Right as Lt. Col. Gwynn took command of the regiment after the wounding of Prevost, Captain Courtland Saunders was killed by a musket ball through the head. Lieutenant J. Mora Moss was killed by a bullet through the heart. The regiment was under heavy fire at the time.
Captain Joseph Wattson Ricketts also fell while in the act of firing his pistol. Staggering forward, he was saved from falling by Private William L. Gabe, who started to escort him to the rear. "Leave me, Gabe," ordered the captain, "and save yourself."
But Gabe refused and continued until both were shot together and went down. Gabe was wounded and the captain killed by these shots. As they fell, Captain Ricketts gasped, "My God! I am shot by my own men."
"Not so," said Gabe, "but by the 'rebs,' who are right on top of us."
And then, the Confederate line swept over them. The enemy's stragglers stooped over the body of Ricketts and against the protest of the wounded Gabe proceeded to rifle the pockets of the captain. They took his watch, diary, money and everything, including his sword and stole his coat, vest and boots.
--Old Secesh
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