Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 08.djvu/86

74 fallen back to the rear of the woods, after the first two hours of the engagement, upon my application to Major-General A. P. Hill for orders, was ordered towards the right of our lines for the purpose of supporting a portion of General Jackson's command, which he informed me was then on the field. My men cheerfully and earnestly advanced towards the right, with cheers for "Old Stonewall." We were under heavy fire for the rest of the evening, but were not so actively engaged as the rest of our regiment; the aforesaid portion of Jackson's command and Wheat's battalion being in our front.

Near nightfall, I reported to you, stating the exhausted condition of my troops, when you directed me to form on the left of the road, approaching the enemy, and post sentinels along the road so as to collect such portions of your brigade as might pass along said road, directing them to bivouac at this point.

On Saturday, the 28th, we remained quietly in our bivouac, caring for the wounded and dead.

The country and our State too painfully appreciate the loss of our most capable Colonel for me to say aught in his praise.

It was in this battle that Company E, under the command of Lieutenant Haywood, lost all of their officers. Lieutenants Haywood and Clap were killed in the brave discharge of their duties. Lieutenant H. C. Graham, late of the Twenty-second regiment of North Carolina troops, who had volunteered to take a command in the same company as lieutenant, had his leg broken early in the conflict.

Where almost every officer has distinguished himself, it is difficult to bestow especial praise upon any, but the serious bereavement which this company has sustained, not only in the loss of their officers but also in the loss of men, induces me to commend it to your especial consideration. I shall take occasion hereafter to recommend Lieutenant Graham for promotion if his wound will admit of his again entering the service.

In this battle it was also that Captain R. B. McRae was seriously and W. N. Peoples, of Company K, mortally wounded. Lieutenant Jos. C. Miller, of Company K, here rendered up his life, having fallen in close proximity to the point where Colonel Campbell fell while bravely leading his men in the conflict. Captain McAuley, Company I, and Lieutenant W. J. Kerr, Company D, (the color company) also sustained injuries from which they will not soon recover. Many others sustained injuries, the extent of which may be learned from official reports already published.