Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/159

 Beport of Conduct of General Steuart's Brigade. 153

General Rodes for Battle, and he, ever tenacious of the rights of his men, only compromised by calling it a joint capture of Battle, and Steuart. As before stated, when Battle emerged from the thicket, he closed to the right, which threw him, when on a line with the two guns, at least one hundred yards to the right of them, while Steuart, keeping the direction of the pike, came up in front, and after hold- ing them all day, had them secured at night. It is also a fact known to the entire brigade, that Colonel Brown, First North Carolina, with his own hands pulled the lieutenant in charge of the guns from his horse, and held possession of the horse until required to turn him in. It was at this point Captain Cantwell, F company, Lieutenant Lyon, H company, and Adjutant T. C. James, all of the Third North Carohna, succeeded in turning the two guns upon the enemy, but were unable to fire, as they were empty and there was no. am- munition, and in this act of duty James lost his right arm. From these facts Steuart ever claimed the guns as his capture.

The only ' ' counter attack ' ' made by Steuart and Battle was that immediately following the death of the lamented Jones, with the results above indicated ; this being ended, the troops lay quietly building breastworks all the afternoon on the line selected, and where they remained until moved by the right to Spotsylvania, May the 8th.

General Ewell, in his report, makes no mention whatever of Steu- art's brigade on the evening of the loth, in the recapture of Doles' s works. The facts are as hereinbefore stated. Steuart, facing by the rear rank, left his works and advancing across to Doles' s line took an active part in that engagement. The two North Carohna regi- ments had served in Doles's brigade from the " Seven Days' battles around Richmond " through the "Second Manassas" and Mary- land campaign to Fredericksburg, 13th December, 1862. The men quickly recognized their old comrades and felt much interest in as- sisting that gallant brigade.

This report is written from memory, aided by a diary and a sketch of the battlefield of the 5th of May, made on the 7th, and both pre- served to this day. The sketch, a copy of which is sent herewith, was made without instruments, consequently the distances are esti- mated ; the relative positions as they apply to Jones, Battle, Steu- art, and Stafford are correct, and show them in the proper places, at the several hours named, with the estimated distances passed over. The positions of the other troops have been filled in from General Ewell's report.