The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-03-08
The Seven Days Battle Before Rich
 mond-A Veterans Story.

4hSAN-o tCkCAA AStOAys
 was a private of Company c, 5th. Ala bama Battalion, General Archer's Brig ade. On the evening of June 18th, 1S62 near sunset, we received orders to cook rations and be ready to march at a mo- ment's notice. We boys began to hustle. for we believed that big battle was coming. We could feel 1t In the air. Be- fore we had time to start the fire we heard orders to "fall in.'' fall in," in every direction. We were told to relieve ourselves of all baggage, and well we knew what such an order meant. Our knapsacks, blankets, etc.. were tumbled into the baggage wagons and we were quickly in line, with guns glittering in the light of the setting sun, ready to march. Our battalion was ordered to front face" and the various company officers made known the cause of the stir. We were told that fighting would begin tomorrow that we must be brave, stand firm and be true to our country. That was a solemn time. I will never forget 1t. An officer appeared in our front with a battle flag in his hand and said, Boys. this is our flag! We have no regular color bearer; who will volunteer to carry 1t? Whoever will let him step out" The sun was sinking, all nature seemed in mourning One moment hesitated, then stepped for ward and took the flag. The officer told me to stand still until he made another call. He then said, "I want five men to go with this color bearer as guard" It was not long before the required number volunteered. It was one of the most sol- emn moments of my life, and the proud est. For I realized that 1t was a posi- ton of danger as well as honor. We were ordered to our places in line and were soon on the march. All night we slowly but steadily marched on, occa- sionally halting. The entire army seemed on the move. Everything indicated a great battle. About noon the next day we halted and laid down by the roadside. dropped down. my flag in my arms worn out and fell asleep like a great big tired boy that was. For although I was more than six feet high. I was only a beard less youth. weighing not quite hundred pounds when I left my Alabama home Oh, that sleep was sweeti But suddenly l was awakened by some of the boys, pounding me in the side, saying; Get up; get up there Is a battle raging and we are ready to go into it." I jumped up quickly, rubbing my eyes and hurried to my place as we moved off in the di- rection of the heavy firing. The sound of booming and small guns could be dis tinctly heard. It was now about D. m, and in less than an hour we had crossed the Chickahominy and were in the thick est of the fight, Mechanicsville The bat tie ragged furiously until g o'clock at night. The casualties of my old battalion were very heavy. We fought under very great disadvantages. The enemy felled large trees in their front, and we made our way with difficulty through entangled tree tops, saplngs, vines and every conceiv- nhutH Nnft trdn Many of our boys were killed in the att tempt to get through. I wrapped my flag around the staff while crawling through l this abatiS. It was riddled in this battle ten bullet holes pierced its beautiful folds while splinter was torn out of the staff about six inches above my head-but came through that time without a scratch and was ready for duty next day. In this engagement some of my comrades were shot down by my side, boys I dearly loved. Two of them, Murphy and Lam- bert, were killed. When the firing ceased our lines fell back a short distance in the thick woods and huddled around in groups, talking over the incidents of the battle. l fell asleep and knew nothing until next morning, awaking much re- freshed and feeling thankful that I had escaped while many of our men were ly- ing around us, cold in death, and many others were badly wounded. In the early dawn the enemy began shelling the woods we were in, furiously, cutting the limbs of the trees off over our heads. We could do nothing but stand and take this terrific cannonade for about an hour. The woodland was full of troops
 To our surprise we learned that all this firing was to protect their retreat to the next line of Notifications at Gainess Mill. About a. m. we moved out after them. well remember we passed over that part of the field, near Meadows Bridge, where l was told General Lee led the change in person. There 1 saw the awful sight of many of our soldiers near this famous bridge. stuck in the bog up to to their knees, standing upright dead. Crossing the bride, hot In pursuit of the foe, on to Gaines's Mill. where we found them strongly protected behind triple lines of heavy earthworks. with head