The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-09-19
A War AnecdOte.

The September number of Lippincotfs Mag
azi,se contains the following story, as told by
an eyewitness:
After much effort, Beauregard persuaded
Jefferson Davis to withdraw Jos. E. Johnston's
army from Winchester, and unite it with that
at Manassas. Beauregard's object was to at
tack Mcdowell, and this would undoubtedly
have been done had Johnston been permitted
to move earlier AS it was, the orders for the
attack were all made out and forwarded to the
division commanders on Saturday night, the
clerks in Adiutant General Jordan's office being
busy till long after midnight in copying these
orders. The attack, as is well known, was
frustrated by AIcDowell's unexpected flank
movement, which, but for the timely arrival
of Kirby Smiths brigade, would in all proba-
bility have resulted in the destruction OF the
Confederates.
To make assurances doubly sure, and to ena-
BILE him to put every available trained soldier
in the field, Beauregard induced MIR. DAVIS to
call out for brief service all The militia OF the
counties adjoining Manassas; The militia were
to remain in the entrenched camp Which the
regular troops had vacated when they marched
out to biyouac on the line of Bull Run.
On Saturday morning, the goth, few hours
after breakfast, militia Colonel called at
headquarters and expressed desire to see
General Beauregard. When told that the
General was extremely busy, he said that his
mission was one of the utmost Importance
that he must see the General, and would take
no denial.
An orderly was sent up stairs, and the Cen
eral soon made his appearance, clad, If re-
member rightly, in his old uniform as FEEDER
al captain. The militia Colonel lowered aloft
in cooked hat, feathers, epaulettes and spurs
Awed apparently by this majestic spectacle,
Beauregard awaited his wishes in silence.
"Gen rul ;" said the martial man, "I-ahem-
Ia" Here he turned very red in the face,
! and broke down completely.
Plying his confusion, Beauregard waited
calmly for him to recover himself, and then
said, "Well, sir?"
Making desperate effort. the son of Mars
blurted out, "Gen'rul, I-a-Pm the-a-Ker-
mel NV the = Virginny regiment, and has
come here to ask a favor of you. Sir, I-Gen-
'rul, rnean-Gen'rul, my men Yves called out
onbeknownst as it was, and onprepared, and
they has been away from home nigh week,
and is oneasy, materially oneasy in thar minds
about thar families. Now, Sir-Gen'rul, l
mean-Gen'rul, ef you would jest allow my
men to 60 home and git somethin' to eat and
some bed-clothes, and see thar families, and
as it was to a-ur-a-rest thar minds for a
| week, l think they'd feel better-not so oneasy
in thar minds, refreshed like and"
had often seen Beauregard abashed, for he
was modest almost to timidity, but had never
witnessed the least display of temper. This,
however, was more than flesh and blood could
bear. Pointing to the sun, then near the
meridian, he blazed out, "Do you see that sun,
sir?"
"Ye-ye-yes," said the militia Colonel,
shading his eyes with his hand "I-I-think
I do"
aWell, sir, could as soon bring down that
sun from heaven as grant your absurd and
monstrous request. Go back to your regiment,
prepare your men for battle and make ready
Yourself or I will court-martial you instantlyW
Beauregard turned on his heel and entered
the house, while the militia Colonel, with
dropping plumes, walked sadly back to his
| "oneasy"- minded men.