The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1882-07-06
uayIGAULT AT ATLANTA.
The bloody Fight ON July as, 'G4.

The bloody Fight on July as. ga.
1,;ne Walker, in Charleston Weekly Neies.
+, seemed the fate Of the Army of
nressee to do the "retreatiug" for the
Infsderacy. We, its old soldiers, per.
us with o strange disregard of the
lnion of the world, are not ashamed of
r. We do not suppose the soldier
ar fought who had not done some re-
Eating too.
TUE PHILOSOPHY OF RETREATING.
+ The writer boldly asserts that to "re.
lat" or even "to run away" is in itself
1 disgrace. 1t depends entirely upon
how. and why it is done. Even
onewall Jackson would have fallen
Sct I and at a comfortable speed too, if
brsued by one hundred Yankees, and
would have been right. But if the
hundred Yankees had "fallen back"
fore him, it would have been differ
n measure of courage. The men who
gmposed the Army of Tennessee, whose
ro,bers won Manassas and fought at
sort Sumter, were never ashamed of
Seir retreating, because it was always
one in obedience to orders. Whether
was wise that Albert Sidney Johnston
bould abandon Kentucky, or Bragg give
i the country he had wrested from the
nemy. or Johnston retire from the rich
eds Of Georgia, it was not done because
ssur soldiers were unwilling to face the
be They confronted the foe daily, and
Theu they we're led TO the attack these
Hraye fellows, with every influence to
siispirit them, responded with gallantry
Unsurpassed. They did have such oppor-
sunities occasionally, and it is o very
pleasant task to imperfectly, though fair
liz. recount one of those attacks, in
S;hich it was proved that months, years
i retreat had not spoiled the quality of
sbeir valor.
TIE ARMY AT ATLANTA.
4 The Army of Tennessee had compile
led the mastery retreat to Atlanta, and
retired within the intrenchments of the
eiy. On the retreat our brigade Mani
kault's)had built fourteen miles of breast
sSorks, and we're therefore very proficient
nth the spade. But still we did not
fhanker" after digging, and it was with
profound gratitude to Governor Brown
Chat we occupied the ready made breast
works composing the defences of Atlanta.
|Oh, that Governor Brown could have
lforeseen all the manmuvres Of the willy
Sherman and saved us the additional
miles we had to build before the siege
ended: Sherman had crossed the Chat
Itahoochee at point northwest Of Allan
|ta and approached our position from the
west. Hood, with splendid reputation
las fighter, had just taken command of
the army. We all felt that the days of
retreating had passed, that we had Sher-
mans army where we wanted it, and that
Hood would lead us to victory which
would utterly destroy the Federal Army
and end the war. Aud I don't think we
were unreasonable. Lee, Johnston,
Bragg might have accomplished this.
But neither was in command. So we
felt, however, then Mt least, and we
hailed with pleasure the rumor which
passed down the line on the morning of
the 22nd of July, that Hardee's corps
was off on a secret (?) expedItition to
the right. About noon the massing of
troops in our rear showed that we were
expected to take an active part in the
impending battle.
JULY %, 1864,
Manigault's Brigade, composed of the
Tenth and Nineteenth South Carolina
Regiments and the Twenty fourth, Twen-
eighth and Thirty fourth Alabama Reg.
iments and Waters (Ala.) Battery, oc.
cupled that part of the Confederate line
Immediately to the north of the Georgia
Railroad. Our right rested ON the rail.
road, and during the advance of the af-
ternoon its line guided our right flank.
Our division was expected to take part
in the battle, by attacking the enemy in
front, dislodging him, and when Hardee
nao come up on Sherman's left flank, to
JOIN Hardee. The combined forces were
then to complete the turning of the en-
esHly's flank, pressing him back and away
from his bridges. The success o. Hardee
was essential, therefore, to that of the
movement.
THE ENEMY OPENS.
About 9 p. IN. the enemy ran out
battery to their picket line and shelled
our line vigorously, but harmlessly, as
we were behind Gov. Browns splendid
9,reastworks. About 2.90 p. m. the or
der came to advance. The men sprang
over the breastworks and forming line in
'front.', moved steadily forward, Deas's
pr'gade on our right, Sharpe's support
.!g us. The Federal picket line and
picKet reserve was easily captured, but
1ne battery which had been shelling us
9 goI OF temporarily on lively run for
.aeir .a line. Readjusting our line, after
.ne advance of about half mile in q
cover, the brigade in splendid
olaer moved up to the attack on the Fed
eral line, encountering the fire of twelve
guns and strong infantry force, and be.
:ofe we reached it the battery which had
just escaped us went into battery, making
siAteen guns doing their best on us with
canister at short range.
A SUCCESSFUL ADVANCE.
The position was almost too strong
anu Inc line wavered and halted. Sharpe
sent forward to know if we wanted his
ns assip, out it was declined. Just outside
u Z lhe .enemy's line was O fine large
uSouSe, into the upper stories of which
ere &c ielt companies of the 10th and right
ol the 10Th South Carolina regiments
we're we're thrown, and a destructive raking
s4o,s a,o was got on the Federals. They
p1uOa pnUs manfully to the defence, and their
( sI1s Il sh were worked steadily, desperately.
nar mr ~ .hls time, and it was really not lon
.. ser than 1t takes to write this, our line
Tss Ts pouring in their FIRE at fifty yards.
. ans nS ., hre from the house began to tell
nnu ;nn sne tederals showed signs of waver-
,rs, ana began to leave their breastworks
tnno .au make Tor the rear. AT this oppor.
,In1 , ..a,I moment Forward" is ordered, and
: abss,,:t bsa,;aht advance Is made through the
noa;.! oa!tis and over the breastworks. The
p|va,tion |nra: was carried. OF the guns cap
s,eI I,osai those taken by the 10th South
@.oiina ~ Regiment were at once moved
~ 'on. uur SIDE Ct IT, - breastworks and finally
.ont lnto ATLANTA. The other rnns can.