Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1919-05-21
SOME CIVIL WAR FACTS.
Editor Edgeield Advertiser:

AAoh 10y CIV @NN'So SAA>A~1 ~
as I could, the number killed in the
army of northern Virginia during the
four years struggle. So will give
some historic facts about this wing
of the army.
At the battle of Chicamauga, Gen.
Polk commanded an army corps and
he was on the right wing. Gen. Long
street commanded the center. About
the time we were ready to plunge in
to the dance with death, Gen. Polk
and Gen. Longstreet came riding by.
Gen. Polk waved his hat over his
head and said: "Aim low, boys. Kill
the bodies, and God have mercy on
their souls" He was an Episcopal
bishop. 1t was on the 10Th and goth
of September, 1868 when this battle
was fought, and when nature spread
her sable robe over the bloody plain
$3.50 Confederates lay dead on the
field.
At Gettysburg in the three days
battle, $3.50 men were slain; the
Seven Days Battle in the forest of
Richmond, 1926 were dead on the
field; Second Manassas, 1858 were
slain; Sharpsburg, Maryland, 1,512
were killed; at the Wilderness, Vir-
ginia, $50 killed; Cold Harbor, 900;
Winchester, 2S5; Cedar Creek, 339;
Bentonville, 2s9; Seven Pines, $50
killed.
All these were killed outright and
the list does not include those who
died from wounds. They would run
up into the thousands.
There were many other battles,
some of greater magnitude than the
above, which cannot now give for
want of facts. All these killed that I
have given were from the army of
northern Virginia. All the Confeder-
ates killed in the battles named were
killed in the open. No trenches, no
dynamite no poison gas, no calling
guns, no air OF underwater fighting.
Now, Mr.. Editor, before closing
this article, let me, in behalf of those
old veterans, thank the Daughters
of the Confederacy for their extreme
kindness shown them on Memorial
Day. Each one will carry home sweet
memories of their kind hospitality.
And let me say that Mr.. Lees ad-
dress was a masterpiece, and was
much enjoyed by every one. 1t was
very historic, and he made it so plain.
His address was edifying to the
heart and soul. But he did not say
anything about Gen. Longstreet. He
stood next to Gen. Lee in rank and
was called Lees war horse. And
when it came to hard down fighting,
there. was not general in the army
who could hold bull-dog-grip as he
could. I believe that Gen. Jackson
could maneuver an army faster than
Longstreet, but put him in the heat
of battle and he would stay there as
long as Jackson, Stewart or any other
general.
But shall defend Gen. Longstreet
through The Advertiser with your
permission. The other fellows shall
not have all the "roses." Yes, shall
tell about two of old Edgefield's sons
who were Gen. Longstreet and Col.
Ebert Bland, two of the best when it
comes'to pluck.
While at Edgefeld l met Wad AL
len, a son of Washington Daniel Hol-
land Allen. He carries in his face the
impress of his father. Wash Allen
was my bosom friend through life.
Our friendship was akin to that of
Jonathan and David. am glad that
Wash Aliens son went cover the top"
in France and has again landed up-
on his native heath. God bless you,
Wad. may you now enjoy the bright
sunshine of peace and contentmeHt.
Scott and Wash Allen were my chums
from barefoot boys. We grew up to
young manhood together, volunteer
ed. at the first sound of the bugle in
the "60's," fought together, bled to-
gether, killed together at the Wilder
ness on the 9Th of May, 1864. Scott
was shot through the head and l
through the body; both left on the
field for dead, but somehow we came
to life and got well. But both have
crossed over, and for me the shadowy
ships are spreading their sable sails.
When l think of this great fact,
that the sons of the men who follow
ed Lee and Grant in the "sixties" are
marching shoulder to Shou der with