gallant leader, by Major Wood of the Pennsylvania corps,
by Colonel Dobbin of New York, and by their officers generally,
they precipitated themselves upon the enemy's line, and made all
the prisoners which were taken at this point of the action.

Having been for some time wounded, and being a good deal
exhausted by the loss of blood, it became my wish to devolve the
command on General Scott, and retire from the field; but on
enquiry, I had the misfortune to learn, that he was disabled by
wounds; I therefore kept my post, and had the satisfaction to see
the enemy's last effort repulsed. I now consigned the command to
General Ripley.

While retiring from the field, I saw and felt, that the victory
was complete on our part, if proper measures were promptly
adopted to secure it. The exhaustion of the men was, however,
such as made some refreshment necessary. They particularly
required water. I was myself extremely sensible of the want of
this necessary article. I therefore believed it proper, that
General Ripley and the troops should return to camp, after
bringing off the dead, the wounded, and artillery; and in this I
saw no difficulty, as the enemy had entirely ceased to act.
Within an hour after my arrival in camp, I was informed that
General Ripley had returned without annoyance, and in good order.
I now sent for him, and after giving him my reasons for the
measure I was about to adopt, ordered him to put the troops in
the best possible condition; to give to them the necessary
refreshment; to take the pickets and camp-guards, and every other
description of force; to put himself on the field of battle as
the day dawned, and there to meet and beat the enemy if he again
appeared. To this order he made no objection, and I relied upon
its execution. It was not executed. I feel most sensibly how
inadequate are my powers in speaking of the troops, to do justice
to their merits, or to my own sense of them. Under abler
direction, they might have done more and better.

From the preceding details, you have new evidence of the
distinguished gallantry of Generals Scott and Porter, of Colonel
Miller and Major Jessup, of the 1st brigade. The chief, with his
aid-de-camp Worth, his major of brigade Smith, and every
commander of battalion, were wounded.