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by homefolks and friendly sympathizers, and did not interfere with
the personal rights or property of anyone. There were others though
who were vindictive and terrorized the people by pillaging, stealing,
robbing, doing private injury and sometimes threatening the lives of
people at home. In places infested by such gangs a fearful state of
affairs existed. These recusant conscripts and deserters were hunted
by details of soldiers already in the service, assisted by militia
officers at home. Some of the militia officers rendered themselves
very unpopular by offensive methods used to capture men who were
dodging, consequently a very bitter feeling was engendered between
neighbors and sometimes between members of the same family.
The power of the civil government and military was used to induce all
to join the army, and the most of the men subject to military duty had
to go, although some went under protest.
Loss of Loved Ones.—As the war advanced there was mourning in
many homes, on account of the loss of loved ones. Within a radius of
a very few miles of my home many stalwart young men were brought
home dead, having sickened and died in camp, on the march, in the
hospital, or having been slain in battle. Many a poor boy the idol of a
good mother gave up his life on the gory battlefield, deprived of the
tender care and affectionate ministrations of a mother, sister or wife
to comfort him in his dying hour. Some were left with their bones to
bleach on the gory field of battle, others were never accounted for
and if buried at all were buried by strangers that did not know them
and perhaps did not want to know them.
Roll Call of The Dead.—The following principally young men are
the names of some of my relations, playmates, schoolmates,
acquaintances or soldier comrades that lost their lives during the
war:

NAMES.
Henry Burough, Alsan Burough, Franklin Burough, David Bowers,
Zadoc Burton, Basil Burton, Frank Britt, John Clinard, Henry Clinard,
John Clinard, Francis Clinard, William Collett, Franklin Collett, Jacob
Crouch, John Crouch, Hugh Clodfelter, David Clodfelter, Alfred Cecil,
Nelson Cecil, William Craven, Ransom Edinger, George Edinger,
Phillip Edinger, Jesse Edwards, William Fowler, Benjamin Faulkner,
Nicholas Fouts, Henry Fritts, Jesse Green, Shepherd Green, Daniel
Green, Harrison Green, John Gardner, John Gillem, Madison
Harmon, Charles Harmon, Elwood Haines, Sanford Hammer, Jacob
Hedgcock, John Hiatt, Fred Hiatt, Jesse Hilton, Evan Hilton, Jacob
Hilton, Henry Hilton, Barnabas Hayworth, C. P. Jones, Purvis
Jackson, Joseph Jackson, Joseph Jones, William Kanoy, John
Kanoy, Henderson Kanoy, John Kanoy, Charles Kennedy, John L.
Long, Henry F. Ledford, Charles Lines, Joseph Murphy, William
Miller, Franklin Motsinger, John Meredith, Winborn Mendenhall,
Robert McCutcheon, Mack Myers, Harrison Porter, Charles Payne,
Thomas Payne, Shubel Payne, Sanford Payne, Solomon Roberts,
John Stone, William Stone, Milton Sledge, Hiram Sowers, Humphrey
Sowers, Robert Small, Samuel Sink, John Sink, Adam Sink,
Valentine Sink, Jesse Sink, Solomon Sink, George Sink, John Sink,
Joseph Sink, David Shuler, William Traynham, McKindre Veach,
John Wagner, Charlie Willie, William Wagner, John Welborn,
Madison Welborn, William Whitehart, Willis Whitehart, and John
Yokley.
Comparatively few of my acquaintances or young men with whom I
associated prior to the beginning of hostilities, went to the war and
returned to their homes at the close. Some of them returned on
crutches, some with empty sleeves, and some with scars of wounds
received in battle that they will carry to their graves.
 CHAPTER III.
CONDITION OF PEOPLE LEFT AT HOME.

Affairs at Home.—The women, children, old men and servants left

at home passed through an ordeal sad indeed to contemplate. The
servants or negroes deserved much credit for their loyalty to their
then legal owners. Instead of being a menace as was feared and
expected, they were a protection to the helpless white population,
and did much for the support of the people at home, and for the
support of the soldiers in the field. To the very old people the blow
fell with a crushing force. In addition to the accumulated burdens that
naturally fall to the lot of old people, the loss of their sons, grand
sons, and neighbors so prostrated them with grief that the gray hairs
of many of them were brought down in sorrow to the grave. The little
children for four years being deprived of the protection, support,
counsel and assistance of fathers suffered an irreparable loss, a loss
that no subsequent attention, education or opportunity could possibly
restore.
Civil Officers at Home.—After the war had somewhat advanced,
the civil officers, railroad and mail service and public places were to
a great extent managed by old men. Young men at home were
lonesome and did not stand as high in the estimation of the people
as the young men who went to the war. They too had to submit to
the taunts of the soldiers, on account of their maneuvering to keep
out of danger. It was not considered patriotic for young men to
screen themselves, because there seemed to be a necessity for all
to enter the service, or at least as some had to go it was argued that
all should fare alike. Schools and churches suffered in the general
wreck and the morals and intelligence of the rising generation was at
a low ebb. Teachers and preachers’ salaries and physicians’ fees
were paid in kind. Corn, wheat, beans, peas, pork, bacon, lard,
butter, homemade cloth, and anything that answered for clothing or
provision was gladly received as a substitute for money.
Money in Circulation.—The only money in circulation was
Confederate money or State treasury notes which depreciated in
value until worth scarcely the paper upon which it was printed. The
gold and silver coin in the hands of the people was hidden or buried
in the ground not to be resurrected unless in case of extreme
necessity. Very little building or improvement of any kind was going
on.
Farming Interests.—For the want of laborers farms were
neglected and many fertile fields growed up with sprouts and briers.
Fences gave out or fence rows growed up with weeds and briers.
Gulleys washed in the roads and some places were almost
impassable. Everything in the way of improvement was on the
decline. But few new houses were built and homefolks were
sometimes driven to the necessity of sheltering in houses not very
comfortable. Farm implements gave out and it was a difficult matter
to replace them. Old plows and hoes that had been thrown away
were hunted up and repaired so as to answer the purpose, and
many rude substitutes used for farming tools that had been formerly
used. It was a turning back to usages of generations past. Rawhides
were tanned in the country and coblers made shoes out of the
homemade leather. In place of the New Orleans or Cuba molasses a
syrup was manufactured from sugar cane grown on the farm. Some
enterprising boys gathered persimmons and had them distilled into
brandy which supplemented the supply made from the surplus fruit.
Corn and rye were not distilled into whiskey on account of the
scarcity of breadstuff. A little of everything made on the farm was
collected and placed in the hands of a commissary and was used to
help support the soldiers in the army.
Women of the War.—The noble women took upon themselves a
burden that was borne with fortitude or heroism that is without a
parallel in the annals of the history of any country or any people.
They achieved wonders in the homes by their ready inventive
powers, which enabled them to substitute many useful articles from
which they were cut off, on account of the blockade, rigidly enforced
by the Federal authorities. Spicewood tea, Sassafras tea, a
beverage made of parched corn, rye, chestnuts, dried slices of sweet
potatoes and many other things were used as a substitute for coffee.
Dried persimmons were used for puddings after the season for them
had passed, and a very good bread was made with a mixture of
potatoes with meal or flour. On many farms women and children
cultivated the crops making a support for homefolks. Women would
hoe corn, sometimes plow, make hay, bind and haul in wheat,
sometimes help to thresh, gather, shuck and crib corn and do almost
any kind of farm work. The little girls would put the bridles on old
horses or mules and with grists of corn or wheat ride several miles to
mill. The old man at the mill would pleasantly speak to the little girls,
addressing them as his smart little boys. The little girls proud of the
distinction would saucily and laughingly answer him saying, “Yes we
are Tomboys.”
Cotton King.—Cotton proved to be king indeed, and upon this
staple the south depended largely for clothing, bed clothing, tent
cloths and indeed everything for which cloth was used. The women
took the lint or raw material and by carding, spinning, weaving,
cutting and sewing converted it into clothing, bed clothing and many
other articles. In place of dyestuffs usually purchased at the stores
and brought from other countries, they used Walnut, Redoak, or
Maple bark, Sumac and other things that they discovered they could
substitute and utilize. From wheat straw they manufactured hats that
answered the purpose and were worn by men, women and children.
Soldiers on Furlough.—The girls were proud of the boys who
were in the army, always glad to see them come home and always
gave them a cordial welcome when they came home on furlough.
Several girls would get together and give the boys a reception which
amounted to an ovation. The girls and soldier boys mutually enjoyed
these gatherings and would together sing war songs or popular airs
such as, Dixie, Southern Girl, Stars and Bars, Homespun dress etc.
Homespun Dresses.—The girls wore homespun dresses and in the
estimation of the boys were just as pretty, neat and sweet as if they
had been arrayed in silk and purple.
Pretty girls vacated the parlor and sitting room
To operate the spinning wheel and old fashioned loom,
The lint of the cotton was carded to a shred,
Then carded into rolls and spun into thread.
Thread was placed on a reel which turned round again and again
Until the dial plate registered enough cuts for a skein.
The thread was then placed in homemade dye
And changed into any color that was desired.
On the warping bars the thread was handled again
And the piece laid off for so many yards of chain.
On the spindle of the little wheel was placed the reed quill,
And enough thread placed around it the reed to fill
The thread then around the beam was strung
And the quills in the shuttle nicely hung.
Two pretty girls were busy working all day
Placing the thread through a six hundred sley,
Then the battle with the baton begun
And erelong the bolt of cloth was done.
Then with the skill of an artists hand
The cutting of the garments by the girls began;
Very soon the little girls were dressed up neat
In homespun dresses looking pretty and sweet.
 CHAPTER IV.
PEACE DEMONSTRATIONS AMONG THE
PEOPLE.

Peace Movement.—In 1862 a very decided sentiment in favor of a

peace movement was inaugurated, and attained to some
prominence in the state, especially among the original union men
and parties dissatisfied with the existing state of affairs.
Announcement of a meeting was made to be held at a place near
Thomasville known as Kennedy’s School House. Publicity was given
to the report that speakers would be present to address the meeting
and discuss the proposed issue. A good crowd assembled, the most
of them prompted by honorable motives, merely wishing to hear
discussed or explained the plan proposed by the leaders of the
movement. With the exception of a very few of the leaders no one
entertained any treasonable intentions. The authorities had been
notified of the proposed meeting and a detail of soldiers was sent to
break it up.
Young Man Pilot.—A young man who happened to be in the
neighborhood was pressed into service by the soldiers to pilot them
to the place. He did not relish the idea of going with them, but the
unusual sight of bayonets and guns in the hands of the belligerent
soldiers was a very persuasive argument to him to induce him to
comply with their demands. He does not deny the fact that he was
badly scared, and although he laughs about it now, says that it was a
serious matter then, and that he distinctly remembers his hair stood
up stiff and straight giving him trouble to keep his hat on his head.
Soldiers Break up Meeting.—Without any previous notice the
soldiers charged upon the meeting and the crowd dispersed and
retreated at the first intimation of their approach. The citizens hit the
grit and ran with a speed that would put to shame the exploits of the
Yankees and Rebels in the valley of Virginia.
Leader of Movement.—The leader who was mainly responsible for
the meeting was the first one to absent himself upon the approach of
the soldiers. He got away as fast as his legs could carry him, and
that was about as fast as anyone could go, for he had the reputation
of being a champion runner. A tall young man made a break for the
tall timber and was in the act of unhitching his horse, when a limb
very close to him was cut off by a minnie ball. It was supposed that
he was shot at through mistake, and that the soldiers shooting at him
were under the impression that he was the leader, who had been
represented to them as a tall man. A friend of the victim of this close
call who was also near by unhitching his horse was treated to music
made by the hissing of minnie balls, passing uncomfortably near
him. Both of them left the place as fast as their horses could carry
them. A good portion of the crowd was captured and taken to Camp
Holmes, near Raleigh. The most of the young men captured
volunteered and joined the Southern Army and the old men were
finally released.
Old Men Released.—It was especially severe on the very old men
who were without warning taken and compelled to endure the
privations of prison and camp life. The poor old men innocently
feeling that they had done no wrong were kept in suspense and in
constant dread for many days fearing that they would be court-
marshalled and perhaps executed. Among them was an eccentric
old fellow not overly preposessing in appearance. After being in
camp for many days without a change of clothing and his white
beard stained with tobacco juice, he presented a rather grotesque
and by no means attractive appearance, but he took a philosophical
view of the situation and looked on the sunny side. He amused the
soldiers in camp with his wit and humor, and although perhaps eighty
years old would sing gay songs and with a little encouragement from
the boys dance a jig. At the close of the day he would seriously say
to his old comrades that although they had passed through another
day it would be their last, and that they would all be executed
tomorrow. His comrades knew that he indulged in a great deal of
levity, but being apprehensive themselves feared the old man was
correct in his surmises, and retired not to sleep but to think of loved
ones at home that they would perhaps never see again.
Peace Sentiment not Suppressed.—The incident did not entirely
suppress the sentiment in the community in favor of peace, but did
prevent any further public demonstration.
A blessed hope of peace permeated the throng,
To them it cooed like a dove with its siren song,
But it proved a delusion and a snare
To get them in trouble of which they were not aware.
They innocently cried peace when there was no peace,
Their unfortunate meeting was imprudent at least;
The meeting culminated in a tragic end
And made them wiser and perhaps better men.
 CHAPTER V.
BILL OF FARE IN THE SOUTHERN ARMY.

Soldiers’ Rations.—Soldiers in the Southern army did not live on

the fat of the land fareing sumptuously every day. They often had to
live on a stinted allowance, and articles of food placed before them
that would not have been accepted with thanks at home. A day’s
allowance to a soldier consisted of a small cake of wheat or corn
bread, or six hard tacks, a small piece of beef or pickled pork,
sometimes a little rice or small amount of beans or peas. A hearty
man that gave way to his appetite often ate an entire day’s rations at
one meal and then was hungry the balance of the day. The judicious
soldier though divided his allowance into three parts and fared better
by adhering strictly to the custom of eating three times a day.
Rations Supplemented.—Anything in sight was devoured with
avidity to supplement rations issued. Parched corn on a march when
the supply was scarce was not a poor substitute for bread. If a
soldier found a persimmon tree loaded with fruit it was gathered with
as much eagerness as a miner would pick up a gold nugget. Such a
find was regarded as a bonanza. Walnuts, hickory nuts or even
acorns were carefully saved to supplement rations issued.
Extra Rations Found.—A squad of men was detailed to tear down
an old building and removing the rubbish captured and killed several
big fat rats which were skinned, dressed, cooked and ate with a
relish. Around the old building was a luxurious growth of cresses and
wild onions, which were carefully gathered by the soldiers and
cooked and considered very palatable.
Coons and Foxes.—One evening after the army stopped to go in
camp a tree was cut down for fire wood and the soldiers were
surprised and pleased to find and catch two nice coons which were
cooked for supper and made a very savory dish. At another time
while going into camp a rush was made for a tree top and a red fox
was jumped. The chase was very much enjoyed by the boys. The
fox in its frantic efforts to escape sometimes jumped as high as the
heads of the soldiers who surrounded it and was knocked back by
them. Finally the fox was captured and the boys said it tasted much
better than beef or pork they were accustomed to.
Unripe Persimmons.—On a march a soldier dropped out of line,
climbed a tree and was helping himself to unripe persimmons. An
officer coming along, reprimanded him, ordered him back in line and
asked him why he was so greedily devouring such unwholesome
food? The soldier innocently replied that he had discovered that
green persimmons had a drawing effect and thought perhaps by
using them he could shrink his stomach to the capacity of amount of
rations issued. The officer seemed to comprehend the logic of his
reasoning and left him to test the practical value of his theory.
The Army Not Starving.—It is not the intention to try to make the
impression that the Southern army was in a starving condition. Such
an intimation would be misleading. The only wonder is that the
soldiers were provided for as well as they really were. Perhaps all
armies sometimes suffer the inconvenience of short rations. The kind
reader must charitably in imagination take the place of the soldier to
be fully competent to sympathize with him.
The overscrupulous reader with pious thought
May condemn the soldier for using thing’s not bought,
And may in his honest heart feel
That under no circumstances should anyone steal.
Better get down on repentance stool
And figure out the golden rule;
Go to bed hungry and fail to sleep
Then get up courage the eighth commandment to keep.
Rations of Whiskey.—Rations of whiskey were occasionally issued
and the effects of the stimulant were very soon apparent, for soldiers
had nothing to put the liquid in to save, and were obliged to use it to
keep it from wasting and then for awhile there was plenty of fun in
which officers and soldiers joined. If an officer happened to get
enough to make him too hilarious he was placed in arrest until he
sobered up. If a soldier in the ranks imbibed to freely and in
consequence wanted to monopolize control of things and indulged in
conversation boisterous or unbecoming he was quietly assigned to
quarters in the guard house until he had time to cool off.
Short Rations.—Sometimes rations were short and hungry
soldiers are not apt to be in the best of humor. At such times
grumbling was in order or at least freely indulged in, but grumbling
did not bring the beef and corn bread. If adjacent to orchards, potato
patches, corn fields or hen roosts, some of the boys would manage
to supplement their rations, put on an innocent look and apparently
become indignant if accused of crossing the guard line of the camps.
Soldiers Forage.—Soldiers would forage for something to eat.
They would visit farm houses and put in a plausible plea, with
money, cheek or chin music, get on the good side of the good
women and prevail on them to furnish them with fruit, potatoes,
butter, apple butter, bread, pies or anything that could be used and a
soldier could use anything that anybody could eat. A shrewd forager
failing to get anything at farm houses would take a mental survey of
the different places and at night would by bribing the sentinel or
slipping across the guard line go straight to potato patches, orchards
or corn fields and borrow fruit, potatoes, roasting ears and
sometimes induce a fat hen to go to camp. This process of
borrowing was so skillfuly manipulated that the owner of the
premises was kept in blissful ignorance of the way the articles were
appropriated. There were company officers who would deal very
gentle with a soldier that stole out of camp to forage, provided the
officer shared in the find whatever it might be.
Questionable Methods.—A big burly soldier went a short distance
from camp and deliberately shot down a good sized fat pig, being
caught in the act by some soldiers, he said he killed it in self defense
and that no hog should bite him. He skinned the hog, carried it to
camp, late in the night borrowed a camp kettle and cooked the pork.
Some officers passing along reproved the soldier and threatened to
put him in the guard house, but were persuaded to be lenient by
promising them a good slice of the pork which tasted as good to an
officer as a private. The good old citizen had a drove of fat hogs,
missed one and reported to the colonel of the regiment. An order
was at once issued to the captain of each company to search the
tents. An officer passed round, peeped into the tents, saw no pork or
even smelled any and reported nothing found in the company. The
most of the boys of the company though had a good breakfast and
pork was part of the bill of fare.
Detail to Cook.—On a march one evening the army halted to take
up camp for the night; rations were issued and a detail made to do
the cooking. Among the soldiers detailed was one who though very
much fatigued worked faithfully until the two days rations were
cooked and issued to the men. His partner immediately after going in
camp had gone to a farm house not far distant and had succeeded in
getting two canteens full of good fresh milk. After the cooking was
done the soldier who had been detailed being very hungry, took the
canteen of milk, two day’s rations and ate it all for supper, not leaving
a crumb for the next two days. He then took in the situation, jumped
at a conclusion, struck a bee line across a piece of woods and
accidentally met a comrade whose breath betrayed the fact that he
had been drinking brandy. It suddenly occurred to the soldier that he
needed a little for his stomach’s sake, although it was loaded with
two day’s rations, and they together went a short distance across the
country and was face to face with the maker and vender of the liquid.
Making their wants known he took their canteens and a pitcher
supposed to be full of water and started for the liquor house. The
boys followed him going through a dining room. The quick eye of the
soldier noticed a clean table cloth on the table covering something.
Without stopping as he passed along he quietly raised the cloth and
made a discovery. One of the boys canteens was filled and handed
back to him. Upon sampling it they found it had been well watered.
The citizen was politely informed that it was brandy not water the
boys wanted. Without arguing the case he poured the grog out of the
canteen and filled them up with the pure unadulterated article. After
filling the vessels he lead the way starting out and the boys followed,
the boy who had been detailed to cook in the rear. Passing through
the dining room by some unaccountable manipulation the rations
moved from the table and bread, meat, pickles, pies and cakes
found a resting place in the capacious haversack of the soldier and
there was no more solicitude about rations for the next two days.
Reproof of Conscience.—Late one evening the army marched by
a luxurious field of corn. A soldier who was hungry and whose
haversack was empty thought it would be real nice to have roasting
ears for supper. As soon as the army halted to go into camp, he with
two comrades though quite a distance started for the field of corn.
When they got to the field it seemed to be full of soldiers on the
same mission as they were. The soldier though hungry and very
much fatigued proposed to his companions to return to camp and
trust to providence, declaring that his conscience would not allow
him to join the crowd and take the corn. They returned to camp and
were agreeably surprised to find in their tent a box from home full of
good things to eat. The soldier was fully convinced by the
circumstance that “Conscience is in all cases a correct moral guide.”
Mince Pie.—Two boys came into camp one day selling mince pies.
Two soldiers bought one, ate, smacked their lips, pronouncing it
good and wished for more. Before the boys got out of hearing they
got into a dispute about the division of the money. The smaller boy
cried and said it was his puppy that was killed to furnish material for
the pie and he was entitled to his part of the proceeds. The soldier
boys would have been glad to have parted with the puppy dog, but it
had come to stay.
Chaplain’s Lecture.—On one occasion on a march rations were
scarce and the soldiers were hungry. Some of the boys invaded a
corn field and were plucking ears of corn expecting at night to feast
on roasting ears for supper. The chaplain of a regiment rode along
and began to give the boys a moral lecture, telling them it was wrong
to steal and that the corn did not belong to them. The soldiers paid
no attention to his talk and quietly filled their sacks. The chaplain
seeing that they were determined to take the corn said to them, if
they were going to take the corn anyway to throw him over a few
ears for his pony.
 CHAPTER VI.
SURROUNDINGS OF SOLDIERS AND SOLDIER
LIFE.

Phases of Soldier Life.—The many phases of soldier life furnish

the inquiring mind food for thought and research. The mere fact that
an army is an aggregation of discordant elements made up from
different parts of the country is a sufficient basis for an interesting
subject for investigation. The soldiers representing the different
sections of the country represent the manners, customs, habits and
characteristics of the inhabitants of the communities from which they
came. In addition to this if we take into consideration the personal
habits, characteristics and eccentricities of the individual, analyzing
the attitude, latitude, aptitude, and magnitude of the capabilities and
wonderful scope of each one we find ourselves exploring a
wonderful field that startles us.
Southern Soldiers.—The Southern army was not only made up of
soldiers from different parts of the country, but from the different
pursuits and conditions of life. Our army of which the South has
cause to be proud contained the most of the ablebodied men of the
South, and it is no reflection upon the fair name and fame of the
gallant soldiers of the army that there were among them some
enrolled that were failures. There were figureheads, deadbeats,
skulkers, hospital rats and others who were drawbacks to the army.
There were men enrolled who at home were successful and
regarded as good citizens, but as soldiers were failures because
they had no turn, taste, tact, inclination or adaptability for soldier life.
It was unfortunate for our army, our country and for such soldiers
that there was a necessity to enroll them.
Many Surprises.—Very often the palest, thinnest, weakliest,
scrawniest looking fellow stood the exposure and hardships of the
camp, march and battlefield much better than a stalwart looking boy.
Sometimes the most timid lad, who seemed to shrink from any duty
likely to give him notoriety, developed into the most aggressive,
daring soldier and astonished officers and comrades with his
reckless ventures and achievements. There were officers and men
who would for the sake of promotion unnecessarily expose to
imminent danger themselves or men under them. The truly brave
soldier will shelter or protect himself when he can do so without
jeopardizing the cause he represents, but when necessary will
expose himself and face danger like a man. The truly brave officer
will lead and not undertake to drive his men in battle and screen
himself.
Appearances Deceptive.—Appearances are often deceptive.
Sometimes a man of fine physique, good looking, stalwart, having
the appearance of being a brave soldier that would sacrifice his life
rather than show the white feather collapses in the hour of danger,
entirely unable to control his nervous system, proving himself to be
constitutionally a coward. Such men ought to be pitied instead of
being persecuted.
Soldiers in Camp.—The self-constituted bully of the camp who
wants to engage in a fisticuff with anyone that dares to cross his path
will often tremble with fear when going into battle. The soldier that
delights in giving exaggerated accounts of his exploits and
hairbreadth escapes usually is an artful dodger and an expert in
framing excuses to keep out of danger when the battle is on. In the
army were soldiers who died of grief or homesickness. However
much a soldier may be attached to his home surroundings it is a
mistake to give up and brood over a separation that is inevitable.
The soldier who takes a sensible view of the situation, keeps up his
courage and as far as possible keeps in good heart by looking on the
sunny side of life always fares the best. One who always seems
lowspirited, out of heart, and cultivates such a feeling receives scant
sympathy from his comrades, but one who is cheerful, apparently
happy whether really feeling so or not does not have to hunt for
kindred spirits to share his happiness with him. To a soldier in camp
virtually performing the same round of duty every day, life is likely to
become monotonous, and moodiness or gloom intrudes its
unwelcome presence, then the thing to do is to seek a change and
look for something to divert his attention and cause him for the time
being to forget his real or imaginary trouble.
Congenial Companions.—In the Southern army a soldier could
always find congenial company for there was variety to choose from.
In the different tents or around the camp fires were crowds making
merry with music and dancing, crowds spinning yarns or telling
anecdotes or stories, classes singing sacred songs or squads
engaged in conversation on subjects to suit anyone. Nothing to do
but to make a choice of the place and be entertained.
Disputes and Quarrels.—In camp everything was not always
harmonious. Among the boys there were sometimes
misunderstandings, which gave rise to disputes or quarrels,
occasionally culminating in fisticuffs or fights which often landed the
participants in the guard house.
Winter Quarters.—A soldier in the Southern army had no abiding
place to stay or at least only temporary. In winter quarters in the
dugout, rude cabin, tent, or bivouacing primitive life was fairly
illustrated and it is surprising to people accustomed to the
conveniences of life to realize how few of these conveniences
soldiers are supplied with. Very often one little frying pan or kettle
performs its round of service for an entire village of cabins or tents,
and it is not unusual in camp to hear the owner of an implement or
vessel cry out “come home frying pan” or “come home coffee pot.”
The call was a peremptory order to the borrower to return the
missing article which was perhaps by the careless soldier thrown
aside. The reminder generally caused the occupants of the tents to
institute a search, usually resulting in the return of the missing
article. Soldiers’ temporary homes exemplified their home training.
Some of their places were comfortable, neat and attractive, while
others were just to the reverse. Some of the occupants kept
themselves and their clothing clean and neat, while others were
contented to wrap themselves up in their filthy rags sometimes
infested with vermin. There were though police and sanitary
regulations that all were obliged to observe or pay the penalty, and
there was an etiquette among soldiers that was generally observed.
Many a soldier would forage for something to eat, but would suffer
with hunger to the extreme limit rather than appropriate to himself
the rations issued to another. A soldier who would steal the rations of
another sacrificed his honor and self respect and was regarded by
his comrades as a sneak thief at home.
Demoralizing Influences.—While an army always carries with it
many demoralizing influences, a man can be a soldier and a
gentleman too, but one who is not a gentleman at home, in the army
is sure to show the cloven foot. In winter quarters more attention is
paid to social features than at any other time. Hostilities to a great
extent cease during the winter though sometimes the armies clash.
Religious Worship.—Sometimes while in winter quarters soldiers
got together and built rude log houses for places of worship.
Protected from the cold in these houses soldiers gathered together
usually for regular Sunday preaching and sometimes prayer
meetings were held during the week. Perhaps as large a per cent. of
soldiers attended preaching as people at home who had more
convenient and comfortable places of worship. In summertime
soldiers usually assembled in a grove to listen to sermons preached
by their chaplain or visiting ministers.
In the Southern army occasionally very much religious interest was
manifested and revivals were not unusual. Singing, prayer and
sometimes shouting were heard in the camp.
 CHAPTER VII.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SOLDIERS.

Difference of Soldiers.—There is as much difference in the

make up of the average soldier as in the average citizen at home. It
is said that variety is the spice of life and in the army we get variety
with a vengeance, and the spice is sometimes a little bit peppery.
The home training and habits as well as the natural disposition of the
men will show itself in the army, and no amount of diplomacy can
relegate these acquired or inherent qualities to the back ground. It is
not everyone that can join heartily in a course of life that is
distasteful, and one who does will be very apt to adopt the
requirements of the new life to the exclusion of long established
habits and customs, and will sometimes overdo himself in exercising
uncalled for and unnecessary stunts.
The life of a soldier in a strenuous channel does run.
And the life is by no means a pleasant one;
The attractions that lure young men to the field
Are very seductive and to them many yield.
When they don the uniform and fall in line
They surrender their freedom and in servitude are confined.
It requires the decision of character and nerve of the brave
To imperil ones life his country to save.
This heroism throws aside all fear and dread,
But is never appreciated till the victim is dead,
We may eulogize the hero with eloquence, poetry and song,
But he quietly sleeps while the pageantry is going on,
The odor of the flowers that we place on the grave
Is lost to the hero who gave his life his country to save.
The Homesick Soldier.—The timid homesick soldier grieves
himself to death, and if perchance he has to engage in a battle he
welcomes the friendly missile that puts an end to his forlorn
condition. He thinks of nothing but home and rather than drag out, to
him, a miserable existence in the army surrenders his life freely and
willingly. The following lines are intended to picture the end of one of
this unfortunate class:

I am weary to-night and as lonely as can be,

I am far from my friends that I may never see,

I am hungry and cold; how can I my time employ?

I know my good christian mother is praying for her boy.

I on the cold ground must lie down to sleep,

If mother knew my condition how bitterly she would weep;

In camp I hear stories laughter and song,

I am longing for home and cannot join.

They tell me I am homesick perhaps it is true

I must shake off this despondency or I will never pull through

I am wishing for anything that can be arranged

Anything, just anything, anything for a change,

I hear the report of a signal gun,

Now we may listen for the sound of the old bass drum.

Fall in, fall in is the command to all,

And now we must answer at once to rollcall;

“Attention Company;” says the officer in time:

Forward double quick is the command that is passed down the line.

I hear the boom of cannon and rattle of smallarms,

The screams of the wounded show that the battle is on,

I am mortally wounded see how my blood flows,

I am sinking to rest, my troubles are o’er.

I am thirsty, feel chilly and cold and must sleep,