Copiah County news. [volume] (Hazlehurst, Miss.) 1860-1861, 1861-08-21
The Eighth Georgia Regiment.

The following graphic description
of scenes on the battle field, and the
gallant conduct of the Eight Geor-
Igia Regiment, which we take from
the Va, Dispatch, was written by a
gentleman who participated in the
fierce conflict of the 2lst of July:
On Thursday, the 18th inst, about
2 2. NJ, this regiment left Winches-
ter for Manassas, under command of
Lieutenant Colonel Montgomery
Gardner. Col. Barlow had been for
some weeks acting Brigadier Gen
eral of Brigate, consisting of the
7th, sth, 9th, and l1th Georgia
Regiments, and battalion of Ken
tuckians.
The sth marched 81 miles over
the mountains, fording the Shcnan-
doah, to Piedmont on the Manassas
Gap Railroad, arriving there. about
II NJ, Friday. The march was
tatisuing in the extreme. After a
delay Of few hours they left for
Manassas on cars, and slow, tedi-
Gus ride brought them to this point
late Saturday morning. They march
ed three and half miles to camp in
the woods, without tents, and with
out food. Early next morning they
were ordered to the figls, where they
arrived aftera circuitous. wearisome,
and at times double-quick tramp of
between ten and twelve miles.
Breathlcss, tired, faint and foot
sore, the gallant fellows were eager
for the fray. .
They were first ordered to suppog
Pendleton's Virginia Battery, which
they did amid a furious storm of
grape from the enemy. Inactive as
they were, compelled to be under
this fire, they stood cool and un-
hurried. .'. .
They were finally ordered to
charge Sherman's Battery To do
this it was necessary to cross an in
tervening hollow, covered by the
enemy's fire, and establish them
selves in thickct fanking the enc
my's battery. They charged in a
manner that ELECTED the praise of
Gen. Johnston.
Gaining the thicket they opened
upon the enemy. The history of
warfare probably affords no instance
of more desperate fighting than took
place now. From three sides
fierce, concentrated, murderous, un-
ceasing 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
hell of bullet-rain in that fatal
grove. The ranks were cut down as
grain by scythe. Whole platoons
melted away as if by Magic. Cool,
uniiinching, and stubborn, each man
fought with gallantry, and a stern
determination to win or die. Not
one faltered. Col. Bartow's horse
was shot under him. Adjutant
Branch fell, mortally wounded.
Lieut.. Conlonel Gardner dropped with
a shattered leg. The officers moved
from rank to rank, from man to man,
cheering and encouraging 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 composed and un-
quailing, carefully loading, steadily
aiming, unerring firing, and then
quietly looking to see the effect of
their shots. Mere boys fought like
veterans uneacited, save with that
stern "white heat" fameless exhili-
ration, that battle gives to brave
spirits.
After eight or ten rounds the re-
giment appeared anpililated. The
order was given to cease firing and
retire. The stubborn fellows gave
no heed. 1t was repeated. Still no
obedience. The battle spirit was
up. Again it was given. Three
volleys had been fred after the first
command. At length they retired,
walking and. fighting. Owing to
the density of the growth, part of
the regiment were separated from
the colors. The other partformed in
an open field behind the thicket. The
retreat continued over ground alter
nately wood and field. AT every
open spot they would reform, pour 4
volley into the pursuing enemy and