Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 4.djvu/148

130 their usual determination and devotion to the cause. Captain Reilly’s first lieutenant, J. A. Ramsey, who that day fought his section for a time under the direct personal orders of General Lee, is also commended for gallant conduct.

In this brilliant close to a hard day s battle, North Carolina lost a gifted son in the death of General Branch. His commander, Gen. A. P. Hill, said of him: &quot;The Confederacy has to mourn the loss of a gallant soldier and accomplished gentleman, who fell in this battle at the head of his brigade, Brig.-Gen. L. O’B. Branch, of North Carolina. He was my senior brigadier, and one to whom I could have intrusted the command of the division with all confidence. For a time in this campaign he did command the division. Just as his brigade had so gloriously helped to shatter the columns of his old New Bern adversary, General Burnside, he fell dead on the field. General Branch had achieved high honors in civil life. These he had given up to serve his country manfully in the field, and he was rapidly working toward the highest rank when he fell, as soldiers love to die at the head of a victorious command. Major Gordon, of the adjutant-general s office, says that on the very day General Branch was killed, he had been appointed major-general, but that the government, hearing of his death, never issued his commission. Sutton says of his death : &quot;No country had a truer son, or nobler champion, no principle a bolder defender than the noble and gallant soldier, Gen. Lawrence O’Brian Branch.&quot;

General Lee lost about one-third of his army on this field of blood. The next day, however, he remained on the field, defiant and ready to meet any new attack McClellan might order, but his enemy had suffered enough and made no move. That night he quietly crossed the Potomac &quot;without loss or molestation.&quot; General Pendleton, with the reserve artillery and about 600 infantry, was left to guard the ford near Shepherdstown. General