The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-01-29
WHO SHOT CCK ROBIN
Editor Anderson htligcncer.: 50

xItSNOp -dsbCJ oOH Lf@
The INrEr11eEcER of January Sth
contained an srtic that had previously
appeared in the Columbia Register as
communication, headed, "Who took
sherman's Batty 2" over the signature
of "Truth," wH says that one little in
cident he wisbs to cali up and thereby
do Justice to fallen hero, and goes on
to say that dampton's Legion bore a
conspicuouspart in the battle referred
to, and tht it gas alleged took sher-
mans Battery, and that Col. Yeaden, Of
Charlesta, made glowing speech in
the legislature, complimenting the Le-
gion, sleging that the guns were cap
tured in hand-to-hand contest, the
gunnrs bayoneted and hewn down fight
ing yer their guns.
sTruth" being anxious to have cor
ret account Of the capture, interviewed
lieutenant B. of the Company said to
lave made the capture, and was terribly
let doun at his response, which was that
as they were going across the field they
came to some guns that had been aban-
doned some time, and that some of the
men got astride the guns. This state
ment Was also confirmed by another Off
Ger of the same Company. Lieut.. B.
must have been with the party who left
for the Notifications at the firing of the
first 7olley, and saw the men on the guns
inside the breastworks.
'Truth then asks who did capture
, Sherman's, or more properly Ricketts,
Battery, and answers that Col. Fisher of
the 9th N. G. Regiment did, for the fol-
lowing reasons: Ex-Gov. Moorhead, of
North Carolina, interviewed Capt. Rick
EFT, who said: sI see the capture of Sher-
: mans Battery is claimed by the Hamp-
ton Legion, of South Carolina. There
was no such Battery on the field; but my
Battery, I suppose, is meant, as I COM
manded a part of the old Sherman Bat
terry, and it was captured by my old
classmate, Col. Fisher, of N. Carolina.
/ was firing away as fast as could when
I suddenly saw body of infantry at
double quick approaching. They had
been sheltered by some bushes, and got
on me SO quick 1 had not time to turn
my guns" Note what Captain Rickett
says: Sheltered by some bushes" when
there was not a bush in half q mile, it
being in the centre of an open field.
Capt. Rickett said he recognized Colonel
Fisher, who was gallantly leading his
men, and he (Fisher) fell in twenty feet
of his guns, and he (Rickett) fell mo-
ment or two after.
Very strange all this. Capt. Rickett
was found wounded some two hundred
yards from his Battery by a young man
named Walker, q private in Company D,
Hampton Legion, and he (Walker) de-
manded Of Capt. Rickett his sword, pis-
tolls and watch, all of which he surren-
dered, but begged the return Of the
watch, as it was present, and one he
priced very highly. The young man had
compassion on him and returned the
watch, but the sword and pistols he re-
tained. He presented the sword to the
End Lieutenant of his Company, W. q.
Mauldin, who wore it until the surrender
of the Southern army. The pistols he
sold to some of the men.
@Truth" must be descendant of some
member of the 9Th North Carolina Reg
iment, and wants to run for Governor or
the u. S. Senate, and thinks a little
war glory would help him through, but
it isn't worth cent. Why has all this
glory of 9Th N. G. been allowed to rust
SO long? In General Beauregard's re-
port of the battle he gave the honor to
the Hampton Legion, but said they were
supported by North Carolina Regiment.
They may have had the support, but if
SO it was good distance of, as none of
the men came to the Battery.
Now, Mr.. Editor, allow me to make q
few statements of facts in regard to the
part the Hampton Legion took in the
capture of the Sherman or Rickett Bat
terry. Early in the afternoon Of that day,
21st July, Col. Hampton attacked the
Battery with the Legion, and after being
engaged for some time he ordered a re-
treat. The Legion fell back about three
hundred yards in ravine and rested for
short time. He then led them back to
the same ground and attacked them
again, and ordered the men to shoot the
horses, which they did. Col. Hampton
then placed himself in front of the COM
mand snd ordered a charge, and as the
men were about moving Col. Hampton
was wounded in the face and had to leave.
He got on his horse and rode of. Lieut.
Col. johnson having fallen early in the
day, the command passed to Capt. james
Conner, (now Gen. Conner). When the
men saw Col. Hampton leave the field
they wayered for few moments, but as
soon as Capt. Conner's voice was heard
all was order again. About that time a
column of men was seen in our front,
marching toward us. At distance
of half mile we saw them halt, face to
the left and fire volley and then moved
forward again, and just at this time Capt.
Conner placed himself in front of the
Legion and ordered charge, and they
took the Battery in question.
Lieut.. B. was correct about there being
no Yankees at the guns, for when the