Colonel Thomas J. Davidson's Brigade

Colonel Thomas J. Davidson's Brigade. . , C.S.A. , Brigadier General Bushrod R. Johnson's Division , Colonel Thomas J. Davidson's Brigade, 3d Mississippi, Lieut. Colonel Joseph M. Wells , 8th Kentucky, Lieut. Colonel Hylan B. Lyon , 7th Texas, Colonel John Gregg , 1st Mississippi, Lieut. Colonel Alexander S. Hamilton, On February 12, 1862, the brigade occupied the line of trenches astride the Old Forge Road, on the left of Wharton’s Brigade regiments formed in the order named from right to left. , On February 15, at 4 A.M., owing to Colonel Davidson’s indisposition, Colonel John M. Simonton, 1st Mississippi, assumed command of the brigade, withdrawing from the line of trenches. The brigade formed in column behind the crest of the hill in rear and to the left of the line of rifle pits. At 5 A.M., the brigade moved out and at first followed in rear of Baldwin’s Brigade. Soon afterwards, in order to avoid obstacles in its immediate front, the brigade moved by the right flank along the ravine which skirts the front of the intrenchments. It had not moved more than 400 yards when the brigade drew fire. Deploying in line of battle with the 7th Texas, 1st Mississippi, 8th Kentucky, and 3d Mississippi, in order from right to left, the brigade advanced up the hill, the men loading and firing as they moved against the left of General McClernand’s Division. , After a struggle lasting more than an hour, in which the Federal troops contested every inch of the ground, its ammunition supply running low, Simonton’s Brigade charged the Federal line which gave way and withdrew to the next ridge. The brigade halted to reorganize. Reinforced by the 36th Virginia coming up on its left, the brigade renewed the attack and drove the opposing force from that position also, capturing four guns. Simonton’s Brigade continued in pursuit for more than a mile and gained possession of the ground which had been occupied by McClernand’s Division. The brigade halted along the wooded ridge which runs in a southeasternly direction from Wynn’s Ferry Road nearly opposite Maney’s Battery. Here the brigade remained until ordered to return to its original place in the trenches.