Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 23.djvu/333

 How I Kept II <'inii}>. :;J7

re noble souls in mean clothes, suffering patiently in a noble cause as ever tilled a patriot's breast. Long may they live in our affections, and may wt never forget their wives and children.

HAD A STRING BAND.

The last thing I shall mention as one of my family possessions ,i string band. My bugler was a highly-educated German mu- sician. He served an apprenticeship of seven years. He had a good voice. With my wife's $50 guitar and two good violins we had good music. It often happened that on the march there were long and tedious delays caused by obstructions ahead. Sometimes it was a bridge or a broken wagon in a narrow road, sometimes waiting for somebody to come up, but from whatsoever cause the delay was irksome, especially if the day was hot and the road dusty. Under such delay music by the band was ordered, and some would dance, while others would drink in with delight the concord ot sweet sound. Others would remember the "Old Folks at Home," and others again "The Girl I Left Behind Me." When the band was not wanted in camp at night it could get a good supper by- seeking the best-looking house near our camping-ground. Eglin would enter first, almost without invitation, and, seating himself at the piano, would soon attract the whole household to him. There was no need of any further introduction. The cook began to hurry, and hot rolls and coffee were soon spread on the hospitable board for the dusty and tired soldiers. Often an impromptu dance by the neighbors would end the evening. Eglin and Moore have long since departed, but Frank Turnly still remains in Chesterfield. The sweet notes of " Lorena " and " Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still," even after thirty years, awaken tender memories of departed joys.

FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT.

In conclusion, my comrades, we fought a good fight, but have not yet received the fruit of our toil, but our reward is sure. We sowed in tears, but we shall reap in joy. How, when, and where, I know not. Some of our reward may be in this world some in the next. Of this I have no doubt. The retrospect of the four years of army life affords me more real pleasure than any like period in the past fifty years. I know not believe I know our cause was just. The man who calls us rebels is a fool; he knows nothing of