Duiring the Battle of Fredericksburg in December of 1862,the sector of Marye's Heights was more slaughter than battle. The Confederate troops were concealed safely in the sunken road behind a stone wall of the Heights. Amazingly the Federal troops made six bloody attempts to take Marye's heights.
After the battle, moved by the cries of the wounded Federal Soldiers, Sgt. Kirkland, at risk to his own life, went amound the wounded bringing them water. The soldiers of both sides cheered and ceased their firre for the hour and a half it took Sgt. Kirkland to make the dying moments of his enemy easier.
On September 20, 1863, Kirkland, promoted to Lieutenant, was killed in the Battle of Chichamauga. |
