Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 18.djvu/184

 184 Southern Historical Society Papers.

to hasten up with all the troops within reach. He brought up Hamp ton's and Hatton's brigades in a few minutes.

The strength of the enemy's position, however, enabled him to hold it until dark.

About sunset, being struck from my horse severely wounded by a fragment of shell, I was carried off the field and Major-General G. W. Smith succeeded to the command.

He was prevented from resuming his attack on the enemy's posi- tion next morning by the discovery of strong entrenchments, not seen on the previous evening. His division bivouacked on the night of the 3ist within musket-shot of the entrenchments which they were attacking, when darkness stayed the conflict. Major-General Smith directed the attack, and would have secured success if it could have been made an hour earlier.

On the morning of the ist of June the enemy attacked the brigade of General Pickett, which was supported by that of General Pryor. The attack was vigorously repelled by these two brigades, the brunt of the action falling on General Pickett. This was the last demon- stration made by the enemy.

Our troops employed the residue of the day in securing and bear- ing off the captured artillery, small arms, and other property, and in the evening quietly returned to their own camps.

We took ten pieces of artillery, six thousand muskets, one garrison flag, and four regimental colors, besides a quantity of tents and camp equipage.

Major-General Longstreet reports the loss in his command as

being about 3,000

Major-General G. W. Smith reports his loss at 1,283

Total 4,283

That of the enemy is stated in their own newspapers to have ex- ceeded ten thousand an estimate which is, no doubt, short of the truth. Had Major-General Huger's division been in position and ready for action when those of Smith, Longstreet, and Hill moved, I am satisfied that Keyes's corps would have been destroyed instead of being merely defeated. Had it gone ir.to action even at 4 o'clock the victory would have been much more complete.

Major- Generals Smith and Longstreet speak in high terms of the conduct of their superior and staff officers.