Sunnyside continued-12

 

Confederate cavalry under the command of Joseph Wheeler was held up near the ruins of the Griswoldville Pistol Factory. The factory was once the Griswold Cotton Gin and was converted in 1862. It manufactured a brass-frame Confederate Colt”. It is the most common of all Confederate revolvers. It was a six-shot, .36 caliber weapon, with a 7 ½ inch barrel.  

Joseph ordered Private Lee Needham to report to him. On May 2, 1863, while fighting in Chancellorsville, Virginia, Private Needham sustained a gunshot wound to his right hand and wrist. On December 2, 1863, he was admitted to the Macon, Georgia hospital for treatment of his injuries. He was an admirable courier.

Joseph wrote a letter to William Faulk, cautioning him to make preparations for the battles occurring in the vicinity. Private Needham was delegated to promptly deliver the letter to Mr. Faulk, and he fulfilled the task.

After receiving the letter, William hitched up his buggy right away. He put a couple dried ears of corn and aprons in it. Not wasting any time, he made a beeline to Richland Church and his brother's house, Sunnyside.

When William Faulk arrived at Richland Church, he was caught off guard to see it being used as a medical aid station for soldiers. He tied his buggy to the baptismal pool, which was also used by to water horses. Mose Rouse greeted him by saying "Hey there Mr. Faulk, how come you’re out here? You didn't know that Sherman's army is skirmishing throughout the area, right?" "Yeah, I do" replied William. "In fact that's why I'm here". He then handed an ear of corn to Mose and kindly asked him to hang it by the well, together with a bucket and dipper. Puzzled, Mose asked why, to which Faulk no-so-politely replied that there was no time to explain and to just trust him. After a bit of hesitation, Mose obeyed.

William walked up to the front of the church, where he could see a number of of soldiers and civilians being cared for. Suddenly, one of the soldiers called out, "Brother!" which caught William's attention. As he looked over to the soldier, he was laying there with his left hand slightly out in front of his stomach, with his palm facing upwards, and his right hand was placed horizontally across the left, a few inches above it. William went over and greeted the soldier, asking him his name - he replied that it was 'Solomon'. In all of the confusion surrounding the porch William noticed Charlotte Rouse, he  went over to her with a kind smile, saying "Charlotte, I need you to tie this apron around the porch column. Could you please ask your brother to put Private Solomon in my buggy and take him to the Macon hospital for me?". Charlotte gave a small nod, saying "Yes sir".

William grabbed an apron and wrapped it around an extra ear of corn from the buggy as the soldier was being loaded. Before he set out on his four-mile hike to Sunnyside. He silently said a prayer asking for the strength to make it there in time. After he passed Richland Academy, he noticed a faint light in the distance, and his heart started racing at the thought of Union Soldiers potentially waiting. However, as he got closer he heard a voice asking about his purpose.