Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 07.djvu/126

118 Second Florida, retiring under orders as above stated. The casualties of these two regiments were heavy, as shown by the reports—those of the Second Florida especially so, being about forty-five per cent, of their force engaged, and the Thirty-eighth Virginia not much less.

Late in the afternoon I succeeded in separating and reorganizing my command, and held it under orders in reserve. Sleeping upon the field of battle, this brigade, along with Colonel Anderson's, was held in reserve on Sunday, the 1st instant, and was not engaged, there being no need for its services.

I am happy to be able to bear testimony to the gallantry and good conduct of all the field officers of the brigade. The unusual list of casualties amongst them shows that they were at their posts of duty and of danger. We have to mourn the loss of Major G. W. Call, Second Florida, and Major E. G. Christie, Twenty-third North Carolina—the latter mortally wounded, and since reported dead. These were gallant gentlemen and chivalrous soldiers. Colonel McRae, Fifth North Carolina, being compelled to retire, as already stated, from exhaustion, Major Sinclair acted very handsomely in supplying his place. Colonel Christie and Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston were both disabled while doing handsome service—Colonel Christie's horse being shot under him, and, in falling, throwing his rider against a tree, which bruised him severely; Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston being severely wounded at a later hour; Lieutenant-Colonel Pyles, Second Florida, being severely wounded in the gallant discharge of his duties; Major Call already killed, and ten out of eleven company commanders of the Second Florida killed or wounded. The position of Colonel Perry was critical and dangerous. He discharged his duty with signal honor to himself and to my perfect satisfaction. Colonel Edmonds, Thirty-eighth Virginia, had his horse wounded under him and himself struck with a fragment of spent shell, causing a painful contusion, yet he left the field only for a short space and returned to his command, which he led in the most handsome manner. Lieutenant-Colonel Whittle, Thirty-eighth Virginia, had his horse shot three times, and, being dismounted, fought gallantly forward on foot, doing everything in his power to contribute to the result of the day. Major Joseph R. Cabell, Thirty-eighth Virginia, also had his horse shot under him, and charging considerably in advance of his regiment, was the second man to place his hand upon a piece of the enemy's artillery and claim it as our own. The first man