The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-09-04

Sharpsburg, small town between An
tictam Creek and the Potomac River
He formed the line Of battle in from
of the town on the ridge facing tn,
creek with Longstrect on the righ,
and y. II. Hill on the left. Genera
Tige Anderson's brigade was on thq
right of the road and Toombs and
Drayton 5 brigade next
The regiments in Lees army were
nothing but skeletons 1t was claim
cd at the time that Lee had 80, 600
men in the battle Of Sharpsburg and
30, UUU lost on the march from Manas-
sas. Large numbers Of them without
shoes were not required to keep up or
60 in battle. From my own company
and regiment believe both to be cor
rect
Company NJ of the First Georgia
regulars, to which | belonged, was
represented by five men, myself, Cor
poral William 6. Humphreys, Pri-
Yates Zach Ablcs, David Cam and
Jordan G. McMullen The regiment
had about 80 men and Tigc Andcr-
sons whole brigade not over 800 all
told.
While our numbers were few, l am
satisfied that Lee had the flower of the
army with him at Sharpsburg. Dur
ing the 10Th the Federal army under
General Mcclellan, arrived and form
ed line Of battle on the opposite
side of the creek. The day passed
of quietly with the exception of the
usual picket firing. We noticed on
the morning Of the 18th opposite the
Federal left. on top Of the Blue Ridge
mountains signal flag waving to the
breeze. We were not kept long in
suspense before the Federal artillery
on the left opened on our extreme
right occupied by Drayton's brigade.
They were in full view of our position
and it was heartrending to watch the
boys under that terrible fire Of shell.
Longstreet's artillery on the right was
posted along the ridge in front of An
derson's position, while horses and
caisons were in tho rear with the in
fantry, some 20 yards distant. The
guns in our front opened ON the Fed
eral artillery drawing the fire on our
position, relieving Drayton on the
right. The duel continued for sever
al hours. During the fight Old Pete
General Longstreet), was seen riding
from our left along the line in rear Of
the guns with his field glssses to his
eyes and his bride reins on his horses
neck. His horse moved slowly along
as though looking for grass. They
passed on down the slope as though
,reluctantto to leave the Geld. Sometime
afterwards General Pendleton, chief
of artillery, rode along the line in the
same way.
Both riders and horses seemed per-
fectly indifferent to the bursting
shells. In the meantime General
Tige Anderaon walked up and down
the line with his hands folded behind
him as unconcerned as if he had been
strolling in his front yard at home.
Every eye was on him and every once
and awhile you could hear one Of his
boys clap his hands and say: "Did
you see that. That she'll brushed
his coat tail" Those bursting
shells die not cause him to bat his
eyes.
Brave old Tige, how his men loved
him. They we're the kind Of officers
we had in the army of Northern Vir-
ginia. How could men keep from
fighting with such officers to lead?
While our officers were performing
their daring feats Of bravery, we boys
we're at our old occupation hugging
mother earth. How near and dear the
old lady seemed. AS We spread our
selves out so fat founder would
have looked round by the side of one
of US. AS the artillery horses were
standing near US, I was much inter
ested in watching them under FIRE.
They looked tired, hungry and sleepy
with their heads down, cars dropped
and eyes closed. I could but pity
them, knowing they were like myself,
suffering from the pangs Of hunger.
saw one, cannon ball had passed
through his neck and he was still
walking about. Horses soon learn
the commands as we'll as the men.
The Federal artillery was more than
ours could stand, so a retreat was
sounded. When the first command
'fiders prepare to mount" wa;
, given. eyerv horses head was up with