10 13 1831 Action at Wet Glaze, or Shanghai, or Dutch or Monday's Hollow, near Henrytown, Mo.
[The Chronological Tracking of the American Civil War, per the Official Records of the War of the Rebelllion, Mosocco]
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME 3 [S# 3]
OCTOBER 13, 1861.---Action at Wet Glaze, or Dutch or Monday Hollow, near Henrytown, Mo.
pp. 236 - 241
REPORTS.
No. 1.---Col. Grenville M. Dodge, Fourth Iowa Infantry.
No. 2.---Col. John B. Wyman, Thirteenth Illinois Infantry.
No. 3.---Maj. Clark Wright, Frémont Battalion (Missouri) Cavalry.
No. 4.---Maj. William D. Bowen, First Battalion Missouri Cavalry.
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No. 1.
Report of Col. Granville M. Dodge, Fourth Iowa Infantry.
HEADQUARTERS POST ROLLA, Mo.,
October 15, 1861.
CAPTAIN: The ambulances arrived to-day from Springfield with 33 wounded. The advance of Colonel Wyman's command, under command of Major Wright---consisting of Captains Switzler and Montgomery's companies of cavalry---met 500 of the advance of Johnson's or Churchill's command 20 miles this side of Lebanon, at a place called Dutch Hollow. Major Wright attacked the enemy and dispersed them, killing 16 and wounding about 30. Our loss was I killed and I wounded. Major Wright captured 37 horses and 32 prisoners and arms. The scout first arrived from Lebanon reports about 1,500 at that place, under command of Johnson. Drenning, in charge of the wounded, reports a large commissary train on the way to Springfield from Memphis. The stores were landed at New Madrid, and then overland to Springfield.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. M. DODGE,
Colonel, Commanding Post.
Capt. C. McKEEVER,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Saint Louis, Mo.
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No. 2.
Report of Col. John B. Wyman, Thirteenth Illinois Infantry.
HEADQUARTERS CAMP McCLURG,
Linn Creek, Mo., October 15, 1861.
GENERAL: I have the honor to report to you that immediately upon the departure of my messenger to you yesterday morning I put my command on the march at 7 o'clock in the following order: Major Bowen, commanding battalion attached to the Thirteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, in advance, with his own transportation, then the Thirteenth Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Gorgas commanding, immediately followed by its own transportation and that of the commissary department, the rear being brought up by Maj. C. Wright, commanding Frémont Battalion. After seeing the entire column in motion, I started for the head of it, and had proceeded about 6 miles to the point where the road turns off from the route to Lebanon for this point, and had reached the right of the Thirteenth Regiment, when I was informed that Major Bowen had discovered a party of rebels---70 in number--- and had gone in pursuit of them towards Lebanon, feeling confident of his ability to cope with them successfully. I turned the column towards this point, and had proceeded about 2 miles when a rapid volley of musketry fell upon my ear. I immediately, turning towards the left of my command, ordered the train corraled at once, and at the same time met a courier from Major Bowen, informing me that "he had engaged the enemy, and that they were from 800 to 1,000 strong; that he had been obliged to fall back," and asked for re-enforcements. This same message had also been sent to Major Wright, who, with his usual promptness, took two of his companies, himself taking the advance. At the same moment I sent an order to Lieutenant-Colonel Gorgas to send to the support of the cavalry the five left companies of the Thirteenth Regiment, reserving the other five companies, under Major Partridge, as a reserve and guard for the train. The order was promptly delivered to Colonel Gorgas, and as promptly executed. The line of march was at once taken up, headed by Lieutenant-Colonel Gorgas himself; then Company K, Captain Blanchard; Company I, Capt. Samuel Wadsworth; Company H, Captain Gardner; Company G, Captain Cole, and Company F, Captain Dutton, all at double-quick; and to show you the rapidity of their movements, I beg to assure you that they made a march of nearly 5 miles in forty-five minutes. After issuing this order I immediately started for the scene of action.
In the mean time Major Wright had formed a junction with Major Bowen, and had made their arrangements for another attack, for particulars of which I beg to refer to their respective reports. Approving of them, I relieved Major Wright of the center command, and ordered him to join the line of flankers thrown out by him, and myself made a forward movement from the center---with one company of cavalry, supported by the five companies of infantry---of about 1 miles. The enemy by this time becoming satisfied they could not cope with us (or for some other reason known only to themselves), commenced a rapid retreat, so fast, indeed, that it was impossible even for the Thirteenth to keep up with them. I therefore ordered a halt of the infantry, and ordered the cavalry forward, with orders to drive them as far as possible, and reach camp (at the point 2 miles on the Linn Creek road) at or before sunset. They did so, and drove them nearly 12 miles toward Lebanon.
For the list of killed, wounded, and prisoners I beg to refer you to the reports of the different officers in command. I also take occasion to say that proper and respectable arrangements were made for the burial of their (the enemy's) dead, which they had left upon the field to be devoured by swine, beasts of prey, or the vulture.
I reached camp on the return with the infantry at 4 p.m.? and the entire command were all, with one exception, safely in at 6 p.m. Total enemy killed, 39; wounded, 29; prisoners, 51; horses captured, 18; guns captured or destroyed, 93; with only a loss on our side of 1 man killed and 2 horses wounded. Among the prisoners are 1 colonel (Summers), 1 lieutenant (Laughlin), 6 non-commissioned officers, and 43 privates.
Trusting that this little diversion from my line of march to join you as ordered will meet your approbation, I have the honor to subscribe myself,
Respectfully and obediently, yours,
J. B. WYMAN,
Act. Brig. Gen., First Brigade, First Division, W. D.
Major-General HUNTER,
Commanding First Division, Western Department.
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No. 3.
Reports of Maj. Clark Wright, Frémont Battalion (Missouri) Cavalry.
HEADQUARTERS CAMP GORGAS,
October 13, 1861.
GENERAL: At 7 o'clock a.m. my command struck tents at Camp Conant, on Tavern Creek, and formed into column in rear of train. I immediately passed along the line, and requested the officers to keep the men well closed up and allow none to leave their places, but keep everything ready for service at a moment's notice. The reports from my scouts during the night induced me to believe the enemy might attack us during the day. I also went forward and suggested to the quartermaster of the Thirteenth Regiment that the train be well closed and kept so, after which nothing of importance occurred until I arrived at Justice Remington's, where I learned that Second Lieut. Henry Laughlin, of rebel Johnson's command, had come home, and lived about 1 mile north of said Remington's, and had a lot of McClurg's goods in the house. I at once detached Captain Crockett, with his company, to take the lieutenant and search the place. He had not been gone five minutes before I saw a courier coming from the front. I at once called Captain Crockett back. The courier arrived with a message from Major Bowen, stating that he had been attacked and needed assistance. I at once ordered Captains Montgomery and Switzler forward at full speed to the relief of Major Bowen; ordered the train corraled, and Captain Crockett, with his company, to guard it until relieved by infantry, and then dispatched a courier to your honor for a guard for the train and support for cavalry, after which I went forward to the scene of action. I found Major Bowen same 2 miles forward and half mile south of Mr. Lewis', on the Lebanon road. I immediately had a conference with Major Bowen, and we mutually agreed as to the disposition of our forces and plan of attack. The rebels at that time occupied a high ridge immediately in our front, and half mile south of us. The presumption was that we could not expect relief from the infantry in time to secure the rebels, and an immediate attack was resolved upon. The disposition was as follows: Captain Montgomery's company was already on the right, and I ordered Captain Switzler to join him, flank the enemy, and engage him at any hazard. Major Bowen, with two companies of his command, went to the left. I took charge of one company of Major Bowen's (at his request) and took position in the center, or as you found us on your arrival. I observed at that time that the enemy was moving to the right. I ordered Captain Crockett forward to support them, knowing they outnumbered us greatly. I then went to the right myself, found that Captains Switzler and Montgomery had formed a junction and succeeded in flanking the enemy, and held him at bay. The enemy, commanded by Captains Sorrel, Wright, Thurman, Bell, Fair, and Hawthorne, drew up in line of battle, and gave evident signs of making a bitter stand. My two companies immediately got into line, and were ordered to receive their fire, return it steadily, and then charge with sabers, and never allow them to reload their pieces, all of which order was carried out to the very letter, with a coolness and determination that evinced true bravery in both officers and men, and struck terror along the whole rebel lines. He could not stand such a charge, so prompt, so uniform, so determined, and the result was a general rout, and in a short time a running fight for 1 miles, with the following result (as near as we could ascertain without occupying too much time to hunt through the bushes): Rebels killed, 27; mortally wounded, 4; severely, 5; slightly, 3; prisoners, 36; horses, 2; guns, 81---most were old shotguns and rifles, and were doubled around black-jacks on the field. Officers and men all agree that many more were killed and wounded, but we did not hunt them up. Our loss was 1 killed and 2 horses slightly wounded. I cannot call your especial attention to any one or number of officers or men in those two brave companies; they are, each one of them, as true as steel, and in this charge, with six to one against them, they exhibited a coolness and bravery that those of more experience might proudly imitate. Yet I feel that I would do my own feelings injustice not to speak of the tenacity with which Captain Switzler adhered to the order of charge, and the promptness and energy of Captain Montgomery in carrying it out. I cannot omit naming Lieutenants Montgomery, Paynter, and Stockstill; not a nerve quivered in those brave men; nothing left undone that coolness and energy could do in carrying out orders, encouraging the men, and dealing death to the rebels. One incident I must be permitted to mention. Lieutenant Montgomery, after exhausting his revolver, and doubling up his saber in a hand-to-hand fight so that it was useless, not satisfied with the half-dozen he had disposed of, charged on yet another, and with one blow of his fist made him bite the dust. Such fighting is worthy of imitation.
The foregoing report embrace the principal points in the actions of my command during the battle near Henrytown, Camden County, Missouri.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient and humble servant,
CLARK WRIGHT,
Major, Commanding Frémont Battalion of Cavalry.
Acting Brig. Gen. J. B. WYMAN.
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HEADQUARTERS CAMP McCLURG,
October 16, 1861.
GENERAL: Inclosed please find supplemental report of the action near Henrytown on the 13th.
The party detailed to scout the battlefield and see that the dead were all buried have returned, and report the whole number of the enemy killed 62 instead of 27, as per my official report. Also, the 4 mortally wounded have since died.
I have the honor to be, your most obedient and humble servant,
CLARK WRIGHT,
Major, Commanding Frémont Battalion Cavalry.
Acting Brig. Gen. J. B. WYMAN,
Commanding Brigade.
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No. 4.
Report of Maj. William D. Bowen, First Battalion Missouri Cavalry.
HEADQUARTERS
FIRST BATTALION CAVALRY,
October 14, 1861.
GENERAL: I respectfully submit the following report of the engagement that took place yesterday, the 13th:
My battalion was ordered to advance at 7 o'clock a.m., and after advancing some 3 miles our skirmishers rallied and reported a large body of the enemy in our front. I immediately ordered Company B to the right of the main road, Company C to the left, and Company A to advance. After advancing about a mile 40 of the enemy were discovered in full retreat. We followed them 3 miles, when they rallied and formed a line of battle. After receiving their fire we charged on them; thereupon they retreated in great confusion. After pursuing them half a mile we discovered they numbered 600 strong, and were endeavoring to surround the party under my command, which numbered 40 men. I immediately ordered my men to fall back. I was shortly re-enforced by Companies B and C. The enemy, having confidence in their superior numbers, endeavored to surround my command by advancing first on the left. I immediately changed my position to the left and opened fire on the enemy. After firing two volleys they retreated and took a position on a hill, which, being covered with trees, concealed the movements of the enemy. At this time Major Wright made his appearance on the field, and with his command filed to the right of the hill, on which the enemy were in position. I with my command advanced on the front and left, when we discovered a small body of the enemy in retreat. Company A, being in advance, fired upon them, and they broke into confusion, and the whole force retreated towards Lebanon, and we pursued them some 8 or 10 miles. The loss of the enemy was 12 killed, 17 wounded, and 8 prisoners. Among them was William W. Summers, called colonel.
W. D. BOWEN,
Major, Commanding First Battalion Cavalry.
Acting Brig. Gen. WYMAN,
Commanding