The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1883-03-01

4
not mean to disparage Gracie's Brigade
0ut l do not know what became of IL
POSSIBLY it became so mixed with the
olher Two brigades as to lose its distinct.
I've organization, in the manner described
oy Capt Davis in the sketch before re.
ierred to. Gen. MCGOWAN made
A LAST STAND
when about in front of the point where
our works crossed the White Oak Road
ana at the distance of about four hun
drcd yards from it. He was readily sec.
ohaed by the men, and the following
reminiscence shows how cheerful they
were:
was wearing course soft wool hat
10 badly shaped and loose tha. the wind
frequently blew it clear away from me,
Iihaiiy to make sure Of it, | passed INV
handkerchief-a white linen one, or as
white as soldier in our army could keep
anything-over my head aud tied it un.
Ger my chin, as an old woman does when
she has toothache ora
MISERY IN HER FACE"
The hat had been ugly enough by itself
IL IL had cost me forty dollars but. with
the handkerchief tied over it the specta.
Gle must have been rather absurd. AS I
rode along the line, reminding our men
that we were not accustomed 10 running
before Yankees, and urging them to
stand fast, | noticed first smile then a
giggle, aud finally regular "haw haw ="
and then wherever passed vas told
that | looked very funny am not
sure but some poor Jokes were actually
gotten up about me. This was one time
III my life when rejoiced to be made
sport Of What galantry that was which
amused itself with jests amid the tumult
and slaughter Of battle!
Gen. McGowan now directed me 10
ride to Lieut. Gen. II. II. Anderson, who.
as he was to be found about where we
left the works, to procure some artillery
to protect our right flank. left the line
quite. steady in its place, awaiting the
attack, and rode at gallop to the works
on our left, making slight detour west
ward so as to avoid, in some measure, the
balls that were flying pretty fast between
our brigade and the breastworks As
passed down the road, about hundred
yards from the works, tho enemy ad-
vanced rapidly upon Huuton's Brigade,
firing
TERRIFIC VoLLEYs OF MUsKETRY,
a large portion Of the balls passing above
my head, and not few of them sapping
the growth about me with much noise
and scattering of bark. But passed
safely and found Gen. Anderson lust at
the opening in the works. ! reported
my errand to him but he said it was too
late, the enemy were already forcing their
way between the brigade ard the breast
works. and this would compel an aban-
donment of our position out there before
artillery could reach US. "And by the
way" he added, 81 expected to see you
shot as you rode in. Do not 20 back
now: Stay with me till your brigade
reaches the works. and then show them
into their places on the right of u.s."
told him that the fire was not as dan
gerous as it sounded, because the enemy
fred very high, and must go back to
the General.
"Then," said he, "you must not ride
by the road, but through the woods on
the right of it. should not be willing
to see you run that risk again. But" he
repeated, There is no need for you to &c
out at all. Your people will be in very
soon, and then I trust the enemy will
come Up and let uG have chance at
them" Then he smiled as if he had
quite treat in prospect
relate this conversation not to create
the belief that l was very reckless
young soldier who ,oould risk mis- life
contrary TO his superior's ipjunctions, but
to show the exceeding kindness Of heart
of that most gallant and accomplished
officer towards a soldier till that moment
utterly unknown to him. In truth, there
was no great risk in going back, and !
went, but making detour through tho
woods.
AS / passed along found
GEN. LEE RALLYING
the men of Huntou's Brigade, who gave
back to where he sat upon his horse. He
did not seem excited, but it looked TO me
that he exposed himself quite uuneces:
sarily. This was the first sight of him !
had that day, but it has since appeared
that he, in general way, supervised the
| whole movement that day.
But it was useless. We all were foic ced
back into the works. And thus the bat
tie ended, for the enemy did not give
Gen. Anderson his Chance" The ene-
my's loss was in the aggregate l ,407 men.
Our brigade lost in killed and wounded
! about 100 men. The other two brigades
lost more heavily, should say, but our
whole loss could scarcely have exceeded
ooO, lnCiuulDR prisoners.
The night fell within an hour or so
after our return to the works. A strong
picket was thrown out in front, and we
| rested without molestation.
SOME OF THE LOSSES.
Col. G. w. McCreary. the very brave
; and capable Colonel Of the First Regi-
ment, vas mortally wounded about the
| time our backward movement began, and
| died soon after he was brought into the
works. Capt. d. p. Goggans, of the
same regiment, thorough and efficient
officer, lost his leg. Capt. F. M. Trim
mier, of the Thirteenth-another vaiua-
BILE officer-was severely wounded. We
suffered further loss in the mortal wound
ing of Lieut.. J. g. Bowers, of the Thir-
teenth, fine soldier; in the wounding
of my excellent friend, the gallant Lieut.
Col. Edward Croft, of the Fourteenth !;
in the wounding Of Lieut.. J. r. Courte-
nay, Of the Fourteenth, and in the
wounding of Lieut.. George, of Orr's
Rifles, (the former mortality both good
and usefal men TO us.
Gen. Lee, on the following morning
congratulated Gen. MCGOWAN warmly on
the conduct Of his brigade this day,
characterizing it as very gallant.
During this night had an interview
of quite different character, in some Of
its features, from the usual army routine
While Gen. McGessc snd h:s Ass;s.:n:
Adjutant.G General were sleeping before
our biyouac fre-the General in that