“By overwhelming numbers the enemy kept pressing us back until the latter part of October, 1864, we occupied the outer fortifications which consisted of ditches badly constructed, with nothing in front to obstruct the enemy. Our brigade occupied the left of the Williamsburg Road, our right touching Longstreet’s Corps. It was a beautiful Sabbath morning. Some were playing cards, others in groups discussing the pending battle, while others were engaged in divine service. It was an open field on all sides for a considerable distance. Each army was in plain view of each other. The enemy moved by company, out of our range, halted and fronted us. It was a magnificent sight to see their movement and the glistening of their uniforms and arms. We knew from their movement that they contemplated a charge. We were ordered to reserve our fire until we could read the U.S. on their belts. Our men were calm and quiet with determination depicted upon their countenances. Determined to hold their position or die in the attempt. In order to front them we stood several paces apart. On they came in double lines with a strong support in [the] rear. It was a magnificent charge. So soon as they got in a few paces of our line, the command, “Fire!” was given, and it was obeyed with coolness and precision, in the face of the foe, but on they came, but soon saw it was death to advance any further. At the first volley of our infantry their line was broken. So many were killed and wounded that it was difficult for them to keep in line. They began to waver and hesitate, [and] finally broke and ran in spite of all their officers could do. At this time a courier came dashing down our line stating that the enemy had captured the fort on the Nine Mile Road which was to the left of our brigade, distance about one mile. General Gary was ordered to take his brigade and drive them out. “Mount, men, mount,” was the emphatic command of Gen. Gary, and all who knew him knows what he meant. Our horses were nearby, and we were soon mounted. On we rushed as fast as our horses could carry us. We went as near the fort as was safe for our horses, dismounted, [and] formed. “Charge, boys! Charge!” exclaimed General Gary, and on we went with a rush and a yell, driving them out of the fort and pursuing them to the junction of the Nine Mile and Williamsburg Roads, a distance of one or more miles. The road was literally lined with the dead and wounded. They were Negro troops, and no quarters were given, at least this was the case with a majority of our boys. They were actually clubbed to death with the rifles. One or more of our company were court martialed for this cruelty. I could give full details but will pass it by.
General Gary seemed to be unusually cross in this engagement. We had no troops at this fort, only a picket guard of the Hampton Legion. It contained four heavy size guns and when we reached it the enemy were trying to train them upon us, but we were too quick for them. To retake this fort and prevent the enemy from turning our left flank and easily entering Richmond, our brigade had to leave the infantry to hold in check the overwhelming numbers in their front. They were watching us and were satisfied we would do it or die. We had long been together and they knew what kind of material we were made of. In front of our infantry the ground was covered with the dead and wounded. So soon as the enemy retreated a detail was made to bury the dead. There was [sic, were] a few wells near by and our boys filled … [them with the bodies]. … [These] were white troops.
Just before the fight began Col. Haskell was seen approaching from the direction of Richmond, supported on either side by one man. He heard the firing from the hospital, ordered a horse and started to the front in spite of all the surgeons and nurses could do to prevent him. So soon as he was recognized the rebel yell was given and extended down the line as far as you could hear. He was finally persuaded by our officers and men to go back.
There were some of our company who believed in predestination; the writer did not but wanted to, as long as the war lasted anyway. On nearing the fort he urged them to rush in and drive the enemy out, that if they were predestined to be killed they would be, and if not they were safe anyway. …..
….. I do not recollect the casualties of the brigade. Sometime in January, 1865, the writer with some others were reconnoitering our front, passed along the Nine Mile Road where this battle was fought, and strange to say that the dead Negroes were still where they fell, skin intact minus the eye ball. It was a horrid, gruesome sight to behold. ….. I’ve seen dogs preying upon some of the dead. General Longstreet’s official report of this battle does our brigade great injustice. This is one reason why I describe it. This was the last “on to Richmond” venture the enemy made on the north side of the James until after the evacuation of Richmond.”
Source: Robert Jerald L. West, Comp., Found Among the Privates: Recollections of Holcomb’s Legion 1861-1864, by James L. Strain and Adolphus E. Fant, Correspondents to the Union County News, Union County, S.C. Sharon, S.C.: Privately Printed, 1997, 115 pp. This selection appears on 91-93, was written by Adolphus E. Fant, and originally appeared in the Union County News, 10 May 1901, p. 1, c. 3-5. There is a slight variation between the two texts, resolved in favor of the original.