Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 23.djvu/203

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a gallant soldier! Grm-ral I.t i- rrplird: " General Martin is one to whom \orth Carolina owes a debt she will never pay." I told this to General Martin after the war, and the old general said he would like to have that saying recorded. It was said in my hearing, and made me proud also. General Let- was fond of < it-neral Martin, but I believe President Davis was not, owing to a difference in the old army.

During its eight months' service in Virginia this brigade, under Martin and Kirkland, in the armies of Beauregard and Lee, was as as effective, as brave, laborious and faithful as any brigade in the army, and its losses from casualties and disease was very heavy. Almost continuously under fire, it never failed in attack, and was never driven from its position by the enemy. This testimony is cheerfully given by one who was never absent a single day from its front line, having never been disabled by wound or sickness, and is proud to have shared all of its hardships, exposure, and dangers.

Our division commanders were Whiting, D. H. Hill, and Hoke. Corps commanders Lieutenant-Generals R. H. Anderson and Longstreet.

General D. H. Hill impressed me as a zealous, unselfish patriot and great soldier, who knew not fear and shrank from no duty. His Christian faith was unbounded. He could always be found at the most dangerous place in the line, doing what he could to encourage and also protect the men.

Hoke, as a division commander, was the peer of any in the army. Conspicuous for his bravery, coolness, and good judgment, the youngest major-general in the army, his rapid promotion from the grade of lieutenant was due alone to his gallant and meritorious con- duct and fitness to command.

Hoke had many able officers and men under him who have been distinguished in public life since the war. Jarvis, of Clingman's Brigade; Colquitt, of Georgia, and Hagocd, of South Carolina, were Governors of their respective States at the same time. One oi his gallant young staff officers, Captain S. B. Alexander (taken from the Forty-second North Carolina troops) has honorably represented his county in the Legislature and his District in Congress, and at the same session of the latter Lieutenant W. A. B. Branch, one ot Hoke's aides, son of the hero L. O'B. Branch, was his colleague. Lieutenant A. Leazer, of the Forty-second North Carolina troops, and Adjutant George H. Rose, of the Fiftieth North Carolina troops, were both Speakers of the General Assembly of North Carolina.