Stone's River after battle report:
Report of Lieut. Col. A. McNeill, Eighth Mississippi Infantry.
- -, 1863.
* * * * * * *
The above report+ is as accurate as can at present be obtained. The
regiment entered the engagement with an aggregate of about 270, and
the above list of casualties shows that near half of those who went into
action were either killed or wounded.
The regiment became engaged on Wednesday, December 31, 1862,
about 12 m., and nobly withstood a most murderous fire of shell and
shot until about 3 p.m., at which time they were ordered to withdraw.
It formed the extreme right of the brigade line of battle, and is supposed
to have fronted the enemy's center at that time. The above casualties all
occurred in the cedar grove occupied by the brigade during the fight on
Wednesday, and between the hours of 12 m. and 3 p.m. After Col.
Wilkinson was wounded [which was in the early part of the action], the
undersigned assumed command of the regiment, and takes great pleasure
in testifying to the cool courage and veteran-like heroism with which
they bore their ranks for near three hours. Indeed, both officers and
men as a whole behaved most gallantly. The conduct of those who are
reported as deserving censure is thought generally to merit unmeasured
disapprobation. An explanation is forwarded in the case of Private
J. Walker, of Company G. As he is very young, his conduct is thought
to be somewhat excusable. He returned and served with the regiment
during the balance of the time, while the others returned, most of them,
to the camp at town, and refused to come back, although repeatedly
ordered to do so.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
A. McNEILL,
Lieut.-Col., Comdg. Eighth Mississippi Regt.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 842-29 KY., MID. AND E. TENN., N. ALA., AND SW. VA. [CHAP. XXXII.
[Series I. Vol. 20. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 29.]
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Chickamagua after battle report:
Report of Col. John C. Wilkinson, Eighth Mississippi Infantry.
HDQRS. EIGHTH MISSISSIPPI REGT.,
Near Chattanooga, October 4, 1863.
SIR: In obedient to orders of this date, I submit the following
report of the part taken by my regiment in the battles of
September 19 and 20:
The regiment went into the fight on Saturday, between 11 and 12
o'clock, and drove the enemy before them for near a mile,
capturing
and bringing off the field 3 pieces of artillery and 5
horses, which had been captured earlier in the day by Maj.-Gen.
Walker's command, but recaptured by the enemy. I held the
position here until I informed Gen. Jackson, through my
adjutant, that the enemy was flanking us on the right, when I was
ordered to fall back and form on a road some distance in the
rear, which I did. I was then ordered to form on a line with
Scogin's battery, in which position the regiment remained until
late in the evening, when we were again ordered forward with
Gen. Cleburne's division and drove the enemy about half a mile,
where we remained until about 11 o'clock at night, when, being
relieved by other troops, we returned to our position near the
battery, and bivouacked for the night.
On Sunday, the regiment went into action about 4 p. m. Found
the enemy posted behind his fortifications, but held my position
under a galling cross-fire from the enemy until my ammunition
became exhausted. Re-enforcements coming up, the enemy was
driven from his position.
In this last charge on the enemy Lieut. Col. A. McNeill was
killed while gallantly leading the right wing of the regiment.
Capt. J. W. White, of Company G, was also killed in the fight
Sunday evening. During the two days' battle the regiment lost 10
killed and 84 wounded.
In no instance did the regiment retire or fall back without orders.
It would be unjust to make distinction and mention particular
officers or men where all did their duty nobly.
Respectfully,
JOHN C. WILKINSON,
Col., Comdg. Eighth Mississippi Regt.
[Capt. S. A. MORENO,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen.]
Source: Official Records
CHAP. XIII.] THE CHICKAMAUGA CAMPAIGN. PAGE 92-51
[Series I. Vol. 30. Part II, Reports. Serial No. 51.]
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