BY P. L. LEDFORD THOMASVILLE, N. C. JULY 1909 News Printing House Thomasville, N. C. Copyright 1909 By P. L. LEDFORD...

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 Confede

Origin of the War. —At this time, more than forty years removed from the date of the exciting scenes enacted in the sixties, I desire for the benefit and edification of my relatives, soldier friends and other special friends, in a plain unvarnished style to record a few of the incidents and doings of the people, who were active participants in the drama of those strenuous times. I shall not confine myself to dates or specially comment on the personal history of anyone, but merely wish to rescue

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 Gar

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

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 mo

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 o

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

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 j

The Sick Soldier. —Exposure, irregular and unwholesome diet, constant changing, uncomfortable lodgings and many other things caused soldiers to contract diseases which often terminated in death. Notwithstanding everything was done for the poor sick soldier that could be done under the circumstances, he missed the affectionate attentions of loved ones at home. On account of inadequate facilities to furnish the necessary means the unfortunate victim was often neglected. Surgeon’s Call. —While in c

Soldiers in Prison. —A soldier belonging to an army in war times necessarily lives a strenuous life, and if unfortunately captured by the enemy and has to be incarcerated in prison it makes life to the average soldier almost unendurable. A soldier obliged to obey strictly army rules and regulations enforced by officers fighting for the same cause he is contending for surrenders seemingly about all of his liberties, but when reduced to the humiliation of having a sentinel standing over him all of

Picket or Scout. —Different phases of soldier life have been partially explained, but the elements that enter into the make up or the varied experience of the successful sharpshooter or scout are beyond description. Take the foremost soldier in the army whose energy, pluck and daring deeds of valor have aided him in forging his way to the front, then add all the nerve, fearlessness, disregard of danger, determination to surmount all obstacles and you get only a faint idea of the sturdy firm, int

While not pretending to write the history of any special command, the writer belonged to Co. B. 14th Regiment N. C. Infantry which accounts for a casual reference to the regiment in these sketches. The regiment was composed of the following companies—all North Carolinians: Company Officers. —Company B, of which I was a member was made up at Thomasville and the immediate surrounding country. The company was at first commanded by Capt. Miller, but when the company reorganized J. H. Lambeth was ele

The Emancipated Negro. —To do the negro race justice, there is no doubt if they had been let alone to follow their own inclinations and judgment they would have been largely influenced in their conduct after being emancipated by their former owners and the better class of white people of the South who were then and are now their best friends, because having grown up with them in an entirely different social scale are better calculated to advise them for their good. Two classes of people accepted