Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 13.djvu/383

 382 Southern Historical Society Papers.

Brown, Bate and Clayton, and of their respective commands. Representing the three States of Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee, they vied with each other in deeds of high and noble daring. The Confederacy has nowhere braver defenders led by more skillful com- manders. It is due to the several members of my staff that I should acknowledge my obligations for their invaluable services, and record my estimate of their personal bearing and conduct in the field.

Major R A. Hatcher, Acting Adjutant-General, than whom there is not a more active or faithful officer in the service, displayed throughout his usual intelligence, promptness and cool courage. Major John C. Thompson, Acting Inspector General, and Lieutenant S. H. Cahal, Acting Adjutant and Inspector General, were con- spicuous for their zeal and disregard of danger. Major J. W. Eld- ridge, Chief of Artillery, discharged his duties with energy and skill, bringing the artillery into play, on the few occasions where it was practicable, with judgement and success. My two aids, Lieutenants Bromfield Ridley, Jr., and R. Caruthers Stewart, though very young men, and the latter under fire for the first time, behaved with com- mendable gallantry.

On Saturday I was also well served by Mr. John E. Hatcher, a volunteer aid, and Private John M. House, a clerk in the Adjutant- General's office. To Chief Surgeon G. B. Thornton, and the Medi- cal Inspector, Dr. G. W. Burton, I am indebted for the good care of the wounded, and the excellent hospital arrangements provided under their supervision, and for their unremitting attention to their duties. Under the management of Captain J. W. Stewart, ordnance officer, supplies of ammunition were always promptly at hand when needed, and affairs were managed to my entire satisfaction in their respective departments by Majors John A. Lauderdale, Acting Quartermaster, and J. D. Cross, Acting Commissary of Subsistence, who are among the most faithful and energetic officers of their branches of service.

My thanks are due to Captain H. L. Foule, commanding my es- cort, and who acted as my aid, and to the officers and men of his admirable company, for their intelligence, activity and zeal. I have never required a service from the company, nor from any member of it, that was not performed to my entire satisfaction. In conclusion, I desire to express my humble, but most grateful, acknowledgments to Almighty God for the signal success that crowned our arms. Greatly outnumbered as we were by a skillful and determined foe, our own strong arms and stout hearts could never have secured to