Heavy Losses in Battle

On the subject of heavy losses in battle, we find an interesting statement in George E, Bernard's book, entitled "War Talk of Confederate Veterans," which was published in Petersburg some years ago. There we read, upon the authority of Lieutenant John E. Laughton, of Richmond, who, at the time of the battle of the Crater, commanded the battalion of sharpshooters of Malone's Brigade, that that organization went into the fight with 104 officers and men. Of these, ninety-four were killed or wounded. Of the nine officers present, eight were shot through the breast. Lieutenant Frith, of Chesterfield County, Va., one of the most gallant of the officers, escaped unhurt. The presence of these sharpshooters with the charging column was accidental-their usual duty being on the skirmish line-and they occupied the extreme right of Mahone's extreme line of battle.

Richmond Dispatch (Richmond, VA) 29 Jan 1901 (Page 04)

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I have an item from a vet of the same battle that disputes some of the above which I will post here soon.