Confederatevets.com

___,___ 1862.

On the morning of the 6th, Colonel Tappan being absent, Lieut. Col. A. D. Grayson in command, we were drawn up in line of battle in rear of the advance column, and marched forward until we reached the first encampment, and immediately marched by the left flank until reaching the second encampment, just at which time a private of Company D was struck with a bomb and left mortally wounded. We then marched by the right flank in line of battle through the encampment. Just as we were passing out, an officer (supposed to be a Federal officer) was seen coming to the rear, and while passing a Louisiana regiment they fired on him in their rear and left, killing the aforesaid officer and horse, and killing Captain Murphy, of Company G, and wounding Capt. B. B. Lambert, of Company A; Lieut. J. C. Hall, of Company C, very slightly, and Lieut. B. M. Hopkins, of Company I, with several other privates of the same regiment (Thirteenth Arkansas Volunteers). Our regiment, supposing that they were being fired on, returned the fire without orders, and retired about 50 yards, reformed in line of battle, and were marched forward through the second encampment. The enemy had given way, and we pursued them through a skirt of timber to a small field directly north of said second encampment; were drawn forward, and to the northwest corner of said field, and the enemy opened fire. We were ordered to return the same. We were supporting one piece of Smith's battery. Very soon one of the horses was shot down. By request our men assisted the artillerists to limber the gun, so that they succeeded in getting it away. We were then ordered to retreat to the skirt of timber through which we had previously passed.

In this action we lost: Lieutenant [R. A.] Duncan, wounded, of Company A; Sergeant Brown; 1 other sergeant, and 3 privates killed. We then reformed and rejoined our brigade; were marched forward by the right flank; halted opposite the third encampment, where we remained a short time front in line of battle.

At about 12 m. we were ordered to support a battery, and drawn forward and to the left across an open space or parade ground. Were ordered to lie down and fire, which we did when the enemy had advanced to within 80 or 100 yards. They then returned a deadly fire, which was kept up for near half an hour alone and without any support.

During the action Lieutenant-Colonel Grayson fell mortally wounded. I was wounded through the right arm and had my horse shot. Captain [B. C.] Crump, Lieuts. B. M. Hopkins and C. C. Busby, Capt. Thomas Wilds, and a number of privates were wounded, some mortally, and quite a number killed.

We not being yet relieved, a retreat was ordered. We fell back to the timber and reformed; were marched off to the rear by the right flank, a short distance; were then ordered to report at General Beauregards headquarters, which we did, and were re-enforced, and were ordered to the scene of action on the east. Just at our arrival the scale turned in our favor, and we received orders to pursue the enemy near the river, which we did, and remained there under the bombs from the gunboats until dark. We then repaired southwest, near General Stewarts brigade hospital, at which we encamped during the night.

On the morning of the 7th we were ordered to report to General Beauregard, which we did. We were then drawn up near in line of battle, where we remained a short time; were then ordered to march by the right flank to support the right wing of the army, then in heavy action. The enemy then gave way, and we were ordered in pursuit. After marching for near half a mile, they having reformed we attacked them. After an engagement of twenty minutes they gave way. We, being near the edge of a large field, were ordered to fall back.

During this engagement we lost 2 killed and several wounded. I was struck with a bomb, but not being entirely disabled, remained with the regiment. Drew off a short distance, and were ordered by the left flank to support one of General Hardees batteries, then in action in front of the northeast hospital, on the hill. Were then requested by General Polk to go forward, which we did, and opened fire on the enemy for some twenty minutes. Colonel Tappan then coming up, I submitted him the command.

JAS. A. McNEELY,
Major, Commanding Thirteenth Regiment Arkansas Volunteers.