The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-03-04

Give half his years, if he but could
Have been with US at Monterey
If the now ancient poets Of the
Mexican War felt in this way, how
much moro must thc gallant spirits of
a later time have .ongcd to have been
able to pay an equal, or even greater,
price, to have taken part in the mag
niiccntly dashing episode Of the
charge of the Y. NJ. |. Cadets at New
market?
The sight Of the Academy cadets
last Memorial Day prompts an cdito-
rial on the subject, but it is n story
that eau not be told too often, both
for the benefit Of the youth of u
land, and that they may hand it on
down as a glowing example Of boyish
courage and devotion to generations
yet to come. And especially inter
e%sting is it when related, even after
the lapse of forty years by one who
took part in the conflict.
Saturday afternoon last a party Of
gentlemen were standing above the
las. green Of the Country Clubs golf
links, within sound of the laughter
and social amenities Of the sons and
daughters of those who, on either
side, had fought each other 80 ficrccly
in the blood drenched days of war.
With Northern and Southern residents
fr~aternizing 80 pleasantly at the Club
House, and with 80 peaceful a pros
p ct spread before them, there was
J tie, indeed, to recall the animositics
VI thr Civil War, and yet oblivious Of
the fact that there was "a chiel
amangst them takin' notes. some
reference was made to the battle Of
Newmarket, and then one word led to
another, until the gentleman to when
reference has been made, began almost
uuconsciously to relate the Incidents
of that stirring scene through which
he had passed as a lad.
when we first came up with the
army said he, "thc veterans of an
hundred fields began to chaf US on
the subject Of our natty uniforms, and
g%ood-natured badinage flew thick and
fast. They promised to dirty those
pretty little grey jackets for us before
we parted company, and told US that
we would wade through many a mile
of mire before We got q chance at the
Yankees, for it was already beginning
to rain.
THE battle, however, was speedily
joined, and when tho opposing armies
were holly engaged, We were ordered
to the front and drawn up just be-
meath the crest Of a slight hill, with
the Federal line Of battle in plain
view u mile and n half away. Jack
sons battery came laundering up
along the ridge behind us aud unlim-
bering let fy directly over our heads.
1t was too close to be comfortable, aud
we were ordered to advance, which we
did, t the foot Of the hill. Again
came the command to 60 forward and
our boyish battalion moved on until
We were within some three hundred
yards of the Federal artillery in our
front; then we were halted, with our
muskcts at right shoulder shift and in
line Of battle marked time under the
concentrated fire Of the Napoleon
guns.
They were firing canister AID we
would see q puff Of smoke and then
whir-z-it would come tearing over
our heads with the roar of u covey of
quail, or plough up the soil in a spat-
tering shower at our feet. or else, alas,
too often, find Judgment in our ranks.
1--WE were told to go forward q little
distance to change the range and then
J." lie down and commence firing. We
~ So, and had fred about three
-our when the terrible tension
wh;oI I'D r, en- somewhat relieved by
tbo fr;nr -okcn by the order to
rise and charge. Nth n rebel yell
we dashed forward, in l''eo' a,'sh-
ment, until a cluster Of houses, ABOUT
three hundred yards from the Fedel.a'
position, broke up the formation Of G
and D companies and threw them into
temporary confusion.
"As soon as the impediment ".
cleared, however, A and B companies
halted and with muskcts at right
shoulier shift marked time under
NE concentrated FIRE Of FIVE batteries
of Napoleon guns until G and D could
reform again on the left"
est was that maneouvrc, probably
remarked one Of the party, "that join
ed with your small size, led the Union
lJo Gov a hndu ut