the army in the field than that of Colonels
Hardin and McKee, and Lieutenant-Colonel Clay. Possessing, in a
remarkable degree, the confidence of their commanders, and the
last two having enjoyed the advantage of a military education, I
had looked particularly to them for support in case we met the
enemy. I need not say that their zeal in engaging the enemy, and
the cool and steadfast courage with which they maintained (p. 344)
their positions during the day, fully realized my hopes, and
caused me to feel yet more sensibly their untimely loss.

I perform a grateful duty in bringing to the notice of the
government the general good conduct of the troops. Exposed for
successive nights, without fires, to the severity of the weather,
they were ever prompt and cheerful in the discharge of every
duty; and finally displayed conspicuous steadiness and gallantry
in repulsing, at great odds, a disciplined foe. While the
brilliant success achieved by their arms releases me from the
painful necessity of specifying many cases of bad conduct before
the enemy, I feel an increased obligation to mention particular
corps and officers, whose skill, coolness and gallantry in trying
situations, and under a continued and heavy fire, seem to merit
particular notice.

To Brigadier-General Wool my obligations are especially due. The
high state of discipline and instruction of several of the
volunteer regiments was attained under his command, and to his
vigilance and arduous service before the action, and his
gallantry and activity on the field, a large share of our success
may justly be attributed. During most of the engagement he was in
immediate command of the troops thrown back on our left flank. I
beg leave to recommend him to the favorable notice of the
government. Brigadier-General Lane (slightly wounded) was active
and zealous throughout the day, and displayed great coolness and
gallantry before the enemy.

The services of the light artillery, always conspicuous, were
more than usually distinguished. Moving rapidly over the roughest
ground, it was always in action at the right place and the right
time, and its well-directed fire dealt destruction in the masses
of the enemy. While I recommend to particular favor the gallant
conduct and valuable service