Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-02-18
No More s.A Nameless Hero

from the Charleston News and courier.l
CAMDEN, January 29.-Your COlum-
bia correspondent referred to The incl
dent narrated here, telling the story as
'twos told to him, and inviting cOrrec-
tlons. AS such deed should be re-
corded in the rigid simplicity Of actual
truth, I take the liberty ofsending you
for publication an accurate account OF a
transaction, every feature Of which is
iudellibly impressed upon my memory.
Very truly yours, J. B. KERsHAw.
Richard Kirkland was the son Of John
Kirkland. an estimable citizen Of
Kershaw county, a plain, substantial
farmer Of the olden time. In 1861 he
entered as a private Capt. J. D. Ken
nedy's company (E) of the Second
South Carolina Volunteers, IN which
company he was a sergeant in Deem
Der. 1862.
The day after the sanguinary battle
of Fredericksburg, Kershaw's brigade
occupied the road at the foot Of Marye's
Hill and the grounds about Marye's
House, the scene Of their desperate de-
Tense Of the day before. One hundred
Land ffty yards in front of the road, the
stone facing of which constituted the
famous stoncYall, lay Sykes division Of
regulars, L. S. a. between whom and
our troops a murderous skirmish occu-
pied the whole day, fatal 10 many who
heedlessly exposed themselves, even
for a moment. The ground between
the lines was bridged with the wounded
dead and dying Federals, victims Of the
many desperately gallant assaults o.
that column Of 90, 900 brave men hurled
vainly against that impregnable posi-
ton.
All that day those wounded men rent
the air with their groans and their
agonizing cries Of Water water" In
the afternoon the General sat in the
north room, up stairs, OF Mrs. Steyens's
house. in troutof the road, surveying
the field, when Kirkland came up
With an expression Of indignant re-
monstrance poryading bis person,
his manner. and the tones Of
his voice, he said, General I, I -an't
stand this
WHAT'S the matter, Sergeant" asked
the General.
He replied. 'Allnisbt aud all day
haye heard these poor people crying for
water, and I can stand It no longer. l
come to ask permission TO 90 and give
them water
The General REGARDED him ior a mo-
ment with feelings ofpcoGouud cdmira-
ton, and SAID:
Kirkland. don't you know that you
would get a bullet through your head
the moment you stepped over the wall?
Yes, sir, he said I know that but
if you vii. let m, 1 am willing to try it,
After pause the General said,
Kirkland, I ought not to allow you to
run such q risk, but the sentiment which
actuates you is so noble tha. will not
refuse your request, trusting that God
may protect you. You may co.
The sergeanrs eyes lighted up with
pleasure. He said: Thank you sir,
and ran rapidly down stairs. The
General heard him pause for moment,
andtscn return, bounding two steps 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 white
handkerchief The General slowly
shook bis head, saying emphatically'
No, Kirkland, you can't do that AL
right sir he said, III take the chances,
and rau down with a bright smile on bis
handsome countenance.
With profound anxiety he was watch
ed as he stepped over the wall on his
errand Of mercy-Christ-lke mercy
Unframed lie reached the nearest suil
erer. lie knelt beside lin, tcnderly
raised the drooping head, rested It gent
ly upon ms own noble breast, and pour
| ed the precious, life-giying fluid down
the feyer.scorched throat. This done
he laid him tenderly down, placed hl'
knap sack under his head, Strengthened
out his broken limb, spread his over.
coat oyer him, replaced his empty cam
teen with a full one. and turned tC
another sufferer. By this time his pur'
pose was well understood on ootl
sides, and all danger was over. From
all parts of the field arose fresh cries o.
Water, water; for Gods sake, water !.
More piteous still, the mute appeal o.
some who could only feebly lift hand
TO say, here, too, is life and suffering.
For an hour and half did this minis
teriug angel pursue his labor OF mercy
nor ceased to 90 and return until he re-
lieved all the wounded on that part Of
the field. lie returned to his posi-
wholly unhurt. Who shall say how
sweet his rest that wiAter's night be-
meath the colds
) Little remains TO be told, SerSt
Kirkland distinguished himself in battle
at Gettysburg, aud was promoted tC
lieutenant. At Chickamauga he fell on
the field Of battle,ln the hour of victory
He was but youth when called away
and had meyer formed those ties from
which might have resulted n posieritl
) TO enjoy his fame and bless his country
but he has bequeathed to the American
youth. yea, TO the world, an example