Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 04.djvu/191

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Official Reports of the Battle of Gettysburg.
183

my regiment with Semmes' brigade behind the wall, and placing pickets well to the front, I commenced the melancholy task of looking upon my numerous dead and wounded. It was a sad list. First among the dead was the brave and able officer, Colonel W. D. DeSaussuere, the senior colonel of the brigade, whom I had been pleased to regard as my successor in command should any casualty create a vacancy. His loos to his regiment is irreparable; to his State and the country, not to be estimated. Major McLeod, of the Eighth South Carolina regiment, a gallant and estimable officer, was mortally wounded. Colonel John D. Kennedy, of the Second South Carolina regiment, was severely wounded while gallantly leading his command to the charge. Lieutenant-Colonel Gaillard conducted the regiment through its subsequent operations. Lieutenant-Colonel Bland, of the Seventh South Carolina regiment, while commanding the right wing of the regiment with his usual courage and ability, was severely wounded; as was also Major D. B. Miller, same battalion. A long list of brave and efficient officers sealed their devotion to the glorious cause with their blood, each of whom merits special attention did the proper limits of this report admit it. All the officers and men of the command behaved most admirably, and are entitled to the gratitude of the country. I am especially indebted to the members of my staff, Captain Holmes, A. A. G.; Lieutenant Doby, A. D. C., and Lieutenant Dwight, A. A. I. G., for most efficient, services on the field under the most difficult circumstances.

About dark I was ordered to move my brigade to the left to the Peach Orchard, where I remained until noon of the next day, when I was ordered to return to the stone wall. An hour later I was directed to return to the wall where I had first formed line of battle. Hood's division, then commanded by General Law, was engaged with the enemy's cavalry in his front, his line being formed across our right flank. Lieutenant-General Longstreet directed me to move to the right so as to connect with Hood's left, retaining my then front. This I did, and remained in that position until the night of the 4th, when, about midnight, I moved with the army via Franklin to Montery. On the 6th, marched through Hagerstown via Waterloo, and camped near Funkstown. On the 10th I was directed to proceed with my own and Semmes, brigades and a section of Frazier's battery to the bridge across