The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-07-22
BATTLE OF HANOVER COURTHOUSE
GEN. BRANCHS REPORT.
HEADQUARTERS IN THE FIELD,
2. A. A. GGner0i.

7 have the honor to report for the information
of the General commanding the Division, that in
order to cover the railroad against small parties of
the enemy and at the same time to carry out other
views and wishes of Gen. Johnston, which he had
communicated to me, | moved my camp on Mon
! day last from Hanover Court House to Slash
! Church. The position selected because whilst
fulfilling other requirements it at the mouth
! of a road leading TO Ashland, which assured me
! of q means of retreat if assailed by the large
forces Of the enemy in close proximity to my front.
| | took up the position with knowledge Of its
danger. and all Of my arrangements were made
accordingly. No baggage train encountered me
! and nv command bivouacked Monday night, in
! fantry supports being thrown out for the cavalry
pickets Tuesday morning the enemy were re-
ported to be advancing She road by Talliaferros
! Mills. and I sent Col Lane with his own (2Sth
n. c. Regiment and a section Of Latham's Bat
terry to support the pickets, and repel any small
rartv At the same time Col Hardeman's 10th
! Georgia Regiment was sent to repair the railroad
! at AShcake. where it had been INSTRUCTED by the
enemy the day before and watch any approach Of
! the enemy that road. About the middle OF
! the day the enemy opened fire from battery near
Peake's Crossing. Lathams battery soon got into
position to reply and after sharp action SlIenced
it. In the mean time severe canonade had been
going on in the direction Of Lane showing that he
! too had been attacked. As as the battery IN
the road had been driven off, sent Col. Lee with
his own (the 37th) and the 18th (Col. Cowans)
regiment to reinforce him. When these two regi-
ments had proceeded about mile and halt, the
enemy was found strongly posted across the road.
On learning this [ galloped forward (leaving
orders for Latham to follow as quickly posslbie)
and was informed by Col. Lee that the force
of the enemy consisted Of two regiments Of in
| iantry and some artillery.
Ny plan was quickly formed, and orders were
| given for its executon-Lee with the 31th, was
to push through the woods and get close the
right flank of the battery. Hoke, soon as he
| should return from sweep through the woods on
which | had sent him, and Col Wade 18th n.
| G, Regiment, was to make similar movement to
the left flank of the battery, and Cowan was to
charge across the open ground in front. HoEe,
supported by Col Wade, had sharp skirmish in
the woods, taking six prisoners and eleven horses,
but came out too late to make the movement
assigned him, and Lee having sent for reinforce
ments, [ SO far changed my plan as to abandon the
attack the enemy's left, and sent Lieut. Col.
Hoke to reinforce Col. Lee, relying on the front
and right flank attacks.
! Col. Cowan, with the 18th made the charge
most gallanuy, but the cnemys force much
larger than had been supposed and strongly
posted, and the gallant 18th compelled to
seek shelter 1t continued to pour heavy vollcys
| from the edge OF the woods, and must have done
great execution. The steadiness with which this
desperate charge was made reflects the highest
| credit officers and men. The 37th found the
underground so deasG to retard its progress but
when it reached its position poured heavy and
destructive fire upon the enemy This combined
attack of the 18th and 18th compelled the enemy
| to leave his battery for time and take shelter
behind ditch bank.
For two hours the cavalry pickets had been
coming in from the Ashcake road, reporting
heavy force Of the enemy passing around my right
by that road, and Col. Robertson of the Virginia
cavalry, who was near Hanover Court House, had
sent me repeated messages to the effect that
heavy body from that direction were threatening
my line Of retreat. | had already learned that my
| brigade engaged with entire division in
its front but continued the contest in the hope
that the cannonade would attract to me some rein
| demonstrating prccauton, however, to keep
! Campbells 18th \. Carolina and Hariemans 18th
| Georgia IL hand to cover the retreat in case my
expectation should not be realized Finding 1
could remain no longer without being surrounded,
and hearing Of no reintorcements, and feeling
| assured from the firing that Lane had made good
| his retreat to Hanover Court House, determined
to draw off This, always difficult in the presence
| Of superior enemy, was rendered comparatively
easy by the precaution [ had taken not to engage
my whole force. Campbell was ordered to place
the 7th the road so as to receive the enemy
! if they should attempt to follow
! Orders were then sent to Lee and CoHan to
Withdraw in order. They were hotly engaged
when the order was received, but promptly with
drew. Colonel Cowan in an especial manner
attracted my attention by the perfect order in
which he brought out his regiment, notwithstand-
ing the severe and long continued fire he had
sustained from both infantry and artillery. The
regiments marched to the rear without haste or
confusion and went up the Ashland road A
cautious attempt was made by the enemy to fol-
low, but a single volley from the rear guard of
the 9TH arrested it. The march was continued
without interruption to Ashland where | was
ordered by Gen. Jonston to report to Maj Gen
| Hill. All my subsequent movements having been
under orders received from him in person, thew
need not be detailed.
Having but wagon and one ambulance, I
was under the necessity of leaving portion of
my wounded. The enemy left portion of their
killed on the ground which we subsequently
occupied.
! My senior Surgeon established his hospital in
house which the hospital flag was conspicu-
ously displayed. it was not in near the line Of
! fire. | saw many shells thrown by the enemy
explode Immediately over and around the house.
/ 1t could not have been undersigned
! Col. Lane, with the 2Sth regiment, has rcioined
the brigade, but l have not received his report
! of the engagement he had with the enemy As
! soon received it will be forwarded to YOU
! My loss exclusive of Col. Lanes command