Person:George Hicks (26)

1860 Census:
Name: George W Hicks
Age in 1860: 18
Birth Year: abt 1842
Birthplace: New York
Home in 1860: Parma, Monroe, New York
Household Members:
Samuel Hicks 55
Rosina Hicks 55
George W Hicks 18

Name: George Hicks
Residence: Comstock, Michigan
Enlistment Date: 11 Aug 1862
Enlistment Place: Comstock, Michigan
Side Served: Union
State Served: Michigan
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 11 August 1862 at the age of 21.
Enlisted in Company E, 25th Infantry Regiment Michigan on 11 Sep 1862.
Died from wounds Company E, 25th Infantry Regiment Michigan on 20 Jul 1863 at Campbellsville, KY.

BATTLE OF GREEN RIVER BRIDGE, as reported by Col Orlando Moore, 25th Michigan Infantry USA
Source: O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXIII/1 [S# 34] See: http://www.oocities.org/bourbonstreet/Delta/3843/green.htm

HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN INFANTRY,
Battle-field of Tebb's [also called Tibbs] Bend, Green River, July 4, 1863.

COLONEL: I have the honor to report that I have had a fight with the rebel General John [H.] Morgan.

I did not move my command from where it was encamped on the north side of the river until Morgan's advance had entered Columbia. I then moved forward to occupy the ground I had previously selected, and had the night before prepared for the fight, which was 1 ½ miles in advance, on the Columbia road, south side of the river. I did not at any time occupy the stockade, which was far in my rear, but gave battle on the narrows entering the bend.

I engaged the enemy's forces this morning at 3.30 o'clock. Early in the engagement he opened on our breastworks with a battery, and after firing a shot, disabling 2 of my men, he sent a flag of truce with the following dispatch:

HEADQUARTERS MORGAN'S DIVISION,
In the Field, in front of Green River Stockade, July 4, 1863. To the Officer commanding the Federal Forces at Stockade, near Green River Bridge, Ky.:

SIR: In the name of the Confederate States Government, I demand an immediate and unconditional surrender of the entire force under your command, together with the stockade.

I am, very respectfully, sir,

JOHN H. MORGAN,
Commanding Division of Cavalry, U. S. Army.

I sent a reply to General John [H.] Morgan that the Fourth of July was no day for me to entertain such a proposition. After receiving the reply, he opened fire with his artillery and musketry. My forces, which occupied the open field, were withdrawn to the woods, where they engaged the enemy with a determination not to be defeated. The battle raged for three and a half hours, when the enemy retreated, with a loss of over 50 killed and 200 wounded.

Among the killed were Colonel [D. W.] Chenault, Major [Thomas Y.] Brent, jr., another major, and 5 captains and 6 lieutenants, as near as can be estimated.

The conflict was fierce and bloody. At times the enemy occupied one side of the fallen timber, while my men held the other, in almost a hand-to-hand fight. The enemy's force consisted of the greater part of Morgan's division. My force was a fraction of my regiment, consisting of 200 men, who fought gallantly. I cannot say too much in their praise. Our loss was 6 killed and 23 wounded.

After the battle, I received, under a flag of truce, a dispatch asking permission to bury their dead, which request I granted, proposing to deliver them in front of our lines.

The detachment of 40 men under command of Lieut. M. A. Hogan, Eighth Michigan Infantry, held the river at the ford near the bridge, and repulsed a cavalry charge, made by the enemy, in a very creditable and gallant manner.

The gallantry of my officers and men in the action was such that I cannot individualize. They all did their duty nobly, and the wounded were treated with the greatest care and attention by Asst. Surg. J. N. Gregg, of my regiment, whose fine abilities as a surgeon are highly appreciated.

I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ORLANDO H. MOORE,
Colonel Twenty-fifth Michigan Infantry.