The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-09-18
M I Ar S TORIES. [
Battle Of Gaines. Mil and N4aeha,,; ;,z.,-:,,.
~. e. Lstlbetter, in atlanta Journal.

" Atlanta Journal.
nonading was to protect their retreat
70 the next line Of Notifications at
Gaines Mill. About 8 o'clock we
moved out after them, going over a
considerable portion of the battlefield.
well remember passing over that
part Of the field, near Meadow bridge,
where it wee s.;a Genera; GGssaassTa; Z l.vv leu a
charge in person. saw many of
the soldiers near this famous bridge
stuck in the bog up TO their knees and
dead.
We passed ovsI tnis bridge and
pursued the energy on to Gaines Mill.
Here we found them strongly protect
ed behind triple lines Of heavy eerih-
works, with head logs to protect i. ..n.
II" looked like fool,shness to under
take to move them, but they had to be
moved. Sur brigade crossed the
bridge that spans the creek near
Gaines Mill, and we were soon in q
deep cut road. We followed this road
about four hundred yards, when we
halted and formed line of battle and
moved off in the direction Of an apple
orchard, which was on the top of a
little knoll about .ao hundred yards
in front. At the foot of this knoll
our line halted and we were ordered to
lie down. This order was obeyed
quickly. The little knoll afforded
very little protection, but we used i.
FOR all it was worth. We got down to
our knitting, you bet. We buried
ourselves in the ground for an hour OF
so. Finally courier galloped up to
General Archer, delivered message
and then galloped off. Then the gen
eral walked in front Of US and gave the
command, Attention" in. loud,
commanding tone, AT this command
the line arose. The next command
was: Forward, march We moved
out in regular line Of battle toward
the enemy's impregnable lines Of
breastworks. Our Gepe-al was in
front leading the charge. About the
time we got to the top Of the little
kaell the command was given: "Right
shoulder, shift arms. charget''
An incessant FIRE was being poured
into our line. Young Jim Grow, Of
Company B. was here shot through
the arm, right by my side. The reg
ular rebel yellfwas then raised. Then
CROSS a level plain, through an old
field, over deepNgullies for about six
hundred yards we charged the enemy
in his stronghold. We got TO within
about one hundred and fifty yards Of
their line when We delivered our FIRST
fire. At this .ime ksps kLssis moving on
toward them, not thinking that our
lines wc' Id retreat or fall back after
getting that near, although the fire
from the enemy's triple line was, fu-
rious, and the boys began to waver.
just then General Archer waved his
sword over his. head and gave the com.
mand: Follow met" That command
was ringing in, my ears unit! I vas
shot. ] moved on-my color guard
near me -a.ssss ssss ~;.iin about fifteen or
twenty PAGES Of their frous line, swhen
81 looked back to see if the boys were
coming; just then I was shot through
the right hip, 7 did nut know now
padly was wounded; I only knew I
was shot down. / raised ON my. hands
like q lizard on a fence rail and took
in the situation as best I could. I
soon decided if Icould get up I had
better do 40. It seemed like death
eithe, way, but determined to make
the effort to get away: I got up, but
found Ic0nld notswalk, and if I made
the trip at all i would have to dreg
my leg. I grasped my wounded leg
lsith my right hand and started. just
5tnen saw four Of the boys lying
down, but I could not tell whether
they were all dead or not. Il made my
way back, dragging my leg, under. a
Calling FIRE, when minnie ball struck
my wrist and tore itsup and took of
my thumb at the Same time. Imend-
ed my gait little toward deep gnl-
II. Before Ireached it I looked back
to see if. the Yanks were coming, and
JUST then d ball drew little blood
from under my chin. A few more
hops and tumbled down into the
deep gully. wanted to stay there,
hut but the boys insisted that as Il
was badly wounded I had better try
and get To- the rear or i would &c &c IS .
tnrad s8f IS ~ Sss s q Sss ~ ss,s ts'.