Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 24.djvu/94

 86 Southern Historical Society Papers.

To prevent this General Terry was ordered to take position with his brigade on Hunton's right. He soon reported that the enemy were gathering in great numbers in the woods to turn his flank, and that he could not hold his position. General Hunton, being called to support Terry, said he would send his old regiment around there, and that they would hold the position. This movement placed our regiment on the extreme right of our line, and under the immediate command of General Terry. Our position was in the edge of the woods, where the enemy were gathering, and with the open field just behind us. We had been there only a short time when Gen- eral Pickett ordered a retreat. It was now about the middle of the afternoon, perhaps later. During all these hours in which we had been holding the cavalry at bay, the Federal infantry and artillery had been coming up, and were now posted on the hill to our left and rear, where we were resting that morning when the battle began.

MEANT CERTAIN DESTRUCTION.

To remain where we were, meant certain destruction or capture. Our only hope was in retreat. General Terry placed himself at the head of our regiment, and led us out into the open fields, towards a point a short distance off, where the woods which we had just left approached nearest to the woods out of which we had driven the cavalry that morning. If I am not mistaken, Steuart's Brigade moved out at the same time ftom the left of our division, but we could not see for the woods. Hunton and Corse forming the cen- tre of our line, still held the road. It was expected that they would follow us at the right time. As we were marching we had woods to our right and woods to our left. Passing through the opening between them, we emerged into a large field and saw General Pick- ett and staff moving out of the woods to our right. Off to our left about a thousand yards distant, we saw a lot of cavalry gathered about some burning wagons. Just in front of us, some six or seven hundred yards off, was a large and dense woods, extending we knew not not how far, offering us the safest, if not the only refuge. To- wards that inviting forest we hastened at quick step, but in good order. Presently we heard firing and cheering in our rear, and looking back, we saw the Federal cavalry charging down in rear of Hunton and Corse and cutting off their retreat. Our situation was extremely critical. A large body of victorious cavalry was but a short distance behind us, and would soon be after us. To our left