Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1880-03-17
REMINISCENCE OF THE WAR.
RIsKED HIS LIFE TO GIVE WATER
TO HIS DYING FOES.

From the Charleston Is. C.) News aud Courier.
CAMDEN, January 2O.-Your Colum.
bia correspondent referred to the Incl.
dent narrated here, telling the story
as tvs told to him, and inviting cor
rections. As such a deed should be
recorded in the rigid simplicity of &C.
tual truth, take the liberty Of send.
ing you for publication an accurate ac.
count of transaction, every feature of
which is indellibly impressed upon my
memory. Very truly yours,
j. b. kERsHAw,
Richard kirkland was the son of
John Kirkland, an estimable citizen of
Kershaw comfy, plain, substantial
farmer OF the olden time. In 1861 he
entered as a private IN Captain J Il.
Kennedy's company (E), Second South
Carolina Volunteers,in which company
he was sergeant in December, 1862
The day after the sanguinary battle of
Fredericksburg, Kershaw's brigade
occupied the road at the loot Of Marye's
hill, and about Marye's house, the
scene of the desperate defence 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's division OF United
States regulars, between whom and
our troops murderous skirmish oc-
cupied the whole day, fatal to many who
heedlessly exposed themselves even
for moment. The ground between
the lines was bridged with the wound
ed, dead and dying Federals--viotims
Of the many desperate gallant assaults
that column of 10000 brave men
hurried vainly against that impregna.
bic position.
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.
Stevens house, in front of the road,
surveying the field, when Kirkland
came up. With an expression of in.
dignant remonstrance pervading bis
person, his manner and the tones Of
his voice, he said, General | can't
stand this"
"What is the matter, Sergeant P"
asked the General.
He replied, GAN night and all day |
have heard these people crying Tor
water, and can stand II no longer. |
come to ask permission to go and give
them water"
The General regarded him for a
moment with feelings of profound ad.
miration, and said
kirkland, don't you know that you
would get bullet through your head
the moment you stepped over the
wall p
ayes, sir" he said, "I know that but
IL you will let me, am willing to try
it,
After a pause the General said, "Kirk-
land, ought not to allow You TO 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
pleasure. He said Thank you, air, I"
and ran rapidly down stairs. The
General heard him pause for moment,
and then return, bounding two steps at
a time. He thought the Sergeant's
heart had failed him. lie was mistaken.
The Sergeant stopped at the door and
said General, can | show a white
handkerchief 7"
The General slowly shook his head,
saying Omphatically, "No, Kirkland,
you can't do that"
GAN right, sir" he said, am take
the chances" and ran down with a
bright smile on his handsome counte.
nance.
With profound anxiety he was
watched as he stepped over the wall
on bis crrand Of mercy
cHRIsr.LIKR MERCY.
Unframed he reached the nearest