The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, July 04, 1895, Image 1
*H E ?OI LS
5. -NO. PICKENS, S. C, THURSDAY, JULY 4 1895. ONE DOLLAR A YEAR.
..TAITON RIVE - RIG
Narrative of the Battle on the
25th of June, 1864.
HY .IMES A. IIOYT, CO. C., P. S. S
Thirty-one years ago to-day th1ere
was an impromptu battle It(. Stautntoll
River Bridge, onl the Rihimnond and
ativille Iailroad. This was the only
lii of railway then open for the
tranIpol'ortation Of'o1lier's an'd supphies
10 Lee's army, which was conci1e1tIate(d
around tichiond and Petersbulrl1'g.
The Federal cavalry had been raiding
aliong thle railroads between lmn
toll and Weldon. N. C., 111( c013ommun133i
cation had ble sopp10)e( between
Voldon and( PetersbI'urg, Va The
(11100o va3 (ilito serious and gloomy,
as the aIllill 110 and deyence or
tle ContilualncO of tile stlruggle on the
pa)3rt of (t Confederates ,ly inl tile
pjrCeervatiol of Ithis sinlgle lilne of rail
wAy ilitact. The ttestiutionjoi of an1,
imiportant bridge at Such a juit.tre
woulhave seIs011y eIbarrassed the
situati oll of Lee 111d hlisi gI111t1 hosts,
who Were confronting the enemy
around jlJ'elersburg an-l nuintaining
the ltie of (10eICe t te capital of I
the Conlfederacy. lie deiolition of J
the railroa bridge verM] Stauton
Iltiver would men a ea s111 y and5.' un- 111. (1
obstructed march1.4.1k of tile enmy on to t
.Danville, where the destluiction ot an
other important bri(ge overt3 the Dan t
liver would suliy I' . (Allow. Besides, V
ite twn of Danviie was the tIlrepot m
for ry Suj)J)lies, an(d t1er ei( were l1
imtimenase sore. being gauthereI Ither'e alit
this very timu. A 'eplliIse of tile
enemy t11. Stauntiln Ii ei lent3 the t
preserval I Danv ille anid its
valuiable inter~est-4. Th1is wol kee m
Lee 31n(1 hi in secuity n111 o
repose so far a1s- tlir base of supplies a
Was conlcernied. c
General Sheridan haI begun the c
exectitionl of a gr:11d eninjMlgI3 with a
his stlolg force at I vlryCl. lie had r
been e11gaged for' several weeks i1 a1 v
expedititn wich lad fr 'its object. tle (
destruction of, G-ordonsvwille, hrots
ville and 1neibhburg, so 18 to threaten a
ILA fr3on (he rear. Tis imi.osing
piece of strategy was foiled 1)y he
quick imoVelt'sllIS 4111s1 vigroluMs action a
of General 11pton, wh > Was placed 11
inl c0111111,omad of the cavalry after the c
deatl oIf Star1't. 110 13ha1 (efeated t
Sheridan inl tile blliat engagemen V
-t. Trevil ianit's Sation1 oil tihe it 0h1o a
.une, whi idi gave a decisive 'heck to
the Federal comma11niiude'. A cat valry U
expedition iner 114t1enera Wilson and(I %
Kautz was thtnL a oaiaized by the 0
.'ederal comim1anlde llr (o to operte aaist v
lhe railroadIs sull i oIf tie AppomiaI t I ox, a
which force s(t out on t3 lVe lveniing of tle Il
21st of Jui. l''itzhughli1ee's division r.
of cavalry wenit inl pur.sulit of thet w
01)11Y Ill i camlle 111'ith Wilsonl near '
I )inwiddie c. II., where Lee was re- si
plsed, but le struck Wilson tlh nlext a
day ieI' NoItLWay' C. 11., and gained s
such a lictory o' him 1113 Wi lson' g
witldrew from his frolt, f iortning ai
11111cion with KntzI on P'Ii o the mn
and1( 1313'5lV lave Ialrl~l . Frm t i
towars thel~l 1bridge3 ~ ove Sauton 33 1
1tlo ofol hoe guads nuhe c53 1om- 'l
man of'l' Cat. lit1I1. L.ei Farinholt,. of th I
V13irgin(tia i resrv milii' b1 13 itW(d(
'l'hiOs lit) byt1i( way of1 prefac t at n nis3
accounIlilt Iof1 te btlleit'tki t antn'
31 iver Ltme fur330thl(er preie-t of n
laing11 tht'el1 31111 far asg my Il kn ildge
go( es ('o detailed04 taien of 'this a1
I ad thatha ed toudertake PliO~ now
iy a 'ourl~ius Sonic. A. )' rled of
ig among some0 old t ewsapers tind aI
andol o he came osa f il of111 1 l e a
1)a111il Southiern Gurdia," published11 (I
in13, (4 'olum i ou3((0), S.'C.,fbyfthe a ee \1
3fact1 tht o i neofth cp-i s coied w 11 li
alette wr1 ite by11o mi fr1m the hos-1103 1
pii t l t D avlt ,V .,' the 4th1 13(11 ofi 0011
met) the at st 0' cneled)113(1 w ithte I
light ,on th'teri' 35th of lm t. t g tli n 110
liver,030133 and3to wihi was1( appended t a t
pati'is''1(1t10, of 1 l the nune my fear- 3
tmmne in1l1i0,11( thatlngaleet. In justlied
to) thellant1( soers001( iho made 11te 1
light, I term'inhid too pt toethete
j'act'tand iien1 t' whieh ilutte t
the( Lpost tCause11~l under most.( tryi' 1
circut' ncsati the facet(I ofsi far- Iit
fulsodds. Wit 31v chosen1t11 thf (1101 o
annivsary it ofilthe it w joliltIt dow1
hese1 memor)ies a ill b'tr fIe omplledi I
to appem moe1 o ls eistical in 1
toinn to110 le Isn Mti c omn I
.hcon spital ohihinl S.iChmndo
sine tofI te Geia divisit on of the
not, long in procuring n pCi'iit to Visit
imly father's home in Liaurens, where I
recruited under the tender care of yily
mother for two weeks, gaining it gooil
deal (if streiigth in that. time. After
tile expiration of my hospital furlough,
I repot ted to the surgeon in eba'rge at
Columbia, and requested to I (is
charged and sent back to the army,
as tle news every (lay indicnted ac(ive
mlovemlents; around 'Petersbur~g, whlere
the coailnilld to whic I lIoged
(PaIme(to Sharp Shooters) was then
stationd. The surgeon reilonstra(ed
with mie, and urged 11latt 1113' iillpove
iment wits only timponyl:ilN, or a lelst
that my' health was no perinianently
recolered, atIld I' pl'f'eled ain ex
en0sion ofmy leave for a return( I
I,aurenvis. This wa-s rse ul de..
clind, Iild upn m requ es a dis- I
('lhargie was mdI e out oil Suday morn1
Jg .lune 1911th, ini fo( r 11Me to reachI
the ashigto StrI'eet Methodist .
Church, and ii a seat in te galle'iry
to Ie'r (he commnleeIlnllt sernll! o I
the Columbl ia eliale College f'oci
that1 jll'inl~ce of oralitors, Biho Geore
F. Picee, whomI h 1ad mlet the(, year 3
before it G reensboro, (,a. It w'as a I
gilaidi efeort, and tlie tlolIglt upmr-a
mliost in Imly mllinld, With that discllare a
iml my pocket., I as wIletieir t wold v
ever enjoy snch a privilege aIgiin, for a
Lvery hor tie alr grew heaviel with 11
tle reports of impe(ling hattes inl v
Virginia.
'Thie train 1lt at. vidnight, and I a
veit viL Kinigville to Wilington, N. b
, ai le most direct iroute to Peters- u
Ou.-g. MY recollection i-s that tI
Ouriley to Wb'iliniiiigtoni wIS not coIl- a
leted ut Tue.sday moin'ilg, owilng ta n
letays at Kingville and Florence. liut h
here Is evIn gr'eater delay a1(t i
Vimgofrterailroad het ween a
herelan WMldo wa'.s be(ing r ae-b
d itll the Fedemai cav'ilry, anel e wi S
'iaitedl f'or hrains te sent. ou. I haid s
n inervew ithl G N artin,. Who 1,
' ls lomm11.andllng the jpat, and he 1
avC me10 a p(rit- to go )n the iist d
rain , with the uniid'ers t11amlinig Iha. I )
'oul talk(- comman111d of urioughIedl tI
"d cin'alseent soldiers who mighttlie to
11 the itrain, ill (Ise the enieiir. was to 11
tta.ck thletan The tni~e n
niuctor felt sure t iat we ubotil
neCourIter (Ihe Feder-als, anld move ta
I ee drn th slwadCautious ti
Ae we dise lbarlked at theil ilstalce,
'lheni I woui place t mlen oIn the so
LlP.ite side(, of the ra il'oad tri'ack,
iti the ea's as a sot of breas work, ti
niI IIawait, thle Coliing oi ftherierb
Iio did not -Ippear duig t1e1 ay.
Wheln we reached Goldsboro i 1h 0,
('teInooi the I'Sews was received that w
1W Fedterals had seveled ill coilimtuli- i
atio w Witi Weldor, an(1 that we iulst i
ike a t raili f)r' G reeinsboro and 1)11- cI
ille. 'le party 'vas being augmienlI lUL
1I the time, anld 'when w'e realched e<4
4tiville oil 'T'liursdaty Ilighit, there i
'ere fol ty or fif ty ollicers aIid liell t
'ho flt thelliselves' ill somte 1 way iider )
nier1s to folow ly lead. AtU 1)anl- 11
ille (le ews was el lorc excitin', n
' rumlors wver" flying thick and fatst gi
ilt the Fedenils wlele destroying the.s
ihoa b11 eyond lurkesville, which si
Muld furthler delay 0u1 po1 es.p
heleC was anil old hotel used as a Way
de Ilospital nOt far frotu the 411), Im
)d thither went a t ir led alld huingri3 ti
:t of soldier, wIIO weC thankit to il
at shelter for (le ballne of tle night.. l
ioieid to breaIkfa'st, oin (lhe noblde m
omen~l of I)anv'ille were on~ haind to (I
idl in eig tIe llen who were, un- (1
lefend the place against dis"ter. pi
het buiildinlg hadii a verainda~ (1he entir'e w
migth for two''( stories, anld aftter Li
reaiktfast I w~as i ot ihe upperCi galle'ry, rr
itth a por'tf11oi)liowiebi now lies befor i 01 L
eO atnd wa~s oon1 enlgaged iln w ritinlg mi
y3 i~ mo iher, teillinhg of the miishaps rn
neeC we par'ted, and I was writinlg r'
iotherI to a y'ounig lady3 in1 Soulth ti
arolma11:, nuilulginhg ini hope for~ th 1'Ile Iii
iturie, when'l sev'er'a soh)i i'rs 41ame14 to~ - '
-- tI
The cause of this1 inlrrptowa ei''iL 41WSi
>Oni etxp).land, which waIs Siml that3'11: si
'iliheirs. to enrol alt the elistedl men) Il
>r the purpoIfl.se of takingi them1 to) som h11
o) int onL the ra:il road iln the irectiolt e:
I' Riclihmod , whiere it was i'xpiecte ~'1i
>imeet. the enem'lly. Nearly at li hese 1'
1(en hiat beenti ini thei armyil' irom li ae ii
L,0'L, and1 it did notL take thieim tong ai
'a5 1ttally inexperien'lcedi, wi ch (caus- et
id the 14 .0 inIquirie whlethe hi'le had ei
eent at thle front,1 Ii is aniswer' al
itvealed ihe faoct tha hiile had neCver1 b
mie l powderI oin thle h alt le-tield , amI iii
hie ob~ject iof ('omm11 to me0 was.5 to (i
ilaat. in their' behalf. L will not mi
nier' into the? partiilars.' but will only3
ay tha1 ttiverl hour's were't lo)st in 4co11
i icinig Col. WVithters Itiat Ithese mnii a
c"Ounlt of palst seri'ices5, and1 t hat it ni
msll anl inijust ice fci 1him1 to tlatie temi 1.4
mder41 commandl~i~ of one4 who wa':s e'vi- i,
lenty i1111. for' the posi tioni. Finially3, r<
t was dided~t' uponi my13 suigge'stion that e
m0 put in charI ge, and( that the r'est of o
1s shotubl go~ along. Thiiis arranilge men t e
blvas141 not ariediii ioutI, howeviver', ats this s
thie fiorce I wirilie we'I l were 1wat ig inl I
comma of Capt.'i51111 i tichh 11k, arrive 14 1
shrit I iti beforeIE we left. The had i' li
unesi'ted( that hisi companliiy bie jol~iel to4
y little band of :il). Tilt how.s l*Vw
5slowIIy, the heait was inlteInse. :il tlt
't men4111 VeieQ sufferinlg from thirsi :111(1
I- IunIg'er. The creek water lill lt
I satisfy them, amId I lte r iolls weret
I' growin lg searce ut ii unal Iatalt'. Th'ley
e gadictr tuiltlit bridlge, .11iI the
s old soliers regalel tle O militit with
a1 growesaoiIe tales ol ia a :s liey h1,1 seIin
ia it. (amp jokes mi b-eezy son-, s, Ital
lowedt until -I o'clock in lhe a lt erantaaoon,
when tile shaarp eteik of' a rile on the
hills broight everv tat' (a his phlaae
e Ilong lite Iht, aldi a I e1 w miniates
L' se of oti vile(tes were seei toming
L) inl iasteC to j Oi us. Tie 'intaiiNy was
,al:inost In sighI, ;aml( the first c-ur aer I to
ar rive s~aid tihe were veryla nume airous.
T Th ativai . a'a'guani11 of ('len. Wilson
- quickly (Iove in tih blit a let of otrit
L pickets, except two or thi ree who were
0 cut ', a*tI ) l i who atenetI tieiiise'lves
Sinl tie wootIs Imtil the lieught was ever '.
I If was lot very long 11111il the tna
I emy egan to aipper iupoa ith hills.
.Theiir artillery wats soonl unl~IIimbeec,
i aid olyl a fei'w m t elapasttd
1111il shells were burstilg all :i'aoit
us. They uiertook to ga't-t lie rIngce
I-of t he britge, 'ai o gl wias 'vi..
a deitly trying it) sloot into lite va' of'
th brlige, ileeting wi i i'm-cess low
- and then). The S(tInuirmns of* catvalry
were Ilying~ inl every diin-ction, 'I ch'e
I whole th stiel Io t a live witih
horses ait riders. Ca vary atlwaI s ahid
excite ne with the Intaipintg oft holrses
ati lit'heclaigiaig taf sahn-as, hmti I heste
thinigs were Il %eTV detstrutive a' fa lif'e,
-al so I lth more ritus wheni it was
I apparel. that this flym ;a Ia lt-alit
thlat thlie tav 'alrymen w' <ailt uitilig
f'or a closv conflliel with uts. Th'le 41h.ll
ingL wias still fi'rious :1:al gnm in ll n.
Iat' pleahs'ait 'very momentii1a1. T1 a-l it)
lie aljaiiatmfort 'tflte it'tion i'a ural
00wn ineVxpl-eeet '1-lillerv ()n the4
soutlisidle begati to n-sp .< a 'a Ilie
complimensvl et orthfrmlh o
posie hills. ;11t'aifIIat i ita ' usin Si tal
anil shell if h t' exl-,-etalma 01
reat'hinag tilhe t'in e'iiy, t !unneraici's puat(
in gr01a1 ant1d alister wluia'li it'll all
aI'oiil its. I snti l ivaa e Flon, ott
the M ari'ylnali ntiltery, wialh a i's
sage to the co aaiianumila it t lit' other
Is'iale. it' wienit acro'tss ft' eabria' tall.
der' tlie fire ta1' the enemy'laiNs gaIs Ito
slop the firing of our. own :it Iillery.
aaIl I watt' his ril ap witi a gre'aI
<ltal oF inierest 'as lie iaerget t'tii I lite
lri'- vii aseitlcenal' the hill ilo the
ort. .l i Is(truittonis wie tail' hi to
ask the priile'e at directfig t' ais
thrfat aito iciw irint alge tr.
IIn the nIcanwhIile thet dIismona t t'll
anv'a'alry were fttia'' ilnta at i ha'ralaay.
T' lit' W1.r-4, ' ifor'n'l til:a t' si I
- tion, itl thay bea guim Ial ianovi' ill taut
dirjt''liona. InvidveItiv it w\ts tle illnil
tion of* thet viee.yv 1) (r11h11u simail
orc at' f oll willi supuriil' atil'isher
(,'aalilliin :tf t'l ttali ia was 4iassa1t1 jii
th' .tlw :ml e ia'n sent forwr:ii-d.
T l groia l w%Ias baaiing coeral te
raailly lby tilie j(IlV.aninilg hosiS, :111I
nav lille as Ilwver ga lenit'a r lutist hIItvo
l'ceiveitl thelii. .'\alv oatnlers wer' I'o
evei \ tiitti fi keep tait iht' r.i-4 ii1114 he
hiin tlt bratstworks, whihl wn
ollv Iwo 4 ala re' fet I'tt high, al wlti
tlie II'st lilei oft fll a.st'lly hitl crosst'l
it' ti'ela ill ola' f'aoia , the collia;aitel
woubl lie ivln a ' Fir'' ' As .11
ret:aaly staifetl this ttjli t u w at liman-t
fli:tii sevet'ill'-tjive ais iiali' la'aa frit
aitllal whe ilhie aniea rosa' witflt' i'abetl
yetll ainttlataoama'a a voalley' 'ntoft t' ranaks
o1fit' a'inm, thle a'w'as gra Ie.'am
sft'i'natian ail a lemslyaa' n-t'at.
'The mItalfet was jaoiana'l iin tlt'spoi'ate
tov'eet'i'oma theaira surprtaaise'1 tere wa:s
a rally af at'heit se'nf i'ed taor-t'es pr'eara
SarY ftoa another''char'gte. The ' toops
wterea miaassa'ed i'~iI aeven amore clst'ly thani
.iieker aiitl moai''re dterineda', butf flet'
fatal alith alwias an aobstruicf toni wilihi
they'~ neaer t i ssedl agaon. ( )u mieni
wes't'vad thiri firea aimai m, ut tha.
wvaif to ste whther'a the FedalaIs wouhatla
aitftempilt :moh~thei'r croin05ig atfit' t(h
The rsecon altIcharage was r't'imih'ed
wifth tailial gallaatry, shotw aig a tdtter
mhaiada retsisatanc' tai ouri sidet, hui at
rettlpiirt'(I Iaongera timea andt ha~ierji firi
edl a hit gerl intfera'a hladwa'en flte
''hargtes, btf i' f lie flthin t' fte tf
forit was iiade Itbly fthe sa'iedt r'.imiks tat
thle t'ait'iii es faa r arda' fto ha' gatal
ta'fiheji' amabifti. oa f'ar' as fthia'
etnhl st'e ther'ae was hno impraaessioni bet
liin ate til taurl lint', amia t hey waer'e
- ao nearertl thle aiaturiie oft thle briidge'
lthan when'l the list cam.(2ie ill sight tat
it. 'This thain'' charge' was reasiste ta s
'Thle suin wats gOim baehiind lte hills,
but uas yt tere wias nat signu fthaf (senl.
WV. I I. I". Ia'a' hail re'.a'lhed j le tenemiy's
rari. his apar':jance' an ft' sc'enea
woutld meana a tliett' rou l'aiia'tf t'lauaand,
- ias we't knewu' lhaf wiithI t caini g tat
i ght lhe Federtj'as wtouhl have' te att
v ianltg, tafo tey tcoauld a'asily iniake
- apracheslt' a tatour ljit' lay dligg.ine. irilt'
p iii and b this met'tans hemi~ ul" ill atn
t ftai fte suahifitan ta'fathe plemaa, i
whleni thle lFt'dt'rals g~at hi''e't i fr ft'
- fourtfh chiarga' tha''e nen mi uisgivinlgs as
faa fte i'esuti. Ona ftey a'mnaa, howeveri''u,
- ad tey wrle mie'it'f wih a gallinig tir'e
taf amuask efry w.'.iti ga aewt eva' ii orej'
ifuiouais as thiri lin's t'aiie niear'er'. It
a wa~s duinig this chiar'gte that I .e.' maail
Ihlis dlivisiton situck fte rar gail tat
Slt'he Feerals, ai they'~ werie give'a aii
oporuntat tfight ing ini oppoatsite <al
I r'etins. On)aly oane r'esuilf ('taubt ensua
fi'om thIiis stte tat thIin gs, whiichi wa~s
.lieli' biarnay amuh immieiate witheilIrawivat
e fo a12 suathlent r'etreat.
'IThe r'tadt lt'ad hig dotwn ithIe ivt'r
a wvas in thlei r patssa'ssioni, andt it wvas
Wa )WIIs , am lI ittle I o it roo ps. ''11
v tiery on 'Ihe hi!ls was turine'd the ,
14t1r wa. IY 14o Iy)In4-v I I I t : III v aI( 4o 4
I we, andi tit ler the cove of a apid I
lite froll their gnsill the retical was
Speedily entered upott, It was it Iiime
of su.spenie v and I I1 It y with Is, fo i
wev did no IknoC1,1 (Iw w ih c ert aintv Ithat
Let's -A conunlland was ill n reaI lit v ()n
hlanI, or w eI I-tIer vI, i t wason m 1v' sumll
%vahmn whIieb hi cauiseii 1he ven..I
illy to forsa4 )2kel ur1 froni. The! mln s
ht tit "'one down, %till Ite shalows were I
thices with Ohw smlokev of batile. When * t1
it gre Vw dusk hr w a positive an1d it
uni(IIi vocal rehlef, beenuise onet of ourll h
)HeIlivs e ine wilit , tewelcoin ti 1 il
I hat Ithe e''eerals werv -ont. :11141 1and a 11
I X1ee I S OCcupying I lit- -I the .) r11411u il
Ithe sta:1t ion1. Thellng long" dlay wats
1en1levt, andlt fihe victory3 was ours!
This accotll Illight he extetlled ill
dfi11nite'ly Wilh p))sonMal i w-idelit' aind 21
reImiC(iseene. On)ly% a fe.w will he (
given , h)owever. ('ol. Ic 1 ll:nr E. ( 'ole- I,
man, to whom the- credit i the vu- v
111'0 1it' i (hte du1 - xhihiled il-t a
highest uialities of a solier. IIeI. was a
--elf,-reliantl, aubirlably p ie nu n
I)Ie11.. and 11)3IuIi c k t4) 1:1ke advantag1e (f1' a
cir1u -s taIlIce, I was wounded ratlwr o
iily in h e igh as 4141114'. (, ried un i
der Ih4 hlii d l, prol etell h11v the ab -
tilnilt . Col. C .:n 1111 111 l4u st
ed 11 ho wou9 d take initned iate v)1-- (
m1:ii'd ow my N d.lilt of the liil, while lt a
woid pmaAs (the wordl along thle trencheis
that I was in chla4 ne of)I* I li't u in-,
and Ithis was dole. IIlI calt anl
4o1 d inl front ofI m1o, whet-re I was i
In ( (I p th 'il d. 1r41 %. was r -ivi a
suh tl i nionl . Is I hIe. s trg could
g1-rivel teo, whe 1 I4.w t1.i1t(e was il-, I'
.1111l-r in ureal n'sk- it, relmainling. there V
anyI Itongert' asth' mini ball4s werelb
whistlin 4 b ) very mmen, and lwt- :4
Ia tlitIr . 1 c1 i u o,' f t he fct . I t
vaultionewit him it) Siey bawk one, 4-r two P
Iments, but his reply showed4 that, hec el
dl iot apprevc1i2ate tIlh: danlger, nd111 inl a
anthe)1141 miltlie het 1 w .s br4' 1 Oght t4o tll
trtouid2 wi hin a few feet of lit'. A hall
had 1 gon1 e throu h I th' knile. n. 1t.I -
w1as disabled h4ke Ilf.
4.1is21y stra tgem had. 9n e so1 f2121 - as
1 nerd1 , 1111 1 1 tal t1 we h i ll li )1in4 a 'other
exot-dient, which was Ill direvt thw
light. joitu1ly throulh h -w .4ng Iml 1
who had been 111,4. N Ai13' u tant teli
1In lnmand . ll.nam was I4 12 ( l. (',. 1). m
I an111rey1 lst', o he isic i-' 4!orida 4 ha l-1 1
4!tom 1d i y. .\ llr 1 411. I I.lm l i' S
4.14111t )a I v. 1A I t.isrs('4 1 l9'd!Il I l i 11 w a 1
wIundeli'1. lgu 14 .IImphres most 2
t allNl met Ohe respon22 sib4il4it - m 11m .I
him. uld inl connell ct ion I with t eilt 4)e 4.1
oflicerI$s faithfully e veted very 9nlei * .;
issulti d from i te 1iabld h41 1 4I 4 Nu1 -ters
t;ioler1 2 tihel lwidge. Il y First I'9i itn- 71
:til w9as . . t i. \ lo n, ( 'I. F. I , ,t 1:;1 .
MISS., :Ind he wa s tiled to aias \41 as
onun2 1i4r 4while liut. ill ll lite,
.)Is( V'ir uia, insisi ed upon usn11 o a .
InIske . (':p i lt . :dic 114mve pl n
bill I ervej inl the 2ig1,111 .111i1 1 4ceive li a -
severe lih-sh wooi he'o -v Ilhe In~g- N\I
mel-il nas over. The 1111-1. prinlcipal :11
o4licers b ing. w11o41 Ill led, il i s)I hI g I.\I
prais that the men de'erve 1.r ellir I1
unfli whing 4 ih-lit i) llIw v eni$ of thle . 2
(h Gatherel fron v r41 < e 11 of1 i I
is f he evice, stra1'er s III each S.
1)ther and s rving l lii'r al lict, who I
had never l n l b' fore, 1hi., h-.r - .\
u11s1 '4 nun p4'l'4did olil 2i 4il for 1i II- -
slant, 2129 disph'l yed 141 we11 lii retillity A
w-k41d ielate byl~l ~ 41) 1elin oleehis' own1 I'
respoilityfr the successful~ 4'9 ~i .1i(.
14)nntnation 9114h2111, an111114l iI no4 ariny4 ('
Ihat)(ve t4 r2)d the$i 20arth21 1Vlls prod e'd T
theiday ai'cl Staunto R1ive . St')4411.I
'l'I'ederals was gll0 linenI ut 1 Gen.1 (il
ilsot)1 11( ertedi a much1 smal2e num-411 1
her1212 a 1)4 bein g tualy1'1'21121 enga 14ed. T 4wi
1os$ in killt and4 11 ntull d was4k1'11( not ll.ls I
41114 either12 i. Our1904 ltota, los1 wa 15 h1
ti'lers in tuen an lhll1C. iv ut ihis(I 21 2
C4ilf4ed, o tt< $Oteml' all 1pis 2o mi 111n
i9ter 11dId t netorhoo 11411l, who1 lun4'
vohii' en-t' fort $2te1 lig 111 un9 ('ti 8 .12 d
on Friday af'wi IiHal, .ttie 2th, v
left Danville inl box cars with arml
a11umun11itionl and rat ill. furnilaed I
Col. Withers, w%.ho had14 becomelk r,
colcileil Ol he Sithatio. We weI
direeted to report to t apt. P 'jil
holt, and he wa4 advised of ot
comillg. ietween eiglht alll niln
o'clIoc.k the- Irain halted nevar the brid-g
over Staulitoin Rivel, forty-eight 11111i.
f rom lin vihe. The mewn were mm-aehle
at, once to 1 plce for. hivouiae, anl
with tle starry leaven1s for a enn4o)
they were Soonl asleep.
I liv~d a briet confletence with Capt.
l'ariniholt , and Ilhe iiformniedl imie that. tI
'c'l''en!s were not expected untIil th
next day. when it was iis puipose t
'lf'ind tle bridge from t(e sol:hsidc
VIiere lie had two pieces of artiller
nounted inl a fort overlooking thi
-iver, with whieh he confi,'enitiv e x
weled to repilse (lie eiviiy .cros thO
treamii. lit also to tlme that lier
ias i it otlieei on the other side of tI
lridge, who had a part of' his owl
omm11anld, and Willh whoml hle differe<
S to t lie proper (1'eee of the hi idge
'his in iolatioll was gladly receivel
or liy impressions already wv i-er
galinst, the planls of the commilandant
id I decided to investigate tle ilattel
'ithout delay the next morni inzag. Soot
ftl daylight I sta1ted across th
ridtge, and as it was cGvered (te wa
'as dark. I had goie only a few step.
'hna iie em, and inluire<
fler Imiy purpose inl cross uig tIe
rilge. U'pon statinig (1i-i mIly ob)je(
as'.lteet with COL. Colemlan, It(
aIv me Ia '1ordial grasp )1 th1e hand
1 ld said that lie was il v 1. Cole.
man. of the 2lthl N. C '. I soor
arned that. his mother lived( inl (ho.
eigtIholrhood, and that, lie was finl
'de 'lougl. liis headt wa.
mdaged m'1 11 h;t l re'eivel l1
it syvanlia, and he hlad !!.v~a hi
fices f th. ca-, n() to Cap.t
arilholt Ile was satistied that tho
edt Ii s conl reach there duri'g tlt
AY 111d would expect to bli'n1 1h
ridge, which coui eas1ily bot done it
ielre wereI no ltroops :m the nolthi sidt
prevenit it. Ile had takenl about, 15(C
liitta, old men and boys, anld hlad
te night, but it was very slow work
Tiie result of our 'oil vers.tion -vas
tat I ag d o take Iily Commani
:ross I he rivemleti14'Ss Capt. lariniholt
riouly1N ohjected to thiri goingp, atl
ii Willi C ol. Coleman inl wlat was
le only pi' et ienble defeice of (te.
id-ge. I found no dillictilty in niaking
J(- tranlsfer., and1( %% hen- aI seffltt ra.
st was fi lished (t two c iimpIlalies'
ere. marched across. The militia
ider ( ' C oI oielai wviere t'videntil
uch rejoiced to have reinlforcement'.i
mie to their assistance, especiall
henl they r-eco-gnizedI that the niew.
)meIs were Ol soldiers. It was de
ded that imiy Iwo companies shold
kit poSitfionI (In tIhe I'iglt o' the
idge. while Ile militia should ocupy
lit lefI~ (1f 4tir (tilt rellehllnlts. lawt
e describe the conliglni'ltion of the
'0111nd 4)n Ohe nimth side of the river,
I is to ive Ii a etter ila o) it
rengthIli ol our. p-Sition as well as its
?iril.
l? oanioke st- itiol was withi hiif a
ile oI Ih. bridre, :nui the railroad
nek w.is without en rve betweni
m111. From a steep embankeniit at
0 brilge, i isinig eight or1 teni fee't
>ove' the level gr1o11d, the tirack giad
.e stait ion i hier'e waIs no grad(ing lit. all.
ni (lie right, or (east sidet of' te rail
'ad, lookinhg northiwan tis, theroie waisa
de14 runiniig 14) the4 ('reek wieb'l eimp
nod here into the nyerIII. Thi s creet'tk
end~ow was one hiui)dr'ed yai4s wide
i eight hitidred yards41 lon1g. A ditchi
ni alcross the meladotw fr'omi 1.he ratil
.1an sevenity~-Iive ymda(1. iln iront (of myi
ie. O n the ioppo~4site 4'id1e of the i'l ..
11ad (le grouliit was unieen and1irr1
t bidge,. so.. thati the're waII very lit tle
de4, as~ tey wouh)l be ' in il narrowi (14
ec Confedeat'iet s. .1lust in (lie i'earl of
eC s ttioln thr wasiC VI' a su(ccssioni of
lIIs, uiponi whichi we posted p)ickel.'
iry mi (lie moinil g, and1( it was fr'om
ese' lills in (lie af tnooi ln thth
and11( around14 thle biige until it. was
yinug besides comfor)1 tbl to be
miStt 1'.ed l earthliworks formedt'4 a semli
r'e''4, withI (11e br1idlge as thle ('enltrei
ill 41achl endl r'esl ig upon)1 thle rivel
inik. T1here wasi1 no1 poEssible chlaneti~
beiig tllankedl ini 1his pos$itioni. bul1
eie was aliso :me avenneii of r'etrieat.
aii. and 'bis wa hs impr~iess'ed1 upon ll
Silon after'1 th lin Ii1wais establ)1ish4ed
141 the mieni lad beenI pult, to) wiorI
thirowling upj dlilt with thieir bayo
meeC threi'e (or (four1 miiles upl the rail
>ad(, ulsing ani EnIgin and 114 a paissen~ge
ainnvil le. T1his was a valuiable inieideni
I' t he daiy, tor we learn'ied (liat thi
nem'Oy wasl leisur'eiy advancing, dl
rioyinig the4 rii:oadl tralck, burnli;
es'les and14 idepots, and~ loolking tfor
ard'E to ani easy' 14 vi'or 'yhenI lthe
achied thle brIidge overi St aun io
ivur, an anblo umnoelesiied mare th te
hmie. tafuthe r Il111'iei tal erta i
mt.s(4 Ge W. 1ide. ( . L e, ithuei hi
ivis~'ioi ofiit i en y, (lie Oll4' 'I feVlS~i
JIt. he give every alleit iou h11u,
haigwith hilin th111v ersip l
)m slininiant on hand. The n 1ext TI
niiniiiig Siims is taken to 1I)anville
11tili with t ihe r'e5 of Its, aind ill at few
veeks le was givei a firlnti h to 0
isit his Iother alin tell tlie storY 11r Ii
tor
It has alwavs ieen a n11at 1ter )f pub
I icer regre tha111. t a vll I'lleIra li li t o 0f 1
114 fitri h ed141 anld con vale--coi Soliers
nider illv co aillind was ntot kept by I zitS ,
it-, it , ve VvIeenii will unlerstand thir
Ow t"asyo I( was it) neglIecI Sneh1 at honl
iit.| was :In uiitSuall eventl, it is pea
'tie, and yet it was 11ot Ile onlY time get
I the eawi :u igni o ' 18Gl that nieli
oiiig lIome isn oirloIgI to' relarting t
r"nM hospital were enge'd ill battle
. thi way. h of the inei who was
ith m t Sttanton lilver, al4 who is Dieu
ow an eistunable citizenl (4, .\ndersonl nizo
'unlty, W illi..ii1 .1. Stevensom) o ('. theil
.,211d S. C. ltilles. hal tlt ,i-t aid ui- deull
xhie 4led experieile ti tlakinig alrt i'i I.V .
nu eng'alge inent bewee et~~esburi 1h
lI ies
lihe was go~lnv ho)Ito fur11lugh, i~
ad iala Olier's duty (n1bot trull
CeCenS tons withouit reveiving- a. scratch. reht
Ite liteniy foi~i his wy home ai V ie
a'k to the a-niv..
lIvin g w'11aia 4ed SA sevi'rely, I h1l4
)pportunity oh ptefetin<' the list
t'lei the -, '-lit was over, a:u1 :aldiag r IIs
lit nl:lis 4 4 114-1 whig J.l1ined iit '01 'LI t
s tlie elivtiiv e:a e inl sighI, lor this liav,
as:nlso1 true. The( Schliers arriving t.rb,
I ltivillt al'ter e lett anl wh.to wen!re the.
hI: V o d(Iu. ty w\' W nt C U it r 1wani by thle A)oe
Inin n a t In I(I I squlad of, Ih II Ina.IIIt
un ji-t a we were preparing 0
Igage thlie eieiny. Seve-al ()f Inem
*'litigied 10 th li Iiinpt4) I ,igionii, iand M i
'ilt ed i ll t li S i I I hIt' 1)(() 11 1 ..4 : 11,4
IlI. thern was another frieL. f 4 ti
tie 11r4 at A ( 'derson (' *Ioaniv, ieI( 1t1 hvett
tier . ith. 1 , who) with h lith o1
Ili-'sd bridge while it was n der4. tl' suri t .4
raki . ' lin fr o the ari'ulier . Ut. I *
I app. ]Ii h Ih . i eA'iv !is as it waS )1
ri d41 inl lith S ter (uar'dian : b
'irst Iid iut. .. '. . \l o on, o. ,
Ith Aliss- thbeir
Levoi . n. 1'). lolnpih-v , 1st have
hit.A.H.hn.' bu-,l
('hird I Ient. I1u ! isi \'a.
irs N I. .lin s ('). 11N .se, ('. k e
i2nd (;a. i o"'l
~~..
seg.Ahn-rav. coImpauvy :1111 rgA- AN I \
)oil tIo *'. ow. jth Nhss
Sels I . W . .. Stevensio . ', .' , 211d Im.
('. aillt. Its Si
l'rivatles .. C. A eCleiv na, 1. ,I1th
It. who W. .1l. Ct ( l o. K, X :e h . (Th
is ' . Ale 'ariell, t.(' 5th - I . ; itg&
W . ( l ar, a( . K, l 4,1et (i;: ;, .1t. 'M . i
inivs, 01. E-', 211d (a;, - ', . It. L~awsonl, an
'i. . -a rd Ten ; I ( 1 1 ennis. C . li ' , 1
Ib L. ' i. l htra vd, ('I. II , titi ; w
-11. \Vlillngh.1nn, 0 1. 1),: h 300 : Vvent
i . II. Iippi a t t t. i. asal 'lwayl thi
!. 11, ('iiil cavalry ; (1. (1'. i t nd
tohllson a Ill1.1. A . I lickson1, CI . 1,, ( 'Aobb Iii
ein , e. valry ;%, .io I r, Co"(I. lih,
lit ( ;: .. ,l. I IleInon, 11: 1 t l Y, hi' A
rbit- i 1,4 Line ; il,. (.isso , (' . it sy .
d ( : li . I' :ho'. Ct I . Io. A, 8th
Clil
is : s i'APet - 1iy, 'o. a1i, i h(e I rn
. ii. A i sk l 'Co I , is i haling. \ .
'liero'n,'h lo a|-', lu 't aiia ; J. (:.'elly,4 L"C
ilii. li.ilh l. .. ; . . 1' '
.I\ l .\iiAeII, It:h la . ks I' l \ . i'u . g ,.
tv s, ('. I iat (' \1 \. .44l o in s Cll. I thst
i.i l'', -t-th N1.l ( ' ; . 'l. A b .l hn ,'o.. theoi
,tl t'eh 11411 ; G. l. ,ait nd (e l 'o. A, pri
h M. Uif ;1 E(.11 Ii sot ('. NI ' a eih Ni .
Oexas ; i. tlwithinsn I'o (', 1)avish h
ti AlPniC . I s 'xa a
OHAIRMAN IRBY SPEAKS,
P. OltGANI'413) DIRA1O66 OY
MUSI' NOT I)'vi)K.
SLyN 11he Twvenly-One Hope- to
Iltlol t he Confsi ituat ional Conven
he following initerview with Sena
Irby, chairmiian of the State Demo
"ic execuitive committee, has been
ished in the 'iedmont Headlight:
T11he uiatLsk is off and I thank God
it. ItUforiers have been wasting
) Wit,h such men ts Williams, Gon
s, -ICin phi ll and ether anti leaders, -
king these Conservatives were
u'st inl theil eflorts to bring about
,o and unity. Their object was to
control or the convention in the in
st of corporations by deception and
e hery. Tillman sild this and left
i. This tore the mask from their
4. Theiroluponl they mieoot In Co
la (and voluntarily desert the
ocratic party and resolve to orga
one of their own, and Mr. Carson,
Schaireu n. of what was hoped a
net organization, proceeds forial
o carry out their instructions.
is haiefaced Independentism with
hat word means. I can't see in
of this how honest, loyal, Reform
mtL(TIIS caIl alliillte with them1. In
Ih. the act ion of this committee
L.Le every tOfOIle' in counties
ro an atgreemniont had been mado.
If these ag.'ecements aro carried
atid this lIudepoiendt 1ixecutive
mitittee succeeds in many counties
hey purpose, then with the help
expect to got on the plea of peacO
iity front counties in which ,hey
agreetl, they Will certainly con
that cotvention. Ilor instance,
are going to iumake a clean cut
I fight in ina.y counties. They
piet(end to agree in Rich land and
riesto1n and other counties. and
o agreements will bo repudiated
,iection dayi as sure as the sun
s ndanti i Democrats elected. I
mie, biut perhaps it would be
-v not, to do it at this time, enoulph
ties that they think they w il
y carry to aggregate seventy-two
- by the uso of the negro. Then
y au pieck 1) nine from 1,dge
Aiken, Marion, Lexington and
-ville, they will have ia majority
to convention. This has been
amlile LII along, and corporations
been at, the bottlom of the whole
as long as they pretended (and I
it, was mor01e- pretense) to stay-in
linos I could not attack them.
led by Gonzales, with such ileu
its as Williams and Garlington,
pun battlo with the organized
L)cracy. it is ny duty to 1lglat them
h. II our people divide with
they CaUn lIlake up their minds
huse* political beneficiaries to vote
the' Independents and the nig
ats soon ats the convention is orga
1. They cannot be trusted. Office
colit.ol of the State is what they
t and not-hing less will ever satisfy
1. They want control of the oun
ion to un1odo and destroy every
g that has hon done since 1890
disfranchiso enough poor and
rato Democrats to give the
maln control of South Caro
for ah tlimo to come. This Is
tlic, but, I oliall every word T
hItw very idonll of the poor men of
ells voting for some0 peace-crying
pendents to keep them from do
ng their people. who will go to
m1hia lind join in with the other
iiendeiint, Democrats to take away
ptlit ical rights forever and place
I11pon an equality with the nig
is hreical. Our people are not
and they will prove this when
wpri~ti tim1e cones. We are for
dl pie. If thoy can beat uis we will
.I f we heat them somebody else
bhv to' 4 y'ield. It is no0 use to dis
- i, an~y longer. Th'le 1issue is 8s11
TheI orga~niz/ed Democracy and
wnliti) man(0 vs. Independentism
the nigger'. We are ready for the
L, and1( I have no0 fearsi of the re
ona)itor*, from what you say, tho
ocr-ats will assumne that you think
Lionzadlls crowd have deserted the
ocraLtic party."
ilhaL is jnst what 'I mean. If you
read Liihis add1ross, which was evi
ly writton by i~ditor Williams,
vill lho convinced that they have
eratoly su: randerecd a'l claims to
(o3iCay. It ls addressed to the
iple ol South Carolina " and not
e D)emeratic party of the State.
"lieople " include not only no
~, but Republicans, with wbom I
believed that there has been an.
ustanding for miore than a year.
add ress Uoes not contain the word
(Jcrat, and It purposely ignores
general pr-imary ordered by the
ocratic Commnittee, while Mr.
.ales in their or-gan (The State)
s its followers in Reform counties
iake terms with the Reformers.
t is the reason why the resolution
a~y out of the Democoratic primary,
not carried. This was done to
Reoformers in such counties as Ab
Il and I101 dgelield. Tihoy are at
ainug to use aL doublle b.ar roiled gun
-miake an ludependent straight
in close coontios and expect
(icrats to comnpromlise with them
wi'ong Itafo. m counties. If tils is
so, why dlid the mem~fbers of the
aren1c- or anti committee applaud
gorously the speech of Mr. Gar
non, 42d1itor' of the Spartanburg
LId, who long ago withdrew pub
fromn tho D~emocratic party?
/ Lio Democrats in Reform coun
where they can't elect a delegate
Lilt Ii)Democrats in nigger or anti
ties5.
No aLie not children and cannot be
-dI in any such way. However, we
, ho uip and1( doing. T1he conven
mnust, be carried by a decisive ma
.y. eo would be in danger with
ergini of twenty-live, for there are
tys meni who see new light ia~ter
are sworn 1in oflice."
Good farming pays because it en
is the land to bear better crops in
future. Hundreds of farmers wvho
have soit money one year find
t tht y may have made a~ profit the
t because their t iforts dii not bring
,h fruit until later. There is wealth
he to-1 that is stored up for use dur
sucecessivo seasons.
-Thue way to success is to follow the
L ad icatod by the next duty.