Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-10-08
M1listellaneous 8eabtng
From the Marion American.
THE PALMETTOES IN MEXICO.
BY ONE OF THE TWO HUNDRED.

NEW sERlEs-Yo. ".
In writing these chapters, I must paren-
thcsize occasionally, a little conversation
with the Palmettoes. Within the last week
| have been pleased to receive many new SUBJ
scribers Among them is COL A. Fl. Glad
den. Fle was at Buncombe Springs in
North Carolina, and will soon return to New
Orleans Captain Sumter writes me letter
in regard to the members of his company
1t tells a sad tale.
"There are few of US here indeed; some
are dead, and some are gone to the West
1t. Secrest sends me an interesting letter
communicating some important facts
Speaking of the youthfulness of his COM
pany, Eco. I,) which numbered II MEN he
says.
"There we're but four men over 80 years
of age. The ages of the remainder ranged
from 7 to %, and most of them were from
20 to % years DID," hope all the s"rei-
yors, privates as we'll as offices will write me
letter. I wish t. hear anything they may
remember, which they think worth recording.
I also wish to hear how many of each COM
pany, are now living, their place Of resi-
dence, and the names of those who have
died since their return.
a lady writes me,
"I received the two last Americans to-day.
l ain very anxious for the Palmettoes to get
to fighting. My scrap book is increasing
now. You remember I told you that l was
preserving the sketches of the Palmettoes in
Mexico" Shame on your bloody minded
ness Miss Rebecca Do you want the poor
fellows to be killed over again, before their
time? BE patient and will let you sup on
horrors, dream of ghosts, and breakfast on
blood.
IF you have tears prepare to shed them, then
The subject will deserve it,"
The hardships of the Palmettdes began
from the very day when they left home
The call was sudden and unexpected, the
response was immediate, and the march was
hurried, and precipitate. In the bleak
month of December, through mud and rain,
they made forced marches to the place of
rendezvous. 1t was a commingling of men
from mountain and from sea, from highland
and from lowland The city, the town, the
village, the hamlet, and the country each
sent its representatives who met as stran-
gers, strangely united in common cause,
and common fate.
Each valley, each sequestered glen
Mustered its little horde of men,
That met, as torrents from the height
In highland dales their streams unite,
Still gathering as they pour along
A voice more loud a tide more strong
Till at the rendezvous they stood
By hundreds, prompt for blows and blood"
About the Goth of December all had
reached Charleston. Having been mustered
into service, to serve "during the war with
Mexico" the regiment was ordered to strike
camp about FIVE miles from Hamburg. We
received orders to march to Mobile, Ala
bama, which was selected as the port of en-
barcation. On the lst day of January,
1917, the right wing of the regiment, un-
der command of It. COL Dickinson crossed
the Savannah river at Augusta. "The Gov
ernor accompanied them to the middle of
the bridge, the limit of his jurisdiction, and
having blessed them, and sent them forth to
serve their country, there he stood until the
new bright banners of the companies disap-
peared from the view, and he heard the
booming cannon of Augusta's hearty well
come. Then silent and in tears slowly he
turned his steps,-his warm and swelling
heart, no doubt, oppressed by some sad pre-
sentiment of the fate of many a joyous
youth sent forth never to return"
The right wing was taken by railroad to
Griffin, Georgia, from which point they
marched on foot to Notasulga, Alabama.
On the second day of January, the left
wing, under Major GLADDEN., was conveyed
on the cars to Atlanta, Georgia We struck
our tents in the morning, and marched to
Augusta, where cars were engaged to con-
vey us to Atlanta. About four o'clocki in
the evening we crossed the Savannah. We
were halted upon the bridge, to take last,
lingering, and fond look upon our native
State, which so many of us were never to
see again. We fired a salute of muskctry to
"our native land" cast the last look upon
its blue horizon, and wiped the involuntary
tears that flowed from eyes unused to weep
ing. But the struggle of feeling was soon
over,-the order to "march' was given, and
to the sound If martial music, the booming
of hospitable cannon, the wavings of ladies
handkerchiefs, and with every demonstra-
tion of welcome, sympathy, and admiration,
we marched through Augusta. received
one act of humble hospitality which I can
never forget. Near the depot was a poor and
humble family, who lived in neat little
cottage. A little girl about ten years old,
, came to me, and begged me to 60 home with
her. There was in her face such genuine
expression of benevolence and sympathy,
that l accepted the invitation. Her mother
and father who we're French, gave me the
t warmest and kindest welcome, and soon the
little table was set, and a hot supper spread
r before me. The mother and daughter
: evinced the most afectionate solicitude fol
me uHad q fatherW M uHad I 8