Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1863-02-04
From the Lancaster Ledger.

e. From the Lancaster Ledger 3 d
The 18th South Carolina Regiments.
MR. FD1ToR-Sinces the organization
ofthis Regiment, and especially, since its
transfer to Virginia, it has experienced
/ many trying hardships and priyations It's
formation was completed, as your readers
weltremember, at Lightly :. Knot Springs,
Eby the election Of r. g. NJ Dunovant,
Colonel Capt. Dixon Barnes Lieut.. Colo
mel, and Capt. Cadwallader Jones, Msjor.
Immediately after its organization, it was
ordered to the coastof our own State and
gaFrisened at Bay Point and Hilton Head
-six companies atthe FORMER place under
command of our Colonel and Lieut.. Colo.
mel, ard four at the latter under the COM
mand Of Maj. Jones. Things thusremain-
ed in statu quo until the formidable feet Of
the ensuy made It's appearance {2d Nov.
1851, for the reduction Of our forts and
breast. works. The details Of this engage
ment, which has already been published,
would be of no inte rest at the present time,
Therefore he Will not attempt reiteration.
Suffice it to say, that after tVo days bonn.
bardmsnt, we we're compelled to evacuate
both places without any infantry engage.
sment. Taking a North course we reached
Pocotaligo, 5. e., after three days incessant
marching, suffering much from fatigue, sore
feet, and for the want Of provisions and
fresh water. We remained in the Vicinity
Of Pocotaligo for two months in undieturbed
quietule, except the lieing dispatcheso of the
cavalry videtts, who seemed to manifest q
great pleasure IN having infantry between
them and the enemy. However, on the
lst day of January 1862, the news came to
camp that the. enemy was landing in force
at Port Royal "a Ferry on the Port Royal
River Your, readers are we'll acquainted
with the particulars Of this engagement,
and also the noble bearing and gal!antry
displayed by 4iieut. Colonel Barnes, who
was at that time in command Of the Regi.
ment, The rare perfection. to which this
Regiment has attained, in drill aud discip.
line, is attributable to the brave and heroic
Barnes.
: s,.ortly after the resignation Of gn!ansl
pqnovaut, We we're transferred to Virginia,
and sent to Fredericksburg, where, after
remaining short time, we were again or.
dered to Rinchmond to defend the Capitol
Of the Confederacy. The glorious achieve.
ments Of the old 18th in the seven days
fighting around RICHMOND, the bloody field
Of Manassas, Ok Hill, Harper's Ferry,
Shafpsturg and Fredericksburg are all we'll
known TO your intelligent readers. 1t was
at Manassas that the intrepid Barnes. made
the desperate charge of the day, driving
tho enemy pell-mell before his "few brave
boys" as he called them. AT one time,
when the tide of battle seemed to waver,in
the balance, and our forces becoming some
what scattered, Col. Barnes rushed to the
head Of his regiment, and called upon all
who were not 'soowards to follow him, }" and
gladly and truthfuliy can we say that no
hesitation was seen in the ranks Of the old
18th, but steadily and firmly it advanced,
making charge after charge, leaving our
supports far behind, until metby such over:
8helming numbers Of tho enemy, that it
was thought prudent by cur General to
withdraw the 18th from the field. One ac.
customei to the battle field can readily un.
derstand the danger of retreat in the face
of the eremy, and nine times out of ten III
turns out to be rout instead of tretreat in
good order" Col Barnes was well 40.
quainted, from fformerexperiepes, With the
battle 6elds and knew sfValue of we'll
disoiplins ID troops, in th@movemeut of a re-
treat; he SO ordered this fall back, as to
change front FIVE tiaes'on the enemy before
reaching his I'D position, managing his
command ii such skilful and effective
manner4s to excite the:admiration of both
Brigade aud Division Generals. Here the
l6mented Gregg, riding up to Col. Barnes,
remarked, tsGolonel your Regiment has
covered itself with glory"
After takiag, an active part in the Bat.
ties of,Ox Hill, and Harpers Ferry, Col.
B, fell mortally wounded at the battle of
Sharpsburg, Nd, in the third charge on
the enemy, made by his inviuoible, troops.
His last words of command was, tsonward
boys, onward" Thus fell one of South