A few hours later, finding that the temporary hospital was exposed to both artillery and musketry fire, Doctor Brent ordered the removal of the wounded men to a point a mile or so in the rear; and finding Kilgariff, thanks to his elastic constitution, able to endure a little longer journey, he took him to his own quarters, still farther to the rear.
Here Captain Pollard managed to visit his sergeant-major during the night.
“General Anderson, who is in command of Longstreet’s corps, now that Longstreet is wounded,” he said, during the interview, “has asked for your report of your action on the hill. If you are strong enough to answer a question or two, I’ll make the report in your stead.”
“I think I can write it myself,” answered Kilgariff; “and I had rather do that.”
Paper and a pencil were brought, and, with much difficulty, the wounded man wrote:—
Under orders this day, I took the left section of Captain Pollard’s Virginia Battery to the crest of a hill in front.
After three minutes of firing, infantry having come up, I was ordered to retire, and did so. My losses were eighteen men killed and fifteen wounded, of a total force of thirty-eight men. One of my gun carriages was destroyed by an enemy’s shell, and two limber-chests were blown up. All of the horses having fallen, I brought off the remaining gun and the two caissons by hand, in obedience to orders. I was fortunately able also to bring off all the wounded. Every man under my command behaved to my satisfaction.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
Owen Kilgariff,
Sergeant-major.