e that General Walker was wounded. Directing
Polignac to move up his division and hold it in readiness, I left
General Green in charge of the center and hastened to Walker, whose
division was now fully engaged in the wood. I found him suffering from
a contusion in the groin, and ordered him to retire, which he
unwillingly did. Here it was that our right gave way in the manner
described. Scurry's brigade of Walker's, disordered by the sudden
retreat upon it of Gause, was heavily pressed by the enemy. Scurry and
his men struggled gallantly, but required immediate relief; and to give
it, Waul and Randall on their left were ordered to drive back the line
fronting them. Never was order more thoroughly executed. Leading on
their fine brigades with skill and energy, these officers forced back
the Federals and relieved Scurry.

Meanwhile, the fire of Brent's guns had overpowered a Federal battery
posted on the plateau in front of the road from Mansfield. The confusion
attending the withdrawal of this battery, coupled with the fierce attack
of Waul and Randall, led General Green to believe that the enemy was
retreating, and he ordered Bee to charge with his two regiments of
cavalry, Buchell's and De Bray's. Bee reached the plateau, where he was
stopped by a heavy fire from infantry, in the wood on both sides of the
road. Some men and horses went down, Buchell was mortally wounded, and
Bee and De Bray slightly. The charge was premature and cost valuable
lives, but was of use in moral effect. I returned to the road as Bee,
with coolness and pluck, withdrew. Brent advanced his guns close up to
the opposing line, Polignac attacked on Randall's left with his reduced
but stubborn division, and Green urged on his dismounted horsemen,
cleared the wood from the Mansfield to the Blair's Landing road, and at
nightfall held the position previously occupied by the Federal battery.

Severe fighting continued in the dense thicket, where Polignac, Randall,
Waul, and Scurry were steadily driving back the enemy. Approaching
twilight obscured the wood, but resistance in front was becoming feeble,
and, anxious to reach the village, I urged on our men. As Randall and
Waul gained ground to the front, they became separated by a ravine in
which was concealed a brigade of Federals. Isolated by the retreat of
their friends, these troops attempted to get out. Fired on from both
sides of the ravine, a part of them appeared on the field in front of
Brent's