ing the
Twenty-fifth Infantry in its advance.

2. Colonel Miles, the then brigade commander, informed me
that his first report of the battle would be brief and that
a later and full report would be made. In his former report
I think he failed to give credit to myself and regiment. As
he was soon after relieved of the command of the brigade I
assume that no further report will be made.

I have reported what the regiment did, but said nothing
about my own action. I must, therefore, report it myself or
let it go unrecorded. Distasteful as it is to me, I deem it
duty to my children to state the facts and my claims based
thereon, as follows:

1. I was ordered to put two companies in the firing line.
Before this line advanced the brigade commander informed me,
and personal examination verified, that my right was in the
air and exposed. On my own judgment I ordered a company, as
flankers, to that part of the line.

2. As soon as the line had rested and become steadied at its
first halt I ordered it to advance, and it continued to
advance, although it broke away from the rest of the
brigade.

3. As this exposed the left to a galling and dangerous fire,
I ordered, on my own judgment, a company to re-enforce that
part of the line and a company from the regimental reserve
also to the fighting line.

These are the facts, and as my orders were to keep my left
joined to the right of the Fourth Infantry, and received no
further orders, my claims are as follows:

1. That it was necessary to place a company on the right as
flankers.

2. That the conditions offered an opportunity to advance
after the first halt, and I took advantage of it.

3. That the left being exposed by this advance of the line
beyond the rest of the brigade, it was proper and necessary
to re-enforce it by two companies.

4. That the two companies first deployed could not have
reached the stone fort.

5. That the three companies added to the firing line gave it
the power to reach the fort.

6. That the advance beyond the rest of the brigade was a
bold and, without support, dangerous movement, but that the
result justified the act. Had it failed I would have been
held responsible.

7. That I saw at each stage of the battle what ough