The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-07
BATTLE OF HONEY HILL.
Report From the Adjutant of the
FOrty-seventh Georgia.


Some years ago "Adjutant Williams"
wrote this graphic account of the gallant
and effective conduct of hte Forty-sev-
enth, not Seventeenth Georgia Regiment,
in the action at Honey Hill, and enclosed
1t to a soldier friend in South Carolina.
From this source the Morning News has
received 1t for publication, in the hope of
eliciting such further information, as will
give the numbers engaged in the Forty
seventh on that day, the casualties and
other particulars. The correspondent
writes that the unexpected appearance of
the Forty seventh, the tremendous yell,
the sweeping volley, and the charge of the
whole line at the double quick sent the
federal troops to the right-about. They
did not stand on the order of their going,
but fed precipltatelyl
ION the 18th of November, 1864, the
Forty -seventh Regiment Georgia Volun-
teers, Col. G. w. NJ. Williams, stationed on
James Island, at Secessionville, received
orders to march to the Charleston and Sa-
vannah railroad depot, where transporta-
ton would be furnished to Grahamville on
said road. Lieut.. Col A. G. EdwardA COM
handing the regiment, was ordered to re-
port to Gen. Gustavus W. Smith, at the
point designated, rapid march across the
island to the point Of embarkation was be-
gun late in the afternoon, and Grahamville
was reached on the morning of the Goth.
"A courier met us, with orders to march
at once to join the forces at Honey Hin,
three miles below depot. The troops were
hungry and much fatgued, having left
James Island without rations, performing
long march to the railroad depot, and
had passed the entire night in the cars on
the road.
1.-The march to Honey Hill was made
with all possible rapidly. Artillery fix
ing was first heard in our front. A staff
officer from Gen. Smith Joined our COM
mand on the road, with instructions to
hasten the march. Firing was soon dis
tinctly heard and we knew that the en-
gagement was warm. When within a mile
Of the field, another stan officer met our
command with orders to move with all
possible haste, as our troops were being
holly pressed at all points. The fire of ar
tillery and small arms was very rapid.
our instructions were to move 10 the sup
port OF the field artillery at the head of
the public road. The Forty-seventh pro-
ceeded now at the double-quick. Guns had
been loaded at Grahamville. We We're now
almost up. and could see some confusion
on the right of our line, as the enemy were
about to flank il, and had begun a hot en-
iilading fire down our lines. Being ordered
TO check this flank movement, and dislodge
tanO gallopod forward rapidly, ascertain
ed where the right OF line rested, and
when our column reached the point indi-
Gated. the regiment went CALAMITY into
position, with rapid movement on right
by files into line" as soon as fronted.
Charged the enemy, driving him back, af-
ter a stubborn resistance, and forced him
through the woods some distance and oc-
cupied the ground taken and they were
soon In fun retreat
"Memo-Lieut. Col. A. c. Edwards.
communicated. Williams. deceased);
Mai. J. c. Cone. acting lieutenant colonel;
Capt J. c. Thompson, acting major; adjt.
Ben s. Williams Maj. j. c. Cone, and
Capt Didge Co. +, were seriously wound
ed. cannot recall other casualties"
IL is still hoped that the Athens battal-
ion and other commands will be heard
from In time for the history OF the victory
which a South Carolina veteran and his
torian Is preparing.