James B. Fry to HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION, CAMP Woop, December 27, 1861

December 27, 1861.

No. 23. Louisville, Ky., December 27, 1861.

The general commanding takes pleasure in bringing to notice the gallant conduct of a portion of Colonel Willich’s regiment, Thirty-second Indiana, at Rowlett’s Station, in front of Munfordville, on the 17th instant.

Four companies of the regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Von Trebra, on outpost duty, were attacked by a column of the enemy, consisting of one regiment of cavalry, a battery of artillery, and two regiments of infantry. They defended themselves until re-enforced by other companies of the regiment, and the fight was continued with such effect that the enemy at length retreated precipitately.

The attack of the enemy was mainly with his cavalry and artillery. Our troops fought as skirmishers, rallying rapidly into squares when charged by the cavalry, sometimes even defending themselves singly and killing their assailants with the bayonet.

TET A RIT IIA ee rr ee 16 OPERATIONS IN KY., TENN., N. ALA., AND S. W. VA. [Char. XVIL.

The general tenders his thanks to the officers and soldiers of the regiment ior their gallant and efficient conduct on this occasion. He commends it as a study and example to all other treops.under his command, and enjoins them to emulate the discipline and instruction which i insure such results.

The name of ” Rowleti’s Station” will be inscribed on the regimental colors of the Thirty-second Indiana Regiment.

By command of Brigadier-General Buell: E

Assistant Adjutant-General, Chief of Staff.

No. 2.

Report of Brig. Gen. Alexander McD. McCook, U. S. Army.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION, CAMP Woop,

December 25, 1861.

CAPTAIN: Please find inclosed the official report of Col. August Willich, Thirty-second Indiana, of the affair in front of the railroad bridge

over Green River. I would respectfully call the attention of the general