The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-08-31

never be written. it is an everlasting
shame that the men of the South have
failed to erect lofty monument to the
selfish sacrifices.
But will no longer speak of these
generalities, but will proceed to speak
more particularly Of Company &, 18th
South Carolina Volunteers. 1t gives
me great pleasure to announce that
about fifty of these veterans still sur
vive. It seems almost impossible that
a company that never had, probably,
more than one hundred and fifty men
in all in it, and which has passed
through so many hard fought and
bloody battles, seen 80 much suffering,
sickness, forced marches, hunger, cold
and privations,- should to-day have
fifty true and tried survivors. But it is
true, and these are true men. These
old soldiers are the men to trust. La
dies always trust them. I can trust
one wherever I meet him.
This company was organized in
August, 1851, and on the 10Th Of
August they embarked for camp, drill
and preparation at Lightwood Knot
Springs, about seven miles northeast
Of Columbia, where it composed part
of the 18th South Carolina Regiment
Volunteers under Col. Edwards, of
Spartanburg County. Col. Edwards
was gallant officer. A. P. Calhoun,
a son Of John G. Calhoun, was Lieu
tenant-Colonel of this Regiment for a
short time, but on account of failing
health was soon retired. The Regi-
ment was attached to Gregg's Brigade
anu y.s ordered to the service on the
coast. In the spring of 1862 the brigade
was ordered to Virginia, and engaged
in the memorable seven days fighting
around Richmond. In the bloody car
mage at the railroad cut, at the second
battle Of Manassas, Company G lost
more than half of it's number in killed
and wounded. In this awful battle
this regiment stood alone for long
time, exposed in front and on both
fanks to a most CALLING fire, swaying
back and forth. From early in the
morning until late in the evening, this
regiment fought-now charging the
enemy successfully, now being pressed
back by fresh troops of the enemy,
until finally great victory perched
on the Confederate battle flags. In this
sanguinarv battle the 18th Regiment
alone lost 613 men. Think of the awful
carnage.
The regiment was next engaged at
Ok Hill, where Lieut.. Wesley Shep-
hard gallant Lexingtonian, was killed.
Then came the great battles Of Sharps-
burg, Fredericksburg, and Cbancel-
lorsville, in which the losses of this
regiment and company were compare
lively small. Next came the famous
field of t7ettysburg-a field Of slaughter
"a field of blunders. The common
soldiers of the line, even, all feltthat it
was absolutely necessary to break the
enemy's lines on the first day and take
possession of the naturally strong and
almost impregnable points at and
around Gettysburg, and prevent the
enemy from lodging there. From
some unaccourtable cause, this was
not done. Gregg's, now McGowau's,
Brigade however, bore. an illustricus
part in this bloody struggle, and was
the first to break the enemy's
lines. In this engagement Col. Abner
Price commanded the brigade, and
under him -. it charged into the very
streets of the city, but could not hold
them. In lthis fight the brigade lost 6l7
men.
The 18th Regiment lost 35 killed,
iG5 wounded end missing. Lisuts.
McNinah, Brown, Moore and Joseph
Mathis, of Company G. were killed at
one time by the explosion Of a shell.
1t was at Gettysburg that the Con-
federate cause was doomed to be the
"Lost Cause" The Confederate army
now fell back into Virginia again, and
on the banks of the Rapidan, said Mr..
Caldwell, I witnessed scene l will
never forget. It was pleasant scene.
A great many soldiers were bathing in
the stream, and as they would dive and
swim and plunge into the swift waters
they rent the air With shouts of merri-
ment and laughter. These men had
not thought cf their hardships and
privations. All was lost in merri-
ment and glee. A most remarkable
thing, observed Mr.. Caldwell, was that
there was not single one of them but
had a scar on some part Of his person