Louisiana capitolian., 1880-02-21
NO MORE "A SAnELEss HERo.'
Charleston News and Courier.

N0Ak1O0t< ANOWO 0ASsA NYsAAAUes
CAMDEN, Jan. Your Columbia
correspondent referred to the incident
narrated here, telling the story as
twas told to him, and inviting correc-
tions. As such deed should be re-
corded in the rigid simplicity OF ac-
tual truth, take the liberty of send
ing you for publication an accurate ac-
count, every feature Of which is
indelibly impressed upon my memory.
Very truly yours, J. B. KERsHAw!
Richard Kirkland was the son Of
John Kirkland, an estimable citizen
of Kershaw county, y plain, substan-
tial farmer of the olden time. In 1861,
he entered as a private Capt. J. D.
Kennedy's company (E) Of the Second
South Carolina Volunteers, in which
company he was a sargeant in De-
cember 1862.
The day ofthe 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
defense of the day before. One hun
dred and fifty yards in front Of the
road, the stone facing Of which con-
stituted the famous stonewall, lay
Sykes division Of regulars, U. s. A.,
between whom and our troops q mur-
derous skirlnisll occupied the whole
day, fatal to many who l:eedlessly ex-
posed themselves, even for moment.
The ground between the lines were
bridged with the wounded, dead and
dying Federals, victims bt the many
desperately gallant assaults Of that
column of 1000 brave men hurled
vainly against the 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 Cen
eral sat in the north room, up stairs,
Of Mr.. Stevens house, in front Of the
road, surveying the field, when Kirk
land came up. With an expression
Of indignant remonstrance prevailing
his person, his manner, and the tones
of his voice, he said, General! /
can't stand this"
"What is the matter, sargeant?"
asked the General.
He replied, "All night and all day
l have heard these poor people crying
for water, and l can stand it no long
er. l come to ask permission to 80
and give them water"
The General regarded him for q
moment with feelings Of profound ad-
miration, and said:
"Kirkland, don't you know that you
would get a bullet through your head
the moment you stepped over the
wall 7"
"Yes, sir" he said, 81 know that
but if you will let me, am willing to
try it."
After pause the General said,
''Kirkland, 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
CO."
The sargeant's eyes lighted up witt!
pleasure. He said: "'rhank you, sir,
and ran rapidly down stairs. The
General heard him pause a moment
, and then return, bounding two steps
at time. He thought the sergeant'
heart had failed him. He was mista
ken. The sergeant stopped at the
door and said: "General, can show
a white handkerchiefF' The Genera
slowly shook his head, saying emphat
ically, "No, Kirkland, you can't d,
that" "All right, sir" he said, "pl
take the chances" and ran down will
a bright smile on his handsome cOun
tenance.
With profound anxiety he wa
t watched as he stepped over the wal
j. on his errand Of mercy-Christ-lik'
mercy. Unframed lie reached tin
: nearest sufferer. He knelt besid.
: him, tendcrly raised the droopinl
e head, rested it gently upon his owl
l noble breast, and poured the preciou
: life giving fluid down the fever
scorched throat. This done he lai'
him tenderly down, placed his KNAPP
sack under his head, Strengthened OH
his broken limb, spread his overcoa
over him, replaced his empty cantee'
with full one, and turned to anothe
}, sufferer. By this time his. purpos
g was we'll understood on both sides
I and all danger was over. From al
! parts of the field arose fresh cries o
:'Water, water; for Gods sake, water!
More piteous still, the mute appeal
some who could only feebly lift a han
S to say, here, too, is life and suffering
s For an hour and a half did thi
}. ministering angel pursue his labor {
) mercy, nor ceased to 90 and retur
y until he relieved all the wounded o
}. that part of the field. He returne
to his post wholly unhurt. Who sha
1t say how sweet his rest that winter
d night beneath the cold stones!
n Little remains to be told. Sergeal
e Kirkland distinguished himself
is battle at Gettysburg, and was prone
II ted to lieutenant. At Chicamaus
he fell on the field of battle, in tt
hour of victory. He was but yout
g when called away, and had new
II formed those ties from which mig
ne have resulted a postelity to enjoy h
le fame and bless his country; but he h;
l.: bequeathed to the American yont
yea, to the world, an example whi
digifes our common humanity.
X
III "How are you, Smith 2" said'Jon'
ty Smith pretends not to know him, al
ct replies hesitatiugly: 'Sir, you ha
~ the advantage of me-" eyes," reto
tn Jones, 81 suppose any body j
that's pot common sense" SIN