Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 08.djvu/73

Rh lines his four brigades only had to march an average distance of ninety miles, just one-half of what Smith marched. Forrest did right in not striking him till he did, and displayed splendid generalship. Had General Chalmers been in front of General Sherman, he possibly might have seen enough to make him deal more leniently with Polk and the Confederate troops operating against Sherman. 1em , December 20th, 1879.

Early in November, 1863, after General Lee had successfully driven Meade across the Rapidan back to Centreville, and retired with his entire force south of the Rappahannock for the purpose of going into winter quarters, Hays' brigade was sent to picket the north bank at Rappahannock station. Here they were reinforced by the Louisiana Guard battery and a portion of General Hoke's North Carolina brigade.

After being on duty a day, a forward movement was made by the enemy in that direction, and French's entire corps, under Sedgwick, bore down upon them. The onslaught was terrific—the enemy being ten to one—but the gallant brigade held them in check until night, when their lines were broken and they were cut off from their only pontoon bridge. The Rappahannock was at that point not fordable, and the night was intensely cold; so that their capture was inevitable. Nevertheless, they resisted to the last.

The Louisiana Guard battery discharged their pieces when the enemy were upon them, and two of their number were bayoneted at the guns. Many of the officers threw away their swords to avoid surrendering them, and Lieutenant Charlie Pierce, of the Seventh Louisiana, broke his sword on his knee and handed the hilt to the officer—the effect of which can easily be imagined. The weapon was a highly prized one, being a trophy of the battle of Winchester. General Harry T. Hays ran the gauntlet of the pontoon bridge under an enfilading fire of the enemy. Colonel