The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-01-09
BUFoRp, GA, Dec. 20, 1900.


four years struggle addressed to me
and published in the Atlanta Journal,
has been read with much interest by
me, not only because it came from q
brother officer and comradc, but also
on account Of the fact con tanned in the
story. Your letter asking me to give
an account Of my closest calls will be
hard to comply with. In the scores Of
tight oplaccs where thousands Of un-
seen minicballs have passed 50 near
some vital part in the many battles
and smaller fights and skrmishcs dur
ing that memorable struggle, | cannot
definitely describe which was the
closest call, but will undertake to give
you one Of the closest had In doing
so | have selected one where our army
was defeated. Iwould much prefer to
give history of one of my close calls
where VIC were victorious, but, dear
colonel, | know you want me to tell
the public now got away on the
afternoon cf the second day s battle of
Nashville, aud while I would rather
write Of Southern victory than South
crn defeat, out of Difference to you
and others Of Stovall's brigade, will
give true description of one close
call where we were defeated.
After the bloody battle of Franklin,
Tenn, the most bloody Of any during
the war, according to the numbers en-
gagged, the Confedcrates doing the
charging, the enemy occupying per-
manent breastworks, supported by
over fifty pieces Of artillery, we moved
on to Nashville and drove the enemy
into the city. Here VIC camped in line
Of battle until the Federal army was
reinforced from all over the Union
until they outnumbcred US three to
one. The remnant Of Hood 8 army,
who had escaped slaughter ut Frank.
lin, camped in limo Of battle in the
beautiful country surrounding Nash
vile. The ground was covered with
snow, the bright camp-Gres, the boys
singing annie laurie, "My Home
spun Dress" and CLONE Sweet
Home" was an inspiring scene, and,
dear colonel, although you were mar
ried. you were in the zenith Of young
manhood. You took part in the sweet
vocal melodies that echoed and re-
echoed throughout the valleys about
Nashville.
1t was here that lost my sweet
hearts picture while on picket duty,
for I was then single. offered
reward to the extent Of my cash on
hand, $22, for tho recovery Of the
picture of the dear, sweet girl had
left back in good old Georgia. This
had the desired effect, for onc Of my
own company found it and returned
the precious image of my darling and
spurncd the reward offered.
But writing of "Annic Laurie" and
sweetheart is not describing my close
call to death or mortal wound. The
great battle Of Nashville lasted two
days. On the morning of the second
day our line was Strengthened out to
some extent. Our brigade (Stoval's)
aud Gibson's Louisiana brigade were
on the Franklin and Nashville turn
pike. Ours on the right, Gibson's on
the left. All day the enemy made
charge after charge on our position.
They dismounted every piece of artil-
lery we had. They put two or three
lines of negro troops in front and one
line Of whites behind them, and with
these several columns they assaulted
us time and again, only to be driven
back in utter confusion. The dark
negroes, with their dark blue coats,
lying dead in heaps on the beautiful
snow made strange contrast and n
scene never to be forgotten. Late in
the afternoon, when we thought We
had gained one Of the greatest victo-
ries Of the war, our line gave way on
the left, and the Yankees came up our
line with line formed perpendicular
ly square to ours and captured many
Of our men. Many of our own brigade
surrendered. had bought ham Of
meat during the night before and laid
it on stump in rear of our line Of
battle, not having eaten anything for
two days. AS I started 30 run out
with my regiment my eyes turned
toward my ham Of meat, and what q
Blessed, !cgics, sccd farewell lock
gave that sum, while the Yankees
shouted, Surrender, d-n you!"
ran through piece of wooded land