Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-09-11
Fhst Georaia REGULARS in the Su,anps of S0ah Carolina.
BY CAPT. w. H. ANDREWS.

about one-half to drop down and the rest
turned and fed to the rear, while we
poured iron and lead into them until they
reached the woous. It was then getting
near dark and their artillery was placed
in position, winch shelled us until a late
hour at night. As the federals were In
position on the north bank Of the Coosa-
hatchie, General Hardee's fo-us during
the night crossed the SackehaJcnie river
and burned the railroad bridge, then
marched up stream a short distance and
camped in the swamp
After crossing the river we had Harri-
sons and First Georgia brigades, Har-
dee's North Carolina and Corners South
Carolina brigades besides some artillery.
The next morning an old one-legged negro
came across the river to our camp and in
formed Captain DuBose that a farmer
on the other side of the river had de-
serted his farm leaving lot OF hogs and
poultry that our men could get by going
after it. Captain DuBose sent eight men
back with him, who after crossing the riv-
er followed a dim road out of the swamp.
At one place they saw where a fire had
been built, but not quite out. On reach
ing the field in sight of the house they
could hear hogs squealing and chickens
squalling. So they decided TO send two of
their number to reconnoitre and see what
was up. They found the yard full of the
enemy hobbling everything in sight. The
boys returned to their comrades in time
to keep from being captured by squad
of the enemy advancing from the other
side of the field. The boys recrossed the
river believing the old negro was decoy
sent to get them to cross the river so they
could be captured. On the 10th of jan
uary Colonel Fisher with one company of
the 9th Georgia battalion, and the Texas
rangers of General McLaws' escort went
on a scouting expedition up the river, and
-, Il INNS
river they saw the North Carolina pick
cts and believing them Yankees fired on
them. The North Carolina boys believing
they were the enemy opened on them too.
The swamp was very thick and the rain
coming down in torrents. Both parties
had on overcoats ana oil cloths, making
the deception more complete Colonel
Fisher sent a courier to Col Hardee of
the North Carolina brigade to take the
regulars and charge the enemy in the
rear, as he had them cut off. We went
charging through the swamp and lagoons
sometimes waist deep in the water, and
when near the firing, Company M was
ordered to the front deployed as skirmish-
ers. We were ordered forward and had not
advanced 80 yards when we received
volley in our faces which caused the
company to fall back a few yards
and to shelter behind the trees. 1 was
in command of the right of, the company
and Captain DuBose on the left. From
the firing could tell that the enemy over
Tapped our line and sent word down the
line to Captain DuBose to that effect,
which brought him up to the right. We
were not more than Is yards from the en-
envy, who were also behind trees and on
the lookout for any one who might expose
himself.
Captain DuBose made the run from tree
to tree, pausing at eacn one. When in
sight of my tree I watched him as he
ran from one to the next and when he
made his last tree he paused for a second
as though going to stop and then leaped
forward again and as he cleared the tree
a MIME ball passed lnrough 1t as 1t was
a mere she'll. The run brought him to me
and thought 1t a pretty close call for my
gallant captain, but an all-seeing eye was
watching him and his time had not yet
come. Sergeant Charley Bruce, of compa-
ny l. and , yself, were ordered to recon-
hotter the enemy's line and find out their
position. We crawled on sur knees.
along an old road a short distance when
II or Is caps were burst at us and
jumping to our feet we made back to our
trees. About then some one came up from
the left with the information that we were
fighting our own men and to cease firing.
saw behind a tree some 40 feet in front
a soldier with a light sack overcoat on
with fiat Confederate canteen and point
ed him out to Sergeant Bruce, telling him
It was a rebel. which he would not believe
I then told him to prove 1t 1 would shoot
him and made the attempt but my gun
missed fire.
About that time Colonel Hardy with the
regulars arrived on the line and ordered
a charge. My man with the light overcoat
on fired into the line and ran, two others
jumped up from behind the same tree.
We were ordered to bear to the right and
give them the bayonet. Company NJ
charged through the swamp at least a
thousand yards, flushing deer and Wild
hogs, but never saw any Of our friends,
the enemy. 1 can't say how much farther