Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 06.djvu/94

84 or numbers of the enemy we were to attack,—all these things combined proved that both men and officers acted well and gallantly. For the part each regiment performed in the action, I have the honor to refer you to the accompanying report of the colonels.

I cannot close this report without mentioning the efficient aid rendered me by Captain Walker, my Inspector-General, and the judicious assistance rendered me by Captain Kibbee, Tenth Georgia regiment, acting Assistant Adjutant-General, and to the gallantry shown by my personal aidaide [sic], Lieutenant Townsend, who was wounded early in these battles.

To Couriers Morris and Dobbs I am indebted for much assistance in the fight, for their bravery and energy, forcing to the front the few men who manifested a disposition to straggle to the rear.

The command lost killed 31 men and officers and 102 wounded.

I am, , Brigadier-General.

1em

Major-In obedience to orders, this brigade "broke camp" on the 4th May and moved down on the Rapidan near Willis' ford, when it was charged with a portion of the line assigned to the care and defence of the division, covering the left and rear of the army then moving down upon the enemy, who had already crossed a part of his army at the lower fords of the river.

The evening of the following day, the 5th May, we proceeded to join the balance of our army then confronting the enemy in the Wilderness, and camped near Vediersville for the night.

The next day, the 6th May, we were with our troops on the Plank road, and where the fight was already earnestly progressing, at an early hour. We were at once assigned a position in support of a part of the line of Lieutenant-General Longstreet's front, but very soon after were ordered to join and co-operate with Anderson's and Wofford's brigades of that corps in an attack upon the enemy's left flank.

As the senior Brigadier, I was, by Lieutenant-General Longstreet, charged with the immediate direction of this movement.

Wofford and Anderson were already in motion, and in a few moments the line of attack had been formed, and the three brigades, in imposing order and with a step that meant to conquer, were now rapidly descending upon the enemy's left.

The movement was a success, complete as it was brilliant. The enemy were swept from our front on the Plank road, where his advantages of position had been already felt by our line, and from which the necessity for his dislodgment had become a matter of much interest.