Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 23.djvu/179

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( it neral Wade Hampton, descriptive of this kittle, will repay pem sal. Kirklaml's Brigade is especially mentioned with high praise.

The army bivouacked the night before the battle, March i.s, 1865. without tires, on the wet ground, to prevent the enemy from learn- ing the movement. The next morning Colquitt, Clingman, and Hagood were placed in the line under Bragg, with the brigade of North Carolina Junior Reserves on the extreme left and Kirkland's Brigade in reserve, a short distance behind the Juniors. . Soon the battle began with the fierce onslaught under Hardee and D. H. Hill on the right, driving the enemy before them. But the Federals as- sailed our left with vigor, and General Johnston ordered Kirkland's Brigade to relieve the Juniors on the front line. Our entire division held its ground and repulsed the enemy, but unfortunately General Bragg became uneasy and called upon Johnston for help, and Mc- Law's command was withdrawn from Hardee's attacking column and sent to our assistance when not needed.

The next morning, while making a reconnoisance, I lost the faith- ful sorrel mare that saved me on March loth, shot by the enemy's pickets, and I had to ride an "old plug" during the rest of the bat- tle. This was one of the saddest incidents of my experience.

Major Hahr, an accomplished Swede, served as aid-de-camp to ( ien'l Kirkland during this battle, and was cool and efficient under fire.

When Johnston found that Sherman's right wing was approaching in his rear he changed front to rear on his right wing to meet him. Kirkland's Brigade was directed to deploy and skirmish with the enemy, holding him in check while the army took its new line at right angle to the former. But an opening was left for us in the line of battle at the main road. We fought and slowly fell back until ordered to take our place in the line. Then we moved by the right flank quickly down the road. Coming to the line, the com- mand was given by Kirkland, " Into line, faced to the rear ! " The enemy was pressing us closely, but this well-drilled brigade filed into the line, the Seventeenth on the right, and filled the gap just in time to meet a vigorous charge from Sherman's troops. There were no breastworks, but our men laid down and repulsed the enemy, who left their dead in our front. The right, Company A, of the Seventeenth, commanded by Captain William Biggs, rested on the road, and I was near them, riding the old plug. Biggs made his men stand up in two ranks and wait for the word, and then fired " BY RANKS," giving his commands, " Rear rank, ready, aim, fire ! Load ! " and then, " Front rank," etc. The volleys were very dis- tinct amid the rattle of "firing by file" all along the line. This