While this was transpiring in front, the enemy made an attack in force on my left and rear.
This attack was met by the Twelfth Alabama, Colonel [Samuel B.] Pickens, Colonel [James N.] Lightfoot, of the Sixth Alabama, with a small portion of his regiment, and some troops of Nicholls’ brigade, skillfully placed by General Iverson, and sustained against fearful odds until I ordered up Colquitt’s brigade, which quickly and handsomely repulsed it. The enemy–being repulsed decidedly here, barely holding his own in the left center, and compelled about the same time by the artillery fire from the right to abandon the epaulements–withdrew all his forces to the hill back of the Chancellor house.
The fighting on the center and left was of a most desperate character, and resulted in the loss of many valuable officers. Among them, and most to be regretted, was Maj. A. M. Gordon, of the Sixth Alabama, a young officer of great promise and great purity of character.
General Pender, speaking of the first advance of my troops, stated to me that Colonel Christie and his regiment, which he handled in magnificent style, especially attracted his attention, and that the colonel deserved promotion.
