resting near and south of the railroad. General Anderson's brigade was formed on the north side of the railroad, his left reting parallel with the railroad, and posted Captain Anderson's battery of four guns at an eligible site on the railroad on the north sied. The Second Brigade, under Colonel Mann, was drawn up in rear of the State Line, and General McCoy's brigade in a secure place to act as reserves.

In this position an advance was ordered. General Anderson, with the brigade, to attack the enemy on his right flank; Major Cook, with his, to attack him on his left flank, whilst Captain Anderson, with his battery, the State Line, and General McCoy's commands attacked him in the front. The State Line and General McCoy's brigade moved forward in fine style under a heavy and galling fire until they reached within some fifty yards of the enemy's works, which position they maintained during the contest, and from which position they delivered a telling fire. Colonel Mann, deeming that his brigade could be of more service near the lines, advanced it to near the same position, where it participated in the general action. From some misconception of orders, when the general advance was being made General Anderson's brigade faced to the right and swept across the railroad (save a small detachment on his extreme left that was cut off by a deep cut in the railroad) and participated with the State Line and General McCoy's brigade in the direct attack, where they, both officers and men, sustained themselves with decision and gallantry. After the action had progressed for some hours General Anderson took the detachment of his men that had been cut off, went round to the enemy's right flank, when a most spririted and desperate fight ensued, lasting some hour and a half or more; but the enemy was too firmly established and the general's force too small to dislodge him. The order to Major Cook (from some cause of which I am not aware) t's left was never carried out, yet his command participated fully in the action, deported themselves gallantly, and, I regret to say, suffered much from wounds and deaths. Captain Anderson, with his battery, did good and valuable service, soon silencing the enemy's battery and forced upon him many telling shots. He is a skillful, brave, and meritorious officer. The officers and men deported themselves well during the entire action, which lasted from 3 p. m. until dark; held their positions and retired in good order to Griswoldville, where I had intended to encamp and bring off those of our wounded and dead that had not been removed from the battle-field, but on my reaching Griswoldville I received an order from the major-general commanding ordering me to fall back to the trenches at Macon, where I arrived about 2 a. m. I can but believe if the flank movement had been caried out with all the forces assigned to that duty that it would have resulted in dislodging and probably routing the enemy, notwithstanding he was, I am satisfied, fully equal, if not superior, to our forces. Whist we have to regret the loss of many gallant officers and men, yet we cannot but hope that they died not in vain. Accompanying please find a diagram of the field and position of the forces and the reports of all the officers that I have been able to procure.

I am, with high regard, your obedient servant,

P. J. PHILLIPS,

Brigadier-General, Commanding Division, Georgia Militia.

Colonel THOMAS HARDEMAN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[44.]