purpose I cannot now recollect.  I think it was at the instance of General Wallace, to change direction on a shorter route of Wood’s brigade, and when going from the foot of the column to the head, to report to my commanding officer, Colonel Thayer.  I remember noticing all three of the Brigades in close column, marching rapidly forward.  Just at dusk we arrived at the valley of a small stream, where the mud was very deep.  We met an orderly, there, from the battle-field, who said we could reach General Grant’s forces by making great haste, as Berdan’s Sharp-shooters were holding the road by which we were to enter. The column was hurried forward as fast as it was possible for it to move.  We arrived a little after dark, on the right of General Grant’s forces, but a few yards in front of the enemy.

Not knowing for what particular purpose you wish this communication, I have been precise in details as to time, etc., as it will be remembered by most of the officers of the Second Brigade.

    I am, sir, your obedient servant,

    J.A.  STRICKLAND,
    Colonel Commanding Fiftieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

General McGinnis to General Wallace: 

    INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, February 21, 1868.

GENERAL:  In reply to your note of this date, I would say, that being in command of the Eleventh Indiana Infantry, I was attached to the First Brigade, Third Division, Army of the Tennessee, commanded by you, and encamped at Crump’s Landing, on the morning of the first day of the battle of Pittsburg Landing.

At daylight of said day, our command was aroused by heavy and continuous firing from the direction of Pittsburg Landing, which led us to believe that a general battle was being fought.  I do not think more than twenty minutes had elapsed from the time that the battle commenced until our whole brigade had received orders to hold ourselves in readiness, (with three days’ rations) to march to any point required; and that point all understood from indications would be Pittsburg Landing.

For the purpose of concentrating the division, our Brigade marched to Winn’s Farm, two and a half miles from Crump’s Landing, where the Second Brigade of the Third Division was then encamped.  The road taken by our division, after concentrating, intersected the Purdy road (from Pittsburg Landing) at a point near Snake Creek, and not far from the ground occupied by General Sherman’s division on the morning of the battle, being the right of the army. This, in my opinion, was the shortest and most direct route to the point at which the right of the army was resting, when the battle began.

    Orders were not received for the division to march to the field
    of battle, until about12 o’clock, A.M. and no time was lost
    during the march, as we moved with the utmost rapidity.