The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-08-30

several smaller posts and proceeded
down the road up which Hampton s
main column was approaching, ex-
pecting the Yankees to be retreating
in that direction, having heard oc-
reasioaal firing for some time. As
the legion approached near enough
| to:besdistinetly heard, one Of :Hamp-
tons. videttes, about forty yards
ahead of the advance guard, Ito the
command Of which I had been assign
ed) feeling assured that the expected
Yankees were closely approaching,
calling out: "Here they come, boys! ~
Instantly Gen. Hampton, (always at
the front,) who was abreast Of the
first set Of fours, Of the advance
guard, gave the command to charge,
he himself leading, followed by the
1st South Carolina, the leading regi-
ment that night, the whole affair
taking place after dark. When the
head Of Hampton's. column struck
what was supposed to be the fleeing
Yankees there was, Of course, quite
clash, each thinking the other the
enemy, but instead it was Greek meet
ting Greek, or rather friend in death
grapple with friend sabre and pis-
tol being used in a hand-to-hand life
destroying struggle.
It lasted, however, but a few brief
moments-Hampton, with his innate
GOODNESS and presence of mind in ev-
cry emergency, having discovered the
mistake, called out in clarion voice {:
"Stop this, men, we're all Georgia ~
The verbal signal or watchword for
that somewhat eventful night was
"Georgia.'
The head Of Hampton's main COL
umn had charged the Jeff Davis Le-
eion through mistake.
When order was restored it was
fortunately found that though sever
al of the men were wounded. some OF
them painfully, none was killed. The
horses We're less fortunate, several be-
inc killed and wounded.
We shall not soon forget the oc-
currence Or the night, which was ex-
ceedingiy cold, the sky thickly over
cast, threatening snow, and although
there was a young moon it gave little
or no iyht-not enough to distinguish
a gray jacket from blue.
Among others slightly wounded in
this affair the writer received quite
vigorous rap on the head and
shoulder from a sabre in the hand
and from the strong arm of his chief
Gen. Hampton himself. But for
the good fortune Of having an unusu-
ally thick visor to my cap the blow
would doubtless have done me much
greater injury. AS it was, however,
the sabre cut entirely through the
visor and inflicted slight wound just
at the root Of the hair, above the left
temple. This, with a stiff shoulder
for a few days, was the extent Of my
injuries. I was more fortunate than
some others. But when I received my
chiefs sabre blow I saw more stars
than I ever expect to see again with
out looking at them, and having my
self previously dealt some pretty
heavy blows to others was not much
consolation. Yet my consolation did
come when the General invited me to
take supper with him and staff the
same night at the house Of a loyal
southern sympathizer, though in the
Yankee lines. The bill of fare was;
bountiful, including genuine coffee
and something stronger-each Of
which luxury had been long strang-
er.
Gen. Hampton, as I afterwards
learned, had rather a close call on the
night in question. One Of his trusted
scouts. Walker Russell, in the midst
Of the dacknes; and confusion, had
covered the General with his pistol,
being within few feet Of him, and
supposinc he WAS one Of the enemy.
was. in The very act Of firing when
Hampton, having discovered the mis-
take, gave the order to cease the
struggle. Thus a terrible calamity
was narrowly averted.
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