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This force drew up on the heights within 300 or 400 yards of us. Capt. Laurie asked me was it not better to acquaint Lt. Col. Smith. I told him by all means as their disposition appeared to be very regular and determined. On which he sent Lt. Robertson to Lt. Col. Smith, who returned in a very little time with Capt. Lumm, who told us Lt. Col. Smith would send us a reinforcement. Capt. Lumm, very obligingly, gallopped as hard as could to hasten the reinforcement. On their beginning to march down on us by divisions from their left in a very military manner, as they had every advantage of the ground, officers mentioned to Capt. Laurie that would be better to go over the bridge and raise a few planks. I, being the last that came over, raised the first plank. Capt. Laurie desired the men to form a line to the right and left of the bridge and the soldiers to keep up their fire. I jumped over the hedge into a meadow just opposite to the enemy as they were advancing to the bridge and begged they would follow me agreeable to Capt. Laurie’s orders, which only three or four did. On which the enemy seeing them altogether at the end of the bridge fired a few shot which our men returned and I with my three men returned. In loading and in the act of firing again I received a shot a little above my right breast which turned me half round when I heard Capt. Laurie commanding and exhorting his men to be steady and return the enemy’s fire. I called to Capt. Laurie that I was wounded and came off the best way I could under a fire from the enemy, leaving two of those that turned out with me dead on the spot. On the appearance of reinforcement they retired and. |
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