Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 30.djvu/114

 106 Southern Historical Society Papers.

blow and drove them back upon us, only to be driven back again and pressed out of shape into a broken and a routed army. On they rushed, three miles or more, to Bell Grove, where a fresh divis- ion of the enemy was ready to meet us, and upon which many strag- glers had already rallied.

Our division was ordered to attack, and we moved forward in perfect order, driving the enemy's skirmishers like dust before the wind, until we mounted the hill in our front, where we found a solid line of battle; but passing over the hill, surmounted by artillery, supported by infantry, was the time to try men's souls, and to my horror, the brigade stopped ! Several officers stepped to the front of our regiment, and called on the "Thirteenth to follow," and every man sprang to his post. We charged over and down the hill side to Marsh Run, immediately in front of Mr. Sperrie's house, and within a few hundred yards of several pieces of artillery hav- ing by our heavy fire been driven back on their infantry support. Colonel Hoffman, commanding the brigade, came up and ordered us to halt and reform for another charge. I approached him at once and begged him to move upon this battery as we were but he would not listen. Seeing the enemy again moving up to their artillery, and fearing if they reached it we would be driven back, I again appealed to Colonel Hoffman to charge them before they could open fire on us. The attention of Colonel Hoffman was gained at last, and showing him our position, I said: " Colonel, I can cap- ture that battery with fifty men." Thereupon, with an oath of ap- proval, Colonel Hoffman replied: "Well, Buck, take as many men as will follow you and try it." Not a moment was to be spared, as the enemy were bearing swiftly down on us. Throwing myself within a few yards of the front of the "old Thirteenth," I said: "Come on, boys, and we'll take the battery!" Those "boys" were grand men. They never faltered for an instant and never failed to follow any man who would lead them and with a shout they charged across the Run and up the hill and upon the guns of the enemy, and in a moment their guns were turned upon their former owners, who were soon in full retreat.

The brigade moved forward and our line was reformed for the third charge. General Pegram rode up to Colonel Hoffman and asked, "How are things going?" " First rate, General; we took that whole battery. No, we didn't take it, but d me if Buck didn't take it with the Thirteenth ! While I was forming the brigade he charged with part of the Thirteenth." General Pegram turned