The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-01-30

| more exercised 2uu iGbeAcSteo aVou'
the arrival of the commisslonary
wagons than the heavy skirmlshiog
heard along the outposts We
.schewed the cud of bitter reflections
for dinner supped on uore parched
corn and slept and dreamed Of feather
beds and fessts
At4a n. of the 18th the dreams
of some 100000 sieepers were sud
denly dissipated by the qusking
boom of big gun that resounded
.hrough the still blackuess, followed
by second signal, then the uninter
mittent rattle of the "lopg rolP' and
the quick, sharp notes sounding the
assembly call'' from the bugles to
.he right and left along the liae.
Iu few moments all was stir and
hustle, but no tumuit 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
musketry, the thunderous roar of
artillery, the crashing shot and hurt
ling shell, with the mezzo accom-
panimeBt of the Kissing. humming,
whistiiug. singing, death dealing
minnies convinced all hands that once
again Lees ragged hosts were pitted
against the Northern hosts ofinvaders
in another death struggle for 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
"Rebel Johnoies" again had they not
ousnumbered them two to one.
The battle of Fredericksburg was a
moet signal test of the relative fight.
ing qualities of the men, as we'll as
the strategic skill of the generals Of
the two sections The battle ground
consisted 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 bills, and
formed the "dead line" between the
armies 1t was, therefore. an open
field. "fair fight and no favors' con-
aict
''Lee formed his battle ,ine.
Said, boys you need not fear
For Longstreet's in the centre
And Jackson in the rear"
This stapza of a camp song de-
scribes Lopgstreet's position III this
fight, with jackson on the right, and
the boys did "uot fear" for our army
was at this time in high spirits, sue
cessfuI and recruited, with an abid-
ing faith in the wisdom, judgment,
prudence and courage of Gen Lee,
confident reliance upon the ekllI,
quickness and pertinacity Of Jackson.
and each individual man feeling
personal and patriotic interest in
beating back the horde Of hireling
invaders, properly called the Union
army, union Of "tbe four corners of
the eartb,' sparsely intermingled
with native born Americans Our
battery remained ensconced in oar
wooded camp when day dawned and
the sun rose
The deep ,oll of battle could be
beard to the right, near Hami'ton's
Crossing, and 20 the left, near Fred
ericksburg, while in the immediate
froDt there vas yet only smart
ekirmish;pg. We'd had no time to
parch breakfast and had, therefore,
snacked On huge gulps of fresh, crisp
atmosphere.
Note.-This diet is not conducive
to ferveDt piety or spirit Of high
appreciation of the benefcence of
continued existence, but it is very
promotive of that rebellioas and
bellicose spirit proper and .ppro-
pirate on the eve of battle therefore
a good regimen on which to ration
aud raise belligerents.
This was oar undelectable coHdi
ton when orders arrived and we
moved out of cover and into the
broad expanse, and quickly came into
position and unlimbered nearly
opposite the Bernard House The
battle columns on this part of the
line had not yet clssbed. and inter.
mittent firing of skirmishera was all
that had occurred, the Unioners
observing very wholesome prudence
in the matter of advancing their battle
lioes
The railroad cut divided the oppos.
ing array and our brrss pieces fsown-
ed iu eileoce over the field, though
we expected each minute to become
literally .'a shining mark fos the
bo;f of metal death Tins We re.