314 NortH Carontina Troops, 1861-’65.

they remained undecided for a minute or two, and then re-
solved on a movement which saved us from destruction. In-

stead of giving us a volley at once, they first hesitated, and ~

then charged upon us without firing. I instantly commanded
my men to spring over the parapet and ditch in front, and to
retreat to the railroad, keeping as close as possible to the ditch.
On the railroad I found Colonel Rodman with the Fourth
Rhode Island Regiment waiting for orders, and I urged him
to advance at once and charge upon their flank, as I had
done.”

Up to this point in the battle, everything had gone on sat-
isfactorily for the Confederates on the right of the railroad.
General Reno’s attacks had been met and repulsed hand-
somely. The Confederate line of defense on the right of the
railroad as heretofore stated, consisted of rifle pits and de-
tached intrenchments in the form of lunettes and redans along
the bank of Bullen’s Creek, and across the swamp to the
Weathersby road, about one and one-quarter miles. A rifle
pit near the railroad was oceupied by Captain Oscar R. Rand,
with his Company D, about 77 men; by Company A, 68 men,
and by 25 men from Company G, all under command of Ma-
jor A. B. Carmichael, of the Twenty-sixth Regiment. Quot-
ing from Captain Rand’s account of the battle, written
shortiy after his capture and addressed to Colonel Z. B.
Vance:

“About 7:30 a. m. the battle commenced on the left and for
a time, extending from Fort Thompson along the whole line
of the breastworks to the railroad, the roar of cannon and
musketry was incessant. Within a few minutes after the
battle had commenced, the enemy made his appearance on the
right of the railroad directly in front of us. About one reg-
iment (the left wing of the Twenty-first Massachusetts) took
position between the railroad and Bullen’s Creek, sheltering
themselves in the woods and behind the logs, while the main
body consisting of several regiments advanced under cover of
the woods down the opposite side of the creek, oeeupying the
heights and extending himself along our right.

“When the advance of the enemy had reached nearly oppo-
site Major Carmichael’s position, he gave the order to fire,

TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT. 315

and sent a volley full into the head of the advancing column.
The enemy replied immediately and from this time to the
close of the action, the firing never ceased. At first, the en-
emy shooting very badly, their balls flying high above our
heads and cutting the boughs from the tops of the trees in our
rear, whereas our men, under direction of Major Carmichael
and other officers, took deliberate aim, sending death into their
ranks. As soon as we were fairly engaged with this part of
the enemy, the other part which held position between the
railroad and the creek came up from under their cover and
attempted to cross the railroad with a view to flank the main
intrenchments and cut our lines in two. ;

“No sooner was this attempted than it was discovered, an
every gun ordered to bear upon them. One well directed
volley scattered this force. Many a poor fellow fell here to
rise no more, for they were well exposed.

“Just at this time, about half an hour after the battle had
commenced, Colonel Avery, who had been held in reserve, ar-
rived with the Thirty-third regiment. He with four compa-
nies entered the rifle pits occupied by us, while four other
companies under Major Gaston Lewis, were ordered to oceupy
an advanced rifle pit nearest to the brick yard. This move-
ment was attended with great danger, and was gallantly exe-
cuted. Major Lewis had to advance a space of 150 yards
over fallen timber; all the while exposed to the enemy’s fire,
and without being able to return it. He gained the position,
however, and held it during the remainder of the action.

“The battle now raged furiously ;the enemy throwing them-
selves along our right so as to gain the point from which he
could fire directly into our trenches, and Colonel Avery, ably
seconded by Major Carmichael, using every effort to prevent
it. In this they were somewhat aided by the artillery and
infantry, part of the Twenty-sixth Regiment and two com-
panies of the Thirty-third Regiment, under Lieutenant-Colo-
nel Hoke—on the right of us, only two or three companies
of which, however, were within range. The intention of the
enemy was plain. They were to engage us hotly on both
wings, and then with a sufficient force carry the railroad,
which, when gained, would cut our lines in two and be equiv-