344 Series I Volume XXXV-I Serial 65 - Olustee Part I
Page 344 | S. C., FLA., AND ON THE GA. COAST. Chapter XLVII. |
position on the left, between the Twenty-third and Sixth Georgia Regiments, and was instructed to assume the general direction of the left of the line.
The section of Gamble's artillery in the center having been disabled by the loss of horses and injury to limber, Captain Wheaton, who had early arrived upon the field with the Chatham Artillery and had taken position on the right, was ordered to the center too relieve Captain Gamble. This battery moved forward and took position under a heavy fire, and continued to advance with the line of infantry until the close of the action. Toward night, when Captain Wheaton's ammunition was almost expended, a section of Guerard's battery, of Harrison's brigade, under Lieutenant Gignilliat, moved up and opened fire on the enemy, furnishing Captain Wheaton with part of his ammunition.
After our line had advanced about one-quarter of a mile the engagement became general and the ground was stubbornly contested. With two batteries of artillery immediately in our front and a long line of infantry strongly supported, the enemy stood their ground for some time, until the Sixth Florida Battalion, on the right flank, and all the troops in front pressing steadily forward, compelled them to fall back and leave five pieces of artillery in our possession. At this time, our ammunition beginning to fail, I ordered the commanding officers to halt their regiments and hold their respective positions until a fresh could be brought from the ordnance wagons, which, after much delay, had arrived upon the field.
Major Bonaud's battalion came upon the field, followed soon after by the Twenty-seventh Georgia Regiment and the First Florida Battalion. These troops were put in position near the center of the line and a little in advance, to hold the enemy in check until the other commands could be supplied with cartridges. As soon as this was accomplished I ordered a general advance, at the same time sending instructions to Colonel Harrison to move the Sixth and Thirty-second Georgia Regiments around on the right flank of the enemy. The Twenty-seventh Georgia Regiment, under Colonel Zachry, pushing forward with great vigor upon the center, and the whole line moving as directed, the enemy gave way in confusion. We continued the pursuit for several miles, when night put an end to the conflict. Instructions were given to the cavalry to follow close upon the enemy and seize opportunity to strike a favorable blow.
The results of the engagement in the killed, wounded, and prisoners of the enemy and our own loss will be found in the reports rendered directly to you.
The gallantry and steady courage of officers and men during this engagement are beyond all praise. For more than four hours they struggled with unflinching firmness against superior numbers until they drove them in confusion and panic to seek safety in flight.
Colonel George P. Harrison, who commanded on the left, displayed skill, coolness, and gallantry. The commanding officers of the various regiments did their duty nobly. Colonel Evans, commanding Sixty-fourth Georgia, and Captain Crawford, commanding Twenty-eighth Georgia, both gallant officers, were wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel Barrow, of Sixty-fourth Georgia, a brave and gallant officer, received a fatal shoot while gallantly attempting to rally his men. Captain Wheaton and the officers and men of his battery are entitled to special commendation for their courage, coolness, and effi-
Page 344 | S. C., FLA., AND ON THE GA. COAST. Chapter XLVII. |