Recollections of Sgt. W.O. Young

9^th Georgia Infantry (CSA)

 

On Second Manasses (Bull Run)..........

.....Col Billy Wilson commanding the 7th Georgia Volunteers rode out in front, and said "7th Georgia, halt! Boys, we have come back to our old stomping grounds. If any of you are barefoot kill a Yankee, and put on his shoes, quick. And if you get into a sutler's store, eat all of the cheese and crackers that you possibly can hold; and if you get any cigars, give old Billy two. Forward! "

The boys raised a yell, as usual. By the time our Brigade marched through the old field and struck the woods, Col Billy Wilson was killed If he got his cigars, I did not see him smoke them The writer was detailed a late hour in the night to help make (unreadable). The first line of the enemy we struck were the Bucktails. (Editor-I believe the Bucktails were the 13th Pennsylvania). These men were the best fighters in the Army of the Potomac. It was something strange; Gen. Anderson's Brigade always got hold of the Bucks. The Bucks came up, hollering and squalling. Gen. Anderson says, "Hold your fire, by God, when you see the whites of their eyes, then knock hell out of their damn blue shirt ". The Bucks came up (with)in fifty feet I suppose they thought we would surrender, but, Oh God, Gen. Anderson says, "Now, by God, let them have it". The Bucks were half cut down (at) the fire. Gen. Anderson says, "That was right by God, do it again ". The second volley was thrown in their ranks. "Now, by God, fix your bayonets, and put the damn blue bellies off'.

On Sharpsburg (Antietam), Md ....

....now we are moving out of town to our position on the line. Pretty soon, as our line was formed, here comes the Penn. Bucktails, as usual, hollering and squalling. One of our boys says, "I am scared". Another says "Yes, I am too, but if they are not scared, we will scare them ". That made the writer strong, so we had nine columns to dash.

At this place, the Red men came up. (Editor-it was probably a New York Zouave Regiment, referred to by the men of the 9th Georgia,"Reds" , "Redlegs" or "Red-britches ". For some reason, the 9th had a low opinion of these men, and referred to them as "thieves" on some occasions.) Also, it seemed impossible to nip these chaps. Gen. Anderson said he was satisfied that every man killed five to one It was a plain slaughter.