Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-06-04
A Critical Moment at Antietam.

In Gen. Longstreet's account 1.-The
Invasion of Maryland" in the June Cen
fury, this anecdote appears: Thus the
battle ebbed and flowed with terrific
slaughter on both sides.
The Federals fought with wonderful
bravery and the COntederates chung to
their ground with heroic courage as hour
alter hour they were mOwn down like
grass. The fresh troops of Mcclellan
literally Tore into shreds the ALREADY rag
ged army of Lee, but the ConiederGtes
never gave back.
II remember at one time they were
surging up against Us with fearful num-
6ers. was occupying the left over by
Hood, whose ammunition gave out. lie
retired to get fresh supply. soon alter,
the Federals moved up against US in great
masses.
I'VE were under the crest of mill &C.
cupyIng position that ought to have
been held by from four to SIX brigades.
The only troops there were Cookies regi-
ment Of North Carolina infantry without
cartridge. AS l rode along the line
with my staff saw two pieces of the
Washington artillery (Mller's battery ),
but there were not enough men to man
them. The gunners had been either killed
or wounded. This was a fearful situa-
ton for the Confederate centre. l put my
L
horses. 1t was easy to see that ii the
Federals broke through our line there, the
Confederate army would be cut in two
and probably destroyed, for we were al
ready badly whipped and were only hold
ing our ground by sheer force of despera-
ton. Cooke sent me word that his am
munition was out. l replied that he must
hold his position as long as he had man
left. He responded that he would show
n 10 a-fr -.
alive TO hold them up. We loaded up our
little guns with canister and sent a rattle
OF hail into the Federals as they came up
over the crest of the hill.
''Ghere was more business to the square
lnch-in that little battery than in any |
ever saw, and it shot harder and faster
and with sort of human energy as it
seemed to realize that it was to hold the
thousands of Federals al BAY or the battle
was lost. So warm was the reception We
gave them that they lodged back behind
the crest of the hill. We sought to make
them believe we had many batteries be-
fore them instead OF only two little guns.
AS the Federals would come up they
would see the cOlOrs of the North Caro-
lima regiment waving placidly and then
would receive a shower or canister. We
made it lively while il lasted In the
meantime Gen. Chiffon, Gen. Lees chief
OF stan, maze MS way 10 me ana asked,
Where are the troops you are holding
your line withY j pointed to my two
pieces and to Cookies regiment and re-
piled, There they are; but that regiment
hasn't cartridge.'
"ChiltOn's eyes popped as though they
would come out Of his head, he struck
spurs to his horse and away he went to
Gen. Lee. | suppose he made some re-
markable report, although | did not see
Gen. Lee again until night. After little
a shot came across the Federal front,
plowlng the ground in a parallel line.
Another and another, each nearer and
nearer their line. This was from a bat
terry on d. II. HIPS line.
This entilade fire, so distressing to
soldiers, soon beat back the attacking
column"