The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-08-10

(Rev. John Kershaw in the Sunday
News.)
In the summer OF 1868, when I was
ts years old. my father wrote to my
mother that / might ride his horse,
"Stone." out to him in Virginia. The
horse had been shot through the neck
during the fight at the stone wall near
fredericksburg, December, 1862, and
had been sent home to recruit. He
had got entirely we'll and was as
frisky as a colt. Some men Of the
7th 8. c.. cavalry were then at home
on horse furlough," as 1t was call
cd. I. O., had obtained leave Of alb
sence TO go home and procure horses
I'm place OF those killed In battle or
disabled, and II was arranged that
I should go with these friends back
cured their mounts ."Stone" belonged
first TO a surgeon In the Federal army
by that name, and the manner in
which he came into fathers posses
sion was this: 1t was at the first
battle Of Manassas. when, about three
I'm the afternoon, fathers regiment
was ordered In. He rode by the
side OF Company A, on the right OF
the regiment. This company wore
blue uniform. as also did my father.
As yet Confederate grey had not been
NAI he nj n
the Southern armies. This may have
deceived the surgeon, who rode up
20 father as the regiment was push
ing forward, and said In tone Of
deep indignation and anger, Colonel,
why are you retreating. sir?" to
fathers intense astonishment.
He replied with great emphasis.
''Retreating. sir? I'm not retreating.
I'm advancing. Who are you. sir?"
ct am Surgeon Stone. Of the
Rhode Island regiment. Who are
you. sir7"
I'm Colonel Kershaw. Of the End
South Carolina. You will please dis
mount and consider yourself a pris-
oner."
SO Surgeon Stone became a prison
or and his horse fathers property.
"Old stone" was a great favorite
with his new owner and with the men
OF the command. He was we'll train
made q crack hurdle racer, and loved
a fght The fine description Of the
war horse In the Book Of Job. seth
chapter. fitted old Stone perfectly:
He saith among the trumpets, Ha
ha; and he smelleth the battle afar
OF. the thunder Of the captains, and
the shouting" In 1854, at Fishers
Hill. In the Valley OF Virginia, the
noble horse was killed In the thickest
OF the fray. 1t was in the afternoon
OF the day that made Sheridan ia
NOUS by reason Of his ride from Win
chester his rallying of the scattered
Union forces. and his conversion of
what had been a great victory for the
Confederates into a terrible defeat
In the charge ordered by Sherman
old Stone was struck, once by a
MIME ball and afterwards full in the
chest by grapeshot. He fell upon
his knees. giving father time to dis
mount, and dragging himself painful
ly along until he reached the shadow
OF wide-spreading chestnut, ne
stretched out his great limbs and
died like the hero ne was. I am
glad to have the opportunity OF pay
ing this tribute to an animal that was
almost human in his comprehension
and brave as lion.
Rejoicing at the permission given
mo TO visit my father. especially in
the manner indicated. l was soon
made ready for the expedition and
set out one fine summer morning,
with one cavalryman as companion
and guardian. for the town OF Che
raw. where the other men were order
cd 10 rendezvous. The day after we
all marched for Virginia. Among
the men I became acquainted with
was fellow named Page, who had
exchanged from a regiment doing
duty along the South Carolina coast
To one In Lees army. This man bull
lied me considerably from time 10
time. but twice "got even" with
him. Once. while bathing In a river
that we crossed. he tried to duck"
mo. He being clumsy and a poor
swimmer. while was light, active
and entirely at home In the water,
nearly drowned him by way Of retail
alton. The next and last time was
while we were In camp at Staunton.