SIR I have the honor to submit the' following report of the part
taken by the Twenty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteers in the battles of
Raymond, Champion's Hill, Jackson, and Vicksburg, up to the present date:
BATTLE OF RAYMOND.
At 11 o'clock a.m. of May 12, the Twenty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteers
was ordered to take position upon the right of the main road, on the right
of the brigade. Having taken this position, we moved forward in line of
battle, across open fields, to the edge of some timber, distant about half
a mile. The regiment was here halted for a few moments, and was then ordered
to move by the right flank into the timber, my left resting on the edge
of the field. This position being taken, it was then moved forward in line
of battle, Company G being thrown out as skirmishers in front and upon
the right flank, with instructions to keep constantly in sight of the regiment.
I reached a creek, which was almost impassable, the banks being nearly
perpendicular, and covered with dense undergrowth. With much difficulty
the regiment crossed it and moved forward a short distance. I halted about
50 yards from the base of a hill in my front, when, not seeing the
balance of the line upon my left, I immediately sent to ascertain its position.
At this time I received your order for the skirmishers to be thrown
farther to the right. While this was being executed, we were attacked upon
our right and front by the enemy in column, consisting of four lines. Owing
to the denseness of the thicket, our skirmishers were advanced but a short
distance before the enemy was upon them, advancing rapidly down the hill
in our front. They opened fire from each line in succession, and at the
same time that portion on our right fired a volley and charged. Upon our
first discovery of them, we opened fire and continued until they were within
bayonet reach. Not having time to fix our bayonets, we attempted to beat
them back with our muskets, but, being overpowered by numbers, we were
obliged to fall back, which we did in good order, to the creek. Here the
same difficulty occurred as before in crossing. Upon regaining the opposite
bank, and finding it difficult to form my line, I moved out of the woods
and formed on the Twentieth Illinois regiment, which was occupying a position
in the edge of the field, and upon which we had previously formed our line.
We remained in this position, sustaining a heavy fire, for about one and
a half hours, when the enemy began to fall back.
At this time a portion of the Third Brigade took position on our right
and charged, we joining them in it, the enemy hastily leaving the field.
Soon after, and while the enemy were retreating on the right-hand road,
a section of Rogers' battery was ordered forward to fire upon them. The
regiment was then ordered to a position in a skirt of timber on the left
of and to support the artillery, and resting upon the left-hand road. The
brigade being shortly afterward formed into column by regiments, my command
took its proper position and marched into Raymond, where it camped for
the night.
BATTLE OF JACKSON.
At about 9 a.m. May 14, we reached the scene of action, which was about
3 miles from Jackson, upon the Vicksburg Jackson road. Soon after our arrival,
the brigade was formed into column by regiments, the Twenty-third Indiana
being on the right, in rear of and acting as a support to the Seventh Division.
The enemy having been routed by the Seventh Division, we were ordered in
pursuit upon the Canton road, but had only proceeded a short distance when
the order was countermanded, and we bivouacked at 8 p.m. near the Deaf
and Dumb Asylum.
BATTLE OF CHAMPION'S HILL.
About 12 m. May 16, I received your order to move to the right of the
main road, and take a position about a quarter of a mile distant in open
ground, the remaining regiments of the brigade forming column in my rear.
As soon as they obtained their positions, we moved forward a short distance
and were halted. I then threw out as skirmishers my right company. As soon
as they were in position, I received your order to move forward by change
of direction to the right, one fourth wheel, then forward. Passing through
a hollow, we were halted on the side of an opposite hill, in order to fix
bayonets. I soon received orders to advance my regiment and take position
on the right of the Forty-fifth Illinois Regiment, which was supporting
Captain Rogers' battery, which was posted upon the brow of the hill. This
position being greatly exposed, we moved forward over the hill into timber,
descending into a ravine and to the brow of a hill opposite, about 400
yards distant. Here we found the enemy in force, and evidently preparing
to advance. We immediately opened fire upon him, and kept it up for nearly
two hours, when he commenced falling back. We were immediately ordered
forward over this hill, across a ravine, and to the top of another rise
in our front. Here we remained, keeping up a constant fire for about
an hour, when the enemy retreated from the field in confusion, and soon
afterward, by your order, I moved a short distance to the left and took
my position in the brigade, which was formed in double lines. After resting
here a short time, the brigade was ordered forward upon the main road,
arriving at a point near Baker's Creek. About 3 ½ miles from Edwards
Station we bivouacked for the night.
SIEGE OF VICKSBURG.
I arrived in the vicinity of the enemy's works at 8 o'clock on the morning
of May 19, and was at once ordered to take position in an open field on
the left of the main Vicksburg road. As soon as we had gotten this position,
we were ordered forward across the field through a deep ravine, and to
the top of a ridge upon the opposite side, here striking the main road
again, which at this point had made a sharp turn to the left. Here we were
halted, and we remained in line till 2 p.m., when, by your order, I moved
forward over an open field, and to the edge of a canebrake, halting a moment
at this place to enable other regiments to take their positions; then forward
across another field and through a deep ravine to the brow of a timbered
ridge, distant from the main road about one-quarter of a mile; then to
the right along this ridge, descending into a deep ravine, over this ravine
and to the top of an abrupt hill, into the edge of another field. We moved
over this field to the right, and were halted in some timber on a ridge
in front of one of the enemy's forts, about 300 yards distant, and one-half
mile from the main road at the point we occupied in the forenoon. While
crossing over the last field, we were under a severe fire from the enemy's
batteries. We remained at this place till the afternoon of the 20th, when,
by your order, we moved to the left, passing along under the brow of a
ridge which ran nearly parallel to the enemy's works, arriving upon the
main road running to the city, and near the white house. We remained here
until 10 o'clock on the morning of the 22d, when we received your order
to move forward, joining in a charge upon the enemy's works, which lay
upon the Vicksburg road and about 300 yards from us, my regiment being
ordered to move forward by the right flank on the road until within about
100 yards of the works, then file right, and move in this direction till
my left was clear of the road. Filing to the right, we were obliged to
pass over a ridge of ground which brought us in full view of the enemy's
rifle-pits, from which a murderous fire was opened upon us, killing and
wounding 11, among them the commanding officer of the right company.
Finding it impossible to get my position by this direction, I moved
the regiment rapidly by the right flank a short distance, and obtained
shelter from the enemy's fire in a shallow ravine, which ran parallel to
the road. We moved along in this ravine till our right became again exposed
to the fire from the rifle-pits, and also to a fire from a battery which
was posted upon our right, when I halted the regiment and immediately informed
you of our position, and soon after received your order to withdraw by
company, it being extremely hazardous to return in regular order of regiment.
Upon the companies coming out, they formed in line, and, as soon as the
regiment was formed, I was ordered to stack arms upon the left of the road
and to await further orders. About 5 p.m., by your order, I again moved
down the road, and after having passed about the length of the regiment
beyond where we filed to the right in the morning, was halted, and in a
short time I was ordered to return to my former position upon the roadside,
where I staid till the 27th, when we moved a short distance back
upon the right of the road to a position which we still occupy.
During these engagements both officers and men have behaved with their
usual bravery and coolness. To Maj. H. C. Ferguson, Capt. George S. Babbitt,
and Lieut. Jesse T. Gleason, acting adjutant, 1 am especially indebted
for their promptness in the execution of all orders. Sergt. Maj. David
G. McCann has shown himself worthy the position he now holds. I cannot
let the opportunity pass without speaking of the admirable manner in which
Sergt. George H. Goad, Company H, commanding;
Sergt. Francis M. Tubbs, Company G, commanding, and Corpl. William Mix,
Company E, commanding, handled their respective companies at Champion's
Hill. They proved themselves equal to the emergencies. Company I, Capt.
B. F. Walter commanding, and Company E, Lieut. Henry C. Foster (Company
B) commanding, were deployed as skirmishers the day (19th) of our arrival
here (Vicksburg), and are now (this being the sixteenth day) occupying
a position about 75 yards from the enemy's principal fort near the white
house. These companies deserve special praise and mention for their daring
bravery and incalculable services in driving the enemy from this point
and silencing the guns within the fort.
I respectfully refer you to reports already submitted of casualties
to May 23, inclusive. Inclosed find list from that date to June 4, inclusive.
Lieutenant-Colonel.]
Lieut. S. M. BUDLONG,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
