The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-28

I very interesting TeduluS- no dCNOuuLa
( given of the battle about coincide with my
! own recollection OF it.
my remembrance OF the affair is that
our brigade was advancing In line OF battle,
and the woods being on fire caused our regi-
ment the Twelfth Virglnia) to swerve TO
/ the right, thereby becoming somewhat sepa-
rated from the rest of the brigade, and we
seemed to come into contact with the left
flank Of the enemy, who were holding the
plank road, and thought at the time that
We were sent there especially to dislodge
| them.
Il distinctly remember the Sorrel-May
incident and also recall the fact that, as we
crossed the plank road in pursuit of the
federals, looked down the road-toward
Orange c. II. | menn-and saw the fresh
troops coming up with Gen. Longstreet at
their head. Sorrel having gone to them TO
let them know that the road was clear.
I'VE advanced beyond the plank road to
a ravine and then fell back to the road and
about this time the firing by our troops,
from whom we had become separated, be-
gan, and looking in that direction | recog-
nized Maj Etheridge of the Forty-tirst
Virginia regiment, that regiment having
been on our immediate left III the beginning
of the movement, and l Immediately hast
ened over to him and informed him that
they were firing into their friends and the
order to cease firing was immediately
=
street was wounded and Jenkins killed as
set forth In the other accounts.
"Gen. Anderson at once assumed the COM
mand OF longstreet's forces. but the wound
ing of the latter general put stop to the
forward movement that was being so sue
cessfuIIy prosecuted. Your friend
HUGH Il. SMITH"
10 reply to letter written to Comrade
Putnam Stith, now in Florida, l received
from him communication sent me from
Fort Meade, Fla, under date Of Feb. o,
1892, in which he says:
II was present at the Wilderness fight
and remenl Der that orders to charge were
brought by Gen. (then Lieut.. COLI Sorrel,
of Longstreet's staff. l remember that our
part of the line was ordered TO move for
ward by Sorrel in person. L think he at
tempted 20 take our colors out of the hands
of Ben May to carry them himself, but he
did not know the stuff that Ben was made
of, one who can carry colors where any
other man could. OF course Ben refused
to give up his colors aud carried them as
calamity as we we're led by Sorrel. The
bearing Of Sorrel was such as TO attraoU my
attention, and l think the attention of
every man in the brigade. More conspicu-
GUS gallantry on the field never saw.
II claim that we made brigsdier of him
that day. His conduct ON that field GER
tainly entitled him to the distinction soon
"In making that charge we got far in adj
vance of the balance of our command. A
halt was ordered. Soon aftsrward we were
fired into by our own men, who, coming up,
mistook us for the enemy. l think that
was the time when Longstreet was shot.
Hugh Smith saved US serious damage by
waving his handkerchief on the point Of
his sword. l have always thought that,
had it not been that Longstreet was shot
then by his own men, we would have put
the federels across the river that night and
changed the whole Of Grants flank move-
ment which terminated in the seige of
Petersburg.
81 don't remember that we ssw Sorrel
| after that day until the evening we marched
| into Petersburg from across James river
On the march to Petersburg we met people
going out of town. Some Of them knew
that the federsls were at the water works
others knew that they were even in town
| and by that time had full possession. By
these accounts we were worked up to high
pitch of excitement. We finally crossed
| Pocahontas bridge and marched through
town. greeting our friends on every side
| /, and reckon most of the command, fully
| expected TO charge the federals on the
nights. In going Up Sycamore street, when
we reached Marshall, we saw Sorrel riding
up Marshall and close to US. He was recog
nized at once. l believe every man took off
his hat simultaneously and oheered, calling
| out: Lead US, Sorrel Lead us as you did
in the Wildernessr He removed his hat
and bowed very low, remarking that moth
| ing would please him more than to lead
those men in another charge, but that no
| fighting was to be done that evening, as
| we were only going out short distance to
| form line and rest.
~ have met the general since the war and
talked with him about this incident, which
he remembered perfectly; and ii am not
very much mistaken, he remarked that it
was proud day for him.
Now, john, am not a good hand at
either writing or talking, but, If have sue
ceeded in giving you any pleasure by this
simple narrative, am amply repaid for
the time and labor it has COST me-"
A letter to William c.. Smith of Nash
vile, Tenn. of Company B, Twelfth Vir-
ginia regiment, requesting his recollection
of the engagement, brought me a reply I'M
der date of Feb. 26, 1892, from which take
the Following extracts
Il cennot recall much of the route along
| which We passed except that we moved in
northeasterlY direction. somewhat; nor
can recall the place at which we bivou-
acked N the night of the 4th. On the
| night Of the 5th , however, we bivouacked
| near a place called Vidiersville. IL the
meantime reports reached US that fighting
was going on in that part of Orange county
ALOVu DC VIC w AloGEucSS, huA AIOul Tue
early start taken on the morning of the 9th
and the rapidity Of the march, it became
evidtnt that the Wilderness was our destis
| nation.
after reaching the plank road, which
was about q O'Clock a. M, we were hurried
along to the scene of action. By 10 o'clock
or little after, on the 9th we we're on the
ground, but we had no sooner arrived than
we fled to the right from the plank road,
moving quite rapidly in a direction appar-
entity at right angles to it, and after going
| some distance, about a third Of mile sup
| pose we formed line of battle very quickly,
and At once commenced q forward move
mem on the enemy. We had not proceeded
very for, however in line OF battle. when
Col Sorrel latter ward hrigadier general,
Gen Longstreet's assistant adjutant gem
erasi appeared on the scene, and placing
htniselI ia the front of the right wing Of the
Twelfth Virginia regiment, with his hat In
ole hand, and Rrasping the reins OF his
| hDrse with the other, he exclaimed: Fol-
ew me, VirRiniansl Let me lead your
| 1.-THE gallantry of this officer on that 90
easion is as vivid to me now as If it had
been but yesterday. do not remember to
have seen during the whole period OF the
( war Il finer exhibition of proves than
witnessed that day in Col. Sorrel IN the bat
tie of the Wilderness. During the charge
VI Mahone's brigade on the 9th, and just
u