The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-07-03

killed at his side. In the battles around
Richmond he won new fame, making the
last and successful charge at Gaines's
Mill, and winning his promotion to the
rank of Major General. At Sharpsburg
he was wounded in the thigh, but re-
mained in command of his division until
he fell fainting from his horse. AT Chan
ccllorsville, with a line of battle no
stronger than picket line, he held the
Confederate centre while Jackson execu-
ted his famous flank movement. The
men of Anderson's Division were ten
PAGES, or more, apart. Only the thick
woods, concealing their weakness, deter
red the enemy from making crushing
attack. Gen. Lee sent him thrice the
order to press the enemy, being unaware
of his critical condition. At last he rode
in person to the spot where Gen. Ander
son was. Two attacks had been repell-
ed; the third was about to be made.
Jackson's guns opened at the critical mo-
ment and created a diversion. Seeing for
himself the position of affairs, Gen. Lee,
usually so reserved and self-contained,
clasped Gen. Anderson by the hand and
said :: "Ay noble old soldier, I thank you
from the bottom of my heart" After the
march through the burning woods to
Spotsylvania, and his successful repulse
of the enemy, Gen. Lee wrote him and
his command a warm letter of thanks.
So much of it as related to himself he
suppressed. The rest he published to
the corps. Three times he was person.
ally thanked by letter by Gen. Lee, and
To few of even those nearest to him was
it known that such letters had been writ
ten. Brave as a Paladin of old gentle
and modest as woman! At Cold Har-
Dor, Gen. Lee sent to ask how he was get
ting on. The answer was: "Giue my CON-
piiments TO Gen. Lee, and tell him that I
hare Just repulSed the enenay's thirteenth
charge" To the latest hour of the Army
OF Northern Virginia he was in the thick
of the contest. What shows the charac-
ter of the man better than his tense ad-
wise to superior officer, who saw the
enemy closing in upon them with over
whelming force, an army against two
divisions When asked what could be
done, his words were, flight, to be sure p
Worthy commander was he of Ander-
sons Division, which never turned its
back upon the enemy, save at Gettsy burg,
and there the men, disregarding the or
der to retire, were almost dragged to the
rear. Fighting Dick" Anderson! Equal
to any emergency; ready in every place;
fit for every responsibility; doing loyal
service wherever he was placed; free
from resentment when slighted, as Presi-
dent Davis chose to slight him, and Civ
ing to those whom he should have COM
manded cheerfulest aid and readiest obe-
diencel South Carolina had cause to be
proud of him, to love him, and to honor
him. Yet was he almost stranger
amongst his own people!
The planting in which he engaged, af-
ter the close of hostilities, was unprofta-
BILE. President Magrath, of the South
Carolina Railroad, rescued him from an
almost hopeless condition, by finding
employment for him in his own Office and,
afterwards, as agent at Camden. When
removed from this post, upon the road
passing into the hands of Receiver, he
was appointed by Governor Simpson
Special Phosphate Agent, which Office he
held at the time of his death. 1t is too
late to speak of what might have been,
and should have been. There will be
profound regret now that more was not
done, by the State, for one to whom so
heavy debt was due. For few positions,
in civil life, was he qualified. But he
was we'll read, and possessed of large in
formation. 1t was not in him to take
part in scramble for preferment, and
they who pushed themselves to the front
left no room for Lieut.. Gen. Anderson,
the ranking officer in the Confederate
service from South Carolina.
1t is past. The sweet, loving spirit is
at rest. Carolina's noble soldier sleeps
in the bosom of the Mother he loved so
devotedly. Those who knew him as he
was, and who live after him, have in his
life a model of Christian forbearance and
humility, and knightly courtesy and
truth. So tender and so true! God bless
the memory of "Fighting Dick" Ander-
son.