186 Southern Historical Society Papers.
miles to reach the battlefield and advanced at a double-quick step fully a mile to engage the enemy that I hesitated for an instant to order them immediately forward. Perceiving very soon, however, that the enemy were giving way, I rushed forward shouting to them to advance. It was with the greatest difficulty that I could make myself heard or understood above the din of battle. The order was, however, extended along the line and was promptly obeyed. The men sprang forward over the rocks, swept the position, and took possession of the heights, capturing forty or fifty prisoners around the battery and among the cliffs.
Meanwhile, the enemy had put a battery in position on a terrace of the mountain to our right, which opened upon us an enfilading fire of grape and spherical case shot. A sharp fire of small arms was also opened from the same direction. This was not destructive, however, owing to the protection afforded by the rocks.
Soon the enemy appeared moving down upon our front in heavy force. At this critical moment General Benning's brigade of Geor- gians advanced gallantly into action. His extreme right, lapping upon my left, swarmed over the cliffs and mingled with my men.
It was now past five o'clock, P. M. The conflict continued to rage with great fury until dark. Again and again the enemy in great force attempted to dislodge us from the position and retake the bat- tery, in each case with signal failure and heavy loss.
Lieutenant-Colonel Jones, Major Gary, and Lieutenant Becker, Acting Adjutant, behaved with great coolness and courage. I abstain from mentioning by name others who deserve special com- mendation, because the list would be so long as to confer little dis- tinction on any single individual, and because injustice might be done to others whose good conduct escaped my observation.
The regiment lost, killed, 24; wounded, 66, and missing, 4. I have the honor to be very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
WM. F. PERRY, Colonel Commanding.
REPORT OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WORK, FIRST TEXAS REGI- MENT.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST TEXAS REGIMENT, July gth, 1863.
The following is submitted as a report of the part sustained by the
