Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-06-19


stain,
And loyers Of our rsce, whose labors gave
Their names q memory that defes the grave"
South Carolina WINS not alone in securing |
to herself, and to the general cause tie
forifications, munitions Of war, magazines
&C.. within her domain. She had seized
the forts in Charleston Rarbor, and the
Arsenal ON Ashley river. 1t is not my |
purpose to ask still less is it my intention
to answer the question Of her right 10
do so. The subject of eminent domain
is largely treated of by writers on interna-
tional law, and is handled with extraordl'
nary skill. especially, by Vattel. Whether
the states had the right to occupy these
or having the right, whether
they had the right to exercise such right
las some with more wit than wisdom have
is all matter foreign to the
avowed purpose or these "reminiscences.
Georgia was also prompt in getting
possession of those government works.
which, in her own hands, would be an
important element of strength and in the
hands of her opponents, would render
futile all her efforts, 1all her sacrifices IN
behalf of self government Fort Pulaski
was in the hands of the brave Georgians,
and its near proximity to Bay Point rem
dered it easily accessible to us. Who'
among our artillery, would not be pleased
to visit this fine fortification, 30 much in
contrast with our unprctending earthworkf
It's case.mate battery, its huge guns en-
barbette, its impossible fosse, its COM
manding bastions, its extensive military
stores, it's garrison, some Of savannah's
noblest sons,-all seemed to point to it as
an in,p,egnable fortress. Colonel Hey
ward, of the regiment to which our artil-
lery vas, at that time, attached, proposed
to Capt. Elliott and other officers, q visit to
Pulaski, and generously ord cred dis
patch. boat to take them. Scarcely had
they reached their destination, when the
morning papers Of Savannah arrived con
veying the joyous intelligence of our great
victory at Manassas. Great, but costly |!
No Joy is without its accompanying
sorrows. The God of battles had vouch.
safed us triumphant victory, but it was
purchased at too great cost. While the
ranks of the northern army were filled, in
a great measure, with refuse material, the
South had sent forward her modest sons.
Savannah lamentcd the fall, in that en-
cagement, of her Barlow and his followers,
South Carolina deplored the carly sacrifice
upon her altars of Gen. Bee, Lieut.. Col.
johnson and their brave comrades. Col.
johnson was native Of Beaufort, and had
received repeated evidences of her conf.
dence. Having, a series of years, repre-
ser,ted his native Parish in both houses of
the legislature he had but short time
before removed to the vicinity Of Charles-,
ton, and was again chosen the representa-.
tive Of hin adopted Parish, that OF 81.
Thomas. Soon after the commencement
of the war, he WIS chosen Captain OF the
washington Light Infantry" of Char
lesion; and almost simultaneously was
elected lieut.. colonel of the Hampton
Legion" organized at Columbia. Col. (af-
terwarls the distinguished Genl) Wade
Hampton, his warm personal friend, urged
him to accept, and thus be at his side. 10
him it was equally agreVnblo and with
out delay he fastened TO the capital, where
in cons e1uence Of the long sickness OF his
chief, the duties of organization, instruc
ton &c. devolued upon him. The Legion
was soon ready for service, and, proceeded
to Virginia, where it lost, in that memora-
BILE fight, the subject Of this notice. South
Carolina, mourned her loss. The city of
Charleston paid distinguished honors to
her noble dead. Many will remember too
the affecting tribute paid to Colonel John
sons memory by the Chaplain Of our own
regiment, Rev. Stephen Elliott, father of
Genl F.. oil the Sunday succeeding the
receipt of the sad intelligence of his early
fall. Though removed for several years
from our midst, Beaufort felt that shc had
b, cn bercavcd of one of her fonlest child.
rem. Inpu5lic enterprises, industrial and
educational, no citizen took a more lively
interest, none more active part thar the
late 3. J. johnson. More might be said
of him, but refrain, lest II ue thought the
not unbiased sentiment of one holding the
relation of near consanguinity less could
not he said without injustice to the memo
ory of the brave departed, aud wrong To
the community which was proud to own
him as thciT son, Tor
"While they mourncd the gtf.cd ard the co"l.
The general grief showed holy brotherhood"
The honored remains of the dead were
in charge of all elder brother, Chaplain of
the Legion who, with the true spirit Of
the christian soldier. had nobly volunteer
cd, in his holy calling, even before the
formation ofa Legion had been proposed
He too. was a native of Beaufort, and his
memory merits well record here. lie
served as Chaplain, to the end of the war
aud then accepted a missionary position in
the distant Diocese of Louisiana. His
service in that fold terminated with Lis
life in 1872.
Thel following testimonial is from the
annnal address of the Bishop of that s,e