The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-05-09
CAROLINA'S PART.
The Comm issi0n 10 Locate tho Posi-.
ttOn at ChickRmanga - Honor 10
capt. II. r. McCaslRn.

tHpt.
The State.
The following circular letter has been sem
to The South b Carolina commissioners recently
appointed by Governor Tillman:
Columbia, 5. e., May s, 1894.
| Dear Slr:--I am instructed by Gen. Farley
10 inform you that the Chlckamauga Cnm
IN isSion, representing the State OF South Car
olina, will rendezvous at Greenwood, ;. T..
on the Georgia, Carolina and Northern Rail
road. on Wednesday the 10th day Of May, A
d. 1894.
You are requested 10 be on time, as the par.
iy Will start on first train alter the arrival OF
II anything should interfere with your go
| ing notify us in time, 10 that, If possible, a
substitute may be made. am, very respect
fully yours, J. Gary waits,
| 1t will be particularly interesting TO the
com lnissioners 10 know that their expenses
will be paid by the State.
The Press and Banner is glad to note that
Capt. r. +. McCaslan, Co. II, 18th South Car
olina Volunteers, has been chosen member
OF that commission. His appointment
will be appreciated ny his old comrades In
arms
The appointment is rot only testimonial
| OF his intelligence, but IL is also tribute TO
his soldiery bearing In one OF the bloodiest
battles OF the war.
For the sake OF the gallant men who faced
The dangers OF contending armies, as well as
for the commeaioration OF an event which II
not only historic in the life OF the Nation, bui
In the life or death of the patriotic men who
did their duty In the trying days OF 1868, 1t is
10 be hoped that the Captain may be able to
identify the position OF his old command
and their comrades In arms, and that ne may
be able TO mark the spot on which they
fought.
Capt r. F. McCaslan will faithfully repre-
sent his fellow-soldiers, and they hope that
the lapse of more than thirty years may dim
none of his memories Of the field on which
the sublime and thrilling went occurred, and
In which contest he barred his own breast 10
the storms of shot and shell that marked the
hills aud plowed the valleys or Chicka'
Willie the names of the men who gave to
the battletields Of Chickamauga historic
glory may eventually pass out OF memory,
history alter the monumental shafts snail
have crumbled Into dust
The history OF Cbickamauga belongs to the
Nation, and it is but just that the spot on
which the supreme contest took place should
be identified and marked.
No doubt OH approach TO the historic spot
Captain McCaslan's mind and heart Will be
thrilled with emotions and memories which
could come alone 10 those who were there on
the 10Th, 10Th and 2lst of September, 1868.
He will no doubt remember how he with
other members Of the 10th 8. G. V. lay on the
from the crown Of the hill, doing It's deadly
work on the ranks OF the enemy.
He will not forget that nigaut's brigade
lay in range OF the enemy's shot and shell
that were Intended for that battery.
He will not forget that the boys remained
under fire all that Saturday afternoon, and
that ri the close OF the day they forded the
little stream. after which, Win wet SHOES ,li ana
command lay down In the woods on the bat
tlefield, surrounded by the dead and dying
soldiers OF either army.
ed Union soldier, and the lifeless form of the
Union soldier rested beside the disabled Con-
federate.
The shrieks of pain which came from the
Wou unded soldiers that night Will reverberate
in his ears again.
The line OF battle on Sunday morning, the
heavy firing on our right, The command TO
march upon the enemy; the shock OF oattie,
dead and wounded That covered the battle
ground rs far as the eye could reach-all com.
6ine,i to make scene which will not be for
gotten by any who were there.
or the Commanding officers who we're In the
battle, nearly all have gone to the bivouac OF
the dead.
General Manigault came home end died
hOnored In peace, rs In war.
or Colonel Pressly we have heard nothing
Lieut. Colonel Porcher was killed at Mis-
sion Ridge u few days after the battle OF
Major j. L. White OF the field officers is liv-
ing.
In the Regiment were three Abbeville COM
gsn,ef and csnt ce%manded asaaan e1Ey BY
scales, and Capt. r. N. chatham.
Capt. Chatham was killed near Marietta q
short time after Major Porcher lost his life at
Mission Ridge.
Capt. Clinkscales died at his home In this
county. after the war, loved and respected by
all.
OF the company commanding officers, and
the field officers of the 18th =. G.. V. on that
historic occasion only Maj. ]. l.. White, Of
Verdery, and Capt. r. F. McCaslan, Of Nine
ty-Six, are living to-day, and II IL right that
one Of them should have gotten the appoint.
ment-Major White being the only field Of
1cer and Capt. McCaSlan being the only COM
pany officer from this county.
Major White distinguished himself by his
conspicuous bravery in the fight, and il Cap
tain McCaslan needs any help, none could be
more efficient than Major j. l.. White.
We are glad that the honor fell 10 member
Of the s. G. K. giment, ana we know that none
will be more faithful than Capt. K. +. McCas-
Ian.
Having been actively engaged In the fight,
he is az well prepared for the work as any
one could be.