Letters from Robert Allen, Company A 13th Ohio

Direct this: [[Mr. Robert Allen]] Co. A, 13th Reg't O. V. I. Tennessee

Camp On Battle Field, Apr. 15, 1862

Dear Sister:

Yours, of the 6th inst. was received a few horsago, and having leisure time, I now sit down to answer it, and I will try to communicate something that will interest you. It is an account of the part which our regiment played in the Battle of Pittsburg. Early on Monday the 7, eight companies of our regiment entered the field of battle. They were in the hotest of the fight, and achieved many applaudable deeds, among which was a brilliant charge on a rebel battery, which was carried by them. The battery was the famous "Washington Battery," and co-

cisted of four pieces. Buell gave to our regiment the highest praise, and in honor of it, he had an inscription engraved on the captured guns, couched in these words , "Taken By The 13th Reg't, O. V. I. "

Company G and ours were not in the fight, we had not overtaken the regiment at the time. We were about thirty miles from the battle field, and on sunday could hear the boom of artillery. It was incessant, and the effects terrible. It is said that our loss in killed and wounded was 18,000 and that of the enemy 36,000. I know not if this report is true. The 13th lost 19 killed and {175?] wounded. Our Major was shot in the mouth, the ball entering one side and comming out at the other, taking away part of his tongue. Two captains and

one lieutenant were wounded. It is thought that the wounds of the captain will prove fat mortal.

Their names, Gardner of Co. [F ?] and Henderson, of Co. H. Michael Ingold was in th fight. I have een him and Aust. The 18th Regulars were not in the battle. We are now encamped on the battle field which covers a great extent of ground. I helped to bury 16 rebels the day we reached this place. Several of them were blue with mortification, and two or three of them smelt badly. We did not tuch them with our hands, but tied a roap to their feet and dragged them into their graves.

I must close, for in half an hour there will be dress-parad, and in the mean time I must "rig up" Direct to Tennessee. (See the following page).

Mr. Robert Allen, Co. A, 13th Reg't, O. V. I.

Tennessee

In care of Capt. Jarvis.

Robert Allen