Anderson Intelligencer

May 26, 1914

Page 44

SOME WHO SERVED

Anderson Soldiers, Some of Whom Have Passed Away – Part 3

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RICHARD C. WILSON, of Hershy Creek.  Joined the 20th Regiment in May, 1863.  Returned in May, 1865.  In that time had one furlough of ten days and Fleet Clinkscales who now lives near Bolton was his lieutenant. Spoke of a battle on the Potomac where the opposing armies marched side by side for quite a distance.  Says the bloody battles were not as gruesome as witnessing the shooting of three deserters on Sullivan’s Island.  Mr. Wilson regrets that he kept no diary during the war as memory fails him to tell much of his experiences.  He, like many of the old soldiers, can’t be brought to____ of his bravery.  He is a grand old man and has lived a temperate life.  Now that he is in his 79th year he is still hale and hearty and like his old comrades, the salt of the earth.

S. R. COBB—Joined the Light Artillery, Co. F, did duty on the const. of Edisto Island.  Mr. Cobb was that of a lanyard puller.  Mr. Cobb has such a youthful face that it is hard to realize that he is now nearing his 70th year.

J. P. COX—Served in Co. G, Second Rifles.  Mr. Cox’s war record is one of interest not that he had many close calls, but from the fact that he has it in him to make the best of the situation and to hear him talk war, you would never forget for the time all its seriousness.  When asked if wounded during the struggle he replied, “You wouldn’t expect a man to get shot with the good legs I had.”  Yes, Polk Cox found fun throughout it all.  Even the morning after he reached home and was wakened by a Yankee pulling toes he told him to hold up and wait till he could show his parole papers, which he did after the Yankee handed him his trousers.  But in the same room was his brother Newton Cox who had no parole and when the Yankee asked for his parole he quickly replied “it is downstairs.”  Then the two brothers realized they had to get busy for the yard was full of Yankees.  But the Cox boys were too smart for them and as they marched down the stair steps, Polk slipped his parole into his brother’s hand, so for the time they were safe.  But Polk knowing they would have to show it to the crowd and all at the same time, he told his brother he had better get away which he did by slipping through the house to the back and, jumping from the kitchen window, made his escape.

H. A. GRIFFIN—Entered service in Co. D, Hampton’s Legion; he was one of the band and began his duty in Virginia, from there to Tennessee.  Was at Chickamauga during the fierce battle there where many were killed on both sides.  From there to Lookout Mountain, then in a severe fight at Willis Valley, where our side was badly defeated.  Then to Knoxville, Tenn., where the regiment was held in reserve.  From there to Bull’s Gap, Tenn.  Then back to Virginia where he did picket for some time.  In several battles around Richmond farther down at a tight fight at Riddle’s Shop.  Then back to Richmond and soon surrendered at Appomattox.

J. P. MATTOX—Served in Co. C, Palmetto’s Sharpshooters.  Mr. Mattox was in several fights, and has promised to give an account of the Seven Days’ Fight, which we know will be very interesting.  Captain Prue Benson and Col. Sloan were in command.

J. F. MITCHELL—Entered the war in 1861.  Served in Co. K, Orr’s Regiment, until close of war.  Was never a prisoner, but received a severe wound at the battle of Chancellorsville, he has never fully recovered from this wound.  This battle was fought the 3rd of May, 1863, and Mr. Mitchell believes to have been one of the worst in the Civil War.

J. D. PINSON—Entered the army in Co. E, Hampton’s Legion.  Was in the war from the beginning to the end.  Says he believes he was in the first battle and also the last.  At Riddle’s Shop Mr. Pinson happened to an accident, which came very near ending his life.  In preparing to enter this fight his horse became unruly and scared, then fell back and Mr. Pinson was pinned beneath which dislocated his left hip and disabled him from service for three months.  Mr. Pinson gives elsewhere the battle of Sharpsburg as he saw it.

LEWIS SMITH—Served his country in Co. I, Second South Carolina Rifle Regiment, was wounded once but not seriously.  Thinks a hymn book in his breast pocket saved his life as the ball passed through this book and was somewhat spent.  During the fight of the Wilderness he stood near the tree which was cut down with balls.  The tree measured 18 in. through.  Mr. Smith is now very feeble, and regrets so much that he cannot attend the function.  Mr. Smith is a farmer and one of Anderson county’s best men.

B.     C. SMITH of Toney Creek—Volunteered in Co. H, First South Carolina

Regiment.  Served as a guard on coast and was not in any battles, but did duty from Charleston to Fayetteville.  Mr. Smith was but a youth at the time of the outbreak of the war, but nevertheless he was a brave boy.

C.     T. TOLLISON—Entered the service at the first of 186_ in Co. E, Hampton’s

Legion.  Says his first trying time was on the 23rd of October, 1863, in Willis Valley in Tennessee, near Lookout Mountain.  Told of an address that night about 11 o’clock from Gen. Mart Gary, who knowing there was a hot time ahead for them, asked that all who felt they couldn’t stand the racket to step to the front, but not a man moved.  That night the countersign was “Jackson.”  Mr. Tollison says he thinks it a miracle how men escaped with their lives.  He told of one battle where they fought for two hours within thirty-five yards of the enemy.  Mr. Tollison has reason for believing war the worst thing on earth.  In leaving for the war three brothers and two brothers-in-law accompanied him, and out of the six only two returned, Mr. Tollison and one brother-in-law, and this brother-in-law more dead than alive.  Almost shot to pieces, and has been a helpless cripple ever since.  Then, continued Mr. Tollison the death of my three brothers killed my parents.  They died with a broken heart.  Mr. Tollison was in many severe battles but never wounded- only heart sore because he was the only “boy” to come back to the old home.

 [Transcribed by Sharon Strout]