The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-05-12
GARDENS BATTERY
AT SHARPSBURG


Mr.. D. Jas Winn Reproduces a
Letter From Capt. Hugh
r. Garden
Editor Item:-
This is a copy Of letter OF long
aco-in 1S62-and tells OF the scenes
and times that tried the souls OF many
of the old Confederate Veterans. VINO
visited our city last, week ana may oe
of interest to the present seneratlon.
"Martinsburg, Va, Sept, 22, 1862.
'My Dear Mother
God has again protected orothef
and myself and brought US safely
through a most terrible battle. On
September 18th we were attacked IN
front Of Sharpsburg, Md, by an I'M
mense army of the enemy, and a1ter
fighting from 6 o'clock in the morn
ing until s at night, repulslnS them
on every side. My battery was desper-
ately engaged from 1 o'clock until ..
Would that l could report that we
came off as lightly as in the proceed
ing battle. But God wilied 1t other
wise. Lieut. Pringle. my brave and
noble friend, was stricken down at
his post, a cannon ball taking off his
leg midway between the Knee and the
foot. I was standing near him, direct
ing his firing and observing the ef-
being struck, he attempted to rise, but
four of his men bore him from the
field. During the battle each Of my
lieutanants had charge of a gun. Lieut.
Pringle behaved most nobly and serv-
ed his gun most admirably, aiming
with great accuracy wherever di-
rected and discharged shot and she'll
and canister Immediately into the
ranks Of the enemy. saw him placed
in the hospital that night where he
received every attention. DR.. Wilson.
two men and Caesar were detailed for
the purpose of remaining with him.
all night / sou sht the chief surgeon
Of the Division and requested him to
attend to my friend personally and do
everything in his power for him.
tsHe visited him as soon as he. was
brought in, and told me that the NOM
ent the reaction took place the opera
ton should be performed.
'The necessary reaction did not take
place that night or the next day and
the doctor sent word that his case was
hopeless. 1 visited him next morning
and acquainted him of his situation.
Never have I seen man act with such
noble Christian resignation The
shock to his system had completely
shattered his nerves, but calm and col
lected he conversed with me. and told
me he was ready and willing to die
and gave me messages to his family
and friends. -. Lieut.. Pringle was
sent to Winchester two days ago with
out having had his leg anlputated. The
doctor told me he did not possibly
think he could survive the journey.
DR.. Wilson, J. D. Wilder and Caesar
Iare with him. James H. Rice is also
in Winchester severely paralyzed by
solid shot grazing his body. but he
can walk little and be Of service
to my friend.
81 lost nine horses and with great
difficulty brought off my guns two
disabled, one having had its carriage
shot to pieces, sight shot off and sur
face SCARED by shot and shell. Lieut..
6. E. Colt and Sergt. Harvey Wilson
merit the highest praise for bringing
off their guns under such circum-
stances.
September 22d. 1862.
P. 81 wrote you a few lines hur-
riedly this morning and since the mail
has been delayed few hours I will
endeavor to put in this postscript.
enclose letter written at Hagerstown.
Nd. and I expect you wonder why
am now writing from Martinsburg,
Va. I can scarcely tell you. The ev-
ents Of years seem to have been
crowded into the last few days.
''If I had few spare moments ]
would give you an account OF these
events, but only have to speak Of the
good news which DR.. Wilson has just
brought from Winchester. He re-
ports to me that Lieut.. PrinSie is Go
ing we'll. His leg was amputated above
the knee last Saturday morning by
Dr. Wilkinson. a surgeon from Nofth
Carolina. That he is in the hands OF
iadies who are paying him every at
tention and the doctor thinks there is
every prospect of his recovery
am going to exchange my guns Tor
four beautiful long range guns taken
from the enemy. They cut us up in
the battle with their long range guns
while we were fighting their infantry
at close quarters. On Tuesday morn
ing, last. General Jackson took Harp
ers Ferry, capturing 1920 prisoners,
sixty-six magnificent pieces Of artil
lery. with horses and harness COM
plete and great quantity of stores OF
all kinds.
Il must close for my lette! must go.
We are getting on pretty well. My
company is. said by our chief OF artil
lery to have done admirable service in
ranu1Si,,r tho ma aSSeS of tho enemy IN