The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-03-26
ROBERT W. BARNWELL
FRIEND OF THE SICK.
Plea for Memorial to Him in
Trinity Churchyard.

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(Written for The State by James Nc
1ntosh.)
The Confederate soldier with his
battle fields and monuments Will ever
live in history, and coming genera
tions will read Of his valor and pat
riotism. The women who loved, SUI
fered and died for the Lost Cause
Will have their monuments to tell Of
the trials and privations they endur-
ed.
BUT as I see these evidences Of re-
membranes and honor, I am remind
ed Of one who brought home from
Virginia, and laid away in the bosom
Of his native State, gave his life for
his country, In that wonderful work
of his for the relief Of the sick and
wounded Confederate soldier. One
whose name is now seldom mention
ed, as most of his associates and the
greater number of the thousands of
sick and wounded who are sheltered
and nursed back to Life in the hospi-
tails he established have passed over
the river. But his work will ever
rank with that Of Florence Nightin-
gale and others who have given their
lives to the relief of the suffering
soldiers.
And Of the dead heroes of the Civil
war there is no one more deserving OF
love and honor and remembrance
than Robert W. Barnwell, Jr., origl-
nator and developer Of the State his
pitals during the Civil war.
Mr.. Barnwell was born on May 23,
1881, and graduated from the South
Carolina college in the class Of 1850.
He was elected professor of moral
philosophy and sacred literature and
was also made chaplain Of the college
in the year 1857. While the young
est member Of the faculty, he was a
man Of rare scholarly attalnments
for one Of his years, gained by a
thorough and continuous course Of
study in the schools Of his own and
foreign lands.
He impressed himself at once upon
his colleagues and the students, for
his well trained mind and brilliant in
teIect always commanded their atten-
tion, and impressed his teachings up
on willing hearers. As preacher his
clear simple style of expression, that
would upon occasion rise to impas~
stoned flights of eloquenoe, always
carried his congregation with him,
and gave him great hold upon the
spiritual life Of many Of the students.
But we turn from this to a new as
pect of his life. He was a student,
not of books only, but Of men and
the practical phases Of human life.
And beneath this quiet student s
life there lurked power, capacity,
a magnetism, that was only waiting
the opportune moment to develop a
leader with a broad comprehensive
mind, able to grasp and master the
new problems that the future was
bringing forth. Early in the Civil
war his field opened up before him,
and at once assuming its new and
untried responsibilities, he came to the
front, and originated and developed
the Hospital Association Of Virginia.
Through this bureau supplies of food
and clothing were furnished to all
needy soldiers. And he, through his
efforts, prepared large hospital ac-
commodations. with all the necessary
nursing and attention for hundreds
of the sick and wounded, and did a
noble work, the memory of which
viii linger In THE minds Of many a
Carolina soldier as he recalls the
pleasure it gave him to find a nurse
from his native State ready to wait
upon him.
Without any detraotion Of the work
done by others, it can truly be- said
that R. W. Barnwell, from June, 1861,
to his death, did more than amy iv-
ing man towards the relief Of the sick,
wounded and suffering soldier. For
hundreds and thousands Of the Con-
federate sick and wounded have
borne grateful testimony to the re-
lief given them through his labors
and thoughtful work.
The temporary tent camps at the
Salem hospital, some 20 miles from
Manassas, the Wayside hospital near
Fairfax Station, the Warren Springs