Volunteer Aid-de-Camp until disabled in the left arm, by the explosion of a shell, near the close of the first day; of Captain G. M. Beck, Volunteer Aid-de-Camp; and of Colonel S. S. Heard, Louisiana volunteers, who volunteered and rendered important services in the field on both days, and of Doctor J. S. Sandidge, who volunteered professionally, and although partially disabled by being thrown against a tree, accompanied me to the end of the contest.
Major Hallonquist, Chief of Artillery, rendered me important services during a part of the second day.
I have to regret the loss of Lieutenant Benjamin King, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, killed during the first day, and of Private Munsel W. Chapman, of the Seventh Louisiana volunteers, my secretary; and of Corporal Adam Cleniger, and Private John Stenaker, of Captain Cox's cavalry, who were killed while serving as couriers under my immediate orders.
I am, Sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Official:
R. M. Hooe, A. A. G.
Letter from Colonel Bankhead.
Captain—In reply to your communication of the 8th instant making inquiry "as to the part your (my) battery took in the bombardment of Prentice's division, late Sunday evening, at the battle of Shiloh," and further, "by whose order the batteries were ordered up to their respective positions," and how many there were and by whom commanded, I have the honor to state, for the information of Brigadier-General Ruggles:
That at about 2 o'clock P. M. of the 6th April, I had been compelled to fall back from a position on the extreme left of our line, opposite a field near where Prentice's camp was afterwards discovered to be; and under orders from Major General L. Polk, retired my battery about two hundred yards through the woods skirting the field.
As I retired, I was informed that a general attack was contemplated and then being organized by our troops upon the enemy, to the right of my position; and it was conjectured that the enemy had made his last stand before being driven to the banks of the river.
