Year: 1863

sereeching of two hundred shells mnutely shot ovei


our heads. Frank Ramsay was killed during this


artillery duel while loading his gun, piece o


shelf passing dagonally through his lungs. learn


that his last words were, "Tell my wife died al


my post like man." saw testament he carried


in his pocket; it was saturated with his hearts


blood. He was the only man killed in his battery.


At5 o'clock, the roar of artillery died on the ear,


and our eager lines to the right and left of us ad-


Vanced under the canopy of sulphurous smoke that


densey hung in lowering clouds at the base OF the
enemyS position. | watched their long lines as
they advanced with flying colors, and none but a
patriot can realize the emotion that filled my breast


and the thoughts that fitted through my mind. 1t
was time when hours were compressed into min
utes, hearts throbbing and the blood lies DOR
mant in your veins. They are finally hid from view,
and then began the terrible rattle of mus&etry,
soundingRot unlike the pelting of hail on the house
top, until 1t finally eliminates in continuous roar
that language cannot describe, while the detonating
thunder of artillery again sets in and adds new hor-
rOrS to the bloody drama of death that is going on
Sometimes the ear can catch the peaiing cheer of
our men ringing out amid the din as some advan-
tage is gained, and our hearts beat tumutuously
with joy, only to be again oppressed by hearing the
hated "huzzah ' of the enemy. Thus the fight
continues until long after the sun has set, until,
perhaps 10 o'clock, when it gradually ceases and an
oppressive silence reigned until daylight, only dis
tur6ed by the distant groaning of the wounded and
dying that covered the ground. Thus ended the
second days fight


We lay and slept in line of battle in our old posi-
tion in dread uncertainty as to the result of the
days fight. At dawn we learned that Loncstreet's
corps had crossed the enemys position on the right
but on account of overpowering odds the enemy had
hurled against him, he was forced to fall back leav
ing all but four of the 10 pieces of artillery he had
captured. Hills forces also drove the enemy from
the centre but he, too, was forced back while the
divisions on our left were equally unfortunate. In
fact the hard fighting of our troops was barren OF
results


July 8. The day wore on, and an anxious ST.
lence reigned. Only the pickets kept up desulto-
ry hrlng. The hour of battles o'cock-again
came, and from thesr amongst the artillery in our
rear, knew that one more effort would be made,
We had one hundred and fifty pieces of artillery
IN position, while, perhaps the enemy bad 200. We
began the light and the oldest soldier in our army
says ne never witnessed anything that equalled it
The numbering of the thunder overhead (as squall
passed during the fght) was but as the vail of an
infant TO the roar OF lion, in comparison with the
deafenng roar that shook the ground 1t lasted for
three long hours and the last hour the rattle of
musketry comminged with the fierce roar of the
artillery. The same scene was enacted as Of the
day before with the like results as we could tell by
the loud " huzzah of the enemy that rang in nv
ears with the panfuness of the expressed anguish
OF mother weeping at the death of her first born
Once more we forced to leave works that the
most daring courage and herOlsm was evinced to
take. Just at night, we q mean our divison,} was
ordered to make night attack on the position in
front OF US as fOrorn hope. We were to attack
with the bayonet alone, our brigade in advance
with Daniel as support. Our battle cry was to be-
" "North-Carolina to the reScuep The attack was
to be made Just as the moon arose. In front of u.s.
hid only by slight hill, stood this frownng emi-
nence cleared of timber, and crowned with artillery
thickly parked. Between its base and summit two
long lines of stone fence parallel with the sum-
mlt and behind these rock walls two lines of battle
stood, musket and rife in hand awaiting our an.
proach. The order astounded me, and thought
surely our leaders must be mad OF ignorant of the
position or else they think our little brigade of 900
can accomplish impossibilities. But the hour of
trial approaches. In his Enthusiastically clear
ringing voice, our noble commander gives the word
"Forward" We spring forward and clutch our
arms nervously; gaze in faces never expect to
see again on earth. Pocket books and last MESA
ges were hurriedly given to Surgeons, and those
whose duties cause them to remain in the rear and
we march boldly forward, sweeping IN good line
through the tall wheat that divides our position We
near the base of the hill that towers aud looms I'D,
mountain like in our immediate 'front.' and halt at
low given command within the pale of grave
yard with marble monuments that seem typical of
our fate. The enemy seem aware of our approach
Their commands can be heard and they are evil
IDENTIFY preparing to receive US. We are ordered to


lie down, and our great hearts thump and beat with.
In our boSoms as if they would leap out while no.
BILE RamSeur and scouts creep forward to reconnoi-
tire. For 10 minutes we lay in dire suspense A
few random shots are fired, and a few whistlng
shells from artillery whistle our heads and we
expect the whole air to blaze forth with leaden and
iron hail But the firing ceases and silence reigns
The rising moon creeps under cloud. Messengers
are sent down our lines, and instead of the dismal
death-knell sound of forward" the gladly obeyed
command of "fall back without noise" is given,
and soon we are again back in old places in line
of battle Our General saw the fool hardness and
madness of the attempt, and being unwilling know
ingly to sacrifice his command, he on his own re-
sponsibiity, ordered back and for that act there
are many Carolina mothers wives sisters and chill
dren who should pray blessings on his head. Thus
ended the battle of the Sd of July. The losses on
our part in the three days fight was heavy-15 or
10000, doubtless The enemy's are probably much
heavier"