Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/155

 Report of Conduct of General Steuart's Brigade. 149

horses and limbers having gotten away — but the open ground and proximity of the enemy prevented, until night, when they were brought in by a detail from the Third North Carolina.

From the hour of the killing of General Jones and the discom- fiture of his brigade, Steuart was cool and steady, advancing firmly and solidly through that tangled thicket, and, while serving as a rally- ing point for Batde's confused left, did not once falter, but looked to the front for the enemy. When entering the field the right of the brigade, the Third North Carolina was directly in front of three obstacles — the One-Hundred-and-Forty-Sixth New York, the two howitzers and the washout, which latter covered more than its front. The first and second were easily disposed of, not so the third. The New York regiment, being in line on its knees, rose at the first vol- ley, and leaving its guns at "ground arms," passed through the brigade to the rear as prisoners of war. A few minutes after the two howitzers were captured, but the washout was never fairly cleared. While this was occurring, Battle's brigade closed to its right, connecting with the left of the line of battle on the opposite side of the traveled road, which manoeuvre created a long brigade distance between the flanks of the heretofore well-closed line of the two brigades. Steuart kept the direction of the pike until arrested by the close fire of the Sixth corps, heretofore mentioned.

About one-half hour was expended in attempting to force the enemy's position, but, failing in that, the brigade was withdrawn two hundred yards to the rear in the brush, where line of battle was formed, with Stafford on its left and Battle on its right. Later in the day the "Stonewall" was put in Stafford's place, and that bri- gade moved farther to the left.

It was now after midday. No more fighting was done on this front, save a few picket shots, and a feeble attempt of the enemy, late in the afternoon, to recapture the two guns still standing on the edge of the washout. This was a signal failure, and the repulse was largely assisted by the men of the First and Third North Carolina, who were in the washout. After dark the two guns were brought in, and the men returned to their respective companies.

In the early morning of the 6th, Steuart's brigade was closed in to the left until its right rested on the pike, and Jones's brigade, now reorganized, was put in on its right and connected with Battle's left. The entire day was passed in quiet on this part of the line, only an occasional picket shot disturbing the repose of the men. Several