Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-01-07


until we saw Gen. Gregg's brigade IN the woods to
our right TWAS here that learned the enemy
were In force in the weeds, and that Gen. Gregg
nau oeen ordered not to press them l deemed it
advisable to inform Gen. Branch OF these facts, and
was ordered by him to remain where was had
three companies at the time deployed as sklrmshers
aIong sne renee In front Of us and connecting with
those first sent out under Capt. Turner.
The enemy advanced in strong force upon Gen.
Gregg soon after We halted, and Gen. Branch, with
the rest OF his command, advanced to his support
Inc s1th hrst became actively engaged. The enemy
opened a deadly fire upon this regiment The 18th,
unaer Lieut. Col. Purde, and the 7th under Capt.
Mchae, went to its assistance, and the enemy were
driven in disorder beyond the railroad cut. The
enemy were repulsed in two subsequent attempts to
o o these regiments from their position. The
so,a unaer Col Hoke, also fought we'll in tie woods
" tue ieit OF these regiments, and once calamity
advanced into the open field in front, and drove the
enemy back in disorder. Up to this time, the 2sth
nao not been engaged, and, as the other regiments
were nearly out OF ammunition, Gen. Branch ordered
II 10 JOIN him. intending to make 1t cover his front.
Inc order was not delivered properly, and the reg-
ment vent into action on the left of Gen. Fields
brigade. ltadvanced boldly into the woods, driving
the enemy before it, although exposed to direct
and left enilade fire. but fell back when it found
Itself alone in the woods and unsupported. The
men, however rallied ard reformed in the centre of
the open field and advanced second time, when
the enemy were not only driven beyond the -eut"
but entirely out of the woods. Never have'f wit
messed greater bravery and desperation than was
that day displayed by this brigade.
we were not actively engaged the next day, but
held our position under heavy artillery fire, and
very heavy skirmshing until late in the afternoon.
We then followed up the enemy until about 10
o'clock, P. NJ, advancing in line through body of
woods nearly to large hospital in which the enemy
had left many of his wounded.
Our loss in this three days battle was 80 killed,
1876 wounded, and missing.
OK HILL, Sept LIST, 1882
The pursuit was continued the whole of Sunday,
and on Monday afternoon, about o'clock, we came
up with the enemy again at Ok Hill, near Fairfax
G. II. on the Alexandra ard Winchester Turnpike,
when the engagement was Immediately opened
This brigade pressed eagerly forward through an
open field, and piece of woods, to the edge Of
another field, where we were, for short time, ex-
posed to the enemy's infantry fire, without being
able to return it. An attempt was made to flank
us on tho right, end the 18th regiment was imme-
diately detached from the centre of the brigade and
ordered to the right, to prevent the movement
which it did, sustaining deadly fire unsupported
The enemy's direct advance was through field of
corn in which he sustained great loss notwthstand-
ing most Of our guns fired badly on account of the
heavy rain which fell during the engagement On
learning that our ammunition was nearly out Gen.
Branch made known the fact and was ordered "to
hold his position at the point of the bayonet" We
remained where we were until dark, when the whole
command fell back to the field in of the woods
The 18th, cold, wet and hungry, was then ordered
back to the field of battle to do picket duty for the
night without fires.
This engagement is regarded by the Brigade as
one of our severest The enemy's infantry used a
great many explosive balls.
Our loss was IA killed, 80 wounded and missing.
HAKPEK's FAaRY, Sept. 14th and 18th.
The second day after the engagement at COX
Hill" We marched through Leesburg, crossed the
Potomac into Maryland on the 9th, and moved in
the direction of Frederick, where We remained sew
eral days. Then re crossed the Potomac at Will
Transport and marched on Harper's Ferry through
Martinsburg. The evening of the 14th, we advanced
down the Winchester and Harpers Ferry Railroad
The 7th Regiment was in advance and its skirmish.
ers commanded by Capt Knox, succeeded in driv.
ing the enemys shapshooters from high position
overlooking the railroad. The remainder of the
Brigade reached this position after midnight, and
there slept upon their arms until day, when every
one was in readiness and awaited the orders to
advance. After short but rapid and we'll directed
fire from our Batteries the enemy displayed several
white flags, and We marched into the place without
further resistance.
We captured several prisoners the evening OIL
the l4th.
Our loss was four wounded.
SuARrsBURa, Sept 18th.
We left Harper's Ferry on the 18th Sept, and
after very rapid and fatigung march, recrossed
the Potomac, and reached Sharpsburg in time to
ordered to the right and on reaching the field, the
18th was detached by Gen. A. P. Hill in person.
and sent on the road to the left leading to Sharps
burg, to repel the enemy's skirmishers, who were
advancing through field of corn. The rest of the
Brigade moved nearly at right angles to our line on
the enemy's flank. The 7th, s3rd and 37th were the
Regiments principally engaged. They fought we'll
and assisted in driving back three separate and
distinct columns of the enemy. The 18th was moi
actively engaged. was ordered about sunset to
reoin the Brigade and on doing so, ascerained that
Gen. Branch had been killed.
1t was after sunset when / assumed command oil
the Brigade l found the 7th, 9th and 33rd posted
behind stone fence. and the 18th sheltered in q
hollow in rear. ordered the 2Sth to the left o.
the line, but the order was delivered to the 18th
which was posted on the left behind rail fence, q
portion of it being broken back to guard against Q
flank movement The 2Sth was posted to the left O.
the 7th, in the opening caused by the Withdrawal
of q few Georgia troops. Although annoyed by the
enemy's sharpshooters, we held our position until
ordered to fall back on the right of the 18th: W.
did not cross the river until the next day. Gen
Gregg's, Gen. Archer's and our Brigade formed thu
rear guard of the army, and were kept in line o.
battle facing the enemy, until infantry, artillery
cavalry, wagons, and ambuances had all safely
crossed.
Our loss in this engagement was our Brig. Gen., L
OBJ Branch killed, 30 others killed, 70 wounded
and 4 saissing.
SHEPERDsrowN, Sept. Goth.
On the morning of the goth Sept, we were moved
with the balance of the DIVISION back to the ferry
near Sheperdstown. Soon after we had taken oul
position in line in the field of in of thu
wheat stacks, we were ordered to advance in :hs
face of q storm of round shot, shell and grape.
We moved forward in line until we reached Gen
Pende's Brigade, sheltered behind the hill in from
of the residence near the ferry. Finding that Gen
Fender was out1anked on the left, we moved by thu
left flank until we unmasked his Brigade, and Their
moved forward in line again. The men, on reaching
the top of the hill raised yell, and poured deadly
fire into the enemy, who fled preciptately and ir
great confusion to the river. Advancing at double
Quick, we soon gained the bank of the river, and
continued our destructive fire upon those who vert
attempting to regain the Maryland shore, at the o:d
dam Just above the ferry. We held our position all
that day immediately upon the bank of the river