Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1862-08-07

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= CAMP.BEFoRE RIoHMoND, ,
.. d, July 23d, 1852 .
I propose in the present letter to give
brief narrative of the achievements Of the
Palmetto Sharp-shooters in the recent Sc.
ries Of battles at the gates of Richmond
Before have finished it will be seen,that
this regiment and the brigade to, which it
is attached have done some Of the most
gallant fighting that has taken place during,
the war. .
.-s FIRST OF THE BATTLE OF FRIDAY:
Tae brigade being attached to the corps
darn,ee Of General Longstreet, and couse-
quently held in reserve untila critical mo-.
msnt, did not get fairly into the fight until
late on the afternoon on Friday, say. two or
three hours after the commencement of the
battle. The point at which they entered
was upon the extreme right Of our lines,
Jenkins regiment, with Ire exception of
Kemper's brigade, resting upon the edge
Of the Chiekahominy Bottom, and at nearly
a right angle to the river. The formidable
breastworks. of the enemy upon Boatswain's $
Creek, described in previous letter, had
been carried by other troops, and the brig.
ade accordingly marched without obstruc-
tion upon the broad plateau of the hills
which Immediately succeeded the ascent
Esneed not detail the various haltings,
flank movements, and temporary advances
made by the command preparatory to en-.
gaging the enemy, but come at once to a
description of the sanguinary eposide which
constitutes the chief exploit Of the regiments
Of Colonel Giles and Colonel jenkins.
After having been exposed to severe
fire of shells for several minutes, and the
men being thoroughly rested, the regiments
moved forward to the support of Writings
Division On arriving at the spot, how
ever, Whiting had disappeared, his troops
probably having pushed rapidly forward
At this juncture Col. jenkins discovered
body Of the enemy about a quarter of a
mile distant, and advancing to within hail
: ing distance with his line Of battle present
ed. The Fifth South Carolina Regiment,
Lieut.. Col. Jackson, did the same, and
resting upon the left of the Pslmettos. 1t
was now reported to Col. Jenkins that there
were troops in the woods calling upon us.
Upon receipt of this intelligence Col. Jack
SON wheeled his regiment so as to face the
invisible enemy. As he did SO Yankee
regiment, as was Immediately apparent by
their blue uniforms, deployed from the
wood and drew up in beautiful line not
more than seventy.6ve yards distant, and
within support Of two other Federal regi'
ments. They did not seem to act as if in
the presence of an enemy, however, aud
what added to the singularity of the proceed
ing was the fact that the Yankees persist
emily kept their flag furled, and called tc
US to know who we were-our battle tae
flying all the while COL Jackson, ad
vancing few PAGES, hallooed to them tt
ground their arms, when, if my memory
serves me correctly, they came to "rest:
At the same time Col. J. instructed ou
men to commence firing if the Yankees
made the slightest demonstration of attack
Col. jenkins also called out to them IN
loud tone: "Unfurl your flag, o.. will tr'
into you, whether you are friends or foes
Unfurl your fagv'' At this moment the!
raised a white flag; and an officer appear
ed bearing it towards our lines. Col. }
met the officer midway between the regi
ments, and said, "Sir, if you are ready tt
surrender order your men to lay down thei
arms" The reply was: "We have no or
ders to surrender, and will fight it out ,
The Colonel then told him he would SCI
him safely back to- the lines, aud returned
himself Scarcely had the little emblem
amity disappeared behind the enemy
ranks when the command rang along ou
line, "Ready aim fire.!
The execution was terrible. The qulcl
eve of our Colonel saw his advantage, AM
secured the start of the Yankees by tou
or FIVE seconds. In the graphic languag
Informant the Federal line seemel