Richard Rowland Kirkland

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Memorial to Richard Kirkland by Felix de Weldon, 1965, Fredericksburg

Richard Rowland Kirkland , called "The Angel of Marye's Heights", (* August 1843 , † September 20, 1863 ) was a soldier in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War . He was best known for his bravery and humanitarian actions during the Battle of Fredericksburg . He provided drinks to the injured enemy soldiers of the Potomac Army , begging for water, who had been left between the lines after the unsuccessful attack on Marye's Heights, despite their death. However, some consider his actions to be a myth.

Life

At the age of 17, he and his three brothers signed up for service in the federal army.

Honors

In 1933 the poet Sarah Norcliffe Cleghorn dedicated the poem The true ballad of the Camden boy to him . In 1944 children built a fountain in his memory. In 1965 a monument designed by Felix de Weldon was erected for him.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Confederate Military History, Volume 12 : The Angel of Fredericksburg . As of June 2, 2011
  2. ↑ Is the Richard Kirkland Story True?
  3. ^ Opportunity: A Journal of Negro Life , National Urban League , 1944, p. 223 [1] .
personal data
SURNAME Kirkland, Richard Rowland
BRIEF DESCRIPTION confederate soldier
DATE OF BIRTH August 1843
DATE OF DEATH September 20, 1863