Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 08.djvu/158

146 angles to the road. The formation was scarcely completed before I was ordered to advance in line through the woods and thick undergrowth—a heavy musketry fire being heard not far from my front. I then proceeded about one hundred yards, when I commenced meeting the men of a brigade which had preceded me retreating in great disorder and closely pursued by the enemy.

Opening ranks to permit the fugitives to pass, and pressing forward in unbroken line, my brigade met the enemy, who had already turned the flank of General Taliaferro's brigade, which was on the right of the road. Not in the least shaken by the panic cries of the fugitives, and without halting, my brigade poured volley after volley into the enemy, who broke and fled precipitately through the woods and across the field. On reaching the edge of the field, I discovered the enemy in force on the opposite side, and halting my brigade in an eligible position, opened fire along the whole line. For a time the enemy stood their ground, but we were within good range across an open field, and the execution we were doing (clearly perceptible to the eye) compelled them to commence breaking. Now it was that their cavalry attempted to charge General Taliaferro's brigade, which had partially rallied after I had cleared their flank. The cavalry moved diagonally across my front, presenting to me their flank. The combined fire of Taliaferro's brigade in front and mine in flank broke up the column and sent it flying to the rear. My brigade immediately moved forward in pursuit of the retreating enemy, and whilst I was hesitating in the field, in doubt what direction I should take, Major-General Jackson came up, and by his order I changed front so as to incline to the right, and pushed on to a point some distance in advance of the battlefield, at which he had ordered me to halt.

The battle having terminated in a complete rout of the enemy, my men slept on the ground they had so bravely won.

My officers and men behaved finely, and I refrain from discriminations. Such was their steadiness that I was able to preserve my line of battle unbroken throughout the day.

Captain F. J. Hawks and Lieutenant J. A. Bryan, of my staff, were with me, and conducted themselves gallantly.

Your obedient servant, , Brigadier-General.

My order of march was Thomas, Branch, Archer, Fender, Stafford and Field. Arriving within about six miles of Culpeper