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

[300] supported by Colonel Allen. The enemy here opened a rapid fire of shell, with great accuracy, on the road and vicinity. I was then ordered to send a regiment through the woods to endeavor to turn their battery; also, a battery, to get a position above them. I directed Colonel Allen to move with his regiment, he being in advance, and near the wood, to accomplish this, and Colonel Ronald, Fourth regiment, to support him; Captain Carpenter to take his battery in same direction, to execute the above order. Captain Poague's two Parrott guns I ordered in position on the left of the road, in a wheat-field, and opened on the enemy's battery, the smoke of of which only could be seen; the remaining pieces being under cover. Colonel Grigsby, Twenty-seventh regiment, I ordered to support this battery. Lieutenant-Colonel Funk, Fifth regiment, was placed on the left, and to the rear of the Twenty-seventh regiment. The Thirty-third regiment, Colonel Neff, to take position on the right of the road; but, being detained in crossing the river, this order never reached him. The enemy's fire was so well directed I found it necessary to separate Poague's two guns, placing one some distance on the left, and ordering Funk's regiment to follow the movement ere the fire was resumed. The enemy soon placed a battery of two pieces in front, and in a commanding position. I sent Lieutenant Garnett, and afterward Captain Poague, to look for a position nearer and more desirable, but none could be found unless the enemy were driven off. I then learned his skirmishers were advancing, and ordered Funk's regiment forward to support the extreme left of the line, at the same time sending to General Jackson for reenforcements, being greatly outnumbered. Colonel H. Hays soon reported to me with the Seventh Louisiana regiment. I directed him to take position on the right of Funk's, and ordered Grigsby's regiment up, placing it on the right of Hays. This line, under Hays, I ordered to move forward, drive the enemy from his position and carry his battery at the point of the bayonet. I at the same time directed the remainder of Poague's and a section of Carpenter's battery, the latter having reported it impossible to get through the thick woods or find any position, to be advanced.

Colonel Hays moved his command forward in gallant style with a cheer. Seeing his movement, I advanced with the artillery, placing the guns in battery just in rear of Hays's line, which I found had been halted behind a fence. The enemy being in such strong force, and pouring in such a heavy fire of artillery and rifles, I then sent for reenforcements, but received none. The men stood it boldly for some time, and fought gallantly, many until all their cartridges were gone. Captain Raines reported with two pieces of artillery, one, however, without any cannoneers; this piece I sent from the field, the other being brought into action. I had directed Captain Poague to move with a Parrott gun to the right, and sent Lieutenant Garnett to Carpenter to endeavor to place his section so as to enfilade the enemy.

The Thirty-first regiment Virginia volunteers, Colonel Hoffman, arrived about this time to relieve Colonel Hays, who was ordered to join his brigade. This change it was impossible to effect, and I held Colonel Hoffman in rear of the batteries for their security, as the infantry line began to waver under the storm of shot, shell, and balls which was being rained upon them. The batteries were moved to the rear, and I tried to rally the men, placing Hoffman's regiment in line on which to rally them. Here I partially succeeded; but the enemy so greatly outnumbed us, and getting within such easy range, thinned our ranks so terribly that it was impossible to rally them for some time, though I was most ably assisted in my endeavors by my staff, the gallant Hays, Grigsby, Funk, Major Williams, Fifth regiment, Captains Nadenbousch, Second, and Burke, Fifth regiment. These came particularly under my observation, though doubtless others did their duty as nobly and bravely. Here one piece of Poague's, I regret to say, fell into the enemy's hands, I having ordered it to halt and fire on his advancing column, where it was disabled, as shown in Poague's report. I still endeavored to rally the remainder of this force, and succeeded in getting the Seventh Louisiana, under Major Penn, the colonel and lieutenant-colonel both being wounded, and Fifth regiment, under Funk. I placed two pieces of Poague's battery in the position previously occupied, and again opened fire on the enemy, he having halted in his advance. A sharp fire from the wood on our right told that General Taylor's and Allen's forces were engaged. I directed the Parrott gun on the enemy's battery, which was now turned on those forces. I was gratified to learn from General Taylor that this fire was of service to him. The enemy now moved to his left flank, apparently to surround this command in the woods. Seeing two regiments lying quietly on their arms to the right, under the woods, I despatched Lieutenant Garnett to order them forward rapidly to press the enemy's rear. I then moved forward the artillery, with its supports, and obtained a far better position. Captain Chew here reported to me, and did good execution with his battery, displaying great skill and accuracy in his fire. I soon met General Jackson and reported my impression to him, and was told he had ordered up other troops. Lieutenant-Colonel Garnett, Forty-eighth regiment, came up, reporting for orders. I directed him to follow the road in double-quick, pressing the enemy hotly in rear and driving him from his position. Major Holliday, Thirty-third regiment, rode up at this time, and, through him, I sent orders to Colonel Neff to do the same. The batteries arriving, I continued to advance them as rapidly as possible, pouring in a heavy and well-directed fire on the retreating columns of the enemy, who were now driven from the field, routed at every point. A section of Captain Brockenbrough's