The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-01-04

while at a distance of forty or fifty yards
the form of man could scarcely be dis
tinguished by any but q quiclz-sighted OBJ
server. The Federals were now resting
comparatively quiet, taking, perhaps, a
long breath before "trying it on" again
but they werc not to have it all their own
way; and we, in turn, became the aggress-
ors. Mahones brigade, with, I think, two
others, was ordered to move around and
attack Grants left; Generals Lee and
Longstreet, lying on the ground near the
plank road, quietly awaited the result.
The rapid firing quickly told us that
the aboys" were at them, and before long
a mounted officer rode up to announce
the successful completion of the move
ment. Grants left had been routed and
driven back on the centre, and the plan
now was to mako vigorous assault while
the iron was hot, and finish the work be-
fore us. The whole of our corps was in
readiness to move, and General Long
street and staff rode down the plank road,
where portion of the corps was already
formed in column, We had ridden but
q short distance, when Lieutenant Colo
mel G.. NJ. s., Assistant Adjutant Gen
cral of the first army corps, joined u.s.
He had accompanied the fanking par
ty, winning the hearts Of Mahone's brig
ade by an exhibition fchivairous gallant
ry, akin to that which they have shown
on many bloody field; and he now
brought us the most encouraging accounts
of the position of affairs. Gen.. Jenkins,
a noble son of South Carolina, an admi-
rable officer and courteous gentleman,
was also with us, and his face was lit up
with Joy and confidence as he congratu-
lated the "old chief" 1t was now pro-
posed to give three cheers for Gen. Long
street; and Jenkins, fearing lest his men
should appear to bo behind time, called
out, "Why don't you cheer, men! why
don't YOU cheerw The air fairly rang
with lusty shouts; again and again the
men cheored, till voices were cracked and
tears of exhaustion ran down many a
dusty check. Every heart was confident
and gay-and SO we moved forward.
Suddenly the swapping Of cap was
heard in the woods on our right, and
then the report Of musket, sounding
strangely sharp and clear. 1nstinctively
we turned, and there in the woods, with
in few yards Of us, was a long line OF
uniformed men. There was no time for
thought; another rife shot was heard,
and another, and another, without an in
stant's pause; the red fro flashed along
the entire line, and q deadly volley was
poured into US. 1t was unexpected as
the crack of doom! Could it be the enc
my, or was it our own men. None OF us
could tell The troops vera for moment
thrown into confusion, but they rallied
Immediately under the exhortations OF
their officers. 1 see it as plainly now as
if it was but yesterday.
Gen. Longstreet, curbing his horse,
which plunged with excitement, calm and
infexible as statue Of bronze, his head
turned defantly towards the firing, like
some old lion whom the hunters had
brought to bay; and Jenkins, waving his
hand to his men, while in loud, clear,
tones he cried, "Steady men (! for Gods
sake stcadyp Poor fellow the words
were scarcely uttered, the namc of
his God was still upon his lips, when
a bullet pierced his head, and rising
convulsively in his stirrups, he fell to
the ground, mortally wounded. Now
Longstreet reeled in his saddle he
was also wounded, and, it was feared, IA
tally. The firing had ceased as sudden
ly as it had begun. 1t was our own men
who had done the harm.
Jenkins, gallant fellow, was beyond all
earthly assistance, and it remained for us
but to grieve for his loss. Longstreet
was lying by tree at the sido of the
road, the blood flowing with terrible rap
idity from his neck. General Field, the
senior division Commander, now assumed
command, and kneeling by our beloved
General received few words of instruc-
tion. The General grew rapidly weaker,
but as conciousness gradually left him, he
still could summon up energy enough to
say in deep and earnest tones: "Press
them on, General Field; press them on,