Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1861-06-05
From Virginia..

The following letter has been kindly 1sSished
us for publication. The writer is one oEl...c ubi-
uuito,ls South Carolina boys. A
GwYss- BATTERY, scwell Point fa., =
May 24th 1861.
DEAR BEo7nER:-liaving few mokents l$.,s-
nrc time devote it in giving you brief ccSunt
OF the scene aud incidents Of the Bolhhhar,9 ment
our Company, the CITY Light Guards, wds en-
gagged in at the battery with the U. S. StcAmor
Monticello. On last Sunday morning, our COM
pany attended divine service Mt Norfolk, and while
at Church our Captain (CoLQriTr) recciveil orders
from Maj. HAIDEMAN to march his mpany to
this point Immediately. We left the ely, march
ing distance Of miles, and arrived here at q
o'clock, P. VI. We proceeded forthwith to work,
mounting the guns, the Sand Batter having been
previously built. Our Battery cnsis,s Of three
y pounders and two snall i'll Can nos II
moment We mounted thrce Of the Cannons, the
Steamer Monticello opened fire upon us. We i'm
meiiateiy returned the fire with our whole Bate
ry. The firing continued for u hours. The
cncmy's shell and ball fell all around us. One of
them exploded in the embrasure within three feet OF
the men ut the Gun. but injured no one. Wccculd
near the Cannon balls whizzng over our heads.
sometimes our men would be covered with sand
and dust caused by the ball striking the battery.
hut the Boys did not appear to regard it. Some
OF them would stnud On the Battery aud when the
ricmy would fire, they woull sing out, "took out,
whereupon the men would fall On their faces to
avoid the bomb she'll. which would explode with
out damage. We c"ninue, ireing rapidly, our
hal< striking the Steamer five times one ball taxi
ing fleet in her Dow whirhmust have disabled her.
, as she SOON after took her departure leaning to
| one sirlc
On Monday VIC looked for her again, hut she
,!i,l 70; make her appearance. The ua,m reccr-
tim We gave her M Sunday must have satisfied
her. On Tuesday morning Steam Tug came up
within range. We gave her II nine inch she'll
she dill not like the pill and left after firing. few
random shots. The same day another Steamer
came up. She lny 50 cl"se to the shore that our
.uus cn.ll 10, bear on her. but our secret Bate
rs of Eae Caunons. erected that day, opened
fire on her. Being taken by surprise, she lef; in
good time with her tale behind her. It was rath-
or :; dangerous position for her. We are ready
for them at any point they may come. They do not
know where our batteries arc located; and we
would like to sec them come again.
The Allwise and Supreme Being is with US in
our Battles. Not one man has been injured du
ring the engagement, and yet it seems mystery
that we all should escape. We place our trust in
Providence and are satisfied that success will
crown our efforts. We have bad much labOur to
perform, having moved our tents four times in ten
lays, aud expect VIC Will ln,rc them again soon.
We have now 20O men ut this lont with our COM
pany. will write you asain the first leisure time.
We have no cunvenences for writing: my desk
is small locking glass, Of the size Of your two
hands, which place in NY lap and wIite on.
Your Brother,
Z. E. McD.