THE WATAUGA BOYS IN THE GREAT CIVIL WAR, BY J. B. MILLER. Library OF THE University of NortK Carolina This boo] C.C. Plillcr UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL 00032733052 This book must not be taken from the Library building. Form No. 471 THE WATAUGA BOYS IN THE GREAT CIVIL WAR, BY J. B. MILLER. ■ $>ufkar's InUnduttinn The following pages give a true history of the volunteers who served in the Western Army, from Watauga County, N. 0. The campaigns and engagements given in which the 58th N. C. Eegi- ment served, include the companies from Watauga Co. At the commencement of the awful conflict between the two sec- tions — the North and the South — two great statesmen were chosen leaders— Abraham Lincoln, and Jefferson Davis, President Lin- coln had decidedly the advantage in every respect. He had un- der his control twenty six States, most of which were more popu- lous than the Southern States, and several Territories, and a steady flow of em igration from all Europe, — yes, from all the civilized world. He was President of a rich and well-organized government He had the United States Treasury, the Army and Navy, and was in possession of all the fortificatious, both North and South. On the other hand, President Davis, the chosen leader of the 11 Southern States, which composed the Confederacy, without money, without an army, without a fleet, without arms, organized a gov- ernment, and maintained it in the face of all these odds and disad- vantages for over four years. Had the conditions been reversed, what would have been the re- sult? Jefferson Davis was, without doubt, one of the greatest men America has ever produced. The number of troops enlisted in the Conlederate States during the war was about 600,000. North Car- olina furnished over 150,000. She surrendered at Appomattox, more than twice as many muskets as did any other State, and at Greensboro more of her soldiers were among the paroled, than from any of her sister states. When we took the oath of allegience to support the constitution and laws of the United States at Greens- boro, we meant to comply with every condition therein contained. The Southern soldiers returned to their wasted homes and without a parallel, became law-abiding citizens, expecting of course, the protection of the government. But alas! That awful period of Car- pet Bag rule, and Reconstruction followed, which for a few years seemed more desperate and aggravating if possible, than the hor- jo rors of war. Many of the best men of the State were disfranchised, v and some imprisoned. W. W. Holdeu became Gov. and acted the traitor its no other North Carolinian ever did. He held within his i. >i II. grasp the power to administer justice, and help to raise and defend a helpless and down-trodden people; but instead, he did all in his power to heap reproach aud injustice upon the people of his native State. When impeached, tried and found guilty of his treasonable and unlawful acts, his pretended friends failed to come to his relief. The patriotic people of the ''Old North State" threw off the yoke of despotism and oppression, and restored the State to a good and acceptable government. North Carolina having made such a record in the war between the states, Watauga County, by this sketch, has set up her claim that, according to population, she furnished as many troops as any other county in the State. It has been my sincere desire to place upon record every soldiers name who enlisted and went forth from Watauga County, to de- fend his native laid, home, and loved ones, and then give the cam- paigns through which they served, and the many bloody fields upon which they faught. But the lack of information which was to be given by Mr. H. A. Davis of the 1st N. C. Cavalry, aud Dr. J. B. Philips of the 37th N. C. infantry, makes it impossible for me to write up the history of those who served in the Eastern Armies. The lists in this sketch are not perfect, having been gotten up from memory, aud an imperfect record kept at Boone. It is hoped that thisdesiiei information may be obtained and and given in our sec- ond volume. I therefore ask of my old comrades who chance to see these pages that they send me the names of those not appear- ing in the lists or a correction of any error if any has bean made. Any information received from any of you will be highly apprecia- ted. Sincerely Yours, J. B. MILLER. "0 CHAPTER I. Troops From Watauga County. These Companies were mustered, into service ami joined the 58th Regiment, commanded by John B. Palmer, at Johnson's De- pot, Tenn. in the summer of 1862. Company "D" was organized at Boone, by electing D. C. Harman Capt., B. F. Baird 1st Lieut, * W. P. Mast 2nd Lieut., D. F. Baird 3rd Lieut. Capt. Harman resgined in 1862. Then B. F Baird was promot- ed to Capt., W. P. Mast to 1st Lieut., D. F. Baird to 2nd Lieut., A. F. Davis elected 3rd Lieut. Capt. B. F. Baird, after the surrender, returned to his home on Watauga River and conducted his farm and was successful in his efforts, and was one of the best citizens of the county. He was What we might term a model man. In battle he was cool, com- posed, and thoughtful. He was one of the few men that never dodged when a ball whizzed by him. He was as brave as any who ever inarched under a banner for freedom's cause. He died June 21st, 1901, aged 69 Y. 5 M. 13D. Lieut. D. F. Baird was twice wounded, first at Chickahominy, then seriously at New Hope Church, Georgia, a minnie ball pass- ing through his breast above the heart. He was also a brave offi- cer. He returned to his home on Watauga River after the surren- der and is a prominent citizen of the county, has filled the office of Sheriff, aud is now a successful fanner and model citizen. Names of Non -Commissioned Officers and Privates Co. D. Mast F P Hodges Lark in Mast J A Dugger J W Cox Braxton, Danner J, Glenn Simeon Gwvnn A Hately Lafayett Harman J W Beech J W Harman E C Cornell J Henson J J Cornell B Hufman G D Isaacs R J Townsend Joel Townsend Jacob Brewer Riley Presnell S A Gragg Empsy Sifford G H Beech J W Presnell W W, Thompson J A Norris E J Greene J Kilby W E Hicks Matthias Cornell John Crisenberg J N Laurence J J Presnell B L Roland M Sifford John Danner A Dyer D C Greene Sol. Harman EG Harman GC Cornell A Holars Wm Hodges GW McLane H F Ward M Moody H H Lusk Elcanah 2 Strickland M Davis G W Trivett Riley Danner Anderson Tester F P Shook J D Tester R Green Jeremiah Thomas H Hodges Eiley Townsend C Harman Andrew Townsend M Townsemi L D Company "I" 58th N. C. Troops, Infantry. Company '*!" was organized at Boone by electing William Miller Capt. William Hodges 1st Lieut. J. C. McGhee 2nd Lieut. ' James Horton 3rd Lieut. In 1863 Capt Miller resigned. Then William Hodges was pro- moted to Capt, J. C. McGhee to 1st Lieut, James Horton to 2nd. Lieut., J. B. Miller elected 3rd Lieut. James Horton died in 1863. J. B. Miller promoted to 2nd Lieut W. S. Davis elected 3rd Lieut. These officers served till the reor- ganization by Gen Joseph E. Johnson in March 1865, when Com- panies U G" and ''I'' were consolidated. J. C Long was made Capt J. B. Miller promoted to 1st Lieut J. R. Norris 2nd Lieut. Serv- ed till the surrender. Lieuts. J. C. McGhee and W. S. Davis were dropped as supernumerary officers, and went home. The following list consists of non-commissioned officers and pri- vates, viz: Names: — Bingham Win, Bishop Samuel, Brown Wm, Brown John, Brown Richard, Blackburn John, Bently Wm, Bryan John G. Cook Wm, Cottrell C J, Campbell Ruius, Corn ett John, Cornett I, Cooper James, Davis' Elbert, Davis W S, Davis A F, Davis Asa, DuggerJohn, Eggers Landrine, Eggers Riley, Eggers Hugh, Egg- ers John, Eller A P, Fletcher Burt, Farthing E H, Greene Amos, Gragg Smith, Greene Benjamin, Greene Augustin, Hagaman Isaac Holemau James, Holder Thomas, Holemau Thomas, Hodges Lark- in, Hodges Riley, Holder David, Hilliard Bartlett, Hilliard Alfred Hayes Joseph, Hodges Wm Jr, Horton Wm, Isaacs James, Isaacs Hugh, Isaacs Noah, Johnson John, Johnson Jacob, Johnson Brack Miller Ephraim, Miller Marshal, Miller Franklin, Miller L D, Miller Calvin, Miller John sen. Miller John, Miller J B, Miller Al- fred H, Mitchell Mike, Mitchell Robert, Michael John, Michael Isaac, Moody G W, Marlow Johu, Norris Thomas, Norris Jacob, Norris John, Oliver John, Potter Levi, Prjfit Wm, Profit John, Profit Jessee (Died) Swift Willborn, Smith Nelson, Seats Robert E, Tugman James, Tugman B F, Thomas Kire, Trivett Jessee, Trivett Lazarus, Vandyke Elkanah, Vandyke Manuel, Woodrihg Marcus, Woodring Rufus, Winbarger Hiram, Winbarger Levi, Winbarger Abel, Wilson William, Wilson Bill, Wilson Lemuel, Wilson John. 3 CHAPTER U. The Watauga Boys. The Regiment (58th, N.C. Infantry) went into camp at Johnston Depot, (now Johnston city) Tenn. in the summer of 1862 and were drilled and equipped and made ready for active service by the 1st of Sept. when they were removed to Cumberland Gap. The Regiment, commanded by Col. John B. Palmer was moved to Cumberland Gap in Sept. 1862. The enemy, on the approach of our command, evacuated the gap, spiking their heavy cannon, and throwing them over a precipice so they became useless to the south- erners. One very large one we called "Long Tom." Many of the boys had the measles before reaching Cumberland gap and were kept in convalisent camp about ten miles east of the Gap under charge of Dr Lewis. I remember that several of us applied for per- mits to go to the command, which the Dr granted, and before we got there our legs began to feel very heavy. To reach our compa- nies we had to assen .ml) Mb 9 [ bail 7 The Watauga Boys. CHAPTER III. D alton to Atlanta. Gen. Joseph E. Johnson occupied a position at Dalton Ga. and there passed the winter of 1863 and 1864 in recruiting, organizing and equipping the army, raising the number to about 45,000 men. In the spring of 1864, and at the same time Grant put his vast ar- my in motion against Gen. Lee. Sherman advanced on Dalton with a force of about 200,000 men and 254 cannon May the 6th. Finding Johnston's position too strong to be assaulted, Gen McPherson was sent through Snake Gap to turn it, while Gen. Thomas and Schofield threatened it in front and on the North. The movement was suc- cessful. Sherman with his vast numbers could by his flanking in this way force Gen. Johnston to retreat, or his line of communication would be cut off. Gen Johnston finding his line of retreat about to be cut off, fell back to his fortified position at Eesaca. Here he was attacked, and a heavy battle ensued May the 15th. Here the 58th Regiment was placed on the right to prevent the extension of the left wing of Sherman's line, while the battle raged furiously in the center, both lines, being intrenched, we had not long to wait. Col. Dula received orders to charge the extended line. We went a short distance common time, then quick — double quick, and raised the rebel yell and the Federal line gave way. We drove them past their intrenchmeuts, when we were halted and ordered back in reserve, where we remained but a short time, being ordered to strengthen a threatened position near the center. Gen. Johnston finding his rear again threatened retreated across the Resaca river after night. The 58th coveriug the retreat, was the last troops to cross the river. It was exposed to a terrible cannonade from the enemey's guns Gen. Johnston's rear guard was attacked at Adairsville, where severe skirmishing ensued. He continued his retreat in good order until the 19th when he crossed Etowah river unmolested. Sherman after resting a few days, put his army in motion for Dallas, with a view to turn the difficult pass of Alatoona. On the 25th Gen. Hooker had a severe battle with a part of Hood's and Hardee's corps at New- hope church which resulted in nothing advantageous to either the Federals or con federates. The 58th was in the charge made upon the enemy's entrenched position at New Hope Church. For several days the maneuvering and skirmishing was kept up around and in the vacinity Of Dallas, without material advantage to either party. Gmi June the 4th Gen. Johnston retreated to the strong position of, Pine, Kenesaw, and Lost mountains. 8 For several days there was incessant skirmishing. In the mean- time the Federal army was reinforced by Gen. Blair, with two di. visions of the seventeenth army corps; and the Confederate army by the Georgia militia. On the 14th of June General Leonidas Polk was killed by an ex- ploding Shell, while standing with Generals Johnston and Hardin, on the crest of Pine Mountain, a few paces in the rear of the position occupied by the 58th. After much maneuvering flanking and skir- mishing, Sherman de cided to attack Johnston. On the 28th Gens Thomas and McPherson made a determined assault on Johnston's works, but were repulsed with terrible slaughter. Sherman, with- out renewing the attack, the next day renewed his tactics of using his superior numbers in flanking. In other words by fortifying in front of Johnston's line and then moving all his great hosts around threatening his rear — his line of communication. In this way he could compel him to withdraw. Johnston retreated in good order faom his position on Kenesaw and crossed the Chattahoochee river July the 4th. The rear guard repulsed an attack and held the ene- my in check till the wagon and ambulance trains were safe across the river. The 58th participated in this action, being a part of the rear guard. Both armies rested in comparative quiet, the time be- ing occupied by Sherman in making arrangements for crossing the Chattahoochee, and turning Johnston's position, which had been carefully chosen, and strongly fortified. On the 17th Sherman crossed the Chattahoochee and by the 20th had, by his flank move ments, forced Gen. Johnston to occupy the defences around Atlan- ta. Here Johnston was, by order of President Davis, superseeded in command by Gen. J. B. Hood. Here ends the campaign from Dalton to Atlanta. Notwithstanding the great superiority of members Gen. Sherman had, Gen. Johnston had so baffled his movements, that it took him nearly three months to reach Atlanta, a distance of about 400 miles While Johnston's loss did not exceed 5,000, that of Sherman was not much less than 60,000. More than Johnston's command. Alexander H. Stephens in his history of the U.S. says that u Sher man's loss from Dalton to Atlanta, equaled that of Grant's from the Bapidan to Cold Harbor, which was 60,000 men." Johnston had so baffled aud stayed Sherman's progress, and had inflicted such loss upon his vast forces, that he could soon have given him battle on something like equal numbers, had he been left in command. Atlanta was strongly fortified and had the defence been properly conducted Sherman would have suffered great loss before taking it. The change of commanders had a desperate effect upon the Con- federate army. i 9 The Watauga Boys. CHAPTER IV. Defence of Atlanta, Gen. J. B. Hood took command of the Confederate forces at At- lanta July the 20th. The 58th regiment now belonged to Reynold's brigade. In occupying the fortifications assigned to this brigade, we found the intrenchments filled to overflowing with Georgia mi- litia. The General rode up, and gave the command in an extremely loud voice; "Get out of the ditches 'Milish' and let the veterans in.'* Gen. Hood immediately assumed the offensive and made several as- saults oh Sherman's lines. The most determined attack was made on July 22, during which Gen. McPherson was killed, who command ed a strong fortified position on Sherman's left. Hood Avas repuls- ed with heavy loss. Hindma's splendid division was badly crippl- ed, which suffered the greatest loss in these engagements. I here quote from H. D. Northrop's History of the U. S;: "The Confederate loss in the battles of Atlanta was about 12,000 killed, wounded, and prisoners. The loss of the Federals was 3,722." A. H. Stephens in his history Of the U. S. gives the Confederate loss in all the battles of Atlauta; "at about 8, 000." Had Gen. Jos- eph Johnston been kept in command, the loss ho doubt, would have been much the heaviest on the Federal side. Hood could not repair theselosses. Sherman having perhaps more than' twice as many men as Hood, kept extending his lines around the city, fortifying and strengthening his works at every point where ail attack would like- ly be made, and throwing shells' into the city. Sherman finally withdrew the left wing of his army and threw it between Hardee's corps and Atlanta which compelled Hood to evacuate the £ity, which was done on the 1st of Sept. J well remember the night that Sherman evacuated his fortifications: I was on guard dirty between the two lines, about midnight they commenced car/nonacling, and throwing shells into the city. We expected every moment that they were going to charge our lines, but the cannons all stopped firing, and when daylight came, to our surprise there was not a "Yankee" in our front. We moved forward and inspected the deserted works but in a short time we also left ours and moved to the left where we confronted the enemy at Jonesboro, where we found the enemy oc- cupying a chosen position, fortified on a ridge, which Reynolds' Brigade was ordered to charge. The 58th in this charge advanced further than any of the command and received a terrible enfilading fire. The position being too strong to be taken by our weak force, we fell back to our original position. On the 2nd ofSeptenber 10 Sherman marched his army near Newman, Ga. where he projected his Tennessee campaign. We will now leave Sherman in possession of his prize, and go with Hood on his great back track campaign. The Watauga Boys. CHAPTER V. Gen. Hood's Tennessee Campaign. Hood recruited his army to about 35,000 men and started on his Tennessee campaign September the 28th 1864. He marched thrugh Georgia and Northern Alabama. After the fall of Atlanta, Rey- nol's Brigade was consolidated with Brown's Tennessee Brigade and commanded by Gen. Joseph B Palmer a gallant officer, under whom the Regiment served until the close of the war. In the march to Nashville the railroad was destroyed in many places, North of At- lanta the garrisons at Resaca and Dalton were captured. The army suffered great privation on this long march from lack of provison and clothing. The writer remembers the less than half ration issu- ed, and the men were compelled to make their ration for the day fol- lowing by parching corn which continued all night, each mess tak- ing it by turns, keeping all the pans hot all night.. The armycros- S3d the Tennessee River at Florence, Ala. Nov. the 2nd, but was un fortunately detained there till the 20th waiting for supplies. The 58th Regiment was in the advance, pushing the retreating enemy, and driving them across Duck River, leaving Columbia in our pos- session. The 58th, under command of Lt. Col. Silver, was ordered to take possession of the fort the prisouers placed under his charge, while the army advanced on to Franklin, where a bloody battle was fought between Hood and Schofield, Nov. 30th. Jn this engagement Hood was victorious. ^^ The Regimeut under Lieutenant Col. Silver with the prisoners it had captured and others sent to it (all together about 1700) was left as a garrison for the fjrt, and town, aud thus missed the battles of Franklin aud Nashville, and later on Hood's disasterous retreat, by being ordered, Dec. 14th to Corinth Miss, with the prisoners At Corinth the prisoners were turned over to another command and the 58th was sent Dec. 26th to Okolona Miss, to intercept and drive off a cavalry raid which had cut the railroad near that point. On the return of the remnant of Hood's army the 58th Regimentre- joined the Brigade, still commanded by Gen. Palmer and with it 11 moved by rail to Branehville, S. C. By placing Hood in command at Atlanta, great gloom fell upon the army and now to look upon its shattered columns as it staggers back, it would seem to the most thoughtful, that men in their pight could never be ralied and carri- ed into battle again. "But as the campaign advances we see later on that the spirit of patriotism is not crushed when under a command- er in whom they can trust. Confederate money now being worthless the soldiers were, as they well knew, serving their country without pay and living on short ration, still they performed their duty without a murmur. The Watauga Boys. CHAPTEB VI. The Last Campaign. The Last Battle. We left Sherman at Atlanta where he remained till Nov. 16th On the night of the 15th Atlanta was burned. He then started on his march of devastation, with a force of 60,000 men for Savannah, sending Gen Thomas back with his corps to watch Gen. Hood's movements. "Two lines of railroad connect Atlanta with the sea- board, one by Augusta, through South Carolina to Charleston, 308 miles; the other through Macon to Savannah, 293 miles. Between these two roads, from 40 to 100 miles apart, Sherman marched, his wings overlapping them. Two hundred miles of railroad were de- stroyed, the rails were heated and twisted, every tie, bridge, tank, woodshed, and depot, was burned and every culvert was blown up. All the cotton discovered was burned— about 15,000 bales. All the cattle, horses, mules, hogs and poultry were taken, and either con- sumed on the way, or brought to Savannah. Private dwellings also were robbed and burned. A tornado's path burnt by fire, could not have been more destructive. " (H.D. Northrop's History of the TJ-. S. Page 324 and 325. ) Jt will be remembered that Sherman had no available force to op- pose him on his march to destruction. On Jan. 15th he set out from Savannah to Charleston. On the 4th of Feb. the remnant of Hood's army confronted Sher- man at Branchville S. C, Gen. Johnston being placed in command, was concentrating his forces east of Baleigh. The 58th Regimentcom- manded by Maj. G. W.F Harper was sent to Shillings bridge to dis- pute the passage of the enemy, and delay their crossing North Edisto river till the army could fall back to Columbia. The courier sent to Maj. Harper with orders to retire, having been captured, caused the 12 Maj to keep up the fight at the bridge, which we held and prevented the enemy from crossing. Keeping up an incessant fire iu our front, they extended their line up the river and beyond our right ahd cross- ed the river in considerable force, and advanced on our right, and had us nearly cut off from the Columbia road, the only line of retreat. By the skillful maneuvers of Major Harper he got out of the trap with the lois of only two of his men, who were captured. One of those men who were captured in this engagement told me after the surrender, that after they took and pillaged Columbia, that on the march from that place that hundreds of the Federal soldiers were burned to death, where they set fire to the pine orchards, being drunk from the liquor taken at Columbia. On every road the ene- my's marched, could be seen, vast columns of smoke, which told of the awful destruction that was going on and which awaited those in Sherman's broad pith. In South Carolina, like it had been in Geor- gia, thousmds of the poor were destined to famish, every thing be ing destroyed on which man or beast could subsist. As Sheridan said of the complete destruction of everything in the Shenandoah valley, "that a crow could not fly over it without taking its rations with it." The citizens offered, and insisted on the Confederate sol diers taking all their substance they could make use of. After the evacuation of Columbia by our small force. Sherman burned the city on the 17th of Feb. Palmer's brigade, to which the 58th be- longed, left Columbia Feb. 17th and reached Charlotte on the 23rd from which point a week later, it went by rail to Smithfield, below Italeigh where Gen. Joseph E. Johnston was concentrating his small army, aud reorganizing it by consolidating companies and Eeg iments. He here awaited the approach of Sherman, who was march ing on Raleigh by way of Wilmington. We all knew that we were hemmed up between Grant and Sher- man, and that the "jig was about up." But when Gen, Jo. John- ston gave orders on th 18th of March, to move out to meet our old enemy (Sherman) the men marched as spiritedly as if they knew that they were going to drive that Yankee host into the Atlantic O- cean. The presence of Gen. Johnston in command, inspired the full- est confidence in the'small army. Gen. Johnston left Smithfield Mch. 18th and made a forced march loBentonsville, where a concentration was affected with Hardee's corps from Charleston, Hoke's Division and other troops from Eas- tern N. C. Sherman had formed his line of battle in a pine grove, aud fortified it behind a fence. Ge»?. Johnston, on the 19th, after reconoitering the position of the enemy, drew up his men in Hue of battle. Palmer's Brigade was selected as the directing column for the Army of Tenu. in the assault on the enemy's line. 13 The charge was made with great spirit and dash, and the enemy entrenched and with a high fence built in their front, gave way be fore inflicting great loss on their assailants. The enemy were com- pletely routed. In the pursuit which followed, two Pieces of Artil- lery, limbering with all haste to the rear, were captured and driven back into our lines with their teams com plete. In running down and taking the guns some of the artillerymen were shot while on the chests, and the old pine field was streAvn with blankets, provisions and plunder of all sorts thrown away by the flying foe. The rapid pursuit over fences and a deep ravine so scattered the attacking col- umn that a halt was made to reform — this a half a mile or more be- yond the entrenchments charged, and there was not an enemy in sight, nor a gun nearby being fired. Before the line was complete- ly adj usted the reserves came up in splendid order. Pettus' Brigade in support of Palmer now took the advance, and in a short time struck the enemy, reinforced in a new position- Our lines having become too short for the'eirele so extended by pushing back the ene- my. Most the Regiment of Palmer's Brigade, were promptly mov- ed up to fill the gaps in the front line, which was now in the thick pine woods. The 58th N. C. on the left of the Brigade, under the direction of a staff officer, was moved up in support of, and close to, the front line, here passing south, and at the time hotly engaged. Firing was also going on the right, extending partly to the rear, but not so near, and a battery of artillery kept up a most aggrava- ting enfilading fire over the Regiment which would have made the position extremely uncomfortable if the gunners had slightly de- pressed their pieces. As it was, very little could be seen for the smoke which filled the woods, and theground gently rising toward the battery, their shells for an hour fiew almost harmlesslythrough the timber, some 10 feet over head, and most of them burst in rear Above from Maj. Harper's history of the 58th N.C. Reg. p. 14-15. The enemy extending their left flank, the 58th was moved to the right where the repeated assaults of the enemy were repulsed i n heavy force till 8 o'clock at night, when the firing ceased, and at midnight the army resumed the positions of the morning. Gen. Sherman having male a junction with Schofield, made his forces too great to be opposed by Gen. Johnston, consequently, he fell back in good order unmolested, and reached Greensboro the 16th ot Apr 1865. On the 27th of April General orders announcing the sur. render of the army was received. The paroles were distributed to the Regiment May the 2d which immediately, as an organized bo- dy, marched to Statesville, where the troops from Ashe Co. were discharged, and the Companies from Watauga marched by way of Lenoir. Capt. B. F. Baird who had procured a wagon and team at 14 Greensboro, hauled the sick of Co. D. and Co I. to Boone where they were disbanded. Thus ends the war between the two sections. Much has been said about the Justice of the lost cause, but time has proven that the cause for whieh we fought was Just. The war was gotten up by political schemers North, with a view to obtain the reigns of Government and to grow rich therefrom. A scheme in which they succeeded. Might often overcomes right. In this case it was so. To show their vast strength we quote from authentic records as follows: The whole number of Confederate sol- diers (officers and men) surrendered at the close of the war was 150,000. The number of Union soldiers then in the field, and mus tered out of service was 1,050,000. What a contrast! The great powers of Europe joined together with their great superior strength, overpowered and dismembered Poland, robbed her of her honor, glory, and property, and then divided the spoils — her domain, between them. Was this right? No. The James and Younger Brothers stopped and robbed trains, — robbed banks, and shot down individuals. Was this right? No! No! a thousand times No! Neither was it right for W.T.Sherman, Kilpatrick, Stoneman, Sheridan, Grierson, and hundreds of others we might mention, to rob the South. If the U.S. had decided to free the slaves; why did not they free them, and pay the owners, as England did? The cost of the war — to say nothing of the noble men who fell in the struggle — would have paid for all the slaves and colonized them in Africa, their native country. Laurels unfairly won quickly wither, While truth and honesty will live and bloom forever. 15 I here append an extract from a letter irom Mr. E. G. Young, an old comrade of DeKalbe, Tex. who .served with us through the ca mpaignswhich I have described. J am an old Confederate soldier. I enlisted in June 1861, at Oce- ola, Ark. First went to Memphis, Term, then to Fort Pillow, where we were put into the 8th Arkansas, then went to Columbus Ky. We tried to make them pay us, tried to mutiny, and the Colonel cursed and said we slept on government blankets and ate govern- ment grub, and then wanted pay. Some men were captured who had deserted, and were court mar- tialed. Their shirts were pulled off and their hands tied behind them Each man was hit fifty lashes on his bare back and branded with the letter "D" on right cheek and were drummed out of the brigade. On the 21th of Dec. we were ordered to Bowling Green Ky. We had bought our Christmas liquor and when our Co. got to Nashville there were not sober men enough to drag the drunken ones out of the car. We fortified the Bowling Green hill, and when we heard of the fall of Fort Donaldson, Johnston, seeing he was getting into deep water, took us to Corinth. There we had things our way till John- ston fell. Then Beaureguard took command. We came close to getting into a fight Monday evening. We then retreated to Cor- inth, where 1 bade the Eighth adieu. Then we joined the Ninth Arkansas and went to Mississippi and had a battle at Black Eiver Bridge, where our regiment was cut to pieces. I was wounded at Jackson and was in the hospital six months, but returned to the service just before the battle of Chickamauga. I was in that bat- tle and that of Kenesaw Mountain. Was in the 72-days march from Dalton to Atlanta, and in the battles of Atlanta and Jouesboro. We then started back to Nashville, and from there to Franklin, the bloodiest place I saw during the war. We went from there to Nashville and then to North Carolina. The last time 1 saw Gen. Hood was when we crossed the Tennessee Eiver. In N. C. we were reorganized, and had the battle of Winesburg.