The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-09-06

ui Col. G.. McD. Miller ! write my
h.mblc tribute to his memory and to
tho soldiers Of his regiment. especially
of Company G.; which hc led in battle.
lad more acquaintanccs in this Com
l,any because many OF them were from
the west A. Regiment there was
none braycr in the Confederate army
ana none had Il braver leader than was
rol. Miller.
ofton visited his regiment in the
camp, on the march and on the battle
ti,.l. lie in particular was always
GLAD to see me, because lie had learned
that felt interested in his men
whether sick or we'll, wounded or
dead. They loved him and obcycd
him. because he loved them. always
considered his tender regard for his
men equal to his galantry. bravery
and GOODNESS in the face Of the enemy.
Well do | remember the many express
sions Of love and admiration for him
from his men as assisted them on
the midnight march and waited on
them in the lonely hospital on the
field. They never once spoke of him
as being stern, rash or ovcrbcaring at
any time. In camp he was their
cvual, in battle he was their leader
will venture to give few rcmins-
ccnccs Of one Of the many battles in
which his Regiment was engaged. |
know something about it, because |
was there and talked with him half
hour before the battle end | remember
his last words to me. On Wednesday,
the 2a'h Of June, 1862, / left Rich
nond u; search for Orr 8 Regiment. |
found it on The west side Of the Chick
ahominy, not far from the Virginia
Central Il. X. I took tea with you,
j. l.. Hemphill and Livey Grier.
That night the Regiment marched
across the Chickahominy at the rail
road bridge and turned to the right in
the direction Of Mcchanicsvillc. 1t
halted about a half mile from the rail
road and there We all lay down in
ditch beside hedge. This was a
great protection from the shells and
cannon balls Of the enemy. Frequent
ly the earth was thrown over on us.
AS | lay between you and Livey he
said: II expect to be killed. If you
should live to see father and mother
and the loved ones at home tell them
TO meet me in heaven"
We were aroused early Thursday
morning by the sound of artillery
around Mechanicsville and were soon
on the march in the direction Of
Gaines Mill. / gave up yours and
Livey's blankets. Frank Clinkscales,
class mate, was assistant surgeon
and he and / with an ambulance and
a driver. whose name I have forgotten,
drove off to tho left of the road into
grove Of pines about half mile from
the mill. 1t turned out to be most
dangerous place. We were just in
the rear Of Crenshaw' Battery, then
Tn action with Yankee battery on a
hill to the south. We got out Of the
ambulance. Frank found shelter be-
hind pine tree. lay down in
tent covered with earth, its entrance
towards the battery and hence not a
good protection, as pieces Of shell were
flying all around me. I looked out
and saw Frank standing by pine as
large as his body 80 feet behind me.
But still l thought my place was safer
than his and said to him, Crank
come to me-" lie said, "No. I'll
stand here These were his last
words. In moment I could hear
nothing but the whizzing of the shells
and the crashing of the pines. 1
called him again but he made no all
swer. Without ever looking for him
oY the ambulance I got up and ran
towards the battery, leaving it to my
Left.
l had determined to go to the Regi-
naent. l went back to the mill and
followed in the direction it had gone.
In an hour or two found it lying in
swamp ravine among growth Of
broom grass and small pines. Capt.
Miller told me to lie down. for the enc
my were just little distance up in
the Geld.
He asked me if knew that DR..
Clinkscales was killed; told him "No,
l left him over in the pines
well, he was killed, please go
back and get his watch and instru-
ments and you had better get away
from here, for we are waiting orders
to charge that battery he replied.
/ shook hands with you and Livey