The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-12-02
other preparations as we have seen to
give us a very warm reception.


ished from before US, we soon found
out that we were not done with them,
for they had fallen back but a short
distance, had rallied and were await
ing our approach. We were ordered
again, our faithful and gallant officers
of every rank cheering US on at every
step and directing all our movements.
Here we again met the enemy in thick
pine woods, and steadily advancing
from tree to tree, we poured into them
an incessant fire, they rapidly falling
back, and likewise firing from the
cover Of the trees during their retreat.
This was not inaptly characterized by
some of our men as a regular Indian
battle" in its style. While We were
thus engaged on our part Of the line
other regiments of the brigade were
doing equally hard and effective fight
ing on our right. Our whole brigade
had thus moved so rapidly and so far
into the enemy's lines that about this
time one of our own batteries mistak-
ing our fire for that Of the enemy COM
menced shelling US, but were quickly
apprised Of their error before any
damage was done.
We wish here to narrate another in
cident: A very gallant officer of our
regiment went into battle with the
firm presentiment that he would be
killed tnat day. While the battle
was raging sure enough he was struck
by ball and fell. As he fell he said
to himself, "Just as I expected, shot
through and through Believing
himself mortally wounded, he lay for
some time afraid to move. Finally he
concluded to examine his wound and
very carefully unbuttoning his coat,
then his vest and then his shirt, he
discovered to his intense relief that he
was not wounded, but had been struck
by spent ball, making a severe
bruise, from which he did not recover
until some time afterwards. This was
about the story as he told it himself.
Gen. Anderson, whom the whole
brigade idolized, was near us all day,
and when we could not hear his COM
mands in the roar Of battle, he would
motion with his hands to forward.
And we were told that he said it was
the only command he gave that day.
It was also reported that during the
fight Gen. Longstreet sent courier
to him inquiring if he needed any
support or assistance, to which he re-
piled, "No, tell the general the boys
are driving them just ahead of them"
And 80 it seemed, for charge after
charge was made until four or FIVE
successive lines of the Federals were
broken, and they we're repulsed at
every point and driven from the field.
Night, now coming on, closed this
days bloody drama, and we slept on a
victorious field.
While the victory was ours, and by
no means a fruitless one, yet the cove
ted prize was not won. That intrepid
and brilliant soldier, Gen. Joseph E.
johnson, who was at that time in
command Of our army, knew that the
opportunity was a propitious one, and
wisely planned the attack. His pur-
pose was to kill and capture that por-
tion of the Federal army which had
crossed over to the south side Of the
Chickahominy, knowing that this
stream with its lowlands on either
side, was so flooded with the rains of
the previous night that the enemy
could not send over reinforcements.
But he, having been severely wound
ed, his plans were frustrated and we
failed to "bag our game.
[ will not attempt to give any sta
tistics as to the number of killed,
wounded and missing. The enemy
lost very heavily, and, suffice it to
say, that on our part many q brave
soldier and gallant officer gave up
their lives willing sacrifice on their
country's altar.
And thus tears for our fallen COM
rades were mingled with our shouts of
victory.