FIFTY-FIFTH

1. Thos. H. Speed, Ist Sergt., Co. I, 55th Regt.
2. Geo. Spencer West, Private, Co. K, 55th Regt.
3. W. O. West, Private, Co. K, 55th Regt.

REGIMENT.

4, okert F. Sanford, Private, Co. K, 55th
egt.
5. Thos. H. Sanford, Private, Co. K, 55th Regt.

6. William G. Green, Private, Co. K, 55th Regt.

THE PErrrigRew-KirKLAND-MAcRAE Brigapre. 563

The Spring campaign opened on 4 May, when Grant
crossed the Rapidan. General Lee met him on the 5th in
the Wilderness, and was immediately attacked. Ewell’s and
Hill’s Corps received the attack, and Kirkland’s Brigade
with the rest of Heth’s Division, fought the enemy during
the entire day, sometimes repelling their assaults, sometimes
charging them. The troops engaged on the 5th were ordered
to rest where night found them, for Longstreet would be up
in time to take their place. But Longstreet was not up in
time. At dawn on the 6th, the sleeping troops were aroused
by the sound of three cannon shots from the enemy’s side.
It was their signal to advance; and to meet them, the corps
that had fought all the day before was hurried into position.
General Kirkland was ordered to the extreme right and the
brigade went into its place under fire. On the left was
Davis’ Mississippi Brigade; but in the darkness of the hour
and the wood, it disappeared, and I was sent to look for it.
JI went to the front and within a very short distance rode
up to an advancing line of battle, was shot through the right
arm and my horse killed. 1, however, escaped and reached
General Kirkland in time to tell him of his isolated posi-
tion. He tried to stem the torrent bearing down on us, but
the pressure was too great, and the brigade gave way when
the enemy. were in a few yards of it. Longstreet now arriv-
ing, his command took the front and our brigade became part
of the supporting column.

From the Wilderness to Spottsylvania and thence to Pe-
tersburg, Kirkland’s Brigade took its part in the hard fight-
ing and did it well.

At Cold Harbor, General Kirkland was again severely
wounded and the brigade was commanded by Colonel Fari-
bault, of the Forty-seventh, until Colonel William MacRae,
of the Fifteenth Regiment, N. ©. T., was assigned to the com-
mand. Later he was promoted to Brigadier-General.

General MacKae joined the brigade just as it was moving
out of camp on the border of Petersburg to escort a wagon
train, which was starting for Stoney Creek, on the Wilming-
ton & Weldon Railroad, to bring in supplies. By the indul-
gence of the Colonel commanding, the men were permitted to