Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 07.djvu/41

, under the circumstances, with remarkable coolness and with little loss. The fighting was severe during the entire morning, and men, as well as officers, displayed signal gallantry. Our loss was heavy, including some of our best officers.

The light pieces used by me here consisted of two twelve-pound howitzers, of Le Garden's New Orleans battery, and one twelve-pound Napoleon, of Stewart's South Carolina artillery, which were admirably served, and which operated with decided result upon the enemy's infantry and opposing battery. The ground was so soft from the heavy rains that it was with difficulty the pieces could be manœuvred, while the concentrated fire upon them was terrible—nearly every cannoneer of both sections being killed or wounded, while nine of Le Garden's and every horse of Stewart's, except one, were killed. Spare horses had been ordered from the rear, but did not arrive before it was found necessary to withdraw from the line; and the roads being so deep and heavy from the rains and the passage of baggage trains, they could not be withdrawn by hand—so that two of the guns had to be abandoned—not, however, until all the ammunition to the last shell had been expended upon the enemy. Sergeant Ginbert, of Le Garden's battery, deserves special mention here for his gallantry and energy. After this the enemy made several demonstrations along the new line now held by my division, attacking with considerable determination, but were always handsomely and successfully resisted.

About one o'clock it was ascertained that the enemy was moving a large force to our left, in the direction of Black river, which his immense superiority in numbers enabled him to do without much weakening his lines in our front. To meet this demonstration, I determined to move my division back to the main line selected by General Hardee, which was done with no difficulty and little loss, where I was directed to hold that part of the line which lay on the right and left of the main road, the division of Major-General McLaws connecting with me on the left, and Major-General Wheeler's cavalry, dismounted, on my right.

The enemy shelled this new position at intervals during the day, and assailed it with infantry several times unsuccessfully. Their artillery fire was returned by my pieces.

Heavy skirmishing continued along my line until eight o'clock at night, when my troops were withdrawn and resumed the march with the main body of General Hardee's command, leaving