The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1882-08-17
JOB PRINTING

amongst US which We would have re-
garded sufficient to justify a retire
ment before them, but our veteran
soldiers knew as we'll as any general
10 the army that the onward sweep
of the line upon our flank would at
least give them the most murderous
enflade fire conceivable down our
ranks, and indeed in our rear, even If
they did not pursue their course far
enough to cut us off from the rest os
the army. l say now, as said then,
that, it would have been nothing
short of suicidal maduess for our men
to stay there. 1t was plain that there
we're DO troops at hand to drive back
these liaes on the aank, and that they
could in the space of minute or two
almost utterly destroy us. Under such
fire no troops could be maneuyred Z
into a change of front to meet them, 3,
and, if such change could have been
effected, We should then have those
Who now fronted us pouring their
volleys into our left flank and rear.
We had met q somewhat similar
danking party at Fredericksburg, and
successfully, but there vas not at the
time line opposed to our front to I.
whom We had to turn our flank ia
changing front. If we had fronted
but part of the brigade in the new
direction, ne should then have been
under a cross fire of the most fatal
character.
FALLING BACK TO THE GUNS.
So the men gradually moved back,
sayiug-and I heard this from a good
many in the ranks-that we would re-
establish our line on the pieces Of
artillery, (Poague's Battery or part
of Poague's Battalion) which stood
about two hundred yards in our rear,
on the only open ground up there and
beginning at about thirty or forty
Z y
yards from the plapkroad.
The men did not run. I do not
remember seeing one moving at even
the double-quick. I know I did not
double-quick or run step, and yet
kept pace with my company. They
did. not march in order, of course
this was no drill-ground-but they
went coolly and steadily. And if a.
man went ten yards to the rear of the
artillery did nc. see him. The Rifles
on the left marched to Is in line of
| battle, cheering as they came, and 4.
am inclined to think that this cheer
ing lad the effect Of persuadiag the
enemy that reiuforcemeDts were COM
ing in, and therefore of causing both
the line in front and that on the right
flank to pause and hesitate, and pey-;
baps to stop and await
from our side. The ne ~
to the artillery: given this
distance i9 psSistory of the brigade
as tEo~1ndred yards; and the ac-
count there vas written within ten
months of the battle, when my recol-
lection was so clear aud positive that
was ready to make oath to the
statement. I now question whether
the distance was quite so great; 7 am
sure that it was not greater, and [
think that I have about as accurate an
eye for distances ou.laDd as any man
of my acquaintance. Of course, it is
possible that I am mistaken-tbat I
am mistaken to the extent of as much
as fifty or sixty yards, but the man
who conVinces me of such mistake
must bring me more accurate meas
uremeut than that of his eye.
HILL AND LEE.
The line was speedily reformed.
Everybody seemed anxious to be
ready to meet any Of the enemy who
would come to US. Gen. L. P. Hill
rode up to us. He vas man of dar-
ing gallautry, and not patient.with
ruuaways, yet be saw no occasion to
reprove US. I stood in thirty feet of
him. He only bade Us align our
selves as rapidly and accurately as
possible. Gen. Lee galloped up from
the rear. He did scold us, but he
knew nothing of the circumstsgoes
which had compelled our retirement,
and I afterwards heard that be ez-
pressed regret for having chidden US
as be did.
KERsHAW's BRIGADE.
From the time we abandoned our
former line there was only scatter
ing fire from the enemy on the left Of /,
the plankroad. There was more firing
on the right of the road-the general
firing through the woods which Fed
ersl soldiers so often INDUCED 10 aftsr
L1..S .noa oc-o-oJ --l.Ll.. xS.-E