The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1904-06-22


burg, and finally brought US up in front
OF Fort Stcadnan about dark, and
then we awaited orders.
Arriving at this place | noticed for
the first time that my brother, Bob. a
boy OF eighteen years, was with my
men. lie did not belong to my com
mand, but was serving as courier for
General Phil Cook. Surprised at his
appearance there, I asked him what
he desired He replied that he had
GENE 70 sc With HE wherever I went
talked 20 him about the folly Of such
a course and implored him to give up
the idea. But all in vain. remind
ed him that both Of our brothers had
been killed, cd that our old father at
home would look to him to lean upon
In his old age; that was going upon
a perilous expedition, with but little
chance o. returning alive. He ad.
mitted that he, too, believed that I
would be killed, and for that reason
he was going with mo in order to bring
back my body. What could say
then? Nothing! We spread our blan-
kets on the ground and lay down, he
to sleep, and | to lay awake aud think.
1t was very dark. No sound broke
the stiffness of the night as we lay
waiting the last orders. could not
sleep; was unable to rid myself of
the thought that it was the boy be.
side me that would be killed. I. came
over me as we lay there side by side
Tor the last time. At 3 O. clock Gen.
eral Gordon came. He furnished
strips of white cloth to the men; they
were drawn over the right shoulder to
the left side, passed around the hody
and tied. This was lone so we could
recognize each othe. in the darkness.
General Gordon then made the men a
speech. He told them that if thew
succeeded their names would 10 down
to postcrity upon the roll of honor.
That he would see to it tuat, living or
dead, the name Of every one of their
number should be honorably mentioned
III his native State, and that the sur
7ivors should go home on a thirty
days furlough, and each receive a
silver medal bearing his own and
Lees name. 1t was stirring and
impressive speech. as We heard it,
standing there in the night, with the
awful task and eternity staring US in
the face.
The assault was 10 be made at a
given signal, and at last it came. In
an instant We were over our works and
heading for the fort with all tho speed
we could command. We had hoped
to reach it undiscovered, but had not
gone twenty five yords before its guns
opened nnon na. I do not, even nev
understand it. We we're not visible
and made no noise. AT the flash of
their guns darkness disappeared. and
at intervals as the guns were disohar.
ged, it was rs light as day. We soon
got beneath their line of fire at the
foot of the hill. I think, up to this
time, We had not losS q man. We
were still going on the run, as fast as
We could, crossed the branch and
mounted the hill. am very feet of
foot, but when I reached tho line Bob
wa' there alead Of me. I saw him
Tor ao instant by the fash of the can
non tearing apart and dragging aside
the wire and logs. He was very
strong, and had broken the wires when
| got up. We went through the gap
together, followed by the others. The
next minute we struck the middle line
OF brush, climbing, falling, and roll.
ing over into the open ground beyond,
Then the wind from the cannon and
Tying balls was so strong we could
not keep our hats on, Ahile the fright.
ful roar Of the guns drowned every
other sound. We went the balance
OF the way with hats and guns in hand
until we reached the last line of OBJ.
struotions.
The men seized the rails with the
strength of desperation, dragged them |
out of the ground and rushed through |
the gap. The next instant we came |
into the fire of the small arms, but
to advance on the run. Not
only were we exposed to the musketry
ire, but had risen to tho line of fire
rom the artillery. / do not know
how we got through it all, but in few
minutes we we're in the moat.
We had struck the fort about the
middle. The infantry in the fort was
'ut upon the works firing down upon !