Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 08.djvu/531

Rh the opportunity offer, received a severe wound in the leg from a fragment of a shell, which subsequently proved fatal. Seldom has the service suffered more in the loss of one man than it did when this valuable officer fell. Gallant, skillful, energetic, this young commander had won a reputation, surpassed only by the success and ability of his services. The commanding general, in the preliminary report of this battle already published, forcibly expresses the sentiments of all who knew General Pender, and had watched his career as a soldier. "This lamented officer," says the report referred to, "has borne a distinguished part in every engagement of this army, and was wounded on several occasions while leading his command with conspicuous gallantry and ability. The confidence and admiration inspired by his courage and capacity as an officer, were only equaled by the esteem and respect entertained by all with whom he was associated, for the noble qualities of his modest and unassuming character."

The command of the division devolved upon General Lane, who, upon being informed by Lieutenant-General Ewell that he could move upon the enemy's position at dark, ordered the brigades of General Thomas and Colonel Perrin forward to the road occupied by the skirmishers, so as to protect the right flank of General Rodes's division, supporting these two brigades with his own, commanded by Colonel O. M. Avery, Thirty-third North Carolina troops, and Scales', commanded by Colonel W. L. J. Lowrance, Thirty-fourth North Carolina troops, who, although wounded on the 1st, had reported for duty. The night attack was subsequently abandoned, but these two brigades (Thomas' and Perrin's) remained in their advanced position during the night, and the next day keeping a continuous and heavy skirmish with the enemy, compelling his advance to remain close under the batteries of Cemetery Hill, the brigades of Lane and Scales forming a second line.

During the morning of the 3d, General Lane received an order from Lieutenant-General Hill to report in person, with the two brigades forming his second line to the right, to Lieutenant-General Longstreet as a support to Pettigrew. General Longstreet ordered him to form in rear of the right of Heth's division, commanded by General Pettigrew. Having executed this order, General Lane was relieved of the command by Major-General I. R. Trimble, who acted under the same orders given to General Lane. The two brigades, thus formed as a support to Pettigrew, with Lowrance on the right, after suffering no little from the two hours' exposure to the heavy artillery fire, which preceded the attack on the 3rd, advanced in close supporting distance of Pettigrew's