The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-11-12
A Comrades Tribute.

us. who are still lingering on tho
shores OF time. awaiting our Masters
call. The splritless bodies of these
dead soldiers have gone down Ito
the voiceless silence Of the dreamless
dust" Their spirits have crossed
that dark and silent river whose
placid waters have never been rip
piled by storm or seismic oscillation OF
this mundane planet Yes. the river
that Jackson and Lee crossed, and
the host. that wore the gray. These
deceased comrades were soldiers of
the army of Northern Virginia, that
army that was an almost unsurmount-
able barrier OF steel. and that the op-
posing foce took four years to dis
member. Wilder and Garden. at the
inseption OF the war. were volunteers
OF what then was known as the sum
ter Guards. afterwards known as
company ID" attached to I'd regi-
ment. 5. G. v. and assigned to the
centre of the regiment as the color
company Comrade Garden was ap-
pointed as color sergeant OF the regl-
ment. Comrade Wilder. was .nen.
ist Lieutenant of company Cd" At
ter the fall of Fort Sumter, the I'd
regiment left for Virginia, which
then. we supposed. would be the seat
OF war. which was conclusiveiy prov
en- by the effusion OF blood ere many
moons had waned. At the expir-
alton OF the time that this regiment
volunteered for. the army of North
ern Viginia was reorganized In the
early spring OF 1852. the personnel Of
the army was somewhat changed,
new officers were elected. some Of the
old officers and privates changed their
branch OF service. some went, to cav
airy. some to artillery. In the mean
time Garden and wilder withdrew
from company Ct with about fifteen
others. which was a nucleus OF an
artillery company, which Garden
wished TO organize. He was success
full Company I'd" regretted very
much to have them leave MS, their
number being about one-sixth of the
original command. II was seldom
that I met these new artillerymen
and during the next three years OF
the war some were slain In battle.
Gardens guns were often heard I'm
the unequal contest. In the winter
OF 1872. while. I'm winter quarters.
4 was taken III with pneumonia.
(pardon me for ailuding to myself)
coupled a small "a" tent on a
scanty bed lay. when Comrade Gar
den entered. You must not remain
I'm this uncomfortable place." ex-
claimed Garden. The good Samaritan
had come TO succor one In dire dis
tress. was tenderly taken to his
cspacious wall tent. In which. was a
cheerful Are burning. / was placed
on his cosy bed. / was confined 10
my comrades bed quite six weeks.
Yes. i had every attention given me.
Yes. the God OF our fathers lifted me
mp. Though my comrade, who was
30 kind and good to ne. has passed
away from earth. deep down in my
heart his memory will be cherished.
1 Will now have something to say
about comrade Wilder.
He and I were school mates, fifty
eight years ago. Wilder was a good
boy at school. After the war was
over. the survivors OF company I'D"
and those OF Gardens battery, that
is those who originally belonged 70
company ID" had their annual re-
unions. Indeed. how pleasant II was
60 meet those old boys OF the early
sixties. each OF whom, could give his
sad experiences OF the bloody strug-
sic. Comrade wilder was invariably
with us on these extra occasions.
this Is easily explained, he was an in
dispensible acquisition. Forsooth.
he was without doubt the most skill
ful barbecuer that I bave ever seen;
he knew exactly how To apply the
necessary condiments To the mutton
and pig at the opportune moment.
which made them nice and savory.
And what "a splendid carver he was.
He knew how TO cut the slices thick,
That suited veteran complete. Yes.
wilder was a server Of his surviving
comrades. ne denied himself OF the
pleasure which others enjoyed.
though. perhaps. his enjoyment
sprung from another source. Yes. by
serving others. no doubt his cup was
full He that serves best IL entitled
To most liberty.
Sumter county honored Wilder
with eighteen years Of public Office.
and he. IN return. gave faithful ser