Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1857-09-19
MO@OGl.lAMW.
From the Marion, (Ala.) American.
Palmetto Regiment.
by oNB OF THE TWO HUNDRED.
NUMBER FIVE.

NUMBER FIVE.
In June, 1876, requisition WAS made
upon South Carolina, for regiment of vol
unteers for twelve months service They
were not called for immediate service but
ordered to hold themselves in readiness, and
await the cxigcncics of the war The ser
vice was not only not immediate, but twas
also contingent J. and wsupposcd that the
regiment would actually see service The
cll therefore created little excitement a.
mong the military spirits of the State 1t
was formally responded to, by ten of the
numerous militia volunteer companies of
the State.
In Novcmber following, when the cam
paign of Scott was projected against the
city of Mexico, Il new rcquisition WAS made
upon tho State, for different service. The
torn of the first service was for twelve
mouths, the term of the second service was
indefinite in time, and " for the war" How
long it might continue, no man could con
lecture. This was severe exaction upon
the patriotism and chivalry of the Statc.-
However eager her people might be to per-
form their part in the dangers of the war,
yet none of them could endure with pa
tiencc the probability of being inveigled
into Il service under call which might con-
wort them into soldiers of che regular ar
my.
1t was hard service, and an unreasona-
bic demand upon such people, and can
not think of it without Indignation. A
husband could not offer his services, with
out probably virtual divorce from his wife,
q father without long and weary separa-
tion from his children, or lover without
the painful apprehension mat he would re-
turn, if ever, not to the arms of his adored,
but to find her wcdded mother, the wife
of some cowardly fellow, who stayed at
home, and stole hero's bride Though
not myself distressed by any such circum-
stances, yet had powerful reasons TO- re-
volt at the service demanded. was then
Is years ofage, and Il student in the South
Carolina College of the Sophomore class.
had still more than two years of my collie
giste course unfinished. TO fight dozen
battles, if need be, in six or twelve months,
and then return, honorcd living, or mourn
cd if dead, would have been welcome and
pleasing service; but to be made machine
garrison soldier, with no laurels to win
and to wear out five or ten years of my life,
including the best days of my youth, in
weary and improbable service, was a per-
spective to which death would have been a
relief.
Such were the peculiar hardships of the
terms upon which the Palmetto Regiment
was called into service. Justice to that
Regiment requires that the country should
know the extremeness and the harshness of
the terms imposed upon them. But to re-
fuse any terms, would have exposed the
State to ridicple and imputations, and her
gallantyoung men promptly answered the
call.
The first regiment of June was disband-
ed, and new ono offered. The second
Regiment was infinitely superior to the first
in, all the qualities aud elements of the sol
dior. The first was composed of militia
volunteer companies in the aggregate. The
second vas composed of individual yoIun-
tcers. 1t was Fortunate for the honor of
the State, that the substitution was made.
Notwithstanding tho hard and chilling
terms Of the service, there Bss enthusiasm
In the eager rash to arms. The call was
not only fully and promptly met, but the
contest was, who should lave the priyilcqc
Of going Express riders dashed in SsSy
and night, pndcr whiraud spur to the Gov.