The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1895-04-26

"a"'V'os thoy Sout0 uut uttNhe, " WAS Tu-
mored that orders would be given to evacu-
ate the city on Monday, the 2Oth aud IL he,
was to act 1t must be at once. General O..
o. Howard was quartered in Mrs. McCord's
house near the college building. After
some hesitation and misgiyings, he made up
his mind to call on him and make known to
him the position he was placed in. lie told
him be did not appeal to him asking help
for himself, for he would die in dungeon
before he would make such request; he
came pleading for help In behalf of the help
less and dying. General Howard's AJju-
tant General, who was present aud heard
the Doctors appeal, remarked in tones
heard by the Doctor, "See the Southern chi
valry." The appeal was not in vain, for an
order was issued to the Federal Com missary
to leave SO many cattle for hospital use.
Those of US who partook Of Federal bounty
never accused the Com mmissary Of picking out
for US the choicest of his flock; he certainly
donated to us what in truth could have
classed as some of Pharaoh's lean kline, but
for even this we were thankful.
On Monday, the 10th, the troops began to
leave the city. Among the las, / saw go
was detachment guarding mauacled sol
dier, whom L recognized as one who drove
the ambulance attached 10 the Ladies Hos
pital near The Charlotte depot. / heard
that he had been recognized by some of the
Federals rs u deserter from their army.
What his fate was l never learned.
On Tuesday. the 2lst, the city was free
from the presence of Sherman's forces ex-
cepting some stragglers, whom rumor said
General Sherman told Mayor Goodwyp to
deal with in very summary manner.
The excitement Of the past three days had
made fearful work among our no5le men.
The duty devolved upon Inc to make prepa-
rlft f,r h,,e, al a., l..l
been accommodating since the occupation Of
the city on the l7th. | found on examine
tion II corpses. 1t was impossible 10 pro-
cure plank to make collins and il was with
tie greatest difficulty was able 10 get
trench dug TO bury Iaem in. There was no
white help | could call upon, aud the ne
groes were defiant aud inso.ent and refused
To aid in digging the graves. ! was, under
the circumstances, compelled To use arbitrary
measures. | selected n few of the hospital
attendants, armed them with muskets, and
wen, into the city and impressed such able.
bodied help ~ we " ct and marched them TO
the field in rehr Of the Pre- sident's house in
the South Carolina College Campus aud had
trench dug sutti ticient 10 lay side by side
those seventeen men. As stated, l was una.
ble to procure plank or nails, all was aDie
to do for them was TO wrap their precious
forms up in u sheet. and wherever il was
possible for me TO learn their names | would
mark the grave, or rather the pOsitI on
they occupied III the trench, with such ma
ieria as | cou d get. in order that their
friends might remove them if desired. Tne
day following | was compelled to 60 through
like cxper, ence aud bury eleven more. 1t
was while engaged i'll this duty that an un.
pleasant incident occurred. One OF the
negroes employed i'll digging the trench
L. ,,,.y L.
firing and using very strong and defiant
language. | asked h'm 10 icS;st, as the
occasion was too solemn one 10 be engng-
ing in such bUisIerons conduct even II he
ment no harm. | asked him 10 give me
his pistol. This he refused 10 do. was
equally de'erinindtd thai he had 10 show
more respect 10 The dead then lying in their
sh ouds before. called ON one of the guard
10 lake inc pistol from h,m. lie showed the
"a me resistance TO him; but when he saw the
guard reacn for hs gun lac iau like u horse
thr ugh gate way ia rear OF the Pres
idents house aud uOwn the middle of the
cam pus and the guard afIcr him lie
refused TO halt and wus Likely 10 get the best
of,hc race: the guard was equa ly determinoi
10 teach him iess,n, took ain, fired and
brought him down. hurred 10 ihe sput
and found he was wounded in the arm. lie
was removed toa bull !ing III the rear OF
Prof. Reynolds house IN the campus. !
informed DR.. Thomson of the occurrence VIII
went at once TO see him and give his wound
prompt and careful treatment. While We
deeply regretted the woundng Of the man
the incident had II very saluiaiy effect.
On the day following we buried seven
One this number was IA mest worthy female
attendant widow leaving two helpless chill
dren. had III u mnnner become accustomed
to sad sights, but when | realized that II
would be my painful duty TO consign her
unco!hned {" iLo grave, | Ie!t then Che
terrible horrors o; war. We laid hcr away
in grave by herself If ever lear. of
genuine sorrow weic shed il was over the
grave Of ihis poor vmaU her children were
not present, ana have no ground for
thinking they ever knew where Their
mother was Dur!c,i.
as matters began TO settle down those
that died later on were al deccntiy
inferred.
1t was nay melancholy duty from the tine
the city was destroyed up to the time of
my Leaving f'r home, in June, 10 bury no less
than seventy-hye persons. ! doubt if ther,
le Que person III Columbia to-day who know.
that such number OF brave Confederate
dead lie ut the place described But a few
m In AgF ,.-,s. IL