The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1904-07-13


buried in her historic soil.
The bones of these, her gal
liant sons, are now nlingling Will
her blood drenched soil. The
fourth day of July came, nothing
eventful occurred on that day
with us. We were still fronting
the enemy. We had failed te
drive them from their strong
positions, and We thought per
adventure, they might attempt
to assaiI our lines. But no such
thought entered their brain, from
Gen. Meade down to the privateS
in his army. We waited patient.
ly. but those people did not move.
Everything was quiet not a gun
was fired during the day. Men
were detailed to bury the dead,
which was of great Importance.
to give our dead comrades a
decent burial as far as circum-
stance admitted. Poor fellows,
they were wrapped in their blan-
kets and laid away at rest; await
ing the resurrection morn.
About dark it began raining !
was taken quite sick. I reported
my condition to the Captain, he
advised we to go at once to the
hospital. where the wounded of
company was, I did so. About
nine o'clock, l heard troops
marching. In walked my Cap
tain and several of the boys, one
being the tallest man in Co. I'D"
who always stood at the head of
the company I got up from
my bed Of straw and IN
quired of the Captain what was
up. He replied that Lees army
was retreating. said to him, if
that be the case, | won't stay
here. Oh, no said the Cap
tain, you are in no condition to
go, you may get worse on the
retreat, and be left in the mud.
You stay here, and when you
get better, you can see after these
wounded boys of ours. With
this the poor fellows entreated
me to stay with them. Reader,
I wilted and staid wilted nine
months. The Captain reasoned
in this way. 1t will be unwise
for you to undertake to keep up
with the army. In short while
you Will be parolled or exchang-
ed. I then consented to stay,
thinking that discretion better
be used. The Captain gave us
"greenbacks" federal money, and
so did the private who always
stood at the head of the company.
They bid US good bye, and we
were left within the. lines of the
enemy. Both of these men,
Captain and private are dead
now. And if good deeds count
for anything in the great beyond:
the spirit of my noble Captain is
in that "beautiful land of rest, y
I hope that the soul of the
private who always stood at the
head of Go. I'D" is there also.
On the next morning, the fifth
day of July. The Army of
Northern Virginia wended its
way southwark. Looking from
the hospital door, I discovered
Gen. R. E. Lee sitting on his
horse; Traveller, he was the last
Confederate soldier, that l saw
that morning. About thirty
minutes afterwards, Hancock's
corps of Meade's army, passed
in front of the hospital. I took
medicine and in a short while I
was feeling much better. AS
soon as I was sufficiently able to
assist in caring for our wounded
boys. I did so. I made myself
generally useful the short time
l staid there. Three of my COM
pany was badly wounded. Two
lost leg each, and one was
shot through the lungs, the 9TH
ers were not so badly wounded.
Our brigade lost dreadfully in
killed and wounded. Right hear,
I will say some thing about Gen.
J. B. Kershaw, He was the first
Colonel the second regiment had.
He also was our second Briga-
der, and lastly our Major Gen.
of McLaw's old division. A SUI
perb soldier he was. | will men
ton an incident. 4 soldier OF
his brigade, was severely wound,
ed. in the campaign of1664. The
Gen. rode up hastily in the rear
of his old regiment. Shells
were flying thick and fast, tearing
the earth in every direction. Ad,
dressing this soldier, said to him
I am sorry you are so badly
wounded, I hope you will soon
get well. Speaking to the otfi'
Ger in command Of the company
See that he is taken out Of this
place at once, and rode away. !
merely mention this occurrence
to show what manner Of man he
was. Some years ago his noble
spirit took its flight across the
mystic river. He is now resting
':under the shade Of the trees
with Jackson and Lee. Reader
I have digressed again. Some
ladies came over from Baltimore:
for the purpose of administering
to the wants of the Confederate