Robertson, was on McLaws’ immediate right, next to Kershaw.  Law’s Alabama Brigade was on the extreme right, and made the first advance.  On McLaws’ left was Wilcox, of General “Tige” Anderson’s Division of the 3d Corps, with Posey and other troops to his left, these to act more as a brace to Longstreet as he advanced to the assault; however, most of them were drawn into the vortex of battle before the close of the day.  In Kershaw’s Brigade, the 2d under Colonel John D. Kennedy and Lieutenant Colonel Frank Gilliard, the 15th under Colonel W.D.  Dessausure and Major Wm. Gist, the 3d under Colonel James D. Nance and Major R.C.  Maffett, the 7th under Colonel D. Wyatt Aiken and Lieutenant Colonel Elbert Bland, the 3d Battallion under Lieutenant Colonel W.G.  Rice, the 8th under Colonel John W. Henagan, Lieutenant Colonel Hool and Major McLeod, went into battle in the order named, as far as I remember.  Major Wm. Wallace of the 2d commanded the brigade skirmish line or sharpshooters, now some distance in our front.  A battery of ten guns was immediately in our rear, in a grove of oaks, and drew on us a heavy fire when the artillery duel began.  All troops in line, the batteries in position, nothing was wanting but the signal gun to put these mighty forces in motion.  Ewell had been engaged during the morning in a desultory battle far to our left and beyond the town, but had now quieted down.  A blue puff of smoke, a deafening report from one of the guns of the Washington Artillery of New Orleans, followed in quick succession by others, gave the signal to both armies—­the battle was now on.

It was the plan of action for Hood to move forward first and engage the enemy, and when once the combat was well under way on the right, McLaws to press his columns to the front.  Law, with his Alabamians, was closing around the southern base of greater Round Top, while Robertson, with his three Texas regiments and one Arkansas, and Anderson with his Georgians, were pushing their way through thickets and over boulders to the front base of the Round Tops and the gorges between the two.  We could easily determine their progress by the “rebel yell” as it rang out in triumph along the mountain sides.

The battery in our rear was drawing a fearful fire upon us, as we lay behind the stone fence, and all were but too anxious to be ordered forward.  Barksdale, on our left, moved out first, just in front of the famous Peach Orchard.  A heavy battery was posted there, supported by McCandless’ and Willard’s Divisions, and began raking Barksdale from the start.  The brave old Mississippian, who was so soon to lose his life, asked permission to charge and take the battery, but was refused.  Kershaw next gave the command, “forward,” and the men sprang to their work with a will and determination and spread their steps to the right and left as they advanced.  Kershaw was on foot, prepared to follow the line of battle immediately in rear, looking cool, composed and grand, his steel-gray eyes flashing the fire he felt in his soul.