"My position on the 31st of August was on the extreme left of the line, which at 2 p. m. reached and was formed along the Jonesborough and Fayeteville road, about half a mile west of the former place. About 3.30 p. m. the line advanced, the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Texas Regiments, constituting the left of my brigade, being the battalion of direction. A few moments previous to the advance, a battalion of engineer troops, Major Presstman commanding, and the Third Mississippi Cavalry (dismounted), Colonel Harris commanding, both battalions under command of Colonel McGuirk, Gholson's brigade, were ordered to report to me, and were formed 150 paces to the rear and on my left in echelon. I ordered Colonel McGuirk to preserve that distance and relative position in advancing, and if the attack upon the enemy developed forces extending beyond my left to move up at double-quick time to the main line. Our skirmishers being already engaged, an advance of 400 paces brought the line under fire and a charge was ordered. The enemy were posted behind barricades made of rails in an open field 300 paces east of Flint river, supported by batteries on the first hills beyond that stream. After a brisk fight of about thirty minutes, in which my command had to charge through open fields, the enemy in my front were routed. Seeing them endevoring to rally at a crossing opposite my left flank, I ordered Colonel McGuirk to advance his two battalions in double-quick time, which was executed by that officer promptly and gallantly, and in time for his command to deliver a few volleys before the enemy escaped beyond the river. My orders were to drive all opposing forces beyond Flint River and halt on this side. This arrangement had been explained to regimental commanders previously to advancing. In crossing the field from the first barricade taken to the edge of the bottom, I passed from my right toward the point where the enemy were crossing opposite my left flank, and was with Colonel McGuirk's right battalion when I reached the creek. I ordered him to hold and dress his lines, and proceeded with the intention to superintend the alignment of my own brigade proper from the left. I on the right had already crossed. I dispatched runners to Lieutenant Colonel Young, Tenth Texas Infantry, senior officer of my brigade, to withdraw immediately to the east bank of the river, and ordered those who had not crossed to dress on Colonel McGuirk's line. The reason given by Lieutenant-Colonel Young for advancing beyond the stream was that the enemy's battery was so near the river and commanded it that it was necessary to capture or drive it away in order to occupy a line along the river with safety. This battery and its supports fled precipitately, and in half an hour I had orders from Brigadier-General Lowrey, commanding the division, to withdraw to our former position along the Jonesborough and Fayetteville road, and did so.
The loss of my brigade in this affair was 16 killed and 62 wounded. The enemy's loss must have been slight, as we passed over but few dead bodies.
My officers and men deported themselves with their usual courage.
The responsibility assumed by Lieutenant-Colonel Young in crossing the river under the circumstances I consider as having been eminently proper, evincing the gallantry and discretion of that officer. The result was that our withdrawal across the open field was entirely unmolested."
"At 3 o'clock on the morning of the 1st of September I received orders to follow Lowrey's brigade to the right. My brigade went into position at daydawn about one mile north of Jonesborough, Lowrey's brigade being on my left and Govan's on the right. The enemy's line of earth-works was not more than 300 paces distant, and their sharpshooters commenced their work of annoyance at sunrise. Goldwaite's battery had position in the center of my left regiment. About 1 p. m. the enemy advanced his lines against Govan's position and against my right. After a desperate resistance Govan's line gave way, and the enemy, gaining his breastworks and the timber in rear of them, poured a murderous enfilading fire all along my line. Our forces to the right of Govan had also given way, and the enemy were rapidly pushing down the railroad to my rear. Not aware that we had any supporting forces for that portion of the line (all the troops were single rank), I ordered a change of front to the rear on my left battalion. Pending the execution of this movement Lieutenant-General Hardee and Brigadier-General Lowrey rode forward rapidly, supposing that my men had been driven away. I explained to those two officers that the movement was by my order and the reason for it. Being assured by General Lowrey that my right flank should be protected, I ordered my men back to their original position, which was promptly obeyed. The position held by the enemy in Govan's trenches and in the timber was in forty paces of my right, and the change osf front to the rear and the return to the original position were both executed under an incessant fire
Vaughan's brigade, commanded by Brigadier-General Gordon, was sent by Brigadier-General Lowrey, commanding the division, to retake Govan's trenches. In advancing to the attack this command either obliqued to the left of was not placed in position far enough to the right. Three of the regiments went into my trenches and only one confronted the enemy in Govan's works. These drove them from the timber and threw them on the defensive in Govan's trenches and relieved my line to a great extent from the enfilating fire of musketry. One of the enemy's batteries, however, farther to the right, continued to harass us, coming as it did obliquely from the rear, and a rattling fire of small-arms was all the time kept up by the enemy in front.
The enemy's loss in front of my right was heavy, and their repeated efforts to break that portion of my line were repulsed. I held the position until 11 p. m., and withdrew silently by the left flank. Goldthwaite's battery was withdrawn by my order at dusk. My loss (principally from the center to the right) was 18 killed and 89 wounded.
Lieut. George B. Jewell, acting ordnance officer [Ed: former Ordnance Officer, 10th Texas Infantry], deserves especial mention for the promptness with which his ammunition train conformed to the movement of the brigade on the 31st of August, and a timely supply of ammunition whenever it was needed throughout both engagements.
First Lieut. Sebron G. Sneed, acting assistant adjutant-general, was severely wounded in the breast on the evening of the 1st instant while carrying an order in the most exposed portion of the field. His conspicuous daring won the admiration of the entire command. To him and to Capt. T. B. Camp, acting assistant inspector-general, and Lieut. D. B. Hall, aide-de-camp, my thanks are due to prompt assistance in both engagements."
[Irving Buck Papers - Special Collections - Museum of the
Confederacy - Richmond, Virginia]
