The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-07-29


lost by him during the four years
struggle. When the lines on either
side had been Withdrawn his curiosity
led MIN to revisit the spot, and, with
piece Of cotton twile, which he still
preserved, he measured the fallen
giant and found it just 63 inches in
circumference.
But space will not permit the reci-
tai OF further detailed incidents in
his service. When the end had come
he stacked for the last time the rifle
that had been bis constant companion
for all these years, and buttoning up
his long parole in his faded jacket. he
began his long tramp homeward.
Reaching Columbia. s. c.. he endeav-
ored to secure railway transportation
to the home he had left in the summer
days Of 81. The federal official in
charge denied him the privilege un-
less he would agree to take the oath
OF allegiance to the government.
II have parole from Gen. Grant,"
said the returning soldier, "and 1
don't propose to take any oaths. I
have walked from Virginia to this
place and guess I can foot it the
balance Of the way"
And SO he resumed his tramp, foot
sore and weary, and yet wearing in
his brave young heart the conscious
moss that, whatever the future might
have in store for him, there were four
years Of his life when in supreme self
sacrifice and in honest and earnest de-
votion to duty, he had risen above the
common plane Of men.
And, now as the reader has scarce.
ly been able to guess Of whom have
written, it may be unjust to him and
to the soldier himself to allow that
identity to remain undiscovered.
Among tho souvenirs my friend has
shown me there is sheet of paper,
pocket-worn and yellow with age. On
its faded folds it bears the approval
OF his captain, his colonel, his brigade,
division and corps commander, and Of
General Lee. Around the border of
the modest frame in which it is en-
cased, is enlaoed the strand Of cotton
twine which measured the historic
tree at Bloody Angle. From that
old.time paper I have taken the privi-
lege Of copying the following endorse
ment:
Scamp Near Orange G. H., Va,
Jan. 1, 1864.-Corporal B. F. Brown
desires furlough to visit his family
on account of the long period he has
been absent from home. He enlisted
August q, 1861, and since that time
he has never been absent from his
company from any cause whatever.
He has been good and faithful SOL
dier; on every occasion Of battle he
has behaved gallantly, while in camp
his conduct has been the most soldier
like. VIM. Aiken Kelly, Capt. Co.
l., First South Carolina Volunteers
And DOW, why have T written this?
Some day in the coming months or
years, for him as for us ell, the silver
cord will be loosed and the golden
bowl be broken. Across the river,
whose silent waves have never felt the
dip of q returning oar, he will some
day rest under the shade OF the trees
with the comrades who have gone be-,
fore him to the unknown lsad. Above
the mound that covers this silent
dust, friends will lay floral tributes in
kindly token Of the love they bore
him and it is well that this should
be.
And yet it cannot be amiss 80 strev
sometimes flower or two along the
living pathway Of our friends before
their eyes are sightless and their tired
hands are still. And so I trust this
brief, imperfect tribute to his record
as o soldier will cause the sod that
will some day be garlsnded by loving
hands, to press none the less lightly
over his manly heart.-W. q. Clark,
in Augusta Chronicle.
---e--s...--------
Vanity is tho cause of corls and
common sense the cure.