Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 9.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

Early in the morning Major-General Cleburne called on me for my smallest regiment, to be placed on the mountain to the left of the gap, through which the railroad and wagon road passed, leading out from Ringgold in the direction of Tunnel Hill. I sent the Sixteenth Alabama regiment and Captain Palmer, A. A. General, to place them in position. My other three regiments were then placed in the gap. After the skirmishing had commenced between Smith's brigade and the enemy, Major-General Cleburne informed me that the enemy was moving in force to his right and he wished me to go on the ridge to the right and protect his right flank. I moved my brigade at once by the right flank, and after ascending the hill I heard firing several hundred yards to the right, and, leaving a staff officer to bring up the command, [64] I went in haste to see what it meant. I found the First Arkansas regiment engaging the enemy's skirmishers, who had already gained the top of the hill. After assuring this regiment that support was at hand, and directing them to hold their position, I hastened to the head of my brigade, which was coming up the ridge at a double quick, with the right flank to the enemy, and the bullets from the enemy's guns already flying down the line. I knew that nothing but the most prompt and rapid movement could save the position, and that I could not take time to put the whole brigade in position before moving upon the enemy. Hence in reaching the head of the column, composed of Hawkins's Sharp-Shooters, and the Thirty-second and Forty-fifth regiment, I commanded--“By company into line,” and deployed the column on the Tenth company, continuing the movement to the front with all possible rapidity. At the same time I sent Lieutenant Hall, my aid-de-camp, to bring up the next regiment in the same manner, and I went with the first to their important work, and nobly did they perform it. Our spirited fire, the sight of reinforcements, and a terrific “Rebel yell,” combined to strike terror to the foe, and he fled in confusion. The Thirty-third Alabama Regiment was soon brought up, and formed on the left of the Thirty-second and Forty-fifth Mississippi, and the Forty-fifth Alabama on their left, while Brigadier-General Polk came up with two regiments, and formed them on the right. The enemy, in the meantime, was pressing up the hill with great determination, but the heavy fire, from our advantageous position, rendered their ascent impossible; but as they continued to move to the right, it was necessary for our line also to move to the right, and to leave a bare line of skirmishers to hold the crest of the hill. When Brigadier-General Polk was severely pressed, he sent to me, in great haste, for assistance, when I moved the Forty-fifth Alabama regiment in “double quick” to his support; and the general said, as his ammunition was nearly exhausted, they were just in time to save the position. When my ammunition was nearly exhausted, and I had sent for more, my men and officers gave me assurance, with great enthusiasm, that they would hold the position at the point of the bayonet and with clubbed muskets if the enemy dared charge them.

The position was held until I was ordered to retire from it, which was done in good order. The whole command behaved with great gallantry, and inflicted a heavy loss upon the enemy.

My loss was slight, but four killed and thirty-five wounded. My staff officers present, Captain J. P. Walker and Lieutenant A. P. Hall, rendered me great assistance in this expeditious movement, by their [65] promptness and great gallantry. I was deprived of the valuable services of Captain O. S. Palmer, until near the close of the engagement, he being with the Sixteenth Alabama regiment.

For the performance of this regiment please see report of Major Ashford.

Respectfully submitted,