The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1916-09-07
BOX CARS WE'RE A LUXURY.
Confederate Soldiers Lucky Not to
Have to Ride i'm Open Cars.


North because the 1st regiment OF
National Guard of New Hampshire
was given transit on their excursion
toward the Texas border in day
coaches is puerile and seditious.
If the wailing came from the en-
listed men aboard the day coaches,
with comfortable, roomy seats, and
with abundant fresh air and ventila-
ton through numerous windows and
doors, then, but for the fact that
they would furnish some Of the food
for powder" and might "stop bull
let's from some of the gallant fel-
lows who go into the service man
fully to bear the hardships of army
life and fight gallantly for their
country, 'twere better to turn them
lose and save rations, pay and pen
sions to "tin-horn soldiers"
Brought back vividly to my men,
DRY is the prevalent mode of transit
of the troops of the Southern Confed-
eracy during my four years of army
experience in our war of the COS.
Deemed we ourselves quite fortunate
If in inclement weather we were pro-
vided transportation in freight box
cars with the shelter thus afforded.
Often did we go to points at quite
a distance on open fiat freight cars.
In mild weather this style of travel
was not very Objectionable with our
boys, as they sat all around on the
edges of the cars with feet swinging
down, a car thus accommodating
about one company of infantry. For
greater rest and relaxation pulling
the knapsack or blanket roll up to
back of the head, then inclination
backward to floor of car was all that
was necessary. Thus did my regi-
ment, the 47th infantry, journey in
the winter of 1S62-63, from Charles
ton, S. c., to Wilmington, N. c., with
out discontinue or complaint. At
tached to this train were several
freight box cars for ordnance and
quartermaster stores and teams and
for the field and staff officers and
their mounts. In fifteen minutes af-
ter halting of train the troops were
ready for action.
Fresh in my memory, though, is an
episode in my regiments service,
whereupon rejection by our colonel
of a train of open freight cars for
shipment Of the regiment from Sa-
vannah, Ca, to Mississippi, amount
ed to almost insubordination, smack
ed for the moment of internecine
strife, but ended we'll Our regi-
ment, the 47th Georgia infantry, re-
ceived orders at Savannah, Ca, to
report forthwith to Gen. Johnston at
Jackson, Miss. We were in strength
500 rifles. Our bugle sounded ''To
arms!" We broke camp and march
ed with band playing and colors fly
ing, through the city to the railway
depot for entraining.
It was early in the month of May
and a slight, drizzling, cool rain was
steadily falling. Reaching the depot
and paralleling the railway line with
our line the orders 'Halt," Right
Dress "Order arms, " parade rest"
were scarcely ended when there came
backing in on our front and halting
a train of open fiat cars. Whereupon
our colonel was informed by assist
ant adjutant general Of post, Capt.
Mercer: Colonel, there is your
train" In our position plainly in
view were numbers of box cars under
the extensive car shed of the depot.
ITO what point or for what dis
tance am I to occupy these cars, Capt.
Mercer?" asked the colonel. ''To At
lanta at least, colonel replied Capt.
Mercer. 'Why SIR said the colonel,
''am I given these open cars in this
weather when there are scores of box
cars empty in this yard?'' II do
not know, colonel 'Then, Capt.
Mercer, I urge that you order these
cars returned and replaced, imme-
diately, with box cars" II regret,
colonel, that I have not the authori
ty so to do replied the gentleman
ly, courteous and gallant young Of
ficer. 'Then," said the colonel, 'tI
will find authority" Wheeling about
and facing the line the order rang
out, F'In place, rest" Placing the
major in command and beckoning
Lieut. Col. Ashley and myself to fol-
low, the colonel shot out from the
brick-walled enclosure of the depot,
as have imagined Marmion leaving
the castle of Douglass.
Lieut.. Col. Ashley and I were