The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1900-01-31
ON SNODGRASS HILL
Eloquent Plea for. the Placing Of This
States Battle Monument.
TO the Editor Of The State

priaton Of the $4,000 asked forj by
the l'nitcd Confederate Veterans re-
union at Chester last summer. Al
low an old Confederate veteran who
was in the fight at Chckamauga on
the 10Th Of September, 1868, and who
voted heartily for the resolution at
the reunion, a few words in your wide
~ circulated and valuable paper. and
first would say the governor has
done graceful act in recommending it
to favorable consideration, and feel
assured the general assembly will
honor itself 5y passing the bill
But, sir, my chief purpose in writ
ing this letter is to call the attention
of the commission who may be APP
pointed to locate the monument con
tcmplatcd in the bill to the claims Of
Snodgrass hill as the spot. Now, sir,
it is fact that while there were
three South Carolina brigadcs cngag-
ed in that great battle, wit::Gist's,
Manigault's and Kcrshaws besides
other South Carolina troops not bri-
gadcd as such and all did nobly yet it
was on and around Snodgrass hill
where the Federal Gen. Thomas made
his last desperate stand, and from
which he was not driven until about
nightfall. and Gen. j. b. kcrshaw 3
brigade was in the awful bloody charge
that helped to dislodgc him. I know
whereof | speak when say few troops
on either side ever fought more nobly
or lost more heavily in any battle Of
the Confederate war. Co. G.. Of the
Third, or James battalion Of South
Carolina infantry, which I had the
honor to command, lost in killed, am
putation Of limbs and other wounds,
as recollcct it, fully one-third Of the
number engaged. The brigade was
composed Of the Second, Third, Sew
cnth and Fifteenth regiments, and as
before said, the Third, or James bat
talon, of seven companies, and suffer
ed fearful loss Among the field off
GERS who were killed outright I recall
the gallant Col. Bland, of Edge6eld
county, in command Of the Seventh,
and Capt. Townsend, of Cokesbury, in
command of the battalion. I rcmem-
ber distinctly seeing the enemy bring
up battery on the hill just north of
Snodgrass, over which We had charg-
ed, and entered ravine between the
two hills. I said to our men: "They
are going to open q battery on US,
which they did in short order, and the
first volley they 3 fred into us with
grape or canister they tore away one
half of his head. don'5 suppose he
realized that he was struck. l don't
think he moved from the time he was
struck except to fall backwards.
This incident occurred as we were ad-
vancing up tho hill, before we reached
the woods, where th:, enemy were.
We were then under the fire of the
enemy. Our battalion was the bat
TALON ofsdircction.and the entire bri-
gade had to keep itself in line by our
colors. Our color bearer was VIM.
Evans. and not understanding just
the direction to advance so as to strike
the cnemy's line squarcly, as they
were partially concealed b. the woods
at the top Of the hill, Gen. Ker-
shaw walked up to him and took the
colors aud walked out in front of the
battalion, whore he. could be seen by
the entire line and was advancing
with the flag, when Evans following
closely at his heels, and no doubt feel
ing mortified Tat what he supposed
Gen rKershaw construed as a want
either of courage or proper under
standing of his duty, said: General,
please give me that flag, and just tell
me. where to 60 with it, and I'll take it.
there.
Gen. Kershaw handed it back to
him and said: "You see that large
green pinc?"
eyes, sir
"Go directly to that" And he
went.
That same pine is standing there
day or was in July, 1898. 1t has
been my good fortune to visit Chick
amauga battlefield twice since that
cvcntful day-frst, in 1897, and again
in 1S9S-and cannot undcrstake to
describe my feelings, when, with bar
ed head. walked up Snodgrass hill
and looked back over tho 35 intervcn.
ing years and thought of that day
when so many brave men went down:
noble men. who died for the cause
thnv ho1;avod to hc rirht md nn6or