Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 33.djvu/248

 244 Southern Historical Society Papers.

examine his wound, and tell him frankly whether I thought it would prove fatal. I looked at his bloody head, lifted the hair from over the wound and found his brain exposed, the bone on top of his head having been carried away. I answered him cheerfully and reassuringly, bidding him lie close to the ground until he could be removed. I gave him some water out of my canteen and made him lie down as low as possible, as the bullets were passing thick and fast by and over us, and often striking some one near by. Cap- tain Hewlett and private Lester were wounded near me. While urging my men to fire and keep cool, I received a ball in my hip. It was wonder, a miracle, I was not afterwards shot a half dozen times, but a merciful Providence preserved me. After long expo- sure to heavy fire from a superior force of the enemy, we were ordered to fall back to a stone fence. Captain J. J. Nicholson of Company I kindly offered to help me as I hobbled along, though I urged him to abandon me and save himself. Colonel Pickens sent me to hospital on Major Proskauer's horse. Our gallant Jew Major smoked his cigars calmly and coolly in the thickest of the fight. At the field hospital, an old barn, I was put in a tent with Captains Ross and Hewlett, Lieutenants Wright and Fletcher, Corporal Eason and Henry Lamar. Poor John Preskitt was mortally wound- ed. He died saying: "All is right." My company had all of its officers wounded and about half of its men. Every officer, except Captain Thomas, on the right wing of the regiment, was either killed or wounded. The brigade suffered severely. Our division drove the enemy through the town, capturing many prisoners, in- cluding nearly all of their wounded. Surgeon George Whitfield was kept very busy.

July 2. Limped inside the barn, saw Preskitt's body, and urged a decent burial by the ambulance corps. He leaves a very helpless family. Lieutenant Fletcher of Company G died by my side. Nine of my company were wounded yesterday. Pierce Ware returned to the company in time for the fight. Our forces fought Meade's command all day, and the cannonading was wonderfully distinct and terrific.

July 3. Heavy cannonading and musketry without cessation. Attempted to storm the heights, but failed. Stuart sent back a large number of captured wagons. Our anxiety for news was in- tense. We fear defeat in the enemy's country, but hope and pray for victory. We have every confidence in Lee and Stuart.