Lt. Co. William McLeod - 38th GA inf CSA : That There Be no Stain Upon My Stones

Description

Killed in Action at Gettysburg
.
.
That There Be No Stain Upon My Stones
.
.
Lieutenant Colonel William L. McLeod,
38th Georgia Regiment
1842 - 1863
---------------------
By Michael W. Hofe
Thomas Publications, Gettysburg, PA - 1995
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Condition : Overall Near Fine.
Slightest wear to stiff paper covers
Seems unread.
48
pages, with many illustrations.
-------------------------------------------------------------
From "Boys in Butternut"
The whole story of Col. McLeod may have been lost for eternity if it not for the determined investigation of Gettysburg policeman, Michael W. Hofe. On the morning of November 30, 1993, Corp. Hofe answered at burglary call at the Adams County Historical Society in Gettysburg. A collection of Civil War items had been taken. Hofe received permission to investigate the theft, a matter which is usually left to the detective division. Within two months all of the missing items, except one, were found. The missing item was Col. McLeod's prayer book, "Flowers of Piety."
Apparently before McLeod was buried, the prayer book was given to Sarah Ellen Kime, the daughter of the farm's owner. Corp. Hofe speculated that Sarah may have stopped to read a passage to the Colonel while she was carrying water to the wounded. Despite the viciousness of the war, most people on both sides openly showed their compassion for the wounded. The prayer book was passed down through the family and eventually made it to the museum of the county historical society, until some idiot decided to take it.
Hofe made it his mission to find out as much about Col. McLeod as he could. He read battle reports. He read books about the battle and consulted experts from all over the country. Corp. Hofe contacted Col. McLeod's descendants in Georgia. Swainsboro's "Forest Blade" published articles on the effort to put the story together.
Hofe published the results of his research in a forty eight page booklet he named "That There Be No Stain Upon My Stones."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gen. Robert E. Lee decided in June 1863 that the only way he could defeat the Federal forces was with a strike into the North. Lee's men, triumphant in victory after Chancellorsville, marched north through the cover of the Valley of Virginia into Pennsylvania. Lee ordered a portion of his men to go to the crossroads town of Gettysburg to look for shoes for his men. They had orders not to engage. Little did they know that Gen. John Buford's Federal cavalry was moving toward them. What followed was three of the most horrific and defining days in our country's history.
General John B. Gordon's Brigade was moving from Heidlersburg south to Gettysburg. In mid afternoon, Lt. Col. William McLeod of the 38th Georgia anchored his regiment on Gordon's left along the Harrisburg Road. As Gordon's men moved up, their lines broke while they were fording Rock Creek. Col. McLeod led the charge up the slippery and rocky creek banks. As McLeod was crossing the fence, he was struck in the right temple by a Federal mini ball and fell to the ground. The fatal shot may have come from Pvt. Rich of the 153rd Pennsylvania. The wound was mortal. He was just twenty one years old. The assault continued. The Federals retreated.
Meanwhile back in McLeod's home of Emanuel County, his mamma and daddy, Mary and Neill McLeod, were sitting on the porch of their home. It was a hot day - like most July days in the South. Mary turned to Mr. McLeod and said, "I feel very sad today. I have the feeling that William is not coming home." Moments later the McLeods noticed a white dove fly in, landing on the fence rail in front of their home. Mary turned again and said "I believe William is dead."
Col. McLeod and the other wounded men were carried back to a field hospital on the Kime farm. Moses, Col. McLeod's body servant, heard the news that the Colonel had been shot. Moses searched among the dead and the dying and found Col. McLeod with blood streaming from his head. Moses knew the end was near and tended to the Colonel in his last hours.
Moses gathered the Colonel's lifeless body and wrapped it in a blanket. He then began the arduous work of burying his friend. Many of the servants had a special relationship with their masters. Moses buried Col. McLeod beside a peach tree on the Kime farm. Moses remained with the brigade until after the battle and eventually made it back to Swainsboro.
===================================
Thank you for suppo
rting independent booksellers !
(not bulk resellers who don't know the first thing about what they are selling !)
I pride myself on knowing my stock,
accurate descriptions, and good packing !!!
The Rock Top Book Shop and Bindery
Cashtown, Pennsylvania
=====================================
Thanks for Looking
!!!
o
=====================================
Postage is free
(within Continental US - others at cost)
either by media mail or priority depending upon the final sale price of the items(s).
I always include delivery confirmation, and will insure more expensive packages at my cost.
Check my other auctions for Civil War related books, documents, and ephemera.
Thank you for looking !