The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-06-02
The Battle of Harrisburg.

EpfroR CGARIoN: Seeing Col. Jones
sketch of the battle of Harrisburg,
refresbes nay memory of that most ter
rible charge made by Coi. Mabry's Brig
ade, and especially Of the 3Sth Missis.
sippi Regiment. As / was a member Of
Company II. (Capt. VIM. Estelle), with
yonr indulgence | will briefly state what
the movements Of our regiment and
brigade we're that day Of battle. Col.
Jones SAYS truly that the brigade had
accused Gen. Lee of an indiscretion, or
blunder, that was unpardonable until
his late publication exonerating himself
from al blame for the great sacrifice oil
so many valuable lives at that particu-
lar battle.
Gen. A. j. smith, the Federal Gen
eral, had, on the night Of July IL, 1854,
thrown up formidable breastworks Tor
the purpose Of repelling our attack,
which he had every reason to believe
would be made on the morning OF the
18th, fer he had been retreating and
lighting Forest and Lee by detail Tor
two days previous to the l4th. When he
saw he must show his whole strength, he
collected all his forces, which ! have
been told amounted to $4,000 infantry,
strong force Of cavalry, and enough
artillery to support his regiments, while
/ the Confederate forces amounted to
only seven small brigades of cavalry,
aud a few batteries Of inferior artillery.
However. II seems that Gen. Forest
was not fully posted as to the enemy )
| strength, nor that the enemy was any
better posted as to the Confederate
strength. Let that be as it may, on the
night of the 18th we we're ordered to rest
on our arms When at daylight of the
morning OF the l4th, the bugler sound
ed boots and spurs" we we're all ready
aud moved to the rear about one mile
where we dismounted and we're ordered
to leave our horses, aud form an infant
rv line of battle, which We did in double
quick time. | will state just here that
the 3Sth Mississippi Regiment had been
an infantry regiment until six months
previous to this battle, when u
was ordered to be mounted. We march
ed up within half mile OF the Fed
eral works, where we were ordered TO re
plenish ammunition, then load and csI
guns. The enemy's skirmishers wer'
advancing toward our lines at that time
which we could plainly see in the opeI
field. The Federal works were on tn
north side of the field, and the Con
federates on the south side. WheT
we stopped to load guns prepara
tory to the desperate charge, Genera
Lee rode up in front of. our regiment
r drew his field glass and scanned the fiel'
in front for some time, and then, by al
! order from General Forest, or emanatin
2 from himself, ! know not, Col. Ms
p brv ordered an advance by singl
c line with flags hoisled. We passe
= more than half over the open PlaiS
T completely running over some o. To
enemv's skirmishers, but havln
: been ordered not to fire a gun
; there was no firing then on either sid
y except by retreating skirmishefs. Whe
e We reached the summit Of small hi
= within two hundred yards OF the teder'
y works the order was given in a loud ton
:, to charge, and the familiar rebel yell wa
a sounded. In less time than it takes
8 tell it, the ground was strewn with dea
d and wounded men. The enemy had, b
j order, reserved their fire until We wei
y within killing distance, when the who
e line turned l0ose-infantry, cavalry an
y artillerv-all at once, and at the SAN
Ie timc-the grandest roaring OF hre arms
Ie ever heard except, possibly, atNicksbur
/ where the roaring of heavy guns did NJ
4 do half the damage.
afew minutes our broken regimen
IN was huddled in small skirt of wood
le where ! saw Col Jones shot down. L
T. Was then a captain of company al
a; Mai. Mckay was commanding the res
y ment, and more gallant man new
ln drew sword. He was killed instant
that day while asking Col. Mabry he
he he liked the splendid charge OF the s.
- Regiment. While the 3Sth was makiI
ho a desperate effort to gain possession
sd the works, and at that time. in 4
l's Yards Of them. was shot down Al
g knew no more Of the operation OF I
ur battlefield for that day.
mt must say I am grathed that Ge
no Lee made the statement he did -th
he has been vindicated, and no blai
mt attached to his grand name, as grs
nd many Of as were mere striplings,
d, boys, his soldier boys, OF that batt
that are now in the meridian, or deeli
Of life. Nay every survivor Of our
regiment know that Gen. ;. y. Lee
not 70 blame for the fearful loss Of
on that day at Harrisburg;
Terry, Miss, April "a, 1856.