The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1880-04-28
WHOLE NO. 1903.


The following story has beeo told
in the southern press and IS voucEed
for by General Kershaw
Richard Kirkland was the 5on oi
John kirkland. an estimable citizen
of kershaw county, y plain, substan-
tisl farmer of ulden time. 10 1861 he
entered, as a private, Capt. } ID
Kennedy's company FL Of the See
ond South Carolina Volunteers, in
which company be was sergeant in
December, 1862 The day after the
sanguioary battle Of Fredrieksbure,
Kershaw's brigade occupied the road
at the foot Of Marye's H:ll aud the
ground around Marye's house, the
scene of their desperate defence OF
the day before. Oae hundred and
fifty yards in froas Of the road zoe
stone facing of which constituted the
famous stone wall, lay Sy ke's division
of regulars, United States army, be-
tween whom and our troops murder.
ous skirmish occupied the whole day,
fatal to many who needlessly exposed
themselves, even for q moment. Tue
lines was bridged, with wounded.
dead and dying Federal victims OF
many desperate, gallant assaults of
that column of $4,000 brave men,
hurled vaiuly against that impreg
nabIe position. All that day those
wounded men rent the air With their
groans aud their agoaizing cries OF
Water water !" In the afternoon
the good general sat 10 the north
room, no stairs, Of Mrs Stephens
house in front of the road Surveying
,he field, when Kirkland came up
With an expression Of indignant re-
mouslrance pervadiDg in bis person.
his manner. and the tone Of his voice,
be said, General, | can't stahd this "
.'W bat is the matter, sergeant ~
asked the general He replied j;
AL nigbt aad ali day / have heard
those poor people crying for water.
aad cen stand it NO loHger | came
to ask permission to 60 and give them
WATER.
The general regarded him for q
minute with feeling Of profound sd-
mirstion, and said kirkland, don't
you know that yon would get bal
let through your head the momenr
you stepped over the wall 2" "Yes,
SIR" be said, 81 kuow that; but if
you will let me. viii try IT," After
pause, the general said Kirkland,
| ought not TO allow yO1 10 run such
risk, but the sentiment which sctu-
ates you is 80 noble that | will not
refuse your request, trusting that
God may protect you. 1on may go "
TIE sergeants eye ligh.ed up With
pleasure. He said Thank you, SIR, "
and ran rapidly down the stairs.
The general heard him pause mo-
men:, and then return, b lndiug Two
steps at o tine. lie oagls the
seargent's heart bed failea hin. lie
was mistaken The seargent stopped
NJ the door and said General, can
| show white handkerchief :" The
general slowly shook bis head, saying
emphatically "No, Kirkland, YOU
can't do that" "AlI right, sir"
be said, an! take the chances" +" aud
ran down with crighC emile OF bis
handsome countenanee. With pro-
found anxiety he was watched as he
stepped over the wall on his errand
OF mercr. ChFist-like mercy. In
harmed he reached the first sufferer.
He knelt beside him, tenderly raised
the dropping head, rested ir upon his
own noble breast, and poured the
iife-giviag foid down the fever scoreh-
ed throat. This done, be laid him
tendorly down, placed his knapsack
under his head, straigbtened out his
b; oxen limb, spread his overcoa. over
him. then turned TO another sufferer.
BY this time bis purpose was well
known on both sides, and all danger
vas over. From all parts Of the field
arose the cries Of water, water for
Gods sake, water :" More pitious still
the mute appeal of some who could
only feebly lift a hand 10 say. here,
to is 6 life and suffering For an
hour and half did this ministering
angel pursued bis labor Of mercy,
nor ceased to 90 and return until he
relieved all the wounded on that
part of the field. He returned 70 bis
post wholly unhurt Who shall say
how sweet his rest that winters night
beneath the Geld stsrsi Little re-
mains to be told Sergean: Kirkland
distinguished himself in battle at
Gettysburg, and was promoted Lieu
tenant; AT Chicksmauga he fell on
the 6eld of battle, in the hour Of vie
tory. He was but q youth when
called away, and had never formed
those ties which might have resulted
in posterity to epjoy bis fame and
bless bis country but he bas be-
queathed to the American youth -
yea, the world-an example which
digniGes our common humanity
Charleston Nelgs, January 30ih.