After previously testing the strength of the Union's left and right flanks, it was Buell's men who were the target of the rebels' attention on this day in 1862.
BUELL'S HEADQUARTERS, May 21, 1862.
Major-General HALLECK:
My reconnoitering party met a strong line of the enemy's skirmishers at the Widow Serratt's house, and drove them back after some sharp skirmishing, in which we had some 25 men wounded, 3 of them however by the premature explosion of one of our shells. The enemy retired to the opposite side of a large field on the left-hand side of the road and were pressed no farther, their force being sufficient to make it inexpedient to cross the open ground in front. The woods of the opposite side is quite thick, but three regiments were seen supporting their skirmishers. They exhibited no artillery. I directed our regiments to remain on the ground taken and return at dark. It is 700 yards beyond our outposts.
D. C. BUELL,
Major-General.*
Buell now understands the importance of remaining in Halleck's prescribed position. A less experienced general advancing on a city might be tempted to keep the ground he had taken at the cost of 25 casualties.
*ORE correspondence courtesy of my Favorite Link, Ohio State's eHistory
This blog chronicles the life of the 17th Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry in the American Civil War on the 150th aniversary of their service. Follow these volunteers through several major battles while experiencing both the pace and duration of the conflict. The posts may be read chronologically by accessing the archives and selecting them individually, beginning with the Preface.
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