Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 04.djvu/37

Rh that had passed the winter there. Our men set these on fire, and the enemy attacking this part of the line, halted near by. Against Gregg, however, they continued to advance, nearer and nearer, till they were within less than sixty yards. The two guns in it ceased firing; those on the main line also. The three in Whitworth were withdrawn without any authority from myself, and the enemy's battery beyond Old Town creek was forced to desist, their own troops being between it and Gregg. The latter was now nearly surrounded. The heroism displayed by the defenders of Battery Gregg has not been exaggerated by those attempting to describe it. A mere handful of men, they beat back repeatedly the overwhelming numbers assailing them on all sides. After they were surrounded the contest continued. The enemy finally gained the parapet, and were enabled to hold it, it being reached by means of the parapet of the unfinished trench previously referred to. As they appeared at this point, they were either shot or thurstthrust [sic] off with the bayonet. Again and again was this done. At length numbers prevailed, and the parapet of the little work was thickly covered with men, six flags being seen on it at the same time; and from this dense mass a close, and of necessity destructive fire, was poured down upon the devoted little band within. To prevent further sacrifice, and the object believed to have been accomplished, the troops in Whitworth were ordered to retire, as well as those that were near Gregg in the road, extending down Old Town creek, and Cox's brigade on their left. These were all reformed in the Petersburg lines, the men being in one thin line, with from 6 to 10 feet interval. The fight continued at Gregg fifteen or twenty minutes after the Confederates were driven from the banquette.

It was Gen. Gibbon's command that captured Battery Gregg; and if I remember correctly, he informed me at Appomattox Courthouse, that sixty-seven of our men were killed, and among the wounded was Lieut.-Col. Duncan, of Harris' Mississippi brigade, the senior officer. Gen. Gibbon, also, according to present recollection, told me that he lost over 800 men