Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 39.djvu/160

 148 Southern Historical Society Papers.

command he accompanied the Army to Yorktown and its vicin- ity. When Gen. Johnston retired up the peninsular, Ander- son's Brigade relieved his rear guard on the night of 4th j\'Iay, and occupied the redoubts near Williamsburg. Early on the morning of 5th May, his pickets were driven in, a bloody en- gagement followed, during which Anderson commanded Long- street's Division, consisting of Brigades of Wilcox, Pryor, A. P. Hill and Pickett, and his own.

This was the first battle of any consequence in which his com- mand was engaged. The troops soon learned to admire the cool vet daring gallantry of their commander and to value his distinguished ability as a leader ; the survivors of his old bri- gade retain to this day their admiration of him as man and soldier.

Next followed the battle of Seven Pines (or Fair Oaks) ; here, too, Anderson had a conspicuous part ; with his brigade he forced back Casey's Division and gained possession of his camp, and received the congratulations of his commander for the admirable handling of his troops.

Soon followed the battles around Richmond. At Gaines' Mill he won new laurels ; late that afternoon his Division Com- mander approached him and said : "My part of this work has not been accomplished, and I have nobody to do it with but you." referring to the hard duty already performed by the bri- gade. The reply was, "Well, General, what is it you want done ;" and the answer, "The enemy must come ofif that hill before night," and his cheerful response, "If any one brigade in the army can do it, mine can,'" and it was so handsomely done that Gen. Lee, who was an eye-witness, congratulated him the next morning. So at Fraur's Farm, Anderson commanded three brigades, and again did well the part allotted to him. At Malvern Hill his brigade was in reserve and took no especial part in that bloody battle. Early in July, 1862, he was made a Major General and assigned to the command of the division formerly known as Huger's, composed of the brigades of Ma- hone, Armistead, Wright and Martin. The last was left at