Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 13.djvu/435

 434 Southern Historical Society Papers.

Report of Colonel J. R. Hagood, First S. C. Volunteers, of Campaign of 1864.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST SOUTH CAROLINA INFANTRY,

2oth December, 1864. Captain A. C. SORREL,

Acting Adjutant- General:

CAPTAIN, I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this regiment since the 6th of May last :

On the morning of that day we confronted the enemy at the Wilderness. After getting into position, I was instructed by Gen- eral Jenkins, commanding brigade, to support, if necessary, the regiment of General Kershaw's brigade immediately on my front, then hotly engaged with the enemy, and shortly afterwards, receiv- ing a message from the officer commanding the regiment, stating that his ammunition was nearly exhausted, and requesting me to relieve him, J moved forward and occupied his position, his men retiring on my arrival. The woods were very dense, shutting out all view, excepting a short distance in front of my line. The timid firing of the enemy led me to suspect that he was not in heavy force, and to ascertain the truth of my suspicions, I threw forward two (2) companies as skirmishers, with orders to press the enemy back if practicable. This they accomplished without much difficulty, driving him until their flanks were threatened, when I ordered a halt. In this movement I was not supported on either side. I immediately dispatched a message to General Jenkins, informing him of the state of affairs, and requesting supports. These never arrived, but in the meantime a movement was put in execution on the right, which rendered them unnecessary. The enemy was driven off by an attack in flank.

Later in the day, after considerable delay in unnecessary manoeuv- ring, we arrived in front of the new position the enemy had taken up after his morning's discomfiture, and prepared to attack him. I was ordered to be governed by Colonel Coward's regiment (the battalion of direction.) The movement began; I holding fast to Colonel Coward, who, instead of advancing directly to the point, obliqued considerably to the left, in conformity with the direction taken by the troops on his left. We were met by a heavy volley from the enemy, which, for a moment, staggered our line, causing some confusion. We, however, quickly recovered, and continued