Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 4.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

Sir: I have the honor to report the part borne by this brigade in the engagement near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on the 2d and 3d ult. As I was not present myself (my regiment-7th Georgiahaving been detached and ordered to the right and flank of the line to watch the movements of the enemy's cavalry), I have consolidated the reports of the regimental commanders. The scene of action was reached by a march of several miles under a broiling sun, and, a portion of the way, a terrific fire of the enemy's batteries. The position of the brigade was on the extreme left of Hood's division, and when ordered to advance on the enemy's position was to the rear and supporting the Texas brigade. Soon after the Texas brigade became engaged, this brigade moved forward on a line with it, when a vigorous charge was made, which dislodged the enemy from a stone fence running diagonally with the [166] line of battle. The supports not coming up in time, and the enemy coming up on our left flank, General Anderson changed the front of the left wing of the 9th Georgia regiment (which occupied the extreme left of the brigade), but soon found they could not hold the enemy in check. He then ordered the brigade to retire to the crest of the hill in the edge of the timber, where the charge commenced. But a short time elapsed before McLaws' division came up on our left, when General Anderson ordered another advance, which was executed with spirit and loss to the enemy. In this charge General Anderson was wounded, in consequence of which some confusion ensued, and the command fell back a short distance the second time. The third advance was made, and resulted, after a severe conflict in the ravine of half an hour, in the rout of the enemy, which was vigorously pressed to the foot of the mountain. The loss of the enemy was here very great. Owing to the exhausted condition of the men, together with the fact that the enemy were pouring in large reinforcements on the right, it was deemed impracticable to follow him further. In this charge large numbers of prisoners were taken and sent to the rear without guard; consequently the number is not known. The brigade retired in good order across the ravine and went into bivouac for the night, the skirmishers of the brigade being well in front. The rout of the enemy was manifest from the fact that no attempt was made to follow our retreat, and scarcely any effort made to annoy us in retiring. The loss of the brigade was heavy-12 officers killed and 58 wounded; 93 men killed, 457 wounded, and 51 missing.

On the morning of the 3d my regiment (7th Georgia) was ordered to join the brigade where it was still in line of battle. Soon after reaching the point an order was received from General Law to send him one regiment. The 9th Georgia was ordered to this duty, and conducted by a courier. But a short time elapsed before another order was received from General Law for two more regiments. The 7th and 8th Georgia were detached and sent. In the course of an hour the remaining regiments — the 11th and 59th--were relieved by Senames' brigade and ordered to the right and flank, under command of Major Henry D. McDaniel, 11th Georgia. They were engaged with the enemy's dismounted cavalry, and drove them from the field. A report of the action has already been forwarded by Major McDaniel. [167]

Several squadrons of the enemy's cavalry charged through the pickets of a Texas regiment and were galloping up to one of our batteries with the evident purpose of spiking the guns, when they were met by a charge of the 9th Georgia regiment, killing and wounding a number. This was the first check this column met with. On their retreat they encountered several other regiments coming up from different points, and suffered greatly from their fire.

Early next morning the brigade was moved back to the main line, and threw up breastworks.

The reports of regimental commanders, together with the complete list of the killed and wounded, have already been forwarded. It would be invidious to speak of individual gallantry where all Behaved so well.

I am, Major, very respectfully, Your obedient servant,