Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 27.djvu/216

 208 Southern Historical Society Papers.

little loss to his command; but, on the 24th, an expedition in over- whelming numbers made an assault upon Colonel Magruder's com- mand, and again retired ingloriously. At the same time another force attacked General Pickett on the Sumerton road. The force sent against Colonel Magruder was under command of General Michael Corcoran, of the noted Irish brigade. The Federal reports say it consisted of about 5,000 infantry commanded by Colonel R- S. Foster, under whom were Colonel J. C. Drake, Colonel Francis Beal, Colonel Clarance Buel and Colonel Mathew Murphey, com- manding the Irish brigade, with 500 cavalry under command of Col- onel Samuel P. Spier, and ten pieces of artillery under Captain John G. Simpson. Colonel Buel, of the i6Qth New York infantry was severely wounded, and his lieutenant-colonel reported that his regi- ment was placed far in advance of all others in support of battery D, 4th U. S. artillery, commanded by Captain Follet, and unflinchingly faced a continuous and unabating shower of shell, grape and cannister, from the well directed fire of the enemy until orders were received to retire. This is a high compliment to Colonel Magruder from the enemy, whose loss in men and equipment was greater than they were willing to admit. It did not take long to find out that Colonel Magruder was terribly in earnest with all work assigned to him, and it was known throughout the whole division that he was a man of fine courage and ability, and he was held in high esteem by his sup- eriors, as well as those under him. The splendid management of Colonel Magruder and the gallant conduct of his troops were duly appreciated and acknowledged in order from headquarters, as follows:

HEADQUARTERS PICKETT'S DIVISION,

April 25th, 1863.

COL., The Maj.-Gen'l commanding directs me to say that it affords him great pleasure to acknowledge the important services of yourself and command during the time that you held the important position on the White Marsh Road. All of the dispositions you made to receive the enemy, and especially the manner in which you received them, and notwithstanding their greatly superior numbers, repulsed them, meets with special approval. He desires you to ex- press his approval in orders to Macon's battery, the nth Virginia infantry, Kemper's brigade. The iyth Virginia infantry, Corse's brigade, and your own gallant regiment, the 57th.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Ro. JOHNSON, A. A. A. G.