The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-04-02

y
was fought at Bentonville, n. c.,
March 49, 1865, between Gen. Sherman
and Gen. Joseph +. Johnston, who
had again assumed command Of oul
army.
On the 18th of April Sherman and
Johnston agreed to Il truce, and it was
as late as May Goth before Kirby
Smith surrendered out west. Some
skirmishing and small engagements
occurred between detached troops be-
longing to our army cnu the enemy
which could hardly be called battles
therefore Bentonville, N. c., is named
as the last battle Of the western army,
and it is Of this hotly contested fight,
between giants-our two most con-
spicuous and gallant officers of the
western army, Sherman on the FEEDER
al side and Johnston on the Confcdcr-
ate side--that want to speak, as it
brought face 70 face for the last time
these two old war veterans who had so
often met each other before on the
CORY field of battle. These two, who
had marched and countermarched over
the desolatc fcids of Georgia and the
Carolinas; who had SO often thrown
out their brave soldicry in battle lines
confronting each other, were now, on
the 10Th of March, 1865, to confront
each other in battle array, fighting for
mastery for the last time.
1t is not within the scope Of my
knowledge, nor is it my intention to
write fully of the history Of this bat
i'c, as the official records will no
'Iubt give each and all the divisions,
brigadcs and regiments all the honors
gained that day, but to mention from
personal observation some Of the Con-
fede-ate brigades most conspicuous in
this battle, who covered themselves
with glory on this fercely contested
battlefield; viz: iStovall's and Cum
mings' brigades and part of Hoke's d.
vision.
We were marching along the main
road leading from Smith6eld Station
to Bentonville, and had just crossed
small stream. Firing could be heard
in the distance, and the movements Of
couriers and aides rushing here and
there indicated battle on hand. We
filed to the right of the road, and rap
idly took position in line Of battle; the
Forty.second Georgia being on the
right, and constituting one-half of
Stovall's brigade, which had been
marched and fought down to an alarm
ingly small number, but those who
were still in line were true and tried.
Our position was taken only short
distance from the main road, and now
We were on the battlefield of Benton
vile, where we were to fight our last
battle; no time to throw up breast
works, but the boys availed them
selves Of the time to cut down small
pine limbs, which to some extent hid
them from the view of the approach
ing enemy. The small pine trees
growing at intervals apart, gave our
men an opportunity to see the ap-
preaching line of battle several hun
dred yards from where they were hug
ging the ground closely, hid to SO Mo
extent by the pine limbs out from the
nearby trees. It was grand sight to
see them moving on US, cold Glory"
floating in the breeze so proudly. Here
they came, our skirmish line gradually
giving away and falling back on our
line Of battle.
never was more particular and
careful in giving officers and men or
ders to hold their IRE. My orders had
gone up and down my line repeatedly,
instructing the men and officers to
keep down-hold fire, and await a sign
or orders; even threatening those who
should first disobey. 'Tis not strange,
then, that men who had fought II
battles, carried out my orders to the
letter.
The other day an old veteran walk
ed into my Office and asked for mel
raised up to shake his. hand, for I saw
at glance that ] had known him in
other days, and as we were grasping
hands and looking at each other in the
eyes, trying to trace some remem-
brance Of the bygone days, he said:
Colonel, I remember the last order
you gave us at Bentonville: 'Atten-
tion, Forty-second Georgia, hold your
fire for my orders, and when you fire,
give the rebel YELL Those who yet
survive, and were present that day,