eral Wheeler's cavalry (dismounted) temporarily occupying our abandoned works as their skirmish line until near daybreak.
The officers and men of my command fought admirably. Although unaccustomed to field fighting, they behaved as well as any troops could have done. The discipline of garrison service, and of regular organizations, as well as their daily exposure for eighteen months past to the heavy artillery of the enemy, told in the coolness and determination with which they received and returned the heavy fire of this day. I take pleasure in especially mentioning Brigadier-General Stephen Elliott and Colonel W. B. Butler, commanding brigades; Lieutenant-Colonel Brown, Second South Carolina artillery; Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Yates, First South Carolina regiment artillery; Major Blanding, First artillery; Major Warley, Second South Carolina artillery; Major ————, Twenty-third Georgia battalion; Captain Matthews and Lieutenant Boag, Mannigault's battalion; Captain King, First South Carolina artillery, and regret that I have not the names of many who distinguished themselves, nor of those gallant officers who yielded up their lives in their country's service on this occasion. I hope to forward a complete list with the reports of the subordinate commanders.
To my personal staff is due the testimony of my appreciation of their gallantry and efficiency. Major P. W. Page, my Adjutant-General, was severely, and Captain Reid, Aid-de-Camp, slightly wounded, whilst faithfully and ably discharging their duty; Captain Matthews, Engineer Officer; Captain Penin Kemp, Lieutenant Henry C. Cunningham, Ordnance Officer, temporarily with General Elliott, and Lieutenant George Harrison, Signal Officer, gallantly and well seconded my efforts during the two days of our engagement with the enemy at Averysboro'.
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
William B. Taliaferro,
