Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-06-01

ing to respond to the defense Of our
common country than the Confederate
soldier. This was demonstrated in our
last war with Spain when Joe Wheeler
saved the day at Santiago and young
Bagley laid his life upon the altar Of his
country. It Is meet and right that we
should perpetuate his memory In bronze
and stone; but better still that 1t should
be embalmed in the hearts and lives
Of those who are to come after US.
This we can do and at the same time
accept the result of the combat and
still be true to the flag.
This Is proud day for South Caro-
lima. This beautiful park has been
purchased by the general government,
and each state having troops engaged
in this great battle has been asked to
mark the position Of it's troops. Many
Of the states have already acted, and
nearly a half million dollars have been
expended by 16 states for this purpose.
Though today we have at least done
our duty, and today we come to dedi-
cate this monument to the memory Of
the brave South Carolinians who fought
and fell on this historic spot.
In 1893 the general assembly Of South
Carolina appointed a commission to
locate the position of her troops, and
in 1894 a commission to select suitable
monuments; but it was not until 1900
that the means were provided to COM
plete the work At that session Of the
legislature an appropriation Of $4,000
was made to erect suitable monuments,
and the governor was authorized to ap-
point commission Of three members
and they, with the governor and the
adjutant general, were to have charge
of the erection Of the markers and the
monument. By authority Of that act,
I appointed as the other members Of
Of Charleston; Colonel ]. Harvey Will
son, of Sumter; and Captain C. K. Hen
derson, Of Aiken. I am proud that
have the opportunity Of taking part
in these ceremonies and rejoice at the
consummation to which this day brings
us in the completion and dedication Of
this monument. It Is glad day for all
true sons Of the Palmetto State.
Deep gloom had settled upon the
Confederate banner in July, 1863, for
then Vicksburg had fallen and the ter
rible battle Of Gettysburg had been
fought. These disasters were not
enough; but Confederate energy SEEM
ed paralyzed so far as the army under
General Bragg was concerned, for the
United States forces under RosecranS
military equipment driven the army of
the west through Chattanooga into
North Georgia. The idea was seized
upon by the military authorities at
Richmond to reinforce the depleted
columns under Bragg by two divisions
Of Longstreet's corps to be commanded
by that old war horse, General J. B.
Hood. So hurried were the movements
Of the reinforcing columns that Long
street could not have his artillery to
reach the battlefield of Chickamauga;
but the two divisions under McLaws
and Hood were assigned to the COM
mand Of the left wing Of General
Bragg's army.
On the day Of the Goth of September,
1863, two giants in warfare grappled
from right to left from sunrise to SUM-
set. The Yankee left was commanded
by that superb soldier, General George
H. Thomas, and to dislodge that force
General Bragg ordered every effort to
be made; but Thomas held his ground
too firmly to yield the field there. The
old war horse, Longstreet, pressed the
Yankee right and center with his
troops and some Of the Yankees under
Gordon, Granger and Wood, and by
the use Of twelve or 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 of the Confederates.
It is a glorious reflection that the
valor of South Carolina troops under
Kershaw on the left and Manigault on
the right contributed so largely to this
magnificent victory. and it Is a matter
Of history that the South Carolina
troops, through Kershaw's brigade,
made the farthest advance on Snog-
grass Hill.
There was not bloodier fought bat
tie in the whole war, when you take
into consideration the number Of troops
engaged and the time of actual combat.
Official reports show that the killed,
wounded and missing were over SO per
cent. Of all the troops actually engaged.
On the Union side the loss in this bat
tie Of number Of regiments was so per
loss was sustained by the troops on
the other side, and General Longstreet,
in his history says that his command
lost in two hours nearly A per cent. Of
its strength. "The charge of the light
brigade at Balaklava has been made
famous in song and history, yet there
were 30 Union regiments that each
lost 10 per. cent. more men at Chicka-
mauga and many Confederate regi-
mentS whose mortality exceeded this"
On the night Of this day it was that
General Breckenridge, in answering
the call Of the South Carolina troops,
said: II will not say to whom the
credit Is due; but this is the first occa-
sion upon which have been allowed to
sleep with my troops on a battlefield
which has been fairly and thoroughly
won." It was Of this battle also, that
Chas. A. Dana assistant secretary of
war, on the field himself. sent to his
government this dispatch: 1--WE have
this day met second Bull Rum"
1t Is, my countrymen to such men as
these who barred their breasts on many
battlefield to the belching fire and
lead Of the enemy that we come 70
dedicate this monument. It Is priv
ilege which we enjoy to have such q
heritage as they have left us.
TouCha Will He TOuehs.