The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-02-12
NO MORE ga NAMELESS HERO"
\ Worthy Tribute to Sergeant Richard
Kirkland.
CAMDEN. January %. 1880.

CAMDEN, January 20, 1880.
To the Editor Of the Ne,cs and Courier i:
Your Columbia correspondent referred to
the incident narrated here, telling the
story as twas told to him, and inviting
corrections. AS such q deed should be
recorded in the rigid simplicity of actual
truth, take the liberty of sending you
for publication an accurate account of a
transaction, every feature of which is in
dclibly impressed upon my memory.
Very truly yours,
]. B. KERsHAw.
Richard Kirkland was the son of John
Kirkland, an estimable citizen of Ker-
shaw County, plain, substantial farmer
of the olden time. In 1891 he entered
as a private Capt. J. D. Kennedy's COM
pany (E) 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 occu-
pied the road at the foot of Marye's Hill
and the grounds absut 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 Regu-
lars, U. S. A., between whom and our
troops murderous skirmsh occupied
the whole day, fatal to many who heed
lessly exposed themselves, even for n
moment. The ground between the lines
was bridgcd with the wounded, dead and
dying Federals, victims of the many des-
perately gallant assaults of that column
of 10000 brave men hurled vainly
against that impregnable position.
All that day those wounded men rent
the air with their groans and their ago.
nizing cries of "Water water!" In the
afternoon the General sat i'll the north
room, up stairs, of Mrs. Stevens house,
in front of the road, surveying the field,
when Kirkland came up. With an ex-
preston of indignant remonslrance per-
vading his person, his manner, and the
tones of his voice, he said, General! l
can't stand this"
"What is the matter, Sergeant?" asked
the General.
He replied, "All night and all day 1
have heard these poor people crying for
water, and l can stand it no longer. l
come to ask permission to go and give
them water"
The General regarded him for mo-
ment with feelings of profound admira-
tion, and said:
"Kirkland, don't you know that you
would get q bullet through your head the
moment you stepped over the wall ?"
"Yes, SIR" he said, ~ know that; but
if you will let me, l am willing 10 try it."
After pause, the General said, Kirk
land, ought not to allow you to run
such a risk, but the sentiment which
actuates you is SO noble, that will not
refuse your request, trusting that God
may protect you. You may go."
The Sergeant's eyes lighted up with
pleasure. He said /: II thank you sir"
and ran rapidly down stairs. The Gen;
eral heard him pause for moment, and
then return, bounding two steps at a
time. He thought the Sergeants heart
had failed him. He was mistaken. The
Sergeant stopped at the door and said:
"General, can I show white handker-
chief?" The General slowly shook his
head, saying emphatically, "No, Kirk,
land, you can't do that" "All right sir"
he said, "I'll take the chances" and ran
down with q bright smile on his hand
some countenance. :.
With profound anxiety he was watched
as he stepped over tie wall on his errand
of mercy--Christ-li mercy. Un-
harmed he reached the nearest sufferer.
He knelt beside him, tenderly raised the
dropping head, rested it gently upon his
own noble breast, and poured the
precious, life. giving fluid down the fever
scorched throat. This done, he laid him
tenderly down, placed his knap'sack
under his head, straightened 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 under
stood on both sides, and all 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 a 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 to 60 and return until he re.
lieved all the wounded on that part OF
the field. He returned to his post wholly
unhurt. Who shall say how sweet his
rest that winters night beneath the cold
stones
Little remains to be told. Sergeant
Kirkland distinguished himself in battle
at Gettysburg, and was promoted Lieu
tenant. 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 q posterity to
enjoy his fame and bless bis country I;
but he has bequeathed to the American
youth, yea to the world, an example
which dignifes our common humanity.
BLEEDING AT THE NosE.-There are