Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 08.djvu/209

Rh advanced line, and, upon seeing the flanking movement of the enemy, moved quickly to the left, when we advanced, driving them headlong into the river. After driving them from the plane, I sent the Twenty-second North Carolina, under the gallant Major Cole, to the river bank to take them as they crossed, and this it did nobly. Others of my brigade had gone to the river; but finding them too much exposed, I called them back under a hill just overhanging the river. I called out those I had first left in this exposed position, leaving Major Cole with twenty men, who remained all day, the enemy being in heavy force in the canal on the opposite side. We were exposed all day to a tremendous fire of artillery, and also to the fire of their sharpshooters.

Warrenton Springs—The march was without incident of importance, until arriving at the ford opposite Warrenton Springs. The morning after arriving (Sunday, the 24th), I was directed to occupy the hills crowning this ford. My batteries were placed in eligible positions, the brigades being sheltered in rear of them. *  *

Manassas Junction—Wednesday morning, at Manassas Junction, Branch's brigade had a sharp encounter with a battery supported by the Twelfth Pennsylvania cavalry. They were soon dispersed.

Battle of Manassas—That evening (Thursday) there was a little artillery practice by some of my batteries on the enemy's infantry.

Friday morning, in accordance with orders from General Jackson, I occupied the line of the unfinished railroad—my extreme left resting near Sudley's ford; my right near the point where the road strikes the open field; Gregg, Field and Thomas in the front line—Gregg on the left and Field on the right, with Branch, Pender and Archer as supports. My batteries were in the open field in rear of the infantry, the nature of my position being such as to preclude the effective use of much artillery. The evident intention of the enemy this day was to turn our left and overwhelm Jackson's corps before Longstreet came up, and, to accomplish this, the most persistent and furious onsets were made by column after column of infantry, accompanied by numerous batteries of artillery. Soon my reserves were all in, and up to six o'clock my division, assisted by the Louisiana brigade of General Hays, commanded by Colonel Forno, with an heroic courage and obstinacy almost beyond parallel, had met and repulsed six distinct and separate assaults—a portion of the time the majority of the