The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-01-30


The 18th dawncd bright and clear
and we rested in peaceful camp fash
ion, little knowing or reckoning what
was transpiring in our front and far
more exercised aud interested about
the arrival of the commissary wagons
than the heavy skirmshing heard
along the outposts. We "chcwed the
cud Of bitter reflections for dinner" ;"
supped on more parchcd corn and
slept and dreamed Of feather beds and
feasts.
At 4 a. m. of the 18th the dreams Of
some 200 ,Q04 slecpe-s we're suddenly
dissipatcd by the quaking boom Of q
big gun that rcsoundcd through the
still blackness, followed by second
signal, then the ntermittcnt rattle
Of the 'long roll" and the quick,
sharp notes sounding the assembly
call from the bugles to the right and
left along the line. In few r. ,ments
al was stir and hustle, but eumult
or confusion; for the dispositions Of
both armies had been made the day
before and the champion generals but
awaited the signal to commence the
shock aud clash of battle.
Very soon the sharp rattle Of mus
kctry, the thundcrous roar Of artillery,
tho crashing shot and hurtling shell,
with the mczzo accompaniment Of the
kissing, humming, whistling, singing,
death dealing minnics convinced all
| hands that once again Lees ragged
hosts were pittcd against the Northern
hosts Of invaders in another death
struggle Tor the mastery of the road to
Richmond; convinced, too, that the
blue coated army would never have
ventured across the river to try issues
with the "Rcbel Johnnics'' again
had they not outnumbcred them two
to one.
The battle of Fredcricksburg was
most signal test of the relative fight
ing qualities of the men, as we'll as the
stragctic skill of the generals of the
two sections. Thesbattle ground con-
sisted Of an expansive opening Of
rolling plateau extending from the
river to the hills, historically known
as "Marye's Heights" A railroad
and cut ran through this plain, about
half way from river to hills, and
formed the 'dcad line" between the
armies. It was, therefore, az open
field, "fair fight and no favors' con-
fict.
Lee formed his battle line,
Said, "bOys you need not fear,
For Longstreet's in the centre
And jackson in tho rear"
This stanza of camp song de-
scribcs Longstreet's position in this
fight, with Jackson on tho right, and
the boys did "not fear," for our army
was at this time in high spirits, sue
ccssful and recruited with an abiding
faith in the wisdom, judgment, pru-
dencc and courage of Gen. Lee, con-
fidcnt reliance upon the skill, quick
ness and pertinacity of Jackson, and
each individual man feeling personal
and patriotic interest in beating back
the horde Of hireling invaders, prop.
erly called the Union army, union Of
"thc four corners Of the earth"
sparscly intcrmingled with native
born Americans. Our battery remain
ed cnsconced in our wooded camp
when day dawned and the sun rose.
The deep roll Of battle could be
heard to the right, near Hamilton 8
Crossing, and to the left, near Fred
ericksburg, while in the immediate
front there was yet only smart skirm
ishing. We'd had no time to parch
breakfast and had, therefore, snacked
on huge gulps of fresh, orisp-atmos-
pherc.
Note.-This diet is not conducive
to fervcnt piety cr spirit of high
appreciation of the bcncfcencc of con-
tinued existence, but it is very pro-
motive of that rcbcllious and bcllicose
spirit proper and appropriate on the
eve of battle; therefore good regimen
on which to ration and raise bclliger-
cnts.
This was our undclcctable condition
when orders arrived and VIC moved out
of cover and into the broad cxpanse,
and quickly came into position and
unlimbered nearly opposite the Bcr-
nard House. The battle columns on
this part OF the line had not yet
clashed, and intermittent firing Of
skirmishers was all that had occurred,
the Unioners observing very whole
| como nrndonca in tho matter of od