Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 31.djvu/287

 History of Cr ens haw Battery. 279

Captain Crenshaw was detailed to look after and dispose of the artillery, horses, and supplies, which was done satisfactorily; but scarcely had the task been completed when, on the iyth, orders came to hasten to

SHARPSBURG,

where a battle was raging. The situation there was very critical so critical, indeed, that the horses were not allowed to "water" in the Potomac while crossing it. The Light Division went imme- diately into action and the battery along with it. When we got to the position assigned us, with scarcely men enough to man the guns, we found a battery on the brow of the hill whose cannoneers had been driven from the guns, and saw a heavy column of the enemy moving up under cover of a stone wall to take possession of them. We at once opened a destructive fire on them and drove them back. But for the timely arrival of the Crenshaw Battery at this point, the result would have been disastrous in the extreme. In the mean- time General A. P. Hill's Division had formed in line of battle, struck Burnside's Corps on their left flank, checked their victorious charge, and soon had it on an inglorious retreat. The fire of the sharpshooters was very severe, and Private Charles Pemberton was shot in the left side and died next day. This was a sad blow, for he had endeared himself to every one by his generous and affable con- duct. Privates Edward Lynham and John Gray were slightly wounded.

We remained in line of battle all of the next day under fire of the enemy's sharpshooters, and recrossed the Potomac that night.

CAPTAIN CRENSHAW ORDERED TO RICHMOND.

After the battle of Sharpsburg Captain Crenshaw, much to the regret of his company, which he had commanded with such great gallantry and such signal ability on ten hard-fought fields, was ordered to Richmond, and was subsequently sent to Europe as the commercial agent of the Confederate government, a position for which he was peculiarly fitted, and where he could render the gov- ernment a greater service even than in the field. On the march back through Virginia Captain Crenshaw had the company drawn up on the roadside, and in a few feeling remarks bade the men fare- well.