Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-01-22
105TH INSTALLMENT
(Thursday Morning, January 2, 1857
Editorial Correspondence.

Editorial Correspondents.
Tuesday Night, Dec. "a, 1861.
Dear Enquirer: We write to you un'
der feeling Of deeper sadness tonight
than we ever did before. All the news
we have to convey is afflicting. Thai
troubles never come single-handed
is mournfully illustrated by the sad
occurrences Of the last few days.
Friday last, the anniversary Of our
cession was signalized by disaster
to our arms, in an engagement OF one
hour and ten minutes. near Drains
Vile. To give you a detailed idea, the
neighborhood Of Drainsville is well
supplied with an abundance OF hay, To
secure which was a desideration both
to us and the enemy. Gen. Stuart
having discovered hostile regiment
and park of artillery at or near Drains
Vile, sent back for some forces on
Thursday evening, to cut off the Hes
slams and obtain the hay. Early Fri
day morning, a train Of 1876 wagons
supported by the 18th Va, Col. Gall
aird, 10th Alabama, Col. -; 9Th
South Carolina, under Lieut.-Col'
Lecut; 1st Kentucky, Col. Tom Tay-
lor and four pieces Of the Sumter (Ga.)
artillery, Capt. Cults, moved forward
about dawn from Centreville, to join
Gen. Stuart and portion Of COL
Ransom and Radford's cavalry. The
whole, numbering some $500, then
proceeded towards Drainsville. About
two miles this side Of that place, the
road passes into a very dense forest OF
small pines, which extends on both
sides Of the road for perhaps more
than a mile. The enemy, who must
have gotten wind Of Gen. Stuarts in
tentions, and been strongly reinforced
were advantageously posted In large
numbers on the opposite skirt Of this
tangled thicket, in an old road which
had been cut into the ground, and be-
hind a stone fence which together
protected very well as high az the
breast.
Just before reaching the exit from
the pines towards Drainsville, an aid
to Gen. Stuart galloped back and in
formed him that they were upon the
enemy, although a Union traitor who
had been met that morning, told him
that they were nowhere to be seen.
The 11th Virginia and the 10th Ala
bama at once filed to the right Of the
road, and the 9Th South Carolina and
1st Kentucky to the left; and were
forming as we'll as the ground would
permit, a line Of battle. At this juno
ture, and when they were within some
hundred yards Of the foe, the left wing
of the 1st Kentucky, who had turned
to the left in the rear Of Col. Secrest' 8
command, and who had been instruct
ed to fire upon the first men they saw.
poured a volley into the South Caro-
linians. The enemy at once from be-
hind their stone wall" opened dead
ly fire upon them in front. This unex-
pected and appalling cross-fire for a
moment caused the line to stagger;
but most Of the men rallied and dur
ing the stormy hour which ensued.
fired lying" exhibiting in many in
stances the greatest bravery, GOODNESS
and dexterity. The Kentuckians hav-
ing discovered their mortifying mis-
take took position at the left Of Col.
Secrest, and fought with energy and
effect.
The 18th Virginia is said to have
charged the enemys left wing and
driven them back to within sight of
Drainsville. The artillery, owing to
the density Of the pines. was forced to
move along the road to where they
could find a suitable position. Capt.
Cults succeeded in getting only three
pieces to bear upon the opposing
horde; which, however, were manned
bravely and skillfully; and did much
execution, though they suffered terri
bly-five or six being killed on the
field, six or eight mortally wounded or
severely wounded, and a few others
slightly, while one caisson, one lum-
ber box and twenty odd horses are
said to have been lost. The position
was found to be untenable, and Gen.
Stuart withdrew in good order, and
offered them battle in a less unequal
position. The enemy, however, had
enough Of it and did not pursue:
though they held the field and most of
our dead and several wounded fell
into their hands.
Our loss was perhaps fifty killed
and $50 wounded and missing. The
enemy, according to the latest opinion
of Gen. Stuart, suffered much more
their victory turning out to be de-
feat in reality. A wounded man, whose
wound they dressed and left him be-
hind when they retreated-for Gen.
Stuart went six miles beyond, and
could not find them, the next day
stated that they had fifty wounded in
the house where he lay. But their