is proper to state that General Meredith, the permanent commander
of the brigade, was wounded as he was coming up, some time after
its arrival, by a shell which exploded in front of his horse.

Both parties were now trying to obtain possession of the woods.
Archer's rebel brigade, preceded by a skirmish line, was crossing
Willoughby's Run to enter them on one side as the Iron Brigade went
in on the other. General Reynolds was on horseback in the edge of
the woods, surrounded by his staff. He felt some anxiety as to
the result, and turned his head frequently to see if our troops
would be up in time. While looking back in this way, a rebel
sharpshooter shot him through the back of the head, the bullet
coming out near the eye. He fell dead in an instant, without a
word. The country sustained great loss in his death. I lamented
him as almost a life-long companion. We were at West Point together,
and had served in the same regiment--the old 3d Artillery--upon
first entering service, along with our present Commander-in-Chief,
General Sherman, and General George H. Thomas. When quite young
we had fought in the same battles in Mexico. There was little
time, however, to indulge in these recollections. The situation
was very peculiar. The rebel left under Davis had driven in Cutler's
brigade and our left under Morrow had charged into the woods,
preceded by the 2d Wisconsin under Colonel Fairchild, swept suddenly
and unexpectedly around the right flank of Archer's brigade, and
captured a large part of it, including Archer himself. The fact
is, the enemy were careless and underrated us, thinking, it is
said, that they had only militia to contend with. The Iron Brigade
had a different head-gear from the rest of the army and were
recognized at once by their old antagonists. Some of the latter
were heard to exclaim: "There are those d----d black-hatted fellows
again! 'Taint no militia. It's the Army of the Potomac."

Having captured Archer and his men, many of the Iron Brigade kept
on beyond Willoughby's Run, and formed on the heights on the opposite
side.

The command now devolved upon me, with its great responsibilities.
The disaster on the right required immediate attention, for the
enemy, with loud yells, were pursuing Cutler's brigade toward the
town. I at once ordered my reserve under Lieutenant-Colonel Dawes
to advance against their flank. If they faced Dawes, I reasoned
that they would present their othe