The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-03-03
CURIOUS CONDOLENCES.
Three Classmates Vino Fought and Fell on
Gstysburs's Field.

F'0 FffS NS0fN e'N VI ~
Getysburs's Fioid.
In correcting q statement made by
another gentleman with reference to
the career of the late Col. Lewis f..
Williams, oftbe famous First Virginia,
DR.. j. G. Hiden tells q most remarka-
ole story about three Of his classmates
at the Virginia Military Institute as
follows:
/ was intimately acquainted with
Colonel Williams from his boyhood.
His father, for whom he was named,
was the Commonwealth attorney OF
Orange County, and for more than an
average generation practiced in the
court OF which my father was Justice.
Lewis and myself attended the Same
local academies. In 1854 I was appoint
ed q cadet at the Virginia Military In
stitute at Lexington. During that ses-
sion l roomed in No ia tower"
room on the second stoop," and just
west OF the arch" My roommates
were Lewis b. Williams, Tazewell
Patton,Sa SON of the noted lawyer and
politician, Hon. John Nj. Patton, of
this city; Peyton Slaughter and r. G..
Allen.
The condolences were really more
extraordinary than those stated In the
Dispatch. Williams, Allen and Patton
were all OF the same class, all In the
same room, all graduated July 4, 1856,
ell became lawyers, all volunteered in
the Confederate army, all rose to the
rank Of colonel, all commanded Vir-
GINA regiments, were all In Pickett's
Division, all II believe) 10 Kemper's
Brigade, and all fell at Gettysburg.
| once related this series OF coinci-
dences TO q distinguished graduate of
Brown University, and he said he saw
nothing very remarkable In them. /
ed the Theory Of probabilities " In
mathematics. | afterwards related
this to that famous educator john Hart,
q real mathematician, and he express,
ed his wonder thus {: Tho chances
for sue q series to occur again are, ]
should say, about as one to infinity.'
Mr.. II krt took his degree at the Uni.
yersity Of Virginia.
Lewis Williams and myself belonged
to the same literary society and he was
n OF the finest speakers in the corpse
OF cadets. AS a student he distinguish
ed himself, and graduated high In 9
class which was remarkable for talents
Stapleton Crutchield, one of the mos
brilliant students | ever knew, took
the first homer III that class. He wa,
q son of the old Democratic Speaker O
the House of Delegates, who wept il
the chair when the House refused t,
elect William y. Rives to the United
States Senate.
At Gettysburg, Colonel Williams
who was quite i'll with malarial fever
was lying In IN ambulance. When tn,
charge was ordered he left the ambul
ar ce and prepared to lead bis regimen
the First Virginia. The field officer
were ell afoot, as it was reckoned al
most certain death to be mounted il
that charge. Kemper, who practice'
at u Orange bar, and had know
Williams as a boy, said: Lewis, yo1
cannot go; you a g too weak to walk
and 1t Ia certain death to ride" "Gen
eral, l can sit on my horse, and l mus
60" vas the gallant colonel's reply
The major Of the old First then remon
strated Colonel, go back to tn
ambulance. II you mount that horse
you will be a dead man before you q
three hundred yards. l will take tn
regiment in. Do 60 back" mo,
said Williams, 81 will lead my men,
and he mounted his horse and move
upon those dreadful, cannon-crowne
heights. He had ridden but q few rod
when he fell.
thine IGNORED Old Dominion,
What heroes hast thou borne!
Mother! thine eye is weeping,
Thy lovely bosom torn;
But still thy brightest jewel
Thine honor thou didst save;
Thy sons will wear it proudly
In freedom or the grave"