Existing comment:
The Confederate Assault on Maryland Heights:
"The width of the crest was not more than fifty yards in places, and along this Kershaw had to move in line of battle, Barksdale's brigade in reserve... Over such obstacles as were encountered and the difficulties and dangers separating the different troops, a line of battle never before made headway as it did those of Kershaw and the troops under McLaws.
"We met the enemy's skirmishers soon after turning to the left on Elk Ridge, and all along the whole distance of five miles were were more or less harassed by them. During the march of the 12th the men had to pull themselves up precipitous inclines by the twigs and undergrowth that lined the mountain side, or hold themselves in position by the trees in front. At night we bivouacked on the mountain... Early next morning as we advanced we again met the enemy's skirmishers, and had to be continually driving them back. Away to the south and beyond the Potomac we could hear the sound of Jackson's guns as he was beating his way up to meet us. By noon we encountered the enemy's breastworks, built of great stones and logs, in front of which was an abattis of felled timber and brushwood. The Third, under Nance, and the Seventh, under Aiken, were ordered to the charge on the right. Having no artillery up, it was with great difficulty we approached the fortifications. Men had to cling to bushes while they loaded and fired. But with their usually gallantry they came down to their work. Through the tangled undergrowth, through the abattis, and over the breastworks they leaped with a yell. The fighting was short but very severe."
-- Excerpt from History of Kershaw's Brigade by D. Augustus Dickert
"They [Union] retired about 400 yards, to a much stronger position, a similar abatis, beyond which was a breastwork of logs, extending across the mountain, flanked, as before, by precipitous ledges of rocks.
"I had, at the commencement of the attack, directed General Barksdale to form his brigade down the face of the mountain to my left, in prolongation of the two lines on the summit, it having appeared the night before that the enemy's skirmishers occupied a part of that face of the mountain. I now directed General Barksdale to advance his command, and attack the enemy in flank and rear, while I pressed him in front. Again I moved forward the Seventh and Eighth Regiments. Reaching the abatis, a most obstinate resistance was encountered, and a fierce fire kept up, at about 100 yards distance, for some time. Our loss was heavy, and I found it necessary to send in Colonel Nance's Third Regiment to support the attack. They, too, were stoutly resisted."
-- Official Records, J.B. Kershaw, Brigadier-General, Commanding |