Unknown (3), Co. I, 2nd South Carolina Infantry, On the Battle

Private Letter from a Member of the Palmetto Guard

Stone Bridge, Bull Run (No. 32) July 28, 1861

Since writing you we have had a terrible though glorious fight – this makes the second. The fight commenced on the left flank of our line, and we in the centre (Cash’s and Kershaw’s Regiments) received orders to march. When you were in church we were in the bloodiest fight that has ever transpired in North America. The day was lost when our two regiments came up. Our troops were falling back, and had retired some distance. Col. Kershaw gave the command forward, and after some ten or twelve rounds, away went the Yankees. I understand Beauregard said our regiments “saved the day” – a second battle of Waterloo. While the fight was going on on the left, the enemy’s right wing was routed, and the day was ours. South Carolina weeps. A ball struck my hat rim and dented it a few inches from the cockade. Five or six of our company are wounded, but none mortally. The fight continued from about 10 o’clock a. m. until night, when the whole Yankee line, 55 or 60,000, were driven back in the wildest confusion. The road by which they went is still filled with wagons, cannon, blankets, and anything in fact one could desire. Their army was splendidly equipped. A great number of wagons and prisoners were taken, and over thirty pieces of artillery, the greater part rifled cannon. Colonel Hampton’s command has suffered extremely. After the battle was over, our company (the Palmetto Guard) were sent out as skirmishers, a mile and a half, and came across a regiment in perfect order moving. We laid down and gave them five or six rounds, which were returned of course. Just then Kemper’s artillery came up and put it to them. They then went off, and are by the last accounts in Alexandria.

We expect another battle soon, but not from those troops – they were cut to pieces. Our company banner is thrice pierced by the enemy’s balls. The loss is not ascertained. It is very heavy on our side, but for or five times more on the other. This makes the second battle I have been in, but the first in which I ever fired. At the first battle of the 18th July we supported the artillery which tore open the ranks of the enemy. Shells exploded over our heads and rifled cannon balls whistled by us, still I am safe, thank God. I would have written yesterday, but it rained all day, and I could not, though I received and read yours. We are resting.

I have a Minnie rifle mounted, a Zouave blanket, and several other articles. No regiment ever entered a battle under more depressing circumstances than we did. All along our lines of march men were retreating and saying to us we are defeated. But we went forward and the day was won.

Charleston (SC) Mercury, 7/29/1861

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