Author Glenn Beck shares incredible story of wartime bravery
Radio host Glenn Beck shared Wednesday an incredible story of wartime bravery and charity — and you’ve probably never heard of it.
The story, dating back to the American Civil War, involves neither gun nor bayonet, but water.
“I want to tell you a story that we left out of the book Miracles and Massacres because we just didn’t have enough room for all of the great stories,” Beck began. “But this one took place in the upper room of Mrs. Stevens’ house. The general was sitting in there. It was during the Civil War. It was (Confederate) General (Joseph) Kershaw, and he was puffing on his cigar and sipping his black coffee and there was a knock on the door and he bellowed, ‘Come on in.’”
A young soldier entered.
“A young voice, followed by a hairless face to match, said, ‘Sir.’ The general was sitting there. He was pretty satisfied by the one-sided victory that he had had, and he had patience for a visit today. Usually he wouldn’t. He said, ‘What is it, Kirkland?’
The young man entered the room. He said, ‘I can’t do it, General. Please, I just, I can’t do it.’ The general gazed out the window and he bodies laying in what was now no man’s land between the lines of the Union and Confederate armies. 8,000 enemy soldiers strewn across the ground,” Beck said. “They were mostly dead, but many were wounded and unable to get off the battlefield.”
Private Kirkland, Beck continued, said: ‘The men, sir, the men, I’ve listened to them cry out all night. I know they hate us, sir, and I know we hate them, but they’re men, sir.”
“What is it you’re proposing, Private?” Beck said, imitating the general.
“Just that I’d like to bring water to the men, sir.”
“To the enemy?”
“Yes, sir. All of our men have been gathered.”
“I can’t authorize that, Private. You’ll be shot the moment you clear the wall.”
Kirkland had already considered this.
“I know, sir, but I’m willing to take that chance.” Kirkland said
The general answered: “I don’t get it, son, but go ahead.”
Beck continued: “The private turned and left. General Kershaw listened to his boots thump down the stairs of the house and he heard them stop halfway. He laughed to himself, ‘Must have come to his senses,’ thought the general. But once again, the door quietly squeaked open and Private Kirkland came back into the room. ‘Sir?’ ‘Yes, private.’ ‘Would you mind, sir, if I waved this white handkerchief?’ ‘Private, you do not have the authorization to do any such thing. There will be no truce flag waved on this battlefield.’”
“Yes, sir,” Kirkland responded.
“Private Kirkland left the house, marched back to his unit perched up on a hill. Whether he gathered as many canteens and blankets as he could carry. Then without any cover, he climbed over the fence, soldiers on both sides tensed their weapons, waiting,” Beck said. “Kirkland approached a downed soldier who was crying out for water, a soldier from the other side. He lifted the soldier’s head and gave him water. Covered him with a blanket and propped his head up. One down, so many to go, no shots fired.”
“In fact, as Kirkland went from soldier to soldier, cheers, cheers rang out from both sides. What a sight to behold. One gray coat in a sea of blue. It was the Battle of Fredericksburg, a victory for the South,” Beck added. “You see, Kirkland fought for the Confederacy, you know, the villains, the side opposite of Lincoln. But even though the Union lost that day, the Angel of Mary’s Heights is what they started to call Kirkland, made it a victory for all of America, a victory for all mankind.”
In addition to his work as a radio host, TV personality and author, Glenn Beck is an acclaimed motivational speaker. For information on how to bring him to your next event, visit www.premierespeakers.com/glenn_beck.
Written by Becket Adams
Source: The Blaze
