Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-08-03
The STANDARD.
PROGRESS OF THE WAR.


stone Bridge.
The following graphic description of scenes on the
battle field, and the gallant conduct ct the Eighth
Georgia Regiment was written for the Richmond
Dispatch by gentleman who participated in the
fierce conflict of the 2lst of July
EIGHTH GEORGIA REGIMENT.
On Thursday, the 18th inst, about 2 P. NJ, this
Regiment left Winchester for Manassas, under COM
mand Of Lieut. Colonel Montgomery Gardner Col
Barlow had been for some weeks acting BrIgadler
General of Brigade consisting of the 7th, Sth, 9th
and I1th Georgia Regiments, and battalion of Ken
tuckians.
The 9Th marched ~ miles over the mountains
fording the Shenandoah to Piedmont on the Ma
nassas Gap Railroad, arriving there about II NJ,
Friday The march was fatigung in the extreme
After DELAY Of few hours they left for Manassas
on the cars, and slow, tedious ride brought them
to this point late Saturday morning. They marched
three and half miles to camp in the woods, without
tents, and without food. Early next morning they
were ordered to the fight where they arrived after
circuitous, wearisome, and at times double-qulck
tramp between ten and twelve miles
Breathless, tired faint and footsore, the gallant
fellows were eager for the afray.
They were first ordered to support Pendletons
Virginia Battery, which they did amid furious
storm of grape from the enemy. Inactive as they
were compelled to be under this fire, they stood
cool and unturried.
Battery To do this it was necessary to cross an in
tervening hollow, covered by the enemy's fire, and
establish themselves in thcket thanking the enc
my's battery. They charged in manner that elici-
ted 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, murder GUS
unceasing voey poured in upon this devoted and
heroic "six hundred" Georgians The enemy ap-
peared upon the hill by thousands. Between
six and ten regiments were visible 1t was n hell
of bulletrain in that fatal grove. The ranks were
cut down as grain by scythe Whole platoons
melted away as if by magic Cool. undinching and
stubborn, each man fought with galiantry, and
stern determine, ion to win die. Not faltered.
Col Bartow's horse was shot under him. Adjutant
Branch fell MORALLY wounded. Lieut. Col Gardner
dropped with shattered leg. The officers moved
from rank to rank, Tom 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 be-
came literally paved with the fallen. Yet the
stood composed and unquailing carefully load
ing steadily aiming, unerrlngy firing, and then
quietly looking to the effect Of their shots. Mere
boys fought like veteranS-uneXcited, save with
that stern "white heat" amelesS exhiliraIion that
battle gives to brave spirits
After eight ten rounds the regiment appeared
annihiIated The order was reluctantly gwen to
cease firing and retire. The stubborn fellows gave
no heed. 1t was repeated. Still no obedience. The
battle spirit was up Again it given. Three
volleys had been fired 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 part
formed in open field behind the thicket. The
retreat continued over ground alternately wood and
field. At every open spot they would reform, pour
Volley into the pursuing enemy and again retire.
From the accounts of the enemy who stopped to
give water to the wounded and rife the dead, it
seems that the 9Th cut to pieces the 9th MaSsachu-
setts half demolished the Rhode Islanders and made
deadly havoc among the Regulars
But horrible mistake occurred at this point
Their own friends, taking them for the enemy,
poured fatal fire upon their mutiIated ranks
At length they withdrew from the fight Their
final rally was with some sixty of the six hun
dred they took in. Baaklava tells no more heroic
tale thar this: Into the valley of death marched
the six hundred"
As they retired, they passed Gen. Beauregard-
He drew aside froned, raised his hat, and said, ~
salute the Sth Georgia with my hat off,
OF all the companies of the regiment the 0gle-
thrope Light Infantry suffered most They were
on the extreme right nearest the enemy and thus
were more exposed. Composed of the first young
gentlemen of Savannah their terrible loss will throw
gloom over their whole city.
An organization of five or six years standing they
were the favorite corps of Savannah Colonel Bar
tow had long been Captain and was idolized BY them
while he had band of sons in them 1t is sup
posed that his deep grief at the mutation of his
boys caused him to expose his life reckleSSly
than was necessary. He wished to die with them,
if he could not take them back home
They fought with heroic desperation. All young
all unmarried all gentlemen there not one of
the killed who was not an ornament to his commu-
nifty and freighted with brilliant promise
In sending them to Virginia, Savannah sent her
best to represent her. and their loss proves how we'll
they stood up how well that city was represented
upon field where all were brave
This company was the first one to offer its servi-
ces to President Davis under the Confederate act
authorizing him to receive independent companies,
and bad the honor of being the first received They
left home in dsobedience to the orders of their Gov
ernor, and brought away their arms in defiance of
MS authority, so eager were they to go where our
country needed her best soldiers.
Ihey were one of the two companies that took
Fort Pulaski When there was riot expected in
Savannah early in the year. they were called out to
quelI it, with another corps
Their whole history is one of heroism. First to
seek peril, they have proved in their sad fate how
molly they endure it.
They will inevitably make their mark during the
continuance of this holy war. They have enlisted
Tor the whole war, and not one will turn back who
can 60 forward, until it is ended, they are COM
pletely annihilated
Alter the gallant 9Th had retired with but frag-
ment Col Barlow, by Gen. Beauregards order,
Drought up the 7th Georgia exclaiming, in reply to
COL GartreI of the 7th, who asked him where they
should go" Give me your flag, and will tell you"
Leading them to their stand amid a terrific fire,
ne posted the regiment fronting the enemy. and ex
claimed in those eloquent tones SO full of high feel
ing that his friends ever expected from him. Gen.
6eauregard says you must hold this position, and,
deorgians, appeal to you to hold H."
regardless of life, calamity riding amid the hot
Jest nre cheering the men, inspiring them with his
iervent courage, he was shot in the heart, and fell
from his horse. They picked him up. With both
hands casped over his breast he raised his head and
with God-like effort his eve plitterne in it's last