The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-06-12

gathered there in search of provisions
some were killed outright and their
mangled bodies and limbs were scattered
ana buried under the burning :uins.
Many were wounded, burnt and disfipur.
ea ior NE. The flames spread rapidly to
the adjoining houses and soon a fearful
co'dagration was in progress. Confusion
became worse confounded every moment.
ana the wings of the dark angel seemed
70 nave been outspread over every dwell.
ing. The Rev. DR.. M had been
called to the wounded and we were
waiting on him to baptize our little babe
VINO was breathing life fast away. Fl.
naiiy he came in great haste, and seizing
cup near by filled it with water and
performed the ceremony. He left i'm.
| mediately to attend Father Fillion next
door, and the child died that night.
!he city was now scene of wild dis.
! order, and we were to be still more hu.
mIliated-it was to be given up 10 Feder-
al authority. Quiet was at last restored.
we had surrendered Old Charleston,
hitherto invincible by land or naval
forces, while her gallant sons could
remain to defend her, was given up; but
IT was ruined people and shattered
city, and the sight softened and touched
the heart of the enemy.
ihe following day, Sunday, was quiet,
and our little babe in its coffin vas car
ried to st. Lawrence Cemetery by three
gentlemen, relieving each other on the
route: Il gas impossible 20 obtain 2
vehicle nf any Kind, as every horse had
been nressssd i, service hy The Govsrn-
ment. Two days afterwards Father F..
that true and tried soldier of the cross.
died, and we buried him on the 22d OF
February, at midday. amid the booming
of guns from all the batteries.
THE FAMILY DEATH.RoLL.
Besides the Affections and troubles at
home, the condition of those of our fam.
lily who were in the field increased our
fears and anxieties, and several of them
who started out with hope and promise
now lie "under the sod and dew awaiting
the Judgment day." My brother.in. law,
John l.. D., while in service in Virginia,
was stricken with fever, and while in the
hospital shell came very near striking
his bed. but unfortunately did not ex.
piode. The hospital was pronounced
unsafe, and my brother.in-law, being no
longer fit for duty, was sent home.
Having no means of transportation, he
walked his way home, and when arrived
his condition was such from exposure
that, notwithstanding the most careful
nursing, he died in few months. NY
nephew, Virgil D., young lieutenant
of only 19 years, and beloved by his
regimental commander, Col. Simonton,
who had nicknamed him the "Virgin of
the regiment" wac wounded in a fight
along the Weldon road in August, 1864,
and taken prisoner to Fort Monroe. His
sutterings were so great that he was com.
manded against his desire to return home
on parole. On bis return home, his
youngest brother took sick with the
smallpox of which he died, end the
noble young officer, whose system had
already been exhausted from his wound,
contracted the disease and was buried
five days after. My cousin, John NJ, a
bright boy and the hope and comfort of
his widowed mother, entered the service
at the age OF sixteen a3 corporal in the
Charleston Rihemcn. He was taken
prisoner and confined in Elmira and
from the hardships Of prison life soon
became prostrated. Like Gagged bird.
ne pined for liberty, for he was anxious
to serve his country in the field. With
him, at Ear IS this world is concerned, the
darkest nour of his life was Just after
dawn, for when about to be EXCHANGED
with the prisoners at Point Lookout his
strength was 80 much exhausted that he
was sinking rapidly. A cup of tea was
handed him by companion who also
was to be exchanged he drank it with
great pleasure, the last spark of life was
waiting upon the water, and in O few
minutes afterwards the youthful soldier
breathed his last, and now sleeps in an
unknown grave on the Federal side.
CLOSING SCENES.
After the close of the war, in the
beautiful month of May, when the troops
we're returning home. l awaited anxious.
ly to welcome two survivors, an only
brother, F. D., and another cousin, l.. B.
They had both served the Confederacy
to the end. What anxiety, what eager
ness, to behold the brave feiIows-our
dear oneso-who had suffered and endured
so much The glad tidipgs atiast reach
ed me that my brother was coming on
horseback and the gates were opened as
wide as our hearts to receive him. But
alas What chaugel That grand
colossal frame, which at one time seemed
constituted to bear the weight of hun.
dred years, was bent and worn, from the
hardships auds exposure of camp life.
His aged mother, who had become blind
during his absence, eaw him again before
her minds eye" only like the sturdy
young oak that he was when he first
buckled on his armor and departed with
her blessing on his head. To us, who
were blessed with sight to look on, the
meeting was sad and touching in the
extreme. After such an embrace as only
a mother and son can give after years of
separation, ne exclaimed:
"My poor, dear mother, you cannot
see me u
"Never mind, my son." she replied.
~ ~ can e feel yca, and have you with me in
But, alas this hope and comfort was
shortly to be crushed. On the 9th Of
September of the Same year, notwith.
standing the most careful nursing, he
died and was added to the silent majority
of our heroes.
The young cousin. too. L. B., Of the
Washington Light Infantry, whose sys-
tenn was entirely shattered before he
reached home, was kindly, lovingly
nursed, but he dropped and dropped day
by day. He died in August of the came
year, aged twenty years. His name is
inscribed on the monument at magnolia
Cemetery.
She had the Last Word.
Old Mr.. squaggs was somewhat irrita-