Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 10.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[128] being far in advance of the general line, with his left totally unprotected, but with the ravine of Deep Run to cover the movement of the enemy on his left. After the heat of the action on the right, the enemy advanced a brigade up Deep Run, throwing one regiment somewhat in advance, which so sheltered itself behind the trees as to get near enough to take an officer and fifteen men of the Sixteenth prisoners, who were protecting the left flank of their regiment. This left the regiment to be raked by a fire down the railroad track. The Colonel drew his regiment back to the ditch and held his ground, until General Law sent forward two regiments to its assistance; these three then charged the enemy, driving them from the railroad cut and across the fields, to within a short distance of their batteries. Owing to a great many of Colonel McElroy's men not having cartridge-boxes, they got out of ammunition; but, getting into the ditch and dividing them, they maintained their ground. The officers and men of my brigade behaved throughout as well as I could have desired them.

In conclusion, I beg leave to commend the efficiency of First Lieutenant T. T. Kirkland, ordnance officer and acting assistant adjutant-general, and Mr. John Young, volunteer aidde-camp. These gentlemen were greatly exposed during the two days we were in advance, but were always at their post. In the death of Lieutenant Sheppard I have to lament the loss of a brave and promising young officer.

I am, sir,

Very respectfully,

Major: In obedience to orders from division headquarters, I have the honor to forward the enclosed reports of the regimental commanders of this brigade. After the unfortunate fall of Brigadier-General Maxcy Gregg, I assumed command of the Second brigade. I have but little to add to my report as regimental commander of the First regiment South Carolina volunteers, beyond mentioning that, so soon as I was informed that I was in command of General Gregg's brigade, I mounted a horse standing near and rode down the lines, informing the commanders of regiments that I was in command of the brigade, and cautioning the soldiers of the brigade to remain quiet and steady under the severe fire of shells, which were falling along the line which we occupied; and I am pleased to say that their courage and steadiness were of the highest character. The brigade, except my own regiment, First South Carolina volunteers, and Orr's rifle regiment, was not engaged with the enemy, as they retired under the fire from my own regiment, no doubt accelerated by their finding themselves at the mercy of the Second brigade, which had faced about, and, in an advance a few yards beyond, their entire flank would have been exposed to a severe and raking fire. Brigadier-General Paxton's brigade came up after I had driven the enemy off; but I am not aware that they were engaged at all with them at or near my position. I understand that General Early's brigade, under command of Colonel Walker, passed the left of the Second brigade, and marched to the front; but, as I was on the right of the brigade at this time and in thick woods, I did not see it myself. Shortly after this, by order from General A. P. Hill, I moved the brigade forward as a support to Colonel Walker's brigade, and found him occupying the line of the railroad. The enemy were drawn out in line of battle some six hundred yards distant from the railroad, but, beyond advancing their skirmishers, made no forward movement. At dark an order came from Lieutenant-General Jackson, ordering an advance of the whole line. I accordingly advanced to the railroad, which I still found held