The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-10-01
A Terrible Ordeal.

But there was one part of the Conted.
crate line which did not share in the
tumult and fierce resistance which was
everywhere else apparent. This was the
portion held by the division held by
Maj. Gen. Cleburne, or, as all the South
ern people know him, "Pat Cleburne." !"
It has been said of Cleburne that he was
the only man in the Confederate army
who could absolutely control his men
and make them hold their fire until he
was ready for it to be delivered. On the
day of this battle, when the Federal
advance began, it is stated that he said
to his troops that he would shoot any
man who would dare fire gun until he
gave the word.
This was the explanation of the omi-
nous silence all along the portion of the
breastworks held by his force. Probably
the effect of this can best be shown by
repeating the words of Federal Colonel
who was captured in this battle, and who
described it the next day:
Said he:
ut was the most severe ordeal which
my nervous system has ever undergone.
When we began the advance We natu
rally expected that the artillery would
open upon lis soon as we got within
range; aud that, having swept forward
until we were in reach of the fire of
mus ketry, that would begin to open upon
US also.
II bad been through SO much of this
that had ceased to fear it, and always
relied on the excitement of the occasion
carrying me forward; but here we ran
for some 200 yards or more, and there
was not a cannon shot Another hun
dred yards and still no explosion or
bombshell or anything of the kind /! l
now began to feel little strange. An
other 100 yards, and still no sign of life,
and my nervousness began to give place
to desire to halt. Another 100 yards
and we were certainly. within range of
musketry; but still there was not one
+ sign Of life in the entrenchments in
front of us nothing to give cause for
apprehension, apparently, except the
waving of the Confederate flag above
the works, as a light wind blew.
"Now, over me began to come mortal
feeling of dread; feeling which 1 never
before felt, and which I can scarcely de-
scribe. I would have turned and fled
but for the fear of disgrace, which was
stronger even than the horror of death.
But knew what was coming, and de-
termined by my example to inspire my
men to brave it, no matter how terrible
it was.
sat length we were within scarcely
more than twenty yards of the entrench-
ments, when from all along the line pro-
truded forth, beneath the head logs,
scores and hundreds of muskets. I could
see them as I gave quick glance do wn
thewhole front, and those Immediately
before me, particularly, seemed slightly
waving from side to side. There was no
mistaking it. knew that every holder
IF musket WAS picking out his man.
"This continued for but few mo-
ments, when above all other sounds, dis.
tintt and clear, / heard the command
given, "Now, men, 6re?"
"Inatantly, from along the entire line,
there seemed, like a lightning flash, to
burst forth sheet of fame and smoke.
/ was struck, and fell senseless for an in
stant, but when l recovered myself and
turned to took there seemed to be scarce
ly seven men in my entire regiment on
their feet.
"Then the fury of the combat arose
above either sight or sound. The whole
forest and mountain seemed to be on fire.
There was no army in the world that
could have stood before it"
AS an evidence of the correctness ol
this description, it may be stated, that
after the battle the Confederates picked
up in front of Cleburne's line 1902 dead
and wounded Federals.