of the troops under McLaws took the road leading southwest, on through the town of Burkettville, and camped at the foothills of the mountain, on the east side.  Next morning Kershaw, commanding his own brigade and that of Barksdale, took the lead, passed over South Mountain, through Pleasant Valley, and to Elk Ridge, three miles distance, thence along the top of Elk Ridge by a dull cattle path.  The width of the crest was not more than fifty yards in places, and along this Kershaw had to move in line of battle, Barksdale’s Brigade in reserve.  Wright’s Brigade moved along a similar path on the crest of South Mountain, he taking with him two mountain howitzers, drawn by one horse each.  McLaws, as Commander-in-Chief, with some of the other brigades, marched by the road at the base of the mountain below Wright, while Cobb was to keep abreast of Kershaw and Barksdale at the base of Elk Ridge.  Over such obstacles as were encountered and the difficulties and dangers separating the different troops, a line of battle never before made headway as did those of Kershaw and the troops under McLaws.

We met the enemy’s skirmishers soon after turning to the left on Elk Ridge, and all along the whole distance of five miles we were more or less harassed by them.  During the march of the 12th the men had to pull themselves up precipitous inclines by the twigs and undergrowth that lined the mountain side, or hold themselves in position by the trees in front.  At night we bivouaced on the mountain.  We could see the fires all along the mountain side and gorges through Pleasant Valley and up on South Mountain, where the troops of Wright had camped opposite.  Early next morning as we advanced we again met the enemy’s skirmishers, and had to be continually driving them back.  Away to the south and beyond the Potomac we could hear the sound of Jackson’s guns as he was beating his way up to meet us.  By noon we encountered the enemy’s breastworks, built of great stones and logs, in front of which was an abattis of felled timber and brushwood.  The Third, under Nance, and the Seventh, under Aiken, were ordered to the charge on the right.  Having no artillery up, it was with great difficulty we approached the fortifications.  Men had to cling to bushes while they loaded and fired.  But with their usual gallantry they came down to their work.  Through the tangled undergrowth, through the abattis, and over the breastworks they leaped with a yell.  The fighting was short but very severe.  The Third did not lose any field officers, but the line suffered considerably.  The Third lost some of her most promising officers.  Of the Seventh, Captain Litchfield, of Company L, Captain Wm. Clark, of Company G, and lieutenant J.L.  Talbert fell dead, and many others wounded.