Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 13.djvu/418

 The Affair at Frederick City. 417

not known, but supposed to be friends, on our left and to the rear The regiment then fell back across the field and formed in the edge of the woods, where we constructed a breastwork of logs and rails, and remained until five o'clock P. M. We then advanced and took a position on a hill in front and to the left of the one which we charged and took in the morning. After throwing out skirmishers we remained there through the night.

Respectfully submitted,

R. J. HARDING,

Captain Commanding First Texas In Battles of iqth and 2oth September, 1863.

The Affair at Frederick City. A CORRECTION OF GENERAL JOHNSON'S ACCOUNT.

By Captain DAVID WALDHAUER, of the Georgia Hussars, Jeff. Davis Le- gion, Hampton's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia.

I read the interesting address of General Bradley T. Johnson in the December number of the SOUTHERN HISTORICAL SOCIETY PAPERS, and feel it my duty to correct the total inaccuracy of his account of the little dash at Frederick City. Lieutenant William W. Gordon, myself and four other members of the Georgia Hussars, Company F, Jeff. Davis Legion, were ordered to report to head- quarters. I am now informed by Mr. E. A. Silva, at that time Sergeant-Major and Acting Adjutant, that the orders from head- quarters named me for the duty. We did not know what it was until we reported to Major Barker, Adjutant-General of Hampton's brigade. We there found twenty men, whom Major Barker ordered to report to me. They had been detailed from every command of Hampton's brigade, except the Second South Carolina.

Major Barker rode up by my side in front of my detachment into

the centre of Frederick, explaining my duty. I was to picket the

byways, prevent straggling, and push the men through. When

General Hampton came along after the brigade had passed, he, in

person, ordered me to gather my men and take the rear.

It was sharp work from that time, for a squadron of the Second South Carolina, that had been on picket at the Monocacy Bridge, retreated hastily through the city, probably giving to Burnside's ad-