Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-08-16

point late on Saturday morning. They
marched three and half miles to camp
in the woods without tents, and without
food. Early next morning they were or
dered to the fight, where they arrived
after a circuitous, wearisome, and at
times double quick tramp Of between ten
and twelve miles.
Breathless, tired, faint and footsore,
the gallant fellows were eager for the
ARRAY They were first ordered to sup
port Pendleton's Virginia Battery. which
they did amid furious storm of grape
from the enemy. Inactive as they were
compelled to DO under this fire, they
stood cool and unfurried. They were
finally ordered to charge Shermsn's Bat
terry To do this it was necessary to
cross an intervening hollow, covered by
the enemy's fire, and establish themselves
in thicketAanking the enemy's battery
They charged in manner that elected
the praise of General johnson.
Gaining the thicket, they opened upon
the enemy. The history Of warfare pro-
badly affords no instance of moro despe-.
rate fighting than took place now. From
three sides fierce, concentrated, mur-
derous, unceasing volley poured in upon
this devoted and heroic "six hundred"
Georgians. The enemy appeared upon
the hill by the thousands Between six
and ten regiments were visible. 1t was
a hail of bullet-rain in that fatal grove.
The ranks were cut down as grain by a
scythe Whole platoons melted away as
ifby magic. Cool, unAinching and stub
born, each man fought with gallantry,
and stern determination to win or die.
Not one falterod.. Col. Bartows horse
was shot under him. Adjutant Branch
foil, mortally wounded. Lieut.. Colonel
Gardner dropped with a shattered leg.
The officers moved from rank to rank,
from man to man, cheering and encourage
ing the brave fellows. Some of them
took the muskets Of the dead and began
coolly firing at the enemy.
1t was an appalling hour. The shot
whistled and tore through trees and bones
The ground became literally paved with
the fallen. Yet the remnant stood com
posed and unquailing, carefully loading,
steadily aiming, unerrihgly firing, and
then quietly looking to see the effect Of
their shots Mere boys fought like
veterans save with the stern
"white heat, fameless exhilaration, that
battle gives to brave spirits,
After eight or ten rounds the regiment
apuoo~nJ nno,h.l.faA Ill., n.Jar ma.
reluctantly given to cease firing and re-
tire Thestubborn fellows gave noheed
II was repeated. Still no obedience
The battle spirit was up. Again it was
given. Three volleys had been fred af-
ter the first command At length they
returned, walking and fighting. Owing
to TO the density of the growth, part Of
the regiment we're separated from the
colors. The other part formed in an
open field behind the thicket. The re-
treat continued over ground alternately
wood and field. At every open spot they
would reform, pour volley into the pur-
suing enemy and again retire.
From the account Of the enemy who
stopped to give water to the wounded and
rifle the dead, it seems that the Eighth
cut to pieces the Sixth Massachusetts,
half demolished the Rhode Islanders, and
made deadly havoc among the regulars.
But horrible mistake occurred at this
point Their own friends, taking them
for the enemy, poured fatal fire upon
their mutilated ranks. At length they
Withdrew from the fight. Their final
rally was with some sixty men, Of the six
! hundred they took ia. Balaklava tells
no more heroic tale than this !" Into the
valley of death marched the six hun
drcd." As they retired they passed
General Beauregard. lie drew aside
, fronted, raised his hat, and said ." ! sa-
lutte the Eighth Georgia with my hat off ,
OF all the companies Of the regimen
the Oglethorpo Light Infantry suffered
4 most. They were on the extreme RICH
0 nearest the enemy, and thus were NOR
exposed Composed Of the first younI
Q gentlemen Of Savannah, their terribl
: loss will throw gloom over their who'll
: city An organization Of five or 81,
| years standing, tboy were the favorit'
corps Of Savannah Colonel Barlow ha(
long been their captain, and was idoliz
, ed by them, while he had band Of son'
10 them. 1t is supposed that his deer
grief at the mutilation Of bis boys caus-
ed him to expose his life more rccklessly
than was necessary. He wished to die
with them, IL he could not take them bacl;
home. They fought with heroic despe-
ration All young, all unmarried, all
gentlemen, there was not one Of the kill
cd who was not an ornament to the com
munity and freighted with brilliant pro-
mise. In sending them TO Virginia, Sa.
yannah sent her best to represent her
and their loss proves how well they stood
up; how well that city was represented
in battle where all were brave
/ After the gallant Eighth had retired
with but fragment, Col Barlow. by
Cen Beauregard's order. brought up The
Seventh Georgia, exclaiming, in reply
to Gen. Gartrell, Of the Seventh, who
4 asked them where they should GO
give me your flag, and will tell you.
Leading them 10 their stand amid ter.
riblc fire, be posted the regiment 10 from
Of the enemy, and exclaimed in those
eloquent tones 40 full Of high feeling
that his friends ever expected from him,
Gen. Beauregard says you must hold
this position, and, Georgians, ! appeal
10 you TO hold IT,"
Regardless Of life. CALAMITY riding
, amid the hottest FIRE. cheering the men
inspiring them with bis fcrvent courage
he was shot in the heart and fell from