Recollections of the War Years

[marklemon]

For those who may be interested in the War between the States from a Southern perspective, I offer in this thread a series of excerpts from the manuscript of my great, great grandfather, Capt. James Lile Lemon, Co A, 18th Georgia Volunteer Infantry. He called it "Recollections of the war Years."
As I mentioned in another thread, this account, which has long been in my family's possession, will be published within the year. Capt Lemon is the only Confederate soldier from the State of Georgia so far to have received the SCV-conferred Confederate Medal of Honor.

The first excerpt, chosen for no reason in particular, picks up just as the Second battle of Manassas was ending, and is quite interesting in several respects:

"....Our active part of the battle was at an end, & we had again proven our mettle on the field. In less than 24 hours, our regiment alone fought most gallantly, capturing 2 stands of colors (24th & 10th New York) four pieces of artillery (Kern’s). Routed five Yankee regts (17th, 24th, 44th New York, 5th & 10th New York) while killing & capturing a great number of them. While resting at the branch, we looked up the ridge to our rear, down which the 5th & 10th New York had fled in terror. We counted over three hundred dead & wounded Yankee bodies there & more in the branch & ridge beyond. The boys at once set about moving among the bodies, helping themselves most liberally to anything of value which they came across. Of course, it was mostly cartridges they were after, but watches, rings, wallets, & other such valuables were eagerly sought after. For some reason I cannot fully explain, my eye began to seek out my old pal A.N. & soon found him roaming among the Yankee dead. I soon noticed that he, unlike our other boys, was not taking cartridges or other such like, but was rather moving from corpse to corpse, bending over and staring intently at each one’s pallid face, before letting loose with a stream of tobacco juice in their faces. Moving quickly to him, I grasped him by the shoulder and said “_____, old friend, don’t do that, the dead cannot hurt you and deserve respect as men.” His eyes blazed at me with fury and he fairly spat out his words “Men!” said he “These miserable Yankee filth are not men. They are men in form only. They are wretched dogs who must be killed.” “Old Pard,” I said to him as gently but as firmly as I could “They are, as you can see, dead. Don’t debase yourself. Let the dead be.” His eyes softened somewhat at this, and presently a smile came to his lips. “You’re right Jim, they aren’t worth a spit of tobacco anyway. What say me & you share some salt pork?” At this we walked back down to the branch where he took from his haversack a piece of delicious salted pork, cut it & handed me the larger piece, which after the day’s wild events, tasted like the finest steak. Our army’s victory at “Second Manassas” was complete & triumphant, utterly crushing as it did Pope’s army. It was, I think, the finest hour of our regiment, though many hard fought battles lay ahead. We rested that evening & recovered our dead & wounded. While going over the field Adjutant Patton spied the body of a very large Sgt from the 5th New York who had, when we overran that outfit, tried valiantly but vainly to seize our flag. He had managed to grasp the edge of the cloth & pull, but Weems was equal in strength, & grasped the color both staff & cloth where they meet so as to prevent their being torn from the staff. As a result the cloth had just begun to tear down the middle when the Yank was (tho’ shot & already wounded) run straight through the body with a bayonet which dropped him at once. Now, Adjutant Patton who had witnessed the incident & who was very fond of Weems, knelt by the dead Yank & with his pen knife cut a lock of the Yankee’s hair with which he had the tear in our flag mended, figuring that the Yank would mend with his body what he had caused to be damaged. Later that evening I was informed that my good friend Lt. J. F. Hardin of Co B, from Bartow County was wounded but not, I was relieved to hear, seriously. Thus ended for us the great battle of Second Manassas or Groveton, enshrining forever the genious of Gen’l Lee and the devoted gallantry of his army."

[marklemon]

The following excerpt is the section that just precedes the one above, and is one of the best accounts from a soldier in the ranks, of Longstreet's grand flank attack on August 30, 1862, at Second Manassas (apologies for the length):

"...We spent a rather restless night thus deployed, owing in part to our sleeping on our arms deployed in line of battle & in part to the scattered firing that went on between the pickets during the night. At dawn we awoke & retired a short distance to cook & eat rations after which we again re-formed our previous line. Our disposition was to the right of the Groveton Road in the following order, beginning with the regt closest to the road ~ 1st Texas, 4th Texas, 18th Geo., Hampton’s Legion & 5th Texas. Gen’l Law’s Briggade was across the Road to our left. The dawn broke & portended a beautiful but hot day. Our attention was soon drawn away to our left & front, where the Yanks were re-newing their attacks on Jackson’s works. The din was soon terrific & indicated a furious fight was ongoing. We soon saw the massed formations of blue troops, magnificently accoutred & equipped with bright bayonets bristling along their advancing lines & the United States flag fluttering in the breeze, moving from our right to left in the distance. A number of our batteries which had arrived yesterday & deployed to fire in enfilade, now opened upon their flank with terrible effect. As they came within range of Jackson’s men, thunderous volleys were poured into them. Even at our distance of perhaps a mile, we could plainly see the Yank formation shudder from the effect of fire from front & flank, but onward they advanced until we lost sight of them in the haze of battle. After a few minutes of terrific firing the Yankee masses again came into view as they streamed to the rear, recoiling from Jackson’s front. A mighty cheer was heard from Jackson’s men which was instantly picked up by our own men. Our cheering was soon cut short however, as we were at about this time (4 o’clock) ordered to our feet & to dress our lines. The thrill which precedes such momentous events race through our bodies & every man in his own manner readied his spirit & girded himself for what lay ahead. About 4:30 p.m. the order “Attention!” rang out, followed by “Right Shoulder-Shift!, Forward, quick-time March!” We stepped off in a lively gait, & instantly the air was fairly rent with the most chilling “Rebel Yell” I ever heard, as ten thousand throats screamed forth a veritable banshee-yell. We advanced smartly as if on dress parade, across an open field to our front, when I chanced to look away off to our left & then to the right & beheld a solid line of thousands of our infantry crowned with dozens of fluttering crimson flags. To this day I still remember this beautiful sight with perfect clarity. I remember catching my breath at the magnificence of it all. It made my heart almost leap out of my chest to see such a thrilling sight. The grandeur was simply indescribable, the very picture of martial glory. Our formation was soon broken somewhat by woods & hills & we eventually became separated from other regiments, though our own regiment’s alignment was maintained. As we advanced into a piece of timber in our front we encountered a Yankee skirmish line who fired a scattered volley at us before running away. We knew they would lead us to their main body & we quickly went after them, firing on the move & yelling ourselves hoarse. After but a short distance we began to emerge from the woods & saw to our savage delight, arrayed along the ridge above us, the much-hated 5th New York Zouaves in their gaudy red & blue out-fits. These were the same “gentlemen” whom we had the rather dubious “honor” of guarding in Richmond after their capture at the first battle at this place. There were, in our minds, many scores to settle. A regiment of New Yorkers, the 10th I think whose pickets we had been driving before us, ran directly into the line of fire of the 5th New York & they were furiously trying to “shoo” them out of their way so they could fire at us. When clear, the 5th New York fired a frantic volley at us at only about 20 or 30 yards distant that, for the most part, went high hurting no one. We halted almost in their faces & levelled our pieces & sent a brutal volley right into them, & I distinctly can remember hearing hundreds of their piercing screams above the clatter of our musketry. No sooner had we fired than we were upon them with bayonet & clubbed musket & without exception they broke & fled pel mel down the slope to their rear, dropping or flinging away their muskets, which now only served to impede their progress to the rear. We pursued them with almost reckless abandon down the valley shooting & killing them at every step. Our formation & order were hopelessly lost & we had become, I am somewhat now ashamed to say, a savage mob in our fury to destroy this hated bunch. Reaching the branch, the Yankee survivors fairly leapt across like African Gazelles & began at once to surge up the next ridge upon which was posted a Yankee battery. When we reached the branch, we halted but a moment to re-form our lines & again were off & after them. About half way up the ridge we overtook the color guard of the 10th New York, killing the ensign & seizing the colors. (10th New York colors taken by William Key of Bartow Co. - Capt Roger’s Co.) Hundreds of Yanks were madly running up the hill with our men but a few feet behind & shooting them down & bayonetting them in the back. Here, at least, was no “chivalry of War,” for in this fight more than any other I experienced, the feelings of animosity were of a personal, not ideological nature. When we reached the onset of the ridge, our left wing overran & captured the Yankee Capt. Kern’s battery which, in another irony of war, was one of the few batteries which had but narrowly escaped being captured by us at Coal Harbor. Capt Kerns fell gallantly at his guns, mortally wounded. We scarcely halted, but pushed on down to another small run where we again re-formed our lines. Col. Wofford then appeared & ordered us to move at once by the right flank up a ravine where, reaching the cover of a thick woods, we moved through it & emerged onto an open plateau (Chinn’s Ridge). In the distance about 200 yards off were several Yankee batteries near a house & it seemed to be the rallying point for the thousands of fugitive Yankees whom had as yet escaped the general slaughter. Also at this point were fresh Yankee regts positioned in support of the guns. After a brief halt to re-form, we were again ordered to advance. Off we went with a yell, advancing across the plateau, entirely in the open, and unsupported, much like the storied “Light Briggade” at Balaclava, only without mounts. It was our regiment and us alone, against a host of Yankees & their heavy guns. We advanced in style & with our yells now forced from desperation, but our day had reached its zenith. The guns opened upon us with double-shotted cannister & then the infantry as well with their withering vollies, & we began to take fearful losses. In fact, the great balance of our casualties that day were received at this point. One of my men, J. D. Mullins was killed directly in front of me by a shot of grape & decapitated & I was fairly covered with all manner of blood & tissue. The grape which had instantly killed him whizzed by my ear & missed killing me by no more than an inch or two. But on we swept in fine style & high spirits, soon breaking into double-time, & then charge bayonet. At once more men began to fall. J. B. O’Neill, M. H. Jackson, B. R. Whitfield were all severely wounded. P.C. Preast was shot in the left foot, which later had to be amputated, & our brave & gallant ensign, Weems was killed over on our left. Many others near him, who had, after his falling, picked up the banner were themselves shot down. We soon reached a spot about 30 yards from the guns but could advance no further against the hail storm of lead & iron being poured into our one regiment, now very badly cut up. Col. Wofford withdrew us in fairly good order, over the same ground which we had advanced, eventually reaching the branch where we had first regrouped after breaking the Zouaves. Here we rejoined the 1st & 4th Texas from whom we had become separated & rested, regrouped & replenished our cartridge boxes. "

[Chuck T]

Mark: I have walked that very spot many a time. Second Manassas is for me Lee's finest campaign. I lived in the Chantilly, Oakton, Vienna area for many years both while on active duty and after I retired. My son, who is now a historian/interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg served as a Park Service volunteer interpreter at Manassas. So you are talking home for me in this manuscript.

I did one of my papers at Command and General Staff College on the Battle of Chantilly which was an aftermath of Manassas and a prelude to Sharpsburg. I am quite familiar with the latter place also and could almost (I think) point out to you where 18 GA planted their colors in the fight with that artillery battery.

Ironicly Thomason in Lone Star Preacher in the chapter (short story) "The Preacher Learns To Pray describes an almost identical scene of overrunning the 5 NY and the aftermath. Sharpsburg is covered in "He Lost His Pig But Saved His Bacon"

[Chuck T]

Mark: We have got to get together off of this board and talk the nuts and bolts of modeling. I do ships but I am so impressed with your Alamo that I could kick myself for not knowing of its existence earlier. I am corect in that it is in San Antonio - yes?? If so I was across the street from it on Easter Sunday.

[marklemon]

Apr 23, 2010 0:44:59 GMT -5 Chuck T said:

Mark: We have got to get together off of this board and talk the nuts and bolts of modeling. I do ships but I am so impressed with your Alamo that I could kick myself for not knowing of its existence earlier. I am corect in that it is in San Antonio - yes?? If so I was across the street from it on Easter Sunday.

Chuck,
Yep, it's right across Houston Street from the Alamo, in The History Shop. Cost's a whopping $3 to see. Comes complete with a narration by Phil Collins.
But I don't really consider myself a modeler, but rather a two dimensional artist that was able to translate that 2D data into 3D. But my dirty little secret is that long, long ago, I was a (plastic) modeler, and have over 200 unbuilt kits in my garage.
Mark

[marklemon]

Here is an early excerpt describing the first meeting, in Richmond Virginia in 1861, of the 18th Georgia with the Texans of Hood's Brigade:

AMONG THE TEXANS

About this time we were again re-organized and placed in a Briggade of Texas boys under General Wigfall. At that time our briggade consisted of the 1st, 4th, and 5th Texas Regt’s, the 18th Geo. and for a brief time the 5th Alabama. Our first meeting was when I recall it now, most comical as we were both Georgians and Texans alike, very proud. Neither of us were willing to show deference to the other, so there we stood, in two groups, giving each other “the look”. To me it seemed much as a dis-interesed belle at her Cotillion would give to a suiter “below her status”. If the looks fired between us had been minie balls, blood would have flowed and casualties would have been severe indeed. Luckily, a few of the boys from both Georgia and Texas, being by nature less proud and more gregarious, walked through the “firing-line” and cheerfully shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. This seemed to have a charmed effect and soon we realized our prideful folly and were soon amongst each other, clasping hands and chattering away like long-separated chums. This was the beginning of a most remarkable “union”. What became known as “Wigfalls”, then later “Hood’s Texas Briggade” was begun here at this meeting of boys from Georgia and Texas. We soon came to trust, rely and depend upon one another with unquestioning faith and it was a truly sorrowful day when a year later and after the shedding of much blood on many a victorious field, we were separated by another re-organizing of the Army.

[Chuck T]

This sounds similar to the brigading of the 165th Infantry (69th New York) and the 167th Infantry (4th Alabama) in the 42d "Rainbow" Division in WWI They had actually fought one another in the Sunken Road at Fredricksburg.

If those kits are old enough you may have a small fortune on your hands. Not kidding one bit.

I would love for my seven year old grandson to see this model. I will e-mail my daughter tomorrow to take him there some Saturday. By the way he visited the Alamo for the first time around Chistmas, and saw that one of the defenders was Marcus Sewell, which is his last name. Of couse he is now convinced that he and this person must be related. A longshot but I have started to look into it. I know that Sewell was a shoemaker from Gonzalez having either been born in England and ended up in Tennessee at a very early age, or was born in Tennessee shortly after his parents arrived there from England. Being from Gonzalez I presume he entered the Alamo on 1 March with the Ranging Company but I have not had the time to verify this. So it's work in progress.

Wigfall was quite a character, but Hood was the best brigade and division commander in the Army for my money. When he struck, he struck with every bit of combat power he had forward. He led from the front and his men adored him. Later out west his many wounds (the loss of leg and arm) had taken the best from him. He should have never been given active command after the loss of the leg.

[Paul Sylvain]

Very lively and descriptive reading, Mark. I lived in Manassas for about 15 months many years ago and walked the battlefield many, many times. I could clearly envision the scenes painted in this account of Second Manassas. Thanks for sharing.

Paul

[marklemon]

Apr 23, 2010 6:13:12 GMT -5 Paul Sylvain said:

Very lively and descriptive reading, Mark. I lived in Manassas for about 15 months many years ago and walked the battlefield many, many times. I could clearly envision the scenes painted in this account of Second Manassas. Thanks for sharing.

Paul

Thanks Paul,
Yes, this is great stuff...I myself visited the Manassas battlefield many years ago, and walked, with the manuscript in hand, on the very ground described, and it gave me goose bumps. Not long ago, I walked the Gaines Mill field with noted Civil war historian Robert Krick, and using the manuscript as a guide, as traced the movements of the 18th Georgia , over hill and valley, just about exactly, from start of their charge, to the end of it about a mile away.
Glad you're liking it.
Mark

[marklemon]

Here's an interesting and grim occurance that took place in Richmond in 1861, when the 18th Ga was assigned to guard yankee prisoners from First Bull Run:

"...During this time, an unfortunate incident occurred. One of the men of my company, whom I will call A.N. (NOTE: "Arthur Nichols" ML) was on guard duty when he became the target of the loud and vulgar abuse heaped upon him by a group of Yanks from the New York 5th Regt., a group we came to know as vulgar “blow-hards” of the lowest order. Our “association” with these men would continue the following year when we met them at Manassas, with terrible results. Here as our prisoners, however, we first saw the face of our enemy. A.N. whom I know well, is a most quiet and reserved fellow and had a characteristic of which I had long been aware, and that was he had a “long fuse” but when that fuse was used up, the “report” was a fearful thing to behold. The group of Yanks gathered at the bars were heaping abuse upon him relentlessly and for no apparent cause save for “sport”. One of the Yanks in particular was making shameful remarks about A.N’s mother, whom I also knew. Well, upon hearing these scurrilous remarks A.N. raised his piece and in a twinkling shot the Yank through the heart. A.N. then walked up to the Yank’s body and ejected a stream of tobacco juice into the dead man’s face, saying as he did so “You son of a dog. No man slanders my kin and lives.” The incident, which was witnessed by others in my company, was told to me by them after I had arrived, in much haste, to investigate the report of this musket. A.N. was disciplined but not harshly, as all who witnessed the incident testified that A.N. had taken more shameful abuse than any man should be made to endure and if any man deserved to die, it was that foul-mouthed Yankee from New York. Late in Sept. 1861, 25 of these prisoners were sent to New Orleans, by way of Petersburg, with an escort of 80 men from our Regt. They left Richmond on the 25th of Sept. under the command of Capt. Stewart of Co. ____. They arrived in New Orleans on the fourth of October. The prisoners were turned over to our forces at that place and the escort departed on their return journey. "

[marklemon]

In the summer of 1862, in an attempt to thwart McClellan's thrust towards Richmond in what has come to be known as "The Peninsula Campaign," the 18th GA, part of Hood's Texas Brigade, played a very crucial part in the battle.
In the next series of installments, I'll post my GGGrandfather's account of the action on June 27, 1862, at Gaines' Mill. This has been posted earlier on the John Wayne Alamo forum, so apologies if anyone here has already read it.
Part 1:

THE BATTLE OF GAINES FARM & COLD HARBOR

On the 26th of June we broke camp quite early and marched towards the southeast, in the direction of Cold Harbor. Away off in the distance we soon could hear the sounds of a great battle. At about 3 o’clock in the evening, we approached a small stream and bridge by which we were to cross. A Yankee rear-guard there had set fire to the bridge and was firing upon us from the other side. Reilly’s guns (attached to our Briggade) at once moved into the field to our left and unlimbered, unseen by 3 Negroes who, with a white farmer or overseer, were sitting on a worn fence and engaged in calling out to us as we passed by with such remarks as “das right go get dem Yanks” and “Look out sah, dems a whole mess ‘o Yankees down dat road” and such like. One of them met my hard gaze and said gaily “Hey Boss, lets us go fight dem Yanks, we’ll whip’em sho ‘nuff”. Their taunting remarks were harmless, but it was plain that they were having much fun at our expense, believing that we would surely be whipped. At about that precise moment, Reilly let go the first shot from one of his 12 pounders, which was only about 100 feet to their rear. The sudden, loud report from this gun caused all four to leap into the air with the wildest shrieks and curses and all were last seen flying to the rear into a piece of woods. Bill Stansell of my company cried out after them “Ho! Boys! A’goin’ for reinforcements, are ye?” Our entire Briggade instantly was convulsed in fits of laughter so violent we could hardly keep marching. This comical episode did much to lighten the rising tension in our ranks. At length the Yanks were driven off and we repaired and crossed the bridge without further incident. We pressed on for 4 or 5 more miles and finally halted and camped at a cross roads.

Well before sunrise on the 27th of June 1862 we were again on the march towards Cold Harbor, several more miles to the south. Ewell’s men were ordered to separate from us and march to the south at about noon and about 3 in the evening we set off to the south by a different road, as well as through field, forest and swamp. Our speed of march convinced us all that grim work lay ahead. About 4 o’clock in the evening, we neared the field of battle which resounded with the perfectly thunderous roar of musketry and artillery. At this time, I recollect there appeared to be some question as to our correct disposition as we were halted, deployed in line of battle and then counter-marched by regiments. This caused some confusion and the 4th Texas original alignment (behind us on the march, and to our left in line of battle) was now to our front on march, and on our right in line of battle. We continued to the southwest and soon emerged from a piece of timber and halted near a cross-roads.

Here at this place we first saw Gen’l Lee, who had but recently assumed command of our army after Gen’l Johnston’s wounding at the Seven Pines fight. He had ridden up on a beautiful gray charger, accompanied by Gen’l Whiting & staff & seemed to be seeking out our Gen’l Hood, who at once rode up to greet him. Tho’ we did not know, nor at the time recognize him, his superb grace & soldierly bearing were at once apparent & I heard Major Griffis of our Regt exclaim “Boys, look yonder at that officer with old Hood. Isn’t he a magnificent-looking fellow?” To this, we all could but heartily agree. He then said, “Boys, I do believe that to be Genl Lee, or I miss my guess,” but as none of us had seen him, we could only look in awe upon this unknown officer who seemed to embody so completely in one form, the ideal of Southern man-hood. Gen’l Hood rode up to him & smartly saluted & the salutation was returned in kind. The conference lasted but a few minutes, as Hood saluted & soon left the group to see to our disposition. He rode past us & shouted for us to stand by & he galloped off to look at the ground to our front.

Presently he returned & ordered us forward about 200 yards at which point we turned to our left towards the south-east, in the direction of the enemy. Here he placed Hamptons Legion, 5th Texas & 1st Texas in line of battle near a thick piece of woods & moved us & the 4th Texas about 100 yards or so to the rear in reserve near a battery, which I took to be Braxton’s guns. After Hood had placed us near the battery, we again saw Gen’l Lee approach. Gen’l Hood rode a short distance to meet him & again saluted respectfully. We could not hear their words but it was clear they were speaking earnestly. I could see that Lee was directing Hood’s attention to a far ridge, about a half-mile distant on which a number of Yankee guns were arranged & from which they were playing on the entire field with murderous effect. After a moment’s discussion, Hood again saluted & turned his horse, at which time Lee removed his hat & held it in his out-stretched arm to Hood, speaking words we could not hear. (I have since learned that Lee had sought out Hood to get Hood’s assurance that he would take the guns on the heights, to which entreaty Hood had replied that he would do it or die in the attempt. As he rode off, Lee was said to have exclaimed “God be with you, Gen’l Hood!”)

[marklemon]

Gaines Mill Part 2:

Hood rode over towards our front to see to our placement & here spoke briefly to Col. Ruff. I was to determine later from speaking with Ruff that he had greeted Hood with a mild protestation as to what appeared to be the Regt’s use once again as a battery-guard. Hood had answered him sharply with words, as I recall from Ruff as being “Never mind that, Colonel, and see to your troops & have them ready. When I send for you, follow me, and with dispatch.” While speaking to Ruff, Hood seemed somewhat distracted & his attention drawn to an opening in the trees through which a clearing could be seen. He gave then the order to an aide for the three Regts of the briggade (previously described as formed in line of battle) to advance, & soon we saw them step off & move into the timber with a shout. How we envied them! They, at least were getting their chance, but it seemed that all we would do that day would be to lay in the woods & be shelled, a dubious skill at which we were becoming expert. Hood, meantime had ridden away off to our right front & into the clearing. While he was gone, we officers had a mighty hard time suppressing the anger of our boys at once again being held in reserve. Now, certainly there could be no reason for it, as we were now armed with the finest rifles in the world & had shown ourselves to be ready & willing on every occasion. Little did we know the awful fight which lay ahead of us, & in which our Regt would play so conspicuous a part.

Col Ruff, especially, seemed beside himself with fury, & though he concealed this from the men, those of us who knew him saw his wrath. Sitting astride his horse & facing away from us, as he gazed unmoving at our Briggade’s line of battle as it moved forward in the distance, he suddenly snatched his cap from his head & slapped it once against his thigh. It was enough for us, his fellow officers, who instantly understood, and agreed with, his frustration. Almost at once, Hood returned & rode across our front to the 4th Texas. He seemed to speak to them in earnest tones, & at once, every man of them leapt to his feet with a shout. Instantly they formed & moved off smartly to the right, “by the right flank.” As Hood rode again across our front leading the 4th Texas, he seemed to turn in his saddle & wave his boys forward with his cap. As he did so, he looked over in our direction & continuing to wave his cap, seemed to all of us to beckon us to follow him. This was all Col. Ruff need see & flicking spurs to horse, he wheeled about & his mount raised him up in a magnificent martial picture. Ruff holding his hat in hand, called out in a loud, clear voice, “Up boys! Now is your time!” We answered at once with a tremendous yell, as we lept up & formed in ranks. Quickly followed the command Attention! Right shoulder shift! Forward Quick-time, March! We set off with a piercing shout from every throat; as we knew our time had finally come. Soon, our pace was increased to the double-quick so as to close with the 4th Texas, which we soon did, falling in behind them at about 50 yds distant. (In recalling this incident afterwards, I was quite certain that, as far as I had observed, no real order from Hood had been given us to advance, and Col. Ruff, one of the finest soldiers & bravest men that I had ever know, was certainly risking much by moving us without proper orders. but we all saw Hood’s gesture & took its meaning to be “Follow me!” and coming so soon after their conversation, Ruff had I think sufficient grounds to believe he was being ordered, however in-formally, to advance. Certainly, Gen’l Hood never to my knowledge, ever rebuked, or even discussed the matter with Col Ruff, which further convinces me that the gesture was both intended and correctly interpreted.)

As we moved into the large open field & wheeled to the left, we again came under a hot fire from the Yankee guns on the heights. Men soon began to fall, but we continued our advance. We neared a peach orchard beyond an old house & here Hood halted the 4th Texas & formed them into line of battle. The 18th Geo was behind the 4th still at a distance of about 40-50 yards & here Ruff halted & formed us behind the Texans. We could see that Hood was giving his men a talk, but we could hear none of it due to the tremendous din of battle. To whatever he told them, the Texas boys responded with a shriek which made even our own blood run cold. Col Ruff was never one for giving speeches, but when he did speak, and owing to this reticence to pontificate one tended to listen all the more intently. Here, however his “blood” was clearly up. He pranced his mount to & fro in front of us & standing in his stirrups he yelled at us “Boys, keep your alignment & guide on the colors, you know the way. Don’t stop & when you come upon them feed them the steel!” A great scream went up from every throat & then Ruff seeing that the 4th had stepped off to the attack, turned back to us ordered loudly “Attention!” “Forward quick-time! March!” With a thrill which ran through every heart, we were off. The moment we had all waited so long for, the moment which was at once longed for, and dreaded, was at hand. Every heart pounded & every mind raced with the possibilities of what lay ahead, but all were firm in the conviction to do their duty. We marched in perfect order, though it seemed to me that we all, without being conscious of the fact, marched slightly bent over as the shells burst overhead. Our appearance & quick advance drew at once to us in the attention of the Yankee guns, which threw their shells at us with great fury & soon more of our boys began to fall. We had moved rapidly across the rear of Law’s Briggade & were now coming upon & past his right flank, part of which had halted & gone to ground.

[marklemon]

Gaines Mill Part 3

As we advanced, our alignment with respect to the 4th Texas, 40 yards directly ahead of us, had slightly changed & we were now behind & slightly to their right rear, as if “en echelon,” but no matter, both regiments moved on with a grim purpose. We soon reached a Briggade of Alabama troops. They were lying down near the far edge of the field, just before the ground began to slope downward & were very much cut up & were calling for us as we passed them to go back, as it was certain death to advance. This brought a most severe rebuke from our boys, who began to bleat at them like sheep. Further on, we saw a large body of Mississippi troops, of Law’s command, who likewise had halted & were lying down. A group of them, more manly than than [sic] were their compatriots, rose & followed us closely, coming up on our right. (I later learned they were from the 11th Miss. Infty.)

We crested the ridge & were met with a most galling fire from the 3 lines of enemy infantry to our front, still hidden from our view on the opposite ridge. Each of these lines was selected & placed in such manner as to allow each one to fire over the head of the one in front, creating an almost impregnable position. Now, as if by some instinctive sense of necessity, both Texans & Georgians, without orders and as one, increased the pace of advance to almost a trot. This was caused at least in part by the declivity of the ground, and also I think by our excitement. There was no attempt to correct this, as it was instantly seen by all as undeniably appropriate. Large gaps were cut in our ranks, but we wavered not & advanced in almost perfect order down the slope. Soon we reached a slight clearing about half-way down the slope, which briefly shielded us from the fire of the enemy. Here we met a number of badly cut up troops from A.P. Hill’s command, who, being badly demoralized, would neither advance nor retreat, and who likewise called upon us to go back.

As the 4th Texas reached this small ridge, they halted & quickly fired a volley against Hood’s orders, & Hood was instantly among them yelling “Don’t stop! Forward! Trail Arms!” Our men had, by necessity owing to the 4th’s halting, began to halt & lower their pieces, but did not fire. As soon as Hood resumed their progress, we followed close behind with arms at the “trail.” I thought this to be a most unusual order, but its wisdom would reveal itself presently. As we drew with 50 yds of the creek, which ran along the bottom of the ravine, we could clearly see now the first line of Yankees, as they furiously fired & reloaded. With blackened faces like demons from the infernal regions, they tore cartridges in clenched white teeth, while rammers flew up & down the barrels of their pieces. While we were advancing now at very close range & still with our arms at the trail, Hood cried out “Fix bayonets!” & in an instant, one thousand men extracted these deadly articles on the move & fixed them to their guns with a metallic clatter. This was made possible only by our carrying our pieces at the trail position, and I have always felt Hood was a genius for having the wisdom to know this in a very short time, as it saved precious moments & preserved our momentum. A few steps closer to our foes then still without halting, we heard “Ready! Aim! Fire!” We delivered our volley, one thousand rifles, while walking at a very quick gait. At once came the command “Charge!” & the woods fairly rang with the piercing “Rebel-Yell.” Running now, at the double-quick, or faster, on we swept the few remaining yards down the slope in good order and, upon reaching the creek, our ranks were broken as each man leapt down into the creek-bed, jumped across the stream, and climbed up the other side. Rising out of the creek-bed, we saw that the 4th Texas, about 20 yards to our front & left had reached the first line of the enemy’s works & had driven them from that point. Hundreds of Yanks began to flee up the hill with the 4th closely following, literally “on their heels” and shrieking like devils. We paused for only a moment to re-align ourselves, then raced up the hill after them. We caught up with the 4th as they neared the second line of the enemy’s works half-way up the hill. The Yankees fired a few shots at us but had to wait for their comrades, fleeing from the first line of works, to clear their front. When they were at last able to fire we were almost upon them. A few scattered shots were fired at us but we were upon them with the bayonet, and they could not stand, but broke & fled up the hill. As this second line broke, we raised a shout which ran like an electric shock through every Confederate soldier, and it was passed down our entire line, as a wave moving to shore. We instantly set out again up the hill & after the fleeing Yankees. Upon reaching the crest, the United States Regulars there were so un-nerved at the breaking of the first two lines & their precipitous flight to the rear through their ranks, that as we came near them, they fired an ineffective volley and, throwing down their arms, broke & fled wildly to the rear. We quickly reached the edge of the plateau, and were met with an almost indescribable scene of the pandemonium of war. Thousands of men in blue were fleeing in all directions, but principally to the rear. Words cannot describe our fierce excitement. It was a most thrilling sight, but we could not pause long to enjoy it. Here at the edge of the timber we quickly re-formed our lines. The 4th Texas had begun to advance & had gone ahead of us slightly.

[marklemon]

Gaines Mill Part 4

Now, with our lines reformed, we stepped off at the “quick-time,” pushing all before us. Col. Ruff, who, like Hood, had left his horse before our descent into the valley, marched ahead of us with cap in one hand & sword in the other, looking cool & resolute. This sight infused all of us with perfect confidence. We passed about 100 yards to the south of a farm house (Mrs. Watts-widow) & then we met the 4th Texas again, halted in an orchard. Here, we formed on the right of the Texans & again dressed our lines. Our object was now the vast array of guns which for so long had been tormenting us. Even now, as we formed in the orchard, they seemed to re-double their efforts in our direction. After we had re-formed our lines in good order, I was ordered by Capt. O’Neill to report our readiness to Col. Ruff. I found him away over by the left flank of our reg’t, as he was himself apparently seeking out Gen’l Hood. As I reached Ruff, he received my report and then, as I was turning to depart, I heard a tremendous laugh burst from him. I turned to look, and following his gaze, found the object of his humor was Hood, who was standing in the orchard behind the 4th Texas. He was standing with several of his staff, apparently collecting his breath after the great exertions through which we had just passed. It was his posture which brought laughter from Ruff, and then myself. He was standing, his back up against a peach tree. His right hand in which he held his sword, was raised & also grasped a small limb of the tree, just over his head. His left foot, with leg bent at the knee, was placed against the tree-trunk. The whole of this scene occurring as it did in the midst of the terrific din of battle, while shell & cannister flew & burst over our heads & all around, had the most comical effect on us & the absurdity of it caused me to also laugh out loud. This image has remained with me through many years, and it is evidence that many strange sights can be seen in war. The Gen’l did not tarry long in this attitude, however. His horse, which he had left behind just before our advance, was brought to him by an orderly & he quickly mounted & rode off. (I was later to learn, his purpose was to rally & reform some of our troops behind us, to meet a body of Federals seen advancing in the low ground off to our right.) We were thus left to make the final charge on our own, but we felt utter confidence in Col Ruff, who had the bravery of 10 men. While observing the incident just described, & re-forming our lines, a number of our men were struck down & some killed by the Yankee guns away off to our left & front. In a very short time, the order “Forward” was given & we moved ahead smartly, in the following order-from left to right, 4th Tx, 18th Geo., & a few companies of the 11th Mississippi. We soon reached a very steep ravine about 200 yards to our front, which looked to me like a very deep, but dry creek bed. This ravine, positioned as it was between us & the guns, provided us with some shelter. Into it we moved at once & again our formation was broken as the men struggled down the steep banks. We soon saw that it was fairly crowded with terrified & skulking Yankees who had, in the terror of their flight, thrown away their guns & huddled together in the safety of the ditch. We moved into them & pushed them aside, paying them no more mind than one would a child, or a simpleton, as there was no more “fight” left in them. We struggled somewhat to climb out of the ditch on the other side & just before doing so we halted & the officers present held a brief conference so as to ensure we acted in concert. After a few moments, we moved up & out of the ditch & while still below the crest, & still hidden from the view of the Yankee gunners, we again saw to our lines. This was quickly done, and it should be remembered that our disposition was the same as previously described.

Now was the supreme moment & Ruff was at his zenith. He stepped to our front & I saw at once the light of battle blazing in his eyes. He turned to us with a savage look, & with clenched teeth, he called out in a loud, clarion voice “Come on Boys! Let them taste some cold Georgia steel!” At once, the command “Forward!” was heard and we instantly let out the most tremendous yell imaginable. We moved up over the crest with a renewed will towards the mouths of the guns, now belching double cannister. Many of our boys began to fall from this terrible fire. William Stansell, my good friend from before the war, was hit directly in front of me, fell into my arms, & was dead in an instant without uttering a sound. On we pressed, the guns still about 150 yards away, seeming almost never to be drawing closer.

[marklemon]

Gaines Mill Part 5

Almost at once, we felt the earth fairly tremble and we began to hear a rumbling, even over the guns, of horses’ hooves. While still advancing we were met with an awe-inspiring sight. 250 horsemen of, we were told, the 2nd United States Regular Cavalry, hove into view to our front, galloping directly towards our front and right flank. They had emerged from somewhere behind the guns and were apparently intent on saving them from our capture. As the left wing of our regt continued towards the guns, we on the right flank, about three companies, A, B, and C, refused our line to the right so as not to be flanked and in an instant, formed to “receive cavalry”. Our men, in two ranks, formed with the front rank kneeling with bayonetted rifle, butt-piece against the right knee. The rifle was thus angled upwards and outwards, towards the advancing enemy. The rear rank was standing behind them and ready to fire, waiting until they came within about 50 yards from our lines, and then we poured into them a volley which hit them like a whirlwind. Men seemed to fairly fly from their saddles in every sort of wild position. Horses fell in heaps or tumbled head-first hurling their riders over their heads. The sudden violence of our fire was so great that their horses were instantly panicked. The wild-eyed mounts, heedless of their riders’ strenuous efforts to turn or control them, ran and scattered in all directions. Most turned and fled into the paths of the guns, but some continued straight ahead for our lines. It was then that a remarkable coincidence (one of several I was to witness during the war) occurred, which I must now relate. During our charge down to the creek, I had, upon reaching it, holstered my pistol and sheathed my sword in order to have the use of my hands for climbing the steep banks. In the fray and excitement of the subsequent break-through of the Yankee lines, and pursuit of them up the hill and across the plateau, I had forgotten to again take them out. Now, as many of the wild cavalrymen drew near, I suddenly realized I was, as it were, un-armed. As this thought coursed through my mind, a desperate Yankee trooper pulled up just in front of me, and looking wildly about at our men, just feet from him, he caught my gaze and instantly drew down upon me with his Colt revolver. As my entire company had fired, they at this moment were in the act of re-loading. I felt my life was surely over, and said a brief prayer for my soul and family, when suddenly to my amazement the Yank was blasted from his saddle by my brother-in-law William Davenport, who stood by my side. “Bill”, whose piece had mis-fired during the first volley, saw my fix and quickly re-capped and fired upon the Yank. He had saved my life, it is certain. He then yelled in my ear “That was a near thing, Jim, but I could not let that Yank make sis a widow!” I laughed and replied “Yes, and I’ll wager you’ll not let me hear the end of it”. These words were scarcely spoken when another Yank angled his mount across our front and near Bill and me. He was seemingly attempting to turn his horse, but not being successful in this, leaned over with his sabre and was about to strike a blow at Bill. Luckily, by this time, I had withdrawn (my) 44 Colts’ and quickly fired at and killed the Yank, who fell heavily to the ground a few feet from us, while others in my company gave him the bayonet. I could not resist the temptation to reply to my brother-in-law “Now the shoe is on the other foot. That makes us even!”

The events I have just described happened almost in an instant, certainly in less time than it takes to tell, but the dramatic events of the day were not over. Almost at this instant, a great cheer went up from the left and we looked and over our left was among the guns. Our colors were seen waving from the tops of 2 guns, waved by their gallant Ensigns Foster and Weems. We cheered them and wanting our own glory, re-aligned our formation and continued our advance to the battery of guns directly in our front. These guns were now being limbered up by their gunners, but were apparently hindered in their efforts to do so by the panicked horses thundering through their position. We received from them a final volley of cannister which cut a large gap in our lines. This was quickly closed and now with a furious yell, we were upon them, bayonetting them, clubbing and shooting down the gunners in a wild, but brief melee. They managed to remove, as we advanced, a few of their guns, but our 3 companies captured 4 guns before they could be saved. The scene before us was now one of the most utter and wild pandemonium, with confused masses of artillery caissons, mounted and un-mounted horses, gunners and masses of fleeing Yankee infantry, all streaming to the rear. A great cheer was raised by us (not wanting to be out-done by the 4th Texas and our left wing) and they, in spirit, picked it up and raised one too. We were utterly exhultant, and felt as if no army on earth could stop us. Just then, a body of fugitive Yanks, who had collected themselves in a farm house about a hundred yards or so to the east, began to fire upon us, bringing us to our senses and reminding us our job was not yet accomplished. We checked our alignment, and set out for the house (Adams) and the woods beyond. As we advanced, a spent ball struck me in the right leg and knocked me to the ground. The wound, while quite painful and causing me to limp severely, was not dangerous and did no real harm. I struggled to my feet, helped by a Mississippi officer who had seen me go down and come to my aid, and I hurried to catch up with my company. At length I overtook them. They had just reached the house and in short order had killed, captured or driven out, all of the Yankees there. At this place we halted, and as darkness was rapidly falling, Col. Ruff saw that we were far in advance of the army and unsupported. Satisfied that the regt had more than its share of glory for one day, he halted us and we returned in good order to the guns our regt had just taken. We at once set about to find and gather up our dead and wounded and parties were sent out with lanterns and torches to locate them. We found, as one may imagine, that the great balance of our killed and wounded lay on the slope as we had advanced upon the first line of the enemy’s breastworks, as well as on the ground covering our charge on the guns on the plateau. As they were found the wounded were loaded into ambulances and sent to field hospitals nearby, and in Richmond. This activity went on throughout the night and into the morning. We held a muster and counted our losses but owing to the fact that our men were still being located it was incomplete. It was late that night when utter exhaustion over took me and I dropped to the ground, rubbing my sore leg, beneath a captured bronze Napoleon and soon was fast asleep and slept as I have never slept before.