Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 13.djvu/392

 Battle of C hickamauga. 391

and advanced his left preparatory to the movement, covering his front with skirmishers, who immediately became engaged, and drove in those of the enemy; but, raising a shout along their lines, they advanced their line of battle at a charge, driving back Anderson's brigade in some confusion.

With hearty cheers the Second and Third South Carolina and James's battalion engaged them with the utmost enthusiasm. Ander- son's brigade promptly reformed and opened fire. His reserve regi- ment came up, and, in ten minutes' time, the enemy was driven pell mell. The Second South Carolina and Anderson's brigade dashed after him and drove him to the top of the hill, the Second South Carolina reaching the crest. The troops to his left having fallen back to their former position, Lieutenant-Colonel Gaillard says in his report, that "he was obliged, reluctantly, to fall back." This was an attack on the right flank of the enemy, and the line was at an oblique angle to my line. All of my regiments, except the Second, though not participating in the direct attack, served to hold the enemy in position along that portion of the line, and were mostly engaged during the attack. About four o'clock Gracie's and Kelly's bri- gades came up and reported to me. I directed them, the former to form on my rear, and the latter to form on Gracie's left. General Hindman informed me that he was about to attack on Anderson's left, well on the right flank of the enemy, with two brigades of infantry, with artillery. Soon after he opened heavily in that direction, but sent me word the attack was likely to fail, unless a demonstration was made along the front. I determined on an attack, combining all our forces, McNair's brigade, which had come up on my right, Gracie's, Kelly's, Anderson's, my Eighth, Fifteenth and Second regiments participating. The rest of my brigade being, in whole or in part, out of ammunition, remained in reserve at their position. This was one of the heaviest attacks of the war on a single point. The brigades went in in magnificent order. General Gracie, under my own eye, led his brigade, now for the first time under fire, most gallantly and efficiently, and for more than an hour and a half the struggle continued with unabated fury. It terminated at sunset the Second South Carolina being among the last to retire. At dark, General Robinson, of Hood's division, came up with his brigade and picketed to my front. About ten o'clock, I think, he informed me that the enemy had left. I imme- diately communicated the fact to the Lieutenant-General commanding.

In the morning General Robinson withdrew, and I sent forward