The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-08-19

whom have the pleasure Of now ad-
dressing.
l am, yours most sincerely,
&. II. BEAUREGARD.
Col. T.. W. NIcAIastcr.
LETTER FROM CAPT. COrr.
CnEKAw, S. c., August 2, 1870.
TO Col. u. ". Mc1Iostcr:
DEAR CoL0NEL.-Iours of the 23d,
inviting nc to be present ut tho Re-
union meeting of the 18th Regiment,
5. G. ", on The 18Th of August, has
been received. l regret exceedingly
that am compelled to deny myself the
pleasure of meeting with those whose
heroic conduct upon the battle field,
upon one occasion at least, witnessed.
l alludc to the battle Of the "Cratcr,"
III front Of Petersburg, on the 3Oth
July, 1861. ! am glad of this opportu-
nifty of tcstilying 20 the gallant bella
ViOr of the men of Elliotl's Brigade on
that day, inasmuch as Capt. McCabc,
in his account of the dclcnccc Of
Peters burg, published in the Southern
Historical Society papers, does not
give it due credit for tho part it bore in
that action.
1t was my fortune to command
the artillery in front upon that part Of
the line where the attack was made.
1t was one of my batteries pcgram's)
that was blown up, and being present
from the beginning to the close of the
fight, [ had every opportunity for OBJ
serving the movements and behavior
Of the troops engaged.
The thin Confederate line, no matter
how bravcly dcfcnded, would have
opposed al Intellectual barrier to the
immense bodies Of troops concentrate
cd for the attack had The enemy
pressed forward after the explosion
with vigor and determination.
The enemy evidently expected that
our troops would be dcmoralizcd by
the explosion Of the mine, and they
would meet with slight resistance; but
the undauntcd courage with which
they were met, in hand-to-hand cn-
gagcmcnt, by the men of Elliotts
Brigade: and the CALLING fire of mus
kerry and artillery to which they wee
subjected, threw them into such mex
tr1cablc confusion as TO render them
totally unmGnagcablc. All Efforts Of
their officers to form them or force
them to advance under the fire were
totally unavailing. During The long
hours from daylight until the arrival
of Alahone;s Division, the only infant
ry cngas"d in opposing the advance Of
the enemy to Cemetery Hill and the
Plank road. at least to the left OF the
Crater, rs iNr rs l saw, were the men
of your brigade.
TO thiu brigade, more than to all
others, with thc artillery supporting it,
SS,L ri i,
and perhaps the Conicdcracy, Oh that
day.
We're it proper to do so here, I
might also demr at the slight praise
bestowed by Capt. McCabc upon the
artillery under my command. l am
willing 70 abide by The decision of
those rho acc,'e present, and had the
best reasons for knowing what artill-
cry did most effective service.
The enemy were certainly in no
mean position to know.
The battery referred 70 by Gen. Pot
tci; iii his testimony before the Court
of Enquiry, as being behind some
timber: and to which he directed all
his batteries to turn their whole aitcn-
ton, was WrighG's Battery of Halifax
Va. This battery occupied COM
manding position 20 the left (our lctt)
orthc ravine, and bore directly upon
The salient al close range. 1t was I'M
der my command, and / was present
lii IL during the cntive engagement. .
Rcg'ctiing my inability 20 accept
your kind Invitation, and wishing you
happy meeting with your old conf
rntles in arms,
Ircmain Colonel,
Yours most respectfully,
JAS. G.. Corr.
Letters were also read from Judge,
formerly Col. Hudson, Of the Tive lty-
SiVfh Noinp Unpu onI ntlor rro,fln