[only portions related to Champion Hill are included]

The conduct of my officers and men in this action was worthy of all praise, without excepting any. The brigade bivouacked in the town [Jackson] that night, and in the morning took up the line of march, with the rest of the division, for Vicksburg. Marched 8 miles to Clinton, where I encamped, with orders to report to Major-General Grant at that place, which I did, the remainder of the division moving on.

Early on the morning of the 16th, I received orders from Major-General Grant to move immediately to join the division. Heavy firing being heard in the direction of Champion's Hill, I hurried forward with dispatch toward that place, distant 13 miles. Arriving within about 3 miles of the field of battle, I was met by orders to leave my train parked in guard of a regiment. The Eightieth Ohio, Colonel Bartilson, was assigned to this duty. The two remaining regiments, the Tenth Missouri, Lieutenant-Colonel Homey, and the Seventeenth Iowa, Colonel Hillis, continued to advance by the main road, the Seventeenth Iowa leading, until engaged with the enemy. The enemy occupied a strong position upon a steep, wooded hill, over which the road ran, flanked by deep ravines. This point had been sharply contested through the day, and at the time of the arrival of the regiments of the brigade, was in the act of being retaken by the enemy. Colonel Hillis, Seventeenth Iowa, encountering the enemy's fire, immediately formed forward into line and gallantly pressed on. I ordered the Tenth Missouri into line in the same manner and to advance. These two regiments drove the enemy from the position.

The gallant Lieutenant-Colonel Horney, commanding the Tenth Missouri, while moving his regiment across the road to the right to uncover the Seventeenth, fell, pierced by several balls, and the command devolved upon Maj. Francis C. Deimling, who led the regiment with great bravery through the rest of the fight. In this brief but fierce contest four pieces of artillery, which had been captured by our forces and again retaken by the enemy, were recaptured by the Seventeenth Iowa, together with the colors of the Thirty first Alabama (rebel) Regiment. The position being taken was not again disputed. I estimate the number of prisoners taken by my brigade at not less than 300.

My loss in this action, in the two regiments engaged, was 103 killed, wounded, and missing, detailed reports of which are annexed.

After the battle my brigade was ordered to remain to bury the dead, subject to the orders of Brigadier-General McGinnis, detailed with his brigade on the same duty.

In concluding this brief summary of the Operations of this brigade throughout so long and active a period, I cannot withhold a just tribute to the lamented Lieut. Col. Leonidas Horney, commanding the Tenth Missouri Infantry, who fell, as stated, at Champion's Hill. He was truly a capable and valiant soldier, and his loss is very deeply regretted. Colonel Hillis, Seventeenth Iowa; Colonel Bartilson, Eightieth Ohio, and Major Deimling, Tenth Missouri, as will be seen, have rendered distinguished service in the Operations of the brigade.

I am also much indebted to the services of my personal staff, Capt. W. W. McCammon, acting assistant adjutant-general, and First Lieut. H. H. Meredith, aide-de-camp.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

SAML. A. HOLMES,
Colonel Tenth Missouri Infantry, Commanding.