Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 07.djvu/519

Rh One battalion of reserve, one hundred and fifty men, were in the fort. Gregg had previously repulsed an attack near Four-Mile run in the afternoon Field arrives with Law's brigade just in time to aid Gregg's and Benning's brigade in repulsing a most violent assault on Fort Gilmer. Many negroes were killed in the ditch. General Lee arrives, and Bratton's and Anderson's brigades come over, making Field's full division. In the afternoon Colonel Montague with four regiments of Pickett's troops, pushes up towards Fort Harrison.

September 30—During last night Hoke came over with Kirkland's, Clingman's and Colquitt's brigades and Scales'. After reconnoissance, Fort Harrison is attacked by Law, Anderson and Bratton, and Clingman and Colquitt. The attack is repulsed.

October 1—Dispositions made for taking up a new line. A movement of the enemy to our left up the Darbytown and Williamsburg roads is discovered. Field, with Law's brigade and Montague's four regiments, is hurried off. On arriving at the point we find Moore's and Barton's brigades of reserves in the fortifications and the artillery at work. Montague is left on the New Market road and Law is posted in the salient on the Darbytown road.

October 2—Law and Montague are moved back to Chaffin's farm.

October 3, 4, 5—No change of note.

October 6—No change during the day. At night Field and Hoke are taken out of the trenches and sent to the vicinity of Curry's house, on the Darbytown road. Law's brigade was previously sent over to Gary.

October 7—At sunrise we move down the Darbytown road with Field and Hoke. The former encounters Kautz's cavalry in the exterior trenches. With Anderson's and Bratton's brigades and Gary and Law on the Charles City road, the cavalry is drawn off, leaving us nine pieces of artillery, ten caissons and prisoners. Field's division is then thrown to the left, on the outside of the exterior line, and Hoke on the inside of it. After crossing a thick abatis and an almost impenetrable swamp, the enemy is found in position near the New Market road. Field at once attacks him, and Major Johnson has a spirited artillery combat. Field's attack fails. Hoke cannot get at the enemy out of his trenches and does not move. In the afternoon the troops are posted behind Cornelius creek, General Gregg killed; Bratton wounded.

October 8, 9—Quiet and without change.