The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-03-10
4 CONFEDERATE HERO,
n Sergeant Who Risked His Life to Give
Water to His Dying Foes.
U'harleSfon News


charleston News
Richard Kirkland was the son OF John
Kirkland, an estimsble citizen of Kershav
county, a plain, substantial farmer of the
olden time. In 1861 he entered, as a private,
Captain ]. ID. Kennedy's company (E) Sec
ond South Carolina volunteers, in which
company he was a sergeant in December,
1862 The day after the sanguinary battle
of Fredericksburg, Kershaw's brigade occu-
pied the road at the foot OF Marye's Hill and
the grounds about Marye'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 constituted
the famous stone wall, lay Sykes division of
regulars, United States army, between whom
and our troops a murderous skirmish occn-
pied the whole day, fatal to many who heed
lessly exposed themselves even for a mo
ment 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 0,000
brave men hurled vainly against that ins-
pregnable position.
All that day those wounded men rent the
air with their groans and egonizing cries of
Water waterr' In the afternoon the
general sat in the north room upstairs of
Mrs. Stevens houss in front of the road sur
veying the field, when Kirkland came UT.
With an expression of indignant remon-
u.
General can't stand this" What is the
matter, sergeant asked the general He
replied, "All night and all day have heard
these poor people crying for water, and can
stand il no longer. | come to ask permission
to go and give them water
The general regarded him for a moment
with feelings OF profound admiration, and
said, kirkland, don't you know that you
would get bullet through your bead the
moment you stepped over the wall?" Eyes,
SIR" he said, II know that; but il you will
let me, am willing to try"
After a pause. the general said: kirkland,
ought not to allow you 10 run such risk.
| but the sentiment which actuates you is so
noble that will not refuse your request.
trusting that God may protect you. You
may CO."
The sergeant's eyes lighted up with pleas
ure. He said, Thank you, sir" and ran
rapidly down stairs The general heard him
pause for a moment, aud then return,
| bounding two steps at a time. He thought
the sergeant's heart had failed him. He was
mistaken. The sergeant stopped at the door
and said: General, can / show a white
handke rchief?" The general slowly shook
his head. saying emphatically: mo, Kirk
land, you can't do that" "All right, sir"
he said. 'Ill take the chances" and ran
| down with bright smile on bis handsome
/ countenance.
With profound anxiety he was watched
as he stepped over the wall on his errand OF
mercy-Christlike mercy. Unframed he
reached the nearest sufferer. He knelt
beside him, tsnderly raised the dropping
head, rested il gently upon his own noble
breast, and poured the precious, hfe-giviDg
| fluid down the feyer.scorched throat. This
done he laid him tenderly down, placed his
| knspsack under his head straighten out
his broken limb spread his Overcoat over him,
replaced his empty canteen with q full one.
/ and turned to another sufferer. By this
| time his purpose was we'll understood on
both sides, and ell 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
a half did this ministeriDg angel pursue his
labor OF mercy, nor cs ased to 90 and return
until he relieved all the wounded on th at
part of the field. He returned to his post
wholly unhuft Who shall say how sweet
his rest that winters night beneath the cold
star!
Sergeant kirkland distinguished himself
| In battle at &c itysburg. and was promoted
lieutenant. at Chickamauga he fell on the
| field Eof battles in the hour of victory.
He was bat youth when called away, and
aud had never formed those ties from which
might have resulted & posterity to enjoy his
fame and bless his country; but he has
bequeathed to the American youth-yes TO
the world-an example which dignilies our
! common humanity.