Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 13.djvu/180

 Official Reports of the Battle of Gettysburg. 1 79

command annoyed these very much, holding their position steadily until our infantry came up. Against the centre there was no move- ment by any force heavier than a double line of sharpshooters, whom our men invariably drove back, charging them once in gallant style. On the extreme left the enemy advanced in three lines, and drove in my men there posted behind the trees these retired firing from tree to tree until they met Gordon's brigade advancing, after which they were rallied on the centre at the sound of my bugle. The whole command then moved up the pike, and passing through the town took up its position on the left of Ramseur's brigade then lying in the Fairfield road. After dark I reported to the colonel command- ing brigade.

July 2d. About 9 o'clock my corps was deployed in front of the Fairfield road, where it remained until dark, when I took position in the suburbs of Gettysburg, as near the enemy's lines as possible, the men being sheltered in the houses.

At daybreak on the 3d we opened fire upon the enemy's artillery skirmishers and upon their lines of battle whenever they advanced, as they frequently did. This must have annoyed the enemy very seriously, as the average number of rounds fired was not less than two hundred, at ranges varying from three to five hundred yards. The Northern papers confess that their gunners could not stand to their guns, and that the officers were picked off by Rebel sharp- shooters. One battery near us, after firing several shots at us, was removed out of our sight. Our loss was not more than twenty killed and wounded; no list of casualties is enclosed, as they have been re- turned on the lists of the respective regiments.

Abundant supplies of ammunition were obtained by sending details through the town to collect cartridge boxes. At daylight on the 4th I was ordered to fall back through the town and deploy in front of the new line of battle on the hills to the west this was accom- plished just before sunrise. Though all acted so well, I scarcely like to make a distinction, yet I must call your attention to the con- duct of Sergeant Christopher Clark, commanding the company from the Fifth Alabama Regiment. He handled his company throughout with great skill and courage, and would well fill a commission. I have the honor to be very respectfully,

EUGENE BLACKFORD,

Major Fifth Alabama, Commanding Battalion of Sharpshooters.