The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-04-24

if not the real founder, was one of tho
chief promoters of the common school
system. No one deserved his epitaph
more truly than he: "In his death
mankind lost friend and no ono got
rid of an enemy"
In my next article will be giycn
some notes in regard to the College,
one of the legitimate fruits ofthc Hart
ford school; its modes Of instruction,
etc. PALMETTO.
THE CAPTURE or r1.E: 4 RsExAn.
=. Sorlous Account of q Remarkable His
torical Event by Ono of tho Heroes sof
1860. ~. ~.
10 the Editor Of the Neavs and
Courier :: On the morning of tho 7th
of November, 1860, L was Informed by
Corpl. Finley, Of my squad, what was
detailed as one of ftwenty picked men
to capture the Charleston Arsenal.
Not feeling particularly warlillc at
that time, and believing that all our
speakers had told us, that there would
DC 10 war, merely q pcaCeablc seces-
sion, suggested that it might be taken
US an overt act, and might lead to un-
pleasant consequences; besides [ had
an engagement to walk with u young
lady that afternoon, and it wouldbe
awkward for me to get OFF. But nv
appeals were in vain. Duty calls YOU,
(though could not hear it caIling)
says the corporal, to do or die: and [
did. Rushing to my friendsE inform
cd them Of the compliment paid to nv
desperate courage and my ,soldicrlv
qualities l borrowed from them
everything In the way. Of, weapons they
had, and a pexket. flask. I was prcscn-
ted with q Beautiful scarf as a tribute
from "virtuc to valor'"by the "girl I
left behind me-" and By Inv mother
with All umbrella in case ofrain; for the
night looked threatening.
Then bidding farewell TO my sisters
and my cousinS*and my aunts, who
were not as much distressed as |
thought they ought to be under the
circumstances, buckled on my armor,
composed Of three large and one small
rcvolvers, State rifle, bowie knife and
bayonet, over the magnificent uniform
of the W. l.. l.. l thouglit'or the leo
pard and Chesapeake, the Winter at
Valley Forge. l repeated "Thc Sol
dicr's Grave" GLOW sweet to die for
your country,". as those who never
tried it say, "Frccdom's battle once
begun" (Waa there any use in beginning
it,) "What pcrils d. envircn, ""&c.
or these I felt the force, and they
weighed upon my thoughts as my ar
mamcnt weighed upon my spine.
Thus dressed to kill. | .fepairedto the
rendezvous, Mr. porter's church, Ash
Icy street, stopping on the way two
or three times to bid goodbye, and
realize "that drinking is the soldiers
pleasure" There We met under
the pal le light Of the moon O little
before the last bell ring.
never shall forget the solcmnity Of
scene, the awful stiffness, 30 unlike a
fourth of July parade, the church, the
place for graveyard perhaps for lis;
no music, 10 toasts, no heal rlrinkint,
nothing but the suppressed breathing
OF the twenty picked men as. they sat
upon Mr.. Portcr's Church door steps
waiting for the order "Fall in" Soon
this was given ":according to height"
Now this amendment. put. me uncom-
fortably near the front 1ilc, so moved
that we go left in front. as we could
not be left behind. This motion was
duly seconded by the tallest man of
the twenty and, was 1 put with the
promptncss which have since found
out always characterizcs the soldier.
! The short ones wcrcsto6 many for us
and we stood as We were, thinking Of
home, the vacant chair, and Of her, AID
| was wondering if she was thinking Of
me, and if she would like, to be q man.
and If She was a man if she would OK
change places with me-; aid SO was
thinking wien the: lieutenant said:
| "Soldiersl in obedience to the call of
our country, OUR captain aid duty, we:
meet, ready, as see by your counte-
nances, to rush Through the imminent
breach or mount the stottcring wall.
Remember Lconidas and his Spartan
few. Remember to preserve"
C'Silcnce in ranks" he abruptly said
to stop one of the picked who was tell
inc him how his grandfather had told
him how soldiers had been shot cross
ing the streets in Mexico, which was
having a demoralizing effect. "Rein-
torccmcnts," continued the lieutenant,
''if required will be sent us. They are,
OF, are supposed to be-, holding them
selves in readiness at the Military
Hail." One Of us asked, How MANY.
men there were at the Arsenal u1Ayen-
ty," he replied, Counting tho. wo-
men,"
| could no longer keep quiet, and
falling back on on the reserveds right
Ct every citizen Of this great and 'glo.
Eous country, viz, the right of speech;
Easkcd If our country and our captaiii
thought it fair fight between US and
regulars. Why.~n6t bring up. irciinC-
-forccmcnts and mako Victory certain?
Why not let me 90 forflic 4th Brigade;
! was willing to volunteer to 90 on that
forlorn hope: Here tho fellow that
told what Ills grandfather had told him
about shooting soldiers in the streets
of Mexico, said his grandfather told
him that when he was in tho Florida
war they always sent two mGu or moro
to carry dispatches in casc one got kill
cd; and he volunteered:te go with me-
and so did all Of them. as this would
havo brokcd the storming party, tho
lieutenant determined not to send for
rejnforccmonts. Another fellow pro-
posed that we send to tho Arsenal to
soc If they were at homo before we
called, but the lieutenant said that VINO