Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 03.djvu/228

This page has been validated.
218
Southern Historical Society Papers.

saw them. They led their regiments in the fight, and showed by their conduct that they only desired their men to follow where they were willing to lead.

But of our cool, gallant, noble brigade commander, it may not be out of place to speak. Never had the brigade been better handled, and never has it done better service on the field of battle.

There was scarcely an officer or man in the command whose attention was not attracted by the cool and handsome bearing of General Garnett, who, totally devoid of excitement or rashness, rode immediately in rear of his advancing line, endeavoring by his personal efforts and by the aid of his staff to keep his line well closed and dressed.

He was shot from his horse while near the centre of the brigade, within about twenty-five paces of the stone wall. This gallant officer was too well known to need further mention.

Captain Linthicum, A. A. G., Lieutenant Jones, A. D. C., and Lieutenant Harrison, acting A. D. C., did their whole duty and won the admiration of the entire command by their gallant bearing on the field while carrying orders from one portion of the line to the other where it seemed almost impossible for any one to escape. The conduct of Captain Shepard, of the Twenty-eighth Virginia, was particularly conspicuous. His son fell mortally wounded at his side. He stopped but for a moment to look on his dying son, gave him his canteen of water, and pressed on with his company to the wall, which he climbed and fought the enemy with his sword in their own trenches, until his sword was wrenched from his hands by two Yankees. He finally made his escape in safety.

In making the above report, I have endeavered to be as accurate as possible, but have had to rely mainly on others for information whose position gave them better opportunity for witnessing the conduct of the entire brigade, than I could have, being with and paying my attention to my own regiment.

I am, Major, with great respect, your obedient servant,

——— ———, Major Commanding.