The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-03-01
Dave Moore and his Reckless Daring

Dave Moore and his Reckless Daring.
Col. John ?. Thomas, the State
historian, has received letter from
Maj. W. S. Dunlop, in which is men
toned the notable services of David
Moore, who is employed in the Colum-
bia postofice building now and who
was known as one Of the brayest Of
the brave. Maj. Dunlop was the gal
lant commander Of McGowan's battal-
ion of Lees sharpshooters. Hewrites
as follows from Little Rock. Ark:
Dear Sir: Replying to your favor Of
the 11th inst. | desire to say that,
some time ago, in correspondence with
our friend Dantzler, with regard to an
appointment in our army then prepar-
ing to enter the field against Spain,
you were incidentally broughtinto the
discussion as witness as to Dantz-
ler's qualifications, ETC., and among
ether things mentioned Dantzler sug-
gested that you were writing up the
history Of South Carolina and the part
taken by her troops in war between
the States. [ then mentioned that l
had preserved certain memoranda Of
that eventful period which might be
Of service to you, but that was the last
of it.
Since then I have written the story
Of Lees Sharpshooters' and now
have it ready for the press. The book
will be issued in few weeks.
David Moore! Indeed do remem-
Der him. He was an orderly sergeant
in one Of the companies Of McGowan's s
sharpshooters which l had the honor
to command. Dave Moore was one Of
the leaders Of the line in every en-
gagement, and if there was any objec-
tion to him as soldier it was to his
reckless impetuosity in a charge or his
persistent disregard Of danger when
the opposing lines were hung up in
the death-grapple on some hotly con-
tested field. | remember we'll Of hav-
ing to make him take care of his life
at Ream's station, when the sharp
shooters engaged the Federal line Of
battle for FIVE mortal hours and until
they silenced the nine-gun battery and
tied the infantry down behind the
breastworks, until our line advanced
and captured the guns and over 1000
prisoners. The sharpshooters fred
l6O rounds per man before the final
assault and then participated in the
charge and capture.
remember the Jones farm incident.
The sharpshootors broke the Federal
advance and captured in the basement
of the Jones house some 35 or 40 pris-
oners, including the major command
ing and several other officers. When
the lines of battle advanced and as
sumed the burden of battle, Law $ and
MCGOWAN brigades charged aud sue
cessively broke two Federal lines and
engaged the third just at dark Sep
tember Both, 1864. The action was
suspended, however, on accountof the
darkness, leaving the Confcdcrates in
possession Of the field.
The enemy entrcnched during the
night on the pegeam House ridge more
than a mile back from where the action
began.
The next morning the two battalions
Of Law and. NTcGowan were ordered
forward to make a demonstration
while column was sent out to strike
the enemy in flank. What became of
the fanking column | am net inform
cd. But the two battalions of sharp
shooters drove in the Federal sharp
shooters, charged and broke their main
line, and sent them scurrying through
the woods in every direction, captur-
ing large number of prisoners.
So large was the number captured
that when they came pouring over the
brcastworks as we entered, our own
batteries, believing that we had been
gobbled up, opened on US, and con-
tinucd 10 pelt us with shot and shell
until courier was dispatched and no.
tice given Of our success.
| hope. to be able to attend the re-
union in Charleston where [ hope to
meet YOU. Very truly,
w. S. DUNLOP.
-o-A-<'.--- ----