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OFFICIAL REPORTS AND LETTERS OF AND CONCERNING THE 13TH REGIMENT
Headquarters
Coosawhatchie, December 9, 1861
Col. O.E. Edwards, Commanding 13th Regiment South Carolina Volunteers:
Colonel: You will, with the effective men of your regiment, take the road to Gardens's Corners, and halt at the first convenient spot beyond Pocotagligo. Should you receive no call from Colonel Dunovant for support, you will return to your encampment at this place. Take one day's rations in the haversacks of your men, cooked, if practicable, and not over twenty rounds of ammunition in the cartridge boxes.
I am,
R.E. Lee General, Commanding
Report of Col. O.E. Edwards, 13th SC Infantry, of the Battles of Beaver Dam Creek or Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, Frazier's Farm, and Crew's Farm, or Malvern Hill.
July 18, 1862
1. The 13th, numbering 413 men, reached the scene of action, near Mechanisville and Beaver Dam Creek, at 6:30 p.m. on June 26, 1862 Formed line of battle and remained under fire of shot and shell until 9 p.m., when the firing ceased, and then bivouacked for the night on the spot. No casualties.
2. In the action at Beaver Dam, on the morning of the 27th, my regiment numbered 414. The fire of shot and shell from the enemy's battery beyond the creek opened at 4 a.m., sweeping across our position, and continued until 5:40 o'clock, when we advanced half a mile to the Mechanicsville turnpike; halted and loaded. Under orders to support Colonel Barnes (12th SCV) I advanced in that attitude to the bridge across the creek (7:35 a.m.), where a brief delay occurred to repair the bridge. Crossing as soon as the work was completed I pursued the march directly on along the road to Walnut Grove Church, where at 9:10 a.m. the command halted until 10 a.m. No casualties.
3. In the action near Powhite Creek, about noon on the 27th, my regiment numbered 414. Under the former orders extended I moved, supporting Col. Barnes, forming line of battle at 12 noon. While the front of the brigade was actively engaging the enemy I moved, to the road near its crossing a bridge over the creek. Halted while the bridge was repaired. Casualties - 1 wounded.
4. Into the action at Gaines' farm, or Cold Harbor, my regiment went with 413 men. Under orders to support Col. Hamilton, First Regiment South Carolina Volunteers, I moved forward at 2 p.m. from Powhite Creek eastward toward the strong position held by the enemy. Near the outset of this advance I lost some men.
After a brief pause, by order, the forward movement was continued until we reached a ravine and brook between the position about this time assumed by Captain Crenshaw's field artillery and the main front of the enemy. This halt of the brigade was at 2:40 p.m.
The fire under which my regiment remained here was very heavy, and from the ordering forward of the commands of Colonels Hamilton, Marshall, and Barnes it was a double fire from the front and right. Being ordered to hold the position assigned to me along the brook until Col. Hamilton should fall back, I held the position and awaited that event. My instructions were to hold the position and be ready when Colonel Hamilton fell back, and then to pour a destructive volley into the enemy as he emerged from the pines; that Col. Hamilton at that juncture would take position in my rear to support me. After occupying this exposed position - exposed by reason of the apparently unimpeded fire of small arms pouring constantly upon us, as before stated - for an hour or so without the appearance of Col. Hamilton or his command, finding my regiment severely pressed and partly surrounded by the enemy and finding the availability of my left wing materially interfered with by the bog, and undergrowth, I felt it my duty to change my position slightly. I accordingly ordered forward as skirmishers my right company, driving the enemy from that wood, and then threw my regiment a few yards across the brook with a view of protecting my right, in case of a repetition of the enemy's former movement, and as the best means of holding my position as ordered, for the purpose indicated in that order. The brook is passable at only two or three places in the portion occupied, so that a regular movement in line was impracticable. In the confusion produced by this circumstance, by the din of incessant cannon and small arm firing, and other noise incident to battle, my commands could not be heard perfectly, and the irregular nature of the ground and the undergrowth caused a separation of the wings of my command.
Major Farrow, with the right and center companies, in a few minutes reported to Brig. General Gregg, near by, and under orders from him too position on another part of the field. A fragment of three companies of the left, under my command, remained on the ground until night and victory closed the action. Bivouacked on the field. Casualties-- 4 killed, 44 wounded, 4 since died.
5. My regiment went into the action at Willis' Church Monday, June 30, numbering 342 men. At 5:30 p.m we halted in a wood adjacent to the action and were for nearly an hour under a sporadic fire of shells, by which I lost 1 man killed.
At 6:30 the brigade moved forward to the immediate scene of the battle. My regiment moved under same orders to the left by successive stages, halting frequently.
About 7:30 loaded, fixed bayonets, and when it neared the front of the supposed enemy, under a galling fire of small arms in front, it was ordered to form in close column of companies, and to charge bayonets through a dense copse. This movement was arrested to inquire definitely whether friends or enemy were before us, for darkness utterly prevented our distinguishing by sight. Inquiry seemed to result in determining that our friends were before us, and I was ordered to move by the right and reform in the road from which the charge was made, which I did promptly and bivouacked there for the night. Casualties -- 1 killed, 15 wounded, 1 since died.
6. My regiment numbered 269 in the action at Malvern Hill, or Crew's farm, on July 1. At 5 p.m. we were marched , with some halts, perhaps 2 miles to a position near the road, where our line of battle was formed about 8 p.m. Here we were under sporadic fire of shells until about 9:30, when the action closed. We then returned to our bivouac. No casualties.
General summary: Killed 5; wounded 60. Grand total casualties, 65. Since dead 5. Grand total deaths, 10.
The conduct and bearing of my regiment - officers and men - in these actions were, with a few exceptions, highly commendable. They were steady, cool, prompt, and ready. Under the most trying ordeal of receiving a severe fire for hours without returning it they proved themselves efficient soldiers worthy of our great cause.
Respectfully submitted,
O.E. Edwards, Col. 13th Reg. of SCV
Report of Col. O.E. Edwards, 13th SC Infantry, of the Battles of Groveton, Manassas and Ox Hill.
Camp Near Bunker Hill, Va. October 1, 1862
Report of the part taken by the 13th Regiment South Carolina Volunteers in the Battle of Manassas on August 29:
Early on the morning of August 29, the Second Brigade was ordered to a position on the unfinished line of the Independent Railroad, 1 mile from Sudley Church. Immediately upon our arrival the brigade was formed in column ofregiments under the fire of the enemy's sharpshooters. The first important move of my regiment, about 9 a.m., was an order to me to move by a flank across the railroad track to support Col. Hamilton, who had been ordered to drive the enemy from the woods on our left. I had scarcely formed my regiment when I was informed that the enemy was approaching me in the rear in force. I faced my regiment to the rear and challenged the approaching column in person. No regard having been paid to my challenge satisfied me that I had not been mistaken. I at once ordered my left wing to fire, which it did with telling effect. I moved immediately to my right wing, where I found another column approaching. I ordered fire. The firing then became general. In a short time the enemy was driven off. Col. Hamilton returned and I was ordered back, taking my position in front of the brigade, a position which I held for the most part of the day. From that hour until 4 p.m. our position was frequently changed in order to meet the enemy in his various attacks upon that point, sometimes firing to the front, sometimes to the right or left.
At 4 p.m. our brigade fell back to a few yards to allow General Branch and others to participate. At 5 p.m my regiment was formed on the 14th; ordered to load, fix bayonets, and charge the enemy if General Branch should fall back. He did not fall back, and we were ordered again to the position we occupied in the morning, the 14th on my left and in the open field. Here and at that hour the battle raged most furiously in our front, though we were not participants. At twilight the enemy was repulsed and we bivouacked on the ground.
The conduct and bearing of my command in this engagement were all that could be desired. Soldiers could not have fought better than these did
List of killed, wounded, and missing of the 13th Reg. in the Battle of Manassas on Aug 29:
Killed: 25; Wounded (since 4 died) 109; none missing. Total: 134
Respectfully submitted
O.E. Edwards, Col of the 13th Regiment
Camp Near Bunker Hill, Va.
October 2, 1862
Report of the part taken by the 13th Regiment of SCV in the Battle of Manassas on August 30:
On the morning of August 30 our brigade was ordered to a convenient point to draw provisions and replenish cartridge boxes. About 9 a.m. the brigade formed line of battle on the left of the position held on the day before, immediately in front of the unfinished railroad track and under fire of the sharpshooters of the enemy. My regiment occupied the extreme left. In this position we lay during the day without engagement and bivouacked on the ground. The casualties in my regiment were caused by the premature explosion of shells fired by our own batteries in rear.
List of killed, wounded of the 13th Regiment SCV in the Battle of Manassas on August 30:
Killed...none; wounded...3; Missing...none. Total: 3.
Respectfully submitted,
O.E. Edwards, Col. 13th Reg. of SCV
Camp Near Bunker Hill, Va.
October 2, 1862
I make the following report of the part taken by the 13th Regiment South Carolina Volunteers in the Battle of Harper's Ferry on September 15:
On September 14, when it became apparent from the opening of the batteries on Maryland and Loudoun Heights, that our troops were in rear of Harper's Ferry, our brigade moved to the right of Bolivar Heights at 3 p.m., in the direction of the Harper's Ferry and Winchester Railroad. On reaching it, we marched by flank on the track until hemmed in by the Shenandoah River and the bluff south of the enemy's position. Here we were halted at dark to drive in the enemy's advanced sharpshooters and clear the way, and were detained until 2 a.m. on the 15th. We then continued our advance on the road for half a mile, and, turning to the left, ascended the almost impossible slope on that side, the 13th regiment being in front. At sunrise our batteries opened on the enemy, and we were moved in line of battle to the right and rear of General Branch. At 7:15 a.m. a white flag announced a willingness of our foe to surrender. At a few minutes after 8 a.m. we were ordered to move to the ground before occupied by the enemy. The day was spent in guarding prisoners and stores. There were no casualties.
Respectfully submitted
O.E. Edwards, Col. 13th Reg. of SCV
Camp Near Bunker Hill, Va.
October 2, 1862
I make the following report of the part taken by the 13th Regiment SCV in the Battle of Sharpsburg, Md., on September 17:
At 6:15 a.m., September 17, my regiment, in its brigade and division, took up line of march from Harper's Ferry toward Boteler's Ford, across the Potomac, near Shepherdstown, W. Va. Crossed the ford at 2 p.m. about 2 miles beyond the river. Here we reached the range of the enemy's shell, and, turning to our left, took position along a line of fence in line of battle, from which point we advanced to drive t enemy from the corn fields in front, my regiment having the left of the brigade. The enemy falling back before us, we took position on the summit of an elevation along the fence line on the edge of the corn, and there received the enemy upon our left, drove him back across the field, and held the ground until the action closed about 8 p.m.
Our position in this action was the extreme right of the Confederate line of battle, and we successfully met and repulsed a dangerous flank movement of the enemy, conducted, as prisoners state, by General Burnside with his forces. My regiment remained upon the field until the morning of Sept. 19.
The bearing and spirit of my command in this engagement were admirable, equal to the exactions of the highest expectation, and their fire was delivered with telling effect.
Respectfully submitted,
O.E. Edwards, Col. 13th Reg. SCV
Report of Lieut. Col. B.T. Brockman, Thirteenth South Carolina Infantry
Camp Gregg, VA, May 19, 1863
Sir:
I inclose report of the part taken by the Thirteenth Regiment South Carolina Volunteers in the Battle of Chancellorsville, Va., May 1, 2, and 3.
On April 29, the brigade was ordered to the vicinity of Fredericksburg. That day the Thirteenth Regiment was on picket duty at Moss Neck, under command of Col. O.E. Edwards. At dawn on the 30th, by order from Major-General Hill, the regiment moved to Hamilton's Crossing, reaching the lines around Fredericksburg, and rejoining the brigade at l1:30 p.m.
On Friday, May 1, the regiment marched with the brigade at 4 a.m, the morning being foggy, in a northwest direction, crossing the Telegraph road, and thence on to the Plank road to the fork of the road, about a mile beyond Salem Church. Here we halted for two hours, marching forward thence at 1:38 p.m. Advanced toward the firing in front along the line of the Plank road, halting at several points. Laid off knapsacks and loaded at 3:17 p.m. At 3:23 we retook knapsacks and pushed on ot the front. At 7:20 we filed to the right, passing from the Plank road to the old mud pike, where we were placed in line of battle in rear of McIntosh's battery, fronting toward Chancelllosville, about 2 miles east of it. This movement was completed at 7:40 p.m. Bivouacked there in line of battle for the night.
On Saturday morning, May 2, the cannon firing opened at 5:16 o'clock. At 6:31 our forces were moved by the left flank, and continued moving thus at intervals till 10:45 a.m., when our division got under march for the enemy's rear. The Thirteenth marched in rear of the Fourteenth South Carolina. After a circuit of probably 13 miles, passing entirely around teh enemy's right wing, we reached the Culpeper Plank road (having crossed the Orange Plank road) at a point perhaps 4 miles west of Chancelllorsville at 6:05 p.m. The small arm firing opened in our front at this time -- the contact of our advanced division (Rodes') and the corps d'armee of Blenker, as we were advised. We continued to advance along the road toward Chancellorsville, occasionally under sporadic fire of shell, and twice under sever fire of shell and grape, with some small-arm, until within 1 1/2 miles of Chancellorsville. At this point (at 10:50 p.m.) the regiment was called into line of battle, and advanced southward to support our front lines in that direction. Later, we took position in front lines in a direction nearly perpendicular to the Plank road, 400 or 500 yards south of it. Our brigade here had Archer's (Fifth) on its right and Lane's (Fourth) on its left. In the brigade the Thirteenth [South Carolina] stood between the First Regiment South Carolina Volunteers (on right) and the Fourteenth Regiment South Carolina Volunteers (on left), the Rifles being the extreme right of the brigade. Here (about 2 a.m.) we bivouacked in line, and awaited the morning.
About 5:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 3, our division commenced its forward movement in the order above indicated, charging and driving the enemy from their first lines of defense. As the enemy fell back our forces occupied their works, but pressed immediately on, the brigade wheeling to the right to confront a work at an angle of about 50 degrees to the one already taken and passed. At this point the Thirteenth fought with great coolness and gallantry, firing steadily under a galling fire of shell, grape, canister, and spherical case, with small arms mainly on the right. This part of the action continued about forty-five minutes. At the expiration of this period, it was deemed advisable to wheel the brigade back again into line of the division along the works passed in this last advance. Here the regiment remained about one hour under severe fire, and was charged by a battalion of Zouaves, who were repulsed and almost annihilated. During this hour, Brigadier-General McGowan was severely wounded, and retired from the field. The command devolved upon Colonel Edwards, of the Thirteenth Regiment, who held it perhaps thirty minutes, and was very severely wounded, and retired from the field.
Here it seems appropriate to make record of the conspicuous gallantry and daring of Colonel Edwards, both while leading the regiment in the charge and while holding the line of defensive works. Occupying at all times the best points of observation, he was always in the positions most exposed (standing on top of the breastworks), yet the utmost coolness and viligance marked his bearing throughout, and, at last, while in command of the brigade, when shot, he was engaged, in the same spirit, cheering and advising his command.
When Colonel Edwards was wounded the command of the brigade devolved upon Col. A. Perrin, of the Regiment of South Carolina Volunteers. At the time when Colonel Edwards succeeded to the command of the brigade, the command of the Thirteenth passed to Lieut. Col. B.T. Brockman, who led it through the subsequent portion of this engagement.
At the expiration of one hour spent at this work, an advance upon the enemy's next position was undertaken. The Thirteenth advanced across the work and formed line of battle in front, the Fourteenth being upon its left and some portions of the brigade upon the right. This advance was made under the personal direction of General Stuart, and was pushed beyond the second line of defenses and on across a difficult ravine up to a chain of redans immediately around Chancellorsville. This whole advance was made under a severe fire of various kinds, dealt from the several points at that time yet held by the enemy. On reaching the redans, a front of the enemy appeared on our left and in rear along or near the Plank road. This front kept up a galling fire of small arms upon our flank and rear, which was returned with spirit by that wing of our brigade. The advance had been pushed too far -- beyond the line upon our right and past a strong force of the enemy upon our left -- the right apparently retiring from its first advance. Our line was accordingly withdrawn from that extreme position and established along the line of the enemy's first works, nearer the road. Here teh regiment rested perhaps two hours, then countermarched and moved by the right flank into the Plank road and eastward, resting awhile in the road. Here Colonel D.H. Hamilton, of the First Regiment South Carolina Volunteers, assumed command of the brigade. The brigade was then moved, about 12 m., by the right flank, countermarching along the road westward; was advanced in line of battle, where it remained till about 6 a.m. of Monday, May 4. The command at that hour was moved to another point to the left (westward), where it threw up defensive works, which it continued to hold till perhaps 3 p.m. of Wednesday, May 6.
Meanwhile a rain commenced on the afternoon of the 5th, which rendered the exposure on the lines very severe, especially after so much exhaustion.
About 3 p.m. of Wednesday began the march back to camps, which terminated the battle of Chancellorsville.
The Thirteenth took into action about 300 rank and file. The bearing of the men was commendable throughout.
The following is its loss in officers: Killed, Lieut. H.L. Fuller, of Company D. Wounded: Col. O.E. Edwards, Adj. J.W. Davidson, of the field and staff, and Lieuts. J.D. Copeland, S.L. Wier, F.J. Poole, T.F. Hunter, J.P. Peace, B.B. Chapman, and D.M. Leitzsey, of the line.
The bearing of the officers was (with the two exceptions elsewhere reported) honorable in a high degree. They were uniformly cool, vigilant, and daring.
Respectfully submitted.
B.T. Brockman, Lieut. Col., Comdg. Thirteenth Regiment South Carolina Vols.
Report of Colonel Abner Perrin, Fourteenth South Carolina Infantry, commanding McGowan's Brigade
Headquaters McGowan's Brigade August 13, 1863
Battle of Gettysburg
Sir: This brigade -- consisting of the following-named South Carolina regiments, to wit: The First [Provisional Army], Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and [First] Rifles, the First under the command of Maj. C.W. McCreary, the Twelfth under Colonel John L. Miller, the Thirteenth, Lieut. B.T. Brockman, the Fourteenth, Lieut. Col. Joseph N. Brown, and the Rifles, Capt. William M. Hadden -- being a part of Major-General Pender's light division, formed a part of the Army of Northern Virginia in the late campaign across the Potomac, and was from June 5 until the present time under my immediate command.
About 8 o'clock on the morning of July 1, I received orders to get under arms, and the brigade, excepting Captain Hadden, who was left with the Rifles to guard the wagon train, commenced the march, on the turnpike leading to Gettysburg, at the head of the division, and just in the rear of the division of Major-General Heth.
The march was continued to within 3 miles of Gettysburg, when I was ordered to file down a road, form line of battle, leaving sufficient room between my left and the Gettysburg road for General Scales' brigade, and to throw out skirmishers to cover my right flank.
Skirmishing between the advanced infantry of General Heth's division and that of the enemy, as well as heavy artillery firing, had already commenced in our front. I was soon notified that General Heth would advance, and that I would make a corresponding movement forward, preserving my alignment with General Scales, on my left. We moved through the open field about a mile, where we had halted in rear and in supporting distance of General Heth's division, which had now become closely engaged with the enemy in our front. Here Brigadier-General Lane's brigade took position on my right, to protect our flank from the enemy's calvary and some infantry reported by Captain [William T.] Haskell in that direction.
We remained in this position until about 3 o'clock, and were again ordered forward, and again advanced probably a half mile, when we came close upon General Heth's division pressing the enemy, within a short distance in front of us.
I remained in this position probably until after 4 o'clock, when I was ordered by General Pender to advance, and to pass General Heth's division should I come up with it at a halt, and to engage the enemy as circumstances might warrant. I soon came up with and passed Brigadier-General Pettigrew's brigade, the men of which seemed much exhausted by several hours' hard fighting. Here I availed myself of a ravine, which sheltered us from the enemy's artillery, to reform my line, and instructed regimental commanders when the advance was resumed not to allow a gun to be fired at the enemy until they received orders to do so.
We now moved forward, preserving an alignment with General Scales, and, as soon as the brigade commenced ascending the hill in front, we were met by a furious storm of musketry and shells from the enemy's batteries to the left of the road near Gettysburg; but the instructions I had given were scrupulously observed - not a gun was fired. The brigade received the enemy's fire without faltering; rushed up the hill at a charge, driving the enemy without difficulty to their last position at Gettysburg.
We continued the charge without opposition, excepting from artillery, which maintained a constant and most galling fire upon us, until we got within 200 yards of their last position, about the theological college. Some lines of infantry had shown themselves across the field, but disappeared as we got within range of them. While crossing the last fence, about 200 yards from a grove near the college, the brigade received the most destructive fire of musketry I have ever been exposed to. We continued to press forward, however, without firing, until we reached the edge of the grove. Here the Fourteenth Regiment was staggered for a moment by the severity and destructiveness of the enemy's musketry. It looked to us as though this regiment was entirely destroyed.
I here found myself without support either on the right or left. General Scales' brigade had halted to return the enemy's fire, near the fence, about 200 yards distance from the enemy. General Lane's brigade did not move upon my right at all, and was not at this time in sight of me. This gave the enemy an enfilading fire upon the Fourteenth. This regiment, under the lead of Lt. Colonel Brown and Major E. Croft, most gallantly stood its ground. I now directed the First Regiment under Major McCreary, to oblique to the right, to avoid a breastwork of rails behind, where I discovered the enemy was posted, and then to change front to the left, and attack in his flank. This was done most effectually, under the lead of this gallant officer. The enemy were here completely routed. This caused the whole of their artillery on our left, at least thirty pieces, to be limbered up and moved to the rear. Much of their artillery would have been captured, but the First and Fourteenth in their pursuit again met a force of the enemy's infantry, strongly posted behind a stone wall, near and to the left of the college. It was the wok of a few moments, however, to dislodge them.
These two regiments, now reduced in numbers to less than one-half the men they carried into the battle, pursued the enemy to within the town of Gettysburg, capturing hundreds of prisoners, two field pieces, and a number of caissons.
While the First and Fourteenth Regiments were assailing the enemy and driving him from his breastwork near the college, I ordered the Twelfth Regiment under Colonel Miller, and the Thirteenth, under Lieutenant-Colonel Brockman, to oblique to the right, and charge the enemy, strongly posted behind a stone fence, to the right of the college, from which position he had kept up a constant and withering fire of musketry upon the front and right flank of the brigade. These two regiments had necessarily to change direction to the right somewhat, so as to meet the enemy full in front. This movement was most brilliantly performed by these two regiments, and was most skillfully managed by the officers I have mentioned. They rushed up to the crest of the hill and the stone fence, and pouring an enfilading fire upon the enemy's right flank. The Thirteenth now coming up, made it an easy task to drive the enemy down the opposite slope and across the open field west of Gettysburg.
This was the last of the fight of this day. The enemy completely routed and driven from every point, Gettysburg was now completely in our possession.
After penetrating the enemy's lines near the college, the change of direction of the First and Fourteenth to attack the enemy in flank to the left, and the oblique movement and change of direction of the Twelfth and Thirteenth to attack the enemy in flank to the right, necessarily separated the brigade into two parts. As soon as I knew the enemy had been routed on the right, I ordered the Twelfth and Thirteenth to unite again, with the First and Fourteenth, who were now pursuing the fleeing force through town.
Finding the two last-named regiments now reduced to less than half the number with which they entered battle, and the men much exhausted, I ordered them back from the town, to await the Twelfth and Thirteenth, and sent a small detachment through the town to make such prisoners as the enemy had left in the retreat. It was after the recall of these two regiments that the brigade of Brigadier-General Ramseur filed through Gettysburg from the direction of my left.
The loss of the brigade in killed and wounded did not fall short of 500.
Better conduct was never exhibited on any field than was shown by both officers and men in this engagement. Each one ofthe color-sergeants taken into the fight was killed in front of his regiment. Some regiments had a number of color-bearers shot down one after another. The officers generally were conspicuous in leading their men everywhere in the hottest of the fight.
After the First and Fourteenth were withdrawn from Gettysburg, General Pender ordered me to get the brigade together, and let the men rest. Now it was that the first piece of artillery fired by the enemy from Cemetery Hill, southwest of Gettysburg, was opened upon my command, and it was the same artillery which we had driven from our left near Gettysburg. I saw it move off from my left, and file into position over the hill.
The next day, having taken position in rear of some artillery as a support, we were exposed to and suffered a small loss from the enemy's shells. About 6 o'clock in the afternoon, I was ordered to push forward my skirmish line, and to drive in the enemy's pickets from a road in front of the Cemetery Hill. I communicated this order to Capt. William T. Haskell, in command of a select battalion of sharpshooters, acting as skirmishers, and sent Major McCreary forward with his regiment, about 100 strong, to deploy in rear of Captain Haskell, and to act as support. This battalion of sharpshooters, led by the gallant Haskell, made a most intrepid charge upon the Yankee skirmishers, driving them out of the road and close up under their batteries; but, soon after gaining the road, Captain Haskell received a wound from the enemy's sharpshooters, from which he died in a few moments on the field. This brave and worthy young officer fell while boldly walking along the front line of his command, encouraging his men and selecting favorable positions for them to defend. He was educated and accomplished, possessing in a high degree every virtuous quality of the true gentleman and Christian. He was an officer of most excellent judgment, and a soldier of the coolest and most chivalrous daring.
This position was held by my skirmishers until, about 10 o'clock at night, I was ordered to place my brigade in line of battle, then on the right of General Ramseur's brigade and on the left of General Thomas. I remained quietly in this position during the remainder of the night, having thrown forward skirmishers again.
Early next morning (the 3rd), the heaviest skirmishing I have ever witnessed was here kept up during the greater part of the day. The enemy made desperate efforts to recapture the position, on account of our skirmishers being within easy range of their artillerists on the Cemetery Hill, but we repulsed every assault, and held the position until ordered back to the main line at Gettysburg. At one time the enemy poured down a perfect torrent of light troops from the hill, which swept my skirmishers back upon the main line. I now ordered the Fourteenth to deploy and charge the enemy, which was done in the most gallant style, not without losing some valuable officers and men. Lieutenant-Colonel Brown and Major Croft, of the Fourteenth were here severely wounded.
We remained at Gettysburg the remainder of the night and during the 4th, and at night moved back with the division toward Hagerstown. Went into line of battle at Hagerstown on the 11th, when my skirmishers were again engaged, and where we lost a few men killed and wounded. Among the former, Capt. John W. Chambers, of the First, a most gallant and worthy officer, who fell, at the head of his company.
On the night of the 13th, we commenced the march in the direction of Falling Waters. While resting about 2 miles from Falling Waters, we were attacked by the enemy's calvary. I was ordered to move my command to the right, and had to extend my right flank to the canal, near the river, to keep the enemy from getting around my flank. The enemy kept pressing upon me with his skirmishers, as I got in position and was prepared to receive the enemy's attack, I was ordered to fall back toward the bridge at Falling Waters. The brigade fell back in perfect order, and gained the road, and formed in line of battle across it, and then moved in retreat toward the bridge, in rear of the whole corps.
I lost in this affair about 30 men captured, being the greater part of two companies that I had sent forward to strengthen the skirmish line. It resulted from their not going where they were ordered to go. I lost from men breaking down, sick, barefoot, straggling, etc. about 60 men more from the time of leaving Gettysburg to reaching and recrossing the Potomac at Falling Waters. My total missing in the whole campaign was about 90 men; killed and wounded, 654.
I take occasion to mention the names of Major Croft, of the Fourteenth; Major Issac F. Hunt of the Thirteenth, and Major E.F. Bookter, of the Twelfth, as officers who proved themselves fully worthy of their positions throughout the engagements around Gettysburg. I remarked particularly the cool and gallant bearing of Major Bookter, and the force and judgment with which he managed the men under his control.
Captains Shooter, Alston, and Butler, of the First Regiment South Carolina Volunteers; Captains James Boatwright and E. Cowan, of the Fourteenth South Carolina Volunteers, and Captain T. Frank Clyburn, of the Twelfth, were distinguished for uncommonly good conduct in the action, as I can testify from my personal observations.
Report of Brigadier-General Samuel McGowan, C.S. Army, of the Battle of the Wilderness, Virginia, May 4 - 7, 1864.
Headquarters, McGowan's Brigade
Lines Near Petersburg
September 1, 1864
Major:
In obedience to orders from division Headquaters, July 15, 1864, I have the honor to submit the following report of the engagements of this campaign in which my brigade participated under my command.
