Drayton, not seeing the enemy, ordered forward Captain Miller’s Company as skirmishers to ascertain their whereabouts.  Captain Miller had advanced but a short distance when he met the enemy in force.  General Drayton ordered the command to forward and drive them from the woods.  In the execution of this order some confusion arose, and a part of the brigade gave way, leaving the battalion in a very peculiar and isolated condition.  There was a low rock fence running at right angles to the battle line, and behind this the battalion sought to protect itself, but it seemed and was in reality a deathtrap, for it presented its right flank to the enemy.  It thus became only a question of a very short time when it must either leave the field or surrender.  Right nobly did this little band of heroes hold their ground against overwhelming numbers, and their front was never successfully approached; but as both flanks were so mercilessly assailed, a short time was sufficient to almost annihilate them.  Colonel James was twice admonished by his second in command of his untenable position, and that death or surrender was inevitable if he persisted in holding his ground, but without avail.  The true soldier that he was preferred death to yielding.  Just as night approached and firing began to cease, Colonel James was pierced through the breast with a minnie ball, from the effects of which he soon died.”

Colonel Rice was dangerously wounded and left on the field for dead.  But recovering consciousness, he found himself within the enemy’s lines, that portion of his command nearest him having been withdrawn some distance in the rectifying of the lines.  Colonel Rice escaped capture by crawling in a deep wash in the road, and was rescued by some skirmishers who were advancing to establish a new line.  Colonel Rice gives this information in a foot-note:  “The road in which the brigade was stationed was as all roads crossing hills, much washed and worn down, thus giving the troops therein stationed the advantage of first class breastworks.  I do not know that the Fifteenth South Carolina and the other portion of the brigade were thus sheltered—­have heard indeed that all were not—­but within my vision the position was most admirable, now almost impregnable with good troops to defend it.  To leave such a position was suicidal, especially when we were ordered to march through open ground and attack the enemy, sheltered behind trees and rocks.  This is my estimate at least, and the result proved most disastrous to the brigade and General Drayton himself, as he was soon afterwards relieved of his command.”