Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 31.djvu/206

 198 Southern Historical Society Papers.

during a great part of the war, has repeatedly made the statement that there was no better, braver, truer soldier in the army than Don Halsey. Such is the testimony also of Captain B. M. Collins, of the 1 2th North Carolina Regiment, who was with him constantly, General G. C. Wharton, General R. D. Johnston, and many others still living who with one voice say that a more gallant officer, or one more ready and fitted to do his duty on all occasions could not be found in the service. To their testimony is added that of the official records, which so fortunately for the truth of history, have been preserved and published by the United States Government in the series of volumes entitled War of Rebellion, Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. From these records it appears that he served successively on the staffs of Generals Garland, Iverson, R. D. Johnston, Ramseur and Wharton, and perhaps others, and that he saw as much active service as any other officer of the Southern armies, having participated in many of the heaviest battles of the war, such as Manassas, Seven Pines and other great battles of the Peninsula Campaign, South Mountain, Sharpsburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and also in many minor battles and skirmishes which do not figure so extensively in the reports, but which were no less a test of bravery and efficiency than the great historic battles whose names are household words throughout the world.

His conduct at the battle of Seven Pines is worthy of all praise. It was here that he received a severe wound from a minie ball, over the right eye, which deprived him of the sight of that organ, but which, strange to say did not materially disfigure him, so that few persons would have been able to detect from looking at him that he had lost an eye. In his official report of that great battle, General D. H. Hill, who was in command of a division that was prominently engaged says ( War of the Rebellion Records, Vol. XI, pp. 945-6): "General Garland, when his brigade was not actually engaged, re- ported to me with his aide and adjutant to serve in my staff. In that capacity he rendered the most valuable services and was much exposed. His adjutant, Meem, was killed, and his aide, Halsey, severely wounded near me. I had frequent occasion to notice the gallant bearing of these two officers. ' ' General Garland in his report (same volume, pp. 962-966), mentions the activity he displayed in carrying orders and attending to the usual duties of a staff officer, and uses these words: " My aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Don P. Hal- sey, having attracted universal applause throughout my entire com- mand by his handsome behavior, was rallying a disordered regiment