I found this passage about the Confederates repulsing an overwhelming force against unbelievable odds, and thought I would share. This type of writing is why I fell in love with reading first-hand accounts of the War Between the States, and why, as an historical fiction author, I grew to admire the language of the 19th century. This comes from Land of the Golden River, Lewis Philip Hall, Hall Enterprises, 1980.

For a little background, General Joseph E. Johnston attacked General W.T. Sherman in Bentonville, N.C., on March 19, 1865. Brigade after brigade of the Federals were crushed, and the center almost destroyed. Following this defeat, Sherman was unwilling to suffer another so he waited for General Schofield to join him. This brought the strength of his force to more than 160,000 men.

The Confederate Corp of General D. H. Hill numbered 2,687 men.

In regard to this display of courage and character, and in honor of all Confederate soldiers of 1861-1865, Judge de Roulhac Hamilton wrote:

“How splendid they were in their modest, patient, earnest, love of country! How strong they were in their young manhood, and pure they were in their faith, and constant they were in their principles. How they bore suffering and hardship, and how their lives were ready at the call of duty! Suffering they bore, duty they performed, and death they faced and met, all for the love of the dear old homeland; and all this for the glory and honor of North Carolina. As they were faithful unto thee, guard thou their names and fame, grand old mother of us all. If thy sons in the coming times shall learn the lesson of the heroism their lives inspired and their deeds declared, then not one drop of blood was shed in vain.”