Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 33.djvu/284

 280 Southern Historical Society Papers.

Late in the afternoon of to-day we were relieved from picket and returned to camp, where I have written down these thoughts of the stirring incidents of this day two years ago. Cap- tain Dan Partridge, of Selma, is now our excellent brigade ord- nance officer, and is ably assisted by Sergeant A. G. Howard, a disabled soldier of my company.

Many "grape vine" telegraph reports are afloat in camp. None worthy of credence, but those of a cheerful nature exert a good influence over the tired soldier.

September 17. Rodes' and Gordon's divisions, with Braxton's artillery, marched to Bunker Hill.

Next day Gordon's division, with Lomax's cavalry, moved on to Martinsburg, and drove Averill's cavalry out of town, across the Opequon, and then returned to Bunker Hill. The Twelfth Alabama was on picket after dark. By referring to previous pages, I find we have camped at Bunker Hill July 25th and 3ist, and August ist, 2nd, 3rd, yth, 8th, 9th, igth, 2oth, 27th, 28th, 2Qth and 3Oth, Sep- tember 3rd, icthand I7th. It seems to be a strategic point.

Grant is with the ruthless robber Sheridan to-day, and we expect an early advance. His force has been largely increased, while ours has been greatly diminished.

BATTLE OF WINCHESTER, SEPTEMBER IQTH, 1864.

Early this morning our cavalry pickets on the Opequon were driven in, and it became evident that an engagement was imminent. News came that the cavalry under Fitz Lee and Lomax, and Ram- seur's division of less than 2,000 infantry, were engaged by the ene- my near Winchester, and Rodes' division left Stephenson's depot to go to their assistance. Gordon's division preceded us, and as soon as we reached Ramseur, we were ordered to "forward into line," and almost as quick as thought, we were rapidly hurried to the attack. General C. A. Evans, Georgia brigade, meeting over- whelming columns of the enemy, was forced back through the woods, and the Yankees were pressing after them, and came near capturing some of our artillery, when Colonel Carter and Lieuten- ant-Colonel Braxton opened on them with grape and canister, and the Yankees halted, and then fell back. As they began to fall back, Battle's brigade, which had formed in the rear of Evans, rushed forward and swept, with loud shouts, through the woods, driving the enemy swiftly before it. I commanded the right com-