Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1918-04-10
!. j. J. j. j. j. j. ]. !. !. !. !. !.
j. GENERATIONS OF FIGHTERS !.
j. j. !. j. j. j. J. j. j. i. !. i. !. j.

wee Courier: The local which ap-
pcared in your paper of recent date
announcing the appointment Of Ken
meth Dickson as a lieutenant in the
United States army, while pleasant
news to his many friends, causes no
surprise to those familiar with his
family history, on both sides Of the
house. 1t is only another instance
OF ''the fighting blood being in
camp" A younger brother, NAL
colin, is also an officer in the United
States army. The rise Of these young
men from the ranks Is peculiarly
gratifying to 4 large number OF your
| readers, and as their example may
be encouraging to other young men
who are willing and ambitious to
serve their country, | deem ii will
not be amiss to give q sketch of their
family.
Four Generations Back.
Their grandfather Dickson, four
generations removed, was a native OF
ireland, coming to America in 1850
and settling In Pennsylvania, after
wards removing to York District,
South Carolina. (The first Court Of
Common Pleas for York District was
held in his house.) He afterwards
moved to Anderson District and set
tied on Six-and-Twenty Creek, near
Pcndlcton, where he died at the age
OF 10l years. He was a cavalry scout
in the Revolutionary War. His sons,
Walter and Matthew Dickson, were
gallant soldiers in the War of 1912.
Walter was the great-grcat-grandf
thcr OF these young men, while Mat
thew was the ancestor Of the late
Walter and Alex. Dickson, of the
Townville section of Oconee county.
Family Tradition
says that Matthew Dickson was a
comrade Of the noted scout, Horse
Shoe Robinson, who resided several
years on Chauga Creek, near West
minister. Their great-grandfather,
BrattOn Dickson. volunteered for
the war with Mexico, but his COM
pany was not called into service; and
their great maternal grandfather
Steele was captain Of this company.
Their grandfather, Thos. b. Dick
son. served throughout the War of
Secession, volunteering at the be-
ginning OF the bloody struggle in the
| company OF the brave and gallant
Capt. kilpatric B., who gave his life
for his country on one Of the CORY
! battleficlds OF Virginia. Thomas B.
Dickson later enlisted in that illus
trtous band,the Palmetto Sharpshoot-
ers, where he served as orderly SER
seant until the mournful episode at
AppomattoX Court House, Virginia,
, IN 1865, when the peerless Lee, with
his remnant Of Southern patriots,
yielded to overwhelming numbers.
On their mothers side they also
come of "fghting stock" Both their
Steele and Norris ancestors were SOL
diers In the Revolution. 1t is a mat
ter Of family tradition that their
Observation-Disclosures (Guiton)
acted as a messenger between Gems.
Green and Marion in many perilous
situations.
Their great-grandfather Steele was
midshipman in the War Of 1912
aboard the frigate "Constitution"
when the brave Capt. Lawrence was
killed. his dying words being Don't
give up the ship!"
During the Civil War their grand
father, w. p. Norris, was gallant
member Of the distinguished Hamp-
tons Legion, while two other broth
ers were in other branches of the
Confederate service.
Three of the Steele family served
their country we'll and nobly in the
trying days Of the sixties: Charles
Steele was a sergeant in Company 3,
Palmetto Sharpshooters; his bro
thcr William was lieutenant in the
same company and noted as one Of
the most reliable scouts in the Con-
tederate army; Capt r. e. Steele.
OF Pickens county, (still living) ano-
ther brother, too well and favorably
known to your readers for his Chris
ton character, his brave record in
war and usefulness to his country in
peace to need any praise or commen-
dation from me.
After reading tho above you will
readily see how "the call Of blood"
moved these young men to answer