Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 29.djvu/236

 220 Southern Historical Society Papers.

HENDERSON HIGHLY PRAISED.

General C. L. Stevenson in his report, same volume, page 1095^ in speaking of our gallant Henderson, said: "I forward herewith the report of Colonel R. J. Henderson, commanding Cummings's brigade. Of the action of the brigade in repulsing, in conjunction with a small body of cavalry, a vastly superior force of the enemy in a serious flank movement, the brigade had not then reported to me, having been detached for some time. No encomium that I can pass upon the conduct of the brigade at this important juncture will be so expressive a recognition of its gallant behavior as the simple state- ment that it received upon the field, the thanks and compliments of General Johnston."

I wish I could in this article speak of other brigades and their commanders, but those who are interested in these war stories, should refer to volume 47, and they will find many interesting reports of this battle.

CLOSING SCENES AND EVENTS.

I now wish to mention the closing scenes and events around Ben- tonville on March 2ist, two days after the battle. We had heavy firing again all along the line. I was selected as corps officer of the day and refer to same volume, pages 1091 and 1092, Major-General D. H. Hill's report. He said: "There was a great deal of heavy firing on our left line, but no attack upon my command this day. My skirmish line, under Major Thomas, as corps officer of the day, was advanced that afternoon in connection with the skirmish line of Generals Walthall and Bate, and with small loss drove the Yankees from their position about Cole's house. A.11 the buildings there were burned to prevent their further use by the Yankee sharp- shooters," and thus we were bringing matters to the close. That night General Hill sent out an aide for me to report to his head- quarters, which I did. He and his staff were gathered around a small fire partaking of their scant supper, of which I was invited to partake. Whether I refused from the apparent scarcity of their rations, or overawed by being in the presence of an officer so supe- rior in rank, I do not now remember, but I entered into conversa- tion with the general and his staff officers, and was soon informed that an order was expected from General Johnston to move out that night, and that by remaining for a short time the order would ar- rive; and that was true. My skirmish line covering the entire corps was gradually retired, and by 2 o'clock that morning we had crossed