Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 13.djvu/246

 From the Rapidan to Spotsylvania Courthouse. 245

of the guns which the enemy could not remove, and turning them upon the enemy, used them with great effect. Captain Montgomery was put in position with one gun in a ravine to the right of the Har- ris house, where he remained all day actively engaged at short range. He exhausted the ammunition from three caissons, which was used with effect. The conspicuous gallantry of these officers called forth general admiration.

About 12 M., on account of the heavy pressure the enemy was making on our lines, and the loss we had sustained in artillery in the early part of the action, I found it necessary to ask for reinforce- ments of artillery. Colonel Cabell and Lieutenant-Colonel Mclntosh with parts of their battalions were sent to me. I am much obliged to these officers for the valuable service they rendered on this occa- sion. Colonel Cabell was put in position on the left of Hardaway's battalion (this battalion was now commanded by Captain Dance, Hardaway having been wounded in the early part of the day); Mclntosh was held in position at the Harris house, with the excep- tion of two guns, which were posted on the hill above the McCoull house. Colonel Carter commanded in the morning the artillery posted on the hill above the courthouse, but later in the day he joined me in front of the main attack. He rendered valuable assist- ance; his coolness and judgment everywhere had their effect. I was also ably assisted by Lieutenant S. V. Southall, Acting Adjutant- General, and by Lieutenant-Colonel Braxton, whose battalion was engaged throughout the day. Lieutenant-Colonel Nelson occupied a position on the courthouse hill, and handsomely assisted in repelling an attack on that portion of the line. At night a new line was estab- lished, and all the artillery was withdrawn from the positions occupied during the day and put upon it. The next day was occupied in re- organizing. Major Cutshaw was assigned to the command of Hard- away's battalion; Major Stribling was also assigned to this command. Major Page was put in command of the remnants of his own and Cutshaw' s battalions.

Everything remained quiet along the lines till the morning of the 1 8th. The enemy about 9 A. M. advanced a heavy force against our new line. He was allowed to come within good canister range of our breastworks. Carter's division of artillery then opened a most murderous fire of canister and spherical case-shot, which at once arrested his advance, threw his columns into confusion, and forced him to a disorderly retreat. His loss was very heavy; ours was nothing. This attack fairly illustrates the immense power of