The Angel of Marye's Heights

A Commemorative Christmas Ornament

In Memory of

Sgt. Richard Rowland Kirkland

Company G, 2nd South Carolina Volunteers, CSA

The fierce battle of December 13 on the plain between the town of Fredericksburg and the high ground to the south of town known as Marye's Heights, fortified by Confederate forces along Sunken Road, left dead and dying scattered everywhere. It was from their cries, heart rending to friend and foe alike, that Kirkland found himself called to action... requesting permission to carry water to relieve the suffering of the Union soldiers. Brigadier General Joseph B. Kershaw thought Kirkland's request too dangerous; but, in time, he relented, asking only that Kirkland not display the white handkerchief he had planned to display as it might be taken as a signal of general truce. And, so it was, without the benefit of even a white handkerchief, that Kirkland proceeded on his errand of mercy... a Christ-like mercy. For 1-1/2 hours Kirkland moved from one wounded soldier to another pouring water down fever-scorched throats and leaving many a canteen in his wake... all under watchful eyes of the Federals who held their fire allowing this ministering angel to pursue his errand of mercy.

Sadly, on September 20, 1863, in the battle of Chickamauga, Sergeant Kirkland, Angel of Mercy, was mortally wounded in the chest. Today, Sergeant Kirkland is remembered for that noble day by the statue done by the famous Felix de Weldon, sculptor of the Iwo Jima memorial... to be found along Sunken Road in Fredericksburg, Virginia where the Angel of Marye's Heights had soared that December day in 1862.

Christmas ornaments in polished pewter with attractive silver and green cord for tree hanging, individually gift boxed with mini-brochure telling this poignant story.

It was December 14, 1862, the day after
the Battle of Fredericksburg, that one Richard Rowland Kirkland, Infantry Sergeant, Company G with the 2nd South Carolina Volunteers of the Confederate States of America, put his life on the line in an act of unusual heroism and became forever known as The Angel of Marye's Heights.