Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1921-08-10
Hampton Legion Sketches.
The First Furlough Granted for {
Recruit.

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The First Furlough Granted for
Recruit.
NV brother, S. NJ. Walton of Edge
field district, volunteered in Capt. M
M. Gary's Company B, Hampton's le'
gion, when this was organized II
1861. In April 1868, B. E. Nicholson
was captain, Gary being promoted tc
colonel of the regiment. About this
time the war department issued an
order to grant a furlough of 80 days
to. every soldier in ranks who obtain
ed a recruit for his command. My
brother had been in service two
years and in every engagement that
the legion had participated in and
was color bearer of the regiment at
the time. He had the honor and good
luck at the battle of S%harpsburg to
rescue the flag after several bearers
had been shot down and bring it
safely out of the fight. Capt. Nichol-
son being at home on furlough at the
time 1 am writing of, I went to see
him and told him that I was not quite
old enough to go into service, but
that if he would be Ire to give my
brother a furlough 1 would join the
legion anyhow as my brothers re-
cruit. The captain agreed to do SO
and when he returned to the army l
accompanied him.
We found the legion near Suffolk,
Va, the Yankees in the town and our
forces outside in line of battle. Capt.
Nicholson Immediately reported to
Col. Gary on arrival and stated his
agreement with me. The colonel read
lily consented and issued an order for
the furlough. 1t was soon in the hands
of my brother and he was on his way
home for 80 days. Oh, those blissful
furlough days at home, when we
were heroes in the eyes of the girls
and the recipients of every good
thing from the hands of the old peo-
pie. And how we hated the shortness
of the time and had to return to duty,
corn bread and bacon, after devour-
ing the box of substantial edibles we
always carried with US.
Twas the first recruit to the legion
that a furlough was granted on-if
not the first in Gen. Lees army. 1t
appealed so forcibly to Col Gary that
he forthwith issued regimental or
ders urging the men to obtain re-
cruits and get furloughs. Many avail
ed themselves of this privilege and
the legion was greatly strengthened
by the coming to it of fresh, new
men.
I could write many interesting ex-
periences during my term of SOL
diering from April '63 to April '65,
two years of solid excitement and
hardships common to us then, but
space forbids. Yet, I will detail my
feelings and experience as a 16-year
old boy, the first time under fire: The
first day 1 vas in camp I heard the
older soldiers guying some of the
younger ones as to how they had
acted in a recent engagement with
the enemy. I just thought l could not
stand such guying; but my brother
told me when he left me for home
to put on a bold front and stick to
my captain.
The next day two companies of the
legion were sent on picket duty, n
being my company. When this detach-
ment got to the skirmish line the 9TH
er company went into the rifle pits,
while ours was put in reserve in a
body of woods near at hand and con-
venient to a railroad cut. As the re-
lieving of the pickets by the other
company was taking place the Yam
KEGS commenced to throw solid balls
and shells at us. This stirred us up
and the men of our company did
about pretty considerably in getting
into that railroad cut. I thought to
myself now is the time for me to
show off my bravery; but for a fact
1 was so scared / could hardly stand;
I managed to dos though, until all
the others had got in the cut and /
was alone, then / leisurely walked in
to it. The Smelling was so great in my
mind that I had my doubts of being
able to stand it, but I said nothing,
though shaking with fear and appre-
hension. Fortunately it did not last