The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-08-06
WAR STORIES.
Noble Sentiments Of Wade Hampton.
The State, July q.

brave men who clung to their cause,
and their colors to the last. The men
who thus nobly discharged the high
est duties of patriots and soldiers,
deserve the thanks, not only of their
officers, but Of every true hearted
Southerner. Gratitude for their SER
vices from their countrymen and con-
sciousness on their own part of duty
discharged, are the only rewards they
can ever receive. The country for
which they fought is obliterated from
the map of the world. The nation
ality they so"ght to establish is ex-
tinct, and the government which
should have rewarded them is-like
their hopes-dcad. 1t is therefore
eminently due to them. that their
heroic deeds, their sufferings and
their sacrifices, should be recorded, so
that In after years, their children may
not be ashamed to claim their descent
from men who are now denounced as
rebel! Let "thc truth, the whole
truth aud nothing but the truth" be
placed upon record and may we then
confidently commit our cause to the
impartial judgment Of posterity. it
Is not slight compensation to the
Southern people, for the disappoint-
meut Of their dearest hopes, to know
as they do, that your account Of the
war will be received wherever it is
read, with implicit reliance in it's
truthfulness and that it will consti-
tutc our history.
If it shall be in my power to give
you any information. however meagrc,
which may prove useful to you or if
it shall be my good fortune to rekin-
die 10 the heart Of Que single survivor
OF these brave men who remained true
to their colors, one emotion Of pride
or Of pleasure by the record of their
deeds which give you, 1 shall be
amply compensated for any labor the
work may require Of me
During the winter of 1863 and 1864
two brigades Of my division, Buffers
and Ioung's, were stationed near
Fredericksburg picketing the Rapidan
and Rappahannock rivers on the right
OF our infantry. Rosser' brigade was
sent to the Shenandoah Valley on the
10th December, where it performed
brilliant service under its distinguish
ed commander. AS it was on detach-
ed duty during that time, l. beg to
refer you to the accompanying report
OF Gen Rosscr (marked Az for the par.
ticulars Of this successful campaign
in the valley. On the 4th of March
it was reported to me, at Milford. that
Fitzpatrick with three brigades of cav
airy had forced the pickets at Ely's
Ford and was moving towards Rich
mond. Having notified Maj. Gen.
Stuart and the authorities at Rich
mond of this movement, I took the
First North Carolina regiment and
detachment from the Second, in all
BOG men under command of Col.
Cheek, with Two guns of Hart's bat
terry, and followed him on the -.
Making forced march we struck the
picket of the enemy at IL p. m. the
same night at Atlee's station. His
camp fires indicated his position, and
though saow storm was prevailing, I
determined to attack at once. Dis
mounting 100 men, I ordered them to
attack as soon as the artillery opened
fire. The guns were moved through
the fields silently and were placed in
position within 500 yards of the camp,
whilst he dismounted men approach
ed still nearer. AT the given signal
the guns opened and the men charged
promptly: and handsomely. After q
hot but brief fight the enemy were
driven from the ground in confusion
leaving their camp, their provisions,
many arms and horses, together with
prisoners from FIVE regiments in our
hands. The veteran North Carolin-
ians, only 275 in number, for 30 had
been left on picket and sent scouting,
routed full brigade of the enemy,
capturing prisoners from every regi-
m:nt composing the brigade, and put
the whole force of Fitzpatrick to fight.
For as soon as the brigade which was
attacked was driven in, Fitzpatrick re-
treated rapidly towards Yorktown,
leaving besides the property captured
caisson and wagon. I followed him
as soon as the prisoners could be dis
posed Of, but want Of rations and fa-
tigue compelled withdrawal of my
men. when we had reached Old