Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 13.djvu/211

 210 Southern Historical Society Papers.

at Fredericksburg on the evening of the 3d of July, and assumed command of my regiment.

I found the regiment where I was informed the first line of battle was formed on the 2d day of July, on the road leading from Gettys- burg to Emmettsburg, and in front of the second mountain from the left, which was occupied by the enemy. We remained in this posi- tion, or nearly so, during the 4th of July. The day was marked by considerable skirmishing, and once or twice an attack seemed probable, but none occurred. About twelve o'clock at night we, in common with the whole command, retired, marching towards Hagerstown via Fairfield. The next night we reached and camped on Jack's mountain, at Monteray Springs. On the 5th we continued the march via Waterloo, and went into camp about a mile and a half this side of Hagerstown and a mile from Funkstown, about nine o'clock P. M. There we remained until the loth, when we went into line of battle on Auticlaw Creek to the right of a bridge below Funkstown, and at some mills, name unknown. Company I was advanced beyond the bridge, and lost one man killed (Private Beasely) while acting as sharpshooters. We retired at daylight the nth, and moved to a point on the right of the Williamsport road, near St. James' College, where we remained in line of battle behind small breastworks, until the i3th of July, when we evacuated our position and marched via Donnsville to Falling Waters, where we crossed the Potomac about noon of the next day. This night's march deserves to be characterized as the severest which I have ever witnessed. Its trials were too great for two of my men, who fell by the wayside exhausted, and they have never been heard from since. We then marched via Martinsburg, Bunker Hill, Brucetown, and Front Royal to Chester Gap, where the advance of the column met a feeble resistance from the enemy's cavalry. Thence we marched via Flint Hill to Games' Cross-Roads, where I picketed with my own and the Seventh South Carolina regiment until the next morn- ing, when, by order of General Kershaw, I assumed command of this brigade and placed Major Maffett in command of the regiment. The regiment during this time exhibited commendable spirit and discipline.

Respectfully submitted,

JAMES D. NANCE, Colonel Commanding Regiment.