HDQRS. TENTH REGIMENT INDIANA VOLUNTEERS,
Battle-Field, Rich Mountain, July 12, 1861.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Tenth Regiment Indiana Volunteers at the battle of Rich Mountain, July 11, 1861, in obedience to your order:
I formed the regiment at 3 a. m. of the morning of the 11th of July, 1861, and marched under your orders in a direction flanking the enemy, and when we arrived within about one mile and three-quarters of the works of the enemy on the Beverly road, we filed off to the right and passed along the side of the mountain until we came to a blind road leading to Hart’s house, on the Beverly road. I sent forward Company A under charge of Capt. Chris. Miller, as skirmishers, and formed the remainder of the regiment into columns, and took up the order of march in advance, in the direction of the enemy. When within three-quarters of a mile of the enemy’s works I came upon their pickets, who fired upon us, mortally wounding Capt. Chris. Miller,* who fell at my side while gallantly pushing forward his company, and also instantly killing Sergt. James A. Taggart, and severely wounding Orderly Sergt. Chauncey H. Thompson, of Company A. I ordered Company A to fire, which they did, killing five of the enemy. Under your orders I immediately pushed forward the column (and threw out four companies as skirmishers), letting my left rest on the road and my right extend to the brow of the mountain overlooking the Beverly Valley. In this position I moved forward during a violent mountain rainstorm, which drenched the men to such an extent that I was astonished that they were able to keep the locks of their guns dry until we came to within 350 yards of the enemy’s batteries and infantry, when we formed a line of battle and opened fire upon the enemy, which they returned with great spirit from their batteries and infantry, throwing from their batteries shrapnel, shot, ball, &c., with rapidity and force. I immediately gave the command for the men to lie down (being at that time far in advance toward the enemy), which in a great measure sheltered them from the enemy’s fire, in which posture they remained, receiving the fire of the enemy entirely alone for full forty minutes, and returning a fire which had great effect for the time to silence the batteries and drive the infantry of the enemy from the road. During this fire the Eighth Indiana Regiment, under Colonel Benton, took position on the right, and three companies of the Thirteenth Indiana Regiment, under Colonel Sullivan, on the left, when we received your order to form column by platoons and charge the battery and intrenchments of the enemy, which was done as promptly as the rugged nature of the ground would admit, being supported gallantly on the right by the Eighth Indiana and on the left by the Thirteenth Indiana Regiments.
On reaching the road in our charge down the mountain, the enemy was dispersed and fled in confusion up the side of the opposite mountain and down the road toward their fortifications, very hotly pursued in their flight, and quite a number of prisoners taken by us. When near the road I saw the enemy attempting to escape with one of their cannon. I gave the command to shoot the horses, which Sergeant Davis, of Company G, did, when a portion of Company E, under Corporal Lawrie, and of Company K, under Lieutenant Fahnestock and Beitzell, deployed down the road, overtook the cannon, and took possession of it. In making this capture, Private Brooks, of Company K, was severely and dangerously wounded. I immediately ordered the wounded horse to be unloosed and my men to haul the cannon to a high point on the Beverly road, which they did, when Captain Konkle, of Company K, Nineteenth Ohio Regiment, took charge of it, loaded and brought it to bear upon the road to rake any advance of the enemy if they attempted to return or be re-enforced from their fortifications. The cannon was taken from and brought to bear against the enemy within ten minutes time after it was in their possession. I then threw out Company B, Captain Fleming, and Company G, under command of Lieut. E. H. Morgan, as skirmishers down the valley in direction of Camp Garnett, during which Private Ethington, of Company B, captured and returned five prisoners. With the other eight companies I formed the line of battle across the Beverly road, with the right extending well up the mountain, facing the direction of the enemy’s approach from Camp Garnett, in which position we remained upon our arms all night. On the morning of the 12th of July, 1861, about daybreak, I sent, by your order, Capt. A. O. Miller, of Company C, with his company (being same formerly commanded by Brigade Major Blake), to take possession of Camp Garnett, which he did, Lieutenant Watkins, who was left in command of said camp, surrendering his sword and all the camp equipage and public and private property therein to him, and I am proud to say that not one dollar’s worth of public or private property belonging to the enemy was appropriated by the company to their own use. I herewith inclose paper marked A containing a list of the killed and wounded of my regiment in the battle, showing thirty killed and wounded.** The officers and men under my command behaved with a great degree of coolness and courage during the entire engagement. I would call especial attention to Maj. William C. Wilson, who gallantly led forward the left wing, although severely wounded, and to Lieutenant-Colonel Bryant, until he fell by the effect of concussion by the explosion of a shell; also Major McCrea, the surgeon of my regiment, and Captain Myers, assistant surgeon, for the prompt manner they attended the wounded on the field of battle; also to Adjutant Kise for the discharge of his duty; and I cannot close my report without mentioning the name of Private J. H. Boyle, of Company C, for great gallantry; and also D. B. Hurt, whom I had the pleasure to present to you the evening prior to the battle, and whose great knowledge of the mountains and efficiency as a guide I doubt not contributed largely to our success. I also file herewith the report of the captains of part of my regiment, who acted in the charge up the mountain under your orders. All of which is respectfully submitted.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
MAHLON D. MANSON,
Colonel Tenth Indiana Regiment.
* Records show that Captain Miller was not dead at the date of the muster out of his company, August 6, 1861.
** Nominal list (omitted) shows 3 killed and 27 wounded.
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Series I, Vol. LI, Part I. With additions and corrections. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1902.
Spirit of '61 