Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-03-06
BY
w. n. ANDREWS.

and we tumbled over in the trenches. The
Warwick river or creek, heads around
Yorktown and runs south to the James
river, about seven miles in length, and the
dividing line between the two armies.
Gen. George B. Mcclellan commanding the
Federals and General John B. Magruder
the Conferedates. The Confederates had
a line OF breastworks the entire distance
at the edge of the swamp with dams built
across at proper intervals to break the
water over the swamp to prevent the APP
proach of the enemy. At Dam No. on
one side was four gun battery, and
little farther up the hill was a bank Of
dirt about five feet high. eight feet thick,
and $50 yards in length for the protection
of the troops. The swamp above and be-
low the dam had been cut down for about
15O yards extending to a field occupied by
the enemy with three four-gun batteries,
all bearing directly on the dam. Under
the treetops the enemy's sharpshooters
would conceal themselves before day. and
It cost a man his life to show his head in
the day time. The regulars losing five
men in that way. The trenches were oc-
cupied by lines Of battle day and night,
relieved every "A hours. The evening We
arrived at the dam the Federals 400 strong,
had waded through the water below the
dam and attacked the 5th North Carolina
regiment, who had their guns stacked and
sth Georgia were nearby and charged and
drove them back, killing 40 that were car
ried across the dam the next day under
flag of truce. Sometimes the regulars
would be stationed at the. dam, then be-
low or above IL.
The swamp was so thick you could not
see so feet into 1t. but many nights we
would have to remain in the ditches'
kneedeep in water. Several nights there
were false alarms; firing would COM
mence on the James river and hash
through to Yorktown. Sometimes the red
erals would drop in a few shells to let US
know they were not all asleep. No doubt
they were thinking, what fools those
rebels ber' One day, while the regulars
were behind the works in the rear of the
dam, Sergeant w. ]. Garrett from Muir
ray county; w. A. Bonds, of Atlanta, and
myself were having a social time, talking
about the girls we had left behind us,
which was a very interesting subject as
all the boys had girls waiting for them
until this cruel war was over. After a
while the conversation Jagged, BONDS
stretched himself at full length with his
head to the works and his feet against
a stump was leaning against, and went
to sleep. / decided that as / had nothing
else to do and all was quiet on the War
wick, I would Join Bonds in visit to
dreamland. Settling myself against the
stump with my left knee against Bonds
shoulder, 1 closed my eyes. The sharp re-
port Of a rifle was heard in front, and
few moments later a rhrepnel from the
enemy's battery grazed the top of the
works and exploded. 1 felt burning pain
shoot through my leg above the knee, and
on looking saw that my pants leg was
nearly shot in two. Bonds moved his
head slightly then was perfectly still.
Private BOYLE who was on my right side,
IL 70 ffa al Hill
and said, II am a dead mani? fell back
and expired. Bonds was killed by the
piece of shell that struck my leg, pene-
trating the spinal cord between the Shout
ders. Boyle received in his heart ball
from the shell.
The rent in my pants caused me to be-
lieve that my leg was shot In two, besides,
I could feel my life blood slowly ebbing
away. Believing that I would soon bleed
to death I would leave a message with
some of my comrades for my people at
home But for fear 1 was not injured as
bad as 1 thought 1 was, and to keep the
boys from laughing at me would exam
Inc and see. Pulling open the rent in
my pants found that the piece Of shell
mad cut about two inches and only skin
deep. I gave several vigorous kicks with
my foot and started to jump up and exc
cute double shuttle when I happened to
think of our friends, the enemy. who then
had their guns trained on the works ready
for the first head that showed above IT..
I never knew before how much I appre-
ciated my lower limbs. That was one OF
my closest calls. In Bonds breast pocket
we found an ambrotype containing the
likeness of aibeautiful young girl. Should
she still be living, she might appreciate
the knowledge that his last thoughts on
earth was about the girl he left behind
him. After digging a shallow grave we
wrapped them in their blankets and con-
signed them to mother earth. William A.
Bonds was a genial companion and a gal
liant soldier. Peace to his ashes.
Sugar Vaney. Ga.