Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1862-04-24
The Seventeenth Regiment, 8. G.. v.

The Seventeenth Regiment, s. G. v.
To the Editors of the Mercury:
Having lately enjoyed the privilege Of a
visit to this regiment, I take great pleasure
in bearing testimony to the high state of
discipline as we'll as the excellent tone
charaoterising it. l was fortunate enough
to be present at battalion drill and dress
parade A finer specimen of citizen SOL
diery it has no where been my good fortune
to have met with. The drill was in the
highest degree creditable to the zeal and
Intelligence of the officers, and the docility
and teacbableness of the men. When the
order for charge was given, and the line
with bayonets at the charge, and loud shouts
reverberating through the forests, dashed
across the parade, felt that they who
could withstand the shock of such arms,
impelled by such a spirit, must, indeed, be
of sterner stuff than any it will be their
fortune to encounter The moral tone of
this regiment, too, is striking. The still
ness of the evening air was never disturb
ed by any sounds while / was with them,
save the songs of praise and prayer which
nightly ascends from many pious hearts, or
the pleasant strains of music from the ex
celent band of the regiment, formed from
among t.seir own members, or the innocent
gayety and mirth of men whose hearts are
in their oountrys cause, and determined
to maintain it to the end.
have seen nowhere else an interming-
ling of discipline, with a courtesy and kind
ness of manner to the men, that approaches
paternal tenderness No doubt the antece
dents Of the Commander, Col. John d
Means, contributes much to his success
But few men are so gifted in manner-not
the spurious coin, but the genuine emaua-
ton from kindness and geniality of temper.
His intercourse with his men, and all
brought in contact with him, is somewhat
unique, and his example might not be lost
| in some other quarters. Not soldier ap-
proaches without kind greeting. No
courier comes hot and dusty and tired from
long gallop, to be left standing at the
tent door, without so much as a glass Of
water or nod of civility-but all are In
vited to his hospitality. The Colonel knows
full we'll, and it is time others were reali
zing something like, it, that many couriers
and private soldiers occupy in private life
social position superior to many big b obi
GERS, who affect to look down upon them as
if they we're hireings at eleven dollars q
month AS drill officer, Col. Means ex-
hibits great accuracy and proficiency, and
one of his officers informed me that he
never makes mistake 10 his exercises.
The Colonel is well sustained by his Field
Staff and Line. Lieutenant Colonel F. w.
McMaster, distinguished as a lawyer, has
added the experience of Manassas and Port
Royal and Charleston Harbor to his other
accomplishments. Thoroughly versed in
the drill and duties of his position, he is
indeed an able support to his commanding
officer, and, like the joints of the arch,
they will sustain each other.
Major Julius Mills would be known as a
trained soldier the moment your eye rested
on him on the field. His erect and motion
less posture, his keen eye and rapid and ac-
curate movement when in the drill, all de.
note his experience and hisTstudies. He
adds another to the list of able officers fur
nished by our admirable State Military A.
cademy at this critical juncture, fully jus,
tifying the wisdom of the founders of that
excellent institution. a.......- +
The following are the Captains of the
Line in the order of seniority: =
Captain Culp, of Chester. -.
Captain Meacham, of York.
Captain Wilson, of York.
| Captain Casky, of Lancaster.
Captain Sadler, of York.
Captain Coleman, of Fairfield
Captain Witherspoon, of York
Captain Kearse, of Barnwell.
| Captain Beatty, of Cheste
Captain Rice, of Barnwell.
They all seem. to be attentive, diligent
and efficient, and constitute an honorable
portion of this model volunteer reg lment.
The Adjutant, r. Stark Means, the Colo
nel's son, has eugrafted a long experience
as an officer in Virginia in the 9th Regi'
ment, S. G. ", upon Citadel education,
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