Coward. Colonel Gary moved up, and passing over the line of skirmishers who were fighting on the right and a little in the rear of the Fifth, drove the enemy through their camp and entirely beyond their wagon camp. By this time the Sixth, under Major White, had reported, and was in position on the ground at first occupied by the Second rifles. The position of things at this time was entirely favorable to a grand charge. Our line was, as it were, two sides of a widespread V, the Fifth and Hampton Legion on the right, and the Sixth and Palmetto Sharpshooters on the left; the first at the point; Second rifles on the left behind the railroad. The enemy, with his left driven, crowded and huddled upon his centre, occupied the base. His line of fire at this time certainly was not more than three or four hundred yards in length, and but from fifty to one hundred and fifty yards in breadth, the sparkling fire making a splendid pyrotechnic display, and encouraging the hope that the balls intended for us were lodging on themselves. At this juncture I received orders to withdraw, and moved back in good order, as the enemy were pressing in the rear. While making arrangements for the charge, I had sent back to ask that Lieutenant-Colonel Logan—who followed us over the mountain with the pickets of the brigade that were on post when we left—be sent up to me. The answer to this request was delivered just then that Colonel Logan was about engaging the enemy in the rear, and that I must withdraw and move back at once. I moved the Sixth regiment to the position behind the railroad, and ordered it to pour its fire upon the crowded mass of the enemy. Under this fire the rest of the brigade was withdrawn. Colonels Coward and Gary were first withdrawn, and ordered to form line of battle about a quarter of a mile in rear to cover the retreat of the others, which was done, and all passed through, bringing away most of our wounded and many of the guns left on the field. I then moved on to the bridge over Lookout creek, Colonel Coward bringing up the rear. Here we formed line of battle to cover the retreat and passage of General Benning's brigade, and were the last to recross the creek. I was ordered back to camp, which I reached a little after sunrise on the morning of the 29th October.
Our loss, I regret to say, is most serious. Colonel Kilpatrick of the First South Carolina volunteers, distinguished not only for gallantry, but for efficiency, was shot through the heart early in the engagement. His bearing was such as those who knew him best, expected, heroic. His loss is irremediable to his regiment. The enclosed list of casualties will display to you the character as well as amount of our loss.
To my fellow colonels and commanders of regiments I am deeply in-
