After partaking of a cup of coffee and a cracker or two, the remains of the poor dead soldier’s rations, I shouldered my Enfield, and bidding my companions remain until I returned, started off in search of Colonel (afterwards General) Bradley T. Johnson, whose command we had determined to join. Moving rapidly across the field, subjected to a sharp fire from the enemy’s sharpshooters, I reached the cover of a friendly woods in safety. Meeting a horseman, I inquired the Colonel’s whereabouts, and was informed it was but a short distance ahead. “I am going that way myself,” said he, “and will with pleasure pilot you. I perceive from your uniform that you are a Captain, and presume you belong to his command.” I informed him of the circumstances that had placed me with the army, and told him I thought it most likely “Atkins’ Brigade” could render more efficient service as officers in some of the depleted regiments, than as privates as we were. “I assure you,” said the stranger, “it would gratify me much should you accept a command in my brigade, for I have suffered fearfully in officers during the past three days.” “What brigade do you command,” I inquired. “The Second Louisiana. My name is Starke, sir, General Starke, and I am immediately on the left of Johnson. Should he have no place to assign you to, call upon me.” After pointing out Johnson’s command, the General put spurs to his horse and disappeared. Poor fellow, I never saw him after, for he rendered up his precious life in battling for his beloved South upon the bloody field of Sharpsburg. I found Colonel Johnson with his brigade drawn up in line of battle close by the edge of a woods, and in momentary expectation of an attack. “How do you do, Captain?” he greeted me, “the very man I wished most to see. Here I am in command of a brigade without officers. The Forty-eighth Virginia has but two Lieutenants left. Come, let me introduce you to Dabney. He is at present in command of the regiment, and I know will not hesitate to surrender it to you at my suggestion.” I found Lieutenant Dabney a most agreeable young gentleman, and he cheerfully tendered me the command of his regiment. I then informed the Colonel of the obligation I was under to return to my companions, but he would not listen to it for a moment. Johnson then explained to me the situation. Immediately in our front, and distant some two hundred yards, was a railroad cut. This was considered the key to the position, and was to be fought for to the last extremity. “You will therefore take fifty of your men and place them under cover of that thicket to the right, in close proximity to the excavation, and keep me advised of all you see and hear.”