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[424] also that reinforcements were coming to my assistance.

The line having been re-formed, the brigade was then moved forward and was placed, by order of General Hindman, on the right of General Deas' brigade, then occupying a portion of a ridge west of the road known as the Rossville road. Here we remained but a short time, when orders were received from the same source to report to General Bushrod Johnson, whose command was then heavily pressed, on a succession of ridges which lay east of our present position, about half a mile to our right, and to the east of the Rossville road. The command was immediately moved and formed on the summit of one of the ridges before alluded to, the line being at right angles with that occupied in the morning and running east and west. My right covered the battery of Captain Dent, which we found, to move to the support of General Johnson, already in position; the centre rested in a gorge between the ridge on which the battery stood and the left, which crowned a second ridge; having the brigade of General Deas on the left, the right of his brigade, however, covering six companies of the Thirty-fourth Alabama regiment. Skirmishers having been thrown forward, immediately developed the enemy not more than one hundred and fifty or two hundred yards in our front, with a battery in position.

About half past 3 o'clock, having received orders from General Bushrod Johnson, under whose supervision the movement was to be made, to swing my line round, making a right-half wheel, which wheel was to be continued if practicable, in order to envelop the enemy in our front and drive him back upon the centre of our lines, General Deas on my left to commence the movement, and each successive brigade to conform to the wheel, keeping the touch of the right and dressing to the left, the troops were set in motion, and here commenced one of the most desperate contests of the day. The movement was scarce begun ere the entire line became engaged, and a deadly fire of musketry and canister was opened upon it at short range. The line for a short time was thrown in much confusion, but was quickly rallied and again advanced; again and again were they driven back, but as promptly rallied and moved forward again, at each advance driving the enemy still further from their original position. Nothing but the determined valor of our soldiers could have withstood the withering volleys poured into them by the enemy, who at this point certainly fought with great obstinacy.

The field and company officers were, as a general rule, conspicuous for their good conduct, urging and cheering on the men, and themselves setting an example to which their men nobly responded. After a contest of nearly three hours, victory crowned their efforts, and the foe were baffled and beaten and many taken prisoners. Owing to the exposed position of the Thirty-fourth Alabama regiment, and to the fact that a large number of the enemy still remained on our left, this regiment could never get ahead, and was, together with a large number of men from the other regiments of the brigade, held in hand to prevent any demonstration of the enemy on our flank.

It was after sunset when the firing ceased, and night ended the contest. The men, completely exhausted by their long continued efforts, had the proud satisfaction of knowing that they had been victorious in every part of the field, and that their efforts had contributed no small share to the earning of this great victory.

I would respectfully refer you to the list of killed and wounded already handed in. We have to deplore the loss of many brave officers and men who fell on that bloody field. The loss of no one will be felt more keenly than that of Captain D. E. Huger, Assistant Inspector-General of my staff, who fell about a half hour before sunset, pierced through the heart by a rifle ball, and expired immediately. Earnest and zealous in the discharge of his duty, he had made himself respected and beloved in this command by his gentle, manly manners, his impartial and consistent discharge of the duties of his department, and by his great courage, coolness, and judgment in action. The Twenty-fourth Alabama also lost one of its most efficient officers, Captain O'Brien, a gentleman of accomplished mind, a brave and gallant officer. Captain Chamberlain and Lieutenant Cooper, of the same regiment, were severely wounded, and their valuable services will be for a long period lost to their country.

The following named officers were distinguished for their conduct on the field, and I take pleasure in bringing them to your attention in this report: Lieutenant-Colonel Julius S. Porcher, Tenth South Carolina volunteers; Major J. L. White, Nineteenth South Carolina volunteers, and Adjutant Fenell, of same regiment.

Of the Twenty-fourth Alabama regiment, Captains Hazard, Oliver, McCraken, Fowler, and Hall, Lieutenants Higley, Chapman, Pacham, Dunlap, Young, Euholm, Hood, Hanley, Northrup, Short, Adjutant Jennison, Sergeant-Major Minck, and Color-Sergeant Moody, behaved with great gallantry.

Lieutenant Jordan, of the Twenty-eighth Alabama, conducted himself in a most conspicuous manner, and I regret to say was killed during the action. Of the same regiment, Captains Hopkins and Ford, Lieutenant Graham and Acting Adjutant Wood, throughout the action, were distinguished for their gallant conduct. Captain Reise, A. Q. M., and Commissary Sergeant Craig, were efficient in the discharge of their duties in their respective departments. Thirty-fourth Alabama regiment, Lieutenants Mitchel, Lambert, Oliver, Crochett, and Bickerstaff, behaved in a manner to attract attention.

I cannot close my report without referring specially to the conduct and bearing of Colonel J. C. Reid, commanding, and Major W. L. Butler, Twenty-eighth Alabama regiment; Colonel J. F. Pressley, commanding Tenth South Carolina;


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