Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 13.djvu/203

 202 Southern Historical Society Papers.

REPORT OF MAJOR McDANIEL, ELEVENTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.

HEADQUARTERS ELEVENTH GEORGIA REGIMENT, ANDERSON'S BRIGADE,

July 8th, 1863.

CAPTAIN, I have the honor to report the part borne by the Eleventh Georgia regiment, in the engagement near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on the 2d inst. :

The regiment went into action under command of Colonel F. H. Little; he having been severely wounded during the action, the com- mand devolved upon Lieutenant- Colonel William Luffman. Near the close of the battle Lieutenant-Colonel Luffman took command of the brigade, when the command of the regiment devolved upon my- self.

The scene of action was reached by a march of several miles under a burning sun, and for the distance of one mile under a terrific fire of the enemy's batteries. Advancing to the crest of the hill, where the Emmettsburg pike enters the woods in front of the enemy's posi- tion along a ravine near the base of the mountain, the regiment bore unflinchingly with the remainder of the brigade the severe enfilading fire of the enemy's batteries upon Cemetery Hill, until ordered to advance. The Eleventh Georgia is the right center regiment of the brigade, and went into action in its place. The advance was made in good order, and upon reaching the belt of woods in front a vig- orous fire was opened upon the enemy, followed up by a vigorous charge, which dislodged them from the woods, the ravine and from a stone fence running diagonally with the line of battle. This formi- dable position was occupied by the Eleventh Georgia, and a galling fire opened upon the enemy's front and flank, causing his line to recoil in confusion. At this juncture Brigadier-General Anderson came in person to the regiment (a considerable distance in advance of the remainder of the brigade, and in strong position, which was at the time held, and might have been held against the enemy in front) and ordered Colonel Little to withdraw the regiment to the crest of the hill, on account of a movement of the enemy in force upon the left flank of the brigade. The regiment retired in good order, though with loss, to the point indicated. After a short interval a second advance was made to the stone fence, but, after a furious conflict, the failure of support on the right forced the brigade back a distance of one hundred yards. The third advance was made in