"A call for this purpose was made and promptly responded to by Lieutenant-Colonel Pettus and about forty men of Walls's Texas Legion. A more gallant feat than this charge has not illustrated our arms during the war. The preparations were quickly made, but the enemy seemed at once to divine our intentions and opened upon the angle a terrible fire of shot, shell, and musketry. Undaunted, this little band, its chivalrous commander at its head rushed upon the works, and in less time than it requires to describe it the flags were in our possession."

"On the 23d of May, 1863, General Lee addressed the following note to General Stevenson:

General: I send you the flag taken by the Texans under the lead of our gallant Lieut. Col. E. W. Pettus, Twentieth Alabama Regiment. It was as gallant an act as I have ever seen during the war. I have pledged myself to give it to the captors. I beg that you and General Pemberton will bear me out.

Your obedient servant, Stephen D. Lee"