The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1880-03-04
miscellaneous.
orr ooNTEpERArE HERO.

* ONE CONFEDERATE HERO.
The story Of Sergeant Richard kirkland Thank.
ing the General for Permission 70 go to What
seemed Certain Death-SWeet Charity on the
BalLBWept Battlefield.
The Charleston, s. G., Neacs and Courier
tells this story of transcendent heroism,
which deserves to take q place among
the choicest ta,es Of heroism; Richard
Kirkland was the son of John Kirkland,
an estimable citizen of Kershaw county,
a plain substantial farmer of the olden
time. In 1851 he entered as private,
Captain s. d. Kennedy's Company (E)
of the Second South Carolina Volunteers,
in which company he was sergeant in
December, 1862. The day after the san
culinary battle of Fredericksburg, Ker.
shaw's brigade occupied the road at the
foot Marys's Hill, and the grounds about
Marye's house, the scene of their desper-
ate defense of the day before. One hum
dred 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 murderous skirmish occupied
the whole day, fatal to many who heed
lessly exposed themselves, even for a
moment The ground between the lines
was bridged with wounded, dead and
dying Federals, victims of many deso
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 agonizing cries of
WATER WATER
In the afternoon the General sat in the
north room Of Mrs. Stevens house in
front of the road surveying the field,
when kirkland came up. With an ex.
preston of indignant remonstrance per-
vading his person, his manner and the
tones of his voice, said General,
can't stand this" "What ia the ms.
ter, SergeantP" asked the General He
replied "All night and day l have heard
these poor people crying for water, and
can't stand it any longer / came to
ask permission to go and give them
water.
The General regarded him for mo-
ment with feelings of profound admira-
ton, and said: kirkland, don't you
know that you would get bullet through
your head, the moment you stepped
over the WALTZ" eyes, sir, 1 know that,
but If you will let me, am willing to
try it," 5I'7 a'i
After pause, the General said: "Kirk-
land, / ought not to allow you to run
such risk, but the sentiment which
actuates you is 80 noble that will not
refuse you, trusting that God will pro-
tect 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
time. He thought the Sergeant's heart
had failed him. He was mistaken. He
stopped at the door and said, General,
can / show white handkerchief" The
General slowly shook his head, saying
emphatically, "No, Kirkland, you can't
do that" IAN right" he said, 'I'll take
my chances" and ran down with bright
smile on his Countenance. With pro-
found anxiety he watched as he stepped
over the wall on his errand of mercy
oHRIsT-LIKE MERCY.
Unharmed he reached the first suf-
ferer. He knelt beside him, tenderly
raised the dropping head, rested it upon
his breast, and poured the life giving
fluid down his fever.sCorched throat.
This done, he laid him down tender
ly, placed his knapssck under his head,
out his broken limb, spread |
his OvereoRt over him, replaced his
empty csnteen with full one, and
turned to another sufferer. BY this time
his purpose was we'll understood on both |
sides, and all danger was over. From !
all parts of the field rose fresh cries of |
"Waterl water For God sake, waterl |"
More piteous still, the mute appeal Of
someone who could only feebly lift his |
hand to say, "Here, too, is life and suf- |
fering." For an hour did this minister
ing angel pursue his labor Of mercy, not
Ceasing to 60 and return until he relieved |
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 stars
Little remains to be told. Sergeant Kirk
land distinguished himself in the battle
of Gettysburg, and was promoted to
Lieutenant. At Chiksmauga he fell on
the field of battle in the hour of victory.
BE was but youth when called away,
and had never formed those ties from
which might have resulted a posterity
to enjoy his fame and bless his country
but he bequeathed to the American
youth--yea, to the world--an example