Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 7.djvu/706

Rh M. A. Oatis, Twenty-second, were both severely wounded after gallantly leading their commands to the enemy's first line of works. The same misfortune befell Col. J. W. Drane, commanding the Thirty-first; Maj. F. M. Gillespie, next commanding the Thirty-first, was killed; and in the Fortieth, Lieut.-Col. George P. Wallace, commanding, was severely wounded, losing an arm, and Maj. W. McD. Gibbens was killed. Indeed, every regimental commander but one was killed or wounded. Adjt. W. J. Van de Graaf, Thirty-first, seized the colors of his regiment after two or three color-bearers had fallen, and bore them till he also was shot down with the colors in his hand. Adjt. C. V. H. Davis lost his life in the same gallant duty with the colors of the Twenty-second regiment. The Thirty-first regiment in this fatal assault lost every field officer and captain killed or wounded, leaving the 50 men that remained out of the 215 engaged, under command of Lieutenant Shaw, of Company G.

Gen. M. P. Lowrey's brigade was conspicuous in the flank attack of Hardee's corps upon Sherman's army before Atlanta, July 22d. His men had not enjoyed rest or sleep for two days and nights; had fought at Peachtree creek and thence had been hastily withdrawn to guard the Confederate right, and many good men fell exhausted during the weary march toward the Federal rear. The charge they made was magnificent, but it was fatal, as that of Featherston's had been two days before. The Eighth Mississippi lost their gallant colonel, adjutant, and many other valuable officers and men near the works. The Thirty-second rushed forward almost to the works, when one third of the command fell at one volley, and two color-bearers were killed in quick succession. The Fifth lost 66 men, the Eighth 87, Thirty-second 86, Third battalion 37.

In the battle of Ezra Church, July 28th, the third of the bloody sacrifices about Atlanta, Walthall's old