The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-10-22

parties that night and, with negro guides, cap
ture the pickets, and in this way get a large
force on the main land with but little trouble
and danger. Every point from willown to
White Point was guarded that night. Each re-
lief was instructed to FIRE on any party coming
from suspicious direction. The Same orders
were given to the guard at picket headquarters.
Joe Leech was on duty when au officer came
from different direction than that from
which he was expected. Joe hailed him with
halt who comes there + 'Oficer of the day,
with the countersgn,' was the reply. Officer
of the day, the HI you say. Maybe it's
officer Of the night 7 Joe replied. He snid he
had missed the roa1. Joe told him 10 advance
and give the couutersign. He came forward
and said Fort Sumter BY this time the whole
relief had their guns. Joe asked him who he
was. 1t was Capt. -. Joe told him he did
not know him and he must 60 to headquarters.
He sent detail to take this nocturnal visitor
to Lieutenant Melton, who sent him TO Regi-
mental headquarters where he was identified.
As the boat moved down the river that even
ing, Smelling ad Gbitun, the military genius Of
Gen Evans aud Col Stevens was at work. When
it reached LeCare's mill four pieces oflight ar
tillery were in readiness to salute it. The night
was nearly itch dark, as the boat come gliding
along with its jolly crew who were, perhaps, ex-
ulting over their work, and the annoyance they
had given the rebels that day. They were
singing and picking banjo, and everything was
in high glee. When the vessel got opposite our
guns, standing on the bank under some large
shade trees, the order TO fire. was given. All at
once the guns opened on the merry crew. The
fist volley was harmless, the balls passing over
the boat, or striking the iron turrett, glanced
off. The range was too short for effective work.
Before the guns could be reloaded the vessel
was well past, and the nature of the ground
occupied by our artillery was such rs TO project
the gun boat. Our infantry were not inactive
Every port hole and other objects were targets
for their rifles. AS soon as the crew recovered
from their surprise they put their guns to work
throwing shells, grape shot and canister, at their
unexpected foemen. BillVaughn was on picket
post at Sand Bluff at the time. He was in
about half mile Of our batteries when they
opened on the boat. Az they passed the post
he was on--one where we had kept picket all
the time they Med the air with grape shot,
but fortunately they hurt no one. From whore
We were We could see the flashes from the eau
non, rs the sky Redeemed one moment, the next
one We could hear the report The small arms
in the meantime kept up the music. The officer
commanding the battery wss severely critioissd
for not firing on the boat sooner. He knew his
business too well and the character Of the work
to Le done, and soon the oensure died out Men
are too often self-constituted judges Of things
they know nothing about. This was no less the
case then than now. The most ignorant private
we had could criticisc the official acts of tho
best officers. Then, as now, those who knew
the most afterwards were tho biggest fools be-
forehand. shall show few instances of this
kind, should live to finish this work.
That morning-lst June, 'G2,-Jas. A. Don.
old and VIM. Good Fowler were on post at Pine.
berry, when the boat came up and began shell
ing the battery. 1t was the duty Of pickets TO
report thing, being done, instead Of trying to
prevent it, particularly this kind of work. As
the boat approached they fell back to the bat
terry. Their horses were htched some distance
from the post. The relief had taken to their
heels and left them to take cnre of themselves.
and their horses to do the same. They had to
travel some distance on a rice bank before they
got out Of sight of the boat. When the boat would
fire Bill Good would fall and wait for the shell
to pass, and then up and run again until he
would hear another shot, when he would fall
again, and SO on until they got out ofrsach. As
they assed the battery they wanted to 20 in
and share the fate Of the inmates, but the ofh.
Ger in command told them to 'g>t further.'- =
When they got there Squire Donald's horse had
wound himself up in limb and the halter rein.
so that it was necessary to cut the latter to get
him loose. The boat was throwing shell at them
all the lime.
forgot 10 tell about Wess McKown Jim Me-
Culloch aud myself going to Edisto ferry as cou-
riers, where we killed TWO large coons, which 1
had brought to camp and had cleaned and
cookcd-old Stephen Farr Superintended this
part of the work. asked Capt McKissick if he
didn't want 70 try piece Of coon. He said mo,
| don't want to eat that old poor coon, but If il
was big fat 'possum might try aud worry
down small piece, provided my stomach would
take it, During our stay ut Edisto Ferry as
couriers, we gathered sage at Legars's place aud
made ten in frying pan. When we got back
TO camp, Jim McCulloch told Capt. McKissick
we had found q new dish. What is il Jiin?'
the Capt said, Fried tea said, Jim 'How is it
nader In frying PAN" USus.
ABBEvILLE FARMERS ExcITED.-Ab.
beviile, Oct. 13.-Tbe farmers on the