The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-01-15

Battle Of Chanccllorsville, May. 1868.
Atlanta Journal.


on any battlefield. Like a newly-crc-
ated sun the Confederate army had
risen from its birthplace at Sumter,
April. 1851, and had wound it's way
upward over the rugged heights Of
fame, and at Charlottesville, May,
lSb3, it stood at the pinnacle Of its
grandeur and felt thatO had
endowed it with the power to conquer
universe.
There was spirit in the heart Of
cacl man at that time that seemed 10
possess him from some unknown and
unfathomablc source. The idea Of de-
feat never entered his mind He felt
hat the god cf battle was his sponsor
and the whole world his heritage. This
spirit was not Il deusion but a verita-
bic force which he could not
resist, and which, in fact, made
resistance to it impossible Of conccp-
ton.
On entering upon this battle the
Confederate soldier did it in the prime
OF his manhood as warrior lie was
sure Of victory, no matter what the odds
were
On the other hand, the soldiers on
the other side seemed to be under the
the same spiritual influence which de-
pressed them and they looked not for
victory, no matter how few our num-
bers we're.
These opposite convictions seem
strange, but they are true, as subse-
anent events show.
AT this battle l was a private SOL
dier, but, nevertheless, / took as much
interest in what was going on in
campaign or in battle as did our
commanding generals, and I formed
my plans and conclusions of how the
battle ought to be fought and also
formed an opinion Of the result of the
plan adopted.
J did not let my views conflict with
the faithful performance of my duty,
but did not intend to fall, if fall
must, like one blind, but as one who
ought to know what and why things
are done in which he is factor.
did not intend to be any the less in
telligent and free after 1 volunteered
in the army than was before I join
ed it. did not join it to go back
ward on these lines, but as was
fighting for freedom it was absolutely
indispensable that first be free my
self. | have not yet been convinced
that slave, under command, ever
fought to free anybody, or that f1e,
soldier ever fought to ensaye auoth-
er, or that an army of freemen were
ever commanded by tyrant. hold to
the axiom, or fact, that every seed
sown surely brings its own kind and no
other.
Excuse this rather lengthy preface,
but l want to show an important fact
in regard to this battle. Not that I
want to blow my own horn, but unless
deduce the fact have in view, an
other may not do so, and the fact be
lost to mankind.
In previous article on the battle at
Salem Church / related all about m
command in its march from the
camp and of its joining Anderson |
division and of how we pushed
Hooker's advance back to Chancellors-
Vile.
When we got him back to this place |
were right onto the whole of the Yam
kee army, except that under Sedge.
wick, which was still at Fredericks.
burg.
We skirmi shed and made feints on |
Hooker's lines tc keep him busy, ex-
pecting something until we could give
him something the1 he was not expect
ing.
Well, vc hsd not been in his front
long before "Stonewall" came up with
his corps. He was our leading man in
y.isiug the curtain and beginning the
performance.
% this occasion our division and
Anderson's was simply the orchestra.
So jackson and Lee had cousulta-
tion as 70 which part Of the stage
could the show be opened to interest
Mr.. Hooker Tue most. 1t was deter
mined that Mr.. Hooker S people, who
were away round on the right Of the
arena, would enjoy the opening most,
and the surprise l. would spring on
Mr.. Hooker would clieve him of all
doubt as to our having the greatest
living actor on any stage. When
Jackson came up we AL felt that he
brought victory with him, for some
thing Of an unaccountable feeling