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2nd Battalion, CSA
In compliance with orders, I have the honor herewith to submit a report of the operations of this division during the period which elapsed from July 1-3 known hereto as the conflict of the Gettysburg Campaign.
On July 1st, in pursuance of the order to rejoin the army, the 44th Georgia, Company C, “The Johnson Guards” initiated maneuvers to approach Gettysburg, Pa. from the North and East, filtering into camp throughout the day and early evening, establishing our company street grounds along the Hanover Turnpike in the field behind the home of Daniel Lady.
Upon my arrival on the first I immediately set out for supplies and forage, filling my ammo pouch with adequate rounds for the conflict which we anticipated was soon to come.
Friday evening the camp was alive with the excitement of youthful games, eventually submitting to exhaustion, replaced by thunderous attempts to acquire a comfortable sleeping position beneath a canopy of canvas.
Saturday morning we uncased the colors, participated in battalion drill and awaited our call to action.
Shortly after noon reports from opposing artillery batteries filled the air, the first intimation that we were about to face the enemy. Skirmishers were deployed to our front and we advanced in column towards the sounds of rifle fire.
Departing the woodline and deploying in a line of battle we joind the fray, promptly moving upon the enemies front. Slowly, the outnumbered Yankees began to fall back. The line of Union soldiers yielded ground in increments, abandoning the protection of a worm fence to our advance, whereby we, in turn, utilized their sacrifice to our advantage, and made it our own. Urged by our officers to “pour it into them” our fire remained hot, as volley after volley crossed the fields between the two armies. The taste and smell of spent powder, and the barking of musketry surrounded us and stimulated our senses, our only task being to load and fire.
Fallen bodies began to litter the earth, whilst depleting ammo pouches slowed our fire. We left the “safety” of the rail fence to advance again, loading on the move, pushing the men in blue until we heard the bugle call of cease fire. Turning to our flank we encountered a sky full of threatening wind and rain, retiring to camp to face the oncoming storm.
Slumber came more easily Saturday eve, our bellies full, and the cavaliers of Friday night quieted by a weekend of activity. We arose Sunday morning to eggs, bacon and camp coffee, responded to invitations to “Church Call”, and prepared for the intentions of the day.
Mid-afternoon we were summoned to form up, marched to a position hidden from view to the enemy by a formidable treeline and awaited orders. Confederate Artillery in the field to our front opened the battle, and we were witness to the sounds of musketry and cannons.
After a lengthy artillery barrage we were brought forward and took position in front of the artillery and engaged in a firefight with the opposing forces. Two cannon from behind us were repositioned on our flanks and rejoined the fight against our Kevlar foes. Despite the power of our new additions, and the unrelenting fire from our infantry, nary a soldier in blue fell. The unit on our left flank fell in the battle and our position was compromised. Advancing Lincolnmen used citizens to halt our fire in their direction, and we were forced to redeploy to a position in our rear, whereupon the conflict ended and we left the field to cheers of appreciation from onlookers.
Shortly afterwards the 44th Georgia, Company C., and those who shared the field and camp with us, departed the fields of Gettysburg, headed home, to gather again when we hear the call, “To Arms”.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pvt. Jim Marshall
44th Georgia Volunteer Infantry, Co. C.
The Johnson Guards
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