The tri-weekly news. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1865-1876, 1866-04-17

gunners stood to their guns to the Very
last and fred their last shot while the
Federal troops were on the rampafts.
Twas standing where could view
the whole encounter. The Confederate
line to tho left of the fGn was not at.
tackled The creek divided ns, and the
struggle was going on on one hill while
we were on the opposite. about half 4
mile apart anxious and breathless WIT:
nesses. . .u'o tg... anH.
AS soon as Mahonc fell, the Federals,
in three lines, moved on Fort Gregg
with cheers In the immediate vicinity
all else was silent. How confidently
and III what beautiful lines they ad-
vance ! AS they near the fort their
lines curves into circle. They are
within fifty yards, and not the flash of
single rifle yet defies them. My God
have the boys surrendered without
struggle !? We look to see if the sign
OF n white flag can be seen. At this
Instant it seems to gleam in the sunlight,
and. sends a pang to our hearts. But
no it is the white smoke from their
guns, which from cannoniers and infan.
try simultaneously fire on the confident
assaulters, who stagger--reel under the
death dealing volley--&nd in moment
The Federal lines are broken and they
ietreat in masses under cover. A loud
and wild cheer succeeds the breathless
stiffness that prevailed amongst us, and
is answered exhltingly by the heroic
little garrison in Fort Gregg.
But reinforcements have come to
the help Of the assaulters. I can see
their long serpentinc lines as they wend
their way through the cleared field in
the distance, and over tho captured
works. I turned and looked to our
rear, but no reinforcements can be seen
coming to the succor OF the garrison.
Every man is needed at his post, ,,and no
reserves are at hand. The repulsed as.
saiants, animated by the sight of rein.
rades come up in battle array, march
forth again in unbroken ranks. AS
they gain the hilltop, two hundred
yards from the tort, the artillery within
the fort belches forth from the embra.
sures, and the effect of its canister can
he plainly seen in the heaps Of dead and
dying that ssrew the ground. But the
check is only momentary. As the next
line advances they move forward in ser.
ried ranks, and soon the fort is canopied
in smoke. We can see the artillery as
it fires in rapid succession, and the small
arms pop and crack in a ceaseless rattle.
The conflict elsewhere ceases, and both
sides are silent and anxious witnesses of
the struggle at the fort. Thus the fight
continues for nm half an hour. The
Federals have reached tile ditch. They
climb up tile sides Of the works, and as
the foremost reach the top, we can see
them reel and fall headloig on their
comrades below. Once, twice and
thrice have they reached the top only to
be repulsed, and yet they persevere, and
the artillery in the embrasures continue
to fire in rapid succession.
But, at last, all is hushed The ar
tillery once more, and for the last time,
fire parting shot, and we can see the
Federuls as wish inipunity they mount
the works and begin a rapid fire on the
defenders within. Their ammunition Is
exhausted. and unwilling to surrender,
they arc using their bayonets and club.
bing their guns in an unequal struggle.
At last, one LOAD huzza proclaims the
fort lost and with it the Confederate
army cut into two parts. a., $40
A. P. Hill, iHeth and Wilcox--all
three--were in the fort, oheered the
men to the last and the minute of its
surrender they naounted their steeds,
dashed through the sally.port, and re.
treated to the rear, Hill was killed in
the attempt but the other two escaped,
I have sinced learned that $50 Of the
garrison, of q little over 800, were killed
or wounded. oo9d ID aoa wsg
The man who can make his own fire,