Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 16.djvu/396

 390 Southern Historical Society Papers.

periods, and his competency as an officer was well tried and well established. He was efficient and gallant, and his loss is a severe one to his company and regiment. Among the killed and wounded were many of the best spirits in the command. As we advanced to the charge that memorable evening, we overtook at the foot of the hill the skirmishers, commanded by Major William Wallace, Second South Carolina regiment, who, with his command, joined us, and contributed their share to the brilliant success. Major Wallace was conspicuous for gallantry and coolness, and it is with pleasure I make this honorable mention of him. We entrenched ourselves that night in that position, where we remained for several days. Besides picket- ing and lying in the trenches, nothing occupied us until the night of the 3d December, when we retired from Knoxville. We marched in the direction of Rogersville, the neighborhood of which we reached on the Qth of December. On the i4th we returned as far as Bean's station, where in the afternoon the brigade, as well as other portions of the corps, became engaged with the enemy's mounted infantry. Although my command was on the field, and in proper position, it did not become very actively engaged. After nightfall I was ordered by General Kershaw to march across the fields on the left of the valley until I came to the road, and there to halt and report. I came into the road just at McGill's house, where I halted and reported as ordered, and soon afterwards was directed to establish pickets in my front, and go into camp with the rest of the brigade. Near the house of McGill I captured several inferior horses, saddles and bridles, enough bacon and crackers to ration my command for about two or three days, besides other articles of inconsiderable value. On the morning of the i8th, by order, I assumed command of the brigade, but as nothing special occurred after that date, I may com- plete the report of the operations of the command by saying that it remained at Bean station until the 2Oth December, when we took up the line of march for this point, which we reached on the 22d De- cember, 1863. Besides lists of casualties, already referred to, you will observe a list of men left behind in front of Knoxville, who have fallen into the hands of the enemy.

I am, very respectfully,

JAMES D. NANCE, Colonel Commanding.