the forest on the lower margin of the open field in front, I obtained Trabue's and Stanford's light batteries, and brought them into action, and directed their fire on masses of the enemy then pressing forward towards our right, engaged in a fierce contest with our forces then advancing against him in that direction.
"For a brief period the enemy apparently gained ground, and when the conflict was at its height these batteries opened upon his concentrated forces, producing immediate commotion, and soon resulted in the precipitate retreat of the enemy from the contest.
"At this moment the Second brigade and the Crescent regiment pressed forward and cut off a considerable portion of the enemy, who surrendered."
I have also to remark that a hasty glance at your manuscript report (at Richmond) disclosed no special notice of that particular period of the battle corresponding with its importance, and I therefore have the honor to request that you will amend your report so far as to do justice to those troops who participated in one of the controlling conflicts of that eventful day.
It is due to myself to state that subsequently enfeebled health, the constant pressure of official business, the sickness of my staff officers and the haste enjoined in making my official report, even before the subordinate reports could be obtained, deprived me of the means of retracing circumstantially many of the most notable events of the day, and, as subsequent investigation discloses, did not do full justice to the occasion.
In view of this fact, I now have the honor to transmit, for your consideration, an amended report of that portion of the battle, and to request that you will forward it and the accompanying papers, including this letter, to the Adjutant-General for the files of the War Department.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Report of General Ruggles.
Army of Mississippi,
Corinth, Mississippi, April 25, 1862.
To Major G. G. Garner, Assistant Adjutant-General:
Sir—I have the honor to submit the following report of the services of my division at the battle of Shiloh, Tennessee, on the 6th and 7th instants.
