The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1922-05-18
THURSDAY, MAY IS, 1922
GARDENS BATTERY
AT SHARPSBURG
MR.. D. JAS WINN REPRODUCES
A LETTER FROM CAPT. HUGH
e. GARDEN.

Editor Iten:-
This is 4 copy Of letter of long
ago-in 1S62-and tells Of the scenes
end times that tried the souls Of many
of the old Confederate veterans, who
visited our city last week and may be
Ct interest to the present generation.
"Martinsburg. Va, Sept. %, 1862.
"My Dear Mother
"God has again protected brother
and myself and brought Us safely
through a most terrible battle On
September 17th we were attacked in
front of Sharpsburg, Nd, by an I'M
mense army of the enemy, and after
fighting from 6 o'clock in the morn
ing until s at night, repulsing them
on every side. My battery was des-
rerately engaged from o'clock until
6. Would that I could report that we
came off as lightly as in the proceed
ing battle. But Gcd willed it other
wise. Lieut.. Pripgle, my brave and
roble friend, was stricken down at
his post. a cannon ball taking off his
leg midy ay between the knee and the
foot. | was standing near him, dl-
recting his firing and observing the
effect Of mis- shot. Three times, after
being struck, he attempted to rise, but
four of his men bore him from the
feld During the battle each of my
lieut. .nants had charge of a gun.
Lieut.. Pringle behaved most nobly and
served his gun most admirably, aim
ing with great accuracy wherever l
directed and discharged shot and shell
and canister Immediately into the
ranks of the enemy. l saw him plac-
ed in the hospital that night where
he received every attention. DR.. Will
son, two men and Caesar were detailed
for the purpose of remaining with him.
All night l sought the chief surgeon
of the Division and requested him to
attend to my friend personally and DO
everything in his power for him.
"He visited him as soon as he was
brought in, and told me that the mo-
ment the reaction took place the oper-
alton 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. visited him next morning
and acquainted him of his situation.
Never have l seen a man act with
such noble Christian resignation. The
shock to his system had completely
shattered his nerves, but calm and
collected he conversed with me, and
told me he was ready and willing to
die and gave me messages to his fam
ily and friends - Lieut.. Pringle was
sent to Winchester two days ago with
out having had his leg amputated.
The doctor told me he did not pos
sibly think he could survive the jour
ney. DIR. Wilson, J. D. Wilder and
Caesar are with him. James H. Rice
is also in Winchester severely para
lyzed by solid shot grazing his body,
but he can wall, a little and be OF,
service to my friend
'I 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..
G. E. Colt and Sergt. Harvey Wilson
merit the highest praise for bringing
eff their guns under such circum-
stances.
September 22nd, 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.
I enclose letter written at Hager-
town, Md, and I expect you wonder
why I am row writing from Martins
burg, Va. 1 car scarcely tell you.
The events of years seem to have been
crowded into the last few days.
"If | had few spare moments |