HOW GENERAL SEDGWICK WAS
KILLED
by V.M. Fleming, Fredricksburg,
Va.
Thinking you would like an
interesting incident connected with the life of an old
Confederate veteran who passed away April 5, 1908, in his
84th year, I give you the following:
THOMAS BURGESS, the
subject of this little notice, was born in Spartanburg
County, S.C. and died at Jonesville, S.C. some 15 miles
below the town of Spartanburg. He belonged to Company H,
15th Regiment South Carolina Volunteers, Anderson's Division,
Longstreet's Corp.
At the battle of Spottsylvania, May 9, 1864, Jenkins Brigade was thrown on
the right of General Lee's line and left of Spottsylvania
C.H. to watch the enemy approaching in heavy force. This
body of Federal troops was commanded by General John
Sedgwick....Jenkins Brigade was massed in a body of timber with open
field in front. Beyond this open space and some 400 yards
away in front was a heavy pine thicket in which Sedgwick's
Corps was concealed.
A number of Confederate
pickets were thrown out in front of their lines to determine
the exact locality of the Federal force, with positive
instructions not to fire, so as to conceal the where abouts
of Jenkins command, but to watch the movement of the Federal
forces. THOMAS BURGESS, of the 15th S.C. Regiment , was one of
these pickets. While on duty and concealed in front of the
Confederate line they discovered several Federal officers
who rode out in front of their line reconnoitering and
selecting positions for their artillery. The opportunity
being inviting, BURGESS, contrary to orders, fired at one of
the officers, who proved to be General Sedgwick. The shot was
fatal, and Sedgwick was carried back into the Federal lines. I
think he was killed instantly. BURGESS was the only picket
who fired and the fact was settled that he killed Sedgwick;
there can be no question about this.
BURGESS never recurred
to the circumstances in after life; and when the matter was
mentioned in his presence, he always changed the topic of
conversation or retired. Somehow he was sensitive on the
subject- a less sensitive nature would never have viewed the
matter from his angle of observation. During his last night on
earth, though, a week ago, his mind wandered back to the
scenes of that campaign- the 'Bloody Angle', Spotsylvania,
and the tragic death of Sedgwick.
I was at
Jonesville, a few days after his death and was informed that
he would wake up in his passing hours and relate the whole
occurrence. This is a statement of facts an addition to
history.
---
Generously transcribed and submitted by
Nancie
O'Sullivan