The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-05-07
A CONFEDERATE HERO.

The following story has been told i'm the
southern press and is youched for by Geuer-
al Kershsw
Richard Kirkland was the son of Jon Kirk
land, an estimable citizen Of Kershayv coun-
ty plain substantial farmer Of olden time,
In 1861 he entered, as a private, Capt J. d.
Kennedy company Cd Of the Second South
Carolina Volunteers, in which company he
was a sergeant in December, 1862. The day
after the sanguinary battle OF Fredericksburg,
Kershaw's brigade occupied the road at the
foot Of Marye's Hin and the ground around
Marye's house, the scene of their desperate
deferce of the day before. One hundred and
fifty yards in front of the road the stone fac
ing Of which constituted the famous stone
wall, lay Sykes division OF regulars, United
States army, between whom and our troops
a murdcroUs skirmish occupied the whole
day, fatal to many who heedlessly exposed
themselves, even for a moment The lines
was bridged with wounded, dead and dying
Federal victims of many desperate, gallant
assaults of that column of 30, 900 brave men,
hurled yainly against that impTeEu8hle posi-
ton. All that day those wounded men rent
thcair with their goans and their aE0nizinE
cries Of i'Water water r' in the afternoon
the good General sat i'm the north room, up
stairs, Of Mrs. stephens house, in front Of
the road, surveying the field, when Kirkland
came up. With an expression Of indignant
remonstrance pervading his person, his man
ner. and the tone of his voice, he said, Gen
eraI, / can't stand this ''What is the mat
! ter, Sergeant 2'' asked the General He re-
piled "All night and all day have heard
those poor people crying for water, and j
can stand it no longer. I came to ask per
mission to go and give them water
The General regarded him for q minute
with feeling Of profound admiration, and
said kirkland, don't y0l know that YOU
would get q bullet through your head the
moment You stepped over the walI2' he5,
sir me said. Il know that but if you viii
let me, I will try it," After a pause, the
General said. Kirkland, 1 ought not to
allow YOU TO run such a risk, but the seuti-
ment which actuates YOU is SO noble that ]
viii not refuse your request trusting that
God may protect You Nou may GO The
Sergeauts eve lighted mp with pleasure. lie
said. Thank YOU. sir, and ran rapidly
down the stairs The General heard him
pause moment, and then return, bounding
two stel,s at q time. lie thought the scar
taken. The sergeant stopped at the door
and said: General can / show white
handkerchief 90 The general slowly shook
his head, saving omphaticaIly: 'No. kirk
land. vou can't do that 80 "Au right, sir, 90
he said, sIH take the Chances and ran
down with q bright smile on his handsome
countenauce. With profound anxiety he
was watched as he stepped over the wall On
his GRAND OF mercy -ChTistlike mercy
Unframed he reached the first sufferer lie
kuelt beside him, tcnderly raised the druup-
ing head, rested it on his own noble breast,
and poured the life-Eiving fluid down the
fever sc0rcnel throat This done. Le laid
him tcnderIv down, placed his kUapsack un-
der his head, Strengthened ont his broken
limb, spread his overcoat over him. then
turned to another sufferer. by this time his
purpose was well known on both sides, and
all danger was over. From all parts ui the
field arose the cries Of ''Water, water: for
Gods sake. water 20 More piteous stiI the
mute appeal OF some who could only fsebly
lift hand to say, here too Is a life and suf-
feIing For an hour and q half did this
ministeying angel pursue his labor OF mercy,
nor cease to 60 and return until he relieved
all the wounded in That part of the field.
IIereturned tohis post wholly unlurt. VINO
shall say how sweet his rest that winter :
night beneath the cold stars, Little re-
mains to be told. SearEent kirkland dis
tiuguished himself in battle ut Gettysburg
and was promoted Lieutenant At Chieka-
mauga he fell on the field of battle, i'm the
hour of victory. lie was but youth when
called away, and had never formed those ties
which might have resulted in pa-terity 10
enjoy his fame and bless his country buthe
has bequeathed to tire American youth-ye3i
the wori5-an example which diEniies ouI
common humauity.-CI Charleston Eel-s.