Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1861-08-14
The Battle at Manassas.
RICHMOND, Va, July 90, Isl

RICHMOND, ID, July -, 1ooA'
TO the Editors Of the Dispatch: Among
the many inciden:s Of tic battle OF Msnassas
Which have been reported in the city press
since the fight, there was one important fact
which should not be passed over in silence,
and 1 nm surprised that it has not before
this time been mentioned, viz: the share
which two South Carolina regiments had in
the affair.
These regiments (hc ID South Caroliaa,
Col. Kcrshaw, and the 81 South Caroline,
Col. Cash., reached the scene Of action about
J.! o'clock, p. m. Just before they caught
sight Of the enemy, they were met by at
least fifteen hundred Of our mcn-many OF
them woundcd-cominc away from the field
Of battle, who told them the day was lostl'
that "Col Hampton ard all his officers were
killed, and tho enemy were driving our forces
back q This was the tenor of the informa-
ton received by these two Palmetto regi-
ments, who lad already gone over four miles
Of hilly and broken ground at the double
quick step, and were of course, in no plight
to plunge into contest with twenty times
their force, probably flushed with the pros
pect of victory, and excited to madness by
the contest. But the gallant Palmettoes, al.
though believing they were marching on to
certain destruction-upon worse than for
lorn hope-never hltered moment, except
to inquire the nearest way to the scene Of
combat, and hurried on. They soon heard q
sharp yolley from wood in front, and the
balls whistled through their ranks, cutting
down many Of their number, while the air
overhead was alive with the hoarse scream Of
shells and the hum of cannon shot as they
crashed through the branches around.
Charging through the wood, they came in
sight Of the enemy-the n. Y. Fire Zouaves
and the Chasseurs-aud with cheer that
was heard through the din OF battle rushed
upon the foe, firing as they went! The en-
emy Immediately broke and fed across fields,
fences and bitches for about mile; but five
or six regiments of them rallied on high
hill opposite. The Palmettoes made at them,
hut were ordered to halt. Why this order
was given VIC could not Mt Grst see, for our
ranks were being rapidly thinerl by the long
range Minnie and Maynard guns of the Yam
KEGS. But while asking each other what it
meant, we heard the clear voics of Col. Her
shaw ringing over the field, Boys, lie down,
and let the artillery fire over you!" We i'm
mcdiately fell upon our faces, and the artille-
ry consisting of Kempers Alexandria bate
ry,) sent death and desolation among the
wel.drawn.up lines Of the foe on the opposite
hill, while our men picked Of the officers OF
individuals occupying prominent places among
them. They began to wayer, and few more
shots from kemper and q vollcy or two be-
tween the pauses Of the artillery from the
deadly Mississippi rifles of the Palmetto boys
completed the rout. and the enemy fed in
confusion. Their own artillery (six splendid
rincd pieces of Grilin's battery) was turned
upon them, and lent additional terror to their
flight. But the fact to which referred in
the beginning of this slight outline was this:
These tro South Carolina regiments, togeth-
er with Kemper's battery, and q detachment
Of the Virginia Black Horse Caralry, pursued
thv enemy for six miles beyond the field Of
battle and captured over twenty pieces of ar
iilcry, besides arms aid stores innu.neratlc.
which otherwise would have been carried OF!
PALMETTO.