Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 9.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[546] moved sufficiently near originally, or that the order had not reached Colonel Ronald in time, the enemy had attacked the left wing of the Second brigade and turned it, and that it was falling back in some disorder. This movement exposed, also, the left flank of the Third brigade, and caused it to fall back; but it was soon afterward brought back to its original position. At this critical moment, the First brigade moved up, and with General Branch's brigade, of General Hill's division, encountered the enemy, confused by their severe conflict with the Second brigade, and drove them back with terrible slaughter. The Third brigade now advanced to the brow of the hill overlooking the cornfield, and the Second brigade to the edge of the woods, and drove the enemy in front of them, from their positions, in confusion. To cover his retreat, the enemy's cavalry charged the Third brigade; but they were met by such a storm of missiles that the whole column was turned, wheeled to the right, and before it could be wheeled off to the rear was forced to run the gantlet of the other brigades, and scattered in every direction with heavy loss.

This was the last effort of the enemy to make a stand: they retreated, and our troops pursued them, capturing a number of prisoners. This division crossed the cornfield diagonally toward the railroad.

Brigadier-General Prince, United States army, was made a prisoner, and surrendered to me as we were crossing this field, and his command, which was on our right, had been, I think, principally engaged with Brigadier-General Early's brigade, fled upon our approach with scarcely any opposition. We continued to push forward until we had driven the enemy some three miles, and until the darkness rendered it impossible to distinguish our troops from those of the enemy. After having made report of my position to the commanding General, I was ordered to permit the troops to rest for the night, which was done in advance of the field of battle. From my own personal observation and the reports of officers, it affords me pleasure to bear renewed testimony to the efficiency and gallantry of this veteran division.

The First brigade fully sustained its ancient reputation. I captured a number of prisoners, and four stands of colors. Colonel Ronald, who ably and gallantly commanded it, speaks in the highest terms of the support he received from the courage and zeal displayed by his officers and men. He particularly mentions Major Williams, Fifth Virginia regiment; Lieutenant-Colonel Lawson Botts, Second Virginia regiment; Lieutenant-Colonel R. D. Gardner, Fourth Virginia regiment; Lieutenant-Colonel Edward D. Lee, Thirty-third Virginia regiment; Captain Charles L. Haynes, Twenty-seventh Virginia regiment, Captains Carpenter and Poague, commanding batteries ; Captain John H. Fulton, Fourth Virginia; Major Holliday, Thirty-third Virginia; and Lieutenant Garnett, of General Winder's staff.

The Second brigade, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Garnett, who exhibited a rare skill and courage, refusing to leave the field, although severely wounded, until the close of the fight, although at one time overwhelmed by superior numbers, pressing and turning their left flank, yet renewed the fight with determination and bravery. The conflict of this command with the enemy was most severe. The bayonet was freely used, and a hand-to-hand fight, with superior numbers, ensued before the right of the brigade fell back. Colonel Garnett makes special mention of Lieutenant-Colonel Cunningham, who, with most heroic gallantry, led the Twenty-first Virginia, and fell at their head; of Major Layne, of the Forty-second Virginia, who was mortally wounded; of Major Seddon, commanding First Virginia battalion; Captain Hannum, of the Forty-eighth Virginia; Captain Dyerle, Forty-eighth, mortally wounded; Captain Wilson, A. A. G.; Lieutenant Dabney, A. D. C., and Lieutenant White, A. D. C.

The Third brigade, Colonel A. G. Taliaferro, Twenty-third Virginia, commanding, was conducted into action by that officer with the intrepidity and courage which has heretofore distinguished him. His command was subjected to a terrific fire, which it gallantly withstood, and to a charge of cavalry which it instantly repulsed; and when the left flank, for a time, gave way under an overwhelming force, the right, and particularly the Twenty-third Virginia regiment, which deserves special mention for its firmness and admirable conduct in the engagement, remained unbroken. Colonel Taliaferro particularly mentions Major Stover, commanding Tenth Virginia regiment; Lieutenant-Colonel Curtis, commanding Twenty-third Virginia, who fell mortally wounded ; Major Walton, Twenty-third Virginia; Colonel T. C. Williams, of the Thirty-seventh Virginia, who was wounded; Major Wood, Thirty-seventh Virginia; Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson, of the Forty-seventh Alabama regiment; Colonel Sheffield, of the Forty-eighth Alabama regiment, who was severely wounded; Major Aldrich, Forty-eighth Alabama regiment, severely wounded; and of his A. A. G., Lieutenant-Colonel F. Coleman. The batteries of the division, engaged in the action, were those of Captains Carpenter, Poague, and Caskie. The officers and men of these batteries behaved well. Captain Caskie was wounded. Captain Wooding's battery was not engaged; he himself acted for a time with the General commanding.

I have the honor to enclose herewith the reports of brigade, regimental, and battery commanders, to which the Major-General is referred for more minute details, and a list of killed and wounded of the division. No one can estimate the loss this brigade and this division of the army has sustained in the early death of Brigadier-General Winder. He was warmly beloved by all who knew him as a man, and had the full confidence of his command as a soldier. I beg leave, in conclusion, to allude to the gallantry of Major Snowden Andrews, chief of artillery, who was severely, and I fear mortally, wounded; to that of my Adjutant-General, Captain William B. Pendleton, who was severely wounded, losing his leg; of