The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-07-16
BATTLE OF BLOODY ANGLE
By M. L. Lonf, Co. G., 18th
Regt., U. G. V.

It was the morning Of the 18th OF
MAY. 1861. We were lying in the
trenches just left Of SpottSylvanla Z.
H.. Va. wondering what would come
next. We had just witnessed ter
rible cannonade from each side. Some
times it seemed that the shells would
meet in the air.
We We're then ordered out and
marched about one mile to the lett
and were placed on the reserve line.
We heard the most terrific cannonad-
inc on our left and soon we heard vol
ley after vollev Of small arms. In
velv short while courier rode up to
General MCGOWAN, pointing to the
left
Al once the order of attention was
given and we started by the left
flank in double quick in the direction
Of the firing
After going about one mile a shell
fell in our company. tearing a hole
about two feet deep, but hurting no
one. We soon came to where the bat
tie was raging with all its fury. Very
early in the morning General Grant
had maSsed his troops and assaulted
a weak bend he HAD found on our line.
The enemy had succeeded in captur-
ing General Johnston's division OF
$4,000 troops and thirteen cannon and
had possession Of our line of works
for some distance. Now our business
was 10 take the line back from them.
AT it we went, for we had no time to
lose.
There were only three brigades Of
US, Davis Mississippians, Hayes from
Alabama, and MeGowan's South Car
olinians. We charged little redoubt
that had been hurriedly thrown up
and. formed ourselves behind it. At
once we were ordered on the first line
of works.
When the writer rose up and look
ed in front the whole hill was blue
with the enemy They opened on US
with all Of their cannon and ours that
they had captured. With grape and
cannister and musk7try, they truly
made hail storm of bullets, but
strange to say only few OF OUR men
fell. The shots seemed too high.
When the enemy saw we were conf
ing sure enough, they got on the 9TH
er side Of the works So we lay so
close for a short time that when guns
were laid across the works they could
be caught and sometimes pulled out of
the hand. After we had lain in this
way ten or fifteen minutes we were Or
dered to charge the next line. Cen
eral MCGOWAN jumped on the works
and waved his sword to the front. he
fell back shot through the arm. COL
pnel Miller next got on the works and
1le fell back wounded. Colonel Shoot
er got up next and he fell dead. Then
our own Colonel Lester mounted the
works sword in hand and the whole
line Of men went forward and charg-
ed lie last line Of works. General
Grant had in this time received heavy
reinforcementS and we had to meet
another storm of bullets. Here our
brave boys went down fearfully.
When we got into the works the
same scene was enacted as before, the
eaemv on one side and we on the
other. The enemy held small por-
ton Of the works on our right. at the
bend. which enabled them to cross
fire on Us. 50 We lad to throw up
cross worl- to keep the bullets off OF
US.
While We were at his the enemy
left Us for while.
When we looked back over the
ground behind us it ee: talnly deserv-
ed the name Of Bloody Bend. But 1t
did seem that General Grant had de-
termined to have our line. Just as
soon as fresh troops could be brought
five lines Of men came against US.
They were apparently under the IN
fuence Of whiskey, with it in their
canteens. We lay close and held our
fire ill they got within ten PAGES OF
US. Then at a given signal We poured
a volley into their ranks They stag
gered, many threw down their guns
and came into our lines. We could
not ,ake them, but sent them back, and
many Of them fell from their own
bullets. It was about II O'Clock a.