Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 7.djvu/597

114 fine style and was met by the enemy, who was strongly posted in the edge of the cedar brake, with a murderous fire of artillery and infantry. In that charge, their brigade commander, General Chalmers, was severely wounded by a shell which disqualified him for further duty on the field. The regiments of Chalmers’ brigade, having been separated after he fell, moved forward and attached themselves to other commands, fighting with them with gallantry as opportunity offered."

The attack by Chalmers’ brigade was one of the most gallant of the day, but unfortunately it was practically against the head of the Federal army in column. Breckinridge now coming to the support of Polk, the latter took the first two brigades to arrive, Jackson's and Adams’, and sent them to relieve the shattered brigades before Palmer. Jackson’s brigade fought here from noon to 3 p. m., but his force was not large enough for the task assigned him. Col. John C. Wilkinson, of the Eighth Mississippi, was severely wounded, also Lieut.-Col. W. L. Sykes, commanding the Fifth, and Capt. J. H. Morgan of the Fifth was killed. The Fifth had 170 men in action, and lost 6 killed and 73 wounded; the Eighth from 282 men lost 20 killed and 113 wounded.

During the next day Chalmers’ brigade, under Col. T. W. White, took position in the Round Forest, and struggled for its possession during the day. On January 2d the fight ‘was renewed here by the batteries of Stanford, Carnes and Smith, supported by Anderson’s and other brigades. After the bloody defeat of Breckinridge on the other side of the river, Anderson moved to his support, and remained in line of battle January 3d.

In the Virginia and Maryland campaigns of 1862, under Johnston, Jackson and Lee, Mississippians were also conspicuous. Mississippians were on guard at Yorktown under Magruder during April, 1862, and in the sortie of April 5th the Second battalion, Lieut.-Col. John G. Taylor, demonstrated their valor; and in the battle at