Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 07.djvu/292

284 In the engagement of this day I regret to report a loss of five hundred and seventy-seven killed, wounded and missing. Among the seriously wounded and known to be in the hands of the enemy, I may mention Colonel Forney, Tenth Alabama regiment. This officer, not yet well of a wound received at Williamsburg, received a flesh wound in the arm and chest while charging a line of the enemy on the turnpike, but he still pressed onward and soon his right arm was shattered. He yet refused to quit the field and fell with a wound in the foot, in the ravine near the rear-most lines of the enemy. Colonel Pinckard, Fourteenth Alabama, had rejoined his regiment but two days before this battle, having been absent by reason of a severe wound received at Salem church, had his left arm badly broken; Captain Smith, Ninth Alabama, severe wound through the body (entitled to the promotion of lieutenant-colonel); Captain Brandigan, Eighth Alabama, leg broken. These four were left, not being able to bear transportation.

Colonel Sanders, Eleventh Alabama, and Major Fletcher, of same regiment, each received severe wounds. Captain King, Ninth Alabama (entitled to promotion of colonel), had a finger shot off.

It will be seen that of five of my regimental commanders four were wounded in this first day's battle. Of my two couriers, one—Private Ridgeway, Eleventh Alabama regiment—was killed, and the other—Private Brundridge, Ninth Alabama—severely wounded.

The conduct of my men and officers was in all respects creditable.

After the wounding of four regimental commanders, the other officers who succeeded to command acted with great gallantry and energy. Among these I may mention Lieutenant-Colonel Tayloe, of the Eleventh Alabama regiment; Lieutenant-Colonel Shelley, of the Tenth Alabama, and Lieutenant-Colonel Broome, Fourteenth Alabama.

With reference to the action of the 3d instant, I beg to report that early in the morning, before sunrise, the brigade was ordered out to support artillery under the command of Colonel Alexander—this artillery being placed along the Emmettsburg turnpike and on ground won from the enemy the day before. My men had had nothing to eat since the morning of the 2d, and had confronted and endured the dangers and fatigues of that day; they nevertheless moved to the front to the support of the artillery, as ordered. The brigade was formed in line parallel to the Emmettsburg turnpike and about two hundred yards from it—artillery being in