The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-06-28

parents among our citizens we have
to lament the loss of brave spirits
along the plains and before the fort
resses of Mexico. The gallant But
Ter their chief; Dickinson, worthy
to be his second, have fallen in the
very arms of victory. The tear,
however, which we would shed at their
loss is checked by our exultation at
their renown. But forbear to speak
of them to those who witnessed their
action and saw them die.
Brethren, we congratulate you
upon the success which followed
your footsteps during the arduous
campaign through which you have
just passed. Your actions have ad-
ded to the reputation of our country,
and but echo the sentiment which
has been pronounced by our people
from Main to Mexico-that your
names are enrolled among those of
our most valued sons. Again 1 well
| come you within these walls"
Coming down 70 later times, the
following story was related to a re-
porter of The News and Courier by
Mr.. 1. w. Hirsch, Charlestonian,
who is Mason we'll versed in the
activities of the South Carolina Or
der:
"Many instances are related, as
truisms, when Masonry played an
important, Cody part during the
war, and the saving of many a life
and relieving many a hardship can
be traced to that divine craft. On
the field of carnage the unknown
brother, pitted in deadly strife
| against an unknown brother endeav-
oring with all possible strength to do
his soldierly duty, halts, if practi-
cable, when one becomes 'hors du
combat and at the risk Of his life
will step forward to give his brothers
call due heed and render all available
assistance the surroundings may af-
ford. An instance is related by ma
jor, Georgian, on Gen. Grants
staff, during the late Spanish-Ameri-
can war. The major, by the by, was a
Masonic enthusiast, and while in
Charleston awaiting transportation to
Porto Rico he established his head
quarters, so to speak, at the Masonic
Temple, forming very largely Masonic
acquaintances. He often related the
following story, prefixed by why I
Became a Mason:'
"At the battle of Spottsylvania on
May a, 1864, at the ANGLE where
the Federal and Confederate forces
crossed bayonets, where the death
toll was the heaviest, the Confeder-
ates held their line, inflicting great
punishment upon their repulsed foe,
and in turn being badly punished, a
short lull in the firing permitting the
men to gather the rails from a fence
nearby, piling them lengthwise about
two feet high, as a probable protec-
tion against stray bullets. Towards
evening another murderous on
slaught was made by the Feredal
forces formed in three lines of bat
tie, closely supporting one another.
Again bayonet met bayonet at the
rail formation; again foemen looked
foemen in the eye for a moment, and
again and again the charging hordes
were repulsed, leaving their dead
and wounded piled up in front of
the Confederate lines and the Con-
federates were left mourning for
brave companions who fell, only as
brave men fall, and hugging their
friendly rails and in prayer giving
thanks to their God-no atheist in
that gathering-for His protection
in the hour of danger. AS the sun
began to end his daily journey, des-
ultory firing still going on, the ma
jor-then a boy of 18 or 10 years
observed his captain leap to his feet,
and saying to those near him, L
am going short way to the front,
jumped over the rails. He was
heard to speak with some one, but a
short distance away, then he jumped
back, grasped his canteen, which
was filled with water, and over the
rails again to the person with whom
he had been talking. The bullets
were flying around him; in his work
of mercy and charity he seemed to
bear a charmed life. His listening
men heard him say: Here, my
brother, is all can do for you just
now. God be with you, and if pos
sible, little later will endeavor to
give you more assistance
"On returning to his position he was
asked to whom he was talking at the
front? He replied, "A badly wounded
| Federal soldier hrotbar Macon in