Sketch of Hoods Texas Brigade of the Virginia Army (Handwritten Civil War Diary)

I do not profess to have envi -able discriptive powers. yet in the language of a soldier (used to be I will endeavor to paint a discrip -tion of the ground _ where we fought There were two ranges of hills_about half or 3/4 mile long running -parallel - they were as close together as could be _Their bases almost meeting_ between these hills ran a slough_or branch_ filled with running water The Yanks occupied the line most distant from Richmond_ forti -fied it very strongly_canon bristling every ten paces _ with a strong line of [mastwork?] directly on the mow/brow?of this hill _ with an [aba?tis] in front of their works _ and all the

timber filled and [?aping] over one another just in [?] of this line in a field were very strong batteries so situated as to command and [?] this line if taken by us. The side of [their?] hill [confounding?] us, indeed seemed impregnable and it was a difficult job to asscend it [imimpeded?] by bullets and a soldiers equipment at a slow walk less [?] loaded down with [?] and 80 rounds of ammunition, at a double quick with bullets and bombshells killing and slaying your fellow [comrades?] on each side. My Div. composed of Whitings Brigade under Col Law

and Hoods all commanded by Genl Whiting advanced forward and took our position on the ridge [confronting?] the Yanks which was covered with whiped and demoralized Rebs. This was the turning point if this position was not carried the day would be lost, and if carried McLelland was [whi?]. On first taking this position we lay down among the trees and for half hour exchanged shots with the Yanks. While doing this a staff officer of Genl Ewells rode up to our regt and exclaimed, "Stand boys, dont run, for Gods sake, don't run, but die here."

Our brave [?] who was standing near by jumped forward and with the fury of a madman exclaimed, "Who in the the hell are you talking to sir? These are my men, these are Texans. They dont know how to run, and you leave here or I blow hell into you." About this time the loud and [?] voice of Hood was heard "Fix bayonets. Charge" and with a yell that [?] terror to the heart of the foe and hope to the breast of our countrymen, a yell that [?] five miles off heard, we charged them, down hill we went into the branch up to our

knees (where I lost my shoe) climb - ed over trees and obstructions with comrades falling like Au -tumn leaves went right up to their works right to the mouth of their canons, and with the bayonet shoved them from their works and in less than 20 minutes have carried their works were turning their own canon upon them, but, my God what had it not cost us the flower, the chivalry of Texas were being sacrificed we [bothered?] not but having their works. pursued the fleeing [for?] and charged their batteries in the field and in less time than it takes to [?] the