Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-08-22
Tux OLD sCawr,
BEN PHELPS LAST ADVENTURE ON THE
PENINSULA.

BEE PHELPS LAST ADVENTURE ON THE
PENINSULA.
On the night Of the 81 Of May, 1852. we fell
back from the lines Of Yorktown, and then Gem
meneed that memorable retreat up the p suin-
sHla. 1 hsa not seen Ben Phelps since the day
that be told me Of his adventure in the Yankee
feet. The morning after ths battle of W.lisms-
burg, saw aim pass aur regiment on foot with
bis gun in his hand / knew that he wG3 OF
for another scout, and called TO birn spd asked
hila whore he was going. he 4 not hear me,
and hurried On. / watched him until he passed
out ST sight. He wss moving la the lirsctiou
Of Jszss river, and was walking more rapidly
than ususl I could see from the old msn's
manner that samsthing unusual had excited
hia, and l felt a great curiosity to know where
he was going. / had very little tine 10 attend
to him, for tue srder was given to nova for
ward, and-my attention was drawn 70 the regi-
nseRt. Ia the fatigue and eE-iteraGt of The re-
freat thought very Hstie Of old Ben. snd aid
not sea him daring ths entire Esreh. After we
reached the Chickahoninv, our regiment wsa
eucsmpea near The New. Bridge, and we were
constantly exposed to the Ere Of the Yaukee
sharPshOotsrs aud artillery. Ii was by no means
q very desirable camping grsun3, but We took
it very coollY, resolving te make tAe best of Il,
and when the time came, TO make ths Yankees
pay for the Inconvenience they caused u.s.
Time passed en-, bat neither say nor heard
anything OF Ben Phelps, and I began to fear
that the old fellow had either fallen into the
hands of the enemy or been killed On She 3lst
Of May the battle began at Seven Pines. The
battlefield was not msrc than haH q uals dis
tsnt from cur positisn, and we could hear The
rSttle Of the mUskstry, the thunder Of artillery
and the cheers Of the men with the most perfect
distinctness. We were sll very much excited
ard Sc were very anxious TO get in5O the Tight
4 little before dark We were ordered toward the
field, and of we started wish yell, but We had
not gone far before the order Was c8untermanded
and We wefe directed 90 return to our former
position. The next morning the firing began
before day, kut did not last long, however. 81
the enemy were soon repulsed. When the ir-
ing ceased tho Yankee batteries on the North
baak Of the Chjekah0miny, opposite our posi-
heR, sRaDea upon as, and during the remainder
OF ths day shsilsd US vigorously. About four
o'clock in the afternoon, fading that there was
ne prospect sf a renewal of thc 6ght, / left the
regiment and went over 20 Mrs. Priee's house
troR which I eeRla obtain an excellent view Of
tho Ysnks. just about this tims Gan. Magru-
der and his staH rsde up, sud, dIsmounling
entered the hoHse. Thege were two balloons up
at the time, one Of them flying Immediately In
front Of u.s. and the lockout IN this enc must
have seen the cavalcsde ss &c approached the
house, and have given information Of il, for i'm
medateiy the FBnks began to she'll the building
furiouslY. The shells few 9nsl sides, aud struck
all through the yard but fortunately the house
was untouched. 1 was standing ia the -srdsn.
at the sack Of the house, watching ths enemy
when beard some one cal me. Looking
around I saw Ben Phelps approaching When
he came ap shoek frauds warmly win hiru, for
was very glad % sso him.
Where haze yea beeR Paelpsl" asked; /
haven't seen yea for nearly month
"Ihsts trae, hsi jr," De replied quietly I've
aeea on a loug seoHs sld one thaf came very
near being ny last gotesesa. last night, ana
this morning ( thought I'd take baad IN tbs
6ghs over yoDdsf,"
"Sil down here BY ns, raid 7. seaia nYsslf