The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-04-30
VOL. XVII.-NEw SERIES.
REMINISCENSES
OF THE
MACBETH LIGHT ARTILLERY.
No. -.
Bf ONE OF THEM.

berry company was made prominent because
1t was the gem Of the Macbeth Light Artillery.
The six months it had served was nothing
more than training school. One that was
in a measure, to Union County what the Cit,-
del Academy was worth to the State, and worth
as much to South Carolina and the Confedcracy
rs if each member of the company had killed
his man OH a score of battle fields Gadberry's =
Company was made up largely of intelligent
men, who had now seen enough of service to
Appreciate the advantages of being an officer.
Hence, it the nucleus for the forma-
ton of several other companies aud regiments
In fact, tho relish for Office was 80 great tha,
more companies were attempted to be raised,
than Union County could supply with men.
The prospect for success with SO many embryo
companies in tho field not encouraging.
1t, nevertheless, acted as n stimulant and so
inspired the zeal of those interested in the sue
cess of each prospective company, that it be-
came almost grab-game. There was activity
in every direction. Men might have held them
selves at q premium Like the seven pretty
sisters, each prctticr than the other and nu-
merou " puano companies, each selling IL better
fertilizer than the other, so each of these pro-
spectivc organizations had better inducements
to offer than the other. The trouble with all of
them was, there were too few Offices to fill in
proportion to the number of men wanted. Tho
happy thought of raising an Artillery Company
and naming it in honor Of one of Unions most
popular sons. was stroke OF policy that lcal
to the organization of the Macbeth Light Ar,il-
lery. The compauy, however, was not made
up exclusively of men from Union County
Spartanburg, Laurcns, and Chester. each con-
tributcl handsomely to its organization. AL
Camden and Charleston were both rep cscnted
But all the commissioned aud most of the non.
commissioned Offices were taken from Cad
bcrry's old company. With a complete organ
ization, we qncty left Union on the 18th of
November, 1861, and on the evening of the same
day, went into South Clrolina's Camp ofiustruc-
tion, at Light-woodKnot Springs, scvon miles
north Of Columbia, on The Charlotte \ Columbia
railroad We found several newly organized rec.
iments already there, and intcrspcrsed among
them were men from Gregg old command who,
with the cadets from the citidcl, were busy pre-
pairing these raw troops for - place in tho pic
ture near the flashing Of the guns At first We
had no cannon, and our drilling was confined cx-
clusivcy to the Infantry tactics. But in course
Of time we received brace Of supcrannueted
guns, worth Just rs much, however, for learn
ing the detail of the artillery drill, rs if they
Ind been bran new pieces out Of the mOulls
of the latest modern improvement. We mancu-
vered around with these ancient looking guns,
the commands now ringing in our cars,--'loal
hy detail, load, one, two, three. four spungc,'
and ''mcn to the 'front.' AMI men TO the rclr''
until the drill became a. monotonous u nro-
tracted summer drought is 10 n croaking far
mer. We ought to have been proficient soldiers
in tho details of artillery tactics; for, IN alli-
ton to the duty of drilling lay in ani day
out, our camp WAS situated in the midst of n
barren waste Of glaring white sand. ani nothing
Of interest so far rs ever know in the sur
rounding country for miles to divert us from
our military duty. We were the last troops
ordered from Light lknot Springs And
when the order came for Us to ~ to Charleston.
the welkin male TO rIns with VACCINATIONS
of JOY. On arriving NJ Charleston, the com
pany went into clmp at Half Moon Blticry on
tho north eastern suburbs Of the city. AMI over
10 ,king the confluence of the Cooper River.
Our surroundings were vastly improved and
we enjoyed some of The spice of life. Variety
was added to our diet, hooNs ami daily news
papers to our scanty reading matter. and some
whole soul patriotic citizens, living contiguous
TO Half Moon Battery. shlrel with us their
noble hospit,litv The Kindness an consider
ntion shown us by the NOVEL; and Nanigaut
families will ever remain like an oasis in the
1e.ert. fresh in the memory Of the officers oftho
Macbeth !i.ht ArtilIcrv The change from the
,;,I, ,r,I Of Columbia, :, ,v,.r,.,,