The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1905-05-26
James Miller, a Brave Confeder.
ate Soldier, Shot to Death
BY FEDERAL TROOPS
On the Order of General Sherman In Re-
tal'atlon, as lie Claimed. Gener.
al Wade Hampton's Threat to
Shoot Two for One Say.
ed Several Others.
ed Several Others.

To the Editor Of The Sunday News:
The mention made about the shooting
of Jas Miller, a Confederate soldier,
by Federal troops, in retaliation,
which appeared On Saturday, April %,
has brought to my mind most vividly
the sad incident, having seen draw
Ing OF lots to decide who should be
shot. 1t was generally understood by
all Of us who were prisoners at the
time under Sherman, that 1T was
through Gen. Sherman's order that it
was done, and as revenge for the al
leged killing by one Of Hampton s cav
airy Of Federal prisoner. AS prison
ers we were, Of course, kept in ignor-
ance Of what really did transpire to
cause or bring about this retaliation
and l cannot, therefore, assert posi-
lively that such was the real cause
that led to the retaliation, but that
the retaliation did take place and that
the noble and brave Jas Miller was
shot to death to satisfy the reveuge
OF relentless foe are facts that can be
proven without doubt by the few OF
uH that are still living and who were
participants in that fatal drawing,
and In what was perhaps the first and
the last shameful incident OF the kir q
during the struggle for Southern indie
pendence, and that there might have
been repetition of such a co owardly
and shameful act there is no doubt,
had 1t not been, as we were informed.
that Gen. Hampton notified Sherman
that for every Confederate private
shot by him, Sherman, he, Hampton,
would cause to be shot for same two
Federal officers. Whether or not this
was the cause Of stopping it 1 can't
say, at any rate there was no more re-
taliation with us. Although we were
continually threatened with it
1t was in the month OF February,
1865, and it was cold, bitter cold, be-
ing the severest winter experienced in
years. about 100 OF us we're prisoners,
a few Georgians and TenneSseeans,
the balance South Carolinians. Some
we're captured on the way back to their
commands, while others were still at
home on sick or wounded furlough and
unable to make good their esca pc.
Boys Of Is and l6, who had responded
to the last call OF their country, we're
among the prisoners. Old men too
were ruthlessly taken from their hom-
es and made to share the exposure
starvation, ard Cruelties OF those long
weary marches. We we're prisoners
captured by Gen. Blair's corps, Capt
Burns and Lieut.. Mckee having charge
OF US, and l must say that OF all the
brutes and tyrantS that could be In
human form that man Burns was sure
ly one to excel them all. There was no
sympathy in his heart for any OF us
and any order that lie could give that
would tend to increase our wants and
sufferings seemt d 10 be his delight to
intlict. or Lieut.. Nc cKee we all thought
we'll, for while he was powerless to
make us comfortable or to alleviate
our wants and sutferngs, he never did
anything to increase them, and had
always kind word, he was Western
man and true type Of gentleman.
Major Waterhouse, too, OF the 18th
corps artillery, had always words of
cheer for us and often visited the bull
pen after our fatigue OF all day march
Ing, and condemned the cruelties t.,
which we were subjected. He was a
nne specimen or man and was big
hearted. Our marches were on an aver.
age OF 25 miles a day, and under the
most trying circumstances, as | have
stated. The weather vas bitter cold
and most OF us half CLAD and shocl, s. i.
and IN this condition we were forced
ike cattle, Through Swanps, over cor
duroy roads and new roads, cut out by
Ghe pioneer corps, Shiveriug With cold
Ghe blood running from our tect, half
starved, sick and weakened by disease
run away by yermin. Daily We truly
ed along, only to lie down at niyht
with little fire, nc covering to protect
us from the rain and Slcet, with the
pangs OF hunger gnaWing at our very
existence. Our ratiunS were Scaut. and
consisted OF q little meal and about 3
hardtacks per day, occasionally a small
bit OF salt meat. We Only ate twice a
day, breakfast and supper, there be
ing no halt FIR dinner. Breakfast vas
very hurriedly gotten, and half cook
ed, In whatever uteDS.l we were for
tunate enough to posse S. 70 add to
our misery the guards were OF the most
cruel character and 1T was common
occurrence for them to use their bsyo.
nets, infiicting slight, but pair ful
wounds upon the persons OF many who
from sheer exhaustion were unable to
keep up. Many fell by the way side.
never to rise again. one old man, |
remember, by the name OF Wolfe, from
Orangeburg County, was among the
number. lie was dragged from the
line In dying condition, and left by
the roadside. Many were shot on the
dead line. Jack Stribbling, who was
among the number that drew lots, one
night, poor fellow, in delirious con
dttion, brought about by starvation
and sickness, wandered too near the
dead line and was shot.
Of the destruction Of property that
marked Shermans march through
South Carolina, SO much has been al
ready written that | will say but lit
tile more. Plantations, with their fine
dwelling, larnS, mills and fencing.
we're all laid in ashes, even orchards
were destroyed, the very heavens along
the route being Illuminated for miles
and miles nightly, nothing but the
chimneys being left standing as mon
uments In memory OF his revengeful
Bact. 1t was scene that beggars de.
scription; horses, mules, cattle and
hogs, the whole country was left a
wilderness as complete as his numer-
al