The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-03-09

or Greencastle and Camped a few miles inside of the State of Pennsylvania. Early the next morning we moved on again. and during the day passed through the towns of Greencastle and Chambersbufg in Franklin County. When we reached the latter place we found the sidewall<s. stances the housetops along the streets which we passed crowded almost to suf- location with the beauty and the fashion of the place, all decked out in their best attire and many adorned with U. s. flags, who had gathered to see the ''rebs'' pass. and not few were the cutting and witty remarks from both the people and the soldiers as that long line of grizzled Southern veterans flying their war-worn and blood-staned banners and marching to the inspiring tune of Dixie. passed Through this town of Yankee sympatbiz- CTS. We camped in the 'neighborhood of Chambersburg for two days and though no doubt there were some offenses com mitted, as all large armies contain more or less bad material, they were few and inconsequcntial Although l had no love for the Yankees and had often witnessed their excesses and wanton destruction of of Virginia. say now that 1t was with feelings of pride that I could then say that I belonged to a brigade of Southern gentlemen, a brigade in which no man through revenge for real or supposed in- juries inflicted on him by the Federal soldiers so far forgot himself as to be guilty of the slightest breach of discip- line or good order during the time we remained at this place. There might have been charges against members Of other brigades but against a soldier of Laws not one word of complaint ever came to headquarters.
 After having. as before stated. remained here for two days, part of the brigade put in motion and started in the direction of Gettysburg. We camped at Fayette- vile the night of the 30th of June. and on the morning of the 1st of July the brigade was detached from the Division miles from the camp of the last night. Hero we remained until o'clock a. ra. of the 2ad. when we again started to re- join the division which we did about p. m., having marched twenty-six miles in the fight ofe this day at o'clock D.. m. which for valor and determination. perhaps. exceeds that of any other efi- gagement in the war. Early in the action were wound in the arm; hence General Law. as Senior Brigadier. took charge Of the Division. and Colonel Sheffield. as Senior Colonel, took charge of the Brig ade. and with consummate skill and url- hinchinG courage directed its movements throughout the terrific conflict. and both by word and deed encouraged the men to almost superhuman efforts to drove the stubborn foe from his rocky fastness. And when the o;,d 0,d Tsxas Brigade too and. exposed to a galling fire from a concealed enemy which thinned their ranks at every yolley. began to give way. Colonel Sheffield rushed in among more. told them they were Texans and never to yield. at which appeal they again filled up the gap and maintained their position until night put an end to their days work of death: Laws Brigade in in offfcers and men; Lieut.. Col. Hard wick of the 18th wounded in the breast: Lieut.. Col. (M. yo Bulger. of the 47th. wounded and taken nrisoner: Lieut.. Col. Feag4n of the 18th wounded, leg arnpu- besides hundreds of line officers and pri- yates. killed wounded or captured.
 Though the fight of the 2nd of July was by no means the end of the conflict. more. but during the two succeeding days, and up to the time of the withdrawal of the army, was under fire and per formed important duty.
 After the army recr6ssed the river at Falling Water Creek five miles below williamsport, (which it did on the 18th Of July. having been eighteen days in Maryland and Pennsylvania) we marched to Culpeper Court House and reoccupied our old camping ground for a few days.
 
 upon the same spot from which we start ed to Pennsylvania on the 4th day of June. This was the 2nd day of August. We had made the campaign into Penn stops, in fifty-nine days.
 From this place, Hoods Division, still under command of-General Law, was ordered to Fredericksburg.
 (Note-On this march occurred an incl dent which gave rise to the following cor respondence: <.
 Headquarters Laws Brigade,
 August 6. 1883. Major W. H. Sellers. A. A. G.:
 ''Sir-Having been deprived of my po- sition today in the oroer of march by no fault of my own, and the General commanding Division thinking me too slow in executing the order to march which I consider an important qualified having been found wanting in that re- spect, I do most respectfully ask to be relieved from the command of the Brig ade at once. and ordered back to my regiment. I am Major.
 Your most obsdient servant,
 'J. L.. Shefield,
 'Col Com. Laws Brigade"
 Endorsed on the above in General Laws
 Division Headquarters.
 August 8, 1sS3. Request returned Colonel shefield nisapprehsnds the reason of his being deprived Sf his place in the order of march. Brigade commanders have al- ways dn case when the> brigade was the leading one) been notified by stan officer or courier. when to move. Colonel Sheffield was. therefore, perfectly right in awaiting orders. and was as prompt as 1t was possible to be in moving out when the order was given. It was not the intention of the Brigadier General commanding Division to attach any blame to him whatever. But as General Robertson was on the road. and we might gain the time which 1t would take Colonel Sheffield to move out. by letting General R. to move on, 1t was so ordered. Promptness Is g. qualification which Col onel Sheffield has peculiar right to claim, and no occasion has ever arisen on which he could be charged with a want of 1t.
 (Signed) "E. NJ. Law,
 ''Brlgadier General Com.")
 Here Laws Brigade, still under Colonel Sheffield, was detached from the Division and part of 1t sent to Front Royal to protect our forage trains which were then north of the Rappahaunock collect the 18th ,or rather about half of 1t. un- der the command of Lieut.. Col. Hard wick. who had recovered from his wounds, was stationed here for som0 time. Here the 18th again won fresh iaurels by beating back the Federal cav and crossed th, river an open boa! with the loss of but two men. one of whom was captured, and the other Lieu tenant Adarine @ severely wounded, but brought on the field. At this place. as In almost every part of Virginia through their houses and bestowed upon us not only words but something more substan tiai, the best food and refreshments that they could afford.
 AN.a