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

ReadAboutContentsHelp
Sketch of Hoods Texas Brigade of the Virginia Army by Joe Joskins, a rebel in Co. “A,” 5th Texas Vol., Hoods Texas Brigade, Fields Divission [sic], Longstreets Corps, Army Northern Virginia. Manuscript Diary, 1865.

Pages

Page 21
Indexed

Page 21

crib, being near, the commisary is -ued two ears of corn to each man, which was quite acceptable, since we were out of rations. corn is certainly very substantial. We had hardly shaved the corn into our hav -ersacks, when the crack of the rifle and the loud boom of cannon, was heard, not very far off. We were quick -ly formed in line, and at a doub -ble quick, started to the rescue of the other regts, for we were ser -tain they had found a mouse. We were pushing ahead on the West Pt road. My company (A), and Co "E" were thrown out on the flanks of the 5th Texas, very suddenly & unexpectedly, we were greeted by a volley of "minnies".

Last edit over 10 years ago by Juli McLoone
Page 22
Indexed

Page 22

whose music, though sweet, is more dangerous than that of mos -quitoes." Several were wounded & Capt Denny, commisary of the 5th who was riding at the head of the regt, fell dead, as a matter of course our first consternation for the moment, possessed the soul of each, and as we had time, to collect our nerves, the deep and heavy [smell?] of muskatry, the long, loud and terrible crash of the "cannon ball," as it came whining by us, told us we were about to fight our first fight. That the hopes of meeting the "enemy" which we had so often expressed, were about to be realized in the battle of "Elthams Landing"

Last edit over 10 years ago by Juli McLoone
Page 23
Indexed

Page 23

We soon rallied, formed and took our position at the forks of two roads, directly after which we were guided by the pressure of the Yanks, whom we soon had running, killing many of them on their exposed "Southern [forms?]. During this time the 1st Texas, was bearing the brunt of battle under the gallant Col Rainey, they were charged and charged again, each time delaying the Yanks, as each charge was ordered, and with the 4th 5th & 18th Ga, we soon had the Yanks fleeing for dear life. Leaving guns, clothes & everything a "reb" could desire, killing them at every stage. We ran them back to their Gun boats, near which we took

Last edit over 10 years ago by Juli McLoone
Page 24
Indexed

Page 24

a position, and lay for three hours, under a very severe gun boat fire, of grape and canister. Thus did the "Texas Brigade," number -ing some 35,000 men, whip & drive back a Yankee corps (Franklins) of 20,000, which had they been brave men, and not mercenary soldiers, and had they been fighting in a righteous cause, might have destroyed our army. Texas need not blush at the work of her sons, on 5th May 62. The loss of the whole brigade was 40 odd. The 1st Texas loosing more than any other. The Yanks showing no dis -position to again try their experi -ment of cuting off our army. We left our close proximity to their gun boats, and returned to our

Last edit over 10 years ago by Juli McLoone
Page 25
Indexed

Page 25

our camp, which we occupied before the battle, and till dark the camp reminded one of the noise made in a pond by frogs, every individ -ual giving in his experience, the emotions he had, and the part he played in his first battle. This being our first fight, we of course thought it a "Waterloo." In the year 64, it would rank as a slight skimish. Major Genl G. W. Smith of the "Virginia Army" Thus speaks of us. "The Texans have won immortal honors for themselves, their State, and their commander, Genl Hood, at the bat -tle of "Elthams Landing," but in praise of The "Texas Brigade," I could talk a week, and then not say half they deserve."

Last edit over 10 years ago by Juli McLoone
Displaying pages 21 - 25 of 99 in total