Written by Capt. JAMES ROGERS, Greenwood, S.C.

Gallant Maj. Peter Everett

   
Fourty-two years ago we were in camp on the Kentucky River, near Harlan, C.H. , Ky. At day dawn we were attacked in the rear on the south side of the camp by the Federal cavalry. We had very little warning, but we had a ready man in command, the gallant Peter Everett [ commander of the Third Battalion Ky. Mounted Rifles] , than whom there was no better or braver man in the Confederate army. His shrill voice rang out " Rally here, boys !" designating a double log cabin on the north side of the river. I had just joined him the previous evening with about forty tried and true men. A few minutes before the attack some loose horses had disturbed our slumbers, and John Wright who was my orderly sergeant, called to me and said " I heard the picket's fire. " I sent him at once to Capt. Everett. Before his return the enemy was upon us pellmell. They came yelling and firing; but with that nerve always characteristic of him, Everett stood with a pistol in each hand, firing and yelling at the top of his voice ; " Rally here, men!"

    
The conflict was 'short, sharp and decisive'. Around Everett lay three dead and four wounded Yankees, a little farther off and just in front of our bunk two more Yankees had bit the dust, with several others wounded and struggling in a mass of dead and wounded horses. Everett was as cool as a May morning and as I approached him he said, " Jim, we'll give 'em h-." He ordered me to mount my men and follow them, which I did as far as it was safe. Two miles below we met  two thousand cavalry and returned, cut some trees to obstruct the road, and journeyed southward. We were cut off , as it were, but Everett never seemed to realize it. We crossed the mountain and camped for the next night, and before sunrise of the second day we were miles in the rear of the Federals, picking up stragglers and a few wounded. We did not lose a man or horse. Poor Everett ! He has long passed over the river and  a few of us remain to think of his daring exploit of the 22d of January, 1864.