The command of the battalion now devolved upon Captain Crane, who, with little difficulty, rallied the survivors, and from the breastworks we had occupied, still maintained the fight. Borne back at length, by overwhelming numbers, this little band of heroes sullenly retired, stubbornly contesting every foot of ground until they reached Rock creek, where they took a stand, from which the utmost efforts of the enemy failed to dislodge them. [Illustration: Capt. WM. H. MURRAY.] Darkness put an end to the conflict, and the exhausted troops threw themselves upon the ground to snatch a few moments’ sleep. But human endurance was yet to be taxed to a greater degree before allowed to seek that rest and repose it so much needed, for that night General Lee had determined to retire from Gettysburg, and recross the Potomac. Such was the part taken by the Second Maryland in the great and bloody battle of Gettysburg, and although it brought mourning and sorrow into many families in that glorious old State, still it had better a thousand times been that than the blush of shame for a son’s recreancy. The casualties were frightful indeed; and it became necessary to leave the severely wounded in the hands of the enemy, among the number Colonel Herbert, Major Goldsborough, Lieutenant Joseph Barber, (who died a few days after) and Lieutenant Wilson. Captains Stewart and Gwynn, and Lieutenants Thomas, Tolson and Broadfoot, although severely wounded, succeeded in getting away, the latter, however, died at Martinsburg soon after reaching that place. Of the officers and men who escaped unhurt, but two hundred reported after the battle, out of five hundred that went into the fight. I annex a list of the casualties, which will be found pretty nearly correct: Field and Staff.—Killed, none; wounded, Lieutenant-Colonel James R. Herbert, seriously; Major W. W. Goldsborough, seriously.