the movements of the enemy in that direction), which we did, and remained in the rear of the battery on the elevated ground beyond the white house. While here I received orders to march to the front to assault the position of the enemy on our right, and to take my position in the left of the line. While advancing, however, this order was changed, placing the Thirty-fourth Massachusetts on my left. In this manner we advanced up to the brow of the hill, when my regiment lay down on the ground, discharging a volley into the enemy, and immediately charged into the woods on the right flank and rear of the enemy's intrenched position. Here for a short time a most desperate struggle took place; bayonets and clubbed guns were used on both sides, and many hand-to-hand encounters took place. So suddenly and apparently so unexpected to the enemy was our movement on their flank that they were soon compelled to give way in great confusion, despite all the efforts of their officers to rally them. About 100 yards from the front of the woods was a fence running from the left of the line, and parallel with it, extending along the front of the regiment on my left. Along this fence, to protect their flank, the enemy had a strong force posted. This appeared to be the key to their position, and they held it most obstinately for some time, partially checking the advance of the regiment in front of them. It was here that Brigadier-General (William E.) Jones (C. S.) commanded in person, and was killed while encouraging and rallying his troops. Seeing the importance of carrying this position as quickly as possible, I hastily detached three companies from the left of my regiment and threw them into line with the Thirty-fourth Massachusetts to aid them in dislodging the enemy, leaving Maj. E. D. Yutzy for the time in command of the right of my regiment. This was soon done, for upon the fall of their chief commander they gave way in utter confusion. Those who were not captured were driven through the woods and down a steep bank into the river. By detaching the three companies on the left of my regiment my command was somewhat scattered when they arrived on the bluff at the river bank, but were soon reformed in good order.
Lieut. R. P. Robison, of Company C captured Colonel Browne, who commanded a Virginia brigade. Lieut. G. W. Camp, of Company I, captured Colonel Jones, who commanded a Tennessee brigade (Jones commanded the Sixtieth Virginia Infantry), placing him in charge of Private Harry Spencer, of Company G of the Twelfth Virginia, to take him to the rear. Two colonels of regiments, with other field staff and line officers too numerous to mention, were captured by different members of my regiment.
Private Thomas Evans, of Company D, wrested the colors from the color-bearer of a Tennessee regiment, sending the color-bearer to the rear. So numerous were the captures made of
|
