14l

toward Petersburg. The point to be attacked was not over half a mile away, but
to reach which it was necessary to make a detour of over five miles. It was a most
tedious march, owing to the crowded condition of the road, and the fact that it
was made in the night, and it was not until 6 o'clock in the morning (October 1)
that Heth reached the point from which he intended to deliver his attack upon
Warren's right and rear.

A rest of a couple of hours was first necessary, when the battalion formed line
of battle in readiness to advance.

At length the command was given, and in beautiful order the battalion moved
forward under a heavy fire, drove the skirmishers from the works in their front,
crossed the felled timber and entered the woods. Continuing obliquely to the
right, through the woods, after crossing the Squirrel Level road the battalion was
run into by Stone's Mississippi Brigade, which was moving up obliquely at a brisk
pace, and it was thrown into considerable confusion.

However, this was but momentary, as the battalion formed again speedily
behind some buildings upon the right of the road, and opened fire upon the line
of breastworks in their immediate front.

All day long did Heth wrestle with the enemy, but in vain. His position was
a strong one, and he outnumbered Heth two to one.

At night the whole Confederate force withdrew, when the Second Maryland
returned to the trenches they had occupied previously, having suffered in the two
battles (Peebles' farm and Squirrel Level road) a loss of fifty-three men in killed
and wounded, a terrible loss out of less than three hundred men, and it attests the
desperation with which the battalion charged and fought during those trying
two days.

Following are the lists of casualties at Peebles' farm and Squirrel Level road :

BATTLE OF PEEBLES' FARM.

CAPTAIN FERDINAND DUVALL COMMANDING.

WOUNDED — Captain Ferdinand Duvall, severely.

COMPANY A.—CAPTAIN GEORGE THOMAS COMMANDING.

KILLED — Corporal S. Pinckney Gill, George Deatore.

WOUNDED — Captain George Thomas, severely; Second Lieutenant William P. Zol-
linger, slightly; Privates John Goodwin, severely; Frederick Huster, severely; William
A. Hance, slightly.

MISSING — Private William H. Hubbard, supposed to have been killed.