Joseph T. Derry , A. M. , Author of School History of the United States; Story of the Confederate War, etc., Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 6, Georgia
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

The battalion was soon heard from to the praise of the State in one of those minor encounters at the beginning of the war, which had large proportions in the minds of a people waiting in suspense for the result of the clash of arms, and were of great importance in their influence upon public sentiment. After reaching Norfolk Captain Colquitt was put in command at Sewell's point, a peninsula running up from the south toward Hampton Roads, and equidistant from Fortress Monroe and Newport News, with his company and detachments of Virginia organizations, after the incomplete fortification had been attacked by the United States steamer Monticello, and there he sustained a second attack on May 19th. The steamer, accompanied by a steam tug, fired with great accuracy, one shell bursting within an embrasure, and several others directly over the Confederate battery, while solid shot repeatedly hurled masses of earth among the gunners. But Colquitt and his men stood firm and returned the fire with effect, causing the Federal vessels to withdraw. He reported, ‘The troops acted with great bravery, and I had to restrain them in their enthusiasm,’ and he was himself warmly commended by General Gwynn, the department commander. In consequence of the want of a Confederate flag, in this first encounter in the vicinity of Norfolk, the Georgia flag of Colquitt's company was planted on the ramparts during the engagement, and while the fire was hottest, two members of the Light Guards fearlessly passed to the outside of the works and deliberately removed the sand which yet obstructed one of the portholes of the unfinished battery.

Four other infantry regiments were formed under the call of the Confederacy for 5,000 men from Georgia. The organization of the Second regiment of Georgia volunteers,