Mortally wounded—Privates A. C. Smyth, J. J. Stuart, and A. J. Thompson: total, 3.
Seriously wounded—Sergt. M. D. Lamar; Privates John Boggan, George Durden, E. Leysath, J. L. Simpson and John Williamson: total, 6.
Severely wounded—Corpls. E. L. Averheart and O. M. Blaylock; Private C. B. Brown: total, 3.
Slightly wounded (not sent to hospital)—Privates J. C. Hearn, John Tunnell and J. H. Shaver: total, 3.
Of the regiment, 171 men, out of 325 present, were killed and wounded, including 13 color-bearers. It was not till about dark that the shattered remnant of the First Alabama was withdrawn. The names of those of Co. K who escaped unharmed from this terrible gorge are, to the best of the writer’s knowledge—Sergt. W. H. Fay; Corp. G. W. Hearn; Privates T. M. Boggan, W. L. Ellis, W. W. Day, John Griffin, Joseph Hurd, G. W. Hunt, R. H. Kirkpatrick, John Killough, Joseph May, Eli T. Sears and Josiah Tunnell.
Of the wounded, Privates Smyth and Thomson lived till they reached the hospital at Griffin, where both died. There is some uncertainty in regard to J. J. Stuart’s fate, several members of the company asserting positively that he was mortally wounded in this battle, and died in hospital; others, having equally good opportunities of knowing the facts, being ignorant of his fate; and some asserting that he was not present. His name does not appear in a memoranda of the killed and wounded made about ten days after the battle by the writer, who was himself in Montgomery, Ala., at the time. Sergt. Lamar received a bullet in the hip and was never able to return to duty. Private Williamson received a bullet in the shoulder, a second in the thigh, while a third chipped a piece off of a front tooth. He, too, was permanently disabled, as were Durden, Leysath and Simpson. The others soon recovered of their wounds. For some days doubt existed as to Lieut. Cameron’s death, but the lingering hope was dispelled by a member of another company, who saw him breathe his last. Lieut. Golsan’s body was carried a little distance to the rear by some of the company; but they had to leave him, and with the other dead he was buried by the enemy. There was no foundation whatever for the rumor, which reached his home, that he was not killed.
Maj. Knox was seriously wounded, and the command of the regiment devolved upon Capt. Williams. Sergt. W. H. Fay was ordered to take command of Co. K. The brigade bivouacked for the night near the battle-field, and on the 29th returned to its former position on the defences, and the regiment resumed picket duty.
While out on picket, August 3d, Co. K suffered another great loss. Private Farmer was slightly wounded, and expressing a desire for water, Sergt. Fay volunteered to get some at a neighboring well. He took several canteens, and succeeded in reaching the well in safety; but on his return, while crossing an exposed opening, a ball pierced his heart. He exclaimed, “Oh, men! oh, men!” walked about fifteen steps and sat down under the shade of a small tree; and as Sergt. Royals, who ran to his assistance, caught him in his arms, he struggled once or twice and died. Thus perished, in the glory of early Christian manhood, one of the pure and noble of earth. The company thus lost in less than one week two officers commanding, and one who had been elected to command—three noble, Christian men, Cameron, Golsan, and Fay.
On the death of Sergt. Fay, Sergt. C. H. Royals took command, and held it till relieved by Lieut. Jones, of Co. I. Private G. F. Martin was slightly wounded on the 4th. On the 12th of August Private D. E. Holt was severely wounded, a Minie ball passing through both thighs, but fortunately missing the larger blood-vessels and bones. He was taken to the hospital, where gangrene getting into the wound, he narrowly escaped death, and was disabled from further service.