[CHAP. XXVIII.

other battery. Between the hours of 1 and 2 p.m. we were ordered to advance in line with General Cheatham's command, which was moving upon the enemy on our right. We advanced about 200 yards, when from the brow of a hill we had reached we saw the enemy in line below and received a heavy volley from them; simultaneously my men fired upon the enemy, who immediately fell back. Several of my men were wounded ont the first fire by the small-arms of the enemy, shells and grape from their batteries, which swept around us in perfect showers. I commanded my men to reload immediately, and they continued to load and fire until we discovered that we were separated from the brigade, which was to us a matter of no little surprise, as we had received no command but forward. A house, outhouses, and orchard were situated immediately to our right, which obstructed the view and prevented us from observing the movements of the left of the brigade. Ascertaining that it had moved in the direction of the woods to the left, I commanded my men to march by the left flank in that direction. After passing the orchard we discovered a regiment emerging from the woods in the rear in the direction from which the brigade first moved; we wheeled into line on the right of what turned out to be the Seventeenth Tennessee and advanced to a stone wall in the hollow below, which inclosed a house, &c., several hundred yards to the left of the house first alluded to. Colonel Marks took his position behind a wall running parallel with the hollow. I filed right and took my position behind a post-and-rail fence running diagonally to the wall; here we were met with an almost overwhelming storm of lead from a corn or cane field near by. I commanded my men to mount the fence and take position behind a stonewall which separated the yard from the field, running parallel with and about 50 yards distant from the wall behind which the Seventeenth was stationed. They promptly and cheerfully obeyed the order and immediately opened upon the enemy, I hope with some effect. The fire raged with unabated fury for about one hour and a half, when, our ammunition being exhausted, we were compelled to cease firing, but were soon relieved by General Cleburne, but not until the enemy had almost ceased to fire. I had several officers and men wounded in the fight at the wall. After the regiment was withdrawn a sufficient detail was dispatched for ammunition and we were soon supplied. Meanwhile we had moved to the right and advanced near the brow of the hill on which Calvert's battery was planted. Late in the afternoon (the Seventeenth Tennessee was again on my left) General Buckner ordered us to advance, when I gave the command "Fix bayonets," and advanced to the summit. The Seventeenth did not advance, as I afterward learned the order was countermanded so far as that regiment was concerned. A battalion from the Sixteenth Alabama was soon after ordered to form on my left and we advanced about half a mile in the field but took no further part in the battle, as night soon set in and the firing gradually ceased.

Major [J. T.] McReynolds and most of my company officers acted with great gallantry. Individual instances of both officers and men might be mentioned of the exhibition of the most gallant and desperate conduct.

I had 27 men wounded and some killed in the action. Their names have been furnished by the adjutant.

Respectfully submitted.

MOSES WHITE,

Colonel Thirty-seventh Tennessee Regiment.

Brigadier-General JOHNSON.