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.. D. M. Orosson
At Annual Reunion at
Prosperity. >.
Written by j. +. p. Crosson.


The political campaign of 1860 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 prcsi-
dent. the feeling was intensified sew
crcly. 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 If December,
1850, formally dissolving her connec-
tion with the Union by Il unanimous
vote. And the war seemed to be gath
ering its strength.
The position taken by President
Buchanan that neither he nor Con-
:1csS had any right TO coercc Il state
inlo submission WAS but little oil on
Ike troubled surface. During the win
-" Union men desired, and, perhaps.
tried 10 compromise. rs parties both
North and South loved the Union so
d"arl v that only sacrifices of streams
If blood could satisfy their affections,
i, sec lis dissolution, but these efforts
ca'ne to naught.
When Lincoln was inaugurated. eS-
''rtrd by Il military procession
lH''m-a the Nations Capitol, and
: 4; every iuru passed in lis march
I" IT, White House. old Gtn. Win
deld: Scot exclaimsd, "Thank God
TIE nation is safe vet" was an omen
for blood-Shcd casting its shadow be-
fore if.
Mncoln's inaugural address declar-
ing that no state could lawfully with
draw from the Union Though dis
avowing his intention to interfere
with slavery i'll the south), proclaim
ed it would be his duty to hold, oc-
cnpy and possess the places and pro-
peTy belonging to the federal GOV
ernmcnt 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
voluhe eer companies were formed and
| drilled and then sent to available
points. And when after a bloodles<
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 n from the government Offices
forts and forest Of mast-heads on the
ocean. The call for thousands Of vol,
untccrs was filled and hastened tc
their destination. a mob in Balti
more attacked one of these compan.
les, and this was the first blood shed
in the war. AT the south the people
were fully as enthusiastic. The star.
and the bars were flung to the breeze
on every hand, cheered and intensified
! by the presenting Of flags by fail
hands and hurrahs for home, fira-sidt
and native land. This excitement rar
high till the flames even over-ra,
these stone hills and showed that al
the horrors of civil war were upor
lis, and that it was to be no child 5
play.
After several companies had bee,
formed and had left the county there
was still call for more volunteers
Capt. Lester said, ''Boys. we viii
form il company and | will go will
you.' Soon GO. "G' was formed. fn
old men told their sons Lcstc
would only lead them where homo
and duty called. They honored hi
integrity and bravery then as th
world does today, and have never ha,
reason to change, for Col. Lester i
only another name for chivalry, dar
ing, bravery and honor. His heart ncv
cr failed him at duty's call.
The company was soon formed ant
differed and left Prosperity on tn
26th Of August, 1861, for the camp OF
instruction at Lightwoodknot Spring.
near Columbia, and was there placed
in the 18th Regiment, S. G. ". unde
the brave Col. Edwards Of Spartan