Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-08-13
tCHAPiER III

-.- SA-A<-AA
Scarcely two hundred yards, in an easterly direc-
ton from the, tank by which the engines, on the
railroad were supplied with water, xasIln cd road
running from the northeast to the Southwest, and
crossing the railroad few hundred yards south Of
the Junction Intersecting this road mt an acute
angle, it led down, through hilly aud broken
country, to crossing over Swift Creel, by which
the city of Petersburg was approached Into this
earth road the enemy were about 10 deb,uch, along
the road which led from their landing place on the
river, which entered it at nearly right insels. A
long this road Colonel Giles formed his line Of bat
tie, and stood awaiting the approach Of the enemy.
The road bed had, by long travel, been worn down
into the soil, and it was skirted on eith@ side bys
thin straggling growth, such as will spring up
along old fence tracks, which ahsys been long neg
lected. As the battalion fled into hne along the
road, they found themselves in 3 depression Of q
bout two or three feet and the protection which the
sunken read afforded them, was stiIl further IN
creased by struggling growth Of small oaks that
grew on the line of the rail fence, bel,ind which
they were drawn up. Before them waa an inegu-
lar clearing extending from three to five hundred
yards, through which, in attacking their position,
the enemy must advance without shelter or pro-
lection, save such as was afforded by a few strag-
ling old field pines, that dotted the clearing here
and there. Towards the left, yet very nearly IN
front, was a. low bottom with dispersed. and
scanty growth Of spreading pines running up to the
foot of high and heavily wooded hilk, sweeping
away semi-circularly to the right, ths erests OF
which afforded admirable positions fom which
the enemy s batteries might open upon them with
terrible effect. The whole line Of hills Vas skrted
below, witha dense growth of 'old-6ed pines, iron,
the dense shelter of which they looked soon to see
the cleaning bayonets Of the enemy emerge aa
they advanced to the charge across the open teld.
~ For several minutes, in silence and suypense, the
battalion awaited their coming, and the thoughts
of many young soldier were busy amid the scenes
of home, which rose up before him with peculiar
distinctyeness and vvidness, in that hour whenhfe
and hope lay trembling in the balance. -
Oh | how doubly dear to one about to imperil
his life, on the distant battlefield is the retired
and humble home far away, where 80 rnany sweet
recollectious of childhood and boyhood tlusterl
may be an humble and unadorned spot to which
his memory travels back, but in that fatetui hour
every tree that shelters his ehildhood's home,
every elinging vine and Towering shrub that re-
spends to the gentle warmth and irlvigorafane
showers of Spring-the stream where he SWAIN,
and each remembered spot where be loved to stray
with his boyhood's friends-rise up before him IN
vested with charms they never possessed before.
Perhaps, too, while he stands in the sHried hne,
each moment expecting the low murnlur around
him to be swallowed up in the din antl clamor %
battle, and whilst his eager eyes are scanning the
eopse in front, from which he looks 10 see the hos
tile line emerge like dun, angry cb,ud, some
soft sweet face seems to steal before his yision-the
loving face of sister, full Of the sweetest and hoI
est affection that man may ever know; ol, perhaps,
that Of one whose eye awakens tumult Of stronger
emotions in his breast All the tender and endear,
ing sympathies that give charm to life and bind
him to existence, crowd in upon him and be feels
as he never before felt-the utter insgni6cance Of
all those trials and discomforts which, III ordinary
times swell up into such magnitude, and ne real
ICES that with all its pains and perplekities and
notifications, life is still full Of blessednass and en-
jeyment. ,r
The battalion-this thin, extended line Of siz
hundred devoted men-had not long held its posi-.
ton, when, across the open field, the columns Of
the enemy appeared in front, emerging from the
shadow of the woods and forming rapidly IN order
of battle. Two regiments were plainly discovered,
thrown out right and left, under cover OF the
woods, where casual opening permitted them to
be seen. Here, however, they disappeared, and
their movements were hidden from sight; but
shade of anxiety settled upon the face Of the
brave Colonel Giles, as he detected the mauoeuvre
and contemplated the probability Of being attacked
simultaneously on both fanks and in front, by the
Overwhelming masses of the enemy. As quick q
thought he rode up to the line, and detaching two
companies, gave orders that they should be thrown
out on the fanks and deployed as skirrnishers, to
meet the threatened attack Of the enemy. This
movement had scarcely been carried out, when the
whole field in front was darkened by the masses Of
the enemy, advancing at quick step, to the at
tack. At the same time glimpse was caught Of
battery Of the enemy, moving to take up then
position on wooded eminence, somewhat to the
left of the Confederate lne and scarce half mile
distant. A glimpse was caught, now and then, as
their road wound over tie hills, of here q caissot
or gun, around which, clustered the enemy's artil
lerymeu, rendered the more conspicuous by THEN
red cings, moving steadily and rapidly on, to open
their fire upon the devoted line, that had not gun
to hurl back its angry and defiant answer. Sud.
denly, lone and solitary soldier appeared, in front
Of the left extremity of the line, pausiug for mo
ment irresolute, and undecided, and standing as il
he had just emerged from the ground.
Instantly cry rang along the lines from those
who had discovered his approach, but hestated to
fire until orders should be given.
II will give him my blessing any way!' ex'
claimed Giles, leaving the sunken road and resting
his musket upon the fence, for greater accuracy in
his aim. Here, goes boys I will open the ball
music; or no musicl"
Giles rested his elbow upon the fence, and taking
deliberate aim, fired.
The soldier slowly turned his face in the direc
ton from whence the shot had come and began
deliberately retreating, keeping his face still to his
foes. A half score of men, without waiting orders
from their officers, eaped forward to the fence, and
hurriedly levehng their muskets, opened upon the
retreating enemy who had now nearly gained the
cover of the woods. As the last gun was fired, he
gallanty touched his cap and, giving military So
Lutte, turned and entered the wood.
By this time, the line of the enemy had ap
preached within three hundred yards of our small
band of Confederates when Colonel Giles, who
had continued to ride leisurely and eooy along biz
line, ordered his men to take their position along