Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-03-31
GEN. MICAH JENKINS.

tiers day by former schoolnlates who want
positions.
GEN. MICAH JENKINS.
To the Editor of the Nsms and Courier
In recent issue Of The News AND COURIER
YOU refer to the removal of the remains Of
the late Gen. Micah Jenkins for interment
in Magnolia Cemetery You properly say
that the grave of jenkins should not remain
unmarked and you justly add, "here should
be no delay about it. 1t were reproach to
each and every one in South Carolina, who
wore the Confederate grey, to deny to SOL
dier so conspicuonsly brave, so blythe in the
thick of the fight, so thoroughly faithful and
capable, an enduring mark of our remem-
brance and our love-"
As one who was Micah Jenkinss lifelong
friend, respond heartily to your patriotic
suggestion. But for private land public rea.
sons beg to make brief appeal in behalf
of one of the martyrs of the "Lost Cause"
The record of Micah jenkins is we'll known
to his old comrades Though brief, it Was
beautiful and symmetrical, and had noble
ending.
Entering the Citadel Academy when quite
youth, he began hi cadetship with an am
bitious spirit. / can recall his remark to
myself made soon after his matriculation,
that he intended to be first in his class. This
promise to himself it is known that .te full
filled. He came out officially first, and it is
certain that he was second to none of his
classmates in ethics or scholarship. In ny
judgment, it may justly be said, that Of the
graduates of the South Carolina Military
Academy, lie was one of the brightest and
bravest After graduation, in connection
with Col. Asbury Coward, he founded and
managed the Kings Mountain Military
School, which continued in successful opera
ton until the war between the States began.
Following the dictates of his ardent, patriotic
spirit, with motive AZ pure as ever carried
Christian knight to the battle of former days,
he entered the service of the Southern Con-
federacy Here his we'll known record was
brilliant. He rose to be brigadier-general
in all army where the material whereof gen.
erals are made was alike choice and abun-
dant and it was whas seems to US his untime-
" death that alone cut him off from higher
honors Brave and dashing as Murat,
Micah Jenkins was further Bayard, with.
out fear and without reproach." He was
more. A scholar, gentleman, a Christian
man, he was Sidney who, on another Zutphen,
would willingly have passed the cup of cold
water to some dying soldier whose necessity
may have been deemed greater than his own.
Nor was Jenkins the man Of sanguinary IN
stncts and military preferences that SOME
considered him. 1t WAS my fortune to meet
him on his last visit to South Carolina, not
| 4 ell <l>, of
He spoke in the confidence of warm, recipro-
cal friendship, and referred to the idea which
he knew prevailed respecting him, that he
was fond of wars cruel sport. He earnestly
disclaimed the sentiment. While recogniz.
ing his duty in the struggle, and thinking
not for one moment of turning his back upon
the burning poughshare before him, he yet
expressed yearning for peace, and longed to
return in honor to his home and his fireside.
But this beautiful dream of the soldier was
not TO be realized The laurels Of industri-
Gus soidiership were soon to be entwned with
the cypress wreath On May 6, 1864, in the
! Battle of the Wilderness, he, the young and
strong, fell with harness on in the path of
duty.
The General Assembly of South Carolina
passed the following resolutions
"i2esolred unanimously, That in the death
of Gen. Jenkins, South Carolina molrns the
loss of one of her nnbest, most patriotic and
accomplished citizens, and the army Of our
country brave, energetic and skillful officer.
Resolved, unanimously, That we recur with
pride to his brilliant and eventful career,
and will ever cherish in our memories the
record he has left US of gallant deeds done,
and above all, we will not forget the Christian
virtues which adorned his character, the
recollection of wi ich adds increasing lustre
to his already illustrious paine.
"Resolved, unanimously, That we hold up
his many virtues to his comrades who are
vet spared, and lid them emulate his exam.
pie.
Rssolued, unanimously, That these reso.
lutions, together with the correspondence
between Lieut., Gen. Longstreet and Govern.
or Bonham, in relation to the death of Gen.
Jenkins, be spread upon the journal Of this
House, and copies of The same be sent to the
family of the deceased"
Nearly seventeen years have rolled by
since Micah Jenkins laid his young life
bleeding sacrifice upon the altar of his coun-
try. For nearly seventeen years his remains
have filled an unmarked grave-unmarked,
save by the hands of domestic love.
This public neglect. you rightly suggest,
should no longer stand reflection upon tie
State that jenkins so faithfully served. Over
his new grave at Magnolia, not far from
his native, ancestral Edisto, let the modest
shaft rse do not propose costly luonu-
ment our dead heroes are too numerous and
our resources in the South are not ample
enough for extensive mausoleums. But let
there be, at least, at the public instance,
simple monument to the memory OF the
high toned, gallant jenkins. The graduates
of the South Carolina Military Academy WILL
| know, do their part. But not with them
alone does the duty rest. The fame of Jen.
kins is the properly of the State, and let all
contribute as private friendship or public
spirit may dictate.
As you have suggested the act, hope that
The Ne,rs and Courier will receive contribu-
tions for the Jenkins Memorial. As soon as
am advised that your timely suggestion has
taken the shape of action in the manner sug-
gestel or in any manner that our friends in
your city may desire, shall remit you such
contribution as l may be able to secure.
JNo P. THOMAS
Carolina Military Institute, March 20, 1880.
COTTON FACTORY NEWS.
The Charleston COMPANY organized to