The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-02-26

fident Of victorious laurels soon to be
laid at her feet. Their sadness was
only in the separation for she shared
in his confidence Of victory. Tho
father bade a sad farewell to his
household and with sober earnestness
Joined his command. the son received
the blessing of his anxious mother and
the sweet adieu of his sister as she
spoke hopefully and proudly Of his re-
turn. The military excitement and
the stirring scenes about us overshad-
owed the possible results of the future
as we only saw victory on every field,
and a triumphant return to resume, as
usual, the even tenor of our way, only
with the additional honor Of victors.
The Confederate soldier went to war
proud and daring, plcnteous country
furnished them everything soldier
required, and the hope of early victory
animated them for battle. Thus
equipped, saw the old 4th South
Carolina leave home, to no the dear
est Regiment ever organized on earth
She was then the admiration of my
childish heart, she is to-day the pride
and venefation Of my mature manhood.
| had rather have served in her ranks,
even TO giving up my life, than to live
now with her disbanded, because my
father name apd that of my brilliant
uncle, Warren D. Wilkes, was upon
her roster. Later, I saw among 9TH
ers to leave home eager for the con-
fict, your good citizen, Clifton A..
Reed, in the full glory of his young
manhood, proud Of wearing the uni
form OF his country, the impersona-
tion Of gallentry, handsome, generous
and brave, true representative Of
the boy soldier Of the Confederacy.
How we'll he did his part, his empty
sleeve and consistent patriotism testi-
fies more plainly than any words that
| can speak.
Soon tidings came Of the first great
engagement. Manassas had been
fought and victory perchvd upon the
Confederate banners, and the great
drama Of war was on. L recall how
this intelligence was received; bells
rang out in merry peals the sound Of
the triumph; the people shouted,
wept and laughed, and general rejoic-
ing was the order Of the day where
ever the glorious news was announc-
ed. But, alas, amid all this rejoicing
and triumphant) shouts there were
other scenes Of different nature be-
ing enacted; victories in war are
bought at the price Of the blood and
lives of the warriors, and mingled
with the shouts Of triumph and re-
joicings Of the patriotic, was the sad
ness Of human sorrow and the pathos
Of hearts bowed down in grief, for
many had fallen, and the sadness Of
the intelligence Us to the wounded,
dying and dead fell as q funeral pail
over the >heartNof many. Ny sainted
mother ws5 amongst those whose
hearts wes broken, for my father was
o gallant Confederate officer of the
4th South Carolina Volunteers. He
had seen the thiokest OF the fight, and
had felt the shook Of battle, but at
the closing of the day, his manly
heart beating high in his breast with
the joyous appreciation Of the victory
won, his ohivalrous soul elated with
the proud consciousness of duty well
performed, he was suddenly called
alone into one more engagement with
the enemy, in which, he gave up his
life upon the altar Of his country in
defense of principles which he believ-
ed to be right. He rests By the side
of my Christian mother in your
Churchyard yonder; his comrades in
arms laid him there and over him fred
she farewell volleys due brave SOL
der, and sounded taps from the mill
tary buglo as loving requiem to his
cherished memory. AS his son, I
am proud of his record. I am. proud
that as he was called to go, his blood
flowed on Southern lands, and his ga
cred dust rests in martial glory in the
soil Of the state he loved so we'll. That
he rests in peace there to sleep until
the bpgle call by order Of the great
Captain of Salvation shall awake him
on the last great day to take his poei-
tion in the ranks Of the brave men Of