Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-06-17
For the Advertiser.
cnr, KETTT AND THE PALMETTOS.

story; and if my own conduct was not incidental
ly brought into question, in flaming misstatement
I have just read in the papers, which abounds
much more in poetry and romance, than in naked
facts, should be disposed to remain silent and
let the song have its day. Every man is justiaa-
bic in maintaining the truth of history, and the
sacrifice of truth is scarcely due to patriotism her
self, and never required at her hands. One
who bore part, how insignificant so ever, in an
achievement is bound to see it properly promulged
to the world.
II any mon ever did suffer from false reports
from eternal Misrepresentation Of their actions
from undue discrimination in favor of the least
meritorious; and therefore, from the bestowal or
almost all the honor and praise upon the undeser-
wing, the Palmettoes have suffered indeed and
their forbearance to complain is as honorable as
their courage in battle--implying as much forti-
tude as their perseverance through the perils and
hardships which have won for their corps an i'm
mortality Of fame Many of the most heroic OF
that band have received no reward whatever but
an approving conscience, without even the slight
est recognition by the country Of their unequalled
merits. The history of the Regiment and OF the
campaign is yet to be published. From the re-
ports of the officers commanding, We can gather
only very small-thc least part of the truth. The
commanders cou'd SEQ and know but part OF
what was accomplished at best and OF some OF
the severest struggles those who bore the heat and
burden of tho day, from an absurd etiquette, were
not permitted to render their own account. Con-
sequently many of the most brilliant and daring
exploits have remained untold, and many OF the
most meritorious officers and soldiers have re-
mained unnoticed and unsung.
I had hoped, that the Palmetto Association
might tend in some degree to establish the truth
of what was done and suffered by each and every
member Of regiment, that reflected glory upon
their State and The arms of their country. But, in
order that it may answer this important end, !
protest. that it must sanction the dissemination o.
nothing in regard TO the meanest soldier, but what
is as true as the Gospel itself.
The Honorable L. N. KslTT, at the late Ami
versary celebration Of the Palmetto Association,
presents us with narrative in his usual hyper
bolical style, scarcely encountered with single
fact, as if such weighty material might depress
the airy pinions of his wild carcering Pegasus.
is surely as feicitous piece of rodomontade, as
the most romantic flights of the famous Knight
{" of the sorrowful Figure" But let the Honora-
BILE gentleman speak for himself, as he is reported
to have done.
"He could not trust himself to speak more OF
Preston Brooks but his object was now to mel.
ton an incident he derived from him, relative to
his younger brother who fell at Churubusco.
Poor Preston Brooks had designed and was hav-
ing executed to wear signet ring, ir 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 Palmettos, bathed in the blood Of their
comrades-when Shields said, "who will follow
me-" and Butler said, We will"-Brooks, yes
the stripping Brooks, cried out, yes, all willfol-
low you to tho death and he did, The same
ball which pierced his body shivered bis musket-
and shivered musket was to adorn the signet
with the motto salts n,eruisse. When this brother
left home, Brooks told him, his father said to his
old body servant ego with him and take care Of
him-I confide my son to you" How did the
good old negro act When the baptism of blood
was going on-wbcn perils were lingering around
when tho hot ignition of stratagem was every
where with none to watch the wounded boy but
this old servant-he was at his labor OF love, ia.
aingcarea off 1fisschargc Crushed sbones worked
out from The Wound-hs gathered them up and
preserved them. The noble spirit passed out, and
the corpse alone was left. What did the old and
faithful slave7 The regiment gave him asmuc
and cart-the soldiers helped him TO make rude
coffin. With his own hands he placed the earthly
remains of his beloved young master in this hcarse
-he conveyed il to Mexico-he carried it 10 Vera
Cruz-he bore it on ship board and BY rail road to
his old masters home, and delivered the body and
the bones Of her child to his widowed and be
reaved mother, at tho Intel of his birthplace
This is literally true In classic story-in lcgen-
Diary annals-in ancient or modern timcS--whore is
the equal of this touching story Z"
Now let us hear what did really occur, and
'look on this picture-then look ON that. "
WHITFIELD BUTLER BROOKS was shot at tho battle
of Churubusco on the Goth August, lS47; and on
the next day, or thereabouts, was removed along
with the other wounded of the Regiment, 10 the
town of San Augustin, under the super-intcndance
of Surgeons CLARK and BLASp, where VIC tempo
rarily carried Col. BuTLER. Thence, on the termi.
nation of the short truce or armistico between the
Generals Santa Anna and Scott, in the same man.
ner the wounded man was conveyed to Miscoac
and WHENCE after the battles Of the 11th 12th 18th
and 14th of Sept. lie was most carefully carried
to the City of Mexico. He was all the while, the
subject of the watchfu care and kind solicitude Of
our most devoted Surgeons Hc was not hauled
by Old Joe in mule cart, neither was he then
dead as represented, nor did he breathe his last
beyond the walls of Mexico, having died in that
city, only on the End of October, after surviving
his wound more than forty days. At San Angus
tin, he had as elegant and comfortable quarters as
he would have enjoyed at home. 1t was the case
at Miscoac too and at the place where hc yielded
up his spirit.
In regard to young Brooks, I declare, that no
attention was spared, and no expense to consult
his welfare or give repose to his mind. He was
the only wounded man of our company then living,
that wc supposed or feared would die Of his
injuries, and consequently, we bestowed upon him
unusual pains. Moreover, he was the personal,
cordial friend Of Dr. Bland, the Assistant Surgeon,
and he was my own friend and mess-mate. In ad-
dition, he was young man of fine address and
handsome dcmeanor, and before and subsequent
to the beginning of the campaign, he had ingra-
tiated himself with most of the officers Of the
Regiment, who were his intimates, and felt the
deepest concern for his fate.