Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 13.djvu/177

 176 Southern Historical Society Papers.

hausting march of the 'day, would have succeeded in capturing a very large number of prisoners; as it was, we captured more, by far, than the number of men in the command, but the troops were too exhausted to move rapidly, as they could otherwise have done. We were the first to enter the town of Gettysburg, and halted to rest on the road leading to Fairfield.

We remained in that position during that night and Thursday. On Thursday evening about dusk we advanced to make a night attack upon the enemy's works, but when we had approached to within a few hundred yards and drawing the fire of their pickets, which wounded several of my men, we were recalled and placed in the road, where we remained until 3 A. M. on Saturday morning, at times subjected to severe cannonading, when we were taken to the crest of the hill in our rear, which position we retained until Sunday morning, when we were withdrawn. Too much cannot be said in praise of both officers and men of my command, all, with a few exceptions, conducted themselves most admirably. Appended is the list of casualties during the engagement.

I am, Captain, very respectfully your ob't serv't,

BRYAN GRIMES, Colonel Fourth N. C, S. T.

REPORT OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL FORSYTH, OF THIRD ALABAMA

REGIMENT.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD ALABAMA INFANTRY,

Near Hagerstown, Md., July 9th, 1863.

S. M. MOORE, A. A. A. General:

LIEUTENANT, In obedience to orders, I herewith submit a report of the action of this regiment from the time it left camp at Santee, Caroline county, Virginia, up to Greencastle, Pennsylvania, at which point Colonel Battle joined the regiment and assumed com- mand. I received orders on the morning 4th June to put the regi- ment in motion, and marched with the brigade to Culpeper Court- house, reaching that place on the yth. The first day's march was rapid and severe on the men, and a great number were made foot- sore and nearly broken down. On the morning of the gth the regi- ment was put in line of battle to support General Stuart's cavalry, and on the next day resumed the march towards the Valley. Reach-