194 Southern Historical Society Papers.
right and left had retired, it became necessary to follow. I, there- fore, gave the order for the regiment to about face and retire to the rear, which they did in good order, until they reached the position mentioned in Colonel Bryan's reports as the second position of the enemy, and here were halted and reformed in connection with the other regiments. From the exhausted condition of the men, it was deemed necessary to remain here for a few moments. The regi- ments were again ordered forward, which they did in the most gallant manner, and regained their first position, which they held as long as it was tenable, and a further advance being impracticable, owing to the nature of the ground, as expressed in Colonel Bryan's report, they again retired in good order to an open space about fifty yards in rear, when here it was discovered for the first time that nearly two-thirds of our officers and men had been killed and wounded. Only a few moments were here consumed to allow the men to recover their breath, when in obedience to orders, I again moved the regiment forward to attack the enemy in their impregna- ble position. The coolness and determination of the men and officers was equal to the occasion. They advanced boldly over the ground strewn with the bodies of their dead and dying comrades to the base of what they knew to be an impregnable fortification. We held tHis position until it was discovered that we had no supports either on the right or left, and were about to be flanked, and, therefore, were again compelled to retire, which the regiment did in good order to the point mentioned in Colonel Bryan's report as the second position of the enemy, which place we were ordered to hold at all hazards, which we did. Just before day on the morning of the 3d orders reached me that breastworks must be thrown up and position held. The order was obeyed. During the day constant skirmish- ing was kept up with the enemy, which resulted in the loss to us of many of our best scouts. Late in the evening, in obedience to orders, I about faced my regiment and marched three-quarters of a mile to the crest of the ridge from which the charge of the day previous commenced. Here we threw up breastworks, behind which we re- mained during the night.
I would respectfully beg leave to call attention to the valuable assistance I received from Captain John S. Cleveland in the manage- ment of the right wing of my regiment, and Captain T. T. Clay on the left. Also to the heroic conduct of T. W. Fitzgeral, of company A, who was color-bearer. He pressed gallantly forward, and was badly wounded far in front. I. A. Howard, of company B, Color-
