Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-05-21
Anniversary CELEBRATION.

The Anniversary of the Palmetto Association
was celebrated with considerable cclat on Thurs
dsy last in Columbia The orator of the day,
Gen. Mcaowan of Abhsvillc, is said by our Co.
lumbia exchanges, to have dona ample justice to
his magnificent theme, paying nm eloquent tribute
to the dead of the Palmetto Regiment.
In the evening the remnant of the gallant banI
was entertained at hnn !some supper given by
the City Council. Among variety Of toasts and
post prandial speeches, the Carolmian thus sketch
es tic spirited effort of our gallant statesman,
Hon. Lawrence A, keisti
"Mr Keitt said it was out of his line to make n
set speech, but with the permission Of the company
he would ramble along and give an incident or
two which he had derived from General Quitman
and others in relation to the Palmetto Regiment
n few of which we report.
"Gen. Quitman told him that when portion Of
his brigade was ordered into battle, Col. Butler
was refused to be allowed to 60, because the Pal
mettoes were actually broken down by fatigue
and prvatlon, end he was too feeble for the duty.
He detailed the New York heeimtnt GEl another,
and ordered them forward. Col. Pierce Nj. But
Ter demanded so place in the picture" No,
sir. your place is in the hospital" "Sir % said he,
eevating his noble figure, with fire flashing from
his eagle eye. 'Never, sir, while the enemy is in
sight, and our flag moving onward" He could
not resist lim-his demand was aooeded to, and
the regiment took its ''plaoe In the picture" q
brilliant light on the canvass. Gen. Quitman told
him, too, that the Aag of the Palmetto regiment
was the first that waved over the city of Mexico.
"Sir, was with that regiment at the gates of the
city, and when called for flag, to plant upon
that gate, the Palmetto flag wasthe only there,
and TINT was the flag that first spread its folds in
triumph over ihe Capital of Mexico"
"Mr. Keitt mentioned this glaroAs testimony
to the brave Palmetto boys, because m effort had
been made to supplant them and falsify truthful
history.
"Another incident he could not omit, in his de-
sultory ramble. While others had spoken Of gal
liant commanders, who had fnllon in the post Of.
honor there were others and many subOrdinates
and privates, to whom he could award q passing
tribute did time allow, but he would only allude to
one-who had been there, but had fallen in anoth-
er field battling for the Palmetto State. He alu-
ded to the noble Brooks-his poor friend Brooks
his colleague-his companion-his roommate.
He spoke of his nobleness, his gentleness, his mag
nanimity, and related many beautiful incidents in
illustration of his character. He could not trust
himself to speak more of him, but his object was
now to mention an incident be derived from him,
relative to his younger brother who fell at Churu-
busco.
"Poor Preston S. Brooks had designed and was
having executed to wear sgnet ring, in memory
of his noble spirited brother, when he himself was
taken from the scene of all his earthly honors and
labors.
"When another regiment fed, and all the horrors
and scourges of war were pouring down upon the
gallant Palmettoes, bathed in the blood of their
comrades-when Shields said "who will follow
me-" and Butler said "we wll"-Brooks, yes
the STRIPPING Brooks cried out, 'yes, all will fol-
low you to the death" AND he did. The same
ball that pierced his body snivered his musket-
and shivered musket was to adorn the sgnet, with
the motto salts meruisse. When this brother left
home, Brooks told him, his father said to his old
body servant, "go with him and take care of him
Il confde my son to you" How did the good
old negro act? when the baptism of blood was go
ing on-when the perils were lingering around
when the ignition OF stratngem was everywhere
with none to watch the wounded boy but this old
servant, he was at his labor of love, taking care
of his charge. Crushed bones worked out from
the wound-he gathered them up and preserved
them. The noble spirit passed out, and the corpse
alone was left. What did the old and faithful
slave? the soldiers helped him to make q rude
coffin. With his own hands he placed the earthly
remains of his beloved young masterin this hearse
he conveyed it to Mexco-he carried it to Vera
Cruz-he bore it on shipboard and BY railroad, to
his old masters home, and delivered the body and