The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1874-03-11
Vol. x.

That night a sound sleep refresh
e1 the troops, and the next morn
ing when the whispered orders
came to rouse up the men and fall
into line, they sprang to their rifles
with strong arms and ready hearts
But few seemed to realize the mo-
mentous fate that hoyeIed over our
army; none were dismayed by the
contemplation OF the coming con
fict. 1t was a beautiful Sabbath
morning. The air was balny and
fresh, and the sun arose bright and
glo,ious-the most magnificent sun
rise everbeheld. remember point
ing it out to Col. Blythe. who was
sitting on his horse near by, and
saying to him: Col. Blythe, be-
hold the sun Of Austerliiz." The
gallant Colonels heart caught the
sentiment, and with q smile he an
swered: Yes, we will indeed
make it another Austerlitz.
Glorious hero, it was the last
sunrise that he was to ever behold,
for before that sun had attained it's
noon, his spirit had mounted on
the wings Of the battle, and passed
away forever. And all peacefully,
and all lovely as that sun arose, it
was to set upon day of carnage
and blood. But we lad but little
to indulge the sentimental heroic,
for already had the enemy's pickets
been developed, and the sharp ring
Of the rifles told that our skirmisl-
,ers were engaged.
Our forces that morning consist.
ed of Gen. Polk's, first army corps,
numbering 9,136; Gen. Gragss,
second army corps, numbering 49,
$50; Gen. HaIdees, third army
corps, numbering $3.50, and Gen.
Breckenlidge's reserve corps Of g.
1876, making total infantry force Of
1888, to which was added the cav
airy division Of Gen. Gardner, nun
bering 1882. making or total ef-
fective force 40,335.
Gen. Johnston's plan Of battle
Was admirably conceived. It con
sisted Of three lines. Gen. Har-
dee's corps, strengthened by Glad
dens brigade, Of Bragg,s corps,
constituted the first line, extending
from Owl Greek, on the left, TO Lick
Greek, on the right. This line fell
perpendicular to and across the Co.
,1nth road, and extended a distance
of three miles. The second line
was drawn out parallel with the
first, and five hundred yards to the
rear. It consisted of the remain
der Of Bragg's corps, and was to
conform its movements to those of.
the first. The third line consisted
Of Gen. Folks corps, parallel with
the second, and was to follow its
movements at the distance of FIVE
hundred yards. Gen. Brecken-
ridge massed his corps in the rear
of the center of the third line,
and was to move forward i'll
column, ready to be deployed when
and wherever his support would be
needed.
The woods in front of the
enemys position, and through
which we had to advance, alternated
with thick swamp briars and post
oak flats, covered with low, scrubby
black gum underwood, which made
it exceedingly difficult to penetrate.
Now and then a small patch of
cleared ground relieved the toll
some scramble through the tangled
brush wood.
A few moloents after the glorious
sun-bust that rose so grandly upon
us, we were ordered to move for
ward.
We had not proceeded far before
the roll Of musketry in front told
that tie work of death had began.
Then came the sharp ringing report
Of twelve pound parrot, and soon
another and another, each one greet
ed with a yell of defiance
Eagerly we pressed forwar 4
through the thicket, whose tangled
brush made it impossible to main,
tain a correct alignment. Ascend
ing little slope We encountered
Gen. Beauregard and Lis staff, The
General had q magniicentc coach and
for-a 1t Napoleon, driven out on
the hillside. Our color company.
called the yellow Jackets" com.
manded by Captain Dewberry-a
brave company and a gallant cap.
tain-encountered the Generals S
coach. and how to pass the obstruc
ton troubled the brave old Cap
tain, who was good at fighting, but
had 3 contempt for evolutions-fal
more than the task and the danger
of charging a battery would have
been. Broadside the coach ant
team, stretched across the yellow
Jackets" they marched squarel,
against it before they appeared t