Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-02-13
A "REMINISCENCES.

A pretty and almost forgotten incl
dent of reconstruction times Is recall
ed by Mr.. D. H. Means, secretary OF
the sinking fund commission, then
cadet under Col. Asbury Coward, at
the Kings Mountain Military school
at Yorkville," says the Columbia State
of Sunday. 1T is the story of Yam
kee'-an officer Of the United States
army-who won the friendship Of the
almost hostile Southern people.
"A company of United States soldiers
We're camped at Yorkville, ostensibly
to keep down the moonshiners in the
mountainous part OF western YORK
This was in 1873, before the political
revolution of 1876, and things were un-
settled. The presence of the soldiers
excited uneasiness, which at times ap-
preached the danger point.
"The captain of the company had
suicided and Whitehead, the first lieu
tenant, was in charge of the company
The second lieutenant, Benner, had
volunteered as a private in the war be-
tween the states, and had gotten a
commission in the regular army.
1T was in the springtime and at
this time of year no place Is lovelier
than Yorkville. Lieutenant Benner
conceived the idea of having his COM
pany decorate the graves Of the Con-
federate dead in the village cemetery.
This was a lofty sentiment and ex-
panded into pretty details. Benner OBJ
tanned Whitehead's permission for the
United States soldiers to bestrew with
flowers the graves Of the former ene-
mics. Furthermore it was agreed that
the cadets might be invited to take
part.
whitehead placed this restriction
upon his observation-disclosures was to be
no military ceremony. For this reason
Benner gave orders for the cadets and
for the regulars to assemble without
arms. The procession was formed
Col. w. H. McCorkle, now judge OF
probate. a gallant Confederate regi-
mental commander, was in charge
The cadets, in suits Of grey, came first
and under command Of Lieut.. John S
Reynolds, in the absence Of Col. Cow
ard. The United States soldiers ir
blue, under Benner, brought up the
rear.
when the procession reached the
hotel where Whitehead was stopping
the latter, no doubt because Confeder.
ate colonel was commanding the Uni.
ted States soldiers rushed out and or
dered Lieut.. Benner under arrest. He
charged that Benner had exceeded his
authority and that this parade was 6
military display. The soldiers were
given the order to break ranks. Lieut.
Reynolds, turning to the cadets, sale
that unforeseen circumstances having
obviated the necessity for which the
cadets were assembled, they would moi
march down In ranks. The cadets ir
gray and the soldiers in blue did moi
march to the cemetery in regular for
nation. but as individuals and citizens
they afterwards assembled there anC
covered the graves with flowers.
The ladies of Memphis, Tenn.," 1t il
said annually cover with flowers the
grave Of an officer Of the United States
army who died there during the yellow
fever plague. This soldier is Benner
After leaving Yorkville for an Indiar
campaign in the West, Benner volun
teered to go to Memphis during the
yellow fever scourge. to take provis
sions and to protect white people lef'
helpless at the mercy of Negroes or
account Of the general exodus from
Memphis. 1t was there he gave up hi:
life, and the ladies Of Memphis, no
knowing Of the incident at Yorkville
are caring for his grave"