Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 7.djvu/669

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182
CONFEDERATE MILITARY HISTORY.

burg, the Eleventh was detailed as guard for the wagon train, and the other regiments of the brigade joined in the bloody but successful attack upon Reynolds' corps. General Heth's report says, Davis, on the left, advanced driving the enemy before him and capturing his batteries, but was unable to hold the position he had gained. The enemy concentrated on his front and flanks an overwhelming force. The brigade maintained its position until every field officer save two was shot down and its ranks terribly thinned. Among the officers of this brigade especially mentioned as displaying conspicuous gallantry on this occasion were Col. John M. Stone, commanding the Second Mississippi regiment; Lieut.-Col. H. Mosely and Maj. W. A. Feeney, Forty-second Mississippi regiment, severely wounded while gallantly leading their regiments to the first charge. The gallant Lieut. A. K. Roberts, of the Second Mississippi, with a detachment from the Second and Forty-second, after a hand-to-hand conflict with the enemy, succeeded in capturing the colors of a Pennsylvania regiment, but was killed in the struggle. "The good conduct of the brigade on this occasion merits my special commendation," General Heth added. General Davis also commended the service of his aides, Lieut. H. B. Estes and Captain Lowrey, who had their horses killed, and Capt. W. B. Magruder, Lieut. T. C. Holliday and Cadet James D. Reid. The Forty-second captured 150 prisoners, and other regiments did equally well.

On the third day of the battle General Pettigrew commanded the division, which participated in the charge on Cemetery Hill. While waiting in line of battle immediately in the rear of the Confederate batteries, Davis' brigade lost 2 men killed and 21 wounded. About three o'clock they advanced in line with Pickett's division on their right, and when about three-fourths of a mile from the Federal line were met with a heavy fire of grape, canister and shell, which pitilessly thinned their