Chapter I: Preface

Although many histories have been written and tradition has furnished its part toward the perpetuation of the memory of the exciting times of the civil war, very much occurred that has never been recorded. Monuments may be erected and histories written, but unless the veterans now living get busy and refresh their memories, and the memories of their comrades very much that happened, and ought to be preserved in durable form will with the passing of the main actors pass into oblivion. The Confederate Soldiers now living are all old men, and each one could, and ought to contribute items of information that would be interesting to the children and adults of future generations. These scenes, anecdotes, incidents and historical facts ought to be written by the soldiers themselves, for by no other means can a correct history of the war period be handed down to posterity.

I undertake my part of the task well knowing the information that I shall try to give will not be pictured in a graphic style to please the overeducated critic, but I feel assured that though written in a plain style the facts narrated will be read and appreciated by many who will not depreciate the information given, on account of the lack of embellishment or absence of the style so pleasing to the lovers of eloquence, poetry, song and graphic story.

The following pages written by a plain confederate soldier who spent three years in the war instead of at college are submitted to the public upon the merits of the information given, without claiming any literary merit. Feeling that I am performing an imperative duty that I owe to the cause and my country, I respectfully dedicate the reminiscences to the soldiers of the late war who were my comrades while passing through the trying ordeal.

In another decade by the sweep of time,
Many of the Veterans will fall out of line;
After a score of years very few there will be
For people then living to entertain or see.
The few that are left will be old and alone,
And quietly waiting for the summons to come;
Not until the last one shall have passed away
Will justice be done to the heroes of that day
Monuments will be erected on the ground where they sleep
And generations to come will their memory keep,
Patriots will pause with trembling and fear
And reverently on their graves drop a tear.
A responsibility now rests on veterans passing away
To rescue from oblivion the doings of that day.
We may not with a facile pen
Give a glowing description of scenes and men.
We can in a plain and plausible way
Give a rough sketch of the doings of that day.
After we have gone to our final home,
These sketches will be read by generations to come.
Let us be up and doing and work with might
And though late in the day commemorate the right.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Causes Leading up to the Civil War.

Origin of the War 9
Party Lines 10
States Secede 11

CHAPTER II.

Beginning of Hostilities.

The War Begins 11
Young Men Volunteer 12
Parting Scenes 13
Recusant Conscripts and Deserters 14
Loss of Loved Ones 15
Roll Call of the Dead 15

CHAPTER III.

Condition of People Left at Home.

Affairs at Home 17
Civil Officers at Home 18
Money in Circulation 18
Farming Interests 19
Women of the War 20
Cotton King 21
Soldiers on Furlough 21
Homespun Dresses 21

CHAPTER IV.

Peace Demonstration Among the People.

Peace Movement 22
Young Man Pilot 23
Soldiers Break Up Meeting 23
Leader of Movement 23
Old Men Released 24
Peace Sentiment not Suppressed 25

CHAPTER V.

Bill of Fare in the Southern Army.

Soldiers Rations 25
Rations Supplemented 26
Extra Rations Found 26
Coons and Foxes 27
Unripe Persimmons 27
The Army not Starving 28
Rations of Whiskey 28
Short Rations 29
Soldiers Forage 29
Questionable Methods 30
Detail to Cook 30
Reproof of Conscience 32
Mince Pie 32
Chaplain’s Lecture 33

CHAPTER VI.

Surroundings of Soldiers and Soldier Life.

Phases of Soldier Life 33
Southern Soldiers 34
Many Surprises 35
Appearances Deceptive 35
Soldiers in Camp 35
Congenial Companions 36
Disputes and Quarrels 37
Winter Quarters 37
Demoralizing Influences 38
Religious Worship 38

CHAPTER VII.

Characteristics of Soldiers.

Difference of Soldiers 39
The Homesick Soldier 40
Strenuous Soldiers 41
Conservative Soldiers 41

CHAPTER VIII.

Citizens Visiting in Camp and the
Sick Soldier.

The Sick Soldier 42
Surgeon’s Call 42
Simple Minded Sick Soldier 43
Despondent Sick Soldier 43
Visiting 45
Portly Gentleman 45
Lady Visitors 46

CHAPTER IX.

Incidents of Camp and Prison Life.

Soldiers in Prison 46
Exchange of Prisoners 47
Punishment 48
Rations 48
Camp Life 49
Soldier on Inspection 50
Recruit on Guard 51
An Economical Soldier 53
A Soldier’s Retort 53
A Boisterous Soldier 54
Recruit Detailed 56

CHAPTER X.

Picket Lines, Battles and Battlefields.

Picket Line 57
Picket or Scout 57
On the Picket Line 58
Exchange of Courtesies 59
Fearful Experience 60
Burned Bodies of the Dead 61
Test of Valor 61
Escape to the Enemy 62
Welcome Peace 62
On the War Path 62
Unreliable Soldiers 63
Music in Battle 63
Battles 64
Battlefields 65
After the Battle 67