Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 13.djvu/192

 Official Reports of the Battle of Gettysburg. 191

heavy wooded ground, sheltering themselves behind rocks from which, after a sharp contest, he was driven to the heights beyond in our front and in close proximity to the mountain, and there I was pained to learn that the gallant Lieutenant-Colonel, B. F. Carter, was severely wounded while crossing a stone wall near the base of the mountain. I was also informed that Colonel John C. G. Key, while gallantly urging the men to the front, was severely wounded. The command then devolved upon me. Many of the officers and men had been killed and wounded up to this time. Finding it im- possible to carry the heights by assault with my thinned ranks, I ordered my command to fall back in the skirt of timber, the position then occupied being enfiladed by the batteries on the left and ex- posed to a heavy fire of musketry in my immediate front. Being joined by the Fifth Texas on my right, I again attempted to drive the enemy from the heights by assaults, but with like results. Again being reinforced by the Forty-eighth Alabama, commanded by the gallant Colonel Sheffield, and the Forty-fourth Alabama, whose commander I did not learn, I again charged their works, but was repulsed, and then, under the order of General Law, I ordered my command to fall back under cover of the timber on a slight eleva- tion within short range of the enemy. I formed my regiment in line of battle, leaving the battlefield contested ground. At the dawn of day I had a stone wall about two feet high thrown up, which afforded some protection to the men occupying the position from which we had driven the enemy until sunset of the 3d inst., at which time I was ordered to move my command, in conjunction with the remain- der of the brigade, by the right flank, to occupy the ground from which we first advanced upon the enemy. I accord to each and all of my officers and men my warmest congratulations for their con- tinued and unceasing gallantry during the entire engagement.

The following list of casualties is appended. All of which is re- spectfully submitted.

J. P. BANE, Major Com'tfg.

To Captain J. W. KERR,

Acting A. A. G.