The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1901-05-10

road which was to the Jeff Of our
brigade, distance about one mile.
Gen. Gary was ordered to take his
brigade and drive them out. Moaut
men, mount, was the emphatic con-
hand of Gen. Gary and all who
knew him knows what he meant.
Our horses were near by and we
were soon mounted. On VIC rushed
| as fast as our horses could carry Us.
We went as near the fort as was safe
for our horses, dismounted, formed.
Charge, boys. charge. exclaimed Gen.
Gary, and on we went with a rush
and yell, driving them out of the
fort and pursuing them to the june
ton of the Nine Mile and Williams.
burg roads, distance one or more
miles. The road was literally lined
with the dead and wounded. They
were negro troops, and no quarters
were given, at least this was the case
with a majority of our boys. They
were actually clubbed to death
with the rifles. Oac or more of our
company were court martialed for
this cruelty. Ic,ulI give full details
but will pass it by. Gen. Gary
seemed to be unusually cross in this
engagement. We had no troops at
this fort, only picket guard of the
Hampton Legion. 1t contained four
heavy size guns aud when we reached
1.-THE enemy were trying to train
them upon us but We we're too quick
fof them. TO retako this tort and
prevent the enemy from turning our
left flank and easily entering Rich
mond, our brigade had to leave our
infantry to hold in check the over
whelming numbers in their front.
They were watching US and were
satisfied we would do it or die. We
had long been together aud they
knew what kind Of material we we're
made of. In front of our infantry
the ground was covered with the
dead and the wounded. So soon as
the enemy retreated detail was
made to bury the dead. There was
tsp wells near by and our boys filled
IL was Il JcrIrutV 1',-~,
were white troops. Just before the
fight began Col. Haskell was seen e
approaching from the direction OF
Richmond supported on either sue
bv one man. He heard the hrihg
from the hospital, ordered a morse
and | started to the front in spite OF
all the surgeons and nurses could do
to prevent him. So soon as he was
rc!oanized the rebel yell was given
and extended down the line as tar a
YOU could hear. He was tlnally put
suaded by our officers and men u s,
hack, There were some Of our com
nanv who believed in predest'nat'on
the writer did not but wanted 10 a "a
Ione as the war lasted anyway. y
nearing the fort he urged them
E rush in and drive the enemy out, tha
if they were prcdestined to be kllle
3 thew would be, and if not they wei
n safe anywry. For this he W. v,
!, severely reprimandcd 10y one OF IL
G party latter the 6ghD, Ihs vi =
G not said with any dsrespect Il
r religion, but f)r the purpose OF ca
>. turins the fort and thereby savi'
:. our capital, "a which would have {, 0
n Cured had we not been succesS'u'
e, our efforts.
le J;eut. Jeter was in command
Ill our company. l do not recoIlece
,e. casualties of the brigade. some IL
CHI in January, 1865, The writer W
N some others, wtretreconnoiterirg
nd front, passed along the Nine NJ
mt road where this battle was t'"s
he and strange to say that the q
ne. Mecroes we're still where they
nat akin in tact minus the eye ball.
We was q horrid grue3ome sight 10
ntil hold. Twill here state that no'l
leir preyed upon the dead soldiers ola, r; 4
met the green fly and peculiar t'"
pom a bug very similar TO what Is
| to orally known as the pumpkin
at Tbey could fly but preferred to CT
we They were numerous upon the b
hey fields No carniverous birds
rong ever seen. I've seen dogs pre-
,nifi mon some of the dead. Gen. l.
ot in streets official report of this
nand does our brigade great ipJa!
with This is one reason why | descri