Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1863-08-05
FROM THE 17TH RECT, sc. v

10 miles east OF Drunuo, MISS, Su} A9tu, iooo
Dear Enquirer Since my last letter,
we have been passing through the dreadful
scenes of battle and retreat. and though we
are almost worn out physically, and badly
depressed mentally, we have abundant rea.
SON to be thankful that SO many Of US are
thus far, safe and sound. On the morning
of the 4th of July we were within three
miles of Big Black river, and On the morn
ing of the 9Th, would, no doubt, have
crossed and assailed the rear of Grants
army, but on the evening of the 9th, the
crushing news of aVioksburg has fallen"
smote our ears, and, with sad hearts, We
we're ordered, to return in the direction CT
jackson. The sound of cannon and mus
ketry reashiDg US from. the direction Of the
river, where our cavalry aad the enemy
were engaged; the latter having already
commenced following up his success,
through two long, sultry days, with no
water, except from horse.ponds, and with
perfect eloads of dust brsasting US, We
turned our backs to the enemy before reach
ing Pearl River. Werested then one night,
and on the morning of the 9th our regi-
ment entered the redoubts'of Jackson, the
cannon and mpsketry of the enemy coming
closer and closer. An was quiet in the
trenches for the first day; but on the 10Th
the ball was opened by a shell thrown by the
enemy, up the Clinton road, after which 7
series of the heaviest skirmishing ] have
ever seen, took place. Had not the reserve
force been SO large, considerable battle
might have been reported each day. The
first assault or attack of the enemy, was
made on our left, when the enemy were
driven back with considerable loss, by
portion of Gen. Breckinridge's Division.
There was, afterwards, charge of the en-
emy amounting, almost, TO an assault, on
our right, which was repulsed and foll,we
up, our troops leaving their trenches and
charging the enemy 10 turn. This occur.
red 10 Gen. Loring's command considera-
bic loss was inflicted upon the enemy here
An assault or charge was made upon our
right centre, on Thursday, the. 10th, in
which our regiment had small share, but
the principal fighting was done by Walkers
Division, which formed our right centre.-
Gen. Freuch's Division, to which we belong,
held the left centre, and upon the whole
centre the heaviest canuoDadiug and skir-
mishiug was kept up all'the while. In the
charge referred to, the enemy suffered much
more than our troops. The 46th Georgia,
Col. Colquitt, and Texan Regiment char
ging them, and driving them back consid-
erable distance. ....,..
a little episode occurred on the 14th, a
flag of truce, Eve suppose for the purpose
of buryiug the dead) was exchanged. and
hostilities were suspended from one. o'clock,
p. m., until four o'clock, p. NJ, in which
time the soldiers of both armies met by
hundreds at half distance, and had hila-
rious time. The subject of peace was dis
oussed, when several of the Yankee privates
remarked, that if the privates of both az
mics could meet "they could make peace
in "a hours and take drink over it, into
the bargain" Many regrets were expressed
that they should be minging $3.50 socially
now, and in a few minutes would be doing
their best to cut each others throats." The
officers ard privates in the Yankee army
here, seem to have supreme contempt for
the Eastern Yankees and Abolitionists.-
The expiration of the truce was announced
by the report of cannon, blank first and
then shottcd. Upon which our boys all
made for their frat holes" but solemn
silence seemed to have succeeded. Each
side seemed 10th to begin. Our pickets
and the euemy's rested upon their guns
After long silence; Yankee cannon
belohed forth, when very soon the skirmlsh.
ers begun their work of death.
Late in the afternoon of the 10th, be.
gan to suspect, from certain movements, for
the first time, that we would evacuate the
city. Atdark, sure enough the order came.
We were>to leave our works at 10 o'clock,
the pickets to remain in front until l o'clock,
q. m. When the hour of 10 o'clock came,
we silently bade farewell to the spot where
every man felt confident that he could drive
back all force sent against him. The whole
affair was conducted in the best possible
style. all leaving at the designated hour,
and with unexpected quietness. At one
time thought the "thing was out" at 8