Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 07.djvu/289

Rh The right of my line, as thus directed, was thrown forward, resting against a heavy and thick woods, and ran thence back obliquely to the rear across an open field, terminating at a stone fence, one hundred yards from the right of Perry's brigade—the ground occupied by the left of my line being lower than the right, and ascending slightly in the latter direction.

In front of my line in the open fields were several farm houses, with barns, orchards, and the usual enclosures. The enemy's pickets were seen about these, and some six or seven hundred yards distant.

Not knowing whether the woods, against which the right of my line was to rest, was occupied by the enemy, the Tenth Alabama regiment (Colonel Forney) was ordered to occupy the woods, and the Eleventh Alabama regiment (Colonel Sanders) formed in line in the open field to the left of the Tenth.

The regiments, being preceded by skirmishers, were ordered to advance—the Eleventh to its position in line in rear of a fence, and the Tenth to keep on a line with the Eleventh, to protect it from the enemy's fire, should he be found in the woods—the remaining regiments being held in rear till it should be ascertained if the enemy were in the woods.

The Eleventh advanced more easily than the Tenth, being in the open field. Having moved forward about three hundred yards, this regiment received a heavy volley of musketry on its right flank and rear from the enemy, concealed behind ledges of rock and trees in the woods on its right. The Tenth Alabama moved forward promptly, and soon encountered a strong line of skirmishers. These were driven back upon their supports—two regiments of infantry—the Third Maine and the First New York sharpshooters.

A spirited musketry fight ensued between the Tenth Alabama and these two Federal regiments; and having continued for some ten or fifteen minutes, Colonel Forney gave the command to charge, and led his regiment in person. This broke the enemy's line, and they fled precipitately from the woods, leaving twenty or twenty-five dead men, and twice that number wounded and prisoners. In this affair, so creditable to the Tenth Alabama and its gallant colonel, this regiment lost ten killed and twenty-eight wounded; in the Eleventh Alabama one officer, Major Fletcher, severely wounded, and seventeen men wounded—six or eight severely.

The brigade now (nine A. M.) took its position in line of battle