The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-25
Col. j. ID. Nance's Report Of tho Battle of
Sharpsburg.
CAMP ON OPEQUoN CREEK,
SeDtember 90. 1885.

| September 20, 1862.
SIR: Early on the morning of the 18th
instant my regiment was placed in its
position In line of battle, near Sharps-
burg, Md, and to the east OF the turn
pike running from Shepherdstown, w.
Va, to that place. The position was
nearly parallel to line of woods in
which the enemy was posted--south-
cast of the stone church in tho vicinity
OF Sharpsbarg. After holding this DO
sltlon for few minutes, my command
was put into action by General Kor-
shaw, Immediately after regiment OF
General Barksdale's brigade. The COM
mand advanced steadily with spirit,
under heavy fire drawn by the troops
In front, until we passed through the
| woods and to the farther skirt, where,
| Tor the first time we were sufficiently
| Increased to open fire. In advancing
through the woods, found it advis-
ablo to change my direction slightly to
the left, and it was in this direction
that my line ran when engaged the
enemy ut halt on the outskirt of the
wood. now closed the line to greater
compactncss, and pushed clear OF the
woods and out in the open field beyond,
where the enemy gave way with con-
siderable disorder. His line TO my
,, right, supported by strong batteries,
was more steadfast, and / found after
advancing some distance in tho open
/ utp l.;
my right to my rear, which, together
with the fire then open on me from his
batteries on their right, and which en-
filadcd my line, rendered my position
hazardous. No enemy was then visible
to me in my front; SO l effected u
change OF front on my first company
which threw my limo in slight hollow
that afforded me protection from artil.
lery fire then raging, and left mo in
position to cooperate on tho enemy's
Hank and in any movement against his
force in that direction. l directed my
men to lie down under cover of the
hill in front, while l kept u strict
watch for any demonstration of our
forces in front. 1t was not long before
| our line advanced most beautifully
through the woods up tho open slope
beyond. Tho enemy's limo broke, and
immediately 1 advanced up tho hill
| across small road, climbed a fence,
| and passed te tho summit of hill in a
freshly ploughed field, where opened
fire upon the enemy. Soon he was re-
enforced, and, under the heavy fire OF
| artillery aD1 the press of fresh troops,
our line on right, that just before
advanced In uch admirable style, fell
| back so far that 1 retired to the road l
had just crossed. There T halted and
fired for time, until farther retire
ment required me to fall back to tho
| hollow in which had before changed
| my front. There remained until tho
movements OF the enemy and the ab-
senco OF proper supports determined
me TO retire to the woods. I sent OIL
GERS out to ascertain the position of the
forces. They could find no forces, and
[ retired into the open field near where
our line was first formed. There Lieut.
w. D. Farley, aidc-de-camp, informed
me that | was without proper support,
and advised (from his knowledge of
tho condition Of our forces) me to take
up my position there behind rail
fence, running about parallel TO the
woods. | then acqua lnted both Brjga-
d1cr General Kershaw and MAJOR Cen
eral McLaws with my position and re-
questcd orders. was directed to re-
main In my position, and at my rcqeust,
General McLaws assisted in rcplenish-
ing my cartridge-boxes. I remained
here for over an hour, when the cross
artillery fire Of the enemy became so
severe that Brigadier General Ker-
shaw moved that part of his brigade at
that place farther to the left, and in q
southerly direction, and about quar-
ter OF mile from the first position oc-
cupied by us that day. The line then
| formed was where tho woods Joined q
corn-field, and its direction made an
obtuse anglo with the direction of the
first line. My command remained on
! this line until wo began our retrograde
movement on the night of the 18th.
Very respectfully yours, etc,
JAMES ID. NANCE,
Colonel, commanding Sd S. G. Reg.
CAPT. G.. r. HOLMEs,
Assistant Adjutant General.
TO the survivors of tho Sd S. @. Reg
iment who were in the battle OF
Sharpsburg:
| Above you SEQ the report of Colonel
Nance Of the battle Of Sharpsburg
The Antietam Battlefield Board are
trying to locate the position occupied
by our regiment in that battle While
Col. Nance's report is fair Statement.
OF what wc did At Sharpsburg, l am