Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 23.djvu/53

 The Eleventh North Carolinn />'_<//'////,/. 47

The army gradually moved southward, and by the 4th of August we occupied the line of the Rapidan, our brigade being stationed successively at Orange Court House, Culpeper Court House and Rapid m Station. At this time, September yth, General W. W. Kirkland was assigned to the command of the brigade, a command which he actually exercised for a very few months. During the period of his connection with us, about nine months, he was wounded twice and off duty in consequence; so that, for a large part of the time between the death of General Pettigrew and the assignment of General McRae, the brigade was commanded by Colonel Singeltary, the ranking officer.

BRISTOE STATION.

On the loth of October General Lee again took the offensive, and started a movement towards the right flank of Meade's army; but Meade declined battle, and withdrew across the Rappahannock, whereupon a race towards Washington ensued, Lee endeavoring to get around Meade's flank, and intercept his retreat. Our corps, with Heth's Division in front, crossed the Rappahannock near War- renton Springs on the I3th, and camped within a mile of Warren- ton. Early next morning we resumed the pursuit, Anderson's Division in front, passing the enemy's camp-fires and debris of breakfast evidently left in haste. At Greenwich Heth took the lead, and followed close upon the rear of the Third Federal Corps, pick- ing up a number of stragglers. We overtook them early in the afternoon at Bristoe Station, a part moving off towards Manassas, and a part resting in the plain. In his eagerness to prevent the Third Corps from escaping him, General Hill failed to discover that the Second was there also, strongly posted behind the railroad em- bankment and in rifle-pits behind on the hill. He directed Heth to attack, and Kirkland's and Cooke's Brigades were formed on the crest of the hills, parallel to Broad Run and the railroad. Cook was on the right of the road and Kirkland on the left, the Eleventh being the extreme left of the line. As soon as we advanced the presence of the Second Corps became evident, and from their shelter behind the railroad embankment they poured in a deadly fusilade, while the Federal batteries, well posted, swept the field. Cooke was more exposed than Kirkland, and suffered more, and his regiments were driven back. Kirkland pushed on, and the left of his line, the Eleventh and part of the regiment on his right, the Fifty-second, I think, succeeded in reaching the railroad, and, dis-