Angel of Marye's Heights

Started by LongBlade, December 15, 2012, 12:59:51 AM

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LongBlade

December 15, 2012, 12:59:51 AM
I just ran across a great article discussing the compassion that may have taken place in the battle of Fredericksburg

QuoteCrouching on the other side of the wall, the Confederates who had inflicted such devastation on the unfortunate federals listened to their enemies' piteous pleas. Some no doubt reveled in their grisly work, but most remained silent and grim-faced, knowing that the Yankees' horrific fate could have easily been their own.

At last, the wounded men's cries became too much for one rebel soldier to bear. Sgt. Richard Kirkland, Company G, Second South Carolina Infantry, left the lines and made his way to the nearby Stevens' house where his brigade commander, Gen. Joseph B. Kershaw, had his headquarters. According to Kershaw's later account, the young Kirkland said he could no longer stand to hear "those poor people crying for water" and asked permission to go over the wall with filled canteens to relieve their suffering.

Source: http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/14/the-angel-of-maryes-heights/
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

Martok

#1
December 15, 2012, 01:22:32 PM
Another story I'd never heard before.  Thanks for the link chief. 

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Electric_Strawberry

#2
December 15, 2012, 04:09:10 PM
A very moving story.  Thanks.

besilarius

#3
December 15, 2012, 05:48:38 PM
Back in the 60s, the centennial, I'm pretty sure that Life magazine had a painting of this.
"Most gods throw dice, but Fate plays chess, and you don't find out until too late that he's been playing with two queens all along".  Terry Pratchett.

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LongBlade

#4
December 15, 2012, 05:56:40 PM
The entire article is worth reading if you haven't yet.

There is some dispute whether it was one guy or many, but most accounts seem to agree that at some point at least one Confederate went over the wall to help the Union wounded.
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
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