Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 39.djvu/203

 Dixie Battery at Second Manassas. 191

right, being assailed in flank and threatened in rear, relaxed its efforts and began to retire."

In the painting by Phillipitean of this battle, which has been on exhibition at the "Cyclorama of the Second Battle of Ma- nassas," in Washington, D. C, for twelve months, it is there represented that the artillery commanded by Col. S, D. Lee opened the attack on and broke up the charge of Fitz John Por- ter's corps, from a position on the left of Wilcox's division, while the battery referred to by yourself and Gen'l Wilcox is not represented, and the positions from which it fired is left a blank on the canvas, as far as batteries are concerned. In your report published in "Official Records of Union and Con- federate Armies," Series I, Vol XII, part II, page 565, you say : "At 3 130 o'clock in the afternoon, I rode to the front for the purpose of completing arrangements for making a diversion in favor of a flank movement then under contemplation. Just after reaching my front line I received a message for rein- forcements for General Jackson, who was said to be severely pressed. From an eminence nearby, one portion of the enemy's masses attacking Jackson were immediately within my view and within easy range of batteries in that position. It gave me an advantage that I had not expected to have, and I made haste to use it. Two batteries were ordered for the purpose, and one placed in position immediately and opened. Just as this fire began I received a message from the Commanding General, informing me of General Jackson's condition and his wants. As it was evident that the attack against General Jackson could not be continued ten minutes under the fire of these batteries, I made no moverrient with my troops. Before the second battery could be placed in position the enemy began to retire, and in less than ten minutes the ranks were broken and that portion of his army put to flight. A fair opportunity was offered me and the intended diversion was changed into an attack. My whole line was rushed forward at a charge. The troops sprang to their work, and moved forward with all the steadiness and firmness that characterized war-worn veterans. The batteries