The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1901-04-05

cIiRea to be a little restless. The
dwelling houses and outhouses at
Pinebe.ry Ferry and along the river
were lidiled with shots from the gun
boat which was perhaps hunting
rebels. But the rebels were not
there.
The vessel moved very slowly
taking pains to throw a shell or shells
wherever there was prospect Of
! finding an enemy. The result was
1T was considerably aftepsdaflS when:
it reached Legare's nrf44, rsssr.-- W.. ~.
Point Here we had six pieces of
artillery and "a squad of infantry and
cavalry (dismounted) to salute the
vessel "a it passed that point. Our
cavalry (or rather portion ofit) was
pushed forward by forced march to
be in readiness to support the guns
at Lesare's mill. The guns stood
silent under water oaks that stood on
the plateau while the men longed
about on the grass awaiting the gun
boats advance. Everything was
anxious for the coming events. Soon
light is seen far up the river and
the putting Of the engine told that
the boat was coming. = confused
noise could be hear on the vessel
that could not n understood
until it &C. 4~us. The men on
board" .ancing, picking ba"jo
or some kind Of an instrument while
others were laughing and enjoying
themselves, seemingly. AS the vessel
approached orders came for our men
to be ready when the time came.
The cannoners took their places at
the guns and the rlhemen were
aligned so as to deliver a volley at
short range. Every preparation was
made in breathlcss silence. On came
the vessel. Mems hearts were beat
ing in the highest expectancy of the
scenes that were to be enacted. The
river here was shout $50 yards wide.
In a moment, as if the midsummer
sun had burst forth in all his glory
upon the darkness Of the night the
light lit up the scene for some distance
around. The earth trembled as the
cannons delivered their death dealing
blows against the impeaetrable sides
of an invulnerable craft. The rifle
men had swept the deck and before
the crew could realize the fact the
Confederates had done their WORK.
The vessel never stopped. One
broadside after another it returned
until it was safely out of reach of our
cannons and had gained bend in
the river which gave it some pro
lection from the shower of bullets
rained upon it or penetrating the port
holes and clearing the deck or cover
ing it with dead and wounded. Like
an enraged lion robbed of her whel lps
it fought with desperation. Broad
side after broadside of grape, canister
she'll and solid shot it hurled back at
IFS antagonist, tearing the limbs from
the trees or riddling the houses in
our rear. The men stood firm,
"loaded aud fired at will, until the
scene was over and the vessel safely
out Of reach.
Some Of our men, among them Bill
Vaughn, was on picket at a place
called "Sand Bluff" about half a mile
from where we had the little brush
with the gunboat. AS the vessel
passed this port 1t raked the land
scape with grape shot and for the
time our men had to protect them
selves as best they could by lying
down or retiring to more congenial
quarters. The timber at Legare's 8.
mill and also at Sand Bluff will no
doubt until this day show the result
of that nights work.
At the time of this occurrence we
had several men in the hospital at
Adams Run sick with fever. Among
them was James A. Smith, one of m
messmates. He wanted squirrel to
eat. On that morning George Chand
| ler and got permission from Capt,