Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 5.djvu/56

44 guard was attacked, in front of Williamsburg, by the Federal advance. This attack was met and checked by two brigades tinder Brigadier-General McLaws (Semmes and Kershaw’s), with Manly’s battery. In this brief history, the writer is confined, by the plan of the work, to the part taken in each action by the troops of South Carolina. The grateful task of speaking of troops from other States is resigned with the understanding that ample justice will be done them by writers who have been selected to record the history of their courage, skill and devotion as soldiers of the Confederacy.

In this affair of the afternoon of the 4th of May, Kershaw’s brigade, the Second, Third, Seventh and Eighth South Carolina, bore a part, and though but little blood was spilled, the gallant conduct of the brigade received the notice and commendation of General McLaws, who, in reporting the action, said: &quot;I call attention to the promptness with which General Kershaw placed his men in the various positions assigned him, and the readiness with which he seized on the advantage offered by the ground as he advanced to the front. . . . His command obeyed his orders with an alacrity and skill creditable to the gallant and obedient soldiers composing it.&quot; The result of the combat was, that McLaws checked the Federal advance, captured several prisoners, one piece of artillery, three caissons, and disabled a battery, and lost not exceeding 15 men killed, wounded and missing. A part of Stuart’s cavalry was also engaged, and that officer complimented the conduct of the Hampton legion cavalry in high terms, for &quot;a brilliant dash upon the enemy’s cavalry in front of Fort Magruder. . . . Disinterested officers, spectators, speak in the most glowing terms of that portion of my brigade.

It was evident to General Johnston that the safety of his trains required that a more decided opposition be offered to the Federal advance, and Longstreet s division was put in position to meet it on the following morn-