Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1864-03-09

road leading to sheperdsville and "head OF
column to the right" greeted our ears, all
doubts as to this point were Immediately
dissipated, suddenly consciousness rushed
upon all, that we were about to enter upon
an enterprise even more doubtful and haz-
ardous-one requiring the utmost secrecy
and celebrity Of movement, and promptness
of execution, or disastrous failure must
await us. 1t was rendered doubly danger
GUS by reason Of our being dependent upon
Generals Picket and Barton, successfully
holding their advanced positions in front of
Newbern to prevent the enemy from ad-
vancing in the direction of Smiths Mills,
and cutting off our return, as We could only
cross the river as this point.
On Monday night we encamped within
fifteen miles of Newport Barracks, the enc:
my's strong position, and FIVE or six miles
from his outer fortifcations. On Tuesday
morning the I'd February, we set out early
to meet the Yankees, after marching four
or five miles; the cavalry being in front of
course, received orders to draw sabres and
dash after them the instant the advanced
guard gave the first shout: Scarcely order.
ed before twas done, fierce shout rang
out in front, the enemy's advanced forces
composed of Cavalry and strong Infantry
picket force, we're espied. In q moment
the scene was terrible, every man and horse
seemed to besuddenly maddened, and with
the fury Of a tempest rushed after the ha-
ted foe, the men yelling like legion Of de-
mented devils; in less than a minute we
were upon them, the shock and uproar were
too much for the nerves of the astonished
hirelings, after rapidly discharging their fire
arms, they broke and ran heller skelter like
scared dogs. Then ensued scene which
beggars description. We had to pursue
their flying cavalry, in narrow road lead
ing through wide swamp, belly deep in
black mud, interspersed with the relics of q
causeway or pile of half decayed logs rang
ing from eight to fifteen feet apart, and
rendering safe passage on horse back
at moderate gait even seemingly impos-
sible without lessening the rapidity Of
speed or moderating the 'ferceness Of fiend-
ish yells, we continued a fearful charge,
splashiug, pluuging and ploughing through
this CAaribdic pass. Now gallant charg-
er rode by gallant officer, falls, his neck is
broken; and he is dead across our way,
then another. is down, and the rider is al
most trampled to death ; again another and
another; until the road is chequered with
nnhorsed and bruised men. The furious
pursuit is nevertheless kept up, the last fa-
gitive is overhauled OF has concealed his
cowardly carcass among the impenetrable
meshes of bays and gall berries. In this
thrilling onset, only one man, 1t. Muse
a gallant officer of N. Carolina Cavalry is
killed by the enemy's ball, and more than
dozen placed hors. dw combat by the falling
of their horses. ~ .. 81, > y Z
Our little army now advances steadily but
more rapidly, first upon stronghold near
by, but the terrified Yankee has abandoned
it before;it can bereached. Then upon an.
other, considered his most formidable--the
"Block house," one gun is fred from his
fort it is replied to by o N. G. Battery,
which sends ball through the fort imme.
.diately an Infantry charge is ordered, they
start, butthe Yankees now become decided.
'ly .inhcspitable, again unceremoniously a.
bandon their quarters, leaving no one to
welcome US as We enter them. Now comes
the last ttug of this wal" we move steadily
upon Newport Barracks-their fortified
camp at Shepherdville; we are met by two
Regiments of their Infantry and field
Batterya mile in front but an hours work
of the 18th and 4Znd N. G. Troops and
the Virginia and N. G. Battery, suaiced to
put them to flight. We capture. their bat
terry, and at sundown enter Shepherdsville
in triumph. ~, ..-.-,@e
The days work was done -gloriously done.
Our mission fully accomplished, and We
rested for the night amongst what was left
of the enemy's barracks, to which they had
set fire at the time they made their last but
momentary stand. The boys then proceed.
ed to treat themselves literally to clothing,
eatables &C., which the Yankees had not
time to burn in their hurry to get away
from danger. The term "Yankee" is per-
haps improperly applied to the semi.barba-
rian crew; for the blue-bellied native of
New England or the North, composed but
q small proportion of that army. In the
last part of the engagement We lost fifteen
or twenty killed and wounded. the enemy