Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 28.djvu/334

 328 Southern Historical Society Papers.

of artillery, occupying our outer line of works across the turnpike, with his own defensive lines beyond. Oar artillery engaged at short range, disabling some of the enemy's guns and blowing up two lim- bers. Another section of the same battery opened from the right of the turnpike. They both held their position, though with heavy loss, until their ammunition was spent when they were relieved by an equal number of pieces from the reserve under Major Owens. Hagood, with great vigor and dash, drove the enemy from the outer line in his front, capturing a number of prisoners, and in conjunction with Johnson's five pieces of artillery, three twenty-pounder Parrots and two fine Napoleons.

HAGOOD'S BRIGADE'S SPLENDID WORK.

"It was afterwards claimed, and General Hoke confirmed the claim, that Hagood's Brigade alone, with the assistance of no other command, captured these five pieces of artillery, the only ones taken by our troops from the enemy on that day."

He then took position in these works, his left regiment being thrown forward to connect with Ransom, in advancing this regiment encountered the enemy behind their second. line in the woods, with abbattis interlaced with wire. Attack at this point not being con- templated, it was ordered back to the line of battle, but not before its rapid advance had caused it considerable loss. This circumstance has been referred to before, as the occasion of a mistake made by Ransom.

BUSHROD JOHNSON'S HEAVY LOSS.

Bushrod Johnson had meanwhile been heavily engaged. The line of the enemy bent around his right flank, subjecting his brigade for a time to a fire in flank and in front. With admirable firmness he repelled frequent assaults of the enemy, moving against his right and rear. Leader, officers and men alike displayed their fitness for the trial to which they were subjected. * * * The brigade, nobly holding its ground, lost more than one-fourth of its entire number. I now ordered Hoke to press forward his right for the relief of his right centre. He advanced Clingman and Corse. They drove the enemy with spirit, suffering some loss. * *. * B u t afterwards withdrew, not quite as far back as their original position. The enemy did not occupy the ground from which they had driven them before their retreat.