Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1863-06-17

OF november, Lne peeVeS Soiu uuriuS Ihe
preceding twelve months shall be estimated
and taxed in the same manner.
The Battle of Bakers Creek.
JACKSON, MISS, May "a, 1868.
You ask of me, as a participant in the late
battle of Bakers creek correct account Of
the affair. I will give it to the best of my
ability, Notwithstanding the task is one Pc
culiarly hard and embarrassing to me.
On Friday afternoon, the 18th instant,
three divisions of the army, under Lieut..
General Pemberton, (Loring's, Stevenson's
and Bowen's) advanced from Edwards de.
pot in the direction of Raymond, and stop.
ped that night about six miles from the
starting point, and on what is known as the
middle Raymond road. At eight o'clock
the next morning, Saturday, just as we we're
preparing to move forward, the enemy open
ed upon our advanced guard with artillery
briskly, indicating that they had found out
our movements and had determined to give
US battle.
We Immediately fell! back a mile to an
eligible position, and formed line Of bat.
tie, to be in readiness for an advance, or to
receive their attack. We had not long to
wait. Our line was formed in a curve of
Bakers creek upon ridge, our right being
posted in position to use afford at the eros
sing of the creek, in case we were over
whelmed, and OUT left equally convenient
to a bridge over the stream, which it was
expected, would furnish safe passage for
our army in such contingency:
The oannonadipg on our right ceased as
we fell back to this point, and a distinguish
ed officer remarked at the time, that the at
tack on our right was feint-that, in his
Judgment, the left of our line would have
to receive the shock of their advance. An
hours time revealed the truth of his state
ment; the enemy having massed a large
force against our left, and opened upon it
with an earnestness which betokened the
most serious determination.
Aware of our position, it seemed to be
their purpose to turn our left, SO as to get
possession of the bridge over Bakers creek
(referred to above) and move between US
and Edwards depot.
As their front ranks were moved down
by the deadly fire of our brave troops, my
riads of fresh men fell into their places, and
slowly, but steadily drove our left and CEN
tire back foot By foot, until Steyenson's gal
liant division was almost in rear Of the line.
A brigade of Bowen's division was ordered
up to the support of Stevenson-then an
other brigade, and finally the entire divi-
sion. Continuing the most desperate fight
ing, (portion Of it hand to hand, and with
dubbed muskets), a brigade (Bufo.d's,) of
Loriug's division, from the right, was sent
to the rescue. Gen. Loriug Immediately
followed with another of his brigades
(Featherston's) by a shortroute, and reach
ed the left as the lines were giving way,
leaving Tilghman, with his brigade, to hold
his position on the right.
Having succeeded, with great tact, in
covering the retreat of the worn out forces
who had so nobly and bravely stood the
shock for six hours, Gen. Loring moved
back to the right in time to see a fresh line
of the enemy coming down on his front and
flank. The enemy were CALAMITY met, and
driven back with great slaughter. It was
at this point that Brigadier General Lloyd
Tilgbman, one of the bravest men and best
officers in the Confederate army, fell pierced
through his manly breast with fragment
of she'll. He was serving with his own
hands twelve pound howitzer, trying to
dislodge a piece which was annoying US.
At this time two brigades of Bowen's di.
vision were placed, one at the bridge across
Bakers creek, and one at the ford, to guard
the crossings, while Gen. Loring with his
division, engaged the enemy in front and
drove him back. Buford's brigade was al
so ordered to support Bowen at the ford,
and was in motion for that point, when
word was sent to Gen. Loriug by General
Bowen that an overwhelming force of the
enemy had succeeded in getting into the
rear of the bridge, and Gen. Bowen was
compelled to fall back in the direction of
Edwards depot. At the same time the en-
emy availed himself of the advantage gain
ed and moved to position commanding the
ford, pressing at the same time Loring's
right flank aud rear.
The General then determined to make a
bold stroke, and with his division attempt
to cut his way through east, turn Jackson,
and effect junction with the forces under
General Johnston, then supposed to be near
Canton. How we'll he succeeded in this
perilous undertaking may be known by the
fact that he reached jackson on the follow.
ing Wednesday, witha division weary, foot
sore, hungry, but not dispirited, not demor-
allied; proud, brave, and ready to meet
the foe under circumstances where proper
management will give them an opportunity
to add to the laurels gained upon other