The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-06-05

| still that it should be enbslmed in the hearts
and lives of those who a-e to come after Us.
| Tais we can do and al tle 5 sne time accept
tie result of the combat and still be true to
| the taI.
This is proud day for South Carolina.
| This beautiful park has been pureh ased by
the general government, and each State hav-
isg troops engaged in this great battle has
been asked to mark the position Of its troops.
Many of the States have already acted, and
nearly half million dollars have been ex-
pended by sixteen States for this purpose
Though tardy We have at last done our duty
and today We CONS to dedicate this monu
ment to the memory of the brave South Caro-
linians who fought aud fell on tbs historic
spot.
In 1893 the general assembly of Sout.
Carolina appointed q commission to locate
the DO ,ition of her troops and in 1894 com
mission to select suitable monuments, but il
| was not until 1900 that the means were pro-
viied TO c1mple!e the work at that ses
| sion Of the legislature an appropriation Of
T10 900 was made TO erect suitable monu
mems, and the governor was authorize to
appoint commission CT three members, snd
they, with the governor and the adjutsnt
general, were to nave CHARGE of the erection
Of the markers and the monument. By
authority Of that act appointed as the
other members Of this comnissio Gen. C. |.
Walker, Of charleston, Coz. J. Harvey vii
son, ofSunter, and Captain C.. X. Hender-
son, of Aiken, am oud that | have the
opportunity of taking part in these cere.
monies and I,ejoice at the co coasummation to
which this day brings US IL the completion
and dedication of tais monument. 1t is q
glad day for all true sons Of the Pa metto
State.
Deep gloom had settled upon the Confed
crate banner in July, 1863, for then Vicks
burg had fallen and the terrible battle of
Getlysbus had been fought. These disasters
were not enough, but Confederate energy
seemed paralyzed 50 far as the army under
Gen. Bragg was concerned, for the Uaied
Sta,es forces under Rosecrans had by force
Of number and superb military equipmea;
driven the Army Of the West through Chat
tanoogs into north Georgia along the banks
Of the Chickamauga. The idea was seized
upon by the miIitsry authorities at Rich
mond to reinforce the depleted ,lumns un
der Bragg by two divisions Of LongStreets'5 8
corps to be commanded By that old war horse,
Gen. J. B. Hood. So hurried were the
movements Of the reinforcing columns that
Longstreet could no: have his artillery to
reacn the battlefield Of Chickamauga, but the
TWO divisions under McLsw5 and Iood were
assigned to the command Of the left wing Of
Gen. Brasgs army.
On the day Of the 20th Of September, 1868,
two giants in warfare grappled from right
to lett from runrise to sunset The Yankee
left was commanded by that superb soldier,
| Gen. George Il. Thomas, and to dislarge that
force Gen. Bragg ordered every effort to be
made, but thomas held his ground too firmly
to ,ield the field there. The old war horse
Longstreet pressed the Yankee right and
centre with mis- troops and some of the
Yankees under Gordon Granger and Wood,
aad by the use Of twelve OF twenty pieces Of
artillery at an angle the left wing Of the
Yankee army under Thomas gave way. This
left the entire field in the possession o! the
Confederates.
1t is glorious reflection that the va!or Of
South Carolina troops under KershaW
on the left and Manigsult on the right
contributed so largely to this nagnIi-
cent victory, and it is matter of history that
the South Carolina troops through KershaW's
brigade made the fartbest advance on SaoI-
grass Hill.
There WAS not bloodier fight in the
whole war, when you take into co 4sideration
the number Of troops engaged and the time
Of actual combat. Oficia! reports show that
killed, wounded and missing were over
thirty-three per cent ofalt the troops actual
ly engaged. On tae union side the loss in
this battle Of q number Of regiments WAS
| my per cent of the men engaged and the
same loss vas sustained by Inc troops on
the other side and Gen. Longstreet in his
history says that his command lost in two
hours nearly forty-four per cent. of is
strength. The charge ofthe light brigade
at BAiak ava has been made famous in song
and history. yet there were thirty union regl-
memts that each lost 10 per Cent. more men
at Chickamaugs and mauy Confederate regi-
men,s whose mortality exceeded this"
On the night Of tals day it vas tina: Gen.
Breckenridge In answering the call of the
South Carolina troops said: Il will not say
! To Wnom the credit is due, but this is the
| first occasion upon which | have been al
loved 10 slesp with MY troops on battle
field which 1a. been fairly and thoroughly
Won," IL a'as of this batrie also that Charles
| 4. Dana, assistant secretary Of war, on the
| field himself, sent TO his government this
dispatch: "We have this day met second
| Bull hun
1t is, my countryDen, to such men as
those who barred their breasts on many b bat.
tleield TO the eelching fire and lei OF the
enc ~ that We come 70 dedicate this monu-
| ment. 1t Is privilege which We enjoy TO
have sucn hecltage as they have LETT Us.
At the conclusion Of his address, the
governor preseIsed Gen. y. l. Walker
wno hao bee n sslec.ed TO deliver the
historic address. rlen came addresses
from Hon. D. s. Henderson, Col j. d.
Wilson and Bishop Capers. Al the
conclusion Of his address Bishop Ca
! pers said:
AND now, my countryman, l have the
honor which l most dearly prize, Of
directing the unVelnng Of this sacred
monument OH this hailoWed spot. l
shall call the names of four girls from
South Carollr VINO represent the four
commands Of South Carolina troops
who had the honor to share in the
sacrifices Of this great battlefield.
These fair daughters OF our mother, the
State, with their own faithful hands,
viii present TO your view Carolinas
tribute Of honor aud devotion to her
faithful sons.
Representing ( 'rshaw's brigade;
Elberta Band, the granddaughter OF
Lieut.. Col. Ebert Bland OF the Seventh
South Carolina Vols Kershaw's bri.
gade, who fell just yonoer, near this
spot, leading his gallant regiment IN
the advance upon Snodgra5s Hill.
Representing rhe Tenth and Nine
teenth South Carolina regiments,
| Manigaulr's brigade; Ada Orie Walker,
the granddaughter Of Lieut.. Col. q. l.
Walker Of the Tenth South Carolina
Vols, who has fought the bsttls over
for Ut as the historical orstor Of the
\,