Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/564

 558 Southern Historical Society Papers.

right, and. I understood, was to assault simultaneously with me. My gallant fellows, led by the brigade commanders on foot, rushed for- ward and penetrated to the abattis, facing a most terrific fire, deliv- ered, as I afterwards learned from a Yankee officer of rank, who was present, from those new repeating Spencer rifles. Hoke, from some unexplained cause, did not move forward. The consequence was that the whole fire was concentrated on my fellows. We were repulsed with heavy loss.

Among the killed and wounded was Brigadier-General Gregg, commanding Texas brigade, shot through the neck dead, and Briga- dier-General Bratton, commanding South Carolina brigade, wounded in the shoulder. These gentlemen were both brave and able officers, and the fall of General Gregg was felt as a great calamity by the whole army, and was a misfortune from which his brigade never re- covered. Had he lived a few days he would doubtless have been promoted, as I had recommended him for a Major-Generalcy for pre- vious distinguished services.

By the 12th of October a new line, intermediate between the old exterior line and the interior, had been traced out. The right of the new line started at Fort Gilmer, and the left extended to the Darby- town road. My division was the extreme left of the army, and as there was nothing easier than for the enemy to come up the Darby- town road and get on my flank and rear, I requested Lieutenant- General Anderson to cause Hoke to extend a little to his left so that I could throw a brigade across the Darbytown road. This not hav- ing been done, on the evening of the nth, on my own responsibility, I withdrew the Texas brigade from my right and placed it on my extreme left across the Darbytown road. It was well that I did so, for at daylight of the 12th the enemy in heavy force came up the Darbytown road, and, thinking from a previous reconnoisance that I only reached to the road, would, but for the Texas brigade extend- ing across it, have been upon my flank before I could have checked him. General Lee, coming upon the field, at once directed me to reir.force myself, and, whilst the Texas brigade held him in check, I threw quickly three brigades from my right on my left. My flank was now safe Irom being turned, and the enemy completely foiled. He tried all day to break through my lines, making two very deter- mined assaults upon Perry, but late in the evening he withdrew. Our loss was very slight compared to his. Among his slain left in our hands were two Majors. (The body of one of them, Major Camp, was returned to them next day, upon application through flag of