On the morning of the 7th, at about 6 o'clock, a message from Colonel Pond gave notice that the enemy was in his front in force, and that he would endeavor to hold him in check until he should receive reinforcements. My First and Second brigades moved immediately to the field and joined Colonel Pond in his position.
Some time afterwards, Colonel Pond's brigade was ordered to the right, and Colonel Gibson's then occupied the left, with a part of which, and some two companies of cavalry, we made the attempt to charge the enemy's right flank and silence a battery there, in which we only partially succeeded, with Colonel Fagan's First Arkansas regiment, owing to the exhausted condition of the infantry and fruitless attempt of the cavalry.
We succeeded, however, after having silenced and dislodged the battery, in maintaining a position well advanced upon the enemy's flank until recalled and moved to the centre and left of our line, where the conflict raged most fiercely for some hours, with varying fortune, until on the approach of night our troops were withdrawn from the field.
In falling back, I commanded the artillery, infantry and cavalry constituting the second line, or rear guard, of the movement.
In these successive conflicts, covering a period of nearly two days, the troops in my division displayed almost uniformly great bravery and personal gallantry, worthy of veterans in the cause.
The regiments were remarkable for their steadiness in action, the maintenance of their organization in the field, and their good conduct generally, from the beginning to the end of these battles.
In consequence of the hurried nature of my report, I shall not enter into details touching the personal conduct of many officers and men distinguished for their gallantry, or the special and signal services of regiments—commending, however, the reports of brigade, regimental and independent company commanders, in all particulars, to special consideration.
It gives me pleasure to acknowledge the services on the field, promptly and gallantly rendered, of Captain Roy M. Hooe, Assistant Adjutant-General, and First Lieutenant M. B. Ruggles, Aid-de-Camp, throughout the successive conflicts; of Lieutenant L. D. Sandidge, Acting Assistant Inspector-General the greater part of both days; of Major John Claiborne, Chief Quartermaster a part of the first day; of Surgeon F. W. Hereford, Chief Surgeon, slightly wounded, who rendered important services on the field until the wounded required his professional services; of Major E. S. Ruggles,
