Srxty-Tuirp REGIMENT. 621

Hill opened fire and I at once ordered an advance of my
whole line, which was then formed across the railroad at Ma-
lone’s Crossing. This order was promptly obeyed, and the
enemy gave way. They were driven to their works near
Reams Station, giving up several positions which they had
fortified. * * * In the meantime, seeing that General
Hill was foreing the enemy back from the west side of the
railroad into their works around the Station, I withdrew all
my force from that side of the road and formed a line, with
Chambliss’ Brigade on the left, the North Carolina Brigade
in the centre, and Young’s Brigade on the right * * *
The line being formed, the commanding officers were directed
to keep the left flank on the railroad, advancing slowly, while
the right swung round to strike the rear of the enemy, who
were in position behind the railroad bank, and in a work
which ran east perpendicularly to the railroad for some dis-
tance; then turning north kept parallel with the railroad, en-
veloping Oak Grove Church. The ground over which my
troops advanced was very difficult, and it had been rendered
more so by the enemy, who had cut down the timber. In
spite of this, and under a heavy fire of artillery and musketry
the line advanced steadily, driving the enemy into his works.
Here he made a stubborn stand, and for a few moments
checked our advance, but the spirit of the men was so fine
that they charged the breastworks with the utmost gallantry,
carried them and captured the force holding them. This
ended the fighting of the day, my men having been engaged
for twelve hours. After the fight, General Hill directed me
to put my command in the trenches to cover the withdrawal
of the infantry. This wasdone * * until 6:30 the next
morning when, * * I left General Butler to remove our
wounded and to collect arms.” Vol. 78, p. 942; pp. 223-229
and 245.

Our charge was witnessed by our infantry and they greeted
the cavalry with cheer after cheer as we gave this crowning
triumph to that ever memorable day.

General R. E. Lee wrote to Governor Vance the letter so
appropriately quoted by Colonel Cheek on page 471 of Vol.
1, of these histories. The words “the 23d ultimo,” in Colo-