Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 07.djvu/291

Rh six hundred or seven hundred yards; at the bottom of this descent was a narrow valley, through which ran a rocky ravine or stream fringed with small trees and undergrowth of bushes. Beyond this the ground rose rapidly for some two hundred yards, and upon this ridge were numerous batteries of the enemy. This ridge to my right rose into a succession of higher ridges or spurs of mountains, increasing in height to the right, but to the left gradually descending.

When my command crossed the pike and began to descend the slope, they were exposed to an artillery fire from numerous pieces, both from the front and from either flank. Before reaching the ravine at the foot of the slope, two lines of infantry were met and broken and driven pell-mell across the ravine. A second battery of six pieces here fell into our hands. From the batteries on the ridge above referred to, grape and cannister were poured into our ranks. This stronghold of the enemy, together with his batteries, was almost won, when still another line of infantry descended the slope in our front at a double quick to the support of their fleeing comrades and for the defence of the batteries. Seeing this contest so unequal, I dispatched my Adjutant-General to the division commander to ask that support be sent to my men, but no support came.

Three several? [sic] times did this last of the enemy's lines attempt to drive my men back, and were as often repulsed. The struggle at the foot of the hill, on which were the enemy's batteries, though so unequal, was continued for some thirty minutes. With a second supporting line the heights could have been carried. Without support on either my right or left, my men were withdrawn to prevent their entire destruction or capture. The enemy did not pursue but my men retired under a heavy artillery fire and returned to their original position in line and bivouacked for the night, pickets being left on the pike.

Thus ended the engagement of the 2d instant. Two guns, with their caissons, were taken on the turnpike; six guns were taken three hundred or four hundred yards beyond the road; one line of infantry was broken and dispersed at the road; two other lines were also broken and thrown back before reaching the foot of the hill; a line which descended the hill on which their rear-most line of batteries were posted, was repulsed several times in their efforts to drive my men back; many of the enemy were killed and wounded, and about one hundred prisoners taken.