The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1882-06-22


can't. L. G. McKissick, in Charleston Week,v
McKissick Rangers At that name
how the memories of the past cluster
around the present. Years of war. of
suffering, of defeat and its terrible con.
seouences fade from the memory and we
live in the past
It is the lOtl. II December, 1861. The
Rangers, bidding adieu to home and
loved ones, proceed to the tented field.
On the 18th of December they were
mustered into service, and assigned to
duty with the Holcombe Legion on the
coast of South Carolina.
THE ENEMY CONSTANTLY IN VIEW.
His armed vessels dot the Edisto and
Ponpon, from which attacks are dailv
expected. For six long, dreary months.
by night and day, we watch the euemy's
movements. How perilous our position /
a formidable enemy in view, an unseen
enemy at our feet, at our side, in the
water we drink, in the air we breathe
aud in the swamps and rice fields around
us. This unseen enemy-fearful dis
eases among them Country fever" pecu.
natives-we unflinchingly faced in that
season when the natives TO escape it leave
their homes. This dreaded enemy fear
fully attacked the Rangers; five of them
fell at their post, among them that noble
orphan boy, Camillus Little. How
calmly he met his fate, heroically offered
up his life upon his country's altar. But
Mrs. Kings beautiful flower garden in
which he was relieved" from earthly
duty only typifed the brighter fields that
awaited him beyond the river. Poor
Woolbright, Fowler and Blake, faithful
soldiers, early exchanged their arduous
duties for the repose of the grave. The
youthful Cory fingered awhile and then
Joined his fallen comrades in the spirit
land.
JEHOssEE AND EDIsTO
Islands witnessed our frat line of battle.
Gen. Evins, regardless Of the enemy's
vessels, under cover of darkness, crossed
the Ponpon and attacked the enemy.
How clearly and distinctly floats on the
midnight stiffness the familiar voice of
that Christian soldier ard patriot, Col. P.
F. Stevens, commanding ''On right into
line, quick, march p What magic in his
voice! Every patriots heart was thrilled
with emotions while he rushed towards
the enemy revealed only by the crack of
his rifles.
Never before were we so impressed
with the inspiration there is in a name.
Each captain that night was charged
with communicating to his company The
word by which to distinguish, in the
dark, a friend from foe, South Carolina
was the word. When we whispered it
to private John Faucet, a poor unedu-
Gated boy, it seemed to strike him forci.
bly,; he feebly responded, Captain, they
kill some of them frst.'' That youthful
soldier then gave promise Of that daring
courage and unfagging patriotism
evinced on subsequent fields, and by
which ne was enabled, although he could
not write his name, to "make his mark"
as soldier and patriot.
On the banks of the Ponpon another
hanger manifested that daring courage
which distinguished his conduct on fu-
turc occasions. The enemy coming Up
on the opposite bank opened his artillery
upon our .pickets. One Of them, private
thomas Steen, approached the waters
edge and gallantly returned the fire from
Ills columbiad-a double-barrel shotgun.
AT WILLIAMSBURG.
Last of July, 1862, sent to Virginia
and assigned to duty on the Peninsula.
a position involving heavy picketing
and scouting between the James and the
York, Pamunki and Mattaponi rivers,
and extending from Richmond to Will.
liamsburg. Our command at the time.
the only. Confederate troops between
williamsburg anG Richmond At Will
llamsburg the enemy had regiment of
cavalry, and at Yorktown q strong in
iantry and artillery force.
The 9Th of September the Holcombe
Legion Cavalry (then four companies)
Maj Belches' squadron of Virginia Cav
airy and Capt. Longs company of the
Phillips Legion, Georgia Cavalry, under
command of Col. w. p. Shingier, pro.
GSeded in the direction of williamsburg.
Inc days march over, the troops were
allowed to rest until midnight. at the
.lme mentioned every man was promptly
IN his saddle. At the dawn of day the
enemy's outer post was reached and cap.
tured. Daylight revealed the city of
Williamsburg. In splendid order our
troops charged into the city, but the
enemy after short street fight fled be-
lore US. Amid the smoke of battle what
scene burst upon our view!
THE LADIES
Of Williamsburg, old and young, aroused
5ny our approach, regardless of the whist
ing bullets, rushed into the doors, win
vows, piaZzas aud streets waving their
!h,andikerchiefs, weeping, shouting and
thanking God for sending lin their own
ianguage) "our friends to u.s." For four
long dreary months they had been i'm
prlsoned in their own city-for four long
months the despot's heel had pressed
them sorely, and then the presence of
their friends in grey driving before them
the invaders of their coil, rights and lib.
eeIrties, produced joy which nothing but
the prayers of the matrons and tears of
the maidens could express. Such greet
lngs from such noble, patriotic women
could but inspire deeds of noble daring.
THE ENEMY
havlng retreated, it was thought victory
mad been won. Delusive thought. The
enemy returning offered battle. Our
troops, already in column of fours, were
ordered to charge. Company A, at the
mead OF the command, wavered. It's
captain IT. V. Walsh) acting as major at
the time, observing the confusion and
the cause gallantly rushed to and took
position at the head of his company and,
waving his sabre over his head, induced
his men to advance. Our troops then
made bold, imposing charge, and the
enemy, doubtless believing we intended
mischief inglorionsly fed.
Reforming outside the city the enemy
cgain formed line of battle. Our troops
without alignment charged helter skelter
towards the enemy, who, not waiting to