221

                                                                                                Hd Qrs 5^th Texas Regt

                                                                                    Near Hagerstown M^d July 8^th 1863

 

            Lt. M W. Kerr.

                        A.A.A. Genl.

 

                                    Col. R. M. Powell having fallen into the hands of the enemy, it devolved upon me a Lt Col. of the Regt to report the part taken by it as far as came under my observation in the action of the second and third, near Gettysburg Pa.

 

About 4 oclock P.M. on the second inst Genl Hood’s Division was drawn up in line of battle fronting the heights occupied by the enemy. The 5^th Texas Regt occupied the right of the Brigade, resting in Genl Law’s left, whose Brigade was the one of direction At the word forward the Regt moved forward in good order.

 

The enemy had a line of sharpshooters at the foot of the first heights, behind a stone fence about three fourths of a mile from our starting point, which distance was passed over by our line at a double quick and a run. At our approach the enemy retired to the top of the first height protected by a ledge of rocks. A short halt was made at the stone fence to enable those who had fallen behind to regain their places then the command, forward! again fell from the lips of our gallant Col. Every man leaped the fence and advanced rapidly up the hill side. The enemy again fled at our approach, sheltering himself behind his fortified position on the top of the second height about two hundred yds distant from the first. From this position we failed to drive them. Our failure was owing to the rocky nature of the ground over which we had to pass, the huge rocks forming defiles through which not more than three or four men abreast could pass this breaking up our alignment and rendering its formation reformation impossible. Notwithstanding the difficulties to overcome the men pressed on to the base of the principal precipitous strong hold, forming and securing the enemies second position many of our men falling in passing the open space between the heights. Here we halted, their being small clusters of rocks/

 

 

far below the elevated position of the enemy which gave partial protection. From this position we were enabled to deliver our fire for the first time with accuracy. Seeing that the men were on the best obtainable position and deeming a further advance without reinforcement impracticable a great many of the Regt having been already disabled I looked for Col Powell to know his next order, failing to see him I concluded at once that he like many of his gallant officers and men had fallen a victim to the deadly misells of the enemy which were being showered like hail upon us. I moved towards the center, passing many officers and men who had fallen, having discharged their whole duty like true soldiers. I had not proceeded far when I discovered the prostrated form of our noble Col. who had fallen at his post, his face to the foe. I hastened toward him, when I received a wound in my left arm. on reaching the Col I found that he was not dead, but viewing the  rent in his coat where the ball had passed out, my fears were excited that his wound would prove mortal. The hemorrhage from my own wound forced me from the field leaving the command upon Maj Rogers. The officers and men of my wing of the Regt continued to discharge their duties in a manner worthy of our cause so long as I remained upon the field and from their conduct heretofore I would not hesitate to vouch for them during the remainder of the battle. Cap Cleveland of Co H was on the right, whose skillful management of his companies aided me vastly in the direction of my wing

 

                                                                                    Very Respct

                                                                                                K Bryan

                                                                                    Lt Col 5^th Texas Regt

 

[margin]          Battle of Gettysburg

                                    July 2d & 3d 1863

 

                        Lt Col K Bryan Cmdg

                                    5^th Texas Regt

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