Richard Rowland Kirkland enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1861, not long after war was declared. On December 13, 1862, Kirkland’s unit had formed at the stone wall at the base of Marye’s Heights near Fredericksburg, Virginia. Kirkland gathered all the canteens he could carry, filled them with water, then ventured out onto the battlefield.
About Richard Rowland Kirkland in brief
Richard Rowland Kirkland enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1861, not long after war was declared, before his older brothers. On December 13, 1862, Kirkland’s unit had formed at the stone wall at the base of Marye’s Heights near Fredericksburg, Virginia. Kirkland gathered all the canteens he could carry, filled them with water, then ventured out onto the battlefield. He ventured back and forth several times, giving the wounded Union soldiers water, warm clothing, and blankets.
Soldiers from both sides watched as he performed his task, but no one fired a shot. On September 20, 1863, he and two other men took command of a charge near Snodgrass Hill during the Battle of Chickamauga. Realizing they had advanced too far forward of their own unit, 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. \”
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