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

[711] guns,--all that could be manned,--and received orders from one of General Longstreet's aids to take position in front of the village of Sharpsburg, to the right and left of the turnpike, relieving Colonel Walton, of the Washington artillery of New Orleans. Four of Moody's guns were placed on the right of the village; two of Parker's and two of Jordan's were placed on the left; Rhett's two pieces were placed on a ridge to the left of the village, on the Sharpsburg and Hagerstown pike. These guns, in their respective positions, did good service. Those in front of the village were exposed to a heavy fire of artillery and infantry — the sharpshooters of the enemy being within two hundred yards of them during the entire evening. The guns of Moody's battery, in connection with Squiers's battery of the Washington artillery of New Orleans, repelled some six or eight attempts of the infantry of the enemy to take our position. At one time their infantry was within one hundred and fifty yards of our batteries, when, by a charge of our supporting infantry, they were driven back. Two guns of Moody's battery, with Garnett's brigade, drove the enemy from the ridge to the left of the village, after they had taken the ridge from our troops. The guns retained their position in front of the village till our troops were driven into the village on the right, when, by direction of General Garnett, they withdrew. The enemy were afterward repulsed from the village, and the hill, for a short time, was reoccupied by Captain Thomas Carter's battery. It was now near dark, and the hill was held but by a few infantry.

Captain Eubank's battery not being with me, I am not prepared to speak, from personal observation, of his action; but General Toombs informed me that he and his company did good and gallant service.

The officers and men of my battalion behaved with the utmost gallantry. During the entire time engaged they were exposed to a heavy fire from the enemy, as is shown by the list of casualties enclosed. Out of about three hundred men who went into action, eighty-six casualties occurred, and sixty horses were disabled.

In the morning the battalion was engaged during the severe fight, before our reinforcements came up on the left, and was the only artillery engaged with General Hood's division. In the evening it was engaged in front of the village, and on the right when the fight was the heaviest.

I regret to state that Captain Woolfolk's battery lost a gun on the field. It was on the left in the morning when our lines gave way before the overwhelming numbers of the enemy. The four horses, two drivers, and four cannoneers at the piece were disabled, and it was with difficulty that the battery could be moved. I do not attach any blame to the captain. The piece could not be recovered, owing to the proximity to the enemy, though several attempts were made.

Captain John S. Taylor, C. S. artillery, temporarily attached to my staff, was killed in the morning while gallantly discharging his duties. He was entirely fearless, and always sought the post of danger; and his example did much toward inspiring his daring in all around him. Though generally all behaved well, I will particularly mention the following as having attracted my attention by distinguished gallantry: Captains J. V. Moody, Parker, and Woolfolk; Lieutenant Elliot, commanding Rhett's battery; Lieutenants Gilbert and Fickling, Rhett's battery; Lieutenant Parkenson, Parker's battery, severely wounded in the leg; Lieutenant Sillers, Moody's battery; Sergeants Conroy and Price; and Corporals Gaulin and Donoho, Moody's battery. I would also mention Lieutenant Maddox, of Colonel Cutts's battalion of artillery, who had two guns under my command, and behaved with great gallantry. My Adjutant, Lieutenant W. H. Kemper, Alexandria artillery, was of great assistance to me, and exhibited gallantry and coolness in an eminent degree.

Enclosed is a list of casualties.

I am, sir, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

[Harper's Ferry, no. 1.]

My signal flag was up at daylight, and my glass bearing on Loudoun Heights.

After sunrise, Major Paxton sent the following:

Artillery coming up road to be repaired.

Before delivering this message I asked, “What artillery, and what road?” Major Paxton answered, “Walker's, and up mountains.” About ten A. M., comes another despatch from Loudoun Heights. “Walker has his six rifle pieces in position; shall he wait for McLaws?” General Jackson answers, “Wait.” General Jackson and Colonel Snead then come to signal station, and the General dictates the following:

[Harper's Ferry, no. 2.]

Sunday, September 14, 1862.
To Generals McLaws and Walker:

If you can, establish batteries to drive the enemy from the hill west of Bolivar, and on which Barbour's house is, and any other position where he may be damaged by your artillery, and let me know when you are ready to open your batteries, and give me any suggestions by which you can operate against the enemy; cut the telegraph line down the Potomac, if it is not already done; keep a good lookout against a Federal advance from below; similar instructions will be sent to General Walker. I do not desire any of the batteries to open until all are ready on both sides of the river, except you should find it necessary, of which you must judge for yourself. I will let you know when to open all the batteries.

T. J. Jackson, Major-General, commanding.

Addendum.--If you have not rations, take