Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 28.djvu/216

 210 Southeni Jlistorinil No,-/,

"Arriving at the works, the command delivered its fire and fin- ished the work assigned it with the bayonet. In a very few minutes thereafter General Mahone was at that portion of the works occupied by the 6rst Virginia, and I heard him remark, "That the work is not over, and that we must retake the balance of the line.' '

Mr. T. H. Hines, of Company B, i6th Virginia Regiment, in his statement, said:

"Seeing a communication in print from General Weisiger, claim. ing the honor of having led Mahone' s Old Brigade at the battle of the Crater, and also stating or intimating that General Mahone was not present until after the fight was over. I beg leave to state that as a member of Company B, i6th Virginia Infantry, I was in that charge and in the fight. My brother, J. C. Hines, was near me and was wounded, having his right arm shattered by a bullet while in the works about half an hour after we reached the breastworks. General Mahone was near us in the works immediately in the fight; and when my brother was wounded, spoke to him and asked if he was much hurt; then directed him the way to get out and where he could find a surgeon: at the same time directed me to go with him and take care of him. My brother and I both are willing to make oath to this statement."

Lieutenant-Colonel Wm. H. Stewart, of the 6ist Virginia, who commanded the regiment in the battle, in his statement furnished in a letter to General Mahone, said'

" I was under the impression that it (the order to charge) came from you. As my attention was to the front, and you were on the right, I did not see you again until we had gained the outer breast- works. I then met you, and begged you not to expose yourself. The crater was then held by General Bartlett."

YELLED FORWARD!

Mr. William W. Caldvvell, of Company C, i2th Virginia Regi- ment, a member of the battalion of sharp-shooters, which command charged with the brigade on the extreme left of the line, in his state- ment; sad:

"I had not lost sight of him (Mahone) five minutes when the enemy began forming outside the captured portion in our front. * fired his rifle and yelled, 'Forward.' That was the first sound I
 * * * At that moment one of the men in the I2th jumped up and