Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-03-19
"wednesday Evening. Aug. 5, 1852
From tho 18th Regiment, s. c. v.
In the Woods.

In the Woods
Eighteen miles west Of Brandon, Miss,
July 10Th, 1863.
Dear Enquirer: Since my last let
ter, we have been passing through
the dreadful scenes of battle and re-
treat, and though we are almost worn
out physically and badly depressed
mentally, we have abundant reason to
be thankful that so many Of us, are
thus far safe and sound. On the
morning Of the 4th Of July, we were
within three miles Of Big Black river
and on the morning of the 9Th, would,
no doubt, have crossed and assailed
the rear Of Grants army, but on the
evening of the 9Th, the crushing news
Of "Vicksburg has fallen" smote our
ears, and with sad hearts we were to
return in the direction Of Jackson. The
sound Of cannon and musketry reach
ing us from the direction Of the river,
where our cavalry and the enemy
were engaged, the latter having al
ready commenced following up his sue
cess, through two long sultry days,
with no water except from horse
ponds and, with perfect clouds Of
dust we turned our backs to the enemy
before reaching Pearl river. We rest
ed there one night, and on the morn
ing of the 9th, our regiment entered
the redoubts Of Jackson, the cannon
and musketry Of the enemy coming
closer and closer. All was quiet in
the trenches for the first day, but on
the 10th, the ball was opened by a
shell thrown by the enemy up the
Clinton road, after which a series Of
the heaviest skirmishes / have ever
seen, took place. Had not the reserve
force been so large, a considerable
battle might have been reported each
day. The first assault or attack of the
enemy was made on our left, when the
enemy were driven back with consid-
erable loss, by a portion Of General
Breckinridge's division. There was
afterwards charge of the enemy,
amounting almost to an assault on
our right; which was repulsed and
followed up, our troops leaving their
trenches and charging the enemy in
turn. This occurred in Gen. Loring's
command. considerable loss was in
fiicted upon the enemy here. An as
sault or charge was made upon our
right center, on Thursday, the 18th,
in which our regiment had a small
share. but the principal fighting was
done by Walkers division. which
formed our right center. Gen. French's
division, to which we belong, held the
left center and upon the whole whole
center the heaviest cannonading and
skirmishing was kept up all the while.
In the charge referred to, the enemy
suffered much more than our troops.
The 46th Georgia, Col. Colquitt, and a
Texan regiment charging them, and
driving them back a considerable dis
tance.
q little episode occurred on the 14th
A flag Of truce 1--WE suppose for the
purpose Of burying the dead) was ex-
changed, and hostilities were suspend
ed from one o'clock p. m, until four
o'clock p. m. in which time the SOL
diers of both armies met by hundreds
at half distance, and had a hilarious
time. The subject Of peace was dis
cussed, when several of the Yankee
privates remarked that if the privates
Of both armies could meet, they
could make peace In twenty-four hours
gain" Many regrets were expressed
that they should be mingling socially
now, and in a few minutes would be
doing their best to cut each others
throats." The officers and privates in