Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 7.djvu/627

144 resolution. But this could not last. Six thousand five hundred men could not hold permanently in check four divisions, numbering from their own statements 25,000 men; and finally, crushed by overwhelming numbers, my right gave way and was pressed back upon the two regiments covering the Clinton and Raymond roads, where they were in part rallied. Encouraged by this success the enemy redoubled his efforts and pressed with the utmost vigor along my line, forcing it back. At this time (about 2:30 p. m.), Bowen’s division, Green on the right and Cockrell on the left, arrived, gallantly charged the enemy, supported on the left by a portion of Cumming’s and Lee's brigades, and drove them back beyond the original line. In the meantime the enemy had continued his movements to our left, and fell upon Barton in overwhelming numbers. He charged them gallantly but was forced back, and the enemy following up his advantage cut him off entirely from the rest of the division. It was here the lamented Maj. Joseph W. Anderson, my chief of artillery, fell in the fearless discharge of his duty. Here, too, the gallant Ridley [Samuel J. Ridley, captain Company A, Withers’ light artillery], refusing to leave his guns, single-handed and alone, fought until he fell, pierced with six shots, winning even from his enemies the highest tribute of admiration."

Barton, when cut off, crossed Baker’s creek in rear of the battlefield and took position near Edwards, where he was joined by many of Cumming’s men. Loring, meanwhile, had been ordered up with his division, but remained facing McClernand’s division on the Raymond road, both the two officers incurring the criticism of their respective commanders for inaction. Buford’s brigade arrived about 4 p. m., but then the enemy had taken the Edwards road and turned upon him two captured batteries. These Withers opened upon from a ridge opposite, and silenced them. Featherston also