The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-07
KERsuAw AT FREDERICKSBURG.
Chapter From M Unpublished History
by C"pt ID. n. DicEcrt.

Chapter From M Unpublished History
by Capt. -. n. Dickcrt.
Lee had also largely recruited his
army, since his first engagements, by
the Conscript Act and the return OF
the wounded from tho battles in Vir-
ginia and Maryland, and it would
not be too much to say that the Con
federate army was in every way
equally as we'll equipped, as we'll or
ganized and in rs good lighting trim
rs evor before or afterwards. By the
Conscript Act, enlisting all between
eighteen and thirty five years Of age,
the army might we'll be said to con-
tain the Glover and chivalry of the
South" Lees army was far from
being veterans, in regard to the term
Of service and advantages Of discip-
line, but what was wanting in these
particulars were more than balanced
by their lofty spirits, indomitable
will coupled with patriotism, pride
and devotion to their country rs
we'll as the prestige of successive
victories. On the morning of Do
cembor the 11th, 1862, Lee stood
confronting Burnside in the vicinity
of Fredericksburg, each occupying
the heights, separated by the memor-
able Rappahannock. X y u
On the morning of tho 1lth, some
time before daylight, the enemy
opened upon the deserted city, Il
most terrific fire, from his batteries
of siege guns, on Stafford Heights,
numbering near ono hundred and
fifty pieces, preparatory to throwing
over his pontoon bridges.
Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade
was doing picket duty in the city
and had heavy line of skirmishers
at the waters edge, with no proteo-
ton but shallow rifle pits, the cellars
and walls Of tho buildings. Tho
signal gun rang out on the stiffness
of the night and the sleeping troops,
like fire bell at night" that was
to arouse and put in motion 100000
men. Drums beat tho long roll,
couriers flow hither and thither,
troops marshaled, marching and
countermarchiug, taking up position
along the ridges that ranged around
the city in kind Of semi circle, and
over looking the plain that extended
to tho river. All was movement and
hustle, but no confusion, for the
troops wero given to understand
there was to be no advance nor no
retreat, that on their strong arms
and invincible spirits alone, rested
the fate Of the Confederacy, that they
alone stood between the enemy and
the gates Of the Capitol.
During the morning the most de-
structive aud continuous fire ever
witnessed was poured into the city,
the houses being perfectly riddled
with shot and sholl. o.. The whole of
the batteries beyond the river were
concentrated upon the picket line on
the water front, and the doomed city
in the rear. The shot and shell
played in the air like met oric
shower, shrieking, curving and
plunging through space, or tho
houses below. to burst or richochet
to tho heights above.
" BY daylight Longstreet, who COM
manded tho left wing Of the army,
was fairly in position: Kershaw's
Brigade on the right of the public
road, leading into the city, with the
Third South Carolina Regiment on
the left, resting on the road, with
Ransom's Brigade of North Carolin-
ians, on the extreme wing, resting on
the river Cobb's Georgians were
posted behind the ever memorable
stone fence. running parallel to tho
public road, and in somi- circle, be-
'3v Mayree's hill. Tho tcnacity with
which tho Mississipplans held the
river at their point, forced tho enemy
to lay their bridges lower down, at
Deep Run. Il
The forces commanded by Long
street were the divisions of Ransom,
Nc Laws, Hood, Pickett and Andcr-
son, while the right was held by
Jackson, with the divisions of the
two Hills, A. p. and d. H., Ewol and