Raynors HCA 2017-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/23/2017
Following the Confederate defeat at Corinth, Mississippi in the first week of October 1862 the combined forces of Generals Earl Van Dorn and Sterling Price were cut off and attacked by Union Generals Edward O. C. Ord and Stephen Hurlbut near Pocahontas, Tenn. at the Hatchie River on the morning of Oct. 5th. This battle came to be known under three different names, the battle of Hatchie Bridge, Davis' Bridge or Matamora. Having been ordered by Grant to go to the assistance of William Rosecrans forces at Corinth, Ord's Union command was fortuitously positioned in order to cut off the Confederate retreat when he went into camp on the night of Oct. 4th. The next morning Ord attacked and even though he was wounded he helped push the Confederates back over five miles. Though the battle was a decided Union victory he irked Grant by not destroying the Confederate forces who were allowed to retreat towards Holly Spring, Mississippi. Proud of his brigade's performance at Hatchie Bridge, Union commander Brig. Gen. James C. Veatch gave a glowing battle report of the action that is offered here in a printed, 2pp. large folio, broadside format document (both pages are printed only on one side), boldly signed in type, JAMES C. VEATCH, Brig. Gen., "Head-Quarters, Second Brigade, Fourth Division, Bolivar, Tenn., Oct. 9, 1862," addressed to Capt. Binmore, Asst. Adjutant General of Hurlbut's Fourth Division, reading, in very small part: "I have the honor to submit the…report of the Battle of Hatchee…moved from Bolivar…on the morning of the 4th…towards Corinth…Col. Scott, commanding the 68th Ohio and 12th Michigan…reported to me for orders…my force consisted of the 15th Illinois…25th indiana…46th Illinois…the 14th Illinois…and Seventh Ohio Battery…my command reached the 'Big Muddy'…and camped…as soon as the bridges could be repaired…I sent the 25th Indiana across to cover my front…the cavalry was net in advance by Major-General Hurlbut…Co. Morgan, 25th Indiana, reported to me a rebel force occupying a house…I sent…46th Illinois to move to the right…Bolton's Battery…was brought up and shelled the house…driving off the rebel picket…Morgan's skirmishers advanced and occupied the house…the cavalry…soon reported an advance of the enemy…the enemy opened on us with grape, canister and shell. At this time Major General Ord and…Hurlburt came up…the rebel cavalry was moving to my right…the movement was effected in good order…in a very short time my whole command was in line on the high ridge of Matamora…the firing was spirited from the Rebel batteries…Ord now directed me to advance my whole line…the regiments…became hotly engaged…our men pressed them steadily…they gave way…abandoning four pieces of artillery…the left now struck the enemy's line…the enemy was driven from his strong position…the fight became general…the Rebels fighting behind fences and houses…a rapid movement…brought them to the Hatchee…a hundred prisoners…threw down their arms…the river and bridge was gained…General Ord directed me to move…across the bridge…the 53rd Indiana…cleared the bridge when it met a most deadly fire…it was thrown into confusion…the galling fire of the enemy and the nature of the ground rendering it impossible to form in line…one of [Lauman's] regiments…became enmassed with mine…Ord was wounded and taken from the field…Bolton's and Mann's Batteries…crossed the bridge and kept up a vigorous fire on the enemy…the whole division now moving forward, sharp fighting took place…the enemy gave way and the battle…had closed…the fight continued with the artillery for some time…the enemy soon fell back and made a hasty retreat…the field and staff of every regiment appeared determined to do all that could be done to render victory complete…Col. John A. Davis, 46th Ill. fell severely wounded [actually mortally wounded]…he has since died of his wounds…Major Rheinlander, 25th Indiana, was severely…wounded…while gallantly leading his regimenting a charge. He has since died…Major McGrain [was] slightly wounded while faithfully performing his duty…Captain Francis W. Fox…was always at the front…when there was danger…he dashed to the front…restoring order and confidence…Major Stephenson, senior Surgeon of the brigade devoted himself to the relief of the wounded…I desire to call special attention to the reports of commanders…". Once folded into quarters and weakened at those folds. The document has now been professionally cleaned, de-acidified and restored. Overall near fine
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