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REPORT OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL EVANS. HEADQUARTERS EVANS'S BRIGADE, NEAR WINCHESTER, VA., October 13, 1862. Major G. M. Sorrell, A. A. G. Right Wing: MAJOR: In pursuance to the written instructions of the Major-General commanding, I beg leave to report the action of my command in the recent engagements in Virginia and Maryland. On the sixth of August last, I was ordered to repair, with my brigade, to Malvern Hill, and to drive the enemy from the wood to the north of the hill. I deployed my troops in line of battle, and, after marchin about a mile through the woodland and open field, encountered the cavalry pickets of the enemy, which were soon driven in by the fire of two regiments, killing several of the enemy, who soon retired, evacuating his position four prisoners taken.

On the evening of the twenty-ninth of August, the brigade engaged the skirmishers of the enemy, in considerable force, on the south side of the road near Groveton, and rendered efficient cooperation to the commands of General Wilcox, on the left, and General Hood, on the right, in driv ing the enemy from his position. The enemy falling back, and the darkness of the night concealing his movements, I formed my brigade in the camp of the enemy, until ordered to fall back by the Major-General commanding. Leav ing a strong picket in my front, I withdrew about a mile to the rear.

On the morning of the thirtieth August, the enemy presenting himself in large force near Groveton, I was ordered to take command of the troops formed immediately on the right of the road, embracing Whiting's division, BrigadierGeneral J. B. Hood commanding, Pickett's briOn the morning of the twenty-fourth August, gade, Colonel Eppa Hunton commanding, and I was ordered to support, with my brigade, the my own brigade. I would state that, just before batteries under the command of Major Garnett, the action commenced, Pickett's brigade was or who was attacking the enemy at Rappahannock dered to the support of General Kemper. My Station, with further instructions to attack the command now consisted of three brigades, which enemy should he appear on the south side of the were disposed as follows: Evans's brigade, with river. Receiving a message from Captain Squiers, the left resting on the turnpike, under the imme commanding the battery, that the enemy were in diate command of Colonel P. F. Stevens; Hood, a small redoubt, which they had thrown up the with his command, on Stevens's right. In this po night previous, I immediately ordered an ad-sition my command rested until about four o'clock vance to drive him from his position; but, on P. M., when General Hood was ordered to advance, the approach of my troops, he soon retreated across the railroad bridge, before we were in musket range. I here ordered the Macbeth artillery, Captain Boyce, to advance, occupy the work, and to open fire on the enemy across the river. This point, however, Captain Boyce found untenable, as the enemy's batteries swept the entire hill and work. He was compelled to retire with the loss of four wounded. The entire loss of my brigade in this engagement was twenty-one killed, (enlisted men;) seven commissioned officers, and seventy-five enlisted men, wounded. The coolness of the men and of the officers of the brigade excited my highest admiration. Many of them, never having been under fire before, sustained a severe fire of grape and shell for more than three nours without breaking line of battle.

Colonel Stevens supporting his left. The command soon became warmly engaged with the enemy, who seemed to concentrate a heavy force on the right of the road, and opened a heavy artillery fire on my whole line from right to left. Af ter advancing more than a mile, the command of General Hood, after charging the batteries in the centre, was compelled to fall back, which was done in good order. Stevens's command, coming up immediately afterward, held the enemy until relieved, timely, by Major-General R. H. Anderson's division. In this engagement the loss of Evans's brigade was very severe-the loss be ing fourteen officers and ninety-eight enlisted men killed, forty-eight officers and four hundred and sixty-three enlisted men wounded, and eight enlisted men missing. Among the killed were

Antietam River, on the evening of the fifteenth
September.

On the morning of the sixteenth, General Hood, with his two brigades, were detached and sent to the support of Major-General D. H. Hill, leaving me but two brigades, Colonels Anderson's and Evans's brigades. During the day my command was held as support to Colonel Walton's artillery, also with orders to defend the bridge over the Antietam, and my skirmishers were engaged throughout the day with the sharpshooters of the enemy.

the gallant Colonel J. H. Means, of the Seventeenth regiment South Carolina volunteers, and Colonel J. M. Gadberry, of the Eighteenth regiment. These brave men were shot down while nobly leading their regiments into action. Colonel Gadberry was killed instantly; Colonel Means, mortally wounded, survived two days. It is but justice to the memory of these noble and gallant officers to mention my appreciation of their valuable services. Colonel Means, though much advanced in years, ever exhibited the energy of youth in battling our ruthless foe, and devoting his whole ability to our sacred cause. His death On the morning of the seventeenth, the enemy fully exemplifies his devotion to his country. attacked our left in force, and about noon ColoColonel Gadberry was conspicuous during the nel Anderson's brigade was detached to support battle for his dauntless conduct and unflinching General Hood, then supporting Major-General firmness. Among the wounded were the brave D. H. Hill, on our left. About two o'clock P. M., and energetic Major F. G. Palmer, of the Hol- I was ordered to rally the troops then flocking to comb legion, and the gallant Colonel H. L. Ben- the town from our left, and to bring them into bow, of the Twenty-first regiment. The list of the action. After considerable exertion, with the asother gallant dead and wounded officers is here- sistance of my entire staff, I succeeded in collectwith enclosed, and I would respectfully refer the ing about two hundred and fifty men and officers, Major-General commanding to the reports of whom I formed into two commands, and placed their immediate commands for the history of them respectively under the command of Colotheir actions. To Colonel P. F. Stevens, of the nels Colquitt and Iverson, of Major-General D. Holcomb legion, commanding the brigade, I am H. Hill's division. At three o'clock, observing much indebted for his untiring zeal and dauntless the enemy approaching my position, (directly on courage, cheering his men, under heavy fire, dur- the left of the road,) also attempting to cross the ing the entire engagement. My command suc-bridge on my right, I ordered an advance, Coloceeded in driving the enemy from their batteries with great slaughter, and turning his own batteries against his retreating forces. A large number of small arms and accoutrements and three stand of colors were captured. For the action of the Texas and Third Georgia brigades, I respectfully refer to the reports of General Hood and the Colonels commanding.

nels Colquitt and Iverson on the left, with Boyce's battery, and Colonel Stevens on the right, supported by two batteries of Colonel S. D. Lee's battalion, who came timely, at my request, to my assistance, and rendered material aid in driving the enemy back across the river, with Colonel Stevens's command as skirmishers on the right, while I attacked the enemy with Colquitt's and Iverson's commands on the left.

On the fourteenth of August, my division was ordered to support the command of Brigadier- This little command gallantly drove the enemy General Rodes, on the left of the road, near South from his cover in the cornfield, and caused him Mountain. On marching my brigade up the to retreat in confusion, leaving a number of their mountain, on our extreme left, I was informed dead and two stand of colors, the latter having that the two brigades, under the immediate com- been shot down by a well-directed fire of Captain mand of Brigadier-General Hood, had been de- Boyce's battery. I also requested Colonel Waltached, by order of the Major-General command- ton, of the artillery, to open fire on the enemy's ing, to support our right, and I was further batteries that had crossed the bridge, which, beordered to hold my position on the left, and that ing promptly done, had the desired effect of drivreenforcements would be sent. On my arrival at ing them back. My brigade then resumed its the summit of the mountain the skirmishers of original position, and bivouacked for the night, the enemy were met, supported by several of his sleeping on their arms. For individual instances batteries, which commanded my position. I or- of gallantry and distinction, I beg leave to refer dered Colonel Stevens, commanding brigade, to to the reports of the immediate commanders. push over the summit and engage the enemy then To my general and personal staff I am much firing on General Rodes's troops, retiring. Col-indebted, for their bravery and fidelity in carryonel Stevens soon became engaged with a much ing my orders. Captain T. D. Eason, ordnance superior force, two columns of the enemy advan- officer; Captain A. L. Evans, Assistant Adjucing rapidly upon his small command. This tant-General; First Lieutenant Samuel J. Corrie, force, however, was bravely met, and the position held until the troops on my right had retired, leaving my brigade nearly surrounded by the enemy. I then directed my troops to retire, firing, to the east side of the mountain, which was done in good order. During the night, I received an order to march in the direction of Sharpsburg, and my division ordered to act as rear guard, which duty was performed until our arrival at the

Aid-de-camp, were often under heavy fire, and executed their several duties with intrepidity. My faithful courier, Mr. Farquhar Trazevant, was shot down near me by a shell, inflicting a wound from which he has since died. His loss was severe to me, both personally and in his official capacity. I am also pained to announce the fall of Captain Samuel Jordan, Assistant AdjutantGeneral of Colonel Colquitt's brigade, who was

shot down while gallantly transmitting my orders. Enclosed herewith please find the reports of regimental and battery commanders.

yards, I received orders to form to the right and resist the enemy, who were in possession of a piece of woods. The change of position was ef fected with three of the regiments, the Fortyninth, Twenty-fifth, and Thirty-fifth; but the Twenty-fourth, on the extreme left, had come

The total loss of Evans's brigade in the abovementioned engagements is one thousand and twenty-four aggregate, from an aggregate of one thousand eight hundred and thirty on the thir-upon the enemy and opened fire, and continued tieth July, 1862. It is proper to state that the aggregate for duty was afterward increased to twenty-two hundred by the addition of the Twenty-third regiment South Carolina volunteers.

In conclusion, I would call the attention of the Major-General commanding to the gallant conduct of the officers of this brigade.

In each engagement some field officer was either wounded or killed. I had neglected to mention above the loss of the gallant LieutenantColonel T. C. Watkins, of the Twenty-third regiment South Carolina volunteers, and Major R. S. Means, of the Seventeenth regiment, both of whom were shot down while cheering their regiments. Colonel Watkins was killed instantly, and Major Means, severely wounded in both legs, was left in the hands of the enemy. Respectfully submitted.

N. G. EVANS, Brigadier-General, commanding. P. S. The report of the Eighteenth regiment South Carolina volunteers will be forwarded to

morrow.

in the first position, upon the left of General Barksdale's brigade.

Upon reaching the woods, we met parts of Hood's and Early's commands, and, leaving them, immediately encountered the enemy in strong force, flushed with a temporary success. A tremendous fire was poured into them, and, without a halt, the woods was cleared, and the crest next the enemy occupied.

At this time, I determined to charge across a field in our front, and to a woods beyond, which was held by the enemy; but he again approached in force to within a hundred yards, where he was met by the same crushing fire which had driven him first from the position. I now went to recall the Twenty-fourth, which had passed on, which had been directed, as I afterward heard, by General Stewart, to occupy a position near the extreme left, but finding it was so far away, returned. During my absence, the enemy again attempted to force the position, after subjecting us to a fearful storm of iron missiles for thirty minutes. Colonel Ransom, commanding during my absence, repulsed him sig

REPORT OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL RANSOM OF nally, and put an end to any further attempt by

BATTLE OF SHARPSBURG.

infantry to dislodge us. Immediately after this, fire from two large batteries was opened upon us, and continued with occasional intermissions until

HEADQUARTERS RANSOM'S BRIGADE,
CAMP NEAR MARTINSBURG, VA., Sept. 22, 1862.
Captain William A. Smith, Assistant Adjutant-nightfall.
General:

SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the part performed by my brigade in the battle near Sharpsburg, Maryland, on the seventeenth instant :

The regiments present were the Twenty-fourth, Twenty-fifth, Thirty-fifth, and Forty-ninth North Carolina troops, commanded respectively by Lieutenant-Colonel Harris, Colonel Rutledge, Colonel Ransom, and Lieutenant-Colonel McAfee. The strength present was about sixteen hundred aggregate.

About three o'clock, in the morning of the seventeenth instant, the brigade, followed by the others of the division, was moved to the extreme right of the position occupied by our troops, and posted upon some hills which commanded an open country. Here it remained in line until about nine o'clock, when an order from General Lee directed the division to the left, where the memy was pushing back our forces.

From the first position the brigade moved left in front until we had passed the town of Sharpsburg some half mile to the north, when it was formed into line by inversion, bringing the Fortyninth over the right. The line was formed under a severe fire, and in the presence of some of our troops, who had been driven back. As soon as formed, the whole brigade was pushed rapidly forward, and, after passing some two hundred

About noon, General Longstreet sent me word to take the battery in our front, and the order to advance was given, when General McLaws arrived, and ordered me to desist from the attempt. Again, about two or three o'clock, I received instructions to advance and take the battery. Just at this time the enemy was observed to have massed a strong force about the batteries, and General Walker, having arrived, forbade the movement until he could communicate with General Longstreet in person. Shortly afterward, orders came to defer any attempt upon the ene my's position until General Jackson should have attacked him upon his right flank. This was not accomplished by General Jackson, and the effort to capture the two large batteries, which had almost incessantly played upon us for eight hours, was not made.

I cannot too highly compliment the men and officers for their gallant behavior during the entire day. They formed under a galling fire, and, in presence of our retiring troops, pressed forward and drove back a far superior force, and three times afterward repulsed determined attacks of the enemy, and in largely superior numbers to our own. But the highest credit is due for the perfect coolness exhibited during an eight hours' exposure to an unparalleled cannonade, and within canister range.

I will not close my report without bringing to

the notice of the commanding General the conspicuous conduct of Colonel Ransom, of which the General can learn more by inquiry of Colonels Hall and Jenkins, Forty-sixth North Carolina; Major Flemming, too, of the Forty-ninth, evinced a cool daring and soldierly presence of mind eminently praiseworthy.

Lieutenant and Adjutant Cooke, of the Twentyfourth, was foremost in leading his regiment while under my eye, and I have had frequent occasions to observe qualities which make him second to none in courage and capacity.

Lieutenant-Colonel Bryson, of the Twentyfifth, was cool and gallant. I cannot further particularize.

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To the members of my staff I owe much for their prompt and untiring assistance — Captain Rowland, A. A. G.; Lieutenant Brodnax, À. D. C.; Mr. Mason, volunteer Aid, and Lieutenants Ashe and Thomas, the last my ordnance officer, who was ever in the right place. My orderlies, privates Pierson and De Vom, of the Twentyfourth, acted with unwonted intelligence and gallantry throughout the day, in bearing messages, under the hottest fire. The latter had his noise shot.

Though not a part of my brigade, I cannot properly close my report without mentioning the Forty-sixth North Carolina volunteers, Colonel Hall commanding. About midday he reported to me, with his regiment, and was at once ordered into position on my right, which was unflinchingly maintained throughout. The conduct of the regiment was all it should have been, and the bravery of Colonel Hall and Lieutenant-Colonel Jenkins reflects the highest credit upon themselves and the service. A list of casualties is hereunto appended.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
R. RANSOM, JR.,
Brigadier-General.

671

of charging the batteries, from whose fire my troops suffered so seriously.

In pursuance of a suggestion from General Wilcox, I concerted with Brigadier-General Featherston a plan of attack on these batteries. It was agreed that, while General Featherston turned the enemy's flank, I should assail him in front. In the execution of this scheme very little difficulty was encountered, the enemy, on our approach, invariably abandoning his position, almost without a struggle. Several of his detached pieces and caissons we captured, but generally he succeeded, by a timely flight, in escaping with his batteries. Indeed, with his expulsion from the wood where he first sought shelter the fighting with us ceased. Afterward it was a mere chase, in which the enemy exhibited such fleetness that we could inflict upon him only a trifling loss. The pursuit was vigorously pressed, nevertheless, until darkness arrested our farther progress. The brigade bivouacked on the advanced position won by our arms.

In the progress of the action, I had the misfortune to be separated from my command by a circumstance to which I allude only in explanation of my absence. Returning from a search after two of my regiments, which, in the confusion of the fight, had become detached from the brigade, I advanced unconsciously beyond the enemy's line, and was a while detained in my embarrassing position. Eventually, however, I was so fortunate as to effect my escape and rejoin my command.

Of the conduct of officers and men in this fight, I have to speak in the most complimentary terms. The Fifth and Eighth Florida regiments, though never under fire before, exhibited the cool and collected courage of veterans. Special mention of peculiar merit in individuals I reserve for another communication.

The loss of the brigade, as shown by the list of casualties, was comparatively inconsiderable, not REPORT OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL PRYOR OF exceeding one hundred and fifty in killed, wound

SECOND BATTLE OF MANASSAS.

HEADQUARTERS PRYOR'S BRIGADE, NEAR WINCHESTER, October 5, 1862. CAPTAIN: A very brief narrative will suffice to exhibit the operations of this brigade in the battle of Manassas.

ed, and missing. Among the killed, however,
was my Assistant Adjutant-General, Captain
Walter Wrenn, a young gentleman of the purest
and most amiable character, of a genius developed
and adorned by rare attainments in every depart-
ment of polite learning, and of a courage which
had serenely confronted death on more than one
battle-field. He fell in the moment of victory,
and in the act of cheering on a charge.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ROGER A. PRYOR,
Brigadier-General, commanding.

STON OF SECOND BATTLE OF MANASSAS.

When the enemy's attack on the left of our line was repulsed, I was directed by BrigadierGeneral Wilcox to throw my brigade on his broken columns. Disposing my troops in two lines, with the first, consisting of the Third Virginia, the Fourteenth Alabama, and the Eighth Florida regiments, I pushed across the field, to the end of intercepting the enemy in his retreat. Perceiv- REPORT OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL FEATHERing my design, the flying Federals turned to the left, sought the shelter of a neighboring wood, But and attempted to arrest our advance. neither a terrific artillery fire on their flank, nor SIR: I submit the following report, showing the an unexpected fusillade in front, could check the Into the action of my brigade at the battle of Manassas impetuous onset of my brave men. woods they dashed, and, with little delay, dis- Plains, fought on the thirtieth day of August This accom-last: lodged the enemy from his cover. plished, I changed front to the right, with the view

RICHMOND, VA., September 25, 1862.

Major Sorrell, A. A. G., Major-General Long

street's Division:

At an early hour on the morning of the thir

tieth, my brigade was posted near a fence, about to reënforce me, and that other troops were com. half a mile west of the main road running to the ing up for the same purpose. Generals Pender village of Groveton, uniting with General Jack-and Archer very soon arrived with their brigades, son's command on my left at the railroad em- and I immediately directed my brigade to be bankment. General Pryor's brigade was placed moved to the left, so as to extend beyond the on the right of mine, and General Wilcox's a enemy's right, and Generals Pender and Archer short distance in the rear to support the other to form on the right of my brigade. This was two. The other brigades of General Longstreet's promptly done. Colonel Thomas's brigade was division continued our line of battle to the right, held in reserve, with one regiment of General and extending a considerable distance beyond the Pryor's. As soon as our line was formed, an adturnpike running through Groveton. Immedi- vance was ordered. The whole line moved forately in our front, and extending a considerable ward in rapid and gallant style. The enemy fled, distance to our right, was an old field, from a after the first well-directed fire, through the half a mile to a mile wide. The troops remained woods, in the direction of the Stone House. All in position here from an early hour in the morn- the pieces of their artillery were left upon the field ing until about three o'clock in the afternoon. and captured. These brigades continued the While in this position, my brigade was subjected march in pursuit of the enemy. Passing through to a very heavy fire from the enemy's artillery, a skirt of woods, they reached another field, some which was placed in the woods on the opposite three quarters of a mile wide, on the farther side side of the field lying in our front. Two of our of which the enemy were discovered again in line batteries, placed on a hill about the centre of my of battle, with one or two pieces of artillery placed brigade, and just in the rear, returned the ene-upon a commanding eminence, which were turned my's fire during most of the time. upon our troops as soon as they made their apThe enemy were observed during the forenoon pearance. These brigades were again put in passing down the turnpike from the direction of line of battle in the edge of the woods, and Colothe stone house, and filing to the right and left nel Thomas was directed to move with his briof our lines. About three o'clock P. M., one brigade to the left of our line, to prevent a flank gade was seen emerging from the woods on the movement by the enemy, and their reenforceopposite side of the field, advancing in the di- ments from coming up a road running on our rection of General Jackson's right and my left. left and extending in front to the turnpike near The advance was steady and unchecked under a the Stone House. These dispositions having been very heavy fire of the batteries supported by my made, our lines advanced. The enemy fled prebrigade, as well as from others placed on the left cipitately, doing us no injury except with their and right of the turnpike road. This brigade artillery, scarcely returning the fire of our infanof the enemy was followed by two others, (under try. Having driven them from this position, any the same heavy fire of our batteries,) which ad- further movement was prevented by the darkness vanced to within forty or fifty yards of our lines. of the night. It was now fully dark, and our Here they came to a halt, and returned the fire of troops bivouacked upon the ground until mornour infantry for about thirty minutes, when they |ing. commenced the retreat across the field in great The enemy's artillery was served with great confusion. The fire of our artillery upon the re-skill and effect upon our troops during the entire treating foe was rapid and destructive. As soon as engagement, to which our greatest loss on the the retreat commenced, our troops were ordered to left must be attributed. Our troops, whose conadvance. One of General Jackson's brigades ad- duct came under my observation, behaved with vanced on our left, and my brigade, General great coolness and courage during the whole enPryor's, and General Wilcox's moved forward in gagement, which lasted about four hours. The line of battle on its right. We reached the woods Dixie battery, under command of Captain Chapin front, and passed through the skirt of woods, lain, attached to my brigade, was placed on the over six hundred yards wide, when we came to left of the turnpike, near the village of Groveton, another old field some half a mile, or three quar- where it performed good service during the day. ters, in width. Here we found, on the opposite side of the field, the enemy drawn up in line of battle, with several pieces of artillery turned upon our troops, and directing a rapid, heavy, and destructive fire both upon the right and left of our lines. At this time, General Wilcox, who had, To the members of my staff, who were with me as senior Brigadier, been directing the move- on the field, Captain Barksdale, Lieutenant Parments of his brigade, General Pryor's, and mine, ker, and Captain C. N. Featherston, I feel inwas ordered by General Longstreet to move debted for their efficiency and promptness in rapidly with his brigade to the right, to the sup-executing my orders.

When General Wilcox left the field, and the command of the troops on the left devolved on me, I placed the command of my immediate brigade under Colonel Posey, who was the senior Colonel present.

port of General Hood. This left me the senior The list of the casualties in my brigade is herewith Brigadier on the left of our lines. Very soon transmitted, as well as lists of those who particu after General Wilcox left with his brigade, Major |larly distinguished themselves during the engage. Walton, of General Longstreet's staff, announced ment. All of which is respectfully submitted. to me that Colonel Thomas, commanding a brigade of General Jackson's division, had been sent

W. S. FEATHERSTON, Brigadier-General, commanding,

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