From Fort Henry to CorinthForce, M. F. (Manning Ferguson)
History
From Fort Henry to Corinth
Force, M. F. (Manning Ferguson)
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns
Gladden's brigade, forming part of Bragg's corps, on the second line of
Johnston's army, was moved forward to extend the right of Hardee on the
first line, when, by the divergence of Lick Creek from Owl Creek,
Hardee's line became inadequate to fill the distance between them. The
line of Johnston's advance being oblique to the line of Prentiss' front,
Gladden arrived in front of Prentiss' left after Shaver had become
engaged with Peabody. Colonel Adams, who took command of the brigade
upon the death of General Gladden, and who made the full report of the
brigade, says they arrived in position at eight o'clock. Colonel Deas,
who took command when Adams was wounded, says they arrived a little
after seven. Colonel Loomis, who was in command on the return to
Corinth, says in his report, made April 13th, that the engagement of
this brigade began at half-past seven. Wheeling to the left and
deploying into line, the brigade moved confidently forward. Gladden was
mortally wounded and his command fell back in confusion. General
Johnston ordered it to return to the attack, but, on inspecting its
condition, countermanded the order.
Chalmers' brigade, coming up from the second line, made an impetuous
charge. Jackson's brigade, which followed in rear of Chalmers, moved
forward and joined in the attack. Prentiss fell back and made a stand
immediately in front of his camp. After a gallant but short struggle,
his division, about nine o'clock, gave way and fell back through his
camp, leaving behind Powell's guns and caissons and two of
Hickenlooper's guns, all the horses of Hickenlooper's two guns being
killed. The line was broken and disordered by the tents. The
Twenty-fifth Missouri, and portions of other regiments drifted to the
rear. On the summit of a slope, covered by dense thicket, not far to the
rear of his camp, Prentiss rallied the Eighteenth and Twenty-first
Missouri, Twelfth Michigan, and Eighteenth Wisconsin. The Sixty-first
Illinois and Sixteenth Wisconsin were also rallied, but detached to form
in reserve to Hurlbut. The Twenty-third Missouri, arriving by boat at
the landing after the battle had begun, moved out at once and took
position in Prentiss' new line. In this position his left was near the
extreme southern head of the ravine of Brier Creek; thence his line
extended along an old, sunk, washed-out road running a little north of
west, and reached nearly to the Corinth road. Prentiss in person put
Hickenlooper's battery in position immediately to the right of the
Corinth road, near the intersection of the roads. Prentiss' men used the
road cut as a defence, lying down in it and firing from it. General
Grant, visiting Prentiss, approved the position and directed him to hold
it at all hazards. The order was obeyed. Continually assaulted by
successive brigades, he repelled every attack and held the position
till the close of the day.
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