Page:History of the Forty-eighth Regiment, M.V.M. during the Civil War (IA historyoffortyei00plumm).pdf/76

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confused, and Col. O'Brien ordered a retreat. This order was not heard by Capt. Stanwood. Seeing some of his men about to fall back in disorder he ordered them to stand fast, which they did, and with a portion of Cos. E and D fell back about 100 yards and took a new position, rallying on the colors.

General Augur was at the rear and near the Plains Store and witnessed the occurrence: The battery guns went to the rear before the right wing left its position. Col. Stone lost both his horses, captured. At night Co. B went on picket.

The 48th lost two killed, several wounded and prisoners in the fight today.

May 22. Co. B was relieved from picket by Co. F. Calvin A. Farrington of Co. B was missing at roll call, having been taken prisoner. Lieut.-Col. O'Brien and Captain Stanwood were requested to come to Maj.-Gen. Augur's headquarters, which they did, and were complimented very highly for the part sustained by the right wing in yesterday's battle; and also some of the officers and men of the left wing who rallied on the colors. The numbers in the right wing were so few that the General supposed at the time that there was but one company. He said the regiment did as well as any but veteran troops would do under the circumstances; that they had by mistake been placed in the wrong position and were very badly posted on either side of the road. He kindly criticised Lieut.-Col. O'Brien and told him that he made a great mistake by trying to make a wheel to the rear in the face of an aggressive enemy, his men being under fire for the first time; none but seasoned troops could do that safely. He said the Lieutenant-Colonel should have ordered the right of his