Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/398

 392 Southern Historical Society Papers.

tie and winning as ever beamed from a human face. Indeed, that smile can never be forgotten by any one who enjoyed his friendship. It was that indescribable illumination of the countenance by which the tenderness of a brave soul reveals itself and captivates the be- holder — the benevolent, frank, gladsome smile which marks a lovable nature. And surely if any man ever possessed such a nature — a soft, gentle, refined, winning, and almost womanly spirit — it was he. Yet not Richard of England, nor Arnold Winkelried could look more unquailing in the face of death.

Completing its organization and equipment at Garysburg, his regiment proceeded to Manassas, but not in time for the battle of the 2ist of July. Colonel Anderson was soon afterwards made com- mandant of the post there and superintended the construction of the defensive works in the vicinity. The best possible evidence of the extraordinary esteem in which, even at this early period of his ca- reer, he was held by his superior officers, is to be found in an incident related to me by Major John W. Dunham, who was then his adju- tant-general. ' Major Dunham vouches for the truth of the statement and that the incident happened within his own personal knowledge at that time. It was this : that although only a colonel, Anderson was sent for by General Joseph E. Johnston, the general in command of that army, and was requested by him to give his opinion as to the movements of the army in view of the operations of the enemy. General Johnston then and frequently afterwards expressed great confidence in his judgment and skill. Colonel Anderson remained in command at Manassas until the place was evacuated in March, 1862, and while there, was, on several occasions earnestly recom- mended for promotion by his commanding officers, Generals D. H. Hill and Joseph E. Johnston, but this expected and well-merited dis- tinction was not conferred on him, but was withheld until it was forced from the government by his splendid conduct at Seven Pines on the 31st of May, the first serious engagement in which he participated and in which he commanded a brigade.

The battle of Seven Pines was a bloody baptism for Colonel An- derson's regiment ; indeed, it was almost unparalleled in its terrible destructiveness to that command, for of the twenty-seven officers fit for duty all except one were either killed or wounded, and of the five hundred and twenty men in the ranks, eighty-six were killed and three hundred and seventy-six were wounded, leaving only fifty- eight out of the five hundred and twenty unhurt — a record which is the best evidence of the perfect discipline and splendid courage exhibited