Long, Eli (1837-1903) to Eugene B. Beaumont

Sheet No. 2.
The Chicago Board of Trade Battery Commanded by Capt Geo T Robinson Occupied a position on the hill in the rear of my line. Their rapid and effective firing contributed greatly to the demoralization of the enemy. It was afterwards reported to that this Battery did good service in assisting the driving of the enemy through and beyond the town - Althou[text loss: gh] not personaly cognizant of the part it took throughout the entire action I have no doubt from the manner in which it has always executed its work hitherto that it did everything possible to be done
Our loss although slight compared to the work accomplished would have been much less had the 4th,, Michigan Cavalry charged as I ordered on the left, of the line in front of the Battery and thus covered a work which enfilated our whole line instead of remaining as it did through some mistake of the Brigade or Regimental With and in report of the battery I cannot in justice to the Division refrain from what the Brevet Major Gen Commanding our Corps must know to be the fact that this was the desisive fight of the campaign that the crushing and demoralizing defeat there given to the Confederate forces opposing us contributed in no small degree to the success of our expedition and in fact by defeating them so badly as to render any farther resistance on their part out of the question and made the latter part of the campaign comparitivily a work of ease. In this affair the entire Division did their whole duty than which no greater praise can be given to a soldier.
The 1st Brigade commanded by Col A.O. Miller 72nd,, Indiana Volenteers owing to longer practice and being more accustomed to fighting on foot probably kept a better line than the 2nd,, Brigade but so far as courage is concerned and the time that different regiments and portions of the Division approached the works no appearable differences could be [2] seen or reported to me When it is remembered that Selma was a depot of Ammunition which supplied a large portion of the so called Southern Confederacy the importance of its Capture cannot well be magnified.
Where all portions of the command have done their duty so faithfully and well during the entire march it would seem unjust to make special mention of individuals but I feel compelled to mention a few instances of gallantry in action where the persons mentioned have had a favorabl[struck: y][inserted: e] opportunity of distinguishing themselves and whose conduct in action came under my own personal observation.
Of this class I must mention Capt. L.W. Scott. 98th,, Ill Volls Viz. A.A.A. Gen. Capt W.W. Shoemaker 4th,, O. V. Cav. A.D.C. Lieut Henry Deirin, 4th,, O. V. Cav. A.D.C and Lieut S.S. Culbertson 19th,, U.S. Inft. Asst Com. of Musters who were by my side and deported themselves during the whole fight with all the courage of true and gallant Soldiers Capt W.B. [illegible] 3rd,,O.V. Cav Provost Marshal Capt J.N Squires 3rd,, O.V. Cav AAJ Genrl Capt P.B Lewis 3rd,, OV Cav Top Eng Lieut JB Hayden 4th,, OV Cav A.E.S Lieut W W. Mc,,Donnald, 123rd,, Ills Vols Ord. Off. and Capt Hartranft 7th,, Penn Cav commanding escort were on duty in other portions of the field under the enemys fire and distinguished themselves for the faithfull execution of their Orders For gallant services Col. A.O. Miller 72nd,, Ind Vols commanding 1st,, Brigade (severly wounded Col R H G Mintz 4th,, Mich Cav commanding 2nd,, Brigade. Col C.C. McCormick commanding 7th,, Penn Cav (severly wounded Col J.S. Vail commanding 17th,, Ind Vol Lieut Col Jonathan Biggs commanding 123rd,, Ills. Vol. severly wounded. Lieut Col E Kitchell commanding 98th,, Ill Vols Lieut Col Frank White 17th,, Ind Vols and Lieut Col G. W. Dobbs 4th,, O.V. Cav Killed in Action
I would respectfully but must urgently recommend Col A.O. Miller and Col R H G Mintz to the rank of Brigadier General the others to Brevet Brigadier general
[3] To the Surgeon in Chief of the Division Frederick Carfe Much praise is due for his prompt attention to the wounded and and his able administration of the Medical Department of the Division, Major Arthur 3rd,, O. V. Cav. commanding Train guard and Capt S.B. Col 3rd,, O. V. Cav. A.A.J. M. Lieut T.J. Patten 17th,, Ind Vols Lieut John Bennet 4th,, Mich Cav and the pioneers under their Charge are entitled to great credit for the successful manner in which the Division and Pontoon Trains were brought through and for their untiring industry on all occasions And the Division is in fact mainly indebted to their individu[inserted: al] exertions for the presence of the train with them at this time To Capt T.W. Scott 98 Ills Vols Acting Assistant Adjutant Genl. of the Division for his industry energy and sound judgement and faithfull performance of his manifold duties under all circumstances I am greatly indebted and would respectfully and most urgently recommend as only a just recompence for his gallant services that he receive the appointment of Capt & Asst Adjutant Gen[text loss: l] or that his services in some other manner be fi[text loss]gly acknowledged by such promotion as can be granted him consistant with the interest of the service.
Private Henry Prince orderly and Henry Girth Beylar 4th,, Ohio Vol Cav were with me during the entire action and distinguished themselves by their coolness and bravery while in discharge of their duty
I regret to report the death of Lieut Col G.W. Dobbs 4th,, O Vols Cav and the other brave Officers and men who fell upon the field of battle whose names will be found on the list of casualties here Appended. But it is a proud and consoling thought to the remembrance held of them by their friends to know that they died a noble death their faces to the enemy and Battling for their Country's cause
[4] For individual acts of gallantry which did not come under my personal observation I would respectfully refer the Brevet Major Genl Commanding. Cav. Corps. M.D.M. to the accompanying reports of Brigade and Regimentals commanders
I am Major Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
Eli Long
Brigadier General U.S. Volenteers

To Major E.B. Beaumont
A.A. Gen. Cav. Corps M.D.M

{Rogers}
Camp at Nashville Tenn Jun 29
My Dear Lizzi,
I send you Genrell [text loss] last fight I wood lick to have it in print, this is coppied from one that is prianted, when you read it let George see it But I want you to keep it for me whone of the Genrells [tracks] coppied it for me I will right to you to night I [gust] a got a letter from you.
I ham yours truly
Henry Prince