ordered to take position behind the crest of the hill on which the artillery, under Colonel Alexander, was planted, where we lay during a most terrific cannonading, which opened at 1½ o'clock P. M. and was kept up without intermission for one hour. During the shelling we lost about twenty killed and wounded: among the killed was Lieutenant-Colonel Ellis, of the Nineteenth Virginia, whose bravery as a soldier, and his innocence, purity and integrity as a Christian, has not only elicited the admiration of his own command, but endeared him to all who knew him.
At 2½ P. M. the artillery fire having to some extent abated, the order to advance was given, first by Major-General Pickett in person, and repeated by General Garnett. With promptness, apparent cheerfulness and alacrity, the brigade moved forward at "quick-time." The ground was open, but little broken, and from 800 to 1,000 yards from the crest whence we started to the enemy's line. The brigade moved in good order, keeping up its line almost perfect, notwithstanding it had to climb three high post and rail fences, behind the last of which the enemy's skirmishers were first met and immediately driven in. Moving on, we soon met the advance line of the enemy, lying concealed in the grass on the slope, about one hundred yards in front of his second line, which consisted of a stone wall, about breast high, running nearly parallel to and about thirty spaces from the crest of the hill which was lined with their artillery.
The first line referred to above, after offering some resistance, was completely routed and driven in confusion back to the stone wall. Here we captured some prisoners, which were ordered to the rear without a guard. Having routed the enemy here, General Garnett ordered the brigade forward, which was promptly obeyed, loading and firing as they advanced.
Up to this time we had suffered but little from the enemy's batteries, which apparently had been much crippled previous to our advance, with the exception of one posted on the mountain about one mile to our right, which enfiladed nearly our entire line, with fearful effect, sometimes having as many as ten men killed and wounded by the bursting of a single shell.
From the point it had first routed the enemy, the brigade moved rapidly forward towards the stone wall, under a galling fire, both from artillery and infantry, the artillery using grape and canister.
We were now within about seventy-five paces of the wall, unsupported on the right and left; General Kemper being some fifty
