The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1906-05-09

Hardee, Birmingham, Ala, by L. NJ.
Vance, first lieutenant of Company F
Gibbs Grays), 1lth Alabama Regi.
ment, Wi]oox's Old Brigade, at that
time commanded by Gen. John G. C.
Saunders.]
The morning before the desperate
and bloody battle l was in charge of
the picket line Immediately in front
of our camp. About ten o'clock,
while was standing on an embank-
meut which had been thrown up for
protection, the Federal pickets being
just in front, Gen. R. E. Lee rode up
and dismounted. Stepping to my side,
he asked: "Lieutensnt, have you
noticed any unusual movement of the
enemy?" Bringing my sword to q
salute, I replied: II have not. Look
QUE, General, do you see that tree?
There 10 sharpBhooter in the top Of
it," At that moment I saw Euf Of
smoke, hesrd the whiz Of bullet and
the discharge Of the guu, and the
missile ended the life Of q picket just
relieved % he 10y IN his tent. Gen.
Leo stepped down from the embauk.
meut, Eemounted bis horse, and rode
evey. We were expecting something
unusual to happen, il having been
Eumored that Gen. Grant was prepsr.
iug to blow dc up.
On she morning Of July 80, about
sunrise, we heard mighty noise that
shook the earth. Soon Saunders
Brigade was ordered from the right to
tho left, and moved up ravine 'front.'
ing the Csater. It was here that Gen.
Malone made speech to the brigade,
telling them that they had been
selected to make desperate charge
and that Gen. Lee would be present
with him to witness their achievement.
Gen. Lee VAS sitting on his horse in o
cluster Of trees near by at the time,
scanning the Federal movements with
his feld glasses. Gen. Malone com.
plimented the men and officers Of the
brigade 90 Aiabsmians, who never,
failed to discharge their duty to their
country at any peril.
Then the brigade was ordered for.
ward. Arriving at the top Of the
slope, We marched straight fessera
cut into the open feld, In full view Of
tho Crater aud under heavy fire fron
the Federal musketry aud cannon.
Tho men we're then ordered to front
face aud Forward to the Crater"
through o continuous fire OF musketry,
grape, and canister. When soldier.
was shot down, the order was passed
along che line, "Olose mp. men," and
I never saw, a. prestieEi line, kept on,
dziii. Erriviug oiose 10 the Redsssis,
Who we're in the Crater aud ditohes,
the order came down the linaes from
Gen. Saunders, ''Firs and charge bay.
cnetsr'' and with yell that tended to
drown the rattle OF uuaketry, the
soreeohing Of shells, and the moan OF
.hs dying, into the ditohss tho brigade
went. = ':.>.:.. ..
Words fail mo 70 describe the scene
that followed. Gen. slahons had told
the soldiers Of she R.:gsde that negro
troops we're 10 possession of the Crater
and had come 10 yelling, ''tNo quarter
for the Rebelsl' He did not ,ssy,
*'Shoa mo quarter" but Saunders
net decided that point. :>...s...s =, !.
Having driven these negroes ous Of
the frat line of ditehss, Gen. sauns
dsrs, ever on hand. Sinking no dan.
ger, dashed 10 the front on his bsausi.
lul blsek charger and ordered me 60
take my company and 60 over The en-
bankmsns thas had been thrown up By
the explosion. Giving this order 10
ny company, We climbed 70, The top OF
the embankment. Lieut.. Hardness,
Of Company @, was soon by, my side
waving the oolozs Of the regiment yapd
shouting to the boys 20 "Come on!''
A. shat momant: . big negro saldisr
doSa In the, pit raised bis gun :asi
ared, sending . bali through my lag,.
which grased the bone above the
Nnse. N.Y. lsg vas paraiyzsd for . mo-
mont, and I fell. forward into tho: pit
on top Of tho negro. !: +, s.. +
Then it was, who will get the best
Of itP The negro had 8 large spriug,'
back dirk 10 one hand, and made 8
desperate EFFORT to thrust IL into me.
grssped the negro's hand, holding Sit
fast and making an effor. With my
right hand to run my ;:sword through
him; but l could not do co. owing 10
the smallnsss Of the pit 10 this sita-
| alton but one thing was left FOR me- 20
do; that Was to hug the negro md
wait until my rasn camIs TO mp !; assssiss.
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