Camp Hardee's resolutions in memory of Capt. T. J. Hickman

Transcription

Read from the image (line breaks not kept). The resolution on the Rev. Luman S. Handley, which fills the rest of the first column, is left out where marked.

TWO RESOLUTIONS BY CAMP HARDEE

DR. L. S. HANDLEY AND CAPT. T. J. HICKMAN HONORED AT MEMORIAL MEETING HELD BY THE CAMP YESTERDAY

At the regular semi-annual meeting of Camp Hardee, United Confederate Veterans, yesterday afternoon, resolutions in memoriam of the late Dr. L. S. Handley and Comrade T. J. Hickman were adopted.

The meeting was largely attended and a number of feeling addresses were made to the resolutions.

The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. E. A. Wright, who read from Revelations, 14:12-13.

Those speaking to the resolutions were R. G. Hewett, D. R. Dunlap, the Rev. E. A. Wright, C. M. Sturgis, J. P. Willoughby, Gen. John W. Bush, Judge N. B. Feagin and others.

[A resolution of thanks for the Christmas dinner fund for the old soldiers at Mountain Creek, and the resolution in memoriam of the Rev. Luman S. Handley, signed by D. R. Dunlap, chairman, J. P. Willoughby, A. C. Oxford, James H. Fowles and J. W. Bush, are not transcribed.]

J. T. HICKMAN. [sic]

"Be it resolved, That in the death of Capt. Thomas Jefferson Hickman Camp Hardee has lost one of its most esteemed members. That we will always cherish his memory and strive to emulate his virtues, and that whatever faults he may have seemed to possess shall be covered by the same mantle of charity that we would expect for our selves.

"That we will strive so to live, that when we are summoned to answer to the final roll call on high we may be as ready to respond as he was.

"That a copy of these resolutions and the accompanying statement be spread upon the records of this camp and that a copy of the same be given to the family of our deceased comrade.

"R. G. HEWITT.
"J. L. DARBY.
"J. F. M'LAUGHLIN."

One of the speakers said of Captain Hickman:

"Thomas Jefferson Hickman enlisted as a private in Company B, Tenth regular Alabama volunteers, at the organization of that company. This regiment was sent to Virginia and was engaged in nearly all the principal battles fought in that state. Tom Hickman was always on hand. He received his first baptism of fire at Drainsville, was at Williamsburg, Grainsmill, Cold Harbor, second Manasses, with Jackson at Harper's ferry, at Sharksburg [sic] under Longstreet, among the reserves at Fredricksburg; faced Sedgewick's 30,000 at Salem church, was at Gettysburg, where he was severely wounded, was at the Wilderness, Spottsylvania courthouse, second Cold Harbor, Crater, Weldon railroad, Burgiss' mill, and lastly, at High Bridge, where he was severely wounded and captured.

"He was elected third lieutenant of Company B in 1863, serving with this rank till the summer of 1864, when, after the death of Lieutenant Worthington, he was promoted to second lieutenant, and after the death of Lieutenant Davis he became first lieutenant. In the fall of 1864 Captain McMillan resigned and Hickman became captain of the company, which he commanded up to the day of his capture, about two days before the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox courthouse.

"Captain Hickman was a kind, gentle-spirited officer. No subordinate officer or private soldier could lodge a complaint against Captain Hickman for harsh or unjust treatment; his policy was to lead, not to drive. He never said 'go forward,' but 'come on boys, follow me.' He asked no soldier to go where he was not willing to lead. He was always 'one of the boys.' Marion Higgins and I, two ordinary soldiers, ate from the same tin pan and slept under the same blanket with Captain Hickman, and the arrangement seemed entirely agreeable with him.

"But, comrades, Captain Hickman has left us. The Great Commander has ordered him to report for duty at the headquarters of the army of the invisibles. We shall miss him here; sadness and tears will hold sway for a while, but these will give place to joy and gladness when, in the great reunion up yonder, our Confederate hosts shall be numbered under our beloved leaders, and marched in review before the Lord of hosts, who alone is able to give a righteous judgment as to the justice of the cause for which we fought and the purity of our motives in enlisting.

"Born November 8, 1840, died November 3, 1910."

Citation: "Two Resolutions by Camp Hardee: Dr. L. S. Handley and Capt. T. J. Hickman Honored at Memorial Meeting Held by the Camp Yesterday," The Birmingham Age-Herald (Birmingham, Ala.), Sunday 18 December 1910, p. 2, cols. 5–7; image, Chronicling America, Library of Congress (https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn85038485/1910-12-18/ed-1/?sp=2).