Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 13.djvu/239

 238 Southern Historical Society Papers.

serve) to a position on the right perpendicular to my line of battle. The enemy had broken entirely through Major- General Johnson's line, arid was massing his troops for a further advance. Major- General Rodes directed me to check the enemy's advance and to drive him back. To do this I formed my brigade in a line parallel to the two lines of works (which the enemy had taken and were holding) in the following order: on the right, Thirtieth North Caro- lina, Colonel Parker; on the left, Fourteenth North Carolina, Colonel Bennett ; right centre, Second North Carolina, Colonel Cox ; left centre, Fourth North Carolina, Colonel Grimes. This formation was made under a severe fire. Before ordering the charge I cau- tioned the men to keep the alignment, not to fire, to move slowly until the command "charge," and then to move forward on the run shouting "charge," and not to pause until both lines of works were ours. How gallantly and successfully my orders were exe- cuted, Major-General Rodes and Lieutenant-General Ewell can tes- tify, for they both witnessed it. Two lines of Yankees were driven pell-mell out and over both lines of our original works with great loss. This was done without any assistance on my immediate right. The enemy still held the breastworks on my right, enfilading my line with a destructive fire, at the same time heavily assaulting my right front. In this extremity Colonel Bennett, Fourteenth North Carolina, offered to take his regiment from left to right under a severe fire and drive back the growing masses of the enemy on my right. This bold and hazardous offer was accepted as a forlorn hope. It was successfully executed ; the enemy was driven from my immediate right, and the works were held, notwithstanding the enemy still enfiladed my line from a part of our works in front of Harris's brigade on my right, which he held until the last. For this all honor is due to Colonel Bennett and the gallant officers and men of his regiment. The enemy was driven out at 7:30 A.M. On the i2th we held the works under a direct and enfilade fire until 3 A. M. on the 1 3th, when, in obedience to orders, I withdrew to a new line.

In this action I cannot too highly commend the conduct of both officers and men. Having had my horse shot under me, and shortly after receiving a ball through my arm, I was prevented from giving the command to charge. Colonel Grimes, Fourth North Carolina, seeing this, his regiment being "battalion of direction," gave the command "charge" exactly at the right time. To Colonels Parker, Grimes, Bennett, and Cox, to the gallant officers and patriotic men of my little brigade, the country owes much for the successful charge