The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1914-05-26
oOoOooOooooooo 90 o
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o Battle At Sharpsburs o
O e o.
10000 10000 900 500

(By Jos. d. Pinson, Co. |, Hampton
Legion) r
II was my fortune during the war to
be with Gen. Lee In his Maryland cam
paign opposing Gen. McClelland, who
was the most able general that Gen.
Lee ever fought against. After our
stay in Maryland for several weeks,
Gen. Lee saw that he could not trans
port rations for his army and not
wanting to forage on the country for
rations for his army. he decided to re-
turn to Virginia, crossing the Poto-
mac river.
When he commenced his return to
Virginia, the Yankees were in close
pursuit and as we marched in col
umn, men were frequently wounded
while in line. Gen. Lee not wanting
TO be pushed on too hard decided TO
give them battle. then making us q
short speech said: Soldiers we will
have to give them battle again and I
hope you will treat them as you have
always done"
Then there was detail OF men from
each company for the skirmish line.
AS the orderly of my company was
calling over the names alphabetically
the captain said to me: "Finson you
had as well volunteer they are sure
to get you anyway" Then we were
ordred to report to Lieut.. Fields in
front. This we did. but were told
TO wait until the others came, then we
were ordered to deploy saying now
men hump yourselves and go at double
quick with trail arms and get to that
rock fence in front"
We gained the fence and gave
T, whoop as much as to say I'VE mean to
l,A Il
his line of battle as he supposed fac
ing the enemy, but was mistaken,
| then had to reform his lines another
way that was facing them.
Then the battle commenced, Lee
with his 10000 men and Mcclellan
| with his splendid army OF $1,000 The
| fighting was desperate and the grand
eur of the.sight was beyond descrip-
tion, as our pickets gaZed upon the
scene, we looked over the plain and
| could see the pickets on the Yankee
side we're doing the same as well as l
| can remember Lees line fell back
| some fifty yards, then they faced
about. resarmed end feGsi.. CT, !. .a.o
| mean time was uneasy for fear that
| they might force Lee back. began
&c think os myself, just how would
| get away in safety from that picket
L
the men CT the ;;.Gci;S i;;>..Gci-;Se ;iifie guit fIIing
at each other and stood gazing at the
battle as II was going on. This night
was drawn battle and many Killed
on both sides. fS%s';
| Then. the battle closed for the night!
both armies lying on their arms4sS All
this was near the Potomac river. tyei
General Lee that night called his
/ generals together and consulted 'aS
best what to do. Gen. Jackson adj
vised him to cross the river that might!
\ but Gen. Ice replied TNo, We slg5iffi
| fight them again tomorrow" sv@Fy.l
thing was quiet Gsxt morning. Gen
Lee sent Gen. Jackson anu his chief
enugineer. Col. Lee to certain place,
Indian Mound, telling them they could
4 ride so far and they would have 10
| dismount!s walk and crawl to reach
this place. then took observations
with their field glasses Lee remark
ing to jackson: why General Jack
son a chicken rooster could not live
in front of that line," meaning the In
| fantry and Artillery being so well To-
Gated ana covering the entire front
Tho next day the two armies lay 'front.'
Ing each other all day, no fighting at
all that night.
Gen. Lee had moved {. part OF kis
tartillery across the river to use in case
the enemy followed him in crossing
the river. After we crossed the SOL
Edfers seemed as game es ever. Glad
to get back into Virginia, glad to rest
la while, but still willing to do our
I best. Willing yea, more than willing
to do anything on the face OF the eafia
that "Marse'' Robert would have us
lido.