The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1914-05-26
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o Battle AT Sharpsburg o
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o 600 oo0o 600 600

tBy Jos. d. Pinson, Co. l, Hampton
Legion.I
II vas 10Y fortune during the war to
he with Gen. Lee in mis- Maryland cam
paign opposing Gen. McClelland, who
was the most able general that Gen
Lee ever fought against. After our
stay ia Maryland for several weeks,
Gen. Lee saw that he could not trans
port Fations 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
whil in line. Gen. Lee not wanting
to pushed on too hard decided to
give hem battle, then making us "a
short speech said: Soldiers we will
have to give them battle again and l
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: "Pinson you
had as. we'll volunteer they are sure
| to get you anyway" Then we we're
| ordred to report to Lieut. Fields In
front. This we did, hut were told
| TO wait until the others came, then we
were ordered to deploy saying "now
mon hump yourselves and go at double
quick with trail arms and get to that
| rock fence in front" "t'
| We gained the fence and gave q
f, whoop as much as TO say 1--WE mean to
stay here" Now Gen. Ice had formed
his line of battle as he supposed fac
Ing the enemy. but was mistaken,
then had to reform his lines another
lway that was facing them
Then the battle commenced, Lee
with his 10000 men and Mcclellan
with his splendid army of 1000 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 were doing the same as we'll as 1
can remember Lees line fell back
| some fifty yards, then they faced
about, reformed and fought on, in the
4 mean time I was uneasy fortfear that
/ they might force Lee back. u began
to think cf myself. Just how would
get away in safety from that picket
/ line. When the fight had commenced
the men on the picket line quit firing
at each other and stood gazing at the
battle as it was going on. This fight
twas drawn battle and many killed
on both sides.
Then the battle closed for the night,
both armies lying on their arms All
this was near the Potomac river.
\ General Lee that night called his
generals together and consulted as
best wfiat to do. Gen. jackson ad-
tvised himsto cross the rivarth night,
i bur Gen. Lee replied "N0, we will
'i1fght Them again tomorrow Every
thing WAS outlet next morning. Gen.
4 1 Lee Lee Gent Gs;n 3JgSqk6oh ssuu mis- chief
enugineer. Col! Lee to certain place,
Indian Mound, telling them they could
i ride. so far and they would have to
4 dismount, walk and crawl TO reach
this place, then took observations
I with their field glasses Lee remark
ing to Jackson. why General Jack
/ son chicken rooster could not live
In front of that line," meaning the In
4 fantry and Artillery being SO we'll To-
i Gated and covering the entire front
/ The next day che two armies lay front
i ing each other ell day, no fighting at
lall that night.
Il Gen. Lee had moved q part of his
lartillery across the river to use in case
| the enemy followed. him in crossing
the river. After we crossed the SOL
ldiers seemed as game as ever. Glad
Ito get back into Virginia, glad to rest
Il q 8hile. but still willing to do our
/ best. Willing yea, more than willing
to do anything on the face of the EARN
that "Marse" Robert wenld hare as