Lieutenant-Colonel Elbert Bland, Seventh South Carolina, fell at the head of his regiment in the first moment of our triumph. A few moments later, Major John S. Hard, his successor, was instantly killed. The command then devolved on Captain E. J. Goggin. Captain J. M. Townsend, commanding James's battalion, was killed leading the charge upon the enemy's stronghold. LieutenantCol-onel Hoole, Eighth South Carolina regiment, was killed in the early part of the action. Lieutenant-Colonel Bland was recognized generally as an officer of rare ability.
His power of command, his cool, dauntless courage and selfcon-trol in battle, his excellent judgment, disciplinary skill and ability in camp, marked him as a man of a high order of military talent. His personal and social characteristics were equally noble and elevated. In him we have lost a champion worthy of our glorious cause. Major John S. Hard was a gallant and accomplished officer, and has highly distinguished himself on every battlefield in which his regiment has been engaged. Captain Townsend commanded his battalion on this occasion in such a manner as to elicit my commendation on the field before he fell, and would, if he were living, have been here mentioned with high distinction.
Lieutenant-Colonel Hoole was an officer of much merit, but had been prevented by protracted illness from attaining that distinction he might have achieved with his gallant regiment. He was much beloved for his personal qualities, and his loss will be deeply deplored by his comrades. For particular mention of other brave spirits who have fallen, I respectfully refer to the accompanying reports of regimental