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Correspondence

William E. Hobson to John Boyle

1863-11-20

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William E. Hobson to John Boyle, 1863-11-20, Office of the Governor, Thomas E. Bramlette: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Military Correspondence, 1863-1867, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Accessed via the Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition, https://discovery.civilwargovernors.org/document/KYR-0001-003-0014 (November 12, 2026).

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Head Quarters 13th Ky Vol Infantry
2^d Brigade 2^d Division 23^d Army Corp^s
Knoxville Tennessee Novr 20 1863.
Col John Boyle
Adjt Genl State of Kentucky
Sir

I have the honor to report to you the Casualities of my Command from the 14^thto the 17^th Nov^r,

On the night of the 13^th Nov^r. I received orders to hold my Command in readiness to march from the Camp opposite Loudon Tenn, at 5 Oclock the following morning, and to take Charge of one Section of Henshaws Battery under Command of Lieut Morrison. My Regt being rear guard, all the troops having to pass it. was sometime after daylight before my Command got in motion, marching four miles to Lenoir Station, there Col Chapin ordered me halt the rear guard, and allow the men to build fires and make coffee. remaining here an hour. I received an order from Col Chapin to take the advance with my Regiment, and march back on the same road to Loudon, advancing up to Loudon. I found no enemy —

Changing direction to the right, I was ordered to move in the dircetion of Huffs ferry — Six miles down the

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river, and opposite Loudon — reaching some rugged hills and heavy timber, I ordered Capt Twyman to advance with his Company to the point and deploy as Skirmishers, to feel the enemy reported in the hills and timber — the Capt soon had his men in line as Skirmishers, covering the point and flanks of my command joining his right with the Skirmishers of the 107th Ill Regiment who had been ordered up on my right, having advanced about two miles the enemy — Showed himself by firing on my Skirmishers trying to retard their advance — they were soon driven back by my Skirmishers, to within a mile of Huffs Ferry. where they ran upon two Regiments of Rebel Infantry posted on the Crest of a hill behind a rail fence, a good natural fortification — compelling my Skirmishers to fall back to the Regiment — Seeing this I ordered my Regt under the Cover of a ridge my left resting in the River in an exposed position from the enemys fire — fighting an hour — I was ordered with my regiment to charge the enemy's point an across an Open field up a very Steep hill some three hundred yards. — The 107 Ill advancing at the Same time on my right. the order was obeyed, and, the enemys position carried in handsome Style —

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In this Charge forty one of my men fell Killed and Wounded, Occupying the enemys position, I received Orders to halt and remain in line of battle until further orders, the enemy Shelling me from the opposite Side of the river — but it was now too dark to ascertain our exact position, so they effected nothing —

Remaining in this position until daylight of the 15^thI was orderd to move my Command back in the same direction from which it Came — in line of battle occasionally facing about and awaiting a few moments to give the enemy a fight if he pressed us — getting into the main road, I was ordered back to Lenoir Station some 10 miles — arriving there about 3 Oclock P M — took a position to fight the enemy — who was at that time following our rear — remaining at Lenoir until 6 Oclock — A M,, on the 16^th I was ordered to withdraw my Command back to the main road leading to Knoxville — Marching Seven miles to Campbells Station — where I was again ordered to form my Regiment in line on the left of the 23rd Michigan Volunteers when the enemy attacked our lines, and a fight ensued lasting from 1 Oclock P M until dark — the enemy massing his forces

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on our right left and Center — Well Supported by artillery — during the engagement Col Chapin being quite ill, I was ordered to take Command of the 2^nd Brigade. — the fireing having ceased — I was ordered with my Brigade to Cover ^the retreat of^ that portion of Genl Burnsides Army — receiving instruction^s from Brig Genl White Commanding division. he ordered one Section of Benjamins regular Battery two Regts of Cavalry — and two Companies of the 11th Ky — Mounted Infantry — to report to me —

In this emergency I offered, the enemy battle — facing about, changing point, deploying as Skirmishers and giving them an Occasional voley from the Artillery holding my brigade well in hand, obedient to evry Command, the enemy were Completely Checked and held back during the night,

We arrived at Knoxville at 6 Oclock A M — the 17^th. —

During the battle at Campbell^s Station My Regt lost (17) Seventeen men wounded —

I must not forget to mention the names of these gallant and efficient officers who were wounded at the Battle of Huffs ferry, Capt Jett of Co (K) Lieut Stratton, of Co (I) Lieut Cabble of Co (G)

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all wounded while at the front leading their brave boys in the Charge — Lt Stearman killed while at the head of his Company —

Lt Col B P Estes nobly performed his duty and was at his post during the engagement^s —

Major J P Duncan had his horse killed under him during the thickest of the fight, and deserves much credit for his gallant Conduct in the field

Capt Caldwell Act Adjt. was ever ready to Communicate any order from me to my officers he deserves much praise —

Capts Thompson Patteson Butler Victor Twyman Woodruff, as well as Lieuts Christie Bradley and McCracken Commanding Companies deserve special mention for their promptness and bravery during the engagement at Huffs ferry — and Campbells Station, Many thanks, to the other brave Lieuts of the Regt, "With one exception" well known to all the officers and private soldiers in the command — of my brave boys the privates and Non Commissioned Officers of the Regiment I cannot speak too highly of their Conduct — for they performed their duty nobly — And it,

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would be difficult — to say who performed his part the best

I am Sir Very respectfully Your obt Servt
Wm E Hobson Col
Com 13" Ky Vol Infantry

The following is a list of Killed and Wounded Novr 14^th & 16^th 1863

Mike Shuffett.	Private	Co	A	Wounded	Slightly
J B Shirley —	"	"	"	do	do
R A Fults	"	"	"	Missing
J H Lewis	"	"	B	Killed
H J Conover	"	"	"	do
W Perryman	"	"	"	Wounded	Severely
H Warmick	"	"	"	do	Slightly
Z L Samuels	Corpl		"	do	"
Frank Virgus	Pri		"	do	"
Lewis Bradshaw	"		"	do	"
G W Flowers	Sergt		"	do	"
Frank Staples	Pri		"	do	"
R B Steeger	Sergt		C.	do	Severely
A H Cave	Corpl		"	do	Slightly.
J H Howard	"		"	do	"
C H Hatcher	Pri		"	do	"

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J D Absher	Priv	Co	C	wounded	Slightly
J E Pike	Corpl	"	"	do	do
S G Watson	Pri	"	"	do	do
J C Fletcher	Ord Sergt		D —	Killed
W E Gibson	Corpl.		"	Wounded	Severely
J R Fletcher	Priv		"	"	do
J M Skaggs	"		"	do	do
Aaron Williams	"		"	do	do
W M McCandless	"		"	do	Slightly
N G Dohoney —	"		"	do	do
L R Ray	"		E.	Killed
Sol Pitman	"		"	Wounded	Severely
Starling Pittman	"		"	"	Slightly
M S Sublett	"		"	Missing
J H Arvin	"		F	Wounded	Slightly
W H Stearman	2 Lieut		G.	Killed
S J Cabell	1 do		"	Wounded	Severely
Danl Sullivan	Ord Sergt		"	do	do
Wash Sullivan	Private		"	do	do
R M Maupin	do		"	Killed
Wm McLane	Sergt		H	do
J L O McCubbin	Pri		"	Wounded	Severely
W E Chaney	"		"	do	do
John Pierce	"		"	do	do

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W^m H Stratton	1 Lieut	Co	I.	Wounded	Severely —
W P Wright	Or Sergt	"	'	Killed
Ben Sagesser.	Private		"	Wounded	Severely
H H Harlan	"		"	Missing
W Morris	"		"	do
S Sublet	"		"	do
A M Jett	Capt		K.	Wounded	Sightly
A T Harlinson	Sergt		"	"	"
W N Bowling	"		"	"	Severely
H A Tudor.	Corpl		"	"	"
G R Suttles	Sergt		"	"	"
Thomas Woods	Pri		"	"	"
A T Supplee	"		"	"	"
C Hodge	"		"	"	"
B J Button	"		"	"	"
J T Hammers	"		"	"	Slightly
J N Park	"		"	"	"
J W Lewis	"		"	"	Severely —

I am col very respectfully your obdt Sert
W^m E. Hobson col
Comdg

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