The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1878-08-22

inlet, deemed most important, for
upon the vigilance of its defenders
depended ina great measure the
safety Of the city, and upon which,
perhaps, tho Federal fleet WAS pre-
vented from atfording relief and
assistance to the then fated gar
rison Of Sumter. In the discharge
Of such onerous and responsible
duties, not under the restrnint of
regulars, but with the freedom of
volunteers, was presented spccta-
Gle in the ipc'picnt stage Of the
contest, which would have done
credit to war-worn veterans
While it was peculiarly gratifying,
and tho most highly estecmcd
privilege, for tho soldiers Of tho
Sixth to render such service for
their own native Carolina within
her own limits, yot their presence
was demanded upon another and a
distant field Of action, which was
destined to become the grand
theatre Of war between the con-
tending armies, and of course,
obedient to the demand, they felt
thai their patriotism was not only
mot circumscribed by State lines"
but was as boundless as the Con
fedorate States Of America.
The first regimcntal commandcr
having resigned bis position, tho
greatly lpmcnted Colonel (subse-
Auentiv GoneraD Winder, u former
United States officer, was assigned
the command by the authorities at
Richmond, and there took charge of
the Regiment on their way to the
world-rcnowned battle-t field Of the
first Manassas. This Christi,fn
soldier and gentleman forthwith
inspired, as if by magic, confidence
and esteem in every member of tho
Sixth by his dignified demeanor
and accomplished qualifications +;
and through the long, weary month
succeeding this first great blttlc Of
the war, although the Army of
Northern Virginia was flushed with
victory, yet he did not suffer his
mon to lapse into q state of apathy
and inactivity, but with that fine
military ucumen with which he
seemed by nature specially gifted
and with that strict conformity to
discipline which experience had
taught him WAS the chief pre-
requisite of model soldier; he
enforced the most stringent army
regy lations in all their details and
nnnutim, SO that by tho time the
first active service in battle was
seen by the Regiment they
acquitted themselves most credit l.
bly, against tho greatly superior
numbers of a 1irst-clls division Of
the Northern army, on tho evcnLful
field Of Drainsvillo, thereby reflect.
ing eminent distinction not only
upon themselves for their own
native merit, but also upon their
colonel for tho order and suborli-
ration displayed in this their
maiden engagement. The highly
revered Winders connection, SO
happily formed, was, however, soon
to be severed. Having received an
appointment, he was assigned to
duty with the famous Stonewall
Brigade. On taking leave of his
f;,vorite for this more extended
sphere of usefulness, his parting
address was characterized by ex-
pressions Of the highest regard and
most devoted attachment.
My comrades, I have been thus
minute in detailing the events con
nectcd with this Regiment, which
transpired under The commands
snccessively of Colonels Rion and
Winder, because, no doubt, through
their influence, skill and military
prowess. it received the impress Of
their genius, which shone forth
most brilliantly on every battle
field from the heights of Sharpsburg
t. the battlcments Of Knoxville.
AT the reorganization Of the army
in 1862, several companies and
dctachments from Darlington, Ker~
shaw, lancaster, York, Claren lon,
Sumter, williamsburg, Edgefeld,
BArnwoll and Lexington joined the
: ranks ai1 of this corps, all of which,
under the successive leadership of
the cool, determined and gallant
Colonel afterwards GeneraD Brat
ton, and the unobtrusive but heroic
Colonel Stoadman who, by their
courageous example and other
essential qualities of head and
heart, maintained the high standard
which it had already acquired under
their illustrions nredecessnrs shnr-