Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1863-01-07

From The Southern Guardian.
The Battle of Maryland Heights.

a.. 4,t.MR.&EDlIOR. IefSouS "Ao 'io'"ieu u"i
ing tie summer through mountainous couu-
tres can appreciate the fatigue of climbing
for an entire day up a mountain and along
its rugged heights. The trembling knee, the
parched tongue, the empty stomach aud op-
pressive heat, are some Of the incidents to
mountain travel, familiar to most pleasure
seekers. But add to these inconvenience of
the pedestraid the necessity of carrying a
packed knapsack,a blanket, five pounds of
ammunition, and rifle or musket, and you
have the condition of Kersbaw's and Barks-
dale's Brgades when they reached the enc
my's stronghold on Maryland Heights, on the
evening Of Friday, 18th September last. From
sunrise of that day until the afternoon Of the
next day not man in the corps had amouth-
full OF. water or an ounce of food. | speak
only from experience, for surely none pos
saassed better opportunity than myself OF pro-
curing food or water, and OF the latter, tas-
ted not a drop, while the generosity of Capt.
Addison, of company H, supplied ME with
about two ounces of the former. In this con-
dition we slept Or tried 10 sleep during Fri
day night, and fought the battle on SA'ur-
day. But the cheerfulness with which those
brave soldiers entered the contest, and the
spirit with which they rushed upon the enc
INV, precluded the idea Of there Icing either
thirst or hunger in the ranks.
When the 7th regiment entered the ilrsl
abat,is, they had gone buta a few PAGES he
fore Doph Jones, of Edgs6eld Court House,
company A, WAS shot through the lead near
the eye. IL was living two. days after The
fight, and am not aware tlat he has since
died. AS he fell be heroically shouted to his
comrades 10 go on and leave him TO his fate.
The same sentiments we're. uttered by Lieut..
j. l.. Talbert, of company h, shot through the
breast, and by Sergeant j. Robertson, of
company H, slot in the head, and both NOR
tally wounded. had not an opportunity of
hearing any others of my brave fl llows, VII"
fell on that day, say word. But when ]
halted the regiment OF the edge OF the SEC
ond abattis did hear and receive from Grn.
Kershew hearty congratulations upon the
conduct of mr,command, "not man OF whem
had left the ranks ;,no, not even to .assist "a
wounded comrade to the rear
When the second halt was ordered, and
the meD. commanded to lie down, my co'or
sergeant, Charley Burriss, st'od erect ard
kept his colors unfurled. shouted to him
to lie down, but he, believing it his duty to
keep our ,attered flag aloft, still stood up. ]
approached and ordered him down. In the
act of ubeying this last stern command ne re-
ceived a fatal wound in the abdomen. An
other member of the color guard, Belton
Adams, Immediately arose, and catching the
falling ag.staff, raised it over his head. In
an instant he fell mortaly wou led. Before
the colors reached the ground they were
sna,cbed up BY still another member OF the
color guard, Middleton Quarles, who whirled
them over his head, and rushed forward only
to meet another messenger of death. Two OF
my color-guard Gus. White and L Coleman,
had previously been severely wounded There
being but one remaining, / ordered the colors
to be left as they lay, a temporary winding
sheet of poor Quarles. These three men
were all young, active and energetic. Better
soldiers were not in the Regiment, and bra
yer men could not be found. In the future,
old Edgc6eld can, with the proudest sat'sfac'
ton, point to Burriss, Adams and Quarles as
three of her bravest sons and brightest jewels.
The only surviving member Of the color,
guard after this battle, Roundtree, last saw
charging up to the very mouth of cannon
at the battle Of Sharpsburg, when the flag
staff was shot into four pieces. Having been
wounded a. this battle myself, have never
learned whether Rouudtree escaped or was
killed.
cannot close, Mr. Editor, with 'ut paying
q tribute to Maj. W. T. White and I. W.
Chiles, my adjltant. To the foresight OF
Mai. White and to the courage and aacrity
Of companies A, B, and c, was chiefly attrlb'
utaLle the routing of the enemy with COM
para,iyey small loss. His flank movement
was we'll conceived and promptly perferlned.
On that occasion he exhibited stlt-posses-
sion oaickncss AID courage, three requisites
for success in any officer. At 81 arpsburs bis
esllantry was .dmiEpble. He fell after We
had driven the creuJ from their guns, almost
under the wheels Of the battery We had char1.
cd, aud,life in an instant became extinct for
he was pierced by three balls either of which
would have proven fatal. May bis convict:o"
on earth be realized by his soul in heaven-
"a just God will never punish the patriot
who falls fighting for SO righteous cause as
ours"
Adiutant Chiles was young mau of fine
promise and sterling worth. While return
inu TO me the second time from the General
;,b +, ,nassaye he received a sure wound in