Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-08-29
From the Pontotoc (Mlss.) Examiner.

The Late Lieut.. Richard A. Palmer.
The announcement of the uutimely death
of this worthy citizen and gallant officer,
has filled our community with the deepest
regret and profoundest sorrow.
Rarely in the history Of our town, have
tidings of grief cast shadow Of deeper
gloom than has been visible for some days
past upon the counteuances of his numer.
GUS friends. He fell at the post Of duty in
the terrible and bloody conflict near Ma
nassas, on the 2lst of July, in the defence
of all that is dear and sacred to the South.
ern heart.
The deceased was born in Yorkville, s.
c., on the 5lst of September, 1888, and
graduated with high distinction in 1852, at
the "Citadel Academy" in Charleston.
Soon after graduation, he was chosen
professor in the "St. Johns Military and
Classical Institute" at Spartauburg, in his
native State, and subsequently was engaged
as instructor in an Institution at Marietta,
GA. Late in the autumn of 1858, he set.
tied in the town of Pontotoc, Miss, where
he soon took charge of the Mathematical
Department of the Male Academy, and had
for some time under his tuition and faithful
training many of those gallant youth, who
in the recent day of battle ever rallied at
his voice and sustained him in his last and
fatal struggle. In the year 1860, he be-
came associated with the "Presbyterial Fe'
male Institute" of this place, and in this
connection, by the gentleuess of his man
ners, the kindness of his discipline, and
the purity of his heart, be won for himself
the lasting affection Of all with whom he
was associated. At his country's call he
abandoned the class room of his choice for
the sterner duties of the tented field. At
the organization of the "Pontotoc Minute
Men," I'd. Mississippi Regiment, Colonel
Faulkner's, he was chosen lst. Lieutenant,
and in due time, by his high attainments,
untiring efforts and superior drill, he raised
his company to degree of military discip'
line second to none under Gen. Johnson's
command. Near the close of that desper-
ate struggle, where personal valor and be-
roic effort triumphed over fearful odds, and
almost at the very moment, that the shout
of victory proclaimed the routing of the
foe, comrade fell wounded by his side.-
True to the purer and holer instincts OF
his nature, our lamented friend and chris
tian hero, while bending over and breathing
words of comfort and consolation into the
ear of the bleeding soldier, was pierced BY
minnie ball, entering below his arm, rang
ing upward and lodging in bis neck. he
was borne at once from that scene of earn
age, by kind and devoted friends, to aplace
Of safety-and, at his request, was soor
conveyed to Manassas Junction.
AS be was borne along he spoke com
posedly of the fatal nature of his wound
the unerring certainty of his death, and O
the blessed hope of immortal life, whlct
cheered his heart in that hour of bittel
trial. Sending messages Of love to those
be held most dear, he requested to be ralsee
from his reclining posture, that he nigh
once more look out upon the verdant groves
and smiling fields, in contrast with the re
cent scenes Of gore-and thus while rest
ing his aching head upon the bosom of hl
friend his ransomed spirit took its peaceful
fight. His remains were becomingly In
tered in retired, quiet spot, south of tn
Junction, near kind and generous widow I
cottage. Around his grave were gathered
his brave associates in arms, devoted
, brother, and many Of his faithful YorkVill
friends, who shed the tear of sorrow owe
b;o GOV rl, hut hnnorad tomb