Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 12.djvu/550

 540 Southern Historical Society Papers.

inch of ground, and slowly retreating before our steady and deter- mined advance. They fought us from behind haystacks and hedges, but all in vain. We were determined to win the fight, and w^e won it. Just as the sun was sinking we drove them from behind the tomb- stones in the graveyard, pursued their fiying columns through the town, and the citizens of Richmond heard the Confederate shout of victory, and saw our battle-flags waving in triumph over the long gray line that filed through their streets. Captain Sterling Fowlkes, of the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth regiment, was killed just as we entered the town. He was Captain of the Zouave Cadets, a brave soldier, and a most accomplished young officer. His death will be deeply lamented. It is a costly victory when two such men as Fitz- gerald and Fowlkes yield up their lives. General Preston Smith rode up to our regiment as we were formed in the streets of Richmond, and congratulating us on our victory said : " Boys, there is one thing I have to say, the old One Hundred and Fifty-fourth can't be whip- ped." We have had a terrible experience to-day. Without food and without water we have been on the double quick, charging infantry and artillery through open fields, and climbing fences under a galling fire, and yet not a man faltered. The gaps made in the ranks by the enemy's fire would close up, and with a determination to conquer or die, our invincible column moved forward, sweeping the field before its fiery onslaught. We have fought over about ten miles of ground, and rest to-night in a lovely grove just outside the town of Richmond. The 30th day of August will ever be memorable in the history of our country, as marking one of the most brilliant victories ever achieved by Confederate arms. And now with gratitude to God for my sin- gular preservation through all the dangers of this bloody day, and a tear for the lamented dead, who have laid their lives upon the altar of our dear native land, I will seek "tired nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep," on a soft carpet of blue grass.

Sunday, Atigust ji. — We have rested all day, and will probably move on to Lexington to-morrow. Our victory yesterday was a glo- rious one. We captured all of the enemy's artillery and five thou- sand prisoners. General Nelson, who was in command of the Fed- erals, was wounded. We also captured the enemy's wagon-train with quartermaster and commissary stores in great abundance. Spent the morning inspecting the fruits of our victory and in gazing with absorbing interest at the long line of prisoners that we were fighting yesterday. Our cavalry intercepted the retreating army of Federals and brought in a long line ol prisoners this morning. One