Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1865-04-12
rhe pattie OF Ayerysboro.

ripenesS-Ol ReT Bptoeu 81 eAu
EpaEyooD, Feb. 1865. *.
The Battle of ofAverysboro.
The South Caroliniao gives the following
interesting account of the, battle of Ayerys-
boro
ASmore gallant stand has not been made
during the war than that maintained by q
handful Of our army at Averysboro, q. c., on
Thursday, the 10th of March. Since the
evacuation, of Charleston, General Hardee
has been hurrying forward to efecta juno
ton with the remainder Of the troops un-
der General Johnston and Beauregard, and
since the first Of March, the enemy have
been close upon his rear. More o. less
of skirmishing has attended his progress since
leaving Cheraw, aud able generalship alone
enabled him to avoid battle IN which the
superior numbers Of the Federas would give
4ShermaG every advantage.
OpsW Wednesdays however, the bad con-
dition ofthe.roads, the proximity ofthe enc
nv, their evident intention to force q fight,
and otbef circumstances, combined to induce
General Hardee to make stand. His.army
yeas then about four miles from Ayorysboro,
in the.vieinity OF what is known as Smiths.
farm. Colonel Rhest with his brigade otSouth
Carolina Regulars, consisting of the lst.Ar-
tillery, 1st Infantry, and Lucas battalion; OF
Heavy Artillery, but acting as infantry, aud
a portion of the Beaufort and lie Gardeux
Light Artillery constituted the rear guard.
Skirmishing and sharp shooting coninenc-
ed about noon, and our troops at once set to
work iu throwing mp siich sight entreneb-
Inents as the means at hand perual tel
erstfis here; tcsss-tne z, aIfes -
limbs sprinkled with cirt wasssll that conil
be had-to answer the temporary plrposessssh
this day NO determined advanccs7Sis mace
by the enemy Oar own army. however, lost
e,ofits bravest and most promising OH
GERS, COL Rhett, commanding the rear guard.
Impelled By that restless energy wmcn Guar
acterized him while in command OF Fort
Sumter. and q desire to know personally the
conditions of .ifairs in his front, he made per
sonal reconnaissance beyond our picket lines,
and near those Of the foe. This fearless oX-
posnre NAV have provoked 8 fatal shot, or
led to his capture He never returned-and
the word ".niissing,' now written against his
name, calls UP the most painful appFeheh-
sions.
Daylight on Tuesday revealed the enemy
in position. aud evidently about TO give bat.
tie. Our own troops were IN line behind their
works-if,heY may be digniisd by such a
name-and with enthusiasm awaited the on
set. Opposite cur left, = dense undergrowtl
of small pines limited the view. Colonel
Butler. of the first infantry, was in command
of the brigade, and Lieut. Col DeTreville com,
manded that regiment.
Sk;rmishine commenced at al early hour
along the entire line, and about o'clock the
enemy attacked our left in force. The men
met-it splendidly. Disciplined like the reg
ulars of the cid army, and for more than
yesr and a rasf daily and nightly utter The
fire of the Federal artillery on Sumter and, ION
Sullivan. and James Islands, they had oe-
come in1red to danger and hardship; brt this
vas their first meeting with their old adverse.
ries sn the open field, and one forwhlch tneS
had longed without csasing.
The manner inwhich they availed them
selves of this, the frat opportunity to prove
their eciat, testified their earnest purpose.
Fhe Fsderals might as well have strack a
solid wall. Until ordered to fall back, the
-u,sn stood in their places, receiving and re-
turnine the battle FIRE, with cheeks unblanch
ed. Two divisions Of Slocum's corps, Mlpat-
lrick's cayalry, and superior numbers. OF ar.il'
aerv were in The front. pressing with all thel1
snigh.. but our lines remained intact. Three
nf our lieht l2.pounder guns added to the ct
f.ctiverass OF our defence. Oneo these be-
longing 20 LIE Gsrdeaux's battery, planted OF
our right, assisted to check the enemy there
Int in short time the latter; brought up 8
battery, and withist 6ge.hund:ed yards open
cd mon this single piece what is described tc
rs as uerfsct shell storm o fire. Horses
ant, men went down bstore the tornado Unit
but one of each remained, and the gun was
then abandoned to its fate.
Failing to produce any effect on the LEFT
the attack was transferred to the right iank
Here we,had no GAfences, and by! reason o
fhe paueity of numbers could only meet tnt
rapid combinations Of tIe enemy with line
ofskirmishers consisting Of four companies
Fora time these held an entire brigade IN
check. but the latter 6ually charged: broke
through. and forced us to fall back. Simnl
taneous!y the Federals attacked-our righ
front. and thus, between the triangular hre
il became necessary, to abandon the first lihe
In so doing, many oi,our wounded fell int
the hands ofthe Federa!s.
Il was now about halfpast twelve O'Clock
P. Il. Failing back. ls.!f ~ mile, olir ioros
occupied a,sccondi .ile. md meta brieaas II
ras.yyc. u1der eommaudsof General Stephei
elliott. ilere the fight was sgain cbs'irat
lyrene@ed and contested; but, the ereins 81
sweeping around ou' right haDk, csIn psiies Pc, e,
in course of. the afternoon. an ;aosAdol y
-,nent If The second lire and a retreatiq th
stirl. The Federais, bad been WeSrlea= "a; an
exhausted, had lost heavily IN KILLED an
/, wounded, aud thesbed fro,s preselSted ut Ia tl
tliini.line, willsitsflsnks kstrotccied py swHdnp
compelled ther, to desis. flN!n iafiher epp..'s:
TORS. Tle battle theresceased., No turth.
attempt was rnade-to press our cC!umps. ;l,i
orr march to concentrate has since been III
jmpsdsa,