The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1861-09-11
THE BATTLE OF MANASSAS.
OFfYCX4L REP PORTof COL. KERSHA "
Headquarters I'd Palmetto Regt, S. c. V. }
Vienna, Va, July 26, 1861.

Headquarters I'd Palmetto Reg't, S. C. v.
Vienna, Va, July &c, 1861.
GENERAL have the honor to submit q
report of the operations of the troops un
der my command in the engagement nea
Stone Bridge, on the 2lst inst.
About noon on that day, ] received ar
order to move to Lewis house, some three
miles distant, to the support Of Col. Jack
sons brigade, then engaged with the enemy
with my own regiment, that Of Col. Cash
and Capt. Kemper's battery. These troops
with the exception of Capt. Perryman's
company, of my regiment, were Mt once
put on the march. AS we neared the road
it was perceived that the passage of troops
indicated to the enemy on the north side o
Bull Run by the clouds of dust, had a,trac
ted n dangerous fire of rifle cannon, and
directed the march across the fields. Capt
Kemper was directed to precede the column
to Lewis, and await nv arrival.
Arrived in The vicinity of Lewis, large
number of our troops were met. returning
in disorganized condition, and giving the
most unfavorable accounts of the aspect
Of affairs on tho field. Col. Miles, of G. en-.
Bcauregard's staff, met me, and to hasten
our march, and informed me that Iiampton's
Legion had just engaged, and that the enc
my had acquired a decided advantage.
Soon after. orders were received from
Gen. Johnston to enter the field on the left
of Lewis. Turning to the left, we passed
over hill through thicket Of woods, un-
der fire of shot and shell from battery
directly in the line of our march, which
wounded several, and killed one Of our men.
Emerging from the wood into an old field.
near ravine with rising ground in front, |
formed limo Of battle, preparatory to enter
ing the field at a point which seemed to in.
dicate the left Of the line of fire, which was
very heavy in front, and con nstantly ncreas-
ing, and which ! supposed to be directed
upon Hampton's Legion. Before Col. Cash
had got into position upon my left, it was
perceived that the firing had passed still
further to our left, and covered the whole
front OF my regiment, rendering i, necessa-
ry TO move the whole command in that d.
rection by flank. This movement had
just been made when tho line of fire made
corresponding change, rendering n still
further movement necessary to avoid what
/ supposed TO be the line Of our troops in
front of us. | therefore broke 10 the
right into column, marched to the left, and
formed on right into line. When my regi,
ment had formed. the mcp wcse made 10
lie down to avoid the shower Of balls which
was passing over US, while Col. Cash WINS
conforming to the movement.
At this moment the head Of regiment,
marching by flank, passed 10 the right of
my regiment and partly over my right
wing, led by an officer who was said to be
Gen. Smith. Immediately rode up to the
officer, and desired him TO form on the left
of Col. Cash. Before he could respond, he
received ball in his left breast or shoulder,
and his men commenced firing to their from.
and right into the wood from which the
shot came, and formed hurriedly 10 front OF
my right wing.
Col. Cash having to form in a thicl,
wood, had not yet got into line, hen O
staff officer gave me the valuable informa
ton that road on my left, leading perpen'
dicular!y to the front from my line, woulf
bring me into flanking position upon the
enemy. Desiring to avail myself of the
position, immediately ordered my regi.
ment to the front in line obliquing to the
left, to avoid the regiment which had
formed partly in front Of NY right, and di
rected Col. Cash 10 follow as soon as pos
sible. The left of my regiment rested OF
the road to which have referred.
Reaching fence which skirted the roat
in front Of us, which then found 10 be il
full possession Of the Zouaves Of the enemy
l oiderd a charge, W h;ch was responded
10 by shout from the whole regiment -
They swept through the wood, broke ant
dispersed the Zouaves, and opened deadly
fire upon them us they fed across the field
leaving behind them battery Of six stee
riaed cannon, which was Immediately il
front OF my right wing In The open ground
The fugitives rallied in a field On our left
across the road by which we had directed
our march, where formidable force ap.
peared strongly posted on commaadine
eminence.
immedstslg changed front forward on
No isft st RScupYing the road as
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