The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1913-02-14
"Reminiscences Of
the @ar-
Written In 1908 by B. P. Gregory, Sr.
to his Son, W. T. Gregory.
Continued from last weekly


Now 1 don't think there was any
thing more of interest on that tramp.
We arrived at camp near Winchester
that night if my memory is right.
When l went back to Warrenton my
negro John was along with the wag-
on tarin and did not know where I
was until it was too late to come to
me. So he went on into Maryland
and got cut off from the army over
there and was not with the regiment
when l got there. l was very much
worried about it. l did not know
whether he was killed or captured
and l was so much attached to him.
But he turned up in few days.
When he found himself cut off he
took to the thicket and made his way
back across the river into Virginia.
Some of the negroes were captured
and never did get back any more.
In few days we left Winchester,
marching South. About this time
Burnside was on his way to Rich
mond by way of Fredericksburg, with
125,O00 we'll armed men. Lee met
him at fredericksburg with 10000
and fought him two days. Our brig
ade did not get in to much of it, but
was frequently exposed to the fire of
the enemy by being held in reserve.
On the second day Of the fight we
were ordered to the front right op-
posite the town, where the hardest
part of the fight had been the day be-
fore. 1t was open ground from our
line to town, and the enemy had moth
ing to shield themselves from view
view after leaving the town or river.
Our men had fairly good protection
and it seemed that the enemy did
their hardest fighting where we were
strongest in works and men. They
charged our men here at this point
line after line, until their dead were
sight to look at, from town to
within ten steps of our men. 1t was
said that right in our immediate
front on about an acre there was
500 dead men and on back toward
town, about one-fourth mile, every
where you could see the dead were
thick, an appalling sight to behold
These are facts and no exageration
about it, saw it with my own eyes.
Some time up in the day down below
and to our right and in plain view
of US, they made desperate assault
on our men. It was grand sight
to see the enemy advancing on our
men in splendid form and flags flying
and the smoke rolling up from their
guns. 1t was an alarming sight to us
as we were looking on and could see
their men falling so fast and still
pressing on. 1 began to think that
our men could not stop them. 1t is
utterly impossible for me to describe
my feelings at this point. But few
more steps and cloud of smoke and
mighty roar of small arms, and the
enemy waivered, fled and left the
field. l could then draw a good long
breath and feel so good. The battle
was about closed now, and the enemy
withdrew across the river that night.
Early the next morning 1 was Or
dered to take a detail of 20 men and
go down into town and see if the
enemy had recrossed the river, and
report back quickly. l dread this,
as l would have to go into main
street, which lay parallel with the
river. Before 1 could see the enemy
could trap me without firing gun.
But l must obey orders and 1 ad-
vanced watching every point. 1 saw
some Yankees dodge around cor
ner and in the second story of the
opposite building lady was at
window motioning us to come. l
knew the way was easy enough then.
l went at a run to Main street and
turned down the street and began
hating Yankee stragglers. We did no
firing as, they made no resistance,
and we soon had considerable num-
ber. sent them on back to the line
and reported and requested more
help as there were many hid in the
houses and sellers. I hurried on
down to where the pontoon bridge
was to cut them off, But they were
already cut off when I got there and
the bridge had swung around to the
opposite bank from US. I expected to
be fired on here, but we had so many
of their men with us that it would be
impossible to fire at us without shoot
ing their own men. I did not remain
more than a minute or so. and began