About 6.30 a.m. on May 3, the Twelfth Alabama Regiment was formed into line of battle and ordered forward with the remainder of the brigade. The brigade formed a part of the third line of battle. We had advanced about a mile when we came up with the second line of battle; this we passed. We passed over the wooden breastworks in the woods on the extreme left of our lines, and advanced near the first line of battle, which was then engaging the enemy. We were soon flanked, and fell back to the breastworks.
Learning here that Colonel [E. A.] O’Neal had been wounded and had left the field, and not seeing Colonel [J. M.] Hall (next in command), I immediately formed my regiment and portions of the Third, Sixth, and Twenty-sixth Alabama, and determined to hold the works, if possible. Learning from skirmishers that the enemy were advancing perpendicular to the breastworks, endeavoring to flank the works and turn our left, I immediately reported the fact to General Iverson (who just then came up), and asked for orders. He ordered me to form the portion of the brigade I was commanding perpendicular to the breastworks, right resting at the works. The brigade was not long in this position before our forces again advanced from the breastworks, leaving me to protect the flank. The enemy was soon seen advancing in heavy force. I allowed them to advance within musket-range, when I opened on them. I held them in check for over an hour, until the ammunition was nearly expended–a great many men had fired all their cartridges–when I was relieved by General Colquitt.
