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‘ [219] killed and wounded, some losing their heads, and others so horribly mutilated and mangled that their identity could scarcely be established; but notwithstanding this all the men continued heroically and unflinchingly to maintain their position.’ Colonel Work mentioned the names of Privates W. Y. Salter, J. N. Kirksey, G. Barfield and W. J. Barbee for great and striking gallantry, though he declared that in doing so he was neglecting others of equal merit, all behaving like heroes. Private Barbee, though a mounted courier, acting for General Hood, entered the ranks of his company and fought through the engagement. At one time he mounted a rock upon the highest pinnacle of the hill, and there, exposed to a deadly fire from artillery and musketry, stood until he had fired twenty-five shots, when he received a minie-ball in the right thigh and fell. The men replenished their cartridge-boxes from the dead and wounded of the enemy, and many of the officers, seizing rifles, fought in the ranks in the deadly struggle amid the rocks of the Devil's Den. Capt. John R. Woodward, acting major, was wounded by a fragment of shell. The regiment lost 25 killed, 48 wounded and 20 missing. Maj. John P. Bane, who led the Fourth regiment after Colonel Key and Lieutenant-Colonel Carter were wounded, reported that his regiment made two assaults upon the heights. His loss was reported at 14 killed and 73 wounded. Colonel Powell led the Fifth and drove the enemy from one height, but while fighting among the rocks for the second height, fell with a mortal wound, and in hastening to his assistance Lieut.-Col. K. Bryan was wounded. Major Rogers was then in command. Captain Cleveland was commended for skillful leadership. The loss of the Fifth was given at 23 killed and 86 wounded. Major Rogers in his report commended the skillful management of his right wing by Captain Cleveland, and the left by Capt. C. C. Clay. T. W. Fitzgerald, color-bearer, was wounded far in front, and the flag was
Atlanta, Ga. 1899.
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