"I got to it at dusk and found that our co. had gone to the front as skirmishers. I asked him how to find my co. He told me to hush: "The Yanks are right out there."
Before he could tell me how to go, somebody came to him and told him that the line was too short and Capt. Nance wanted more men. Col. Rutherford at once [sent me to] Co. K, next to ours under Lt. Langford, to Capt. Nance. He then told me to follow Co. K. It had only 10 or 12 men.
On reaching the skirmish line they were put on the line to my right and between me and my own company. I was on the extreme left of the line except the left guide, 2nd Sgt. Dr. J.M.H. Ruff.
We had not advanced far when some one on the right gave the command "Halt." We made no stop, at the 3rd command, one of the enemy's videttes fired. Two or three of our men fired. He broke and ran hollowing "O Lordy." You could have heard him a mile. Capt. Nance gave the commend It sounded like Gabriel's trumpet) "Skirmishers forward, double quick, commence firing." . . . Directly we came to the river road broad and sandy. We were among the trees. Across the road was an open field. As soon as we came to the road I guessed we would stop. I thought we were to have a night fight with infantry. A little to my left was a large post, to which two gates (page 60 ends) had been hung. I at once ran to the gate post for protection when I found myself face to face with a Yankee Capt. and 47 men. I cocked my gun in his face and told him to surrender. He said "Certainly Sir." Others ran to my aid. The foolish Yankees were lying flat on the ground. We surrounded them. 33 of us captured 47 of them. . . This was on Monday night.'
J.E. Caldwell, "Recollections and Events of the Civil War 1861 to 1865" in Georgia Division, United Daughters of the Confederac, "Confederate Reminiscences and Letters", Vol. 22, pp. 60-61.
Bryce A. Suderow