The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1905-05-26

AesA AAoAh \ oJ JCuVCNAICs IN VI, UuO lOIUy
years Is long time to accurately state
from memory the date OF the month,
and exact spot. No notes were kept by
any as far as know under such try.
ing circumstances, and IL there was,
there certainly has been no publica-
tion OF II that I've seen or heard Of,
and am only sorry that I did not
make a note of the circumstances
years back while my memory was still
fresh and perfect in the recollection OF
the outrage.
There were about twenty of us se-
lectsd to go through this retaliation
ordeal, and it appeared that it was in.
tentionally ordered that those selected
should be South Carolinians, as follows,
viz: James Miller, Chesterfield Coun-
ty; Samuel Wood, Barnwell County
James B. Patrick, Charleston; Butler
Phelps, Orangeburg County; George
Hazelhurst, Charleston; Jack Strlb-
ling, Edgetield County; Charles Scan
lon, Charleston; Tom o. Bannan, Barn
we'll County; Godfrey Magwood, Char
lesion; Bascom Corborne,-; and I
think DR.. Stewart, of Beaufort. The
others, South Carolinans, cannot re-
member. Out of the number poor Mil
ler was the victim upon whom ven.
geance was wreaked.
The following are those that surviv.
ed, reached home, lived some years aud
have since died, except Jack Strbi
bling. who was killed on the dead line
as before mentioned, viz: Samuel
Wood, Tom O Bannon, Godfrey Mag.
wood, Bascom Corhorne. Those still
living are: Butler Phelps, James b.
Patrick, Charles Scanlon, George Ha
zelhurst, DR.. Stewart. l can't say
whether living or not.
Notable among the prisoners be-
sides DR.. Stewart were: DR.. Albert
Taber, brother OF the editor of the ole
Charleston Mercury, and Major Man
ming, son Of Elk Governor Manning
The two last named were brought in
some time after the retaliation, IL ]
remember rightly. Their stay with U.s.
however, was short; their ranks OF
cilice, we suppose, obtaining for then
better considerations.
There had been a steady, cold and
drizzling rain all day and we were
thinking OF the many long miles tt
tramp before night would come to give
US rest, when suddenly a hault was or
dered. Il think between the hours of
and 3.l The place selected for the
bull pen and camp was an oak ridge
to the left Of public road AT the
foot Of the ridge and winding along the
edge OF a bay or swamp was a settle
ment road which joined the public roaG
We had not settled down good, trying
to rest our weary bones on the cole
and wet ground, congratulatipg cur
selves on the unusually short marc
OF the day, when an officer, Crank OF
lieutenant, his name we could never
learn, appeared and from a paper il
his hand commenced calling out thu
names Of those he had recorded, about
twenty altogether. AS each one an
swered to his name he was ordered ir
line, and under a stroug guard ",
were all then marched out to the sat
Element road and down it for a dis
SaEce OF about two hundred yards. Al
this point there was In waiting suuac
OF about twelve, (infantry,) in com
mand OF a sergeant. AT the command
given one OF the squad, with hat IL
hand, covered with red handkerchief
took position in front of us. We were
then ordered one after the other tt
draw from this hat slip uf paper, al
blanks except one, which had som,
mark, which when drawn, would de
termine the one to be shot. AS eact
one drew his slip OF paper it was hand
ed to this sergeant. who looked at /
and then ordered you back in line
About dozen or so had drawn wheI
1t came Miller's turn. He drew ant
handed 1t to this sergeant, but th
| poor fellow was not ordered In line, a
had been our good fortune, but wa
detained and put in charge OF thi
squad. We were then ordered abou
face and with sad heart, we left poo
Miller as we marched back to the bul
pen.
1t was then Sleeting heavily and W,
were trying to build such fires as w,
could 10 keep from freezing to death
when volley rung out on Ghe air ant
which told too we'll the fate of poo
Miller. He had been shot, yes, mur
oered. Miller was a fine specimen OF
man, standing perhaps six feet in hi
stockings, Of fine physique, with regu
lar features, and wore black beard
lie was the senior Of the majority o
US, being, l should judge, between 3,
and 30 years OF age. l never knew pt S
itively, but il was said that he had
wife and children.
In conclusion, let me say that as Il
has fallen to my lot out of the few O
us that are left to write this, perhaps
the Saddest episode OF the civil war.
have done so truthfully and to tht
best OF my memory; and, too, that /,
may be handed down to our children
and our children's children, that the,
may know OF the sacrifice made in win
dication OF our right and honor and il
defence OF our beautiful ard beloved
southland. But the span or fort,
ears has wrought many changes tt
the world; we have shown that we ar,
as brave and good In peace as we wer,
stubborn and uncorquerable in war
our wrongs can never be forgotten, but
are forgiven, the bitterness OF feeling
has about died out, and in the langu
age OF the eloquent Terrell, OF Geor
gia, we are regeneratcd, reunited
an tndissoluble people, aud under one
nag are striving together for the com.
mon good OF all, and for the advance
ment Of this great and grand Repub.
lie.
Is. FRANK Ford