Henry L. Benning to Robert A. Toombs, July 26, 1862

GENERAL:

On June 27 the brigade was near the Garnett house, and about sunset General Toombs ordered me to throw forward a strong body of pickets on the left of his line and to feel the enemy, and to follow up vigorously any success that might be met with. At this time the regiment was in line of battle along the fence near Garnett’s spring. Accordingly J immediately ordered forward the two flank companies of the regiment—Companies A, under Lieutenant Beeland, and K, under Lieutenant Randall, both under Major [J. H.] Pickett— with instructions to carry out the orders of General Toombs to me. They promptly took their place on the left of the line in a wood, and very soon afterward, with other similar parties detached from the Second and Fifteenth Regiments Georgia Volunteers, opened fire on the enemy posted in a wood on both sides of the Labor-in-Vain ravine. The fire at once became warm along our whole line. The balls of the enemy came across the picket line engaged in the fight, and wounded a number of that part of the regiment held in reserve near the fence at the Garnett spring. About fifteen minutes after the firing had commenced report was made to you that the enemy in considerable force was about to turn your left flank and cut off the pickets sent from my regiment. You then ordered me to take the reserve companies of the regiment to that flank and support those pickets and counteract any

. * Embodied in returns, p. 977.

such movement of the enemy. Iat once carried them there and formed them in line of battle. It was then dusk and objects were not visible at a distance. We could seenoenemy. The firing of our pickets, who were a little in advance of us and a little to our right, continued as brisk as ever. As the darkness thickened, however, the firing gradually lessened and finally ceased.

Every officer and man of the companies under my eye did his duty well, and the same is true (according to the report to me of Major Pickett) of the two companies sent forward under him as pickets.

A list of the casualties has already been sent up.

very respectfully, &c.,