The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1881-04-16
CONCLUDED.

Next. at the battle of Eutaw Springs.
September Sth, 1871, we find Lees Lee
gion doing its heroic work. LOSING says.
The British army under Stuart was
drawn up in line extending from Eutaw
Creek, north Of the Congaree or Charles
ton road. near Mr.. Sinkler's mansion.
across that highway. and the road lead
ing to R"che's plantation, an eighth of
mile southwark. The Irish Bluffs Third
Regiment) formed the right, Lieutenant
Colonel Cruger's Loyalists the center.
and the Sixty-third and Sixty-fourth
veteran regiments the left. Near the
creek was flank battalion Of grenadiers
and infantry under Major Maioribanks.
These were partially covered and con-
cealed by a thicket on the banks of the
stream. To the cavalry of Captain
Coffin and a detachment Of infantry held
support of the left. The artillery was
distributed along the front Of the line.
About s o'clock. when the Americans
were within four miles of Eutaw, Lee
fell in with Captain Coffin. who was act
ing as an escort for Il foraSng party of
about 400 men. Ignorant of the prox-
unity of the main body of Green's army,
Coffin attacked Armstrong, who led Lees
advance. Armstrong fell back; Lee and
Henderson received the assault with
spirit. \ severe shirmish ensued, when
Lees cavalry, under Major Eggleston,
gained Coffin flank and attacked him in
the rear. The firing drew out the for
aging party into the road. when the
whole fled precipitately, pressed by Lees
dragons. Many of Collins infantry
were killed and the Captain and forty
men were made prisoners. Some of the
cavalry were also slain and many of the
foragins party were captured. This little
success inspirited the Americans, and
they pushed forward with vigor. Within
mile of the British camp they encoun-
tered another detachment of the enemy
whom Stuart had sent out to aid Coffin
and the foragers. 1t was surprise for
both. While the enemy fell back a little
Green quickly prepared for battle. and
pressing forward the active command
with spirit in the road and fields. The
enemy's cannon swept the road with
destructive fire, until Colonel Ohio ii.
Williams, of the Maryland line, brought
up the artillery of Gaines in full gallop
In the meanwhile Lees Legion, infantry,
were warmly engaged with the veteran
Sixty-third regiment of the enemy, when
the Sixty fourth advanced with part of
the center and fell furiously upon Nal
meadry and his corps, and they soon
yielded to the pressure, and the enemy's
left pushed forward. Now the corps
under Henderson sustained not only the
fire of the British right, but also of the
flank battalion under Majoribanks. At
this moment one of the British field
pieces was disabled, and both of Gaines
three Founders were dismantled, yet even
then the militia, unsupported by the ar
tillery, fought with all the skill and
bravery of veterans. They faced the
storm of grape shot and bullets until
they had fired seventeen rounds, when
the Sixty fourth and center, who had
borne down Malreadry, pressed so power
fully upon inferior numbers that the
militia gave way, while Lee and Hender-
son continued fighting manfully upon the
wings Of the retiring patriots. Green
nov ordered up the second line, under
General Sumner, to fill the space occupied
by the militia. At the same time the
British reserved infantry were brought
into action. and these fresh troops fought
each other desperately. Colonel IIender-
son received wound that disabled him.
and temporary confusion cnsued. But
older was soon restored by Wade Hamp-
ton. Polk and Middleton. Summers
brigade, which was chiefly of recruits
from the militia. gave way before the fire
of superior numbers and reiterated in
much confusion. The British pressed SO
eagerly that their ranks became disorder
ed The vigilant eyes of Green per-
ceived this. and he instantly issued the
ordered, Let Williams advance and
sweep the field with bayonents.' Like a
full winged storm, pregnant with de
struction. the Maryandcrs and Virgin
ians advanced, led by Colonels Williams
and Campbell. When within forty yards
of the British these Contipentals deliver
ed their fire, and the whole second line
of the Americans rushed forward with
trailed arms and loud shouts to bayo-
net charge. The confusion of the Brit
ish was increased by this blow, and as
the smoke rolled away and exposed their
broken lines. Major John Rudolph, of
Lees Legion, wheeled upon its flank and
swept down many with an enfilading
fire. In the meanwhile corps of Mary
landers, under Colonel John Eager How
ard, were close contending with the Irish
! Bluffs, so closely that some of the COM
batants were mutually transfixed with
bayonets. The Marylanders, under Ohio
! II. Williams, with the Nirginians, now
pressed upon the British right and cen
ter so furiously that the line gave way
and they rctreated in confusion. Loud
arose the shout of victory from the
Americans. but there was. at the same
time, occasion for voice of wall. In
tho shock which scattered the British