Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-05-31

Cow Smith, the 18th and 2Sth Geor-
I gia, and the 18th N. G. Tho latter carried
into action $40 enlisted men and had SO
killed and 376 wounded OF q officers
for duty, a were either killed or wound
ed! No comment is needed to point the
moral of such an exhibit. Nor is it our
purpose to give any further details OF tins
desperate engagem 81 I, with its many trag-
ic and thrilling incidents. When It's h1stO-
ry is fully written, tho fact will be reco9nl-
zed that few, if any battles OF the war
were fought with more conspicuous valor,
with finer exhibition Of individual lntre-
pidity or more splendid instances OF a9-
gregated daring. Col. Anderson behaved
throughout with such distinguished gallant
~ and skill as to elicit the highest enconl-
ums from Gen. d. Fl. Hill, and to draw
from the Government a prompt commits
sion as Brigadier General, which was is-
sued to him on the 9th day of June.
! The brigade assigned him was composed
of the PM, 4th, 18th and Both regiments
of n. G. Troops-all of which, under their
! then and subsequent commanders, earned
an immortality of renown.
! On the Doth OF June, the series OF bat
ties around Richmond began, i'll all of
which the brigade participated, and III con-
Guiding one of which (MalyGrn Hill Gen
| cral Anderson received d wound i'll the
hand, while leading his brave boys through
terrific storm of shot and she'll
! The writer Of this sketch joined General
Anderson as Adjutant General of his brig
ade on the 25th day Of August, 1862, while
it was in bivouac on the Rapidan-thc ar
my, after sOIle six weeks repose from the
giant struggles of the ''seven days." being
Ell route for the first Maryland INVASION
It was not the fortune of Gen. Hills dlvi-
sion to have an active part in any OF the
engagements of this remarkable campaign,
until that Of the 14th of September, at the
South Mountain Gap, near BOOnsbOrO, IN
Mary iaud-of which it may with safety be
observed that, i'll its consequences, in the
skiIlful disposition of small numbers to OPP
pose overwhelming odds, it is without
parallel in the war. The division, unald-
ed until Il late hour OF the afternoon, held
in check the advance Of the greater portion
/ Of McClcllan's vast army, endeavoring,
with battering-ram impetus, to force its
way through the marrow gap, and thereby
afforded time for the concentration OF our
various corps, dispersed i'll strategic direc
tons, i'll season for the bloody issue at
Sharpsburg. In this engagement South
MOuntain) Gen. Anderson behaved with
his characteristic intrepidity, and addition
al evidence was furnished this day that
none Of his brigade commanders more en-
ioyed the confidence of the division COM
mander than the youthful and recent Brig
adler. This is exalted praise, when it is
remembered that he was associated with
such men as Garland and Rodts. We need
not tell who Mey were. Garland between
whom and Gen. Anderson, by the way,
there existed ali earnest friendship and adj
miration) fell early in this action. An ac-
complished gentleman, the very soul of
chivalry, and one of the first civilian Off
GERS in the service, he would have won
high distinction had he lived. Rodes, who
ultimately succeeded Gen. Hill in the COM
mand of the division, was slain at Winches-
ter, on the 10th of September 1864. His
loss was one of those terrible disasters,
which foreshadowed the final and approach
ing catastrophe.
We may not essay to describe the I'M
equal field Of Sharpsburg. 1t has been
claimed as a victory for the Federal arms.
History will not so write it, With all the
facts and sequences impartially arrayed.-
At daylight, on Wednesday, Sept. 18th,
Gen. d. II. Hills division occupies the
centre of the line drawn up to receive the
brunt of battle. Soon, desperate and heavy
from the left roll the boom of artillery, and
the rattle Of small arms A retreating mass
! Of men sweep over the hills in that direc-
ton, where the enemy has attacked with
tremendous force. General Hills division
is ordered to change front to left, and,
marching through growing field of corn,
1t takes position in long lane. Ripley on
the extreme left, then Garland's Brigade
commanded by Colonel d. K. McRae, J
next Rodes, and Anderson on the right
But few moments elapsed ere this small di-
vision, weakened 10y it's losses at South
; Mountain, was furiously assailed by a force
UNNECESSARILY its superior. It seemed mad
ness to stand but, true to its glorious pres
tige, it calmly awaited the shock This
was about o'clock. And then the all
, shook with the din of arms,-of musket
and Of cannon,-and high above the clash
, and roar rung the angry " ahouting of the
Captains, the cries Of the wounded and
the groans of dying men. General Ander
/ son occupied a prominent position on
slightly rising ground, Immediately in real
Of his command. While thus exposed, and
!, displaying the most splendid courage, an
mating his men by his example, and di
recting them by his cool and collected or
ders, he was struck in the foot, near the
ankle-j Joint, by minnie ball and fell. He
was at once carried with difficulty and dan
ger, to an improvised hospital in the rear
and the wound examined and pronounced
severe but not serious. No one dreamed
that one Of the truest and bravest men that
ever lived had the r0und Of death upon
him.
He was subsequently conveyed across
the Potomac to Shepherdstown, and re-
ceived every attention at the hands of the
estimable ladies Of the family of Mrs. Bote-
Ter, until Friday morning, when the falling
back of the army necessitated his removal.
Friends counseled his remaining, but he
reyolted at the idea of falling into the
hands of the enemy, and his heart yearned
for the ministratiOns OF his devoted and
loving wife, and the little endearments OF
his infant boy. BY slow stages, in com
pany with his brother and Aid-do-camp
Lieut.. Robert Walker Anderson, who was
wounded i'll the same battle. and who was
, afterwards killed in the Wilderness, on the
9Th of May, 1864, land noble type of the
Christian gentleman he wasJ, he was car
ried i'll wagon up the Valley, to Staunton,
and thence by rail to Raleigh, which place
he reached about the Doth of the MONTH
At the residence of his brother, William
E. Anderson, Esq, he was the recipient Of
every kindness that Il sympathizing com
munity could bcstow and Of the best sur