenth Iowa sustained the brunt of the first attack of the enemy until the regiment on
their left gave way and their flank was exposed, when they slowly fell back fighting.
The Seventeenth Iowa had the honor of driving back the enemy from the position once
occupied by Davies' division and advancing in pursuit until ordered to halt by General
Rosecrans, who feared their valor was leading them beyond prudence. They captured a stand
of colors, which I suggest be sent to the Governor of their State.
Of the Twelfth Wisconsin Battery I cannot say too much. Twice they have been tried in
desperate battles and twice they have proven themselves heroes.
The Sixth Wisconsin Battery effectively worked their pieces in the early part of the
action, but being feebly supported, were so unfortunate as to lose their guns; but when
quickly retaken and returned to their possession did fearful execution in the enemy's
ranks.
To Colonel Samuel A. Holmes, commanding the
Tenth Missouri Volunteers, I am indebted for assistance while I was temporarily disabled.
His intelligence, coolness, bravery, and well-disciplined regiment entitle him to my
favorable notice and I trust to some mark of approbation from the Government.
To Major Banbury, Fifth Iowa, temporarily in command of the Seventeenth Iowa; to
Lieutenant-Colonel Raum, commanding Fifty-sixth Illinois; to Major McCalla, commanding
Tenth Iowa; to Captain Dillon, commanding Sixth Wisconsin Battery, and to Lieutenant
Immell, commanding Twelfth Wisconsin Battery, I am especially indebted. Their desire seems
to be to do their duty; Their pride in knowing it is well done.
To Major Lanning, Eightieth Ohio, who yielded up his life in battling for our glorious
flag. which traitor hands were trying to destroy, no words of mine can add honor. He died
a soldier's death. His body fills a patriot's grave. He will ever live in the memory of
his comrades in arms.
The reports of commanding officers are herewith submitted, with the names of officers and
men who distinguished themselves on those memorable days.
Of my own staff, who were under fire during the entire two days, I desire to make
particular mention of Captain Harris, assistant adjutant-general, who, while carrying
orders on the field, narrowly escaped with his life, receiving a wound in the hand and
having his clothes torn with bullets. To Lieutenant Jacobson, who was on the field lending
assistance, rallying the men and carrying orders, and to Lieutenant Buchanan, my
aide-de-camp, for his willingness and bravery, I am greatly indebted, and desire to
recommenced both to the Governor of their State as worthy of promotion, as they will fill
credit to themselves and honor to the State any post they may be instructed with.
To Serg. B. A. May, Thirteenth Indiana Volunteers, i called especial attention. I
recommend him as worthy to fill, by his education and bravery, a higher position in the U.
S. Army.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JER. C. SULLIVAN,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
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