The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-08-21


decree of public opinion. Captain
Boyce looked upon the enemy as a
huge machine aud each individual
soldier Il necessary part of ii. Hc
believed, too, that obedience was the
highest evidence of one 8 fitness to do
his part of the work expected Of the
machine; and with it all he was rash
and impet lous. 1t is not surprising,
then, when he was ordered to take a
position on the hill occupied by our
Infantry anc drive off or silence the
Federal guns that were annoying them,
that he should, without considering
the feasibility Of its execution, go at
a hcadlong speed. Just before reach
ing the crest Of Crave Yard Hill (for
such was it's ominous name, and If
rrophctically christencd had its full
fiilment that day. VIC were stopped by
line If earthwc-k. Scc:Ss the ini
possibility of training his guns in the
evening, the top Of the hill interposing,
Captain Boyce ordered the battery
through an opening to the left, his
splendid men leaping the breast-work
up hill as nimpiy as a cat, though
Captain Boycc weighed about two
hundred pounds. Passing the first
line of breast works, we were con-
frontcd by another in the form of a
crescent extending to the first on
either side of the opening, and thus
making half moon battery and large
enough to operate two guns success
fully. Into this small enclosure VIC
had Joined six guns and six caissons
The enemy, diyining the trap into
which our inexpericncc and rashness
were leading US, gave our infantry a
resting spell, rcserying the wrath of
their guns for US. And now, having
us packed like sardincs in box, the
range and distance having been ac-
4uircd by the mornings practice, no
longer waited to let loose their dogs Of
war.
In a moment the air was vocal with
whizzing balls and shells bursting
like claps Of thunder above our heads.
AS quick as the flash Of thought We
saw the folly Of our mission. And
how we extricatcd our guns I know
not. But do know that in an uu-
qucstionably short time we were be-
yond the range of Federal guns. And
our lucky escape from destruction was
due to the inaccuracy of Yankee gun
ncrs. Two men wounded, seven
horses killed or wounded were the ex-
tent of our disaster.
This was our initial fight and it had
q demoralizing effect on the men, for
it was so easy to imagine that we
would nave like experience every
time we met the enemy. But in a
remarkably short time our men re-
gained their marshal spirit, as was
witnessed at second Manassas and
Sharp ,urg. AT Manassas our guns
were piked on the highest hill along
Lees line of battle. During the
morning Lee and Jackson had map
of that country spread out on the
ground few feet in tho rear Of our
battery, and were for some time on
their knees carefully examining it.
The points for assault being arranged,
Lee took Jackson aside and whisper
ed in his ear the word go that soon
started the music Of war. jackson
quietly mounted his old claybank
horse and rode off in bending-for-
ward position without eny.hing il Ills
appearance to thrill one with admira-
ton. But to be told that it was
Jackson was sufficient to set the
tongues of our soldiers in vibration.
Lee and Jackson seemed to have
caught sight of General Fitz John
Portcr's awe-inspiring command
moving in their solid columns against
Jackson's battle-thinned line at the
same time, and each without the
knowledge of the other called on Cen
cral Longstrcet for help. Our battery
was some four or five hundred yards
in front of Porter's advancing troops,
and about two hundred yards to the
right of the turnpike. We were ready
and waiting in expectancy when we
caught sight of courier coming to-
wards is with his horse urged to it's
utmost speed. AS soon as he was in
ear shot he began to beckon us for
ward with his hand and in loud words
ordered us to tho front in all haste.
General Evans was standing close
by and said:
Captain, go over there and tear