Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 03.djvu/227

Rh or sixty yards behind and to the right, and General Armistead coming up in our rear. General Kemper's line was discovered to be lapping on ours, when, deeming it advisable to have the line extended on the right to prevent being flanked, a staff officer rode back to the General to request him to incline to the right. General Kemper not being present (perhaps wounded at the time), Captain Fry of his staff immediately began his exertions to carry out the request, but in consequence of the eagerness of the men in pressing forward, it was impossible to have the order carried out.

Our line, much shattered, still kept up the advance until within about twenty paces of the wall, when for a moment they recoiled under the terrific fire that poured into our ranks both from their batteries and from their sheltered infantry.

At this moment General Kemper came up on the right and General Armistead in rear, when the three lines, joining in concert, rushed forward with unyielding determination, and an apparent spirit of laudable rivalry to plant the Southern banner on the walls of the enemy.

His strongest and last line was instantly gained, the Confederate battle flag waved over his defences, and the fighting over the wall became hand to hand and of the most desperate character, but more than half having already fallen, our line was found too weak to rout the enemy. We hoped for a support on the left (which had started simultaneously with ourselves), but hoped in vain. Yet, a small remnant remained in desperate struggle, receiving a fire in front, on the right and on the left, many even climbing over the wall and fighting the enemy in his own trenches, until entirely surrounded, and those who were not killed or wounded were captured, with the exception of about 300, who came off slowly but greatly scattered—the identity of every regiment being entirely lost, every regimental commander killed or wounded.

The brigade went into action with 1,287 men and about 140 officers, as shown by the report of the previous evening, and sustained a loss, as the list of casualties will show, of 941 killed, wounded and missing, and it is feared from all the information received that the majority of those reported missing are either killed or wounded.

It is needless, perhaps, to speak of conspicuous gallantry where all behaved so well. Each and every regimental commander displayed a cool bravery and daring that not only encouraged their own commands, but won the highest admiration from all those who