Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 23.djvu/171

 /. </</</,, lxi;.' t -Q5. 165

We took the train to Indianapolis, tlu-nce to Columbus, thence to Camp Chasr, whnv ur \\riv kept tor three mouths.

About the ist of August we were given the- alternative of taking the oath, or going to hard labor on the fort. We took the oath, but none tin less loyal to that banner that has been forever furled, and tin- grand old leaders of the " Lost Cause."

On our homeward journey, at Wheeling, W. Va., where we ar- rive el in the early morning, and spent the day, an elderly gentleman and two young ladies came to us and inquired if we were Confede- rate prisoners, and when told that we were, gave us nice refreshments.

At Baltimore we went to the Soldiers' Home, and had good food and every comfort. From there we went to Fortress Monroe, thence to Petersburg, and on to Danville. We switched off to B Junction, and there a kind old gentleman gave me my first greenback dollar, and I was glad to get it. Our next stop was at Greensboro, N. C, and then we were soon at home.

[From the Raleigh (N. C.) State, November 19, 1895.]

KIRKLAND'S BRIGADE, HOKE'S DIVISION, i864-'65.

During the fall and winter of 1864, Longstreet's corps, composed of the divisions of Field, Kershaw, and Hoke, defended the lines on the north side of James river, confronted by General B. F. Butler's " Army of the James."

Late in December Butler's army was sent on its expedition against Fort Fisher, N. C., and Hoke's Division was ordered to proceed to Wilmington to meet Butler. Kirkland's Brigade, the Seventeenth, Forty-second, and Sixty-sixth North Carolina troops, was moved first to Richmond. Having been recruited in winter quarters, the command made a fine appearance marching through the streets of the capital, with three brass bands and three drum and fife corps, its steady step and fine bearing eliciting cheers from the people. Offi- cers and men felt the thrill which comes to the young soldier's heart from "the pomp and circumstance of war" and the approving smiles of woman. The troops were very enthusiastic when told they were going to defend the soil of their native State.

As the railroad from Petersburg to Weldon was closed to us our only route was ria Danville, Greensboro, and Raleigh.