The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-05-07
SCATTERING
In South Carolina-capture Of the Camden
Bank.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The fol-
lowing description of picturesque scenery
and narrative of some events incident to
the raid through South Carolina may in
terest the readers of the widely-circulated
National Tribune. the Union veterans
best friend. For 4 part of my recital am
indebted to comrade S. ID. Fleehartz his
torian of the 1929 Ill.
Early in the morning, Feb. 90. 1865,
we We're in motion and, as was by no
means unusual in that memorable cam
paign, constructing a corduroy road, the
modus operandi being substantially as fol-
lows: The troops would take rails from
adjoining fences and lay them across a
miry road, so close together that they
formed sort of bridge over which the
army and trains could pass. instead of
piodding weary way through water and
mud. These roads were constructed rap
idly. it requiring only a brief space of
time for brigade to remove the rails in
closing 40-acre field and lay them trans
yersely along the road. When no rails
were convenient small trees were used in
stead.
About noon of that fair day we en-
camped at Hanging Rock, which was a
place of historical interest, it having been
the scene of n conflict in the Revolution
AIRY War. The locality is so named be-
cause of an immense bowlder poised on
All ltUgt VI TDth OH Tie DTOW OF
steep hill. The bowlder is so precari-
Ously balanced as TO appear erer ready to
fall into the valley below. 1t is said that
the British used this hanging rock as
a scafold upon which they hanged six
American soldiers. Not far away is an
other huge bowlder, in the base Of which
is an excavation, forming a concave wall
and roof of smooth stone, the whole hav-
ing the appearance of work of art. An
entire company could be quartcred in that
''sheitering rock" The pickets of the
102d Ill. stood near the picturesque bowl
der. which was visited by many officers
and men, number of whom carried away
souvenirs.
Our foragers had to go beyond the en-.
campment and fight for what they got
While Capt. Woolly was out with a de-
tachment he encountered Wheeler's Cav.
airy. who objected to his foraging in tina,
locality. and drove him back 10 camp
capturing two of his men. We remained
in the camp at Hanging Rock until Feb
2S. A heavy rain fell during the night
of the 9th, and when we moved out il
the direction of Cheraw We built corduroy
road two-thirds of the eight miles We
marched that day. While encamped in ;
woodland Capt. Woolly returned from /;
foraging expedition and gave an interest
ing account of his capture of the CamdeI
Bank. Far away from the main column
two of his men, Jesse McQuade, of Co.
and Charles Hartzell, of Col. L, discovered
a fresh wagon track leading off into tn
woods. Following the trail, they cam
to a sequestered place, where they foun'
three covered wagons guarded by arme,
citizens. Without delay the boys made
gallant charge, but were repulsed, hIc
Quade receiving not less than 90 shot il
his side, left arm and shoulder. while abou
dozen shot struck Hartzell's right arm
McQuade, seriously wounded. became fain
and slipped from his horse 10 the ground
where he remained until Hartzell reap
peared with Capt. Woolly and his detach
ment Meanwhile some of the citizens ha
fled. Those who remained surrendered
The bank property consisted of four safes
containing 500 in specie, $500 in bull
ion. S35. 900 in Confederate bonds, silve
plate and jewelry. Besides the wagon.
we captured one horse and buggy and /
mules Capt Woolly delivered the car
tured property at Corps headquarter.
Jesse McQuade belonged to the compan
commanded by Capt Ed. Conger, VIII
subsequently became distinguished men
Der of Congress from Iowa and is til
present Minister to China.-E. A. Gil
BERT, Co. o. 1929 ILL., Fontaua Kaus