488 Norto Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

Written unmistakably in almost every face was “we go to
victory or death.” Alas! all to victory, many to death.

Lieutenant-Colonel Ray was in command, and being called
upon for a speech, the commanding officers of other regiments
on the right and left, already haranguing their men, he said:
“T hardly think it just the time for a speech. Later it may
be necessary. We know full well what is before us. I am
no more anxious for the conflict than the rest of you, but I
mean to do my full duty and have confidence that you will do
the same.”

Up to near this time, probably within two days, Captain
Candler, senior Captain, had been acting Lieutenant-Colonel,
as has been stated, the regiment having no Major, but upon
an order from General Breckinridge to Acting Colonel Ray
to send a mounted officer to the rear to see what was the trou-
ble that rations for three days had not been sent forward, he
detailed Captain Candler for this work and had Captain J.
T. Weaver assigned to duty as second in command, and the
regiment commenced the day’s work so officered, young
George Leavel, of Mississippi, acting as voluntary aid to
Lieutenant-Colonel Ray. At this battle the Sixtieth was in
Stovall’s Brigade, Breckinridge’s Division, D. H. Hill’s
Corps.

Notwithstanding the early preparations, it was near 9
o’clock before the troops were actually engaged. The skir-
mishers at once uncovered the Federal line of battle and the
work began, the Confederates continually advancing, at many
points, however, meeting strong resistance. The casualties
for a time were inconsiderable. Lieutenant Wm. White and
Sergeant J. L. Cathey were among the first seriously wound-
ed, both losing a leg, Lieutenant White’s proving fatal. These
were both men of distinguished bravery.

Tt was not infrequent that ludicrous and laughable scenes
came up even during the battles. In the first charge made
here, the men had been strongly admonished against throw-
ing away shots and ordered to hold their fire until ordered
by commanding officers. A Federal sharpshooter had from
some cause fallen behind his comrades as they had been driven
back and the fellow was running for dear life diagonally

SrxTietH REGIMENT. 489

across the front of the Sixtieth. When first seen he was
probably 250 yards away. Redden James a Sergeant in
Company F, asked permission to fire at him. It being given,
he turned loose his carbine, whereupon the fleeing soldier
tumbled, but in a moment was up and off again. Another
shot was fired at him and again he fell, but as quickly as be-
fore he was up and on the run. Then the third man fired
and another tumbling down. By this time the line had
reached him and when ordered up, it was found the fellow
had not been touched, but had adopted this ruse, as he said,
to prevent a volley being fired at him, and hoping every lit-
tle run to pass from the front of the charging line.

The direction of advancing columns up to about 11 o’clock
had been a little west of south, but reaching the Lafayette
pike, leading out from Chattanooga, near where stood Jones’
and McDonald’s houses, the direction was changed due south,
at least as to Stoval’s Brigade, of which the Sixtieth was a
part. Soon after this charge came the tug of war. As the
Federal line was driven back it seemed to be strengthened
in numbers, probably by reinforcements or the falling back
on reserves, and to grow in desperation, and the advance of
the Confederates as the sun approached the meridian became
more and more difficult. From 11 until 12 o’clock it was a
life and death struggle.

The Federal line of battle was of an unheard of shape, run-
ning east and west through Kelley’s field, then bending round
to due north and extending probably 500 yards, bending
around again in a westward direction, some distance parallel
to the line through Kelley’s field, but stopping short before
reaching Lafayette pike, or touching the line west of said
pike, thus leaving an opening or gap in their line. And it
was here the Sixtieth got in its nice work; passing the right
of this west line, it forced its way into this gap, receiving an
enfilading fire for a short time in passing said line, and
drove the opposing forces back into Kelley’s field into their
breastworks.