438 Southern Historical Society Papers.
from the work a body of the enemy. Anderson's brigade then came up, and we awaited further orders. I was now ordered by the Brig- adier-General commanding, to move on the enemy's artillery, posted on the further edge of the field, and which was still resisting. We reached it after double-quicking for three-fourths (^) of a mile, shot down the horses and secured the cannon. After a long delay, which has never been explained to me, we followed the enemy nearly to the New Market Road, where he had retired after his reverses of the morning and fortified. His reinforcements had arrived, and his position surrounded by a dense undergrowth, impassable to a line of battle, was thus rendered almost impregnable. We attacked it, and after a hard fight were repulsed. A short time afterwards we were withdrawn, abandoning all the ground we had gained in the morn- ing. My losses amounted to two killed and seventeen wounded.
On the 27th November, the enemy attacked us on the Williams- burg Road, but were easily driven back. I had no casualties. In the skirmish preceding the attack, my skirmishers, under Captain Southern, captured thirty (30) or forty (40) of the enemy.
December gth, we moved down the Darbytown Road to the enemy's position, and after considerable manoeuvring, for what pur- pose and with what effect, I have been unable to learn, withdrew in the night and returned to camp. I had one man wounded.
I have had altogether in the field since the opening of the cam- paign five hundred and seventy-two men and officers. My losses in the aggregate amount to thirty-seven killed and two hundred and seven wounded, and nineteen captured or missing. Among the former I have to deplore many of my bravest men and officers. Cap- tains Grimes and Kirke, and Ensign E. W. Bellinger, all conspicuous for their gallantry under trying circumstances, fell in the assault on Battery Harrison, nobly discharging their duty. Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) JAS. R. HAGOOD,
Colonel Commanding.
[NOTE. At this length of time it is impossible to refer accurately by date, to events related in the foregoing report. J. R. H.]
