The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-03-16

own soul l know that, thanks to your
firmncss, father, I have more character
to-day than l had when l was n self
indulgent, dandifed young man, and
thought it manly to smoke and dress
finely and make a show in society"
''And with all that lies between, ny
son, l I'm prouder of you than 1 ever
was then" replied Mr.. Emmons, brush
ing away, u tear. ''Hc who has re-
tricved an error by patient suffering and
wcll-doing may wear a crown that shall
not only conceal the brand that was
given for his crime, but eventually obi
teratc it."
"God grant it may be So" said the
young man fcrvently.
A year later the terrible storm of civil
war burst upon the United States, and
the buglc call to arms rcsounded through
the land.
Walter Emmons was among the very
first to enlist. John Holloway would
gladly have done the same; but one of
them was needed ut home, and Walter
entreatcd that this opportunity might
not be denied him. BY his W eXer-
tons and enthusiasm he collected about
him men enough to form Il company,
and his cool and fearless bravery in
many engagements soon raised him to
the rank of colonel.
Upon one Of the battlefclds whose
name will not die out Of history, volun-
teers were called for to lea ! Il desperate
attack upon a very formidable battery.
Not more than one out of twenty Of the
loo ri fnron rS,,1l rro1>o1l,, ,r.o H.
charge.
Colonel Emmons replied: eff my men
will follow me I will gladly lead Ne
charge"
The regiment. who had learned to
love their commander, not only for his
bravery. but on account of his kindness
of heart and genial manners, immc-
diatcly waved their hats, chcercd, and
cried:
"We will follow YOU"
cit will be a fearful charge" said the
General.
"For that reason it is we'll fitting that
I should undertake it," replied the
Colonel firmly and cheerfully. II would
be glad to spare my men, if it were n
soldiers duty to spare in time of need;
but for myself no risk can be too great;
I should be happy to die for my
country"
The charge was Immediately made,
with gallant fearlessness and determina-
ton.
Colonel Emmons was scaling the
parapet, amid the remnant of those who
had followed him, while the aiding
column was pressing on behind over
the bodies of his men, who lay thickly
in the path up to the battery. His left
arm hung useless by his side,s his face
was covered with powder and blood,
his uniform was wet with the lifc-blood
Of men who had fallen by his side; but
he waved his hat and cried in trumpet
tones:
"Prcss on, boys! press on"
Just hen a well aimed bullet entered
his left side, and he fell MORALLY
wounded, just as the Union flag was
planted within the battery and fresh
troops were pouring over the parapcts
to make good the victory.
Tenderly h" was borne to a place o
safety, but he survived only long
enough to know that the battery had
been securely taken.
'Tell my father" said he, with
blanching lips, THAT I died happy in
the hope that my service for my country
might in part atone for the sin and folly
of my youth"
On'thc Emmons lot, in the beautiful
cemetery, there arose a granite shaft,
upon which was inscribed:
To the Memory of
COLONEL WALTER EMMONS.
He Died in the Service Of his Country.
Below is inscribed in Latin, which
few who do not know his early history
take the pains to translate and inter
pref:
By one virtue some have covered a multitude
of sins
By the practice Of many virtues did this man
patiently strive 10 cover one sin
of his youth.
: To this place every Sabbath, for years
q whitc-haircd man came with a wreath
of pure white flowers, which he placed
tenderly upon the smooth green sod in
summer, and in winter upon the winter
snow. Sometimes he came alone; some
times he was accompanied by a lady
with gray hair, and often by a fine look
ing man with q beautiful lady on his
arm.
But oftener a little boy was with him,
and then it was he who carried the white
flowers. The child's name was Walter
Emmons Holloway.
One day Walter asked his grandfather
to read the Latin inscription to him, but
his grandfather replied:
"Not yet, my boy-not yet; you are
not old enough"
"When shall l be old enough, grand
pa?"
"When it is time for you to take any
position of trust, my Child Christian