The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1892-03-10

my company being GA" I was placed
in charge of the skirmish lines in ad-
vance of my brigade (Lane's) on an ele-
vated position which was north and
south, and about midway from base to
summit ran stone fence. Behind tbs
fence had my men posted. We 10y
there and viewed your army filing in
from the different roads at either side Of
US, and the forming of your lines and the
unslinging of knapsacks or such eucum'
brances as you possessed. After your
troops had been disposed in column then
your skirmishers formed, but unlike the
mode ne used. It seemed understood
that each company furnished the skir'
miah line. To see how proudly those
brave fellows moved a few PAGES to the
front! It did not seem it took them long
er to form the whole battle array than it
takes me to pen it. It seemed more like
an army prepared for grand review
than for battle. But We had met those
brave boys of Browns, Cleburne, French,
Gist, Gordon, and others whom have
forgotten. We knew they formed to fight
as they had fought before. Each man on
our skirmish line viewed each other
silently. Their meaning could be con-
strued. They knew they had to fight de-.
terminedly or they we're gone. But at
last all was ready and with bound for.
ward and that familiar yell known to US
all, told us the fight was on. You gave
us time to empty our guns, but no time
to study the topography of our line of re-
treat-not even time to shake hands-no,
not even time to tell our friends you
were coming, for we we're driven headlong
through Lane and Coward's brigades,
who were placed some FIVE or six hun
dreG yards in advance of the defences,
and it seemed they had very little time
to talk with you either, for on looking
around it was hard to tell whose troops
were going to get the lead. The chase
| was 30 close that there was little or no
attempt to stop at the first line. So
mingled we're we that the 44th Missouri
Volunteers (Unionist) gave us broad
side, and nearly one-half of them found
refuge ct the river bank. But we stuck
| to the second line, and here in this grand
great charge our colors went off. As
Headley puts it: "By heavens, it was a
godly sight for thoss who had no broth
ers there"
hope I may see the day that I can
take those brave boys who opposed US
there by the hand, for I considered them
brave to fault "Hero" does not define
their position clear enough. I will say
there is no precedent for the bravery
shown there; it was beyond supremacy.
No! no braver men ever faced each other
on field of carnsge. How they could
return to the conflict 80 often and as
often defeated, and knowing all or nearly
all their officers were dead or wounded, is
mystery to met is not usual.
think auch men should be memorized
forever, for they died OF the canuoo and
musket's mouth, with the bayonet, the
clubbed musket, and no stray bullets can
claim them as victim. In talking over
war times I never forget to mention
Franklin. Stone River with Wednesday
horrors does not compete with it. Chic.
amauga with its terrible consequences
did not equal it, and I say right here
there is nothing I know of does equal it.
Why, I remember after the battle of
Nashville on returning over the part of
the field we had fought there was some
thing attracted my attention which
seemed horrifyiug. Over single grave
was placed a plain board with the in.
scription, "a captain and twenty two of
his company lie here" aud I think the
company belonged to the Oath S. G. Vols.
1 am not quite positive but think that
was the regiment. Taking that into con.
sideration the fire must have been deadly,
for it is sure thing companies must
have been greatly decimated in former
campaigns in Georgia and other places.
Now, Colonel, if I should be lucky enough
to get those colors I will promise to pre-
serve them and have the date of their
capture aud by whom returned inscribed
in gold and placed in the Post room OF
our G.. A. R. Post here which has several
members of the 9th belonging. Besides
the regiment was raised in the four ad-
Joining counties to this (For heavens
sake if it is possible send ther: to me-.
have enough already Of one kind to
remember the late war for-the loss of
my father and three brothers and twice
wounded myself. I should like to bal
ance that by something better as me.
mento. My father was killed in Co. B,
18th O. Vols, at Stone river, and one
brother at Vicksburg, Co. z, 45th III.
Vols. another ct Cumberland Gap, KY,
22nd o. L. Art, and another at Mission
ary Ridge, Co. B, 18th O. Vols. At the
same place was wounded myself and
again at Kennesaw Mountain, Ga, 9th
June.
1 presume you will have applicants
from all parts Of the country, but I think
it should come here, and should be for.
tunate enough to get them, will ever
appreci,.. q your kindness and always re-
member you for so returning long lcst
trophy. Hoping to hear from you soou,
remain your obedient servant,
P. R. SINEs,
Late sergt. Co. A, 9th 0. V. l., 2nd
Brig, 2nd Div, 4th A.C.
STATE OF OHIO, CITY OF TOLEDO,
LUCAS COUNTY,
Al -