Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 13.djvu/240

 From the Itapidan to Spotsylvania Courthouse. 289

which I verily believe turned the fortune of the day at that point in our favor. Our loss here was severe.

From the I3th to iQth lay in line on the left of our corps. About 3 P. M. (on the igth of May) the corps was moved across the Ny river to attack the enemy in flank and rear. My brigade was in front. Some half-hour after the enemy discovered our movement, and when further delay, as I thought, would cause disaster, I offered to attack with my brigade. I advanced and drove the enemy rapidly and with severe loss until my flanks were both partially enveloped. I then retired about two nundred yards and re-formed my line, with Grimes's brigade on my left and Battle's on my right. At this mo- ment the troops of Johnson's division, now under General Gordon, on Grimes's left, were flanked and retreated in disorder. This com- pelled our line to fall back to our first position. Here a heavy force attacked us. Fortunately Pegram's gallant brigade came in on my left in elegant style just as the enemy was about to turn me there. Several attacks of the enemy were repulsed, and we were able to hold our position until night, when we quietly and safely withdrew to our original lines. The conduct of my brigade on this occasion Major-General Rodes witnessed and can testify to. I may be par- doned for feeling that the steady bravery of my troops largely con- tributed to the repulse of the enemy's heavy force and the salvation of our corps.

Marched to Hanover Junction on the 22d of May. On the 23d, 24th, 25th and 26th skirmished with the enemy. On the 2yth moved towards the Chickahominy, relieved from the command of my brigade and assigned to Early's division on this day. "Whilst we envy not others their merited glory," we feel it to be our bounden duty to North Carolina, to our gallant soldiers, and to our dead heroes, that we should be fairly represented in " History's story." We therefore call upon our Major-General and Lieutenant-General, both of whom witnessed our conduct on the I2th and iQth of May, to tell our fel- low-citizens how we did our duty.

Respectfully submitted,

S. D. RAMSEUR, Major-General.