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[175] on the Confederate right. In his report, General Walker said, ‘General Ector is absent, his brigade having been ordered to Mississippi, and I have no report from him, but his brigade acted with the greatest gallantry. . . . . I am satisfied that there were more than Thomas' corps engaged. . . The unequal contest of four brigades against such overwhelming odds is unparalleled in this revolution, and the troops deserve immortal honor for the part borne in the action.’ The brigade, reduced in numbers to about 500, took part in the second day's fight also, under the division command of Gen. S. R. Gist. The loss of the brigade was reported at 59 killed, 239 wounded, and 138 missing; total, 536. Unfortunately, the meager reports afford no further information. Deshler's brigade and Douglas' battery formed the left wing of Cleburne's division, which drove the enemy on the evening of the 19th back a mile and a half to Thomas' breastworks. The report of Col. Roger Q. Mills describes the advance of the brigade that evening, the crossing of the stream, the hurried march forward through crowds of stragglers, wounded and prisoners, and the final taking position not more than 100 yards from the enemy. A battery was firing in the dark, but whose it was could not be told. Skirmishers from Wilkes' regiment, going forward, ran into the enemy and were captured. Then the enemy in retreating encountered a volley from Deshler's brigade, and 100 surrendered, with two stands of colors, and the skirmishers were recaptured. On the morning of the 20th the brigade was advanced to a position 200 yards from the breastworks, encountering a destructive fire, and finally was ordered to lie down and commence firing on the crest of a hill swept by the enemy's artillery and musketry. The Texans held their place under heavy fire from 10 a. m. to about 2 p. m., without any artillery support, firing all their ammunition. At that crisis Colonel Mills sent to General Deshler for more ammunition, and as the general came toward them, he was struck in the breast by a shell
Atlanta, Ga. 1899.
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