The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1857-11-25
FROM The Marion American.
I h e P lmetto Re giment I
BY ONE OF THE TWO HUNDRED.

Dickinson, and Maj. A. Ii. Gladden.
The last is the only one who survived the
battles.
Pierce M. Butler was elected Colonel
by accamation, without his knowledge,
and while he was in the wilderness of
the west. 1t was tribute worthy of the
man. While he was in the far West,
among the Indians, on public service,
when leader for the Palmet,oes was
to be chosen, although there were hun.
dreds of men in South Carolina who
would have led them into the very jaws
OF death, all eyes were turned to him,
and message was sent to him to come
home, and lead them. He was one of
the Most chivaIrous men in the State-a
soldier by nature and by profession. If
there was man in South Carolina whom
would have followed with equal conf
dcnce, 1t was Gen. James Jones OF Edge.
field.
Colonel Butler was nearly fifty years of
age, slightly gray, but which was more
the result Of disease and hardship than
of age. In figure he was tall and com
manding, more than six feet high, and of
elegant soldierv stature and carriage. lie
had an eye which an eagle might have
eLyed. Ia every aspect he was everv
inch a man, and as he walked before his
regiment, in the attitude of command. or
with his clarion voice addressed ther. in
his frequent and fervil appeals to their
PRIDE and chivalry, lie impressed every
beholder with an admiration approach.
ing veneralion.
"a noble spirit calm and high
That cannot fear, that will not bow,
Was written in his manly eye
And on his manly brow"
am no man-worshipper, yet have
seen men who gave me faith in human
pertectlbilIty. Col. Butler was one xot
them. studied him closely. and while
his character displayed everv virtue, i,
was unOemished 10y a single fault or in
trinity. What virtue lid he lack? He
was as brave rs q lion, and as tender and
compassionate as woman. He was Just,
generous and magnanimous. AS re-
markahle instance of his mercy and
magnHn;mty will give an example,
George Griffin, my mcsmatc, a gallant
and brilliant young man, but hastv and
passionate, disobeyed An order Of Col
Butler, and reprlmanded by him, Griffin
reiorted very sharply, insulting Col. But
Ter in the presence of his regiment. |
SAW the flash Of Buffers eye, the flush
of his cheek, aud the quiver of his com
pressed lip, and trembIed for the fate OF
my imprudent friend. But the gather
ing storm passed from the features of But
Ter, and benlgnant smile followed. IL
WAS but mOmentary struggle between
pride and discipline, against the sw eetness
and mlIdness Of his nature. He came I'D
to Griffin, and excused him with a mild
and paternal remonstrance From any
other man but Butler, the imprudence of
griffin, who WAS private in the ranks,
would have cost him his life, or the ex.
treme rigOr Of military law. Butler was
frank and manly, ingenious and candid
as child
True TO his word, in every thought sincere
lie knew no wish, but what the world might
hear"
He WAS unselfsh, and self sacrificing,
patient. .uucomplaining and modest. The
affections end relations between him and
his men, were on his part kind, soIicitous,
and Paternal and on their part affection
ate, final and obedent. They were proud
Of Butler, and he was proud of them.
lie was a sad, and profoundly meian.
choIy man. The hot sirocco had passed
over, and blasted the green pastures of
hs youth, and but one impulse, one SEN
umeat, one pleasure remained, and that
was duty. lie was deeply distracted and
thoughtful. With his head bowed as il
with suffering, and his good sword hug
ged under his arm, have seen him walk
fer hours sad, solitary and distracted, in
self communion. | slept by his side or
the last night before he died. when onl,
600 of us were threatened by $4,000
Mexicans, who only waited the coming o
the morning to plunge down G,on us
AT the dawn of day he vas up, surveyin!
the field of death. was up with him
and he talked TO me in a tone of unusua
sadness. He felt that his hour WAS abou
to come. The presentment was fulfilled
] Y,
poon field stained with the blood vi
five thousand men, and among them was
Butler, and with him nearly one half O
his Palmettoes.
Jams Il. Dickinson was Lieut Colo
mel. He was man Of striking and i'm
posing ppearauce-talI, powerful, and o.
per ect figure. lie was good officer ant
severe discipinarian. He was almost in
sanely proud, vain, and ambitious.
never saw man whose heart so pantel
after glory and fame as his. He was per
fectly insensible to fear and courted dan
ger. as lover woes his bride. He hac
been married only few months to lad,
of surprising beauty and charms, but b,
gave up his young bride for his ambition
lie had resolved to edo or diet,
come back covered with glory, or to di
at the cannon's mouth. He would hav,
charged his regiment upon ten tbousant
men. While wounded and almost dyin,
he went on q litter. ten or twelve miles
with guard only OF dozen men, when