The Camden confederate. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-29
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
A MY COR R E PO Nj e NCE.
CAMP NEAR FREDERICKSBURG, VA, J
ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
Nav 10 l2G2

! our moonlight Yankee chase. We drove them
to the very brink Of the river, and there they
surrendered, those who had failed to escape.
Tues lay morning, the day wrote, we were
marched towards Charlottesville, in taking a
road to the right some seven or eight miles
above Fredericksburg, we reached our line of
entertainments, where Kershaw's Brigade was
placed. The same evening was sent out with
my company and as many more men, in all
about sixty, to relieve the pickets in the front
of our regimental line. The night was exceed
lngly wet and disagreeable, raining very hard
at times and quite chilly. The General order
ed our picket lines to advance the next morn
ing, for the purpose Of feeling the enemy who
were reported to be leaving their entrench.
ments-about a mile in front of us. His in
structlons to me, were to advance very eau
tiously, which | followed to the letter. The
first prisoner taken, ard the only one by my
company, was captured by Sergeant Huckabee.
lie represented that they were all gone, and
quite willing We're we to hear the news. We
moved on and soon occupied their position,
very strong one on the bank of the river,
protected by any number OF batteries on this
and on the other side. Thus closed the c,shtlt
day OF the great battle on the Rappahannock,
resulting in most decisive and glorious tr-
umph OF our arms. TO the Lord of Hosts be
all the praise, power and glory!
Wednesday night we camped at our old
quarters from which we had marched eight
days before. Tuesday morning, the sth inst,
our regiment (45th) was marched to this place
to support Barksdae's brigade, which has been
much weakened by the fight Nearly or quite
five hundred of their 'number having been kill
ed, wounded or taken prisoners. They fought
at, and defended the line Immediately in my
front, and from these very heights upon which
| am now pleasantly seated one of the ticrcest
struggles took place a week ago Our men
were defeated by tlfc treachcry of the enemy.
They came undcl flag of truce and asked per
mission to bury their dead, which was granted.
They had the opportunity of seeing the small
force at this point and avaiiing themselves of
this, they threw heavy flank forward and
came up in rear OF our men and took many
of them prisoners before they knew of their
danger But we paid them back that very at-
tcrnoon, Sunday, at Salem Church, five miles
above, where our brave boys fought them so
successfully, killed a great niany and drove
their column back for some distance. This
morning | attended service at the Methodist
Church in this city. Rev. Mr.. West, Chap
lain 18th Mississippi preached to crowded
house
What a contrast between this bright, beau
tltnl, calm, quiet day, and the last, when the
thnndering artillery, and terrible conflict of
| arms ragged with mad violence, and the wholc
atmosphere was filled with smoke of ba> tie
The dead and dying strewn upon the right and
left, and everything in the greatest commotion.
Now a Sabbath stiffness reigns, save an occa-
slonal signal for duty, from our or the camp of
the enemy i'll our front, who still occupy the
Stafford Heights, although it is said they arc
moving back. However this may be, HOOKER
will find Gen. LEE on hand wherever he may
so, ready to give him battle, and of course to
whip him worse than ever. General ROBERT E.
LEE is the greatest living General, and our late
battles have added another unfadng laurel to
the chaplct of our great second WASHING ION
can scarcely imagine more charming
view than that now before me. AS far as the