The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-03-25
BEHIND THE TRENCHES.


BEHIND THE TRENCHES.
On the next morning, July 9, 1868, the
troops were ordered to move and occupy
the intrenchments on the west of the city
(Jack.on These intrenchments extended
across the western suburbs of Jackson and
resting on or extending to the Pearl River
north and south. 1t was about nine o'clock
in the morning when we reached the in
trenchments. Evanss Brigade Immediately
occupied the part assigned it in tue follow
ing order as well as I remember: the
26th resting its right on the road leading
from jackson to Vicksburg; the 18th, 18th,
22nd, and Holcombie Legion occupying the
intrenchments in the order named; the 23rd
occupying the intrenchments on the left Of
the brigade, its left resting or nearly reach
ing the road leading from jackson to Gin
ton, and being joined on its left by Arkan-
sas and Kentucky troops. The 23rd had a
good posi-. on. In our front was q strip of
Wools about three hundred yards from US.
Between this woods and the line of the 23rd
(about half way) was gully extending
across and some little distance beyond our
front, about four or five feet deep and
twelve or fifteen feet wide. The artillery
time, and, with the other artillery on the
line, was in position. The cavalry was left
to come in last At this road leading from
Jackson to Vicksburg vas battery of heavy
artillery, consisting, as well as remember,
of two guns. About II o'clock we began to
hear the crack of small arms, and after II
short length of time we saw the cavalry
slowly falling back and firing at the Feder-
ais. The cavalry now moved towards us
and passed the infantry and took a position
some distance in the rear, they having per-
formed the duty assigned to them. The
Federals halted at the place we first saw the
cavalry after they had been firing while.
The Federals could not be seen at first and
for some little time on account Of the dust.
They certainly kicked up big dust about
this time. The Confederates kept them
selves quite close in the intrenchments anx-
iously waiting for the Federals to push for
ward, but the Federals were not quite so
anxious to push forward. They concluded
to wait while and see how matters stood.
TIE FIGHT BEGINS.
They knew very we'll they were out of reach
of those floating cities of refuge yankee
gunboats), and had better be cautious. After
getting one of their batteries in position
they opened fire very rapidly upon the
works where this battery of heavy guns
was. The Federals had only light artillery,
and there was not much danger of their
dismounting these guns. The Federals had
not fred but few shots when our boys re-
piled, opening with these heavy guns The
Shot and shell from these guns went crash
ing through this piece Of woods in front of
the 231d. The Federals on reaching the
point they were then at located a battery to
their right of this road, Just q short dis
tance in the woods. It took but few shots
from our guns to silence this battery. This
I guess was between one and two o'clock.
Matters now became quiet. Lines of skir-
mishers on both sides were thrown out and
began to contend with each other The
Confederates would advance and drive back
the Federal skirmishers, then the Federals
would advance and drive back the Confed-
crate skirmishers. This see-saw kind of
business was kept up all day, and don't
think there were many casualties on the
part of the Confederates. When dark ar
rived everything became quiet and the
Confederates made themselves easy the best
they could in the intrenchments. Advanced
picket posts were established in front and
along the intrenchments at proper dis.
tances. About daylight the skirmishing
began again, and at times became very spir-
tied. About II o'clock on the Confederate
right and the Federal left, the Federals
moved forward to force and capture this
part of the Confederate works. The Con-
federates we're prepared and anxious for the
Federals to make the attempt to carry their
i 1c ha viz
with the expectation of having an
easy time in capturing. or routing
this part of the line. which they knew
in doing so would about end the matter
with the Confederates, for the Confederate
right being broken and captured it would
have placed the Confederates (or the rest of
them) at great disadvantage. The Confed-
crates, however, were aware OF all this, and
acted accordingly. The Confederates let
the Federals get quite close before they
opened on them, wishing to do business at
the start. The Federals came to the scratch
bravely, and at a certain point the Confed-
crates opened on them a withering fire Of
musketry, the batteries Of the Confederates
opening at the same time with grape and
canister shot, and for a half or three quar-
ters Of an hour tie battle ragged The Fed
erals forced the fight for all it was worth.
but they were repuised with heavy loss and
soon gave up the attempt and what of them
was left broke and fed back to their lines,
or to the part they occupied before this
charge. Confederate lead and valor had
proved too much for the we'll laid plans of
the great Sherman. The skirmishing was
now resumed along the whole line again.
sKIRMIsHING AROUND a HOUSE.
About three hundred yards right obliquely
from the position of the 23rd, and I think
directly in front of the position of the 2Gth,
was large building not very far from the
road leading from jackson to Vicksburg and
its front facing this road. 1t was very anus
ing to watch the troops and their move