"At the time the battery gave way a regiment in front of us (placed there I suppose to support the battery) gave way also; one at our right was seen to break and run without firing a single round. We immediately received orders to open fire upon the enemy.
"Although everything was confusion around us and without supports, yet we maintained our position for some time against superior numbers, who had all the advantage they could wish in the lay of the ground. Our men fired from 10 to 15 rounds each.
"Lieut. Col. E.F.W. Ellis, commanding the Fifteenth Regiment, and Maj. William R. Goddard fell early in the fight while cheering the men. They were frequently heard to say: 'Stand firm;' 'Do your duty, boys;' 'Stand your ground;' 'Take good aim.'
"Colonel Ellis was wounded in the arm severely at the first fire of the enemy upon us, but he paid no attention to that, and it was not until a ball penetrated his heart that he ceased to cheer on his me. Major Goddard fell a few moments before Colonel Ellis, a ball passing through his head. Two braver or better officers never lived.
"They were dearly loved by all their men and by all that knew them. They were kind-hearted, and their loss will be a severe one to the regiment and to the service."
--Old Secesh
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