The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-09-19
@naersaH gHtelligeuttt.
A REALISTIC WAR STORY.

A REALISTIC WAR STORY.
There is much unwritten history
concerning the late war, which, if it
could be gathered together, would be
of great interest and display in bright
colors the chivalry and valor of the
American soldiers. Some time in the
early thirties pioneer from the State
Of Connecticut moved South, almost
upon the frontiers of the Indian Ter
ritory, and began life as farmer. He
was intelligent, Of a classical educa-
tion and of a genial and lovable char
acter. In the course of time he
brought his young bride from her
northern home. They readily became
accustomed to southern ideas and in
stitutions and by industry and an ap-
plication to such pursuits as fell to
the lot Of farmer in those days, be-
came not only slave owners, but pos
sessed Of large means. Three boys
were born to them, who were the joy
and pride Of their home. The elder,
soon after receiving high school ed
ucation, was sent north to COM
plete his education, some three years
prior to the beginning of the late war.
When the war came on this son en-
listed in the union army, writing his
father that the three years intercourse
with northern friends and his own con-
victions, after mature thought, decid-
ed that secession and slavery were
both wrong and he felt it his duty to
go to the front.
During the long struggle they
would hear from him occasionally,
but never line would the father
write him and he forbade his house
hold holding any communication with
him, for the family had become thor.
oughly southern in their feelings and
the blow was too much for the father,
but the faithful and loving mother had
always some excuse to make for him.
Not long after this the other two
boys enlisted in the confederate army,
in the same regiment, but in different
companies. By their gallantry and
bravery and by such casualties as war
will bring about, they each became
captains. After many campaigns and
many hard-fought battles the elder
brother was promoted in the union
army and was serving as staff officer.
In the summer of 1863 the two young
er brothers learned of his promotion
and position and that he was serving
in the army opposing them. [ being
intimate with them and serving in
the same army, though in separate
branch Of the service, saw much of
them and learned much Of their anx-
iety concerning the fate Of their broth
er after every battle. The trying and
hard struggle went on and in the latter
part of 1864 we had one Of the most
sanguinary battles of the war.
The fight commenced in the early
afternoon and was not finished until
way late into the night. We had
driven the enemy from three strong
lines of breastworks and the carnage
was fearful to look upon, as l saw it
early the next morning just as the sun
began to gild the horizon on that chill
Dece1nb bermorn.d
II was ID the saddle early, rid
ing over the field Of battle to see if
any Of my comrades was upon the
field with the dead and the dying.
With head bowed down and heart
swelling with tears, I was startled by
hearing the cry Of my youngest friend
with che tears even in his tremulous
voice as he cried out, "Oh, Dick, here
is Bob" With tears streaming down
his face he stopped and stroked the
cold, white cheeks with the tender
love of mother, wiping the cold froth
from his face and hands. As his
brother came up he looked up to him
and said: SIT will break mothers and
fathers hearts" )" AS I look back
upon the scene after these long years
Of peace and can see that cold and
rigid form in blue, with the two boys
in gray lowering over him, [ wonder
why was it 80.
After they became calm I rode up
to them, dismounted and asked what
/ could do. In the consultation it
was decided to procure rude coffin
and send his remains home in charge
Of one Of thesold slaves who was at the
front with his young master, and j as
the faithful servant told me afterward,
it was great trial to him that day,
when from the village he carried the
body out to the farm. When he came
up to the old homestead the mother
was the first to see him, and in an
agony of, spirit she cried out: (Which
one Of my boys ?" And with bowed
head hesanswered, s:sMars Bsb.''' *
!. The GRIFFIN that household was not
such AS of ten comes, ,sbut it was to be
followed by shock that "tries one 8
soul" Only short time afterwards
in a stubborn fight, when we were
upon the defensive, one brother was
'killed-shot in the eye-and the other
was wounded-shot through the body.
It was my sad duty to prepare the
body Of my dead friend for shipment
to his home and send the wounded
boy with the other faithful slave to
the rear. They were both carried
home, as it was not expected that the
wounded one could live. The father
broke down and gave up in despair,
and not many months afterwards,
with broken heart he passed over
the river. The mother in her great
grief put back her tears and seemed
to think only of her still living, wound
ed child. With great care and such
love as only man can give, she nurs.
ed him back to life. Finally the end
Of the struggle came, a once happy
family was left desolate, loving and
devoted mother and an invalid son.
The two old slaves remained true to
their mistress and young master with
adevotion that can scarcely be explain
ed and not understood unless it is ac-
tually seen.
While it was always a sad house
hold, I never visited that it did not
make me feel happier and at the same
time try to understand such al Attic
tion.
Many years otter the close of the
war, the boy, never strong, began to
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