The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-01-25
JOHN C. HASKELL.
A Tribute from Robert r. Hemphill Four
Years Ago,
Editorius IL. .A5bcviiic MEDIUM, Junc 9Th
1000

Editerius in .Ajbcviiic Medium, jane 9Th,
1889.
The Democratic State Executive Com.
mittee met in Columbia last week to
elect member of the National Demo
cratic Executive Committee to fll the
vacancy occasioned by the death of the
late lamented Capt. F. W. Dawson. Hon.
John c. Haskell was unanimously chosen
for the honorable and important posi-
ton. No better selection could have
been made. He is in the full viror of
his intellectual powers, has fine
executive talent and Is a devoted party
man.
Col. Haskell is native of this county
and Abbeville is proud of her son. What.
ever station he has filled and whatever
duties he has been called upon to per-
form be has always reflected credit upon
the place of his nativity and gained hon
or for himself. During the war he COM
manded battalion of artillery and upon
nearly every memorable battle field of
Virginia the roar of his we'll directed
cannon emphasized his love Of South
Carolina and his devotion to the cause of
constitatiopasSa government. He wss
with Longstreet and we fought under A.
P. Hill. Once when we we're hard
pressed the "war-hoyse" came to our re-
lief. We still have in our mind vivid
picture of John g. Haskell as he came
upon the field. He rode fine horse,
whose arching neck and dilatea no'trils
showed that he was at home amid the
| noise Of battle. Col Haskell's SLOUGH hat
encircled by handsome golden cord,
and the cape of his military cloak brought
out in bold relief his soldierly figure.
The earth trembled beneath his hurrying
| guns as they wheeled into position and
| unlimbered. In a moment his blazing
Napoleohs had thrown the advancing
hosts of the enemy into confusion and
turned the tide of victory.
Col. Haskell has but one arm. He
lost the other at the battle of Gaines
Mill on June 81, 1862.
How it was lost may interest our read.
ers. Gen. Lee had crossed the Chicka-
hominy and was advancing on McClel-
Ian. The battle of Mechanicsville had
been fought on the 26th. Jackson was
coming on the field having made con-
nec,ion with tee's fotces Haskell was
serving Oh the staff of Gen. D. R Jones
but being indisposed he remained at
headquarters for some time after Gen.
Jones had gone towards the enemy.
This did not suit him and although
scarcely in condition for any exertion at
| all he mounted his herse and rode for
ward. BE found Gen. Jones and Gen.
Magruder on high ground on the south
side of the Chickahominy. Beyond the
river in plain view the enemg we're
hurrying forward in dense columns to
overwhelm our forces. From recent
heavy rains the river was out of its
banks. There vas no bridge to cross,
but it YVES necessary to convey informa-
ton as to the movements of the enemy
to Gen. Lee. Col. Haskell rode re-
markably fine horse, once the property
of Gen. Turner Ashby, and he under
took to deliver the message. Hequiskly
made bis way to the river, and soon the
noble horse and its gallant rider were
breasting the rushing waters. A line of
the enemy's cavalry pickets caught sight
of the daring rider and opened FIRE upon
him and continued to do 80 until he
reached the north side of the river and
disappeared in body of timber. The
message was delivered, and Ool. Haskell
remained with Longstreet until late in
the evening he was directed by Long
street to order R. 81. Anderson's brigade
forward. he did so, and going to the
front be found many men scattered and
broken. He collected about 200 of these
and forming on the right of Whiting's
division with stand of colors in bis
hand advanced With them to within
about fifty yards of the enemy's breast
works. Here his little finger was shot
and broken and his horse was shot and
brought down to his knees. He pulled
his horse up and spurred him and the
animal carried him and the flag right in
among the enemy and fell dead catching
Col. Haskell's foot under him.
For some time it was impossible for
Col. Haskell to free himself. As he fell
Yankee captain dashed a t him and at
tempted to take the stand of colors from
Haske!l's left hand but Haskell had q
sword swung to his right wrist by q
sword knot and grasping it he struck at
the Yankee who by this time had drawn
bis pistol and fred striking the star from
the collar of Haskell's coat. The Yan.
kee kept grssping for the colors with ore
hand and firing his pistol with the 9TH
er dntiI Haskell freed himself from the
horse. Just tE,u The Yankee turned and
Haskell struck him full on the top of the
head bringing him to his knees and as
be turned with the pistol still in his hand
Haskell ran his sword through him kill.
ing him almost instantly.
Haskell then went to the left and came
again to the men he had collected and
found them in front of the twenty fourth
gun battery wich was sweeping the Pls-
teau in their front. They rallied to 8
man around the flag which he still held
in his hand and be led them forward
with Hoods brigade as it made its Sec
ond charge At the very cannon's mouth
his arm was torn into shreds and be fell
still grasping the colors. There he lay
until night had closed the conflict when