Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 16.djvu/194

 188 Southern Historical Society Papers.

honor of being first upon the enemy should be claimed by no par- ticular company.

My attention was particularly drawn to Private R. D. Zimmerman, of Company F. He was pressing nobly forward and passed me several paces when I saw him turn back. As I passed him I noticed that the brave fellow was endeavoring to stop the flow of his heart's blood, which was spouting from his breast. His struggle was fruit- less, he could follow us no further. Captain G. H. Moffett, our Adjutant, showed himself every inch a soldier and behaved with his usual gallantry. While we were moving forward, Lieutenant F. G. Hammond, of Company H (Yeadon Light Infantry), informed me that Colonels Graham and Dargan and Captain W. E. Stoney, of General Hagood's staff had fallen, and that I was in command of the brigade. I told him that that did not put me in command as Gene- ral Hagood was still there and unhurt. The lieutenant went back to his company, and I never saw him again. (He fell at Swift Creek two days afterwards. ) Before we reached the railroad the enemy broke and left in confusion. When we reached the track we swept the field in our front with a murderous fire. We did not rest long. I saw a line of bushes that I took for a hedge growing on the bank of a ditch about two hundred or three hundred yards beyond the rail- road, and I concluded that it would afford excellent shelter for my men. The battalion again ordered forward, with a view of getting nearer the enemy. We had not gone more than fifty or sixty yards beyond the railroad when my sword fell from my hand. I became conscious that I was struck. Ascertaining the extent of my injuries and seeing that I could lead the brave men, who were all willing to follow even into the jaws of death, no further, and that I must leave to some one else the pleasure of finishing the day's glory, I directed Sergeant W. V. Izler to pick up my sword and assist me to the rear. I got back to the railroad, but was able to go but a few steps further. By my direction Sergeant Izler left me and went in search of the litter-bearers. While I was waiting for the return of Izler, General Hagood passed me going towards the front. I asked him to look after the regiment, as I was no longer able to command it, and I directed the men who were with me to go to the front. They all obeyed except one or two of the Twenty seventh regiment, who assisted Sergeant Izler to bear me further to the rear, where we met Dr. A. J. Beale, our assistant surgeon. He administered some res- toratives to me, which, but for the fact that I was unable to walk, would have made me forget my wound. A kind-hearted minister of