The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-09-10

which were brought up and employed at the most
vigorously assailed points at the critical moment
| It was now that Brig Gen. Longstreet sent for
reinforcements from Early's brigade, which had
anticipated by directing the advance of Gen Ear
ly, with two regiments of infantry and two pieces
of artillery AS these came upon the field, the
enemy had advanced the third time with heavy
numbers to force Longstreets position. Hay }
regiment, 18th Louisiana Volunteers, which was
in advance was placed the bank o. the stream,
under some cover to the immediate right aud left
Of the ford relieving COrse's 18th Virginia Vol
untcers This was done under heavy fire of mus
kerry, with promising steadiness. The 7th Vir-
ginla under Lieut.. Col Williams, Was then form
ed to the right, also under heavy fire. and pushed
forward to the stream, relieving the lst reg iment
Eirrinia Volunteers At the same time two rifle
guns brought up with Earys brigade, were NOV
ed down in the field to the ri ght of the road,
to be concealed from the enemys artillery by the
eirth of timber on the immediate bank Of the
stream and there opened fire, directed only by
the sound Of the enemys musketry. Unable to
effect passage, the enemy kept up a scattering
fire for some time. Some OF our troops had
pushed across the stream, and several companies
of Corse's Regiment, under command OF Captain
Marye, met and drove the enemy with the bayonet,
but as the roadway from the ford too narrow
for a combined movement in force, Gen. Long
street recalled them to the south bank. Mean
while the remainder of Early infantry and artillery
had been called up; that is, six companies, of the
9th Regiment Virginia Volunteers, under Lieut.
Col. Harrison, and five pieces OF artillery, one RI
fe gun and four six-pounder brass guns, including
two 6-pounder guns under Lieut.. Garnett which
had been previously sent to the rear by Gen Long
street. This infantry was at once placed in posi-
ton to the left Of the ford, in space occupied by
Hays and the artillery unlimbereG in battery
to the right of the road, in line with the two
already in action. 4 scattering fire still kept
up by the enemy for a short time but that was
SOON sieuced.
1t was at this stage Of affairs that remarkable
artillery duel was commenced and maintained on
our side with long trained professional opponent
superior IN character well in the number Of
his weapons, povided with improved munitions
and every artillery appliance, and at the same time
occupying the commanding position. The results
were marvellous. and fitting precursors to the
ullery achievements the 2lst July. In the
outset our fire was directed against the enemy's
infantry, whose bayonets cleaning above the tree
tops alone indicated their presence and force. This
drew the attention OF a battery placed on high
commanding ridge, and the duel commenced in
earnest. For time the aim of the adversary was
inaccurate, but this was quickly corrected, and
shot fell and she'll burst thick and fast in the very
midst of our battery, wounding in the Of
the combat Capt Eschelman, five privates and the
horse of Lieut.. Richardson. From the position Of
our pieces and the nature Of the ground their aim
could only be directed at the smoke of the enemy's
artillery. How skillfu and with what execution
this done, can only be realized by an eye-wit-
ness. For few moments their guns were sienc-
ed, but were reopened. BY direction of
Gen. Longstreet his battery was then advanced
by hand out OF the range now ascertalncd by the
enemy, and shower Of spherical case, she'll, and
round shot flew the heads Of our gunners;
but one of our pieces had become hors du combat
from an enlarged vent. From the new position
guns fired, as before, with no other aim than
the smoke and flash of their adversaries' pieces
renewed aud urged the conflict with such signal
vlgor and effect that gradually the fire of the
my slackened, the intervals between their charg-
grew longer finally to cease, and We fired last
gun at baff1ed, flying foe, whose heavy masses in
the distance was plainly to break aud scatter
in wild confusion and utter route, strewing the
ground with castaway guns, hats, blankets and
knapsacks, as our parting shell was thrown among
them. In their retreat one Of their pieces
abandoned, but from the nature Of the ground it
was not sent Tor that night and under cover Of
darkness the enemy recovered it again.
The guns engaged in this singular conflict, on
our side, were three 6-pounder rifle pieces and
four ordinary 6-pounders, all of Walton's battery,
the Washington Artillery, of New Orleans The
officers Immediately attached, were Capt. Eschel-
man, Lieuts G. W. Squires, Richardson, Garrett,
aud Wilmington. At the same time our inantry
held the bank of the stream in advance Of our
guns, and the missils of the combatants few to
and fro above them as, cool and9 veteranlike, for
more than an hour they steadily awaited the mo-
ment and signal for the advance.
While the conflict was at its height, before
Blackburn's ford, about o'clock P. NJ, the enemy
again displayed himself in force before Bonham's
position. AT this, Col. Kershaw, with four com
panes Of his regiment, Second South Carolina, and
one piece of Kemper's Artillery, thrown
across at Mitchell's ford to the ridge which KEN
per had occupied. that morning. Two solid shot
and three spherical case, thrown among them with
precision inauguratedb by that artillerist at Vienna
effected their discontinue and disappearance
and our troops in that quarter were again with
drawn within our lines, having discharged the
duty assigned.
At the close Of the engagement before Black
hura's ford, | directed Gen. fongstreet to with
draw the LIST and 9th regiments, which had borne
the brunt Of the action, to position in reserve
leaving Col, Early to occupy the field with his
brigade aud Garlands regiment
As part Of the history of this engagement, |
desire to place record that on the 18th of July
not one yard Of entertainments nor one rifle pit.
sheltered the men at Blackburn's ford, who,
officers and men, with rare exceptions, werq on
that day for the first time under fire, and who,
taking and maintaining every position ordered,
cannot be too much commended for their soderly
behavior.
Our artillery manned and oEhcered by those