The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-05-20
WAR STORIES.


This year the day Of the week falls
on the same day of the month as in
1868 At this date soldiers who par
ticipated in the battle of Chanccllors
vile are apt to think OF that mcmora-
BILE battle.
After the battle of Fredericksburg
in December, 1862, McGowan $ Bri-
gadc cncamped between Cuincas Sta
tior and the Rappahannock River
and did picket duty on that river.
They named it Camp Gregg in mem
ory Of Gen. Gregg who was killed at
the battle Of Fredericksburg.
On Wednesday, April 20, Mellow
ans Brigade received orders to be
ready to march at moments warn
ing. Before any other preparations
could be made, except packing knap
sacks, orders came to move out. Our
regiment, the 18th, was left that day
on picket on the Rappahannock. Gen.
Hooker in command Of the Federal
army encampcd on the n. bank of the
Rappahunnock, wos crossing part Of
his army at Fredericksburg. BY mu-
tual agreement the Confederate and
Federal pickets on their respective
banks Of the 'Rappahannock were Oh
friendly terms, convcrscd with each
other and did little trading on the
sly by means Of cantecns. Often
greeted each other across the river
with friendly salutation aud inquiry
rs to how they Jared at dawn after
severely cold night.
While we were on picket on the riv-
or Oh Wednesday, April 29th, VIC could
he'' the heavy shelling by the FEEDER
=. batteries up the river. The fight
ing had begun but still we kept our
truce. One of our men on picket hal
lowed across to the Federal picket and
asked what tho Federal cannonading
up the river meant. He replied, mo
harm at all, only practicing little"
On Thursday evening our regiment
joined the other regiments Of tho bri-
gade at Hamilton's Crossing, near
Fredericksburg. On this rapid march
1 noticed an amusing soenc. Near
the road side high up in tree, far
out on the limbs, two soldiers after
squirrel. AS we approached nearer
saw two other soldiers with axes
choppipg down tho tree and had it
nearly cut through and the tree seem
ed tottering to fall. I remarked to
Capt. Charles Petty, who was near
me, as we passed the tree: Captain,
isn't that dangerous business, those
men high up in that tree and it ready
to fall?"
The captain replied: "Oh, / reckon
not. Iguess that is the way they
were raised"
On Friday morning. May !. hAfere
day we were marched out from
bivouao at Hamilton's 8 Crossing and
rapidly in the direction of Chancel-
lorsville.
The Federal balloons on the north
Of the river were all the while in
sight.
-Four OF Ave miles from Fredericks-
burg Generals Lee and jackson pass
ed US en- the march and received the
cheers Of the army. We could hear
cannouading in front and began to no.
tice evidences of battle on tho road
side. At dusk the brigade filed off to
the right Of tho road into the woods.
Here the brigade encountered the
Federal piokets who greeted our COM
ing with volley of minnie bullets.
A Confederate battery attached to the
brigade opened furious fire on them
and they ceased firing Immediately.
We were then in easy range Of the
Federal batteries on the Chancellors-
vile Heights but they did not reply.
Their wagon trains on the heights
were exposed.
AT dawn Saturday, May 2, we be-
: held three lines Of blue in our front.
Everything was astir, and rapid prep
aration for the desperate conflict,
which all felt was imminent. Gen.
Jackson galloped along the line. Then
q Confederate battery close by our
Regiment opened fro on the Federals.
This was returned by the Federals
4with terrific FIRE. Soon white smoke
and debris shot high into the air, one
Of the Confederate caissons of ammu-
ni.ion was exploded. Just at that
time when the Confederates were ex-
pecting to receive the command to ad-
vance on those strongly fortified
Aa;obka &c Nhn 1orcvsl1o Gopacol Ia