The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1876-06-29
From the Abbeville Medium.
"reminiscences of the WAY.
oRR's RIFLES AT JERICHO FORD.

VIM bNirlbEo al ObNlCllO tOND.
McGowau's Brigade, of the Army
of Northern Virginia, on the 23d of
May, 1864, acted as the rear guard of
A. P. Hills Corps, which had crossed
the North Anna River the evening
before, near Hanover junction. We
lay on the roadside in magnificent
forest, as the artillery and baggage
trains passed, till the afternoon, when
Orr's Rifles were ordered down to
the river to do picket duty at Jericho
Ford. The regiment was about two
hundred strong, under the command
OF Maj. William M. Hadden. We
marched down shady country road
until We arrived at an old gate, near
where the enemy were reported to be
and halted as we came to Gen. w.
I'll. F. Lee, of the Virginia Cavalry,
who awaited us there. Here we saw
how useless tho cavalry wcre. Gen.
Lee said: "Go right ahead, Major,
you will find about fifty disnounted
Yankee cavalry down there. A rush
is the thing, you know, Major."-
Turning to us he said: "Now is
your time to get horses and pistols.'
An old citizen with repeating rifle
who was present, said the same
thing as to the number of Yankees
The regiment was thrown in line of
battle and advanced, Maj. Hadden
saying, "Forward-doublo quick"
"Give them shout boys" We
rushed through the woods and struck
Il solid and extended line of infantry
took ono prisoner and retired un-
der a raking fire from the front and
both tlanks. We reformed with the
balance of the brige and the three
other brigades of the division charged
through wheat field, across a rail
road cut, up hill and into a strip OF
woods, but could not move the enemy
who opened uton us with sixteen
pieces of artillery. Instead of the
"fitty dismountcd oa7all;a:ry" we
found Burnside's corps and half of
Warrens corps well intronched. We
got no pistols and no horses, and saw
nothing more of w. Ii. f. Lee and the
old citizen, who left us with the bag
to hold. Capt. James S. Cothran, of
this place, bears the mark of this
skirmish OH his check, and, we ven-
ture to say, would not take the word
Of Gen. w. Ii. L. Lee on any such
question again. David Clcland, an
excellent man from the upper part Of
this county, was killed. The brigade
lost two hundred and eleven men.
COL. TAYLOR AT GRAvELLY RUN.
On the 31st day of March, 1865,
NcGowan's Brigade was sent down
the lines from Petersburg to inter~
ccpt body Of Federal troops which
was moving out upon the right flank
of Lees army. The brigade was
thrown out on White Oak road, in
company with Gracie's Brigade from
Alabama, at right angles to the line
of breastworks, and both bligades
put in command OF Gen. McGowan
We lay quietly in skirt of woods for
some hours until the Yankees ad-
vanced upon lis. simultaneously we
moved forward with lound cheers,
and charged upon them with great
impetuosity. A braver fight was
never made. We drove them with
out hating, through the timber and
out over two hills and one branch. -
As many as five distinct lines were
in a perfect race at one time, but still
fighting as best they could. At this
point Col. Walter II. Taylor, of Gen
Lees staff, a fine looking young man
distinguished for his superb gallantry
rode up to Color Scargant Dunlap, as
gallant soldier as ever fought, of