American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1862-08-15
GRIFFITH,s BRIGADE.

count of the important part taken in the
late battles. near Richmond, by this dis
tinguished Brigade:
/ Allow me. through your paper, to
present briefly the conduct of Col. VIM.
! Barksdale and his Mississippi Brigade,
in the late sanguinary conflicts before
Richmond. This Brigade is composed
of Mississippians. (l3th. 18th. 18th and
2lst Regiments) 1t is known in the Ar
nv. of the Potomac as the Leesburg
Brigade-it being the Brigade, por-
ton of which fought with such heroism
on that bloody field as to entitle them to
the highest praise of their commander,
Gen. Shanks Egans-who, with the 9th
Va, Regiment, Balls cavalry company
and this brigade. achieved that victory.
which is unsurpassed in the history of
this war.
Our boys were impatient for the fray.
Not being in the first engagements. they
desired to rival the gallantry of their
fellow citizens. who appeared in blaze
of glory as, step by step, Featherstone.
the General of the other Mississippi
Brigade, ordered them up to that am
pitheatre of death. where, to be on the
field, would have caused any and all
but the bravest to tremble. Such was
the example that Featherstone's Brigade
had set them-such an example as they
themselves had set the army at Lees
burg.
Sunday morning this Brigade, which
had for hours been clamorous to be let
to the enemy, were ordered into line by
their late distinguished leader, General
r. Griffith As they marched in silence,
hurriedly seeking the retiring hosts of
the enemy, Gen. Griffith fell. struck by
a she'll from a distant gun, his wound
being of such severity as to cause his
death in few hours. The column
halted on this melancholy occasion.
shed tear of regret at so great loss
to them and their country, and moved
forward, under command of Col. VIM.
BarksdaIe. Pursuing and oyertaking
the enemy. the 17th and 21st were or
dered to the attack, supporting other
troops. After driving the enemy before
them for some distance, these regiments
were ordered to fall and not to fire 10
response to the heavy fire which the en-
envy were pouring uron them. it being
announced to their respective command
ers that we had friends man9uvering
in range of our arms. To charge bat /
terry is chivalrous; but to receive FIRE.
and such fire as they did. without re-
spending, without a murmur Of cons
plant, was heroic. After lying on the |
ground three quarters of an hour. in per
feet range of the enemy's infantry, who |
were protected by skirt Of woods, they |
were ordered to renew the conflict the |
enemy at last, taking refuge in the com
ing darkness, got further-a process
which they understand, and execute
with inimitable skill when confronted by
the gallant boys of Dixie. belive their
felicitous expression when intending to
describe such mau@uvre, is. 'to
change position by the flank" In the
conflict of Sunday evening many of the
pest young men of Mississippi fell. never
o rise again. During Sunday night,
Monday and Monday night, this brigade
vas on the march, watching, whenever
II elgut, TIE uHcCtIou VI tiie HldulSufItbS.
Ieeing Federal column. On Tuesday
vening the enemy occupied that strong
lace, which has been SO frequently de-
cribed already-MaIvern Hill-where
e had massed his troops and formed in
artery his immense array of field artil-
cry. From this position he could sweep
be field in every direction. As the /
rigade approached, forty pieces of ar
llery beched forth their missiles of
cath Unintimidated By such muir
erous prospect, BsrksdaIe formed his :
aliant corps. Riding up and down the
ne he spoke words of cheer. to which t
lie boys responded with a yell, which I
npressed him with the characteristics Z
The men he was then turning upon
le enemy. The fight was terrific for :
lie space of two hours one third of
raksdale's command was hors de COM
u. They advanced TO the very lannon's
outh. which was .belching fire at every !,
* Of the watch. and then were assaiIed Il
: new brigades of the enemy posted in N
II 4 II