Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/oliver-john-m/
Regiment: 15th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned: Iuka, Mississippi
Historical Figures: John M. Oliver
Head Quarters 6th Division
Army of the Tenn Sept. 22d 1862
Major P. Ord
Asst Adjt Gen
I have the honor to
report the following as the part taken by
a portion of the sixth division in the expedition
against Iuka
The 1st Brigade consisting of
the 16
th Wis and 18
th Mo. Col Allen
commanding. The 2d Brigade Col Oliver
composed of the 14
th and 18
th Wis. The 3
rd
Brigade Col Crocker composed of the 11
th
13
th and 15
th Iowa Infty, Capt. White 10
th Ohio Battery
5
th Ohio Battery Lieut. Comdg One section
3d Ohio Battery and one section 2d Ill Battery
Lieut Mitchel Comd. 1
st Minn. Battery Lieut Cook
Comd. the whole under Capt. Hickinlooper of the
5
th Ohio Battery as chief of artillery, with two companies
of the 11
th Ill. Cav. Lieut. Col Meek Comdg and Co C.
2d Regular cavalry as escort. left Corinth on the
morning of the at 6 O.C.A.M. taking the road
to Burnsville and evacuated as far as Glendale
under a heavy rain
Where we encamped for the night. distance
traveled miles. left Glendale next morning
at 8 O.C.A.M. proceeding by an old road through
the woods until we gained the main road
thence towards Burnsville near which we encamped
for the night distance traveled miles. next
morning broke camp taking the road to Iuka
before doing so however having ascertained from
our Cavalry Videttes that the enemies cavalry were
advancing by an old road from Iuka to Jacinto
around my extreme left and so gain my rear
I dispatched Col Oliver with the 14
th and 18
th Wis
Regts and a small squad of cavalry through the woods
to gain the road in question and clear it of whatever
cavalry force there might be there, which he did in
gallant style. driving the cavalry videttes before him
until he reached their main body where they were drawn
up in line to receive him advancing steadily on until within
good range they poured in a volley into them killing
three and wounding many others taking five prisoners. putting
the balance to flight, contribution by this bold dash
on the enemies right flank in disconcerting them
being there in advance of the main line he was ordered
to fall back and take position for the night. the balance
of the division advanced by the main road a distance
of three miles turning off to the left on the Eastport
road until we encountered the enemies pickets. when
we made our dispisitions advancing for one mile and
encamped for the night
Major P. Ord
Asst Adjt Genl.
I have the honor to report the following on the part taken
by a portion of the Sixth Division in the battle of Iuka
X X X
Next morning broke camp, taking the road to Iuka,
before doing so however I ascertained from our Cavalry Videttes
that the enemys Cavalry were advancing by an old road
from Iuka to Jacinto around my extreme left, to gain my rear
I dispatched Col. Oliver with the 14th and 18th Wisconsin
Regiments and a small squad of Cavalry through the woods
to gain the road in question and clear it of whatever
cavalry force there might be there, which he did in gallant
style, driving the Cavalry Videttes before him until he
reached their main body where they were drawn up
in line to receive
them him. Advancing stedily on
until within short range they opened fire and after
a sever fight, drove them from their position.
Killing thirteen, wounding many others and taking
five prisoners. Contributing by this bold dash on
the Enemy’s right flank in disconcerting their dispositions
for battle and hastening the evacuation of Iuka
Col. Oliver was four (4) miles in front of our main line
of battle when he was ordered to fall back & take position for the night
(over)
A true copy
(Signed) J Bates Dickson
AAGenl. 6th Div.
