The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-02-09
He MUST LIVE TO VIM
a War Trophy Left by Andrew Jack
son
From the Atomic tGa.) Journal.

From the Atlo'lta (Gd.) Journal.
One morning recently l heard war
story told in the United States court room
that is far more interesting than many that
have been widely published.
1t had its beginning with the war of 1912,
and its end has not yet been reached.
The story is that of q contest between
l, 100 brave South Carolinians for mag
nificent war trophy, and it is a notable case
of the survival of the fttest.
But to the story.
THE NARRATOR INTRODUCED.
1t was short while before the hour for
opening court
Hon. N. J. Hammond and Court Marshal
j. j. Martin wore discussing the grip or
something Of that sort.
Have you ever seen Mr.. Martini If you
have, you will understand what is meant
when l say that he clocks the soldier" all
over. His hair is gray, its true, and his
face little wrinkled, but he has that up
right carriage and graceful bearing of the
old soldier.
THE STORY BEGINS.
Leaving the water cooler where he had
been to wash down dose of medicine with
glass of water, he said
81 have a reason-and | think a very
good one-for being 30 careful about my
health"
whats thatg' asked Col Hammond.
"pm trying to outlive about twenty other
men" was the reply, land the prizs is
magnificent silver CUBAN old war trophy.
JAoKsoN's CUP
"Just after the war Of 1872" he contfn-
ued, "the ladies of South Carolina pre-
sented Gen. Andrew jackson with a most
beautiful and very costly silver cup, indie
ative OF their appreciation of the bravery
and gallantry displayed by him at the bat
tie of New Orleans. On the death of Gen.
jackson it was found stated in his will that
the cup was to be given to the bravest sol
der from South Carolina in the next war
which should occur. The cup was carefully
put away In the state archives at Columbia
to await the outcome of the next war.
THE MEXICAN WAR.
''The next war - Mr.. Martin continued,
''was the Mexican war. South Carolina
sent out the Palmetto regiment, l, 100 strong.
of which | WAS 9 member"
"Did you know Puckettf asked Chap
lain Andrews, with much apparent in
terest.
"Yes; Puckett-"
"Well, never mind Pickett" inter
rupted Col. Hammond, ''let's hear about the
cup.n
"Yes," resumed Mr. Martin, "the Pal
metto regiment went into the war, fought
all through it. and at its close only 300 of
the 100 who started we're left. These
marched back to South Carolina, and thea
the question as to who should have jack
sons cup arose. The legislature appointed
q commission to decide the matter. The
commission made an attempt, but Of course
could reach no conclusion. Every member
of the regiment had fought well. Not ono
had run or shown the slightest cowardice,
and it was found Impossible to award tho
trophy to any one of the three hundred.
HOW 1T RESTS.
$50 the commission gave it up as a bad
job. Thereupon the legislature considered
the question, and finally decided that the
cup should go to the last survivor of the
three hundred. Well, there ire only about
twenty of US left, and 1t is my ambition to
be the last survivor Of the regiment, 30 that
/ may be the proud inheritor Of the mag
nifcent property, and leave it as an inner,
itance to my posterity: That Is my reason
for taking such care of my health"
And all agreed that the reason was q
good one.