Devotion for the Week of December 14, 2015 - THE ANGLE OF MARYE'S HEIGHTS

THE ANGLE OF MARYE'S HEIGHTS

 
Matthew 5:44, But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”

Luke 6:28, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”
 
Richard Kirkland was born in Flat Rock, Kershaw County, South Carolina on August 1843.  He enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1861, not long after War had been declared, before his older brothers.  He was first assigned to Company E, 2nd South Carolina Volunteer Infantry, but was later transferred to Company G of the same regiment, and was promoted to sergeant.  He first saw action during the First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas), and later in the Battle of Savage’s Station, Battle for Maryland Heights and Battle of Antietam, during which time many of his closest friends from Kershaw County were killed.
 
Kirkland’s unit, the 2nd South Carolina Infantry, was stationed at the now-famous stone wall at the base of Maryes’ Heights where on December 13th they repelled a number of Federal, regimental, suicide assaults.  One after another they came.  When one was repulsed or decimated another was sent against this impregnable wall.   There was a rise less than 100 yards out in front of the wall.  The ground was frozen and after half a dozen assaults the blood flowed so much that it caused the attackers to lose any traction they might have had for getting over this rise.  These conditions worked against the Federals and cause many more causalities.
 
The walking wounded were able to take themselves to rear-echelon hospitals but thousands of wounded were forced to spend the cold, bitter night in the open.  Many having to huddle behind dead soldiers to protect themselves from Confederate bullets.
 
The morning of December 14th brought the sight of an estimated 8,000 killed and wounded men on the field.  The wounded were thirsty, hungry and cold.  Many had frozen during the night.  Sergeant Kirkland listening to the moans and requests for water from the wounded requested sought permission from Brig. Gen. Joseph Kershaw, a fellow South Carolinian and neighbor, to help the wounded.  At first Kershaw denied him permission but then he relented, the only proviso being that he could not display a white flag. Kirkland reluctantly agreed.
 
Filling as many canteens as he could carry, Kirkland ventured into the deadly open space and began to assist the wounded.  As soon as the Federals saw the reason for this lone Confederate being over the wall, unprotected, they ceased firing.  He went back and forth several times, bringing the wounded water, warm clothing and blankets.

Soldiers on both sides watched as he performed his acts of mercy and not a single shot was fired.  With cries from the wounded for water, Kirkland assisted every wounded soldier both Confederate and Federal at his end of the line.  After some time he returned to his place in line with the 2nd South Carolina.
 
Kirkland went on to fight in both the Battle of Chancellorsville and the Battle of Gettysburg where he was promoted to lieutenant.  On September 20, 1863, he and two others took command of a charge near “Snodgrass Hill” during the Battle of Chickamauga.  Realizing they had advanced too far forward, they attempted to return and Kirkland was shot. His last words were, “I’m done for… save yourselves and please tell my pa I died right.”
 
His body was returned home to Kershaw County, South Carolina, and he was buried in the “Old Quaker Cemetery” in Camden.  A friend who later visited the gravesite years later was said to have commented that it was one of the most sequestered, unfrequented, and inaccessible spots for a grave he’d ever seen.  General Kershaw would later be buried in that same cemetery, which also maintains the graves of Civil War General John Bordenave Villepigue and his descendant, World War I Medal of Honor recipient John Canty Villepigue, in addition to World War I Medal of Honor recipient Richmond Hobson Hilton.  In 1965, sculptor Felix de Weldon unveiled a statue in front of the stone wall at the Fredericksburg battlefield in Kirkland’s honor.


 
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