Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 16.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

During the absence of my seniors in command, the duty devolves upon me of making a report of the part enacted by the Fourth Texas regiment on Saturday and Sunday, the 19th and 20th September, 1863.

Therefore, I have the honor to respectfully submit the following:

At 3:30 P. M., on the evening of the 19th, the brigade was ordered forward, we occupying our natural position in line of battle. We had advanced but a short distance when we met quite a number of men returning (command not known). Soon after a sharp fire commenced on the left of the brigade, and extended down the line to the right. Up to the time we met this line, our progress had not been impeded except by a line of skirmishers and a heavy fire of grape and canister. The regiment moved up in fine style, and met and charged the enemy gallantly, driving them from their position. They then took refuge behind a house, some fencing, trees, etc. Here a desperate struggle ensued, and here it was that Colonel Bane, whilst gallantly discharging his duties, received a wound which compelled him to leave the field (the command consequently devolved upon Captain Bassett). Here, too, fell the gallant Lieutenants Bookman and Killingsworth; also Ed. Francis, our color-sergeant, and many brave and gallant men. In driving the enemy from this position the fighting was desperate. As many as two individual hand-to-hand engagements with the bayonet occurred. In taking this position we forced them to desert a battery that occupied a position in front of the left of the regiment; but by this time our line becoming deranged, we fell back some two hundred yards in the timber, reformed the regiment, moved up and held position a short distance in front of the house until recalled by order about sunset.

On the following day, about noon, we again moved forward in the same position in line we had occupied the day previous. We moved immediately in rear of another line, and consequently had gone a considerable distance before we received a heavy fire except from the enemy's batteries. On arriving at a field about one mile from where [381] the advance commenced, the enemy appeared on our right flank. This made it essential that our direction should be changed. This was done on the move by making a wheel to the right. We moved direct against their position, which was a very strong one, they occupying an eminence covered with heavy timber. On our gaining the height they deserted it. After holding the position a short time the line on our left gave way, crying out ‘they were flanked,’ and consequently we fell back across the field, and reformed in the timber. In crossing this field the gallant and highly esteemed Captain Jo. Billingsley fell. Several other gallant men fell in this fight, and a number of men and officers were wounded. After our line was reformed a temporary breastwork was constructed. We were here exposed to a heavy fire from the enemy's artillery; and here it was that Captain Bassett, who had ably and gallantly commanded the regiment since the wounding of Colonel Bane, received a severe wound by a fragment of shell, which deprived us of his services. This closed the operations of the regiment in the two days fight.

I cannot close without adding my testimony to the gallant bearing of both men and officers. With a few exceptions, their conduct has never been surpassed on any of the many fields on which they have been engaged.

A full list of casualties has already been furnished.

I am, respectfully, etc.,