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Contributed by Glenn Fields
A Notable Colored Veteran
by C.M. Douglas of Columbia, SC Press
From the July, 1894 issue, Confederate Veteran Magazine.
One of the best-known freedmen in Columbia, South Carolina is old William
Rose, who has been messenger for the governor's office under every
Democratic administration since 1876. His history is worthy a space in the
Veteran.
He is now eighty years of age, but is still active and vigorous enough to be
at his post of duty every day, and nothing delights him more than to take
part in any Confederate demonstration.
William Rose was born in Charleston in 1813, and was a slave of the Barrett
family of that city. He was brought to Columbia when only twelve years old
and was taught the trades of carpenter and tinner. In his younger days he
went out to the Florida War as a drummer in Captain Elmore's company, the
Richland Volunteers, an organization which is still in existence and which
has made a proud record for itself in three wars. Subsequently he went
through the Mexican War as a servant for Captain (afterwards Colonel) Butler
of the famous Palmetto Regiment.
But the service in which he takes the greatest pride was that in the days of
the confederacy. He was the body servant of that distinguished Carolinian
General Maxey Gregg, and as soon as he heard that his beloved master had
fallen on the field at Fredericksburg he rushed to his side as fast as a
horse could take him, and remained with him until the end came. His
description of the death of Gen. Gregg, of his reconciliation with Stonewall
Jackson, and his heroic last message to the Governor of South Carolina are
pathetic in the extreme and are never related by the old man without
emotion.
William saw Cleveland inaugurated and was present at the unveiling of
the soldiers' monument at Richmond and at the recent grand Confederate
reunion at Birmingham. From the latter he returned laden with badges which
he cherishes as souvenirs of the occasion.
For sixty years he has been identified with the Richmond Volunteers and they
never parade without him. About two years ago he presented a gold medal to
the company, which is now shot for as an annual prize. He never forgets
Memorial Day and no 10th of May has passed by since the close of the war
without some tribute from him is placed on the Gregg monument at Elmwood.
Recently he has been given a small pension by the United States for services
in the Florida War.
Old Uncle William is of a class fast passing away. They will not have
successors, but all the world may witness benefactors in Southern whites
until the last of them crosses the dark river.
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