Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 27.djvu/58

 50 Southern Historical Society Papers.

worn down from loss of sleep, long marches and poor rations. Straggling from sore feet and sickness had reduced our strength from a possible 175 men to an effective strength of 14 officers and 114 men. The heavy loss from our ranks had naturally cast a deep feeling of depression over the rest of the little band.

The brave Captain E. J. Willis, who took command after Morri- son fell, held up his overcoat for me to count the bullet-holes, and I counted about eight. It was perforated at least six or eight times by bullets; besides, his metal scabbard was cut in two. Willis was, before the war, pa'stor of Leigh Street Baptist church.

Of the fourteen officers who entered the fight, one, Captain A. V. England, of Company D, was killed, and six Captain E. M. Mor- rison, commanding the regiment; Lieutenant Bumpass; Lieutenant J. K. Fussell, our own J. K. ; Lieutenant). H. Allen; Lieutenant George Berry, and Lieutenant George P. Haw were wounded. Of the 114 non-commissioned officers and privates, 10 were killed and 58 wounded.

We held our part of the lines until after dark, when we withdrew about a hundred yards to the crest of a hill in our rear, where we lay unmolested all the next day, the i8th, in full view of the enemy. That afternoon Captain Willis had me gather up all the wounded that could walk (of which I had twenty), and take them across the Potomac at Shepherdstown, which we forded at night.

We went on our way to the hospital at Winchester, with not a mouthful to eat except what I could beg on the route, but the women along the road helped me to wash and bind up the men's wounds, which was the only medical attention they received during our weary march. After getting them safe to the hospital I returned to the regiment, which I joined September 23d, near Martinsburg, where they were undergoing "repairs."

Thus ended a three-weeks' campaign of a regiment which seems to have been almost forgotten by the good people of Richmond, though raised amongst them. It was the first regiment to organize in 1 86 1, and left this city for the front May 24th, armed with guns of four different calibres viz. , Springfield, Enfield, Mississippi rifle, and smooth-bore.

Company F, the Emmett Guards, and Company K, the Marion Rifles, disbanded after the first year, their term of enlistment.

Our regiment bared its breast for four long years to all comers Yet, for all the hardship, fatigue, and privations endured, some little things gave us cheer and amusement. While taking a short