Report of Brigadier General Charles Clark, C. S. Army, commanding First Division, First Corps, Army of the Mississippi
HDQRS. FIRST DIV., FIRST CORPS, ARMY OF THE MISS.,
April 8, 1862
Maj. GEORGE WILLIAMSON,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Corps, Army of the Mississippi
MAJOR: On the evening of the 3d instant my division
(composed of the Second Brigade, commanded by Brigadier-General Stewart, and the
First Brigade, by Col. R. M. Russell, of the Twelfth Tennessee Regiment) moved
as ordered, and halted for the night on the Ridge road to Pittsburg, about 9
miles from Corinth.
At daylight on the 4th we resumed the march, but were soon
ordered to halt to permit the troops of Major-General Hardee to pass to our
front.
We were again stopped at the crossing of the Monterey and
Purdy road to await the arrival of troops that were to move by that road and
precede us. We encamped for the night during which rain fell in incessant
torrents) with our right about half a mile from the cross-road at Mickey's, the
whole day's march not exceeding 6 or 7 miles.
At 3 a.m. Saturday the whole command was under arms and in
readiness to move, but darkness and a drenching rain detained us until dawn. At
Mickey's we were again halted some five hours, until the troops of Major-General
Bragg came up and preceded us, so that it was not until late in the afternoon
that we arrived at the point designated for our bivouac for the night.
On Sunday morning, the 6th instant, the two brigades, the
Second in front, marched to the field, as ordered by Major-General Polk, in line
of battle, the center on the Pittsburg road, Stanford's battery attached to and
following the Second in the road and Bankhead's battery the First.
When within about 1,000 yards of the enemy's camps the left
flank of each line, while passing through a field, was exposed to a fire of
round shot and shell from a battery of the enemy, but no casualties occurred,
although the battery continued to fire upon us for thirty minutes. When we
arrived within 300 yards of Major-General Bragg's fine General A. Sidney
Johnston ordered me to send the Second Brigade, by a flank movement, to the
right, to support the forces there engaged, and to remain with the First Brigade
in position and await orders. He led the Second Brigade in person and I did not
see it afterwards.
In a few moments I was ordered to move to the edge of the
open fields in front, and was there met by Major-General Bragg, who informed me
that the battery on the left and front of my line was enfilading his troops, and
directed me to charge it with one of my regiments. The Eleventh Louisiana (Col.
Sam. F. Marks), being most convenient, I led it forward. The battery was
concealed from us by a ridge and distant about 300 yards. The battalion moved up
the ascent, with fixed bayonets, at a double-quick, and when on the crest of the
ridge we were opened upon by the enemy's battery with shot and canister and by a
large infantry support with musketry at easy range. Our men were compelled to
fall back behind the ridge, where they were promptly reformed.
In the mean time Colonel Russell brought forward the other
three regiments, and with the whole brigade I again charged. The enemy
retreated. We pursued them at double-quick some 500 yards, when we met a large
force in position, upon whom we opened fire. A brisk interchange of musketry
continued for about fifteen minutes, when the enemy commenced retiring, covering
their retreat with skirmishers. I ordered the firing to cease, and was
proceeding along the line to enforce the order when I received a severe wound in
the right shoulder. Leaving Colonel Russell in command, I went to the rear to
have my wound dressed, and met Major-General Bragg, to whom I communicated the
situation of affairs, who, after kindly expressing his sympathy, galloped to the
front to give his orders in person. In the first charge by the Eleventh
Louisiana Regiment the right wing was embarrassed by the tents and picket ropes
of an artillery company on the ridge, and the whole line exposed to a murderous
fire, of the effect of which the dead and wounded were melancholy evidence.
Having received no reports from the officers under my
command, I cannot report specially as to the conduct of the brigade and other
officers of the line. Justice will doubtless be done them in the reports which
will be sent you; but I can bear witness to the uniform, steady conduct of all,
both officers and men, who came under my observation.
To my staff my thanks are due for their gallantry and good
conduct. Capt. W. H. McCardle, assistant adjutant-general; Lieut. William
Yerger, jr., my aide-de-camp; Majs. Howell Hinds and W. M. Inge, assistant
adjutants-general, Seventh Brigade, Army of the Potomac, and Capt. John A.
Buckner, of the Eighth Kentucky Regiment, volunteer aide, accompanied me in
conducting the first charge of the Eleventh Louisiana Regiment and in the second
advance, and were, in the thickest of the fight, prompt and intelligent in the
execution of my orders. Lieutenant Yerger was near me and had his horse shot
under him about the time I was wounded. Major Hinds was by my side and assisted
me from the field. Maj. W. H. Haynes, my division commissary, was seriously
wounded in the face by the fragment of a shell. Mr. James E. McClure, acting
quartermaster, came frequently to the front under fire to receive my orders.
Captain Williams, of the staff of Major-General Bragg, was
conspicuous for his courageous bearing, waving his sword in the front and being
the first upon the hill in our second charge.
The colour-sergeant of the Eleventh Louisiana did not fall back with his
regiment when it was repulsed in the first charge, but kept his flag displayed
upon the hill amid a shower of balls until he was ordered back to the new line.
I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHARLES CLARK,
Brig. Gen., Comdg. 1st Div., 1st Corps, Army of the Mississippi.
Text
Source - The Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
Image Source - The Library of Congress
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