Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 12.djvu/333

 Letters from General Lee. 323

At 2 P. M. the enemy formed for an assault upon the por- tion of my brigade between the river and the City Point road. A regiment was pushed up in column along the banks of the river, under cover of the grove and buildings of the younger Hare, and when its head became uncovered attempted to deploy. The rest of their force attempted to come forward in line of battle, but never got closer than 250 yards. Our fire was opened upon the column as soon as it showed itself and upon the line at about 300 yards. The enemy attempted to rally, but were driven back in confusion. The Twen- ty first, Twenty-seventh and Eleventh regiments repulsed this at- tack. South of the City Point road the skirmishing was heavy, but our line was not attacked. Later in the afternoon, when Colquitt's brigade was assailed, my right regiment fired a few volleys obliquely upon the attacking column.

Lieutenant Harvey, Seventh battalion, was killed to-day, and Lieutenant Felder, Twenty-fifth, and Major Rion, Seventh battal- ion, were wounded.

I am unable to give an accurate statement of casualties on these days, as in the record preserved by my A. A. G. the casualties of a later day and of some preceding skirmishes at Cold Harbor are in- cluded.

About 220 is supposed to be the aggregate — of which killed, 36 ; wounded, 21 ; missing, 63.

I am, Captain, respectfully, [Signed] Johnson Hagood,

Brigadier- General.

Letters from General Lee to President Davis on "The Situation" in

September, 1863.

Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia,

September 14, 1863. His Excellency Jefferson Davis,

President Confederate States, Richmond:

Mr. President : My letter of this morning will have informed you of the crossing of the Rappahannock by the cavalry of General Meade's army, and of the retirement of ours to the Rapidan. The enemy's cavalry so greatly outnumbers ours, and is generally accom- panied by so large a force of infantry in its operations, that it must always force ours back. I advanced last night to the Rapidan, a