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. No regiment ever entered a battle under more depressing circumstances than we did. All along our line of march men were retreating, and saying to us we are defeated. But we went forward, and the day was won.
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A correspondent of the Charleston Mercury, writing from Richmond, Va., says:--“It is settled, without question, that at one time during the fight, our army was on the eve of being defeated.
This was in the early part of the afternoon.
Scattered and exhausted as were our men, victory, for a time, inclined to favor the overwhelming army of the enemy, and its General, believing he had gained a victory, despatched the news to Washington.
Happily, at this critical juncture, Kershaw, Cash, and Kemper stemmed and turned the adverse tide, driving the frightened foe before their accurate fire and rapid charges.
Both Beauregard and Johnston rallied their forces, and led them in person to the attack.
Soon after, Elzey's and Smith's brigades, of about four thousand men, came up opportunely and reinforced our army.
This reinforcement, with the heroic rally made by the Generals, after Kershaw turned the tide of battle in our favor, decided the fortunes of the field.”
A member of the Palmetto Guard writes to the Mercury as follows:--
Van Nostrand. New York, New York. 1862.
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