Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 19.djvu/423

 General Joseph 7?. Anderson. 417

About two P. M., an advance was ordered and the two lines moved steadily forward to the assault. On reaching the crest of the hill confronting Porter's position, the leading brigade encountered a storm of grape, canister and minie balls, and in a moment or two, unable to withstand the deadly fire to which it was subjected, gave way and fell back, a part breaking through the supporting column ol Field, throwing his line into temporary disorder.

Just at this critical moment, the attention of the writer was attract- ed to a general officer of commanding figure, who was moving along the broken line endeavoring to rally his men and exhorting them to stand firm. Seizing the colors of one of the regiments, he planted near the crest of the hill, and by entreaty and example soon gathered around it the more intrepid of his command, The tide of battle was rushing on, men were falling on either hand, but even amid the storm of battle one could pause long enough to inquire the name of an officer so conspicuous for his gallantry. On that field the writer first saw and learned to admire the lion-hearted courage of one, now a prominent citizen of Richmond General Joseph R. Anderson^ under whose quiet demeanor, as he moves daily about our streets, one would scarcely recognize the hero of this incident.

AN EYE WITNESS.