Washington Light Infantry Monument
[South side]:
At every board a vacant chair fills with quick tears some tender eye, and at our maddest sport appear those well loved forms that will not die; we lift the glass, our hand is stayed - we jest , a spectre rises up - and weeping, though no word is said, we kiss and pass the silent cup.
This shaft commemorates the patience, fortitude, heroism, unswerving fidelity to South Carolina, and the sacrifices of the Washington Light Infantry in the War Between the States, 1860-1865. One company in peace; three full companies in for the war.
Besides the maimed, wounded and captured, one hundred and fourteen died in battle, in hospital, or on the weary wayside.
In obedience to a sentiment of honor, and the call of duty, and in pledge of their sincerity, they made the last sacrifice - they laid down there lives!
Officers and men, they were of the very flower of this ancient city, her young hope and fair renown.
Fortuna non mutat genus
[East side]:
Co. B
25th Regiment SCV
Furl that banner true tis' gory but tis' wreathed around with glory
And twill' live in song and story though its folds are in the dust
For its fame on brightest paces sung by poets penned by sages
Shall go sounding down the ages furl its folds though now we must
{list of names}
[North side]:
Co A
Hampton Legion Inf'try
And she points with tremulous hand below to the wasted and worn array
Of the heroes who strove in the morning glow of the grandeur that crowned - the gray
Alas for the broken and battered hosts frail wrecks from a gory sea
Tho' pale as a band in the realm of ghosts salute them they fought with Lee.
{List of names}
[West side]
Co A
25th Regiment SCV
Where some beneath Virginian hills and some by green Atlantic rills
Some by the waters of the west a myriad unknown heroes rest
And we can only dimly guess what worlds of all this worlds distress
What utter woe, despair and dearth their fate has brought to many a hearth
{List of names}
Marker can be reached from the intersection of Meeting Street and Broad Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
