Official Report of Colonel James D. Nance

Report of Colonel James D. Nance, Third South Carolina Infantry.

AUGUST 6, 1863

SIR: Little of special interest or importance occured to my command from the afternoon of July 3 to the 22nd of the same month; yet, after reading the report of Major Maffett, detailing the operations of the regiment from the time it started on the recent campaign into Pennsylvania until it returned to Culpeper, I see he has omitted any statement of its operations between the dates above mentioned, because for that time I had command of the regiment. I consider it, therefore, proper that a brief statement should be made as a suplementary report to Major Maffett's.

I returned from my home, where I had been for some time on account of wounds received at Fredericksburg, on the evening of July 3, and assumed command of my regiment. I found the regiment where I was informed the first line of battle was formed on July 2, on the road leading from Gettysburg to Emmitsburg, and in front of the second mountain from the left, which was occupied by the enemy.

We remained in this position, or nearly so, during July 4. The day was marked by considerable skirmishing, and once or twice an attack seemed probable, but none occurred. About 12 o'clock at night, we, in common with the whole command, retired, marching toward Hagerstown, via Fairfield.

The next night we reached and encamped on Jack's Mountain, at Monterey Springs.

On the 5th, we continued the march, via Waterloo, and went into camp about a mile and a half this side of Hagerstown, and a mile from Funkwtown, about 9 p. m. There we remained until the 10th, when we went into line of battle on the Antietam Creek, to the right of a bridge below Funkstown, and at some mills, name unknown. Company I was advanced beyond the bridge, and lost 1 man killed (Private [G. L.] Beasely), while acting as sharpshooters.

We retired at daylight of the 11th, and moved to a point on the right of the Williamsport road, near Saint James' College, where we remained in line of battle behind small breastworks until July 13, when we evacuated our position, and marched, via Downsville, to Falling Waters, where we crossed the Potomac about noon of the next day. This night's march deserves to be characterized as the severest which I have ever witnessed. Its trials were too great for 2 of my men, who fell by the way-side, exhausted, and they have never been heard from since. We them marched, via Martinsburg, Bunker Hill, Brucetown, and Front Royal, to Chester Gap, where the advance of the column met a feeble resistance from the enemy's cavalry. Thence we marched, via Flint Hill, to Gaines' Cross-Roads, where I picketed with my own and the Seventh South Carolina Regiment until the next morning, when, by order of General Kershaw, I assumed command of this brigade, and placed Major Maffett in command of the regiment. The regiment during this time exhibited commendable spirit and discipline.

Respectfully submitted.

JAMES D. NANCE,

Colonel, Commanding Regiment.

Captain C. R. HOLMES,

Assistant Adjutant-General.