The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1913-03-14

overcome, nor shake from his pres !,
ence. 1t haunted and bounded him to
his death.
1t was on the thirteenth OF Febru-
ary, 1861. The old college bell rang
out it's strokes with loud and changing
peals. The city had all the aspects of
peace and quietude. Every one SEEM !
cd Joyous and buoyant. Men wore
cheerful faces and. the women smiled
gladly. The first company from the
county. and almost from the State, |
was about to start for Sumter, the
seat of war. In that company was al
most the entire senior class OF the
first class that Newberry college was
to send out on the great sea of life.
In that class | had friend and COM
panion, bright, intelligent, handsome,
and the pride of the college, for it was
the concensus of the student body's
belief that he was to be the first first
honor" man in the life OF the lnstltu-
ton. He was gifted in oratory, had
all the promise of bright future. We
will call him George" That will be
! sufficient. His full name might bring
up sad reflections, in those whom are
tied to him through blood or kinship.
I was not of the college, but mem
Der of the company.
At the old depot, the ladies of the
town presented us with a beautiful
banner, on which was inscribed, "The
Ladies of NeWberry to the Rhett
Guard" We rolled away, as gay, pat
riotic and jubilant set OF boys and
menn, as ever espoused the cause OF
their country. The most of these men
and boys were rolling away to bloody
graves.
On the islands around Sumter we
were tent and messmates, so kino and
unselish was he, that loved him like
brother. A sword was to be pre-
sented to an officer, and George was
unanimously chosen as spokesman.
In his presentation speech, how
graceful and eloquent was he. Every
word and GESTURE proved him the porn
orator. How proud l was of him, anu
almost envied the gifts he possessed,
in which I found wanting in myself.
After Sumter's fall our was parted.
He to return and assist in organizing
new company, of which he was elect
ed lieutenant, while joined COM
pany already in the field. My COM
.pany left for Virginia months before
Georges command came out. Just be-
fore the great Seven Days fight met
him in Richmond My! How hand
some and soldiery he looked in mis-
bright uniform with the sash and
sword of an officer Talent and at
tainment had already won him his ap-
pauletts. Mine was yet to come
through many hard knocks and STUB
born blows.
! The great battle was over. As
lay wounded in hospital, Temem-
ber we'll, with what pride and delight
I read in the Richmond papers OF the
brilliant affair at Mechanicville and
Coal Harbor, in which McGowan's S.
c.. brigade took such an active ana
conspicuous part.
4nouired of some soldiers how my
friend George had Jared, for his COM
pany belonged to that brigade HE
had been knocked out, almost before
the battle begun, by the shock OF a
bursting she'll" In that early stage
of the war it was inconceivable that
a man would absent himself from MS
command while the battle was on,
without some great physical disability.
This illusion was dispelled as the war
wore on.
Acros the Potmac, at Antietam,
bad reports again came of George.
He was under arrest for conduct un-
becoming an officer in the face of the
enemy"
In the closing days of the year came
the great battle and victory of Fred
ericksburg. His brigade had bore the
brunt of Burnsides' first assault. But
thew bore themselves like the men
they were, and covered themselves
with glory. George did not share IN
-,-.oIra-atnd him frATll |