Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/560

 554 iSouthern Historical Society Papers.

and well contested battle drove him back a half mile to our works, which he had captured, over and beyond them, retook our works and continued'to hold them forever afterwards. This glorious and scarcely to be hoped for result was accomplished by Gregg, com- manding my division, attacking in front aided by such portions of the two broken brigades as could be rallied (a majority of the North Carolina fighting well, its Colonel commanding being badly wounded) and that portion of the army which had been cut off — Colonel Con- ner, afterwards General Conner, being the senior, and in command of it, attacking at the same time in flank. This ended the fighting for that day.

Our losses, as might be inferred from such open, hard fighting, were heavy — the enemy's, though, much more so. Among the casualties in my division which now, at this distance of time, recur to me were: Colonel Little, commanding Eleventh Georgia, wounded; Colonel Jack Brown, of Georgia, my aide-de-camp, Lieutenant W. Roy Mason, badly wounded, falling into the hands of the enemy, and General Gregg's aide de-camp killed. Brigadier-General Girardy was killed early in the action, at the time his brigade broke. He had only a few days before been raised from the rank of Major and assigned to that brigade, and fell in his first action with his new rank. He was said to be a gallant, meritorious officer.

Previous to this battle being fought General R. E. Lee had arrived from Petersburg ; but he did not take command, and was simply a looker-on.

I should have stated that on the day previous (August 15th), Gene- ral W. H. F. Lee's cavalry, on the Charles City road, being hard pressed, I sent to his assistance Gary's cavalry brigade, and the Texas infantry brigade, and, with their assistance, he drove the enemy back and re-established his position. Hampton, who some days before had started for the Valley to join Early, returned and took position on the Charles City road on my ex- treme left on the i6th. General Lee having telegraphed him at Gordonsville to return to my assistance. On the next day (the lythj the enemy sent a request, by flag of truce, that hostilities should cease for a few hours, that they might gather up and bury their dead near our lines. The application was signed and made in the name of Hancock, though I ascertained a day or two afterwards that Grant and Meade were both present. The correspondence granting and arranging the armistice on«our side was conducted by me, though General Lee was now present. The second night after.