Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 40.djvu/232

This page has been validated.
226
Southern Historical Society Papers.

Starke said, Gen. Hill replied "I have Just a brigade (Fender's), but I'll send another." But when I returned to our position, the whole line had moved forward. Fender's brigade proved to be sufficient for present needs, and our men had charged through the woods and across the open field beyond. The hill just in front of us was covered with dead men, and to our left. The Irish battalion of the second brigade had fought with stones after their ammunition gave out, and it is credibly stated that my friend and old college-mate, Lewis Randolph, a lieutenant in the Irish battalion (First Virginia battalion), killed a Yankee with a large stone. Our artillery on the hill to our right had taken Porter's men in flank as they advanced, and broken the force of the attack. Longstreet's corps had moved forward in a body, and soon we had them "on the run." The battle lasted all the afternoon, and by dark we had driven the enemy across Bull Run, a little more daylight and we should have had an even more complete victory.

We spent the night on the field, fully a mile in advance of our position during the day. We had to mourn the loss of many gallant men, our brigade commander, Col. Baylor, in particular. He was a fine man and a fine officer. His death left Col. Grigsby, of the Twenty-seventh Virginia, the gallant Grigsby, who knew no fear, in command of the brigade, the fourth commander that the brigade had during the campaign, two, Winder and Baylor, having been killed in action.


Ox Hill.

The next day was rainy and sloppy, but Gen. Lee wanted to flank Pope again, so off we started that afternoon, reaching Little River turnpike, which was through Fairfax Courthouse, by night. Next morning we kept on down the turnpike, our division bringing up the rear, A. P. Hill leading, and Lawton being second. Pope had been reinforced at Centreville, and expected that we should soon be after him, which expectation was soon gratified. This fight, Ox Hill, was chiefly A. P. Hill's, but we were "in it" late in the evening, although some of the books don't give us credit for being there. Generals Kearny and