The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1899-04-19

! i!Ie llpE lHc enemy llne Wnlle retreat.
ing. They were ordered 20 recover their
horses and reuount and remain on the
ground, which was done, expecting the
enemy to advance. 1t became evident,
however, that we had injured them
somewhat, and probably to a greater ex-
tent than We had sustained, as they were
not anxious to resume the fight. The
numerical forces of the enemy in this
fight must certainly have been FIVE to
one, if there was one man in it, and
having in their command large mum
Der that they could bring up at any
time. 1t speaks well for our men, and
shows the material of Southern blood
and valor If there is any better men
in the world for fighting 1t is yet TO be
known, and regret that they are vast
Cd on such horde as the North brings
against them Having given you de
scrip,ioa Of the Hawe's Shop battle |
will uow annex the Mattadaguin Creek
fight, Commonly called Cold Harbo-.)
On the morning of the 30;h May, Gen.
Butler pursuant to orders, moved from
Mechanicsville in the direction of Old
Church, being in Hanover county,
with the object of finding out what the
enemy were about, and to ascertain
their strength; Col. Gary, with his
command would cooperate with him.
The march was somewhat lengthy, but
i; was not long before We arrived at
Mattadaguin Creek. 1t is here the
fight took place, so incorrectly located
at Cold Harbor. Cold Harbor is some
two miles below. It is a mistake,
therefore: the correct name should be
the Mattadguin Greek battle. The
forces fell back to Cold Harbor and
made stand.
Gen. Butler, with the 4th and 9Th
regiments, in conjunction with Gen.
Garg's cavalry, encountered the enemy
about 3 o'clock on the above day, con-
tending against superior odds Of the
enemy, disputing gallantly the ground,
with desperate and firm spirit, under
heavy fire Of musketry and artillery.
The forces we're sent forward into &C.
tion by soadrons from each regiment at
such times as was thought necessary by
our able commander, Gen. Butler, who
was to be seen moving up and down the
midst Of the fight attending to his duty.
Among the officers whom l saw upon
the field Lieutenant Colonel Stokes
bore a prominent part and is a most
gallant and efficient officer, daring and
fearless in the din of battle. The sec
ond squadron was the last to be sent in :;
this squadron is formed of Company B:
Captain Barber, and Company X, Cap
tain Colcock;; both captains being una
voidably absent, Lieutenant Osborn,
commanded company B, and Lieuten
ant Lionel NOVEL;, company X, we'll
klcwn to the readers as the Charles
ton Light Dragons. General Butler
addressed the squadron and said:
'Men l have stood it long enough. /
wish the enemy driven from that house
in the field, which was about quarter
Of mile off. The squadron dismount-
ed, formed into line and went forward
at the double quick, making the welkin
ring with the old charge shout and yell.
Never did men appear so enthusiastic
and intent upon an object as they did.
They arrived in the lane or ROAD as it
may be called, fenced on each side,
company X, taking the lane as their po-
sition, and company B, the right, in an
open wheat field. They opened upon
the house blazing FIRE, when the Yam
KEGS began to leave, many being killed
aud wounded in the attempt to escape.
and some we're captured. While this
was going on another portion Of the
forces were involved more to the lett IN
a portion Of woods. The battle waged
until about six o'clock. hot aud sharply
contested. The wounded we're seen in
every direction.
Lieutenant Colonel Jeffords, COM
naadipg lst regiment, received very
wound in the thigh in this battle. The
house was taken and burnt, as it was
used as a shelter to the enemy. The
enemy was not idle, but pouring it III
on the left sharply and brought up rein
forccments, and thus outnumbering US
by large majority, and were fast flank
ing US. The order was then given to
fall back, and in very favorable time,
as the ammunition had given out. The
retreat was made, but with some little
confusion, the enemy pressing US close.
ly. The day was very warm and the re-
treat was exhausting; many gave out
and could not go further, and stopped
breathless, and were captured. 1t was
during this period that the gallant Lieu
tenant NOVEL; was captured and many
killed, wounded and missing from that
old time honored corps, known in the
city as tho Charleston Light Dragons,
and many more unheard from.
Information gathered from prisoners
taken in this fight state that We were
engaged with the left wing Of Grants
army, an overwhelming force. Buffers
brigade has been veil worked and done
its full share in this campaign. No
body of troopers is more deserving of
credit for gallantry and bravery on the
field Of battle than General Buffers
South Carolina Cavalry Brigade.
Night came on and the forces retired
to their encampnent near by, leaving
detachment on picket. On the fol
lowing morning they were broug hit for
ward again, expecting an attack from
the enemy, and formed into line Of bat
tie; when about twelve clock the brl-
gade was relieved by fresh troops. Tho
1st Regiment in this fight met with
loss Of ffty-two killed, wounded and
missing. The 9Th Regiment sustained
a loss OF sixteen killed, wounded and
missing. Orlando.
Pressley's Parlors.
Mr.. D. A. Presley, of Columbia,