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94 The Bloody Sixth
North Carolinians in particular. The First Texas Regiment of Colo-nel
W. J. Wofford's brigade. Hood's division was passing close to the
Sixth North Carolina. One of the Texans, "with more wit than
discretion," called out to the Sixth, " 'Halloa, Fellers! Have you a
good supply of tar on yoiu- heels this morning?' " A long, lean private
in the Sixth said back "pleasantly, but too pointedly to be mistuider-stood;
'and it's a real pity you'ims didn't come over and borrow a
little the other day; it mout have saved that flag o' yoiu'n.' (The First
Texas hpxl lost its flag at Sharpsburg after the color bearer was
killed.) 'P^his spirit would be put to the test shortly in a battle
noted for its ferocity and desperation.
Hood's division marched from Frederick to Hagerstown, but was
immediately ordered to march back to Boonsborough Gap, some
thirteen miles southeast of Hagerstown. The division arrived at the
crest of the gap "between 3 o'clock and 4 o'clock p.m.," in time to
see the troops of General D. H. Hill "engaged with a large force
of the enemy." Hood was directed to form his troops on the left
of the Hagerstown Pike. Orders soon arrived to change position and
form a line to the right, "as our troops on that side were giving way
to superior numbers." Learning that the enemy had passed to the
rear of the Confederate position. Hood moved his men more to the ,
river "over a very rugged country and succeeded in getting in a
position to receive the enemy." Both the Texas brigade, no^r under
Colonel W. T. WofFord, and the Third Brigade, still under Colonel
Law, were ordered to move fonvard with fixed bayonets, "which
they did with their tisual gallantry, driving the enemy and regaining
all of our lost ground." Nightfall halted further pursuit, but not
in time to prevent the loss of Lieutenant Colonel O. K. McLemore
of the Fourth Alabama Regiment, "a most efficient, gallant, and
valuable officer.'^
While the infanti-y was clearing Boonsborough Gap of Lhiion
forces, the Confederate artillery, commanded by Hood's chief of
artillery. Major Frobel, reached the summit "with his three batteries."
Captain Reilly's Rowan artillery, "then consisting of four rifled
pieces and t^^•o howitzers," joined Frobel in the vicinity of the Motui-tain
House, but refrained from firing because of orders.(&£)
Shortly after dark. Hood received orders to withdraw his men,
"and for this division to constitute the rear guard of the army."
The two weary Ijrigades slowly fell back toward Sharpsburg. They
arrived on the hills aljove Antietam Creek, just east of the town, at
12:00 noon on the 15th. Hood was directed "to take position in line
of battle on the right of the road leading to Boonsborough, but soon
received orders to move to the extreme left, near S*int Mumma
Church (Dunker Church) , on the Hagerstown pike.t^iLaw was or-dered
to place his brigade directly on the Hagersto\vn Pike "about
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| Title | Page 114 |
| Full Text | 94 The Bloody Sixth North Carolinians in particular. The First Texas Regiment of Colo-nel W. J. Wofford's brigade. Hood's division was passing close to the Sixth North Carolina. One of the Texans, "with more wit than discretion," called out to the Sixth, " 'Halloa, Fellers! Have you a good supply of tar on yoiu- heels this morning?' " A long, lean private in the Sixth said back "pleasantly, but too pointedly to be mistuider-stood; 'and it's a real pity you'ims didn't come over and borrow a little the other day; it mout have saved that flag o' yoiu'n.' (The First Texas hpxl lost its flag at Sharpsburg after the color bearer was killed.) 'P^his spirit would be put to the test shortly in a battle noted for its ferocity and desperation. Hood's division marched from Frederick to Hagerstown, but was immediately ordered to march back to Boonsborough Gap, some thirteen miles southeast of Hagerstown. The division arrived at the crest of the gap "between 3 o'clock and 4 o'clock p.m.," in time to see the troops of General D. H. Hill "engaged with a large force of the enemy." Hood was directed to form his troops on the left of the Hagerstown Pike. Orders soon arrived to change position and form a line to the right, "as our troops on that side were giving way to superior numbers." Learning that the enemy had passed to the rear of the Confederate position. Hood moved his men more to the , river "over a very rugged country and succeeded in getting in a position to receive the enemy." Both the Texas brigade, no^r under Colonel W. T. WofFord, and the Third Brigade, still under Colonel Law, were ordered to move fonvard with fixed bayonets, "which they did with their tisual gallantry, driving the enemy and regaining all of our lost ground." Nightfall halted further pursuit, but not in time to prevent the loss of Lieutenant Colonel O. K. McLemore of the Fourth Alabama Regiment, "a most efficient, gallant, and valuable officer.'^ While the infanti-y was clearing Boonsborough Gap of Lhiion forces, the Confederate artillery, commanded by Hood's chief of artillery. Major Frobel, reached the summit "with his three batteries." Captain Reilly's Rowan artillery, "then consisting of four rifled pieces and t^^•o howitzers," joined Frobel in the vicinity of the Motui-tain House, but refrained from firing because of orders.(&£) Shortly after dark. Hood received orders to withdraw his men, "and for this division to constitute the rear guard of the army." The two weary Ijrigades slowly fell back toward Sharpsburg. They arrived on the hills aljove Antietam Creek, just east of the town, at 12:00 noon on the 15th. Hood was directed "to take position in line of battle on the right of the road leading to Boonsborough, but soon received orders to move to the extreme left, near S*int Mumma Church (Dunker Church) , on the Hagerstown pike.t^iLaw was or-dered to place his brigade directly on the Hagersto\vn Pike "about |
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