Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 07.djvu/39

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[We are indebted to our gallant friend General Taliaferro, for his original report of this important battle. So far as we are able to ascertain this is the only copy extant.]

April 4th, 1865. Lieutenant-Colonel, A. A. General:

Colonel—I have the honor to make a brief report of the operations of my division on the 15th and 16th ultimo, near Averysboro', North Carolina:

On the morning of the 15th, Rhett's brigade was encamped near Smith's house, at the intersection of the Fayetteville and Raleigh road with the road leading to Smith's ferry, on the Cape Fear river, and Elliott's brigade half a mile higher up, at another cross road leading to the same ferry. On the previous evening the enemy, who had advanced as far as Silver run, were reported by the cavalry to have retired a distance of four miles below that point, and our troops had received orders from the Lieutenant-General commanding to remain in camp for the day and rest after their fatiguing marches. About 8 o'clock A. M. I was informed by Lieutenant-General Hampton that the infantry of the enemy were pushing our cavalry back, when I at once selected a position for Rhett's brigade near Smith's house, in rear of an open field on the right of the road, and extending across the road to the left into a body of woods, thus concealing my dispositions from the enemy, and proceeded to erect in my front such hasty breastworks as the scanty means at my command permitted. I threw forward a strong skirmish line a few hundred yards in front of this position, and ordered up some of my field pieces to support the main line—my object being only to check temporarily the advance of the enemy until our baggage trains should be beyond the reach of danger when I designed to retire Rhett's brigade upon Elliott's.

The Lieutenant-General commanding, as soon as he was notified of the advance of the enemy, rode to my front, and directed me to advance still further my picket line, which being done, we struck the enemy some half a mile in the front of my position, our cavalry having been retired to the right and left.