USA > Alabama > History of Company B (originally Pickens Planters) 40th Alabama Regiment, Confederate States Army, 1862-1865 > Part 3
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withheld their fire, and a general assault at 11:00 o'clock was made by the enemy, but they were repulsed at all points with great slaughter. The fight continued until dark, the enemy driven back around the whole line. Cain in Company "K" was killed. Thos .; Cameron in Company "B" had middle finger of left hand nearly shot off. Saturday, May 23rd, firing incessant. Many movements of enemy's troops. but no battle. Sunday, May 23rd, some firing but no battle. Mon- day, May 25th, usual firing until 2:00 o'clock p. m .. when a flag of truce appeared. The firing ceased along the whole line, and arrangements were made to bury the enemy's dead, now very offensive to our men in the trenches. The time allowed was from 8:00 o'clock a. m. to 10:00 p. m. Then occurred a novel scene in war. After the flag of truce went out the Confederates and Federals from two to three hundred yards apart left their arms and met midway and commenced friendly conversations, talked about home, exchanged tobacco for canteens. papers, etc. For a moment. (against orders) they met, mingled, talked and seemed like friends. When the flag disappeared both parties got to theirt places of safety and all enemies again. Strange sight! I had a view of two miles on the line and the same appeared everywhere. No casualties in Company "B" on that day. Sergt. Gilkey and J. D. Kerr were both struck with balls but slightly injured. Tuesday, May 26th, furious firing all day. No casualties in Company ".B." Wednesday, May tth, firing as usual all day and night. Sorgt. Perry, Company "II" was killed. Dilchamps, Com pany "F," also killed. Turreted gunboat "Cinein nati" sunk before Vicksburg by our batteries. Thursday, May 28th, Company " B" had 63 men in trenches. Heavy firing all day and night. May
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29th, Friday, at dawn a furious cannonading com- menced. At 8:00 a. m. G. W. Acker by a shell had his left arm broken. Saturday, May 30th, heavy firing all day. Sunday, May 31st, furious firing with cannon and small arms all day until dark and most of the night. The enemy intrenching in our front. Monday, June Ist, heavy firing all day. Tuesday, June 2nd, heavy firing all day and night. Lacy, Company "C" killed. Wednesday, June 3rd, heavy firing all day. Jno. L. Pratt, Company "B," killed June 4th, Thursday, acting as sharp-shooter in the trenches. He was shot through the head at 7:30 o'clock a. m. and died at 5:00 p. m. Shot by a minie ball. He was twenty-nine years old, left a wife and one child and was a brave and good soldier. Fri- day, June 5th, heavy firing as usual. Saturday, June 6th, A. T. Howell, Company "B" was shot by minie ball in arm and shoulder in trenches. Grif- fith, Company "C" killed. To this date ten killed and thirty wounded in 40th Alabama. The troops in in trenches have never been relieved. Heavy can- nonading and sharp-shooting continue all the time. Sunday, June 7th, mortar fleet still shells the city. Heat very oppressive in trenches. Rations very
short, $ 1b. flour and $ lb. peas. No report of reinforcements. The army in very good spirits considering the suffering. Heavy firing all the time. Monday, June 8th, at daylight Company "B" left the trenches to rest behind the hills for the day, and returned at dark. Cother, Company "G," killed at dark getting in water. Lieut. Jas. Patten, Com- pany "K" died today of fever in hospital. Health of Company "B" good considering the suffering, confinement and short rations and water. Tuesday, June 9th, firing continued all day and night. Thos. Cameron, before wounded in the finger, was shot through leg by ball from shell and was sent to hos-
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pital at Vicksburg. Wednesday, June 10th, heavy firing all day and night. Early a heavy rain set in and it rained all day and night, The drainage in our trenches not being good the ditches overflowed. All got wet, and remained so all day and night. It was a disagreeable night in the trenches. Thurs- day, June Ith, early it cleared up and we had a better time though very hot in the trenches. The firing heavy. No signs of an assault, but on the contrary the enemy intrenching in front. Hill, Company "Il" died of wounds. Also Freeman. Company "C." Friday, June 12th. firing as inces- sant as ever. Gen. Pemberton placed a ten inch mortar in rear of our redoubt and commenced shell- ing the enemy. They concentrated a terrible fire upon it and also our redoubt. Received money today from Capt. Lake, Assistant Quarter Master. and Capt. Willett paid off his Company in trenches for four months, January, February, March and April, 1863. It was very disagreeable as the balls and shells of the enemy often besprinkled the rolls with dirt. The rations of the men were often sprinkled with dirt. They are by four men cooked in the rear, { Ib. bacon, peas enough, one small corn cake, a few ounces of rice and sugar every fourth day. The men can barely live and are daily losing strength. Saturday, June 13th, unceasing firing,on mortar and all around the lines. Early morning .. R. Weems, Company "B," while coming from cook place to trenches shot himself in left hand and sent to hospital. Sunday, June 14th, firing was more rapid and furious all day than usual. Nix of Company "C" died of wounds. Also Freeman. Company "f1." Three men of Company "H" deserted to the enemy. Monday, June 15th. Com- pany "B" relieved from trenches for the day. C'apt. Willett went to the hospital and paid off the
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siek and wounded of Company "B." Returned to trenches at dark. Firing heavy all day and night. Tuesday, June 16th, incessant firing all day. Wednesday, June 17th, firing as usual. At 7:30 a. m. a conical shell entered the trench and exploded, one piece struck B. F. Mullins in the head. He was badly wounded, taken to hospital No. 3, operated on and soon after died. He left a wife and one child, was a good soldier. Capt. Wil- lett being sick left the trenches for the day. Tues- day, June 18th, firing as usual. Col. Garrett 20th Alabama killed on 17th in trenches. Heavy skir- mishing on the right and enemy repulsed at 9:00 o'clock p. m. Friday, June 19th, heavy firing. At 6.00 a. m. Jno. Logan Kerr was shot in the head in trenches by minie ball entering near right car and coming out near left ear. He died instantly. He resided with his father in Sumter County, Alabama, was eighteen years of age, was a good boy, an obe- dient and faithful soldier. Saturday, June 20th, tremendous cannonading along the lines and firing of small arms. Capt. Willett returned to trenches in bad health. Paul I. Williams, company "B" sharp shooting was shot by minie ball breaking one of bones of left arm near wrist. He was sent to hospital. At 8:00 o'clock a. m. Henry F. J. Gilbert, Company "B" of brass band while acting with the litter corps bearing off Lieut. Yaney wounded, was struck in the head by a shell and instantly killed. Sunday, June 21st, 1863, severe firing all day and night. Monday, June 22nd, Com- pany "B" relieved to rest out of the trenches behind the hills. Firing as usual. Rations reduced to four ounces flour, four ounces rice flour, one quarter pound bacon, four ounces peas, a little sugar and rice every fifth day and a fifth of a plug of tobacco every fourth day. No vegetables, meal, flour or
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anything to buy at any price. Nothing except the rations issued alike to officers and men. A chicken $3.00 to $6.00, flour $5.00 per pound, meal $50.00 per bushel, molasses $12.00 per gallon, beef $2.00 per pound, milk $1.00 per quart, vinegar 85.00 per gal- lon, dinner of beef and bread $5.00; but at this date articles at those prices have all been consumed, and the soldiers barely live on the rations. But noble men, they still endure it and defend these trenches waiting for Gen. Johnston to come to their rescue. They think he is not far off, and it will gladden the hearts of a brave garrison to hear the booming of his artillery towards Jackson and Big Black. They must hold the trenches or Vicksburg is gone. Tues- day, June 23rd, firing as usual. Wednesday, June 24th, less cannonading to-day. Thursday, June 25th, heavy firing all day. Rations reduced to one ounce of flour. Friday, June 26th, firing heavy today. Thirty-ninth day of seige. Firing ou the lines does not cease day nor night with cannon, mortar fleet and small arms. To date in 40th Alu- bama 55 killed and wounded, of the muimber 23 killed. The garrison cannot be overcome, but a want of rations may compel a surrender. Gen. Johnston is anxiously looked for. Saturday, June 27th, continued firing. At 6:00 a. m. Corporal G. W. Belk, Co. "B." went down to Brigade Hospital to visit his sick friend, J. E. McManus, and while there a piece of mortar shell struck him (weighing 15 pounds) in the back severely wounding him. He died next morning at 6:00 a. m. Bread reduced to four onces of flour -- it makes one biscuit. Sunday. June 28th, Corporal G. W. Belk died at 6 00 a m. He was a color corporal, one of the bravest men and best soldiers in the army, was liked by his offi- cers and all the men of his company. He resided in Pickens County, Alabama, and left a wife and two
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children by a former wife. His death is much regretted. Behind the redoubt, Company "B" sup- ports, a nine inch Dahlgreen is mounted, firing at the enemy. They reply, which subjects Company "B" to a heavy fire all the time. Monday, June 29th, 1863, firing as usual. Tuesday, June 30th, heavy firing all around the lines. Wednesday, July Ist, 1863, no casualties in Company "B" today. M. W. Freeman, Company "B" struck by a spent ball. not seriously injured. The enemy mined and blew up a redoubt on our left, Herbert's Brigade, killing and wounding in 3rd Louisiana forty men. Thurs- day, July 2nd, heavy firing. July Brd. Friday, flag of truce at 10:00 o'clock and cessation of hostilities all around the lines. Terms of capitulation of Vicksburg Garrison being arranged between Gen- erals Grant and Pemberton. The rations are exhausted, no deliverance has come and that gar- rison has to surrender. The terms are agreed upon and on the morrow the surrender will take place: July 4th, 1863, Saturday, the Army of Vicksburg capitulated, the officers retaining their side arms and private property. The surrender took place at 10:00 a. m., and we marched out of the trenches and the enemy took possession of them. By the terms the garrison was to be paroled. Sunday, July 5th, army waiting for paroles. Monday, July 6th, still waiting to be paroled and washing clothes and get- ting Yankee rations. The enemy treated the garri- son kindly. Tuesday, July 2th, Wednesday, July 8th, Thursday, July 9th, Friday, July 10th, and Saturday, July 11th waiting for paroles to be pre- pared by the enemy, and on the 11th of July, 1863. the whole army was put through the enemy's lines and marched that day to Big Black, twelves miles from Vicksburg. Sunday, July 12th, garrison took the line of march for Brandon and marched that
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day to Pearl River. Monday, July 13th, marched to Brandon. The army marched in no order. At Bran- don the commands came up, and orders were issued to march to Enterprise, Mississippi. The men of the several commands at Brandon dispersed, and the men took the different roads homeward. The offi- cers left Brandon, Tuesday, July 14th; of Company "B," Lieuts. Wier and Latham and Capt. Willett and Corporal Hildreth and that day marched to Dr. Connor's. Wednesday, July 15th and Thursday, July 16th, Friday, July 17th, Saturday, July 18th and Sunday, July 19th, was taken up in making the march to Enterprise. At Enterprise Gen. Pemberton issued an order furloughing the army for thirty days, and to report at Demopolis, Alabama, on 23rd day of August. Capt. Willett and Lieut. Latham sent their horses and mules home by Hildreth. He started on morning of 20th of July, and on 2ist of July, Monday, the three officers of Company "B," Lients. Wier and Latham and Capt. Willett started by daylight in cars for Macon, Mississippi; got there at 10:00 a. m. and hired a hack and started for home, and arrived at Carrollton at 9:00 o'clock p. m., July 21st. 1863. Capt. Willett and Lieut. Wier were in feeble health, but we got home once more after an absence of a year and after much suffering and exposure. In the meantime the men of Company "B" 40th Alabama were all getting home, some by rail and some walked all the way. Some few were left sick on the way, but all reached home but Hugh J. Robinson who was left in hospital at Brandon and must have died as he has never been heard from. Jno. E. McManus, Private Company "B" 40th Ala- bama Regiment, died at Vicksburg, July 10th, 1863. We left in the hands of the enemy our sick and wounded, towit. A. T. Howell, P. I. Williams, G. W. Acker, W. J. Jones, Thos. Cameron and Jno R.
Weems wounded, W. D. Smith and Josh. Wood sick, and Il. Easterling nurse, in hospital. All of whom were afterwards sent to Mobile, Alabama. and all reached home but one. Jno. R. Weems got within four miles of home and died about 10th of Angust, 1863. May 17th, 1863, the day Vicksburg was invested Jno. C. Pratt and Jos. Collins, Privates Company "B" 40th Alabama, having been sent to Camp Timmons were captured and as prisoners of war were sent to Fort Delaware where they both died, the dates of their death not known. There were several men of Company "B" left on Deer Creek sick who were not captured, towit: B. G. Acker, Jas. F. Parker and Sergt. W. P, Calley, who afterwards with Companies "A," "D" and "r" joined Johnston's army. Sergt. W. P. Calley detached to gather up beeves on Deer Creek died at Capt. Willis farm July 1st, 1863, of congestion. Acker and Parker returned to their command after- wards. Company "B" and the officers under said order returned home to spend a month, except the sick and wounded left behind, and to recruit their almost broken constitutions. The time was pleas- antly spent with loved ones at home. The season was a bountiful one, fruit of all kinds and gardens of rarest vegetable. It was a happy time for the soldier to get such rest at such a time among loved ones after such an arduous campaign as the Missis- sippi campaign had proved. On the 23rd day of Angust the officers and men of Company "B" were ordered to report at Demopolis, Alabama, at parole camps. On the 21st day of August Capt. Willett, Lieuts. Lathan and Wier left home for Demopolis. with Corporals Eaton, Hildreth, Privates Russell and Russell, Graham, Bush, J. A. Pratt, T. W. Jones and D. S. Lavender and arrived there on the 24th day of August, went to parole camp. But few ofli-
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cers and men had reported, and the enlisted men of Company "B" all returned home. The officers remained until September Ist, 1863, and were all detailed to go to their homes for fifteen days, or to the places where their commands were raised. and assemble the men and return with them to parole camps. Lients. Latham and Wier and Capt. Willett with said orders returned home, arrived there the 4th of September, 1863, and used every diligence and persuasion to get the men to return to parole camps. but few were induced to return. On the 13th of Sep- tember, 1863, said officers returned to Demopolis, Alabama, started the 13th September and went to Macon, Mississippi, next day to Meridian and 16th to Demopolis, Alabama, but few of the command returned at that time, some few, perhaps as many as ten. We remained there until 28th of September when Capt. Willett was detailed from Company "B" to return to Pickens and compel the return of his command, the same having been exchanged the 13th of September, 1863. Capt. Willett went home on or about the 25th of September, 1863, on that business. In the meantime nearly all his company believing they were exchanged had started to Demopolis. He ordered and sent off those remaining except some sick and wounded. Capt. Willett returned to Demop- olis the loth of October, 1883, and by that time the command Company "B" was nearly all at Demopo- lis. The Regiment had by this time nearly all come to camps. Tents, cooking ntensils, axes and camp equipage was very scarce, but we made out to get. along, got rations sufficient and in the meantime were armed with old muskets very common. The Regiment drilled several days at Demopolis and were reviewed by Gen. Moore, Gen. Hardee, Gen. Johnston and President Davis. The troops at Denop- olis were Cockerell's Missouri Brigade, Moore's Bri-
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gade and Pettus' Brigade of Alabamians. On Thurs day 29th day of October, 1863. Moore's Brigade took the cars at Demopolis for Chickamauga. Petts' Brigade from same place had left before for Chicka- manga. The Brigade arrived at Selma, Alabama, the same day in the evening, and remained in cot- ton sheds that night near the artesian well. It rained all night. Next day, October 30th, 1863. Friday, at 11:00 o'clock a. m. the 40th and 42nd Ala- bama took the boat R. B. Taney for Montgomery, Alabama, traveled all that day and night following on the boat in a hard and cold rain, Company "B" being on the hurricane deek. Just at daylight, Sat- nrday morning, October 31st, 1863, the boat landed at Montgomery, Alabama. and toth and And Alabama Regiments were marched to Fair Ground. About same time 3;th Alabama Regiment came on boat, Jeff Davis. That day was taken up drying blankets and baggage and getting and cooking rations for the trip. Capt. Willett called on Judge Clitherall and lodged with him that night at his residence. Mrs. Clitherall prepared a nice lunch for his haver- sack, and before day next morning Judge Clitherall sent Capt. Willett in his buggy to the camp of 40th Alabama near depot. At :: 00 o'clock, November Ist, 1863. the train was ready to run us to West. Point. All went on merrily and the train arrived that evening at dark at West Point. November 2nd, 4:00 a. m. left in train for Atlanta, Georgia, and arrived there that night at dark. November 3rd, 1863, remained at Atlanta near City Hall drawing and cooking rations for the march farther on. November 4th, 1863, left Atlanta in train for Chickamauga at 2:00 o'clock and arrived there before daylight November 5th, 1865, it being cold and rainy. At 11:00 o'clock a. m. took up the line of march from the station to the front on Look-
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out Mountain. Marched all day and part of the night in rain and mud, then bivonaced in an old field in the valley of Chattanooga that night with- ont wood or water and it raining all night. Novem- ber 6th, 1863, arrived at camp at the base of the Mountain and prepared for temporary camp. Remained there 4th, 8th and 9th of November doing picket anty on Chattanooga Creek with Walker's Division. On loth Company "B" had an election for 2nd Junior Lieutenant to fill the vacancy occasioned by resignation of Lieut. Terry. 1st Sergt. E. D. Vance was elected. On same day the 40th and fend Alabama marched to west side of Lookout Mountain and remained there in reserve 10th, 11th and 12th of November. Each Company left a detail at camp to cook and carry rations to company on mountain distant three miles. The weather was very cold and frosty, but we made large fires, slept on the ground and kept comforta- ble with our blankets bivouacing on the mountain. About this time 36th Alabama joined us. Gen. Moore made his headquarters at the Craven House. On Friday, 13th November, went on picket, whole Regiment, on Lookont Creek at 2:00 o'clock p. m .. and returned on 14th at same time back to the reserve. Nothing of note occurred on picket. There was no firing among piekets, the forces picketed on each bank of Lookout Creek. 14th November remained on the Mountain. Sunday, 15th Novem- ber, 40th Alabama went on picket on Lookont Creek and Chattanooga Creek. Came off picket Monday evening, 16th. Tuesday, 1th November, 1863, fifty men from toth Alabama were detailed for pieket. Wednesday, 18th, one hundred and fifty men were detailed for picket and fatigue. The 40th, And and 37th Alabama Regiments moved camps to east of Craven House three hundred yards.
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Thursday, November 19th, 1863, Capt. Willett with seventy-five men was sent on picket, the Bri- gade picket under command of Maj. Slayton 3ath Alabama. The picket line of Moore's Brigade extended from Pea Vine Creek east of Lookout Mountain, thence down that creek to Chattanooga Creek, thence down it, to point where railroad bridge of M. & C. R. R. crosses the creek, thence down railroad to the point where it leaves the Ten- nessee River, thence down Tennessee River to month of Lookout Creek, thence np that creek to the turn- pike bridge (burnt across Lookont Creek). Also on same day a heavy detail was ordered to dig rifle pits. After twenty-four hours of picket duty Capt. Willett returned to camp, nothing of interest hap- pening. Friday, November 20th, was relieved from picket at 3:00 o'clock p. m. Capt. Willett and Lients. Latham and Wier encamped under a big rock and made a fire place of rocks and fenced around with same and were very well protected from wind and rain. Saturday, November 21st. 1863, it rained all day and part of the night before. The Brigade had not a tent. 2nd Lient. Jas. A. Latham was pro- moted to Ist Lieut. Company "B" vice Lient. J. T. Terry resigned, to take rank from October 12th, 1863. Lieut. J. H. Wier was promoted to 2nd Senior Lien- tenant. Sunday, November 22nd, 1865, Capt. Willett was by order of Gen. Bragg detailed a member of a General Courtmartial for Cheatham's Division, Har dee's Corps A. T. The Court was as follows:
Ist: Maj. J. C. Gordon, Ist Confederate Georgia Regiment.
2nd: Capt. J. C. Kendrick. 3;th Alabama Regiment. 3rd: Capt. E. D. Willett, 40th Alabama Regiment.
4th: Capt. S. S. Giallard, 42nd Alabama Regiment.
5th: Capt. H. J. Bowen. 34th Mississippi Regiment.
6th : Capt. H. B. Griffin, 29th Mississippi Regiment.
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ith: Capt. C. M. Pepper, 24th Mississippi Regiment. 8th: Capt. R. W. Williamson, 29th Mississippi Reg-
iment, JJ. A.
The three last named were relieved and Gen. Hardee made a further detail, towit:
Capt. C. L. Thompson, 16th Tennessee Regiment.
.. W. B. Petty. 8th Tennessee Regiment.
J. Cobbs, 40th Alabama Regiment, J. A.
The Court was ordered to convene on the 23rd of November, 1863, within the lines of Cheatham's Division. Monday, November 23rd, 1863, the usual picket and fatigue took place. On the right of Mis- sionary Ridge a heavy skirmish took place. The cueing were repulsed with considerable loss. Our loss was not so heavy. This day Lient. Wier, Com- pany "B" was detailed for picket.
Tuesday, November 24th, 1865, this is a day long to be remembered. It was foggy and rainy and the whole of Lookout Mountain was enveloped in dense fog and mist. A battle was expected, but the opposing armies could not see the movements of the other. Early the Court Martial was adjourned and ordered by Gen. Jackson commanding Cheat- ham's Division to their commands at 9:00 a. m. I found Moore's Brigade in line of battle. The only other Brigade on the Mountain was Walthall's Bri- gade. The trenches had been made so that Wal- that's Brigade occupied the line from the peak of Lookout Mountain to the Craven House and Moore's Brigade from his right to Chattanooga Creek. About 8:00 o'clock a. m. the enemy drove in Wal- thall's pickets and from the left commenced the assault. Walthall went beyond his works to receive the enemy and fought back and up the Mountain. They passed his left flank in great force and cap tured two thirds of his Brigade. His troops were
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whipped and in great confusion before he got back to the place fixed to fight. They could not be rallied at the Craven House. Gen. Moore had his Brigade in position to the right of the Craven House and repulsed the foe handsomely in front, but there being no support to Walthall's Brigade the enemy in pursuing them passed the left flank of Moore's Brigade and were soon infilading our ditch. The Brigade fell back a short distance, then a charge was ordered and the enemy driven beyond our trenches. It was soon perceived that the enemy driving Walthall's Brigade were passing our left flank. Gen. Moore then ordered his Brigade to fall back on next ridge some three hundred yards and wait reinforcements on the line of Walthall's Bri- gade. Gen. Pettus came up and formed on the line of Moore's Brigade and the fight continued until 11:00 o'clock at night. In the meantime Pettus' Brigade was relieved by Clayton's Brigade. The night was extremely cold, and Moore's Brigade built a rock fence expecting an assault early next morn- ing, when at 12:00 o'clock night the whole force on Lookont Mountain was ordered to quietly with- draw, commencing on the left. Moore's Brigade was last leaving the Mountain. The picket force of Moore's Brigade on Lookout Creek under Maj. Slay- ton of Sith Alabama were nearly all captured. Of Company "B" 40th Alabama Regiment the follow- ing were captured on picket, towit: 2nd Sr. Lieut. Jas. H. Wier, Corporals A. W. Largent and Jno. A. Russell. Privates Jno. J. Strickland, Jas. H. Reddish, Thos. K. Reynolds, Sam'l Robinson, Win. L. Philips and Win. D. Smith. Moore's Brigade with the other forces on the Mountain marched all night and until next morning at sunrise, when it was halted to rest one hour. Then we took the line of march for Mis- sionary Ridge and went to the right of the army.
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