The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-07-02

| the MaryIaDu attlllery, WIN mes
3 | sage to the commandant on the othe
side. He went across the bridge ur
der the fire of the enemy's guns I
! stop the firing of our own artillery
AMI watched his red cap with grea
deal of interest as he emerged from tn
bridge and assembled the hill TO tn
/ fort. My instructions We're for him l.
ask the privilege of directing the gun
against the enemy, and in defaul
thereof TO cease firing altogether.
In tho meanwhile the dismountc,
cavalry were getting into battle array
The lines were formed near the sta
ton, and they began to move in on
direction. Evidently il was the intrn
ton of the enemy to crush our smal
force at once with superior numbers
Column after column was massed ii
the meadow and then sent forward
The ground was being covered YER,
rapidly by the advancing hosts, ,nd
the dead silence which prevailed along
my line as they got nearer must have
deceived them. My orders were foI
evelN man TO keep on the ground be-
hind the breastworks, which wore
only two or three feet high, and when
the first line of The enemy had crossed
the ditch in our front, the command
| would be given 20 Firen AS al
ready stated this ditch was not more
than seventy-fivc yards in our front,
and when The men rose with the rebol
yell and pOul ed II volley into the ranks
of the enemy, there was great con-
sternation and hasty retreat.
The battle was joined in desperate
earnest, and when the Federals Ie-
covered from their surprise there wis
a rally of the scattered forces prepara-
tory to another charge. The troops
were massed even more closely than
before, and their movements seemed
quicker and more determined, but the
fatal ditch was an obstruction which
they never passed again. Ou men
reserved their fire once more, but they
were growing inpatient, and did not
wait to see whether the Fcderals woulu
attempt another crossing of the ditch
The second charge was repul=cd
with equal gallantry, showing deter
mined resistance on our side, but it
required longer time and heavier fir
ing to drive them back. Then follow
ed longer interval between the
charges, but for the third time the ef
fort was made by the serricl ranks of
the enemy to press forward to the goal
of their ambition. 30 far as they
could see there was no impression be-
ing made on our line, and they were
no nearer the capture Of the bridge
than when they first came in sight of
it. This thirt charge was resisted as
before, and with equal success.
The sun was goi,a behind the hills,
but as yet there was no sign that Gen.
w. III. f. Lee had reached the cnrmy's |
rear. His appearance on the scene
would mean elicf for our little band,
as we knew that with the coming of
night The Fedcra,s would have the adj
vantage, for they could easily make
approaches to our line by digging rifle |
pits, and by ,his means hem us in on
three sides. Daylight was important
for the solution of the problem, and |
when the Federas gathered for the
fourth charge there were misgivings as
to the result. On they came, however,
and they were met with CALLING fire |
of musketry wlich grew even more
furious as their lines came nearer. 1t
was during this charge that Lee and
his division struck the rear guard of
the Fcderals, and they were given an
opportunity of fighting in opposite di-
rections. Only one result could ensuc
from this state of things, which was
their has,y and immediate withdrawal
from our front, and preparation began
for a sudden retreat.
The road leading down the river
was in their possession, and it was
soon filled with q moving caravan of
wagons, ambulance and troops. Their
artillery on the hills was turned the
other way to prevent the advance OF
Lee, and under the cover of a rapid
fire from their guns the retl cat was
speedily entered upon. 1t was q time
of suspense and anxiety With us, for
we did not know with certainty that
Lees command was in reality on
hand, or whether it was only small
detackmcn. which had caused the en-
envy TO foisake our front. The sun
II ,d gone down, and the shadows were
thick with the smoke of battle. When
it grew dusk there was positive and
unequivocal relief, because one of our
videttes came with the welcome tidings
that the Fe,crals were gone and that
lee was occupying the glound around
the station. The long, long day was
ended, and the victory was ours
INCIDENTS OF THE FIGHT.
This account might be extended in
definitely with personal incidents and
"reminiscences. Only II few will be
given, however. Col. Henry T.. Cole
man, to whom the credit of the en-
gageTent is chiefly due, exhibited the
highest qualities OF a soldier. He was
self-reliant, admirably poised in man
ner, and quick to take advantage of
circumstances. was wounded rather
ea,ly in the fight, and WAS Carried UNI
der the bridge, protected by the abut-
ment. Col. Coleman ut once sugec est
ed that ho would take Immediate com.
mand OF my end of the line, while he
would pass the word along The trenches
that was in charge of tie left wing,
and this was done. He came and
stood in front of me, where | was ly-
ing on the ground, and was receiving
] such attention as the surgeon could
give me, when saw that he was in
curing great rIsk in remaining there
any longer, as the mimic balls were
whlstling by every moment, and he
| appeared uncOnciOus of the fact.