Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 23.djvu/54

 48 Southern Historical Society Papers.

lodging the enemy, themselves sheltered behind it. General Kirkland had been wounded in this charge, and Lieutenant-Colonel Martin, the ranking officer of the force at the embankment, finding, after a pain- ful suspense, both flanks exposed, and that the enemy had posted a battery on the railroad to his left to enfilade his line, and no rein- forcements appearing, reluctantly ordered a retreat, which was made under a galling fire from behind. A number of the men shrank from crossing the open field, and were captured at the railroad. Colonel Martin was twice shot down and severely wounded in this retreat, and the command of the regiment passed to Captain Grier, the ranking officer present. The loss of the regiment in this ill- judged attack was four killed and eleven wounded, with an unknown number captured. Had the strength of the enemy been recognized, and an adequate force put in, what became a disaster, might have been a victory, and General Meade might even have been brought to bay in the open field. As it was he quietly withdrew in the night, and safely established himself in his entrenchments at Manas- sas. The loss of the brigade in this battle was 270 killed and wounded, and that of Cooke's Brigade 489. Lee's army now re- traced its steps, tearing up the O. & A. railroad to the Rapphan- nock, which, however, the enemy promptly repaired. Here the line was established for awhile, but later we returned to the line of the Rapidan.

MINE RUN.

Nothing of consequence occurred until during the last days of November. General Meade moved down towards the lower fords of the Rapidan, and General Lee, on the 2yth, moved down corre- spondingly, Hill's Corps by the plank road, Colonel Singeltary com- manding our brigade. The Federals crossed at Germanna and Ely's fords and turned up the river. They were in full force, and a gen- eral battle was expected. Our line of battle was formed first east of Mine Run, and then, as a better position in which to receive an at- tack, on the west of it, and slight earthworks were thrown up. There was constant skirmishing, but no general attack was made, and General Lee determined to assume the offensive. Before day on the morning of December 2d, the troops were formed for the at- tack, but at daylight it was found that the enemy had retired in the night. Pursuit was made, but they re-crossed the Rapidan before we could overtake them. We returned to our camp near Orange Courthouse and spent the remainder of the winter there.