Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 7.djvu/568

Rh, recently attached to Hébert's brigade, was distinguished in the attack upon the Federal battery, several pieces being drawn away by details from this command. General Price in his report stated, "Colonel Colbert's regiment also proved its worthiness to take its place in this brave brigade, the command of which has by the fortunes of war been already devolved upon its intelligent and brave colonel."

Col. John D. Martin's, the other brigade engaged, included the Thirty-sixth, Thirty-seventh and Thirty-eighth Mississippi infantry, and the Thirty-seventh Alabama. When they reached the field, Colonel Martin led the first and last regiments in support of Hébert's left, while General Little in person conducted the Thirty-seventh and Thirty-eighth on the right. Martin pressed forward gallantly, pushing the enemy before him, and after the firing ceased made a charge with his two regiments, capturing several prisoners. In his report, Martin particularly noticed the bravery of Colonel Witherspoon of the Thirty-sixth, Lieutenant-Colonel Brown, and Major Slaton. "The men conducted themselves with the coolness and valor of veterans, though for the first time under fire." The Thirty-seventh, Col. Robert McLain, and Thirty-eighth, Col. F. W. Adams, were ordered to the front and under heavy fire, but on account of Little's death did not take an active part in the battle. The regimental loss in killed and wounded was, Thirty-sixth, 22; Thirty-seventh, 32; Thirty-eighth, 8; Fortieth, 49. Previous to the battle of Iuka the Mississippi cavalry regiment of Col. Wirt Adams was distinguished in checking the advance of Ord, and afterward protected the rear during the movement to Baldwin.

Van Dorn and Price united their forces at Ripley on September 28th, and the Mississippi general assumed chief command under orders from the war department. This united army, which was styled the army of West Tennessee, was composed of Price's corps, the army of