Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1895-08-28

was a veteran oi both hsth" Florida
and Mexican Wars and must have
been nearly seventy years of age.
When he would beat the different
calls it Was the habit of the boys
TO worry him with questions as 10
what the several calls meant. One
of the Graniteville boys would
poke his head out of his tent and
shout: "What is that for Uncle
Charley?" The question would be
repeated by other companies.
When Uncle Charley beat the "long
roll" on the 18th of July no ques-
tions were asked. Uncle Charley
would roll his drum awhile and
look sideways at the boys and still
no questions were asked. Then he
would roll his drum again and at
last cried out: "Why don't you
ask what's that for Uncle Char
ley? No, you are all too damned
scared" Uncle Charley had mis-
revenge and was never afterwards
so much annoyed with frivolous
questions.
Part of our force came near be-
ing cut off at Germantown a kind
of suburb of Fairfax but Gen.
Bonham managed with skill; tic
evacuation of Fairfax was accom-
plished without loss of any kind.
The day was hot aud dry. Dust
rose in clouds and the march was
very trying on the soldiers of the
18th who bore it with spirit. I es-
capped this hardship for the papers
belonging to headquarters were
packed up, placed in hack with
light springs and I was ordered TO
stay with the papers and hold 10
them or destroy them before allow:
ing the enemy to get hold of them.
So, with this responsibility / rode
away in an easy hack in advance
Of the troops and having the right
of way before any amy train be-
cause the papers were of the high
est Importance.
After leaving Fairfax about
three miles we came upon Vir-
ginia regiment of infantry COM
manded by Col. Phillip st. George
Cooke. Their tents had been
struck, their baggage sent on and
they were awaiting orders. Just
as we drove up there was consider
able commotion among them for
one of their number had shot him
self through the hand. Matters
were getting Loo ser r:ous for him
and be shot himself before he
gave the Yankees Il chance to do
so. His comrades were very ill
dignant. This reminds ne Of
similar incident that occurred III
Orr's Rifles in 1864. \ long, gaw-
ky youth came ont from fickens
10 Co. c Of that regiment. lie said
all he wanted was ~ chance to
show Co. G. how TO charge iho
Yankees ~ The chance came at
Riddles Shop June 18th 1864.
The boy did well nntil the IaIrk"e
fire got pretty hot when he left Go.
C, fed TO the rear, wrapped a
blanket around his foot, placed the
muzzin of his gun upon his toes,
pulled the trigger. made cripple
of himself and gave Co. c. no more
lessons of how to make a charge.
He used the blanket to keep the
powder marks from showing.
But to return, after this digres-
sion, to the march from Fairfax. 1t
is sufficient to say that the troops
retired deliberately although near
ly enveloped by the enemy at Cen
terville from which place they
moved out quietly after 70 o'clock
midnight and when mere of the
18th "in russell mantle clad walk
ed DER the dew of the Eastern
hills" were in position ing Bull
Run, facing north and .ady to
try conclusions with Mcdowell,
Gen. Scott AMI ali corners. AS
John Esten Cooke, says: "Toward
daylight dull, muiiled sound
came borne upon the wind from
the direction of Centerville. 1t
was Bonham's column falling back.
Then some shots resounded,-th
cavalry rear guard were skirmish-
ing with the advance of the enemy.
"Then, as day approached, dus-
ky gray masses appeared beyond
the stream; the rumble of artillery
made the woods murmur; half an
hour afterwards Bonham was with
in the lines"
AS broad day davned, a sudden
roar come from the hill beyond
the stream-Kemper's battery,
which had just saluted the ad-
vancing enemy, came baci; at a
gallop-the signal gun of the firstt
Manassas had been fired"
The first Yankee she'll fired at
this point shattered a cedar tree a
fragment which is now kept as a
treasure by Doc Bowie.
Defensive works were already
constructed on that line for it had
all the time been Gen. Beauregard's
intention to make his stand at
that point. Gen. Bonham held the
center at Mitchel's Ford with his
forces. The7th S. c. V. was in