Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 16.djvu/144

 138 Southern Historical Society Papers.

came perfectly furious, and now a great many shells were bursting around and over us, time-fuses being used. We were directed to fall back through the woods on our right, and take position in a field between the point of woods and the Secessionville road. Our line of battle was now perpendicular to the one which he had last been on. We were supporting the Preston Light Battery, which did some splendid practice, sweeping the causeway, and compelling the enemy to desist from their efforts to cross. After the enemy were driven back, we were ordered to resume our former position. The gunboats still kept up a furious shelling. Musketry firing com- menced on our left and quite near us. In a few minutes about hadf a company of men came running from that direction in confusion, and reported that the enemy were upon us, and coming from to- wards the left direction. We again changed front a*hd prepared to meet them. After waiting awhile in our new position, and no enemy appearing, it was deemed best to return to our place along the ditch and hedge, where we could observe the field through which we had been told the enemy would come. An advance was threatened on our front, from towards Grimball's, and on our left flank from towards Legare's. About dark, which was hastened by heavy clouds that had been pouring down rain upon us in showers all day, a body of troops were seen advancing in a well-preserved line of battle across the field in our front. The men were directed to hold their fire for short range, and every man got ready to make the most effective use of his weapon. One man, near the left of the battalion, became so eager for the fight, that he fired, but fortunately without effect. Just then the discovery was made that the troops which had been mistaken for the enemy were Colonel Johnson Hagood's regiment, First South Carolina volunteers. Our feelings, when we discovered how narrowly we had escaped what would have been our most painful war experience, can be more easily imagined than described.

When night came on Colonel Simonton, with the battalion, was directed to report to Colonel Hagood at the Rivers House. The other troops, some two or three thousand, were ordered back to Seces- sionville. The Eutaw battalion and First regiment were detailed, by order of General Mercer, to hold the front during the night and re- ceive the first shock of the enemy's advance, which was very confi- dently expected early the next morning. The day had been spent apparently in preparing for a general engagement. Colonel Hagood, as he afterwards proved on many a bloody field, was well qualified for the duty assigned him. An order was sent to him by General