St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1882-02-24
Richard Kirkland, Hero.

The following accurate account of
one of the nOblest acts of heroism du-
ring the late war is related by Gener-
al Kershaw, of South Carolina. of asol-
dier of his brigade
Orchard Kirkland was the son of
John Kirkland, an estimable citizen of
kershaw county, Il plain, substantial
farmer of the Olden time. In 1861,
he entered as ii private, Captain j. ID.
Kennedy's Company (E) of the Second
South Carolina Volunteers, in which
company he was a sergeant in Decem-
Der, 1862. The day after the sangui-
nary battle of Fredericksburg, Ker-
Shaw's brigade occupied the road at
the foot of Marye's Hill and the grounds
about Marye's house, the scene of their
desperate defence of the day before.
One hundred and fifty yards i'll 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 a murderous skirmish occupied
the whole day, fatal to many who heed
lessly exposed themselves, even for Il
moment. The ground between the
lines was bridged with the wounded,
dead, and dying Fedcrals, victims of
the many desperately 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 grOans and their
agonizing cries of Water waterr In
the afternoon the general sat in the
north room upstairs of Mrs. Stevens
house, in front of the road, surveying
the field, when Kirkland came up.
With an expression of indignant re-
monstrance pervading his 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.
'Ile replied 'All night and all day
have | heard these poor people crying
for water, and can stand it 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 Il bullet
through your head the moment you
stepped over the wall ?
- yes, sir he said Il know that !;
but, if you will let me, | am willing to
try it.
"After pause, the general said Z:
kirkland, 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
60.
"Thc Sergeant's eyes lighted up with
pleasure. He said Thank you sir,
and ran rapidly down stairs.
General, can | show a white hand
kerchief ?
"The general slowly shook his head,
saying emphatically
q no, Kirkland, you can't do that
&" All right, sir he said I'll 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 his errand of mercy Christlike
mercy. Unframed, he reached the
nearest sufferer. He knelt beside him,
tenderly raised the dropping head, rest
ed it gently upon his own noble breast
and poured the precious life giving
fluid down the fever-scorched throat
This done, he laid him tenderly down,
placing his knapsack under his head
Strengthened his broken limb, spread
his Overcoat over him, replaced his
empty canteen with a full one, and
turned to another sufferer. BY this
time his purpose was well understood
I. Il 4
From all parts of the field rose fresh
cries of Water water for Gods sake
water = More piteOus still, the mute
appeal of some who could only feebly
lift a hand to say, Here too, is life and
sufferingr For an hour and half did
this ministering angel pursue his labor
of mercy, nor ceased to 90 until he had
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 be
meath the cold stars
Little remains to be told. Sergeant
Kirkland distinguished himself in bat
tie at Gettysburg, and was promoted
Lieutenant. At Chickamauga he fcl
on the field of battle, in the hour ot
victory. He was but a youth wher
called away, and had never formed
those ties from which might have re
suited a pOsterity to enjoy his fame
and bless his country but lie has be
queathed to the American yOuth-yea
to the world-an example which dig
nified our common humanity" - Parisl
Visitor.
There is one city provided with pure
: milk, and that is Frankfort th'
Main. The business is conducted by
: concern called the anstaldt, established
by the medical association, and man
! aged by a commission consisting %
| three physicians, one veterinary sur
geOn and "A chemist. The cows AZ,
: carefully selected and properly fed ant
housed managed, in fact, pretty mucl
; as the herds of 'gilt-edge" dairy mel
I are-and the milk is delivered within
t four hours from the time it leaves th'
e COW in glass bottles sealed with wax.