\m PROCEEDINGS AT THE Unveiling of the Monument TO THE Charleston Light Dragoons^ Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, S. C. MAY 10th, 1886. ORATIONS: Generals M. C. BUTLER and B. H. RUTLEDGE. CHARLESTaN, S. C. Walker, Evans & Cogswell Co., Printers, 3 and 5 Broad and 117 East Bay Streets. I DuRe Uniyersity Ubmy George Washington Flowe? Memorial Collection DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY ESTABLISHED BY THE FAMILY OF COLONEL FLOWERS PROCEEDINGS AT THE Unveiling of the Monument TO THE Charleston Light Dragoons, Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, S, C. MAY 10th, 1886. — ^ ORATIQNS =- OF Generals M. C. BUTLKR and B. H. RUTLEDGK. CHARLESTON, S. C Walker, Evans & Cogswell Co., Printers, 3 and 5 Broad and 117 East Bay Streets. 1889. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015 https://archive.org/details/proceedingsatunvOObutl CAVALIERS OF CAROLINA. THE BRAVE DEEDS AND GLORIOUS DEATHS OF THE DRAGOONS. Gen. Butler's Speech at the Unveiling of the Monu- MENT TO THE DeAD OF THE CHARLESTON LiGHT DrAGOONS ON Memorial Day — The Lessons of the Lost Cause — The Immortality of Lee and Davis. The flags al the City Hall, at the Police Station and at the Citadel were displayed at half-mast yesterday, and the bells of St- Michael's were tolled while the people of Charleston repaired to Magnolia Cemetery to decorate the graves of the Confederate soldiers who are buried in that beautiful City of the Dead. The occasion was made memorable this year by the services attending the dedication of the monument to the deceased members of that historic corps, the Charleston Light Dragoons. AT THE CONFEDERATE GRAVES. In order to allow every one to attend both services, the decoration of the graves in the Confederate enclosure took place at 5 o'clock. The ceremonies were very simple and brief The Rev. John O. Willson, of Trinity Methodist Church opened them with the following prayer: O Lord, our God, who rulest in Heiven and in earth, we lift our hearts in prayer to Thee, We stand in the resting- place of the dead, our hearts are full of sad memories, yet we come with thanksgiving. We thank Thee that we know Thee, the true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou didst send. We thank Thee that Thou hast revealed to us the fact that 4 we are immortal. We thank Thee that Thou dost give us eternal Hfe through Christ Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. We thank Thee that this gift is offered to all the world With our thanksgiving for these supreme mercies, we would mingle thanks for other blessings. We thank Thee for our sunny land, for its glorious history, for the noble men and women of the past, for their worthy survivors and succes- sors. We give special thanks for the heroic lives of our fall- en soldiers and for the fidelity of our people in days that tried us. We pray Thy blessing upon us. We are surrounded by tokens of them that, being dead, yet speak. In remem- brance of our hero-dead we have assembled. Prepare us to execute the offices of this Memorial Day in a worthy spirit. Fill our minds and hearts with such recollections, aspirations and purposes as shall be acceptable to Thee and profitable to us. Help us to go hence and to live hereafter " for God and home and native land." Finally, bring us all into Thine ever- lasting kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord. And to Thee, O God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, will we give praise forever. Amen. At the close of this prayer Col. S. B. Pickens announced that the services had been abbreviated in order to allow the audience to attend the ceremonies of dedicating the Light Dragoons monument. The inmates of the Confederate Home, under the lead of that staunch friend of the Home, Mrs. M. A. Snowden, were present, and in a few moments every headstone in the lot was crowned with a wreath of laurel leaves encircling a wreath of roses. The base of the Confederate monument in the centre of the lot was covered with fresh moss, on which were laid four palm leaves and a floral anchor. THE DRAGOONS MONUMENT. The cenotaph erected by the survivors of the Charleston Light Dragoons is situated on the northeastern edge of the Cemetery, near the receiving vault, and is a conspicuous fea- ture of the Cemetery. Its base is enclosed by a circular 5 granite curbing, and the shapely shaft stands out against the clear sky, towering above all surrounding objects. It has a history. The monument was to have been dedicated last May, it will be remembered, but the shaft fell while it was being hoisted in position and was broken. Another piece of granite was quarried, and this, too, fell and was broken on its way to Charleston. The third shaft was sucessfully placed in position some months ago, but the dedication ceremonies were postponed until Decoration Day, which, in this State, is May lo. The shaft bears on its west face the monogram " C. L. D.," in raised letters. The die-block, which rests upon four bases, is of polished granite, with the following inscription : Wesl Face. i86i 1865. To the Heroic Dead : James W. O'Hear, Lieutenant, J. Allen Miles, Sergeant, Alfred Manigault, Corporal, Charles E. Prioleau, Corporal, Arthur Robinson, Corporal. PRIVATES. James Adger, Jr., Josiah Bedon, James L. Bee, J. H. W. Boone, Benjamin Bostick, James Creighton, W. R. Davis, VV. H. Fairly, A. C. Frierson, T. G. Holmes. 0)1 the Base. CHARLESTON LIGHT DRAGOONS. 0 Soil til Face. To the Heroic Dead : W. L. Kirklaiid, Thomas Lining, T. S. Marion, W. W. McLeod, F. K. Middleton, O. H. Middleton, Jr., T. W. Mordecai, Jr., Edward W. Nowell, J. J. A. O'Neill, A. B. Philips, Percival R. Porcher, J. R. P. Pringle, Alexander Robertson, Jr., . Eber R. Robertson, Louis M. Vanderhorst. On the Base. TREVILIAN'S STATION. East Face. Cold Harbor. Louisa Courthouse. White House. Nance's Shop. Saponey Church. Gravelly Run. Reams' Station. Bellefield Station. Hatcher's Run. Burgess' Mill. Cantey's Farm. P'ayetteville. Bentonville. 7 On the Base, POCOTALIGO, S. C. NortJi Face. And how can man die better Tlian facing fearfi'.l odds ; For the ashes of his fathers, And the Temples of his Gods. On the Base. HAWES' SHOP, VA. THE CEREMONIES. Shortly after 5 o'clock the Committee of Arrangements and the invited guests arrived in carriages and were provided with seats on a platform, which had been erected near the monument and to the west of it. There were seated on the platform, Major-Gen. M. C. Butler, Gen. B. H. Rutledge, Mayor Courte- nay, the Rev. W. T. Thompson, D. D., the Rev. C. E. Chi- chester, Adjutant and Inspector General Manigault, Gen. John- ston, of the Citadel Academy, Gen. John C. Minott, Capt. F. W. Dawson, Col. C. H. Simonton, Major T. G. Barker, Major H. E. Young, Col. Z. Davis, Ex-Capt. L. C. Nowell, Mr. E. L. Wells, Gen. Edw. McCrady, Mr. D. Lynch Pringle. Col. S. B. Pickens, Mr. John Harleston, Capt. T. O'Brien, Post- master Huger, Gen. Stokes and other distinguished Dragoons and veterans. The Light Dragoons, in full uniform, and the survivors, in citizens' dre?s, arrived shortly afterward and formed around the stand, a large crowd of ladies and gentlemen being scat- tered around the monument. THE DEDICATORY PRAYER. At half-past 5 o'clock Gen. Rutledge introduced the Rev. W. T. Thompson, D. D., who opened the ceremonies with the following prayer : 8 Lord God Almighty, Ruler of Heaven and earth, under Thine own blue sky, in this beautiful place of burial, within sound of the restless sea, whose endless sob is a fitting re- quiem for those who sleep the sleep of death, we are gath- ered, the remnant of a mighty martial host, to unveil with solemn ceremony this granite shaft to perpetuate the memory of gallant comrades, who, amidst the thunder of battle, or in the suffering hospital, gave up their lives in patriotic main- tenance of principle. We thank Thee that we have not be- come forgetful of what they were, that we are not lost to all sympathy with the cause for which they so grandly fell. Ac- cept of our praise for the ability to rear this testimonial of our deathless affection for that heroic, melancholy past which can never be forgotten. If it please Thee, let the winds deal kindly with this monu- ment, give the lightning charge that it strike it not, let not time, with its slow corrosion, mar its fair proportions, nor efface its fond inscription, that, when we have passed away and shall have been forgotten, with a mute, resistless elo- quence it may tell to all succeeding generations the touching story of a valor that was peerless, and of a devotion to con- viction of duty that faltered not at any sacrifice. Beside our dear soldier graves, thrilling with emotions no language can translate, under the spell of old associations, we bow in reverent submission to Thy sovereign will, and invoke Thy blessing upon the land in which we dwell and upon the Government under which we live. Take possession of all hearts, subdue unlawful passion. Make this people wise with a wisdom that is Divine, righteous with the right- eousness of God, fraternal in the exercise of an affection that is inspired by Him whose name is Love, and unto the Father, Son and Spirit we will render praise forever. Amen. GEN. RUTLEDGE'S INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. Gen. Rutledgc then addressed the meeting as follows : We have met together, my old comrades, to pay the last tribute of respect and affection within our power to the 9 memory of our gallant associates, who gave their lives in de- fence of the principles for which their honor and faith were pledged. We have recorded their names and fame in enduring granite, taken from the bosom of the State they loved so well. The causes, purposes and consequences, the right or wrong of that great conflict belong now to history. It matters not in what way opinions differ on the subject, all generous spirits unite in paying homage to fidelity, courage and patriotism. It was my high privilege, my friends, to lead you into the war. I was with you in your first battle. A veteran officer of the United States navy was present, and acted on the occa- sion as volunteer aid to Gen. Walker, who commanded. He placed us in position. It was trying. You were exposed to a heavy fire of shells from gunboats on your left flank and to the fire of field guns and musketry in front at unusually close range. In the heat of battle he came up to me and asked : " Have your men been under fire before?" and when answered in the negative, exclaimed ; " I have never seen greater steadi- ness, and I could not have believed it unless I had seen it." Although removed subsequently from the immediate com- mand of the company, we were together through all your varied and severe experiences ; and at no time did you fail to sustain the highest standard of soldierly excellence. Your ranks melted away under the cruel exigencies of war ; but the spirit of the small remnant which was surren- dered at the last was as undaunted and unbroken as when Capt. Hartstene wondered at your bearing upon your first baptism of fire. It is not fit that I should tell the story of your achieve- ments. We are too near together. Do what I might, I could not escape from the influences of personal feeling. Let it be told with plain, unvarnished truth by the heroic soldier whose flag we followed from Hawes's Shop to Bentonville. With sadness, but also with pride, we shall hear his narra- tive of your war record — a record which wreath 5 with glory the names of the dead and affords to each survivor the proudest memories of his life. 10 GEN. BUTLER'S ORATION. Gen. M. C. Butler arose, and "after acknowledging the ap- plause which greeted his appearance, spoke as follows : My Comrades and Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen : In complying with your request to become your spokesman to- day, I do not know that I can employ the time permitted for my remarks more profitably than by giving a brief sketch of the Charleston Light Dragoons. When I received the invitation to make the address at the unveiling of your monument, I applied to my distinguished friend. Gen, Rutledge, who has been so conspicuously identi- fied with this organization, to supply me with such data as he might be able to command in relation to its early history, and I shall venture to adopt as my own the interesting and valuable contribution he has made. A SKETCH OF THE LIGHT DRAGOONS. The first organization of the Charleston Light Dragoons cannot now be positively determined. One thing, however, is certain — it is, if not the oldest, one of the oldest military organizations in the country. There has always been a troop of cavalry in this city, from very early times. In the SontJi Carolina Gazette of January 6, 1733, is re- corded a " Parade of Troop of Horse Guards, commanded by Hon. Col. Samuel Prioleau, and commissions read," &c. In January, 1791, there was more than one troop of Charles- ton Light Dragoons. Isaac Harleston, a captain in Colonel (afterwards General) Moultrie's regiment, died in possession of Gen. Moultrie's order book — which is still in possession of his descendants — and among the leaves of that book was found the following card of invitation : " The First Troop of Charleston Light Dragoons request the pleasure of Capt. Harleston's company to dine, at the Long Room, Church Street Theatre, on Wednesday, July 4, at 3 o'clock." In the Times of July, 18 13, recording the future proceed- ings of the Revolutionary Society, is rendered a list of 11 " the toasts drank by the tldrd troop of Charleston Light Dragoons." It is fair to presume that one and the same organization has continued from the first formation of the troop in 1733, as Charleston Horse Guards, to this day. The tradition is that the name of " Horse Guards" was adopted in Colonial days, in imitation of the London Horse Guards, and after the Declaration of Independence it was probably changed to Charleston Light Dragoons." Another circumstance con- firmatory of this idea is, that the same names appear over and again in the course of years in connection with this organization, probably the sons following in the footsteps of the fathers. The first captain in 1733 was Col. Samuel Prioleau. There were two Pri'^leaus in the company during the Confederation, one of whom, C. E. Prioleau, was killed at Matadaquin Creek. Again, Major Benjamin Huger, of the Continental Army, was killed in the lines at Charleston in 1777, while in command of a portion of this very cavalry, and Sergt. Benja- min Huger fought gallantly through the Confederate war in the ranks of the Charleston Light Dragoons, three-quarters of a century afterwards. According to the statements of men but recently passed away, three companies of Charleston Light Dragoons existed as late as 1822, but the war spirit had faded, and it was found very difficult, if not impossible, to keep up three or even two companies of cavalry in this city, and in 1822 these compa- nies were amalgamated and formed into one company, retain- ing the old name. From this date the company continued in full force, with regular successive officers, until the breaking out of the war. At the very beginning of the late troubles in January, 1861, and while under the militia organization of the State, the company was ordered into service — the officers at that time being : B. H. Rutledge, captain ; R. I. Jeffords, ist lieutenant ; R. H. Colcock, 2d lieutenant ; R. W. Disher, 3d lieutenant — by the Governor of the State, and did duty on Sullivan's Island and the sea coast until they were mustered 12 into Confederate service for the war, as an independent corn- pan}/, in May, 1862, with the following officers: B. H. Rut- ledge, captain; R. H. Colcock, ist lieutenant ; L. C Nowell, 2(1 lieutenant ; J. W. O'Hear, 3d lieutenant, Company 64 rank and file, as follows : In accordance with the late Act of Congress, this company has re-organized for the war. The officers were all unani- mously re-elected. The following is the muster roll of the company: B. H. Rutledge, Captain. R. H. Colcock, First Lieutenant. L. C. Nowell, Second Lieutenant. J. W. O'Hear, Third Lieutenant. J. E. Harleston, First Sergeant. J. C. Bickley, Second Sergeant. B. F. Huger, Third Sergeant. E. N. Ball, Fourth Sergeant. J. H. W. Hutchinson, Fifth Sergeant. S. W. Simons, First Corporal. J. A. Miles, Second Corporal. L. R. Bostick, Third Corporal. Alex. Rose, Fourth Corporal. THE ROLL OF THE DRAGOONS. PRIVATES. R. F. Bostick, H. D. Burnet, B. R. Burnet, J. M. Clark, J. M. Chisolm, T. H. Colcock, James L. Bee, William Bell. F. M. Barnwell, Edward Bostick, James Creighton, W. R. Davis, C. M. Desel, J. B. Desel, B. C. Dupont, T. B. Dnpont, T. O. Elliott, W. H. Fairly, P. G. Fitzsimons, Daniel Fludd, ) J. H. Freer, J. J. Frierson, H. M. Fuller, Jr., E. T. Gaillard, A. B. Gordon, A. F. Gregorie, W. D. Gregorie, Isaac Gregorie, John Happoldt, J. K. Heyward, E. C. Holland. E. G. Holmes, T. G. Holmes, A. Huguenin, A. H. Jenkins, Jr., W. S. Lance, Thos. Lining, Arthur Lining, G. E. Manigault, A. Manigault, B. P. Marion, J. M. Martin, Vincent Martin, Edward Martin, W. A. Martin, P. J. Maxwell, J. Y. Meetze, F. K. Middleton, J. J. Miles, W. W. McLeod, 13 J. J. McPherson, H. M. Neyle, E. W. Nowell, T. O'Brien, J. J. A. O'Neille, J. C. Palfrey, M. B. Pringle, C. E. Prioleau, G. E. Pritchett, James Purcell, B. S. Rhett, Jr., J. B. Richardson, John Richardson, Alex. Robertson, John Robinson, Arthur Robinson, Henry Seabrook, Joseph Seabrook, Ion Simons, J. G. Thurston, L. Vanderhorst, W. E. Vincent, A. C. Wagner, J. R. Waring, W. W. White, J. D. White, G. Wilkins, E. Witsell, W. H. Witsell, A. McD. Wragg. THE BATTLE OF POCOTALIGO. After their enlistment in the Confederate array, the compa- ny was kept on the coast of this State for some two years. During this period the battle of Pocotaligo occurred. The Dragoons played a very important part in this singularly gal- lant but unequal contest, in October, 1862. 14 It may be interesting^ to refer somewhat in detail to this en- gagement, as it appears to have been very decisive and impor- tant in its results. Gen. W. S. Walker, more familiarly known as "Live Oak" Walker — and a most gallant and accom- plished soldier and gentleman he is — states in his official re- port of the battle, that he had only 405 men actually engaged — while from the best information he could get from prison- ers and other sources, the enemy " had seven regiments, one of which went to Coosawhatchie." The enemy had landed at Mackey's Point on the 22d of October, 1862, and evidently intended to make a most deter- mined effort to break the Confederate line of defence and effect a lodgment on the main land, from which Charleston and Savannah might be turned, and it was of the greatest consequence that they should be thwarted and driven back. Although there was great disparity of numbers, Gen. Walk- er made his dispositions with this handful of men in such a manner and resisted the attack of the enemy so vigorously, that after an engagement of nearly seven hours, from 11.30 A. M. to 6 p. M., he retreated to the cover of his gunboats and reimbarked for their former positions. Ar> has been stated, among the troops on the Confederate side who made this gallant fight, were the Charleston Light Dragoons. Gen. Walker gives the strength of his command in the following language : " The force with which I first engaged the enemy, consisted of two sections of the Beaufort Volunteer Artillery and the Nelson Light Artillery, eight pieces, under the command of Capt. Stephen Elliott ; the Charleston Light Dragoons, Capt. B. H. Rutledge ; 1st [14th on register] Battalion, (cavalry), Major J. H. Morgan ; Capt. D. B. Heyward's company .of Cavalry; Capt. Kirk's Partisan Rangers; Capt. J. B. AUston's company of Sharpshooters, and Capt. A. C. Izard's company (I) of the i ith regiment infantry, Lieut. W. L.Campbell, commanding; number, in all, 475. As one- fourth of the cavalry were horse-holders, the force actually engaged was reduced to 405 men. The force of the enemy was represented by prisoners and confirmed by the statement 15 of negroes, who had crossed at Port Royal Ferry to the main land on that day, and been captured, to be seven regiments, one of which, I judge, went to Coosawhatchie." Having held the Charleston Light Dragoons in reserve, he thus refers to their services at a critical period of the battle : THE CHARGE OF THE DRAGOONS. At the crisis of the fight I ordered up the Charleston Light Dragoons. That gallant corps came forward with an inspirit- ing shout and took position on my left, which wanted strengthening." He estimates the enemy's loss in killed and wounded at 300, and says of the conflict and the conduct of the troops: "The fight, from the first fire of our advance to the final retreat of the enemy, lasted from 11.30 A. m. to 6 p. m. We had ample reason to believe that our small force not only fought against great odds, but against fresh troops brought up to replace those first engaged. The entire command had been earnestly warned, in orders, not to waste their fire. This cau- tion was urged upon them during the action by the command- ing officer, his aids and the company officers. I am satisfied from my own observation, they fired with care and judgment, and yet some of our men expended eighty rounds of cart- ridges in the battle. The close vicinity of the ordnance train, under its energetic chief. Captain W. W. Elliott, enabled me to keep up the supply. " I beg to express my admiration of the remarkable cour- age and tenacity with which the troops held their ground. The announcement of my determination to maintain my posi- tion until reinforcements arrived, seemed to fix them to the spot with unconquerable resolution. The rapid and contin- uous volleys of the enemy's musketry were only intermitted while fresh troops were being brought up, and while those engaged were retired." Gen. Walker pays the following compliment to the Dra- goons and their gallant commander : *' Capt. Rutledge, of the Charleston Light Dragoons, was cool and collected in both fights. His gallant corps was held 16 in reserve, and when they took up their position came with a most inspiriting cheer, which the men engaged, returned, thus giving the impression to the enemy of decided reinforcements." Coming from such a source, this is commendation deserv- ing to be highly cherished, and no doubt was well merited. The losses, in killed, wounded and missing of Gen. Walk- er's command are given at 163; 21 killed, 1 24 wounded and 18 missing. The Dragoons had 8 wounded. IN butler's brigade. Early in 1863 this company was incorporated, with others, who formed the 4th South Carolina Cavalry, of which B. H. Rutledge was Colonel^ William Stokes, Lieutenant Colonel ; W. P. Emanuel, Major. By this change R. H. Colcock be- came Captain of the Light Dragoons. The company remained on this coast until March, 1864, and at that time they were ordered with the regiment to the army of Northern Virginia as part of the brigade of M. C. Butler. When the 4th regiment of South Carolina Cavalry marched to Virginia, in the early spring to become a part of that grand army of Northern Virginia, and the followers of that incom- parable Chieftain, Gen. R. E. Lee, this company was constituted as follows : R. H. Colcock, Captain. L. C. Nowell, First Lieutenant. T. W. O'Hear, Second Lieutenant. E. Harleston, Jr., Third Lieutenant. T. C. Beckley, First Sergeant. B. F. Huger, Second Sergeant. PRIVATES. J. A. Miles, B. S. Rhett, Alfred Manigault, R. Adams, Jas. Adger, Jr., L. A. Bostick, E. C. Holland, J. W. Clark, J. R. Adams, Josiah Bedon, 17 J. S. Bee, W. H. Bellinger, W. Blake, J. W. Boone, B. Bostick, B. R. Burnet, J. L. Brisbane, Wm. Bell, W. A. Boyle, J. M. Chisolm, W. R. Davis, C. M. Desel, J. B. Desel, T. W. Durant, B. C. Dupont, A. R. Elmore, J. W. Evans, W. H. Fairly, A. C. Frierson, A. B. Gordon, A. F. Gregorie, T. G. Holmes, Jas. Hopkins, J. M. Howell, P. H. Hutchinson, A. H. Jenkins, Jr., W. L. Kirkland, J. W. Law, F. Lewis, A. P. Lining, Thos. Lining, G. E. Manigault, W. H. Manning, R. H. Martin, F. Middleton, O. H. Middleton, J. J. Miles, E. W. Mikell, H. M. Neyle, E. W. Nowell, T. O'Brien, L. W. O'Hear, A. C. Palfrey, A. B. Phillips, P. R. Porcher, J. J. Pringle, J. B. P. Pringle, D. L. Pringle, M. B. Pringle, C. E. Prioleau, J. M. Prioleau, H. W. Richardson J. B. Richardson, R. C. Richardson, A. Robinson, PI R. Robertson, John Robinson, A. Robertson, A. R. Taylor, E. L. Trenholm, J. G. Thurston, W. E. Vincent, L. Vanderhorst, J. H. Waring, M. N. Waring, R. Weston, A^. R. Withers, W. W. White, A. McD. Wragg, W. H. P'ishburne, E. L. IVells, J. H. Freer, W. W. 2 McLeod. 18 THE KJLLED AND WOUNDED. And as Gen. Rutledge has kindly furnished me with a Hst of its casualties, I may as well insert it here, embracing, as I understand, all the casualties from the beginning to the end of the war : J/J//i7/2?/'//^/7 nun ( n hfifvp/ vV UlLfCLtLLA/ LifCtl' \^Ltyl/llr LC Lt. J. W. O'Hear, Lt. L. C. Nowell, (w & c) J. A. Miles, B. F. Huger, (w) A. Robinson, S. W. Simons, (w) J. Bedon, L. R. Bostick, (w) James L. Bee, E. C. Holland, (w) J. H. W. Boone, R. Adams, (w & c) Benj. Bostick, J. Adger, Jr., (w) W. R. Davis, Wm. Bell, (w & c) W. H. Fairly, J. B. Desel, (\v & c) T. G. Holmes, A. C. Frierson, (c) W. L. Kirkland, A. B. Gordon, (c) Thomas Lining, P. H. Hutchinson, (w) F. K. Middleton, G. E. Manigault, (w & c) O. H. Middleton, Jr., E. M. Nowell, (w) P. R. Porcher, T. O'Brien, (w) J. R. P. Pringle, J. J. A. O'Neille, (w) C. E. Prioleau, A. B. Phillips, (w) A. Robertson, Jr., J. M. Prioleau, (w) E. R. Robertson, W. W. White, (w & c) L. Vanderhorst. A. McD. Wragg, (w) W. H. Fishburne, (vv) E. L. Wells, (w) This is an enormous bill of mortality, my friends. Forty- eight and a half per cent, of the whole number, I doubt if any other mounted company, in either army of the civil war, can show as large a one. And what is a very remarkable fact — there were but two men captured who had not been wounded or placed /lors de combat. 19 THE ENGAGEMENT AT HAWES's SHOP. The regiment to which the company was attached, the 4th South Carohna, reached Gen. Lee's army in April, 1864, near the beginning of that terrible campaign, and made a part of Butler's Brigade, composed of the 4th, 5th and 6th South Carolina regiments of cavaby, which, with Rosser's Virginia and Young's Georgia Brigade's, made up Hampton's Division. The first fight in which the company was engaged, was near Hawes's Shop, in front of Richmond, where it suffered frightfully in killed and wounded. I had not then assumed command of this new brig^ade, and only two regiments, the 4th and 5th, commanded by Col. Rutledge, were present, the 6th having been detached for temporary duty in some other part of the army. This battle has been represented as a most bloody and desperate one. and I was greatly grieved when I learned a few days afterwards what havoc had been made among the flower of the Ciiarleston Light Dragoons. Two of my college mates and special friends, Tosiah Bedon and Jimmy O'Hear, were among the slain, and many others equally worthy and gallant. Time will not permit me, nor is this the proper occasion, to enumerate and give an account of the battles, combats and skirmishes in which this company was engaged during that wonderful and ever-memorable campaign of 1864 ; but hav- ing had access to the reports of the Federal officers of the operations of their cavalry for that period, it might prove in- teresting if I should make some extracts to show in what es- timation we were held by our enemies. PHIL. SHEKIDAN'S tribute. Gen. Sheridan, who commanded the cavalry corps, Meade's army, says in his report of the fight at Hawes's Shop on the 28th of May, 1864 : " I was immediately after ordered to demonstrate in the di- rection of Mechanicsville, in order to find out tlie enemy's whereabouts, and therefore directed Gregg's division to move out via Hawes's Shop, on the Mechanicsville road, but when about three-fourths of a mile in advance of Hawes's Shop it 20 encountered the enemy's cavalry, which was dismounted and behind a temporary breastwork of rails, &c. Gregg vigo- rously attacked this force, which appeared to be the Rebel cavalry corps, and a brigade of South Carolina troops, re- ported 4,000 strong, armed with long-range rifles, and com- manded by a Col. Butler; these Carolinians fought very gal- lantly in this their fiist fight, judging from the number of their dead and wounded and prisoners captured. The most determined efforts were made on both sides in this unequal contest, and neither would give way until late in the evening, when Custer's Michigan brigade was dismounted, formed in close column of attack, and charged, with Gregg's division, when the enemy was driven back, leaving all his dead, and his line of temporary works in our possession. " This was a hard contested engagement, with heavy loss, for the number of troops engaged, to both sides, and was fought almost inmiediately in front of the infantry line of our army, which was busily occupied throwing up breastworks. After dark, our own and the enemy's dead being buried, we moved to the rear of the infantry, and went into camp on the morning of the next day — the 29th — in the vicinity of Old Church." The " 4,000 strong," of this report was too much, as you had but two regiments of my brigade, not aggregating more than 1,000 men all told, "which appeared to be the Rebel cavalry corps.''' As I have said, I was not entitled to the credit of the command of " these Carolinians'' who fought so gallantly in this their " first fight " — where the Charleston Light Dragoons so distinguished themselves. Col, Rutledge was in command. And again, of the fierce combat AT MATADAQUIN CREEK on the 30th of May, he says : This force encountered the pickets of the first division at Matadaquin Creek, but they held fast and fought gallantly until reinforced by their division on the north side of the creek, which took up the contest. The fight then became general and was stubbornly contested, but the enemy finally gave way, and was pursued within one and a half miles of Cold Harbor. In this fight Butler's South Carolinians were again put in to receive the brunt, and many of them were killed and captured." 21 This movement was made by me in obedience to orders direct from the commandinp- general of the army (Gen. Lee), to ascertain if Grant was still moving to the left, and although we were pretty roughly handled in the attack I made to un- cover the designs of the enemy, the result was accomplished. It enabled Gen. Lee to occupy first that strategic point of so much importance to both armies, Old Cold Harbor, whence he delivered such deadly blows to Grant's assaulting columns. THE FIGHT AT NANCE's SHOP. You cannot have forgotten the attack we made on Gregg's division, near St. Mary's Church or Nance's Shop, where we put him to flight and captured so many prisoners. Sheridan says of this encounter : "At St. Mary's Church. Gregg was attacked by the entire cavalry corps of the enemy, and after a stubborn fight, which lasted unlil after dark, was forced to retire in some confusion, but without any loss in material. This very creditable en- gagement saved the train, which should never have been left for the cavalry to escort." He is much mistaken in saying "Gregg was attacked by the entire cavalry corps of the enemy." He was attacked in front by Butler's brigade and on the flank by one regiment of Fitz Lee's command, the 9th Virginia and a part of Gary's brigade, and no others. Scarcely a shot was fired by any other troops. While my attention is drawn to Sheridan's report I will make a few other extracts : " It will be seen by the foregoing narrative that the idea advanced by me at the commencement of the campaign, viz : " that our cavalry ought to fight the enemy's cavalry, and our infantry the enemy's infantry," was carried into effect im- mediately after the battle of the vVilderness. The result was constant success and the almost total annihilation of the Rebel cavalry. We marched when and where we pleased ; were always the attacking party, and always successful. >}; * * * * * "As soon as Wilson was found to be safe I was ordered back to Lighthouse Point and vicinity to rest my command, which had marched and fought for fifty-six consecutive days, 22 and remained there from the 2d till the 26th of July, refitting and picketting the left of the army, * << >\c ^ >j< ^ " In the foregoing brief sketch I have been unable to give in detail the operations of the cavalry, and will have to trust to the subordinate reports to make up the deficiency. In constquence of our constant activity, we were obliged to turn over our wounded and prisoners whenever and wherever op- portunity offered, and oftentimes without receipts; I am also, therefore, unable to furnish an accurate list of either my casu- alties or prisoners captured from the enemy. I think my casualties, from May 5 to August i, will number between 5,000 and 6,000 men, and tiie captures in prisoners will ex- ceed 2,000." At the close of this report he annexes the following tabu- lated statement of his casualties : Casualties in the cavalry corps. Army of the Potomac, Major-General P. H. Sheridan, commanding, from May 4 to July 30. 1864 ; F'irst Division — Killed: Officers 15, privates 247. Wound- ed : Officers 67, privates 965. Missing : Officers 17, privates 553- Aggregate, 1,854. Second Division — Killed : Officers 20, privates 145. Wounded : Officers 59, privates 782. Missing : Officers 24, privates 354. Drowned: Privates 2. Aggregate, 1,386. Third Division — Killed: Officers 14, privates 79. Wounded: Officers 35, privates 486. Missing: Officers 37, privates 992. Aggregate, 1,643. Grand Total — Killed : Officers 49, privates 471. Wounded : Officers 161, privates 2,223. Missing: Officers 78, privates 1,899. Drowned: Privates 2. Aggregate, 4,883. THE DRAGOONS FOUGHT TO KILL. It would appear from this he did not " march when and where he pleased," for he lost in killed, wounded and missing as many troops as we had in the two divisions, Hampton's and Lee's, put together; Hampton's division consisting of three brigades, Butler's, Rosser's aiid Young's, and Fitz Lee's of two, Wickham's and Lomax's ; and there must have been " almost a total annihilation " of the Federal instead of the Rebel cavalry. Our ranks were terribly decimated, but he 23 never presented himself that our thin ranks were not always ready and willing to meet and fight him. Gen. Torbert, commanding the first division of Sheridan's cavalry corps, says in his report of Hawes's Shop : May 28. — The 6th corps arrived and relieved the cavalry from this position, and the division was ordered to Hawes's Shop to support Gen. Gregg's division (the second), which had been ordered to that point early in the mornmg. Here the enemy was met in strong force, the supposition is, all of them cavalry. I was directed to send Gen. Custer's brigade to support Gen. Gregg, and his brigade went into action across the road leading from Hawes's Shop to Mechanics- ville, and it lo-t heavily in both officers and men, but it pun- ished the enemy equally if not more severely." THE TESTIMONY OF GEN. CUSTER. Gen. Custer in his official report, after describing the ope- ratic^ns of his brigade of Michigan troops at Hawes's Shop, says : From an examination of the ground after the engage- ment it was ascertained that the loss of the enemy vvas far heavier than during any previous engagement of the same extent and duration. The havoc was particularly great in Butler's brigade of mounted infantry, composed of seven large regiments, principally from South Carolina." Instead of *' seven large regiments," there were but two from Butler's Brigade, all South Carolinians ; so that your heroism and gallantry on that day must have been most con- spicuous and daring to have been estimated at more than three times your number. I wish the proper limits of this address permitted me to make other and more copious ex- tracts from the reports of the Federal officers, all uncon- sciously bearing strong evidence of your gallantry and splendid courage. I must, however, content myself for the present with one or two others. Gen. Gregg, commanding the 2nd division of Sheridan's cavalry corps, says, referring to Hawes's Shop: "The 1st brigade of this division first engaged the enemy, and with such spirited determination as to develop the 24 entire strength of the enemy. This necessitated the employ- ment of two regiments of the 2d brigade. The contest be- came exceedingly stubborn. The enemy, largely outnumber- ing the force which I had to engage, was yet unable to do more than hold his position, and from this he was driven at different points. For some hours the contest was thus main- tained under a destructive fire, the lines of the contending forces being closely drawn up to each other," &c. He then gives his losses in this engagement at " 256 killed and wounded." Where the troops were that largely outnumbered his is a mystery. The outnumbering was largely the other way. Col. John W. Kester, commanding ist New Jersey cavalry, 2nd division, in his report, says : " The enemy directed his fire at this part of the line, and the severest cavalry fighting of the war raged for two hours in our front. The enemy was a new brigade from South Carolina, armed with Enfield rifles, and was very formida- ble," &c. I could multiply extracts from these reports which would be interesting but scarcely appropriate on this occasion. They embrace Hawes's Shop, Matadaquin Creek, Trevilian's Station, White House, Nance's Shop, or St. Mary's Church, &c. For the want of time, I take no note of the frequent and sometimes desperate encounters we had with the enemy be- tween the end of what we know as the Trevilian campaign, the latter part of July, 1864, and our transfer to South Caro- lina in January, 1865, nor of our long and wearisome march through South and North Carolina, on the flanks of Sher- man's columns, and of our daily skirmishes, combats, and affairs with his infantry and cavalry raiders and bummers. We were reduced to a small column, but we did our best to the end, and then yielding our swords to an overwhelming force of superior numbers, we returned to our homes with paroles of honor, which have been observed for these long years with imfaltering fidelity. It is a significant fact, and one of which every man who 25 served in this brigade of South Carolinians should be justly gratified and proud, that more conspicuous mention is made by our enemies of its action in these various battles, combats, engagements, &c., than any other command in the cavalry corps of the Army of Northern Virginia. We may refer to this with pride and without derogating in any respect from our gallant comrades. THE DRAGOONS NEVER LOST HEART. Our disabled horses and decimated ranks never broke the spirit or lowered the morale of this gallant band of Confeder- ate soldiers, and on another occasion I shall endeavor to give such a narrative of their military operations as will give them that conspicuous and deserving place in the history of the trying campaigns in which they fought with so much dis- tinction and gallantry. The Charleston Light Dragoons have reason to be proud of their identification with this command. They had common glories and sufferings and a common history after the organization of the brigade. The Federal cavalry commanders deal very summarily and gingerly with the Trevilian Station fight, especially the second day, (June the I2th), when our brigade repulsed seven distinct desperate assaults on our lines, and compelled the enemy's retreat under cover of night. We bore the brunt almost alone of these shocks of battle, and punished Sheri- dan's raiders as they never had been punished before. I in- corporate here extracts from the report of our own distin- guished commander, Gen. Hampton : Hampton's words of praise. ''At daylight my division was ready to attack at Trevilian [Station,] [M. C] Butler's and [P. M. B.] Young's brigades being held for that purpose, while Rosser was sent to cover a road on my left. Soon after these dispositions were made, Gen. Lee sent to infoi m me that he was moving out to attack. Butler was immediately advanced and soon met the enemy, whom he drove handsomely until he was heavily reinforced and took position behind works. Young's brigade was sent to reinforce Butler, and these two brigades pushed the enemy 26 steadily back, and I hoped to effect a junction with Lee's division at Clayton's Store in a short time; but while we were driving the enemy in front, it was reported to me that a force had appeared in my rear. Upon investigation I found this report correct. The brigade which had been engaging Gen. Lee having withdrawn from his front, passed his left and got into my rear. This forced me to withdraw in front and to take up a new line. This was soon done, and the brigade, (Custer's), which had attacked me in rear was severely pun- ished, for I recalled Rosser's brigade, which charged them in front, driving tliem back against Gen. Lee, who was moving up to Trevilion [Station] and capturing many prisoners, in this sudden attack on my rear, the enemy captured some of my lead horses, a few ambulances and wagons, and three caisons. These were all recaptured by Gens. Rosser and Lee, the latter taking in addition four caisons and the headquar- ters wagon of Brig. Gen. Custer. The new line being estab- lished, I directed Gen. Lee to join me with his command as soon as possible. The enemy tried to dislodge me from my nev\' position but failed, and the relative positions of the opposing forces remained the same during the night. The next day at 12 M., Gen. Lee reported to me, and his division was placed so as to support mine in case the enemy attacked. At 3.30 P. M. a heavy attack was made on my left, where Butler's brigade was posted. Being repulsed, the enemy made a succession of determined assaults, which were handsomely repulsed." I regret my own official report of this brilliant success to our arms was destroyed by fire, and that I am unable to pro- duce it here, giving detailed accounts of this and other en- gagements in which you took part." HARD TO HAVE FOUGHT AND FAILED, Your troop was reduced to a handful by the casualties of battle and of the service. You suffered and bled and died as good soldiers do who discharge their duty with dauntless courage and daring audacity. It does seem hard, and the very cruelty of fate, that so much suffering, sacrifice, depri- vation, fortitude and courage could not have been crowned with success. But it must be right, as human events are regarded- Some overruling Power, stronger than the pur- poses and ambitions of man, however honestly maintained. 27 decreed otherwise. We have nothing but to bow our acqui- escence, summoning to our aid the consoling reflection that we did our duty as we saw and understood it. I have sometimes thought it would have been better if we could have been numbered with the " Dead on the field of battle" than survived the cause we held so dear — but am admonished of the impropriety of such a thought. We must have been permitted to survive for some good purpose. If we use that survival for the good and honor and glory of that country for whicli we fought, Vv^e shall at least have credit for being worthy brothers of our dead comrades. The dig- nity of that courage which overcomes the humiliation of defeat, without dishonor or loss of self-respect, is higher and grander than that which carries the soldier into the de'adly breach." JEFFERSON DAVIS AND ROBERT E. LEE. Those of us who were less conspicuous in the great con- flict have a priceless example in the self-respecting dignity and heroic fortitude of the two great men who represented the civil and military heads of the Confederate Government, Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee. Cowardly malignity and petty spite miay attempt to impair the symmetry of their illus- trious characters, but they " will live in the hearts of their countrymen " as among the best types of American states- man and soldier the country has ever produced. They will live, too, honored, respected and revered for their high, in- corruptible qualities, when their traducers and their traducers' idols will be remembered only for the perversity of their re- venge and unreasonableness of their hatred. So, my friends and comrades and brethren of the battle- field, bivouac and camp, cherishing all that is nobi.e and glo- rious and charitable in our fellow-countrymen on both sides of the pfreat strug-o-le, honoring- the brave and true wherever we may meet or find them, let us draw the veil of forgetful- ness and oblivion between us and all that is mean, or sordid, or coward 1}'. We will call the roll of our dead comrades around this 28 monument of your regard and affection. How many sur- vive to answer? Only out of — no matter now — we must continue to call that roll until the echoes of the bugle that summoned us to battle, die away across the frontier that divides us from eternity." Gen. Butler's oration was delivered with great feeling, and was heartily applauded. In his closing words, when he paid a glowmg tribute to the tv/o men who illustrated the states- man and soldier of the Confederacy, there was a genuine burst of applause, in which none joined more heartily than the large number of ladies present. AN HONORED HEIRLOOM. At the close of Gen. Butler's oration, Gen. Rutledge, hold- ing the battle flag of the Dragoons in his hand, called Capt. Stoney to the stand and committed the colors to his keeping in the following remarks : Capt. Stoney : You have heard recounted, with soldiery frankness, the deeds of the company you now command. The survivors of the war organization have deputed me, who had the honor of leading the company into the war and of reorganizing it again during the troublous period that fol- lowed its close, to deliver to you its flag. There is no stain upon it. No blemish defaces it. It is as pure and unsullied as the honor it represents. Take it. Captain, cherish it, and let it be in your hands and in those of j^our successors for- ever, what it has been, the symbol of gallantry, fortitude and patriotism. Capt. Stoney received the flag in behalf of the Light Dragoons with a few well-timed remarks, expressive of the gratitude of the Dragoons for the trust confided to them, their reverence for the flag and the memories of the glorious heroes who fought under it, and their appreciation of the honorable responsiblity that attached to its custody, and promising that, when the bugle sound to duty was heard, the Charleston Light Dragoons would not cause their forebears to blush, nor the fair women to be ashamed of them. 29 The young ladies of the Confederate Home then encircled the base of the monument with bouquets of roses, and the audience was dismissed with the benediction by the Rev. Dr. Thompson. The survivors of the Dragoons had a reunion last night at the residence of Gen. B. H. Rutledge, No. 40 South Battery. INCIDENTS. The graves of the Confederates in different parts of Mag- nolia Cemetery were tastefully decorated. The sacred spot where the gallant young Irishman, Capt. John C. Mitchell, rests in dreamless sleep, was covered with fresh and fragrant flowers. They were placed there by one who reveres the cause for which he died. \_Editovial of the Charleston Ncivs and Courier, of May iith^ i886:\ "C. L. D." A soldier spoke of soldiers, to soldiers and their sons and daughters, at Magnolia yesterday. It was a soldierly address, clear in conception, high in tone, simple in statement, thrill- ingly eloquent in its history of the valorous endurance of the knightly band of Carolinians — of Charlestonians — who rode with Rutledge. with Butler, with Hampton, with Stuait, on hard-fought fields, and who, in their very first engagement, deported themselves with the coolness of veterans. Benisons for the dead ! Hope and courage for the living ! And benisons and hope, and faith besides, for the sons of the heroes who made green fields incarnadine so many years ago^ and who, in their living and dying, taught their descendants — the young men whose pulses beat fast, and whose eyes burned bright on yesterday, to dare, and do and suffer for their country, which is all our cormtry — these indestructible States, indissolubly united. The sons of those who fought for the South in the days that are gone will be the stay and strength of the American Republic. General Butler, Major-General in the Confederate army as 30 he was, and Senator of the United States as he is, was attuncil to the events of which he spoke, for he had oftentimes Ic.i where these dead, to be so commemorated in everlasting grey granite, had followed without question or doubt. It was for him, as orator of the day, to show by what he is and what he was, that the true Union men to-day are the honest soldiers who fought for their States a quarter of a century ago. They take back nothing. They complain of nothing. They are by God's will, in a land which, in name, is not what they had dreamed of and bled for. But, as they were true to the old, they are true to the new. The one thing, the only thing, they cannot descend to, these men of the stamp of the chival- rous Dragoons and their spokesman, is to profess a contri- tion which could not be sincere, or to admit, or feel, that they are, in any way, below those who fought or talked on the other side in the cruel war ; or that there is any need, or right, for these Southern people, these Ex-Confederates, to act less frankly, to be less outspoken, in the cause of the United States — our country — than the politicians who began to reap the fruits of victory before victory was won, and whose only suffering was in seeing friend and neighbor go gladly forth to the struggle, which was luxury plus safety to the Northern shrieker for Southern blood. But the dead repine not. Their ashes are as free from heat as should our sorrowing be. The record is made up; the symmetrical shaft, in the midst of the live oaks and on the border of the waters blue, points unerringly to tlie azure sky. The story of life and death is chronicled. And for these Dragoons, as for the Confederate dead everywhere and at all times, there is and shall be the silent sympathy of love. / ■i