The Angel of Fredericksburg

On December 13, 1862, Richard Kirkland (Confederate) of South Carolina and his unit inflicted serious damage on Union troops near Fredericksburg, Virginia...over 8,000 Union troops lay dead or injured on the battlefield.

Soldiers on both sides heard the painful cries for help, but for hours nobody from either side dared to venture out on to the field in fear of being killed by the enemy.  Finally, Richard Kirkland received permission to help the Confederate and Union casualties saying, "I'll take my chances."

For nearly two hours Kirkland filled canteens with water, collected warm clothing/ blankets and administered care to those suffering on the battlefield.  Luckily for Kirkland, both sides quickly realized what he was doing and refrained from firing.


While some historians challenge this account, the story of Richard Kirkland has now become legend...

I hope that we could learn from this lesson (whether fact of legendary myth) the meaning of being human/ humanitarians...


What would the world say of us if:

We accepted refugees, immigrants, strangers no matter the cost to our safety or economy.

We truly attempted to correct the way we have enslaved, oppressed and marginalized people.

We gave Native People true autonomy over the land that was stolen from them (and is still being stolen).