Emilio, Luis F., History of the Fifty-Fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry , 1863-1865

Though many solid shot fell about or passed through or over the line, only Private Cornelius Price, of Company A, was mortally, and Sergeant Palmer, of Company K, slightly wounded. There were many narrow escapes, however; among them, a corporal, of Company E, had his canteen struck from his side, and his musket doubled up. Colonel Heine, commanding at that portion of the field, was a large man, rendered more conspicuous by white clothes, and was noticeable the whole day for activity and personal gallantry. He came to our line and directed Lieutenant-Colonel Hooper to draw back the Fifty-fourth to the old fieldwork. Captain Jones, with Companies A, D, and K as skirmishers, advanced and took position well to the front of the work, and to the right and left of a hedge, where the men were ordered to lie down in the grass and weeds which grew waist high. This position the skirmish line kept till relieved, unmolested by the enemy's infantry, but subjected to cannon-shot whenever our men exposed themselves. No opposing skirmishers were seen. Our men held their fire so as not to disclose their location. Captain Jones's line did not immediately connect with any other; but some distance to the left were troops.

At the old redoubt the men were put to work with the tools they carried, extending the flanks of the intrenchment for better protection. With excessive heat during the morning hours, by midday it became almost unbearable to the skirmishers, stifled in the high grass on the line, who were compelled to maintain a prostrate and immovable position, and to the support at the fieldwork, obliged to sit crowded for space. Throughout that whole day, with a