O'Neal's brigade would cover all the ground, I reported, and was ordered to take position on the right of the brigade, which was in a corn-field, and behind a section of Colonel [T. H.] Carter's battery. It was left at discretion with me to move my men, if they suffered from the enemy's fire, but to remain within supporting distance. I moved my regiment about 50 yards to the right, in rear of the left of General [J. H.] Lane's brigade, where I remained until dark, when I was ordered to take my position on the right of the brigade. We then moved forward about half a mile toward the enemy's position, and remained about half an hour, when I moved by the left flank to the road leading through town, and bivouacked in line for the night. July 3, at 3 a. m., I moved with the brigade through Gettysburg, and around to the right of the enemy, which was about 4 miles, and lay in line at the foot of a hill, the Thirty-second North Carolina being on my right. After some skirmishing, I was ordered to move by the left flank, to the support of some brigade on the left. I moved, and was fronted behind a brigade, and then ordered forward. After firing some little time, I was ordered to let my men fall back under cover of the hill, keeping out my sharpshooters. Again I was ordered forward, and kept position just under the edge of the crest until, about 2 or 3 o'clock, I saw the regiments on my right and left going back. I then reordered my men to fall back some 50 yards, when I was ordered to move by the right flank, and was halted about 150 yards from the position left, where I remained until 3 a. m., and then moved by a circuitous route back to the hills which we had taken the first day, where we remained until Sunday (July 4), 3 a. m., when we left. As to the casualties in my regiment, they were forwarded. * My officers and men acted very well. I would especially mention Sergeant [E. J.] Null, Company H, and Private [W. D.] McAdoo, Company A, both, I am sorry to say, severely wounded. There were many others who acted very gallantly, but these two surpassed all.

Very respectfully,

W. A. OWENS,

Colonel, Commanding. Captain W. M. HAMMOND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Numbers 512. Report of Captain Van Brown, Second Carolina Battalion.

CAMP NEAR DARKESVILLE, W. VA., July 19, 1863. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that the Second North Carolina Battalion, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel [H. L.] Andrews, entered the engagement of July 1, with the remainder of the brigade, between the hours of 12 m. and 1 p. m. The original position in line of the battalion was on the left of the

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*For casualties July 1-3, see p. 342.

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