Robert Lewis Myers - my brother by Mrs. CW Reed

Recalling the past with Mrs. Charlie Wiley Reed

Robert Lewis Myers

Notes by Norman E. Reed (dates unknown)

As told to Norman E. Reed by his mother Mrs. C. W. Reed (Mrs. Charlie Wiley Reed)

                        

Robert Lewis Myers

Confederate Soldier

 

While Robert Lewis Myers was in the service at Charleston, S. C. he knew they were going to surrender at Appomattox, Virginia. He asked his commanding officer if he had to walk all the way to Virginia and back? Robert was so weak from having measles out under log (?) in Virginia. It was snowing and the only thing he had to eat was roast corn from the field. His feet were sore from marching. The officer said he couldn’t tell him what to do. That night he swam the river with his pack and rifle. After making his way to his home out in the country from Saint Matthews, he hid in the woods.

 

Sherman had stolen all the horses but left one old cripple. That was all his wife had to work with. The two sons were in the garden with their mother when the dog went running to the woods and came back. The dog did this the third time and his wife said she would follow the dog and see what he wanted.  There, by a big log, was her husband. He said he had deserted and would like to get to the house to stay until news was received that the war was over. She carried him to the loft of the barn so he wouldn’t be found and had a servant put a mattress there for him to sleep. She burned all his clothes except his uniform. He didn’t have anything else that was fit to wear or of any use.

 

The cup that Mrs. C. W. Reed has was carried by Robert Lewis Myers during the war.

 

Note – his brother Judson settled in Sumter, S. C. and some of his decedents live there. Also in Camden, S. C.

 

Sent by N.E. Reed’s son, Don Reed to Tom Reed 12-2021. Retyped into Word.