The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-01-13
gradually broke up, each going to his


rash conclusion, and we fear that
the Army of Northern Virginia is TAX
ing a great risk in the face Of the
days battle, and the great numbers
opposed to us. The two armies faced
each other all the next day, (18th of
September the guns unlimbered, the
lines Of battle and skirmishers in
place, but everyone being careful not
to let a gun go off for fear, apparently,
the terrible slaughter and scenes Of
the day before might be renewed-one
army was afraid. the other 'daresn't.'
During the morning Of the 18th of
September courier from Gen. Lee s
headquarters came to my battalion of
artillery with a message that Gen.
Lee wanted to see me. followed the
courier, and on meeting Gen. Lee he
said: Col. Lee, I wish you to 60 with
this courier to Gen. Jackson and say
to him I sent you to report to him.
I replied: General, shall I take my
artillery with me ?" He said No ;
just say that I told you to report to
him, and he will tell you what he
wants.
II soon reached Gen. Jackson,
said the narrator. "He was dismount-
ed, with but few persons around him.
He said to me: Col. Lee, [wish you
to take ride with me. And we rode
to the left of our lines with but one
courier, I think. It was very quiet !;
no firing anywhere, and everybody
apparently talking in an undertone,
but intently watching any one else
who was moving in any direction.
We soon reached a considerable hill,
very similar to an Indian mound, but
for its being larger.
eve dismounted and Gen. Jackson
said: Let US go on this mount or
hill and be careful not to expose your
self, for the Federal sharpshooters are
not far off, The hill bore evidence of
the fierce fight of the day before. A
battery Of artillery had been on it,
and there were wrecks Of caissons'
broken wheels, dead bodies and dead
horses. Gen. Jackson said Colonel,
[ wish you to take your glasses and
carefully examine the Federal line of
battle I did so, and satisfied myself
in witnessing remarkably strong line
of battle, with more troops than I
knew Gen. Lee had. After locating
the different batteries, unlimbered
and ready for action, and noting the
strong skirmish line in front of the
dense mass of infantry, I said to Gen.
Jackson: General, that is remark
ably strong position, and there is a
large force there. He replied 'Yes,
Col. Lee, I wish you to take fifty
pieces Of artillery and crush that
force, which is the Federal right.
Can you do it?' I can scarcely de-
scribe my feelings as I again took my
glasses, and made an even more care
full examination. [ at once saw such
an attempt must fail. More than
fifty guns were unlimbered and ready
for action, strongly supported by dense
lines of infantry and strong skirmish
lines, advantageously posted.
"The ground was unfavorable for
the location of artillery on the Con-
federate side, which, to be effective,
should move up close to the Federal
lines, and that, too, under fire of the
infantry and artillery. I disliked to
say what I felt and knew I said,
Yes, General, where will I get the
fifty guns ? He asked How many
have you p I Ireplied, About twelve
out of the thirty I carried into the ac
tion the day before. My losses were
great in men, horses and carriages.
He said: Il can furnish you with
some, and General Lee says he can
furnish some.' I replied Shall l
go for the guns ? No, not yet, he
replied. Col. Lee,' he resumed, 'can
you crush the Federal right with fifty
guns p I said, General, I can try
I can do it if anyone can. He re-
piled THAT is not what asked
you, sir; if I give you fifty guns can
you crush the Federal right ? l
evaded the question again and again,
but he pressed it home. Finally I
said: General, you seem to be more
intent upon my giving you my techni-
cal opinion as an artillery officer than
my going after the guns and making
the attempt
"'Yes, sir, he replied, 'and I want
your positive opinion-yes or no. l
felt that a great crisis was upon me,
and i could not evade or dodge. I
again took my glasses and made an
other examination. I waited a good
while, with Jackson watching intently.
Finally I said /: General, it can
not be done with fifty guns and the
troops you have near here, In an
instant he answered Let US ride
back, Colonel. I felt that I had pos
sibly shown a lack of nerve, and with
considerable emotion begged that l
might be allowed to make the attempt,
saying: General, you forced me to
say what did unwillingly. If you
give fifty guns to any other artillery
officer I am ruined for life. Ipromise
you I will fight the guns to the last
extremity, if you will only let me
command them. Jackson was quiet,
seemed sorry for me, and said TT is
all right, Colonel, everybody knows
you are brave officer, and would
fight the guns well, or words to that
effect. We soon reached the spot
from which we started, when he said
Col. Lee, 60 to Gen. Lee, and tell
him what has occurred since you re-
ported to me. Describe our ride to
the hill, your examination of the Fed
eral position, and my conversation
about your crushing the Federal right
with fifty guns, and my forcing you
to give your opinion as an artillerist
as to it's possibility
"With feeling such as I never had
before, nor ever expect to have again,
I returned to Gen. Lee and gave de-
tailed account Of my visit to Gen.
Jackson, closing with the account of
my being forced to give my opinion as
to the possibility of success. [ saw a
shade come over to Gen. Lees face,
and he said: Colonel, go and join
your command.
For many, many years | never
fully understood my mission that day,
or why was sent to Gen. Jackson.
When Jackson's report of the battle
was published I saw that he stated