Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-08-28
From the WInnsboro News and Herald.
THE TWELFTH REGIMENT.



vivors from other counties came in on Tuesday
night and Wednesday morning. The weather
was inclement, and several hard rains fell the
nace
At the familiar tap Of the drum in the hands of
Mr. D. J. Carter Of Lancaster, the line was formed
on Congress street, at Beaty's corner, in the fol-
lowing order Field and staff, Col. Cad. Jones
Capt. J. Il. Thomas Company F, Corporal James
Gelston Companies A and B, Sergt. K. G. White
sides; Company u, Corporal VIM. Brown Com
pany I, Sergt. w. B. Twitty. Companies E, 6,
and K-the first from Lancaster and the two 9th
ers from Pickens-were not represented in the
Between Companies G and A came
the battle flag, borne by Ensign w: ]. Kimbrell,
the color guard being Capt. J. A. Hinnant, Lieut.
J. r. Boyles, Privates G. 8. Hinnant, wv: J. Boyd,
John A. Robertson, j. R. Harvey and ]. Is: Ad-
Lost. leg, Privates Hinnant and Boyd each az
arm, Private Robertson foot, and Private Har.
vey was disabled in the leg. The Chief Marshal
wau Col. H. G. Davis while Private 8. w. Ruff
acted as adjntant The procession IN marched arc e up
house. The two ranks faced each other. The
colors were borne between the ranks, the men, as
the color-guard passed, raising their hats and
cheering. The procession then entered the court
house, marching to music from the Wnnsboro
Cornet Band. The building was soon filled with
the survivors, their invited guests and the citizens
generally.
The meeting was called to order by Col. H. c..
Davis the president of the Fairfield association,
the Rev c. B. Belts, the former chaplain of the
Regiment.
Col. Davis then spoke as follows:
COL. DAVIS SPEECH.
Fellov Members of the Ftlirfeld Suruiuors' As
s0cintiOn: We have much, very much, cause Tor
sef-gratulation this occasion, for the material
evidence here to-day gives US assurance OF the
fultilment of a hope we have so fondly cherished,
and the accomplishment of an object we have 30
earnestly desired and worked for. This attend
ance of our regimental brothers from the other
counties proclainis, in notes unmistakable, and
makes assurance doubly sure, that we will this
day perfect an organization which will certainly
secure annual reunion meetings hereafter OF the
Survivors of the Twelfth Regiment, McGowan's
Brigade. Now, my Fairfield associates, let me
mellowing influences of time will aid, and as far
"a the truest affections of our nature will admit,
that you permit all griefs and sorrows, sacred
memories of the past, to slumber In your hearts
for brief time and yield to the cheerfulness OF
this happy meeting. Fellow-Survivors Of the
Old Twelfth from the counties OF York, OF Ian
caster, of Richland, I stand here the spokesman
of your brothers from Fairfield. In their behalf
and in their name give you and say to you q
hearty welcome.
Col. Davis then reviewed the history Of the
Regiment at its organization the selection or n,
lieutenant-col and Cad Jones as major. He
drew an amusing picture of the scene at Light
wood Knot Then he detailed the metamorphosis
of up-countrynen into shrimp and oyster eaters
and alligator fishers.
He spoke as follows of the engagement at Hill
ton Head and Bay Point, in the November fol-
lowing:
We all remember that calm and serene Novem.
ber morning. The sun, sublime in his auroral
glory, rose effulgent upon the liquid horizon,
oy,6 tr1Sr &c.
bic colorings. Afar off on the peaceful bosom OF
the mighty deep could be seen the majestic ships
at their moorings, resting upon the undulating
swell, with banners bathed In the purity OF the
morning dew, and streamers listlessly floating in
the gentleness Of the natutinal zephyr All
nature seemed hushed in the loveliness OF the
scene. Only the heart of man was attuned In.
harmonious to the symphonies Of that peaceful
morning for the fierce passions OF war were rife
over the land.
Later in the day we say puff of smoke encir.
cling upwards from one OF the vessels. The re-
port of the signal gun came booming DER the
waters. Seven men Of war, moving in the pow.
of their strength with their decks cleared for
teen inch Columbiads frowning therefrom, came
steaming toward our earthbanks.
After they had made three oblong, circling re-.
connoissances, deliberately returning the rapid
and we'll aimed but harmless fire from the light,
Intellectual pieces in the FORTS they discovered that
the sea rear of Hilton Head was undefended,
with not gun to command that side. In silent
and in almost contemptuous manner, five OF the
vessels, with the commodores broad pennant
flying at the foretop, sailed off to their former
mooring. The two smaller gunboats OF the fleet
anchored on the rear, and deliberately poured
shot after shot into the fort, dismounting the
guns and raking the interior. No gun replied
from that side. for none could be brought to bear
upon the vessels. The fort became slaughter
pen. The infantry could do nothing. Every
point Of the e.island was under the command Of
the enemy's guns and subject to yaking fire
from the twelve and ffteen-inch Columbiad shells.
Captain (afterward General) Elliott, who be-
came so distinguished for the noble. gallant and
never-to be-overcome defence Of Fort Sumter,
was in command at the Bay Point Fort. One of
his guns burst, one was disabled, and the eight
inch Coumbiad dismounted from its own recoil
The opposite fort had been abandoned. He gave
a last discharge at the two gunboats, and, his
cheeks bathed in tears, he ordered his men to
leave
After reciting the incidents ofthe retreat in the
mud and water Col. Davis said that he would
leave the record Of the command to be told by
the regular orator. He then said:
obligatory upon presiding officer, to introduce
to the audience the respective speakers OF the Day
But here it would be work Of supererogation
on nv part to introduce our orator TO the survl'
vors of the Twelfth Regiment: Although II 1s
true the old grinding mill Of years has more
plentfully settled the coloring grist OF age upon
his hair. and inevitable time has more deeply
furrowed the wrinkles upon his brow, yet the
which marked the mantle kind
ling eye. the erect figure, the open candor, the
earnest manner, tho ringing voice and the gallant
bearing-with which we were once so famlilar,
are so torcibly visible and present here to-day,
as to ohliterate, in memorys eye, ali footprints
of gliding time, and make in him comrade OF
most easy recognition. would as soon tnlnk
veterans, who have left their legs and arms upon
the battlefield, and those whose blood enriches
the soil of Maryland, Pennsylvania and virginia
T would as soon deem 1t incumbent upon me to
introduce them to that battle flag which bears
and which they haveso often seen envelopedin the
smoke of battle, and so often illumined with the
flashing fire of the death-dealing Springfield
then the insignia Of hope and victory, mow the
emblem of a memory-then so dear, now 80
sacred. Yes, old battle.scarred veterans, living
monument Of the fierce graphing of battle,
would as soon think of introducing you to 1t. as
to introduce to the Survivors OF the Twelfh their
old commander, for we all know Col. CAD.
Jones.
COL Jones was greeted with loud cheering
When the applause had ceased, he spoke as fol-
lows:
COL. JONES' ADDRESS.
Comrades of the 11oelfth, and Fettow- Cstzens:
wish 1 had the power to express what feel on
this occasion. have it in my heart! wish
had it on my tongue. My friend has done me
too much honor. I am fearful that I shall fall
short of hisfattering expectations. 1t is good to
be here. After a separation Of fourteen years,
you meet to enjoy the fellowship Of old soldiers.
As "boys in gray you met at Lightwood Knot,
full of patriotic ardor and buoyant with hope.
AS "boys in gray" you were comrades in arms;
and now, as veterans of thirty batte-fields, you
meet and are comrades still. Let us rejoice
that we behold this day-that we meet to re-
new old acquaintance and give and receive
soldiers salute How many recollections crowd
upon US! Each face brings some new memory
Of marches, of the bivouac and the rude winter
quarters; mighty battles rise up before us-felds
strewn with the dead and dying-the impetuous
charge, the Rebel shout Of victory! We will not
discuss here the causes that produced the war.
Carolina called to arms. That was our warrant,
md no son of hers will stop to ask the cause