The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-08-30
HISTORICAL SKETCH
co. G., 18TH. S. c. Y.
WITH A ROLL OF THE OFF
GERS AND MEMBERS.
And Address By DR.. q. ID. Crosso1
At Annual Reunion at
Prosperity. >.
Written by J. F. P. Crosson.

The political campaign OF loou was
period Of extraordinary excitement.
The election took place on the 9Th OF
November. And when that night the
wires flashed all over the Union that
the Republican ticket had triumphed
and that Abraham Lincoln was presi-
dent. the feeling was intensified sew
erely. This election was the signal
for action by the Secessionists. A
convention was called and South Car
olina passed the Ordinance Of Seces-
sion on the Goth day # December,
1860, formally dissolving her connec-
ton with the Union by unanimous
vote. And the war seemed to be gath
ering its strength.
The position taken by President
Buchanan that neither he nor Con-
-ress had any right to coerce a state
into submission was but a little oil on
Tie troubled surface. During the win
:er Union men desired, and, perhaps.
tried 10 compromise, as parties both
North and South loved the Union so
dearly that only sacrifices of streams
of blood could satisfy their affections,
t. see its dissolution, but these efforts
came to naught.
When Lincoln was inaugurated: es-
c.,rted by d military procession
ti;:!,uch the Nations Capitol, and
,..< at every turn passed in its march
to IT, White House. old Gen. Win
feldssScott exelaipssd:s & (; Thank God
t.7e TaIion IS safe yet. was an omen
for blood-shed casting its shadow be-
fore it.
Lincoln s inaugural address deelar-
ing that no state could lawfully with
draw from the Union Though dis
avowing his intention to interfere
with slavery in the south), proclaim
I'D it would be his duty to hold, 'oc-
cupy and. possess the places and pro-
perty belonging to the federal gov
ernment in the south, that is, the
forts, arsenals, etc., which had been
seized by the Secessionists, was a
challenge to war.
The excitement ran very high and
volunteer companies were formed and
drilled and then sent to available
points. And when after bloodless
bombardment Of thirty-four hours
Fort Sumter surrendered, it showed
that the war had fairly begun and
was uopn US, in all its fury. At the
north the stars an stripes were wav-
ing as from the government Offices,
forts and forest Of mast-heads on the
ocean, The cali for thousands Of VOL
nnteers was filled and hastened to
their destination. A mob in Balti-
more attacked one Of these compan-
les, and this was the first blood shed
in the war. Al the south the people
were fully as enthusiastic. The stars
and the bars were flung to the breeze
on every hand, cheered and intensified
by the presenting Of flags by fair
hands and hurrahs for home, fre-slde
and native land. This excitement ran
high till the flames even over-ran
these stone hills and showed that all
the horrors Of civil war were upon
us, and that it was to be no chlld's
play.
After several companies had been
formed and had left the county there
was still call for more volunteers.
Capt. Lester said, "Boys: we will
form a company and I will go with
vou." Soon co. &c" was formed, for
old men told their sons Lester
would only lead them where honor
and duty called. They hcnored his
Integrity and bravery then as the
world does today, and have never had
reason to change, for Col. Lester is
only another name for chivalry, 3ar-
ing, bravery and honor. His heart nev-
er failed him at duty's call.
The company was soon formed and
differed and left Prosperity on the
26th Of August, 1861, for the camp of
instruction at -Lightwoodknot Springs
near Columbia, and was there placed
in the 18th Regiment, S. C. v. under
the brave Col. Edwards Of Spartan