Rhett's battery — Wounded: Privates M. P. Costello, in leg, slight, and G. T. Jones, in leg, slight; Sergeant Marshall, in leg, slight.
Total wounded, six.
Respectfully submitted.
Report of Colonel S. D. Lee of battle of Sharpsburg.
Major G. M. Sorrell, Assistant Adjutant-General Right Wing:
The battalion crossed the Antietam about eight A. M., September fifteenth, and, in obedience to orders from General Longstreet, with the exception of Eubank's battery, took position on the bluffs to the left of the pike, facing the Antietam. Eubank's battery, in compliance with a written order of General Longstreet, held by the Adjutant-General of Toombs's brigade, was sent to report to General Toombs at the lower bridge, and remained with his brigade until the army recrossed the Potomac. Nothing of interest occurred during the morning. About one P. M. the infantry of the enemy made its appearance across the creek, and was fired on by my long-range guns, causing them to move back. The enemy soon brought up several long-range batteries, with which they opened upon our guns whenever they fired on their infantry. Nothing resulted from this firing except to make their infantry change position. The guns engaged were two rifle pieces of Parker's battery, two of Rhett's battery, under Lieutenant Elliot, and one of Jordan's battery, under Lieutenant Bower. They were exposed to a hot fire. Several men were slightly wounded, and several horses disabled. During the night, the battalion, excepting Moody's battery, shifted farther to the left of our line, taking a sheltered position on the Sharpsburg and Hagerstown pike in front of a church, and remained during the day, the enemy making no offensive demonstration until near sundown. Since early in the morning, they appeared engaged in massing their troops opposite our left, and, toward evening, endeavored to get into position to turn our left, bringing on quite a severe skirmish. Two howitzers of Rhett's battery took part in the skirmish; but it soon became too dark to continue the firing.
It was now evident that the enemy would attack us in force on our left at daylight, compelling us to change our line, and give him an opportunity to use his long-range batteries across the Antietam, enfilading our new position. The action commenced about three A. M., on the morning of the seventeenth, between the skirmishers. Wool-folk's, Parker's, and Rhett's batteries were placed in position in front of the church on the right of the Sharpsburg and Hagerstown pike, and opened on the enemy at daylight. These batteries were compelled to fire over our infantry, but fired with effect. A continuous fire was kept up until about quarter past eight A. M., when the enemy gave way, and our firing ceased as our infantry followed in pursuit.
The batteries above mentioned, while engaged, were exposed to an enfilade fire of about twenty rifle guns from across the Antietam, two batteries in their front, and the fire of the infantry of the enemy, most of the time about five hundred yards distant. They suffered very heavily, and had exhausted most of their ammunition. I should have mentioned that two guns of Jordan's battery, under Lieutenant Bower, were sent to an advanced position under Captain John S. Taylor, but had to retire, owing to their exposed position and the fire of several batteries against them. About this time I ordered Rhett's battery to the rear for ammunition, and Parker's and Woolfolk's batteries to move slightly to the rear to refit — many horses and men being killed. They could only move the pieces off by leaving portions of the caissons, so many of the horses had been disabled. About this time (nine A. M.,) Moody's battery, which had been engaged near the centre of our line, arrived and reported, and I placed it in position on the ground previously occupied by Parker's battery.
General Hood's division, which followed the enemy when he gave way, not being supported, was compelled to fall back before their overwhelming numbers — the enemy having gained his rear, and occupying a position almost between his retiring troops and Moody's battery. His troops fell back so suddenly, and were so near to the enemy, that it was impossible to use the battery. This being the case, I advanced two guns of Moody's battery some three hundred yards into a ploughed field, where I could use them. They remained in this position, and did good service for about fifteen minutes, under Captain Moody and Lieutenant Gary. This section was exposed to a most galling infantry fire, and retained its position till the infantry on its right and left retired, when I ordered it to the rear. The gallant Lieutenant Gary was killed, being shot in the head by a minie ball as he was sighting his piece for its last discharge. The section with which he was serving was not his own, but, seeing it going to an exposed position, asked permission to accompany it. A more gallant officer was not in our service.
Our troops having to fall back rapidly, my guns were, by direction of General D. H. Hill, retired to the ridge of hills across the Sharpsburg and Hagerstown turnpike, and between the church and Sharpsburg, and fired for a short time. General McLaws's division arriving at this time and going into action, I moved the battalion about a mile from the field to refit. It was now about ten A. M. About three P. M., the batteries having refitted and replenished with ammunition, I again moved to the front with twelve
