Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 16.djvu/319

 "Battle of Shiloh." 313

Freeman (Twenty-second) reported his regiment out of ammunition. The Twelfth and Thirteenth regiments coming up at this time, being in the same condition, I ordered details to proceed to the enemy's camp and supply them. This being done, General Cheatham di- rected a line to be formed in rear of the encampment and await further orders. The gunboats kept up an incessant fire of shot and shell. After waiting in this position some time, orders were received from General Bragg to fall back out of the range of the gunboats and encamp for the night." (Ibid, page 418.")

The Eleventh Louisiana, another regiment of Russell's brigade, having become separated from the other regiments apparently much earlier in the day, its Lieutenant Colonel, R. H. Barrow, gives a sketch of the disjointed condition in which his regiment, for example, had fallen as early as 3 P. M.

" The engagement was now general ; the fighting desperate ; our men hurried from point to point as exigencies required, until those who had up to this time remained together were greatly cut up and divided, rendering it impossible to rally any considerable number upon any one point. From this time and in this manner a large majority, if not all of our men, I believe, continued to fight through- out the day. I was ordered toward evening by Captain Blake (of Folk's general staff) to take my position with what men I had on the extreme (Confederate) left, where I remained (unengaged evi- dently) until the fighting of the day had ceased ; after which I started back to find our hospital, hoping there to find the majority, if not all, of our regiment assembled." (Ibia, page 427.)

He did not find it, however, in the night, and was able next morn- ing only to assemble some sixty-odd of his men. Lieutenant-Colonel J. H. Bell (Ibid, page 423) confirms Colonel Russell's report, just cited, as also does Colonel A. J. Vaughan, Thirteenth Tennessee, in these terms :

" At this time heavy firing commenced on our right, and I was ordered to support it. I did so, where I met with General Cheatham. who ordered me to remain where I was until further orders. Here I received an order from Colonel Russell to fall back to the rear of his regiment (Twelfth Tennessee), and proceed down the river until we came under the fire of the enemy's gunboats. It being now about dark, I was ordered back to an encampment, where I took quarters for the night." (Ibid, page 425. )

Major James A. Neely commanding Thirteenth Arkansas, of Stew- art's brigade, reports that having been severely handled and beaten