Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-05-14
A Confederate Hero.

Kershaw county, a plain, substantial
farmer of the olden time. In 1861 he
entered, as a private, in Captain j. D.
Kennedy's company (E) of the second
South Carolina volunteers, in which
company he was sergeant in Deem
Der, 1862. The day after the sanguin-
airy battle of Fredericksburg, Kershsw' s
brigade occupied the road at the foot OF
Marye's hill and the grounds about
| Marye's house, the scene of their des-
perate defense of the day before. One
hundred and fifty yards in front OF the
road, the stone facing of which con-
stituted the famous stone wall, lay
Sykes division of regulars, United
States army, between whom and our
troops q murderous skirmish occupied
the whole day, fatal to many who heed
lessly exposed themselves, even for q
moment. The ground between the
lines was bridged with the wounded,
dead and dying federals, victims of the
many desperately gallant assaults of
that column of thirty thousand brave
men hurled vainly against the impreg-
nable position.
All that day those wounded men rent
| llC WACA tACIA HIOdub uutt tHOAlLAuk
cries of Water! water!' In the af-
ternoon the general sat in the north
room up stairs of Mrs. Stevens house
in front Of the road surveying the field j,
when kirkland came up. With an ex-
preston of Indignation pervadipg his
person, his manner, and tones of his
voice, he said General, can't stand
this" What is the matter, sergeant :? "
asked the general. He replied "All
night and all day I have heard these
! poor people crying for water, and I can
stand it no longer. l come to ask per-
mission to go and give them water"
The general regarded him moment
with feelings of admiration. and said /:
Kirkland, don't you know that you
would get bullet through your head
the moment you stepped over the wall ?"
Eyes, sir" he said, Il know that ; but
it,"
After pause, the general said /:
Kirkland, ought not to allow you to
run such a risk, but the sentiment
which actuates you is SO noble that I
will not refuse your request, trusting
that God may protect you. You may
CO."
The sergeant's eyes lighted up with
pleasure. He said "Thank you, sir, -
and ran rapidly down stairs. The gen
eral heard him pause for moment and
then return, bounding two steps at q
time. He thought the sergeant's heart
had failed him. He was mistaken.
The sergeant stopped at the door and
said: General, can show white
handkerchief? The general slowly
shook his head, saying emphatically,
mo, kirkland, you can't do that. "
All right, sir" he said, d" I'll take the
chances" and ran down with o bright
smile on his handsome countenance.
With profound anxiety he was
watched as he stepped over the wall on
his errand of mercy-Christ-like mercy.
Unframed he reached the nearest
sufferer. He knelt beside him, tenderly
raised the dropping head, rested it
gently upon his own noble breast, and
pourea the precious, life-giving fluid
down the fever. scorched throat. This
done he laid him tenderly down, placed
his knapsack under his head, straight
ened out his broken limb, spread his
overcoat over him, replaced his empty
canteen with full one, and turned to
another sufferer. By this time his
purpose was we'll understood on both
sides, and the danger was over. From
all parts of the field arose fresh cries OF
"Water, water for Gods sake, water!"
More piteous still the mute appeal of
some who could only feebly lift hand
to say, here, too, is life and suffering.
For an hour and half did this minis
tering angel pursue his labor of mercy,
| nor ceased tn go and return until he
relieved all the wounded on that part
of tho field. He returned to his post
| wholly unhurt. Who shall say how
sweet his rest that winters night be-
meath the cold stars?
Little remains to be told. Sergeant
Kirkland distinguished himself in bat.
tie at Gettysburg, and was promoted
lieutenant. at Chickamauga he fell on
the field of battle, in tho hour Of vic
tory. He was but youth when called
away and had never formed those ties
from which might have resulted pos
terity to enjoy his fax1e and bless his
country but he has bequeathed to the
American youth-yea, to the world-an
example which dignities our common
humanity.
! To KEEP GRAPEs.-2. Take full
lunches. ripe and perfect seal the end