The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-12-10

On May, 1863, we were ordered to
Jackson, Miss. After remaining in
camp for short time, we were ordered
with Gen. Joe Johnson's army to Big
Black River, in rear of Grants army,
which had Pemberton's command
cooped up in Vicksburg. On the 4th
of July, we we're ordered to cook three
days rations and be ready to cross the
river at daylight and attack Grants
army and relieve Pemberton. Before
we had fallen in line dispatch was
received informing US that Gen. Penn
tcrton had that day surrendered to
Gen. Grant. In burning hot July
sun, and with no water except from
stock ponds, for three days and nights
we marched down to Jackson, where
we built line Of brcastworks and de.
Tended the place for seven days against
the assault Of Grants army, losing
several from our command in killed
and wounded. From thence we went
to Forest Station, and went into camp
in Scott County, Miss, where We re-
maincd FOR short time, when we were
ordered to Savannah, Ga, and went to
the Isle of Hope, where we remained
for some time, and in September,
1863, We were ordered back to Charles
ton, and were on Sullivan's Island un-
der fire OF the enemy's gunboats until
February, 1864. when the 18th regi-
ment was detached from the brigade
and sent to Florida to check the ad-
vance of the enemy across that State
from Jacksonville, going in the direc-
tion of Tallahassee. Just before we
arrived, they were met by Gen. Fin
nigan's brigade at Olustee or Ocean
Pond, near Lake City, and were re.
pulsed with heavy loss, especially the
colorcd troops, who had been placed
in front and forced up within range Of
our sharpshooters. The enemy, al
that survived, rctreated, and our regi-
ment pursued them until they got un-
der cover Of their gunboats at Jack
sonvi!lc. We had an engagement with
them at Cedar Creek just before they
arrived at Jacksonville. There were
no casualties on our side.
On April, 1864, we were ordered
back to Charleston. Remaining
short time, We went to Wilmington,
n. G. About the fire. of May, =e
we're ordered back to Virginia; ar
rived at Petersburg and marched in
thn direction Of Richmond The enc
my we're advancing on toward the rail-
road; we encountered them at Clay's
Farm, about midway between Peters
burg and Richmond, on the Goth of
May. 1864. each regiment of the bri-
gade attacking the enemy by detail,
Gen. Walker being in comm and of the
brigade. While leading q charge in
front of the 18th regiment, the enemy
fred platoon at him breaking his
ankle and killing his horse and taking
him prisoner. The enemy were COM
pletely routed, our forces occupying
their rife pits. In this engagement
we lost several in killed and wounded.
Among the killed was Sergeant Major
Thomas Sims, Lieutenant Bobo, COM
pany E, with several others. The
failure of Gen. Grant to reach Rich
mond by other routes led him, after
the battle Of Cold Harbor, to plan an
assault on Petersburg.
He accordingly brought his army
across the James River to City Point,
June ~, 1864, and three days later an
unsuccessful attempt was wade BY his
troops to take the position. We had
previously crossed to the south side of
the Appomattox River, taking posi-
tion between Petersburg and the Fed
eral army. Gen. Beauregard was in
command OF our forces which enoir-
cled Petersburg as mere picket line,
but we repulsed the enemy in the first
attempt to take the city. This attack
was made at night by greatly superior
forces and was renewed the next day,
our thin ranks maintaining their
ground, anxiously looking for the ar.
rival of Gen. Lee from the north side
Of the James River. He arrived with
his forces, which drove the Federals
back, and on June 10Th, 1864, the
siege commenced in earnest. With
the design Of cutting off food supplies
to the Confederates from the South,