Part 22 (1/2)

Question-Where were you when the right wing went out to skirmish? And did your skirmishers relieve those in front of you?

Answer-We were on the right. I was in the company forming the support of the skirmishers on the right, and the skirmishers of our company in front relieved those of the Rifles in front of them. The Rifles retired in good order to the reserves. I certainly saw two companies come in, but I cannot speak as to the whole line.

Question-From the time your skirmishers were posted until the retreat, how much time elapsed?

Answer-I should think about an hour.

Question-What caused the retreat, in your opinion, and what succeeded?

Answer-We retreated because the bugle sounded ”the retreat,” and we were also ordered by Lieut. Routh, the officer in command of our company, who said shortly afterward that it was a mistake, as it should have been ”the advance,” and ordered us to ”halt” and ”front,” and we did so accordingly. The skirmishers immediately came down upon us, who were all men of our battalion, and we all retreated together to the cross-road, near the place where we first deployed. Two or three companies of Rifles came down this cross-road from the right of the attack at this moment, and the whole became mingled together and the formation was immediately destroyed. Several attempts by officers of the Thirteenth and the Rifles were made to rally or re-form the men. I noticed Col. Booker and Adjutant Henery do this, and also Ensign Armstrong, who carried the colors. I saw Lieut. Arthurs endeavoring to stop the men, and also other Rifle officers whose names I am not acquainted with.

ADJUTANT HENERY RECALLED.

Question-State the names of the officers of the right wing of the Thirteenth Battalion who were present when that wing was ordered to skirmish?

Answer-Major Skinner. Capt. Grant. Lieut. Gibson, and Ensign McKenzie, of No. 1 Company; Capt. Watson and Lieut. Sewell, of No. 2 Company; and Lieut. Ferguson, of No. 3 Company.

Question-How long have you been connected with the regiment, and in what capacity?

Answer-As Drill Instructor and Adjutant, about four years.

Question-About what proportion of the Thirteenth Regiment was wholly undrilled at the time of the affair at Lime Ridge?

Answer-One man only, and the others were all drilled men.

Question-Had the whole battalion previously been exercised with blank cartridge?

Answer-Yes, but not frequently.

Question-Had they any practice with ball cartridge?

Answer-I think 180 men had previously had ball practice.

Question-Was a large proportion of the regiment composed of boys under twenty?

Answer-I think that about 120 were under twenty, and a large proportion of these were between the ages of 19 and 20 years of age.

Question-Did you observe any difference in the demeanor of the men when under fire?

Answer-No difference-all seemed equally steady.

Question-What number of rounds had the men of the Thirteenth when going into action?

Answer-Sixty rounds per man, with caps in proportion.

MAJOR SKINNER'S TESTIMONY.

Major Skinner, of the Thirteenth Battalion, was the next witness examined.

Question-Were you present at Lime Ridge on the 2nd of June last, when the right wing of the Thirteenth Battalion was sent out to skirmish?