The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-02-06

To tie Editor Of The Nesos and
Courier: Will you allow space to an
old wounded Veteran Of the Rutledge
Mounted RiAemen TO tell of his grief
and that of every survivor Of that
snlended command ct the knnw!e3se
Of the death of their peerless and de-
voted commander, Col. w. l.. Tren-
holm, and to correct an error that 90.
cured in your reference to his war re.
cord. where it is asserted he went to
Virginia as the commander Of light
battefyI
If there was one distinguishing trait
in Col. Trenholm that predominated
all others it was his pride in and de.
yotion to his fine cavalry command,
and from the day he led them from
Charleston to their arst tented feld
at Pocotaligo to the deg he Fell severe
" wounded at Hawes' Shop, May 80,
1864, be was their idolized command
er. friend and counsellor.
1t is true only that in 1862, while
guarding the Savannah aud Charles
ton Road from raids of the enemy,
that he saw the importance Of artil-
lery to sweep the csuseways, which
had to be crossed in every instance
before the road could be reached, and, /,
procuring only twe pieces, he organ
ICED a section of horse artillery, under
Lieut.. David Waller, which attained
great efficiency and skill, but when
VIC took up the long line Of march of
SIX hundred miles from G Coosawhatehie
to Richmond he turned these pieces
over to the post qusrtermaster and
rode at the head Of his squadron every
mile of that eventful march.
To the survivors of his command
the memory of'his care and concern
for their health and comfort while for
two weary years camping in: the most
deadly of all our coast region cau new
er be forgotten; how he carefully se-
lected our summer camps above the
malaria belt, and every morning at
roll-call he required the Sergeant to
pass down the line, giving 20 each
man strong quinine pill aud exact
ing that he swallowed it.
This was procured at Nassau, and
brought in by his fathers blockade
runners at his request and expense.
And from the same source he furnish
ed us with both winter and summer
uniforms, splendid English equip
ments for our horses, including boots
and spurs; SO that we were by odds
the best uniformed and equipped
squadron in the service, and Brig.
Gen. W. S. Walker, our commander,
declared on many occasions we were
the best disciplined and drilled eaval-
~ in the army; and, after the ibattlo
of Pocotaligo, in May, 1862, when we
drove back Gillmore's command, he
asked Col. Trenholm to draw up the
squadron in line, as he wanted to
thank them for their splendid conduct
and courage in that battle.
Among his many gifts to his squad
ron none was more acceptable than e
splendid set Of instruments for cav
airy band, imported, too, direct from
Nassau, and, selecting dozen musi-
cal members, he sent.them to 6avan-
nah and had them carefully taught;
and they cheered and inspired US on
our long march to Richmond, and
when we marched through the towns
lying in our route their splendid mu-
Sic, coupled with our splendid appear
ancc, created great enthusiasm for
that stage Of the war, and when We
cleared the town limits we could hard
" dlsmount and tie our horses for the
crowd of sweet little children and dear
young ladies' who felt free to come
among us.
At Charlotte, N. c., the president {
Of the Female College brought the en-
afe body of students to our-dress pa
iade, and rendered the command re-
eeption at the college, and the con-
auct of the young gentlemen of South
varolina was 80 unexceptionabie that
ae wrote letter Of kindest expression
!" the president of the Female College
al Hillsboro, which secured .s c
snarming reception there. At Char
l0ste Col, Trenholm issued new equip
nents for our. horses; so that when we
iode over the James and entered the
Confederate Capital our commander,
With just pride, led his splendid col
r"n down Main street, turned into
Sank street and halted in front Of the
4 secretary of Wars Office. and. dis.