The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-09-25
HAMPTON LEGION SKETCHES.

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HAMPTON LEGION SKETCHES.
The First Furlough Granted for
Recruit.
Edited by B. II. league, Aiken, S. C.
The State.
My brother, S. NJ. Walton of Edge
field district, volunteered in Capt. NJ.
NJ. Gary's Company B, Hampton s
legion, when this was organized in
1861. In April, 1868, B. f. Nichol-
son was captain, Gary bcin" promot-
ed to colonel Of the regiment. About
this time the war department issued
an order to grant a furlough of 30
days to every soldier in ranks who
obtained a recruit for his command.
My brother had been in service two
years and in every engagement that
the legion had participated in and
was color bearer Of the regiment at
the time. He had the honor and good
luck at the bloody battle of Sharps-
burg to rescue the flag after several
bearers had been shot down and
bring it safely out of the fight. Can't.
Nicholson being at home on furlough
at The time I am writing Of. | went
10 see him and told him that 7 was
not quite old enough to 90 into ser
vice. but that if he would be sure to
give my brother furloueh T would
Join the legion anyhow as my BROTH
cr'S recruit. The captain agreed to
do so and when he returned to the
army | accompanied him.
We found the legion near Suffolk,
Va, the Yankees in the town and our
, forces outside in line Of battle. Capt.
Nicholson Immediately reported TO
Col. Gary on arrival and stated his
agreement with me. The colonel read
lily consented and issued an order for
the iurlou"h. 1t was soon in the
hands of my brother and he on his
way home for 80 days. Oh. those
I bliSSiul iurlou"h days nj home. when
! we were heroes in the eyes Of the
| "lrlS and the recipients Of every
good thing Imaginable from the
hands Of the old people. And how
we hated the shortncsS Of the time
and had to return to- duty. corn
bread and bacon. after lcvourin@ the
box Of substantial cdiblcs we always
took back with us. J was the first
recruit to the legion that furlou"h
WAS granted "l--if not the first in
Gen. Lees army. 1t appealed SO
t"rcibly /" Col. Gary that he forth
with issued rc"imcntal orders urging
the men t" obtain recruits and get
tlrrloughS. Many availcd themselves
OF TINS privilege and ihc legion was
greatly strengthened by the coming
to il Of fresh. new men.
I could write many interesting cx-
pericnccS during the term Of my sol
dicrin@ from April, 'G3. to April. 'G5,
two solid years of excitement and
EhrdShpS common to us then, but
space forbids. Yet. I will detail my
feelings and experience as a 16-vcar-
old boy the first time under fire
The first day | was in camp heard
the Older soldiers guying some of the
younger ones aS to how they bad act
| ed in Il recent engagement with the
enemy. | just Thought could not
stand such "1,yiM~: hur my brother
told me when he left me for home to
pnl on " bold from, and ,tick ln my
captain. The mex. day two conranicS
OF tlc legion were sent on picket duty,
one beng my company. When This
detachment got TO the skirmish line
the other company went into the
rifle pits, while ours was put in re-
serve in a body Of woods near at hand
and convenient to a railroad cut. As
thr relieving Of the pickctS by the
other company was taking place the
ankccS commenced 10 throw solid
balls and shells at u~. This stirred
us up and ihc mon Of oar cnmnany
did about pr"'tH c"NS;dcrHhlv in Get
tim" into that railroad cut. T thought
t" myself now is The time for me ia
show off my bravery, but for fact