Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 32.djvu/345

 Featherstone-Posey-ff'ims Mississippi Brigade. 333

deserted camps of McClellan's hitherto invincible army, and again attacked the enemy about 3 o'clock that evening at Games' Mill, or Cold Harbor, driving him before us and assailing him in his strong fortified position on the ridge, with an abattis of felled timber in front to protect him against assault. We carried his works, forced our way to the crest of the hill, went flying over the open field at a double-quick, capturing large numbers of prisoners and threatening utter annihilation of McClellan's army, which was only prevented by the incessant and terrific fire of the batteries south of the Chicka- hominy upon our advancing columns.

On the evening of the 3Oth of June, near dusk, we fought the battle of Frazier's Farm, regaining the ground lost by Pryor's Bri- gade, the conflict raging furiously until after 9 o'clock in the night. It was here that Howard West, of the Claiborne Guards, a fearless and gallant soldier, and many others whose names have escaped my memory, fell to rise no more. Our regiment did not participate in the battle of Malvern Hill, having been terribly cut up at Frazier's Farm the night previous. Here the seven days' fights around Richmond terminated.

We had assisted McClellan in " changing his base " and seeking the protection of his gunboats in the James river. General John Pope, who had only seen the backs of his enemies, and who dated his orders from his " Headquarters in the Saddle," had advanced across the Rappahannock as far south as Culpeper Courthouse, and near Gordonsville. Having reached the Rapidan, General Stone- wall Jackson's Corps was sent to meet him. Longstreet followed Jackson, and by forced marches our brigade passed through Hope- well Gap, and arrived in time to participate in the second battle of Manassas, on the 2Qth of August, 1862. In my mind's eye I can see the dauntless Featherstone, mounted on his war steed and giv- ing the order at the top of his voice to charge. I can hear, in im- agination, that awful Rebel yell as it swept down the lines, and see my brigade as it advanced at a double-quick in close pursuit of the fleeing enemy, capturing an excellent battery of Napoleon guns, and following up the victory till darkness put an end to the conflict.

Pope's "headquarters" were captured, and his Grand Army of the Potomac again took refuge in the fortifications around Alex- andria and Washington.

Our army moved on to Maryland, Featherstone's Brigade cross- ing the Potomac near Leesburg. On the yth of September, 1862, we pitched our tents on the banks of the Monocacy river, near