The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1906-12-19
the LEXINGTON DISPATCH.
Wednesday, December 19, 1906.
In Memory Of a Gallant
Soldier.
To the Editor of the Dispatch:

To the Editor of the Dispatch:
It is with much sadness that learn
of the untimely death of my old friend
and comrade, Major E. R. Quattle-
baum, and it is through the columns
of your valued paper that l would
like to add few incidents and facts
to last weeks sketch of his noble life.
1t was my pleasure to know him in
the organization of the Goth S. e..
Volunteer Regiment, commanded by
Col. L. NJ. Keith, in October 1862, at
the old race track near Columbia, S.
G. He was only few years my
senior; a noble, manly young man
and perfect model of soldier. We
became bosom friends and this friend
ship never lessened to this day. He
was made sergeant-major of this grand
old regiment from the ranks Of cap
tain in Harman's Co. K, and held
this position with great credit to him
self and his county up and until the
18th of October, 1854.
We were sent to reinforce Gen. j.
E. Early, in the valley of Virginia.
By we mean KershaW's Old Division.
On this day we marched some 20
miles in the rain, arriving at this
point miles beyond Strausburg, Va.
When we engaged the enemy behind
a rock fence we were, hungry, worn
out with fatigue from this force
march. After two hours of hard
fighting we dislodged Sheridan's
forces from behind this fence. When
our line reached this fence we held it
for some time against a fusilading
fire from the enemies pickets be-
hind rail piles. NJ. T. Smoak and my
self of Co. B., which was in the ex-
treme left of the regiment, passed
through this fence and took up posi-
ton some hundred yards in front Of
Leaphart's company at the top of the
hill, where we kept up continued
firing at these pickets. Very soon
Gen. James Connor, our commander,
and no braver man ever went into
war, rode UP to where Smoak and l
were and seeing the advantage Cf our
position, called to Sergt. Quattlebaum
to bring our regimental colors, then
carried by Sergt. G. D. Sellers. AS
soon as he arrived the regiment clear
ed the rock fence and formed line of
battle. Before the line was completed,
though,a shell from the enemies guns,
stationed a mile beyond us across
Cedar creek, exploded near us and a
piece of this shell broke Gen. Connor's
leg. Sergt. Quattlebaum, with four
Others of the litter corps, picked him
up and were carrying him to the rear,
when another shell from this same
gun exploded, killing one or two of
the men. A piece of it as large as
your hand struck Sergt. Quattlebaum
behing the right shoulder blade, car
rying away the blade and a lot of
flesh. He too was carried off the field
as dead.
Our command marched back to
Fishing Hill that night and took up
quarters. The following day Col. S:
B. Boykin sent for me. He directed
me to get up a list of the killed and
wounded. I made report of tae casu-
alities of this engagement and re-
ported Sergt.. Quattlebaum mortally
wounded. I continued to fill this
position until we surrendered. In
1867, after mourning my friend as
dead for four years, got on the train
at st. Matthews, S. c., for Orange
burg. You can imagine my surprise
to meet him on this train, hale,
hearty young man, on his way to
Poughkeepsie, N. Y, where he went
to school. I had never been able to
find him since. / loved him as a
brother. Therefore my deep and
heartfelt sympathies are extended to
his loved ones. F. M. PoOSER,
Co. B. 10th S. c. Volunteers.
Augusta, Ca, Dec. II, 1906.