The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-05-27
WAR STORIES.
An Interesting Relic Of Appo1nattox.
Greenville Mountaineer.

Inc Sixteenth Michigan had been
skirmishing al day and went on pick
ct at dark. Gen. Grant made his
forward movement to Spotsylvania by
the left flank. We were then called
in aud followed the army. Coming
up with the Sixth corps, which was
deplored apd advancing on Laurel
Hill, the 10th was sent to the left
flank to Gcploy and support the 9th
corps. In moving through dense
swamp and the darkness being so in.
tense, we lost ground and diverged
some three or four rods to the extreme
left and rear Of the 9th corps. The
whole line was halted for purpose OF
ascertaining our true position. The
Eighth Ala' anna (Confederate) dis
covered the movement Of the Federal
corps, but not that Of the 18th Michi
gan. The 8th Alabama moved for
waSd to strike and surprise the left
flank Of the Federals, aud in their
movement advanced within two rod 8
of our regiment, but halted upon dis
covering who we were.
We heard the movement Of troops,
but believed we were still in the rear
OF the 9th corps. Co. Il being the
skirmish company for the 10th Mich
igan and l having command of it's
left wing, and C,pt. Saltcr the right,
stepped up to Salter and advised
him to let me send out couple Of
videttes, as was suspicious that all
was not right, and the two men advan-
ced as far as the 9th Alabama. Now
for movements "quicksas lightning 8
fash" Maj. Fuller on our left step
ped over to inquire What regiment it
was, and received the reply. eighth
Alabama" when he jumped back.
CaptJacklin went also to make thesame
inquiry, when he was grasped by the
throat, hustled to the rear, and at the
point of q revolver unbuckled his
sword belt.
Col. Hilary A. Herbert had been
wounded two days before, and Mai.
Enrich was in command Of the 9th
Ala. Maj. Enrich with ssveral men
rushed for the 10th Mich. flag. He
seized our color bearer by the throat
with one hand and the flag staff with
the other. In the tussle the color
bearer fell with the major on top. I
was not ten feet distant and along
side Of these men when they fell. I
loosened the majors hand from the
color bearer 9 throat and put the maj or
on his feet, when others rushed up
with dubbed guns and bayonets. Col.
Hill and I shielded him the best we
could, but one man struck him on the
head, when he called out, IT am q
prisoner:s use me as auch and don't
murder me-" Col. Hill admonished
the men to be men and soldiers, not
murderers. The Alabamians discover.
ing that their commander was pris-
oner opened from right to left ter
rible. withering volley, the powder
flashing in our faces, but we soon re-
covered and returned the FIRE. The
Alabamians retreated and our flsg was
saved. ;.
had three grand-uucles in the Con-
federate army, who : names were
John, James aud Robert Marshall.
Col. Herbert told me that one OF them
belonged to his regiment, who died OF
his wounds or was killed some time
previous to this little brush, but later
l learned that he was captured on the
9th Of May, 1864. have failed to
find any record Of him among the Con-
federAte prisoners. He and his broth
ers we're Of good old SCOTCH Irish
stock, and were fighters in any army
they might have served.
The little strip of silk around the
chip went under 6re at Yorktown and
in the last battle at Five Forks, and
was presented in salute to the Palmetto
Sharp Shooters at Appomattox. Its
first fall was under their FIRE at Gaines'
Mill and it's last bloodless victory was
at Appomattox. Five Forks was its
50th battlsl Old, soiled and honor.
able, after so many years it is present.
ed to Col. Hoyt, one oe the honored
survivors Of that gallant regiment
which was organized and commanded
by the peerless Jenkins. With many
thanks for your kind letter,
Fraternally yours,