Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 05.pdf/46

Rh

August 13, 1863.


 * I have the honor to report that on the morning of the 1st July, we moved from South Mountain, Pennsylvania, through Cashtown in the direction of Gettysburg, and formed line of battle in rear of the left of Heth's division, about three miles from the latter place to the left of the turnpike, in the following order: Seventh, Thirty-seventh, Twenty-eighth, Eighteenth, and Thirty-third North Carolina regiments—the right of the Seventh resting on the road. After marching nearly a mile in line of battle, we were ordered to the right of the road, and formed on the extreme right of the Light division. Here I ordered the Seventh regiment to deploy as a strong line of skirmishers some distance to my right and at right angles to our line of battle, to protect our flank, which was exposed to the enemy's cavalry; Pettigrew's and Archer's brigades were in the first line immediately in our front. We were soon ordered forward again after taking this position, the Seventh being instructed to move as skirmishers by the left flank. In advancing we gained ground to the right, and on emerging from the woods in which Pettigrew's brigade had been formed, I found that my line had passed Archer's, and that my entire front was unmasked. We then moved about a mile, and as the Seventh regiment had been detained a short time, Colonel Barbour threw out forty men under Captain Hudson, to keep back some of the enemy's cavalry which had dismounted, and were annoying us with an enfilade fire. We moved across this open field at quick time, until a body of the enemy's cavalry and a few infantry opened upon us front the woods, subsequently occupied by Pegram's battalion of artillery, when the men gave a yell and rushed forward at a double-quick—the whole of the enemy's force beating a hasty retreat to Cemetery Hill. My right now extended into the woods referred to, and my left was a short distance from the Fairfield road. On passing beyond the stone fence and into the peach orchard near McMillan's house, I was ordered by General Pender not to advance further unless there was another general forward movement. As I could see nothing at that time to indicate such