The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-10-08
"RECOLLEcTIoNs"
OF THB
NJ SSICK RANGERS.
-C:o:C--
BY A MEMBER.
no. D..
BY A MEN BRR.

the parent Of cruelty. The philosophy Of these
assertions no one will gainsay. As our troops
foil back, and wore passing the picket post the
Federals were holding, when We advanced on
them that morning, we found two Federal
soldiers mortally wounded. Col. Stevens had
them placed on ltters aud brought of. Our
command Of dsmounted msn were in the rear
on the retreat We came up with the litter
bearers just after they had crossed Watts Cut.
we relieved them and took charge Of one of
the wounded men and carried him to the boat
at Gov. Aiken's rice mill. John Porter, Gill
liam Thomas, John Faucet and myself were in
the first relief. The other wounded man died
on tho litter, and was buried by our men at
doV' Aikens summer house, on Jehosse Island.
His name was John Sowp. He belonged to Co.
X. 55th Penn. Regiment. The man we had
belonged to the same company and regiment
His name was Jonah Ritchey
From these men we learned q good deal about
the officers on the Island. The Federal, had
not less than 5000 men there then and on ad.
vance on our line had been contemplated. As
We advanced across the field in line of battlo.
that morning the Federal line of two Regiments
their heavy guns, leaving but small force to
dispute our advance, or report the strength Of
our column. We had only about 500 men on
the Island, and about the same number, or per
haps 600, on Jehossc Island, ready for any
emergency. We crossed with the wounded
man at Gov. Aikens rice mill and placed him
In an ambulance. and he was carried to the
hospital at Adams Run, where he died the
next day. lie was buried at the church below
Adams Run, on the road leading to White
Point. | mention these facts for the sntisfac
tion Of those who may want to know the fate
Of the unfortunate men who fell into our hands
that day.
am little ahead Of my work will 20
back to our first occupancy of Jchosse Island
rs pickets.
Haf Of the picket force was infantry. Our
men, dismounted, constituted the other half.
Each had their own non-commissioued officers
1 mentione" iu 10. o, ,h"t ..I;~"t Rates myself
and another man-Sergt. McCreary, think it
was-took n scout on Edisto Island This,
together with the presence Of our picket force
Of about 30 or 35 men on Jchosse Island, drew
out the Federals Our advanced post was at
Of our men NIL tho time. The river made a
bend here, and VIC and the Yankees-both on
the same side-had a sheet Of water of 500 or
600 yards between us. A company Of Federals
with long range guns, gave ns a volley at that
distance, knocking the dust up all around us.
We returned the fire, but our lead did not
reach them-fallng into the water away this
side. We threw together some bricks and tim
bers-part of An old house that had hecn
standing therc-and this formed an improvised
breas!work, behind which VIC lay down and
waited for them to advance within range Of our
guns. This they took care not to do, at that
time.
The road we had to travel, to get to our post
and back from picket headquarters, run along
tho river brink for nearly hal: a mile, and in
travelling the same in daylight VIC were exposed
to the sharp-shooters of the enemy We were
confident that the men we had at the post be-
hind tho embankment and breastwork could
keep the whole yankee army at bay. for while
at least. They could only advance by fours
and we could kill every man they hal before
they could get to us. SO things remained for
that day.
Our non commissioner officers were Corporals
George Watkins and William H. Jetcr George
Watkins was on post aud had been nearly all
day. Privates, Adolphus +. FAINT, Henry C.
Burroughs, Henry r.. Fowler, II. Gillian
Thomas, j. Wesley McKown and myself repre-
sented the "MoKissick Rangers at tho time
we speak Of.
While we were lying behind our breastwor orks
holding the whole yankee army at bay, as We
thought, and were itching for them to come
within range Of our guns, we saw a gunboai
coming Things took change. Something
must be done and tha. soon. To retreat would
expose us to the enemy's sharp-shooters whic,
was more to be dreaded than the gunboat. The
brink. On one side was the river, on the
other wns marsh. Our retreat began, and
not in the best Of order. The road bent will
the river and we were in plain view OF th
gunboat all the time. Henry Burroughs, think
ing be could make the ferry sooner, plungeC
into the marsh, almost disappearing at every
jump. Greatly astonished, au old negro, body
servant at FIX Gov. Aiken, exclaimed Look q
dot white man, boss lie make dc mud fl,
like a gator Obligatory, What nm he name p
Dolph FAINT told him his name was Captain
Simon Suggs.' The negro exclaimed Laws
a-massy, boss | hearn ole massa read abou
dat man long time ago From this circum
stance Henry Burroughs was dubbed Capt
Suggs," which lasted as long as he lived.
Henry Bnrrougb, was generous and nobl
hearted man, and well thought of by thos
who knew him. lie was mortally wounde'
the day that General Lee surrendered. Iii
tba lao liyaS oiv IN ,Il los