Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 08.djvu/571

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Operations of Bratton's Brigade.
559

and have remained quiet up to date. Our total present at the beginning of the campaign (including quarter-masters, commissaries and surgical departments was officers, one hundred and fifty (150); men, eighteen hundred and sixty-six (1866); aggregate, two thousand and sixteen (2,016). Our loss during the campaign sums up one hundred and seventy-six (176) killed, one thousand and ninety-four (1,094) wounded, and ninety four missing; aggregate, thirteen hundred and sixty-four (1364). Total present to-day, including quarter-masters, commissaries, and surgical departments, one hundred and thirty-two officers (132), sixteen hundred and eighty-eight (1688) men; aggregate, eighteen hundred and twenty men. We have lost many of our noblest and best officers and men. Accompanying this is a list of casualties since the battle of the Wilderness.

The brigade as a whole has, in addition to the stirring gallantry of the fight proper, displayed a fortitude, endured the fatigues and dangers of this most arduous campaign, with a staunch and sturdy courage, the contemplation of which fills me with gratitude, not unmixed with pride.

While I feel that it is impossible in a report stretching over so much of action to do justice to the many individual instances of meritorious conduct that from time to time occurred, I cannot close without special mention of Colonel Hagood's First South Carolina regiment, and Colonel Coward's Fifth South Carolina regiment. These officers have distinguished themselves by their valor and skill on the field, and general good management of their commands throughout the campaign. Also Captain J. B. Lyle, Fifth South Carolina regiment, who in command of his company, then of his regiment, and afterwards as acting assistant adjutant-general on my staff, was every where conspicuous for his courage, energy and zeal.

Respectfully submitted,

John Bratton, Brigadier-General.