[CHAP. XXVIII.

About 11 a.m., it becoming apparent that the enemy were endeavoring to turn our extreme right, this regiment was ordered, together with the remainder of General Cheatham's division, to leave the position it then occupied on the extreme left and to hasten by the right flank to the point where the enemy had commenced to concentrate his forces. The distance marched was near 2 miles, under a very hot sun, and a portion of the time at a double-quick, and for a mile before the engagement commenced the men were continually exposed to the fire of the enemy's batteries. Tired and heated, the men were ordered to load and prepare for battle. The enemy's batteries had been planted upon a high bluff which it was impossible to ascend save in a few places, and in point of position the enemy had every advantage; but notwithstanding all these odds my men moved eagerly forward at the command. In ascending the bluff I was compelled, for want of room to preserve my position (second to the left) in line of battle, to move by the right flank, until coming in rear of Sixth Tennessee Regiment I again moved by the left flank. Upon reaching the top of the bluff we found a strip of woods to pass through before coming to the field in which the battery was planted and separated from the field by a fence. During the whole time of passing through the woods the battery was playing upon us with terrible effect; but as soon as the fence was reached, in full view of the battery, such a storm of shell, grape, canister, and Minie balls was turned loose upon us as no troops scarcely ever before encountered. Large boughs were torn from the trees, the trees themselves shattered as if by lightning, and the ground plowed in deep furrows. Still my men hesitated but a moment. Although many had fallen, and almost certain death seemed to be the fate of the remainder if they advanced, I had only to command "Forward," when they as one man leaped the fence and most gallantly charged at a double-quick, firing at every opportunity. Upon arriving within a few feet of the battery the enemy opened a most murderous fire with their small-arms, which caused the men to hesitate for a moment, when they commenced to return the fire with effect. After witnessing the gallant example set by yourself, sir, the men awaited no second command to charge, but continued to move forward until the enemy was driven entirely from the field, leaving the battery, seven guns, I believe, in our possession. It was a complete triumph of resolute courage and determined fighting over every odds. The enemy had every advantage of position and were superior to us in point of numbers by at least two, and probably three, to one. His battery was composed of large Napoleon guns, and still the Third Brigade, tired and alone, with a bright sun shining in their eyes to bewilder them, overcame all these obstacles and took the battery; but the battle is not yet closed. Upon reaching the fence on the opposite side of the field we met with stout resistance while crossing the lane that separated the battery field from a second battery and a largely superior force of infantry; but even these odds were overcome by the determined spirit of our troops, the Twenty-seventh Tennessee always holding her position in line, and the enemy driven through the woods and an adjoining corn field in the direction of their battery. At this second battery the enemy made a desperate and successful stand. Our men, after charging it most bravely twice, were finally drawn off on account of very heavy cross-firing on the left, which, owing to our fewness of numbers, we were unable to prevent. My regiment was then reformed and moved in the vicinity of the first battery and afterward to the Harrodsburg pike. Such, sir, as well as I can remember and learn, were the principal