Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-05-14
A Confederate Hero.


The Charleston, S. c., NeaUs and Couy-
Ter tells the story of transcendent hero
ism, which deserves to take place among
the choicest of heroism: Richard Kirk
land was the son of John Kirkland, an
estimable citizen of Kershaw county, a
plain, substantial farmer of the olden
time. In 1861 he entered, as a private.
Capt. S. ID. Kennedy's Company (E)' of
the Second South Carolina Volunteers, in
which company he was a Sergeant in
December, 1862. The day after the san
culinary battle of Fredericksburg. Kersh-
was brigade occupied the road at the
foot of Marye's Hill and the grounds
about Harye's house, the scene of their
desperate defense of the day before. One
hundred and fifty yards in front of the
road, the stone facing of which consti-
tuted the famous stone wall, lay Sykes
division, United States army, between
whom and our troops a murderous Skin
mish occupied the whole day, fatal to
many who heedlessly exposed themselves
even for moment. The ground between
the lines was bridged with wounded,
dead and dying. Federals, victims of
the many desperately gallant assaults of
that column of thirty thousand brave
men, hurled vainly against that impreg-
nable position. All that day those
wounded men rent the air with their
agonizing cries of water! water!n
In the afternoon the General sat in the
north room upstairs of Mrs. Stevens
house, in front ofthe road, surveying the
field, when Kirkland came up. With an
expression of remonstrance pervading his
person, his manner and the tones of his
voice, said: General, can't stand this"
What is the matter, Sergeant" asked
the General. He replied: "All night
and day | hear these poor people crying
for water, and can't stand it any longer.
| come to ask permission to go and give
them water
The General regarded him for a NOM
ent with feelings of profound admiration
and said: kirkland, don't you know
that you would get bullet through
your head the moment you stepped over
the wall?" "Yes, sir, / know that but
if you will let me | am willing to try it -
After pause, the General said: "Kirk-
land, | ought not allow you to run such
a risk, but the sentiment which actuates
you is so noble | will not refuse your re-
guest, trusting that God will protect YOU
You may 60"
The Sergeant's eyes lighted up with
pleasure. He said, Thank YOU, sir, .
and ian rapidly down stairs. The Cen
eral heard him pause for a moment and
then return, bounding two steps at a
time. He thought that the Sergeant's
heart had tailed him. He was mistaken.
The Sergeant stopped at the door and
said, General, can show white hand
kerchiefP" The General slowly shook
his head, saying emphatically, mo,
Kirkland, you can't do that" Albright,
sir, I'll take the chances, he said and
ran down with a bright smile on his
handsome countenance. With profound
anxiety he was watched as he stepped
over the wall on his errand of mercy.
Unframed he reached the nearest suf-
ferer. He knelt beside him, tenderly
raised the dropping head, rested it gently
upon his noble breast, and poured the
precious lite-giving fluid down the fever
scorched throat This done, he laid him
tenderly down, placed his knapsack I'M
der his head, Strengthened out his broken
limb, spread his overcoat over him, re-
placed his empty canteen with full one
and turned to another sufferer. BY this
time his purpose was well understood on
both sides, and all danger was over.
From all parts of the field rose fresh
cries of water, water! For Gods sake,
water! More piteous still the mute APP
peals of some who could only lift a hand
to say "Here too, is life and suffering
For an hour and half did this minister
ing ange. pursue his labor of mercy, nor
ceased to 60 and return until lie relieved
all the wounded on that part of the field
He returned to his post wholly unhurt.
Who shall say how sweet his rest that
winter S night beneath the cold stars !!
Little remains to be told. Sergeant
Kirkland distinguished himself at the
battle of Gettysburg, and was promoted
Lieutenant. AT Chickamauga he fell on
the field of battle in the hour of victory
He was but youth when called away,
and had never formed those ties from
which might have resulted posterity
to enjoy his fame and bless his country /;
but he has bequeath ed to the American
youth-yea, to the world-an example
which dignifies common humanity.