The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-05-23
MISCELLANY.
From the Edgeiield Advertiser.
Little Sam Walker.

'' va, "Po'SS loi giving you Il nara
tive which came under my own observation.
which You can Use for what it is worth.
1t will be remembered that war was de-
clarcd by the United States against Grea,
l'rIaln, i'll June, 1912. Shortly after, Cen
cral Orders were issued in Georgia for a
draft Of Militia for regular service | then
resided III Lincoln county. y general par
ade was ordered, company volunteered.
and was soon after elected to command
the same.
For solnc ten months nothing occurred
wor;hy OF notc, on Il regular course of
drill anI discipline. | think it was on the
18th August, 1913, by order Of Col. Wal
ton 1larrls, my company paradcd at Lin
cotton for review, and preparatory for en-
tcrIng service, at which time three or four
substitutes were offered by those whose bus.
mess would not permit Of their leaving at
that season. And among the rest, the hero
Of my story, Little Sam Walker" with
whom was thcn ,nacquaintct. lie had
not volunteered. for his age and size twelve
months before, had not brought him into
notice; but now he had grown up and be-
came very anxious TO 20 into the army
lie was not yet seventeen years old, of sal
low complexion and feminine voice, and
weighed about one hundred and fifteen
pounds. After the review, he was offered as
substitute, when the following dialogue
cnsucd:
Col. Harris. Young man, how old arc
you
Sam Walker About seventeen, sir
Gel. II. sir, You III" very small to 20 in
; the army.
S. ". I am. sir, hi, ain very willing
to try it.
Col. II. Do You suppose yon are able
TO carry skct, knapSack, &c, and
march thirty miles day?
5. W. ] do n,t XIV. sir. but think
can 90 a far as any of the "thc:s.
Col. II. Arc your parents willing?
:. w: | have none. sir--thcy are dead.
Col. II. Then is yonr guardian willing?
:. W. | have no guardian either.
Col. III. Have YOU no friend or relations
who would Object!
S. W. Squire Bond, sir, is my uncle.
AMI The Ensi gn is my brother.
Cot. II. Call EnSi gu Walker
The Ensign was accordingly called and
critically examined about the age, health,
&r OF his brother. lie said he had no
Objection to his brothers going, but feared
that he was rather young and feeble to I'M
'ier%o III" many har'!ships incident to a sol
'l'crS life. Whcrcupon Col. Harris Oh
served, "ioung man, you must stay at
home while longer, and eat more muSh,
and grow fast, and wait for the next tour OF
duty. | regard YOU too small to take!
You are therefore dismissed"
Sam Walker turned off reluctantly and
mortified. then received instructions to
have my company equipped and paraded
mt Llncolnton i'll two weeks from that time.
to take up our line of march for the Greek
Nation, which was accordingly done on the
Goth Of August, 1918. Previous to my
departure, | was accostcd in the street bv
Sam Walker, who said:
"Captan, will you let me 60 with you
in the army 2"
To which replied in the affirmative.
"l'ut will you see me paid and draw nv
rations 2"
"Certainly will, sir" was my prompt
answer.
"WcI, Captain, where will you camp to-
night 2"
AT Freeman's Spring, five miles off"
'That's all / wished TO know. Now say
nothing about it, and will be with you be-
fore day." whispered my young friend, as
we parted.
Some time after, Joseph Walker, the En-
sign, asked me contidentially what Sam in
tended to do. | told him. lie then OBJ
served if he would 60, and if would let
linn 60 rs a substitute, that lie knew one
who would give him all his cquippage and |;
thirty dollars, and that he mi ght as well
have it rs nothing consented, and Sam
was soon after presented to me rs substi-
tute and accepted, to the qualification of
the company, and marched off from Lin
coin, with his companions, in regular line
to Fort Hawkins, where they soon drew
their guns and bayoncts, and the scntincls
posted.
On the third night Sam Walker was put
on gnard. And here must observe that
the General had not yet arrived, and Col.
iiarrs, by seniority, had command of the
whole army. The Colonel, in company
with one Major, three Captains and two
Doctors, walked out that evening in the
neighborllood Of Fort Hawkins. During
their absence the Officer of the Day chang
ed the conntersign. On their return, at a
late hour of the night, they were accosted
by Sam Walker, just after his being placed |
on guard. who hailed, "Who comes therel
Col. Harris replied, "The grand rounds"
S. w. Advance, sir, and give the coun-
tcrsign.