Veteran of Two Wars Is Yet Hale and Hearty Uncle Joe Culbreath Talks Very Interestingly of His Experience in War With Mexico The State - June 26, 1910 Saluda, June 25 - Off the public highway, one mile as you travel from Saluda to Johnston, near Pleasant Cross, in Saluda county, there lives not only the oldest but most interesting character in this section of South Carolina.  On July 8 next he will celebrate his 90th birthday, having been born in 1820 at what is now known as Chestnut Hill, four miles south of Chapells in the settlement long ago known as "Scotland." It was on yesterday that this correspondent visited "uncle" Joe Culbreath and listened to him as he talked of the long ago and especially of the Mexican war and the part the famous Palmetto regiment, to which he belonged from the beginning to the end, played in that triumphant campaign.  Although nearing 90 years of age and a veteran of two wars, having fought through the Mexican war and afterwards the War between the States, yet his mind is as clear as a bell and his memory most wonderful. On the piazza of his home, well set back in a grove of giant oaks with open fields on every side, your correspondent found him and despite our protest that he remain seated as we saluted him, he readily arose and extended his hand cheerly greeting us. By his side lay the daily papers which he reads regularly; and without the use of glasses.  He says he has not used glasses in 18 years and really believes he has reached that period in life when the "second sight" returns. After telling him who the stranger was that had called to see him, he was asked to tell something of his ancestry, his early life and recollections and especially to talk about the Mexican and late war. Scotch Ancestry His father was John Culbreath and the son of Joseph Culbreath, the later having been born in Scotland.  The father was born in this county, in the settlement called "New Scotland," where, or near where, Chestnut Hill Baptist church now stands.  About the boyhood home of "uncle" Joe there grew many large chestnut trees and from this incident the church which was founded in 1808 was given its name. When he was 22 years old "uncle" Joe went over into Newberry county and became the overseer of Floyd .  Here he was engaged when the trouble with Mexico became all the talk and war was imminent.  When asked why he enlisted for the Mexican war, he said: "Well, the United States has never had a war from the Revolution down to the Spanish-American war without some of my family being in it.  My great uncle, Edward, whom I remember well, served seven years during the Revolution.  He died about 1830.  In that war his feet were frost bitten and his toes came off.  Not a joint even of any of them was left.  I remember the funny looking square toed shoes he used to wear, and how he would show the condition the rEvolutionary war had left his feet. "As I said, my people had been soldiers before me and when the State called for soldiers I had no family and wanted to fight some myself, I reckon, and joint Capt. Williams company of Newberry and away we started to Columbia.  The first night we camped at Spring Hill, about 20 miles from Columbia.  Soon after striking camp we heard that only one other company was needed and that the company reaching Columbia first would be taken.  We learned that a company from Laurens was on the run to get this place and we set out at once and marched all night.  When we reached Columbia we were told the Laurens company had beat us and been received.  This was a great disappointment to us and our captain said he would get Gov. Johnson to ask the president to let our company go anyway. Corporal to Lieutenant The Laurens company made 10 and my company was the 11th and was called Company L.  In my company there were 92 men all told.  There were only 33 discharged when the war was over.  I went in as fourth corporal and came out a lieutenant.." (The large beautiful gold medal that was presented to "uncle" Joe, abut which more will be said later, bears the inscription, "Lieut. Joseph Culbreath.") "On leaving Columbia my company marched to Hamburg.  While here there came to us one day a small young chap who looked to be about 16 years old.  His name was Allen Little.  He was bound to a tanner.  He asked us if we were going to the Mexican war, and when told we were he begged to be allowed to go with us.  This boy and adam Feagle, who was a member of my company, where the bravest mortals I ever saw.  Both were insensible to fear or danger.  Little was our pet.  In one of the battle in Mexico he was shot in the hand and it was necessary to cut it off.  The boy went to the surgeon with his hand dangling and when asked what he wanted, told the surgeon he wanted this damned hand cut off, and that quick.  Without any anesthetic being administered, he laid the hand up on the table and told the surgeon to cut away.  He cut away, and Little watched the operation without flinching or murmuring. "From Hamburg we went over into augusta and there boarded the train for Atlanta.  From Atlanta we marched across the country 75 miles to a place called Notasulga.  I left home in December 1846.  We were mustered in at Hamburg on the 29th day of January, 1847.  From Notasluga we went by rail to Montgom ery and by boat to Mobile where we took shippens.  We landed at Lobos island off the coast of Mexico near Vera Cruz.  Here we joined the balance of the Palametto regiment commanded by Pierce M. Butler." Butler When asked about Butler, "uncle" Joe, with tears in his eyes, told of his bravery, his regard for his men and how the all idolized him. To get from Lobos island to the ? we went to small boats to within probably fifty years of land.  Here we got out in water waist deep and went on foot.  Butler was in the lead and the scene on the medals given the survivors of the war by the State is a representation of how Butler with uplifted sword led the regiment out to land.  HIs was the first foot of the regiment to touch Mexican soil". There were in all eleven companies making up the Palmetto regiment, according to Mr. Culbreath's statement.  When asked if he could name the captains of each company he gave the following without the least hesitation: Marshall of Abbeville, Kennedy of Laurens, Williams of Newberry, Dessausure of columbia, Sumter of Sumter, Danovant of Chester, Manigault of Charleston, Walker of Lexington, Brooks of Edgefield and Secrease of ---. Of the captains he said every one of them returned home so far as he could recall, not one having been killed or dying of disease. History says the Palmetto regiment contained about 1,200 men.  "Uncle" Joe says there were between 1,000 and 1,100, that the 11 companies averaged a little under 100 men each. Continuing the story he said: "We reached Vera Cruz on March 11, 1847 and at once commenced the seige of the city.  It was no easy matter to get at the enemy.  The city was strongly fortified and not until March 28 did we get a fair shot at it.  During March 28 and the night of the 28th there was scarcely a minute passed without a shell being landed in the city.  On the morning of the 29th the city capituiated.  We literally tore the city to pieces.  My recollection is that we lost only one man in this great fight.  From Vera Cruz General Quitman's division was ordered South to Alvorado, 75 miles.  Our march led along the beach.  Often we were in water knee deep and through deep sand.  We made the march down in three days.  The enemy was gone and the march back was covered in three days.  On this march down and back we had only brackish salt water to drink." Cerro Gorde The description of the battle of Cerro Gordo was most graphic. "On the battle field were found hundreds of dead horses.  The dead of the enemy had been removed." Speaking of the food the Americans had, he said: "Poor beef and poorer sheep which we took from the Mexicans are what we had to eat.  I never go so tired of beef and sheep in all my life and to this day I am prejudice against them both.  It fell to my lot to draw rations fro my company.  the drawing would alternate.  One day the drawing would begin with company 'A', and the next with company 'L', my company.  On one occasion I saw a very fat sheep hanging up on the opposite side of the wagon.  When the time came I went around to get this sheep. Lieutenant Cousar forbade my taking it.  He said he wanted that sheep himself.  The officer in charge of the commissary was sent for and I laid in my claims for that sheep.  Lieutenant Cousar objected.  The officer in charge told me to take it.  I never heard more bitter cursing than Lieutenant Cousar indulged in but I got the fat sheep." And at the memory of this incident the old man laughed until the tears ran down his cheeks. His Tenderness To illustreate the tenderness with which Col. Butler regarded his men and to show why they all idolized him the old veteran told this incident: "We were preparing for the great battle of Churubusco.  I ahd jsut called the roll of my company.  I was very unwell.  Col. Butler rode up clsoe to me and leaning voer toward me, looked me squarely in the face for a moment.  Then he said, "Culbreath, you are a sick man and don't you go into this fight.'  I said, 'Colonel, I did not come here to stay behind; let me go in.'  His reply was, that it didn't matter what I came for, if I or any other sick man went into that fight we would suffer for it if he lived to com out." Here Uncle Joe looke dout across the open fields and a tear sparked in his eyes. Then looking me in the face he said slowly, but with great earnestness: "I did not want to disobey my colonel, but when I saw him leading the gallant charge that gave South Carolina a place in the picture near the flashing of the guns, as he had asked for, I would have been willing to sufer any punishment at his hands rather than have failed to follow him to the death." "Did yhou see Col. Butler after he was killed?" was asked.  And with trembling lips the old man related the following: "It has always been said that Col. Butler was shot squarely in the forehead.  This is a mistake.  His horse was killed under him and he was on foot leading the dangerous and desperate charge.  He was wounded.  Co. Dickenson had just been mortrally wounded.  Butler turned to Col. Gladden and was telling him of his wound and giving him orders what to do in case he became urable to lead the regiment on to the end.  While turned and thus talking to Col. Gladden a bullet from the enemy struck him in the rear of the head, killing him instantly.  I know the wound ws in the back of his head for I was detailed to help bury him after the battle was over.  I helped to put him in the box and it fell to my lot to manage his head.  While I was arranging his head in the box one of my fingers slipped into the wound on the back of his head." Speaking of the burial of Col. Butler he said: "Out from the battlefield a short distance where we had encamped, there was a large level plateau, where there had been a cock pit.  Near the edge of this level space was a large stack of lumber.  We had heard that the Mexicans were guilty of digging up the dead.  We did not want any Mexican to get our colone's body.  So we took up the stack of lumber, piece by piece, beginning at the top, until every piece was moved.  Where the lumber pile had been we dug the grave, a grave large enough for Col. Butler and Lieut. David Adams of edgefield, who was killed near where Col. Butler fell on August 20.  In this grave we placed the boxes and marked the name of Col. Butler on one and that of Adams on the other.  Then we piled the lumber back so taht you could not tell any of it had been moved.  every piece of loose dirt was swept up and carried off." In connection with the burial of Col. Butler, Mr. Culbreath said after he came back from the Mexican war Mrs. Butler sent for him.  In the meantime the colone's body had been shipped back and buried at old Butler church, four miles north of Saluda, where his remains now rest.  Mrs. Butler was greatly distressed by a rumor to the effect that the wrong body had been sent to her.  Continuing he said: "She asked me abut the burial of the body in Mexico and to describe to her the box.  I asked her if she had seen col. Butlers' name marked at a certain place on the gox.  she said she ahd.  I told her that she need have no uneasiness whatever abut it, for  had seen his name place on the box at the point she said it was when the box reached her.” Fall of City After describing the battles of Chapultapec and city Gate the old man told in graphic language of the fall of the city of Mexico and of the planting of the South Carolina flag on the city walls by the Palmetto regiment, the first flag to float over the Mexican capital. Asked the kind of guns the members of the regiment used, he said they were smooth bore, flint and steel muskets, with a range of about 800 years. The gold medal that 'uncle' Joe has is larger than a $20 gold piece and contains abut $50 worth of pure gold. The commissioned officers were each presented with a gold medal and each of the privates with a silver medal. On the outer edge of the medal are the names of Dickerson, Butler and Gladden, the field officers of the regiment, and the motto of the State. Near the upper part is the american eagle and below this the Palmetto tree. On one side of the tree are the figures “1846” and on the other the figures “1847”. Beautifully engraved around the bottom of the trees is the words “Lieut. Joseph Culbraith.” Uncle Joe has always been greatly worried because of the misspelling of his name. On the same side of the medal are the words, “Vera Cruz, Contrera, Churubusco, Chapultapec, Garita DeBelen,” these being the names of the principal battles in which the famous Palmetto regiment took part and on each of these battle fields it rendered gallant and distinguished service. On the reverse side is a representation of the landing of the regiment off the shore of Vera Cruz, the men getting out of the small boats into the water, with col. Butler with uplifted sword leading them ashore. The old veteran, when asked what he was going to do with the medal, paused a moment ans said: “Well, I will leave it to be taken care of, I suppose.” In Many Battles Being shifted from the scenes of the Mexican war to the late war, he said he enlisted in the spring of 1861 and served to the end. “What battles were you engaged in, “Uncle Joe?” he was asked. The reply was, “I was in Longstreet's corps, Kershaw's brigade, and wherever they went I was there. I kept an account of 36 fights and then lost the count. I was the color bearer and the colors were literally torn to shreds. I was ashamed to carry them-they were only strings.” “Can you tell me the closes place you were ever in?” he was asked. “It was at Savage station. With the colors I led out and the men of the company thought my place was out in front and not in the line. We suddenly came upon the enemy and when I would fall back to take my proper place in the line the men would drop back. I yelled to them to come on and when I would lead out they would follow. When I would try to get back in line the line would drop back. Finally I took my seat on a stump some 20 paces in front of my men and facing the enemy. I was between the two fires and I counted 11 holes in the colors when the fight was over.” Although the old man was in nearly all of the hard fights in Mexico and in more than 40 engagements in the War Between the States, he never received a scratch. The nearest to being wounded was when a piece of shell tore off the sole of his shoe in one of the Mexican battles and cut the bottom of his sock into two pieces. For whiskey in Mexico he said they drank a mixture called “Pulque,” and he delights to tell of how on one occasion he manged to drill his company while feeling “pretty good” without making any mistake and being watched so closely by Col. Gladden, who joke him about being “boozy” on Pulque. When mustered into service he measured six feet and one inch and weighted 180 pounds. Today he says his health seems to be as good as it ever was. He eats heartily three meals a day, sleeps like a child and can laugh like a young man. Never Had Law Suit He never had a fight or a law suit and never served on a jury. In reply to the question how he escaped having a fight or a law suit, he said: “Well, I always attend to my own business and let other people's alone and I never said a word behind a man's back that I would not say to his face.” Speaking of his young manhood, he said he did not know his strength or his power of endurance when young, and then recalled how he once went 77 hours without sleep while harvesting in the old way a wheat crop and treading it out, working day and night. In 1866 he married Mrs. Sarah Payne, who still lives and is now 75 years of age. To them have been born sever children, six boys and one girl. The girl died at sever months. Of the boys, five now live, one having died two years ago. The boys living are as follows; W. L. and J. S., twins, J. M. and P. H., twins, and E. C. or “Ebbie,” as the father who lvies with him, calls him. All of the boys are hale manly fellows and live in this county. Uncle Joe is a Baptist and was four a long time a deacon of Chestnut Hill church. The only other member of the Palmetto regiment that he knows to be living is G. H. Abney of Clay, Mississippi, with whom he has recently corresponeded. Abney was severely wounded at Churubuso the day Col. Butler was killed. Uncle Joe has high hopes of living to be 100 years of age and of getting the Jackson vase. He knows the provision of Jackson's will in regard to the vace and of the determination of those who have it in charge to give it to the last survivor of the Palmetto regiment. The race is on between him and his friend and companion of early days G. H. Abney. In the cut of Uncle Joe it will be seen that one of his eyes is almost closed. He has been blind in this eye for a number of years and he complains about it “showing in the picture.” He is not so gray as the photo would indicate and no one would take him to be nearing his ninetieth birthday. He has been sick only three times in his life. In 1843 he had a severe spell of fever, in 1849 he had malaria and in 1895 he suffered quite much from grip. In bidding him “goodbye” I promised him the greatest day in all his long life if he would live to win the Jackson vace. His touching reply was “that would be a great honor indeed.” View Joseph Culbreath obit

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