Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 33.djvu/296

 292 Southern Historical Society Papers.

When encamped on the banks of the Rapidan, and on the Rap- pahannock, often we could hear snatches of songs from the en- campment or pickets of the Federal soldiers on the opposite side of the river, and our men, satisfied that there was no danger from the hands of the enemy, would sing from our side, and more than once the sweet tones of "Home, Sweet Home," were sung by the opposing men, and echoed and re-echoed from bank to bank. This rare, unequalled song of John Howard Payne always recalled the tenderest recollections, and sweetest memories, and banished every evil thought.

THE TWELFTH ALABAMA SURGEONS.

This regiment was fortunate in having skilled and faithful sur- geons. The first when we entered service were Dr. Geo. Whitfield of Old Spring Hill, Alabama, as surgeon, but who became later brigade surgeon, and was assisted by Dr. Edward A. Ligon of Tuskegee, brother of Hon. R. F. Ligon, first Captain of Co. F. He died soon after returning home, in the winter of 1861 and 1862, after his resignation. Dr. Whitfield is still living in Marengo county, having happily married a noble lady of Richmond. He is past his threescore years and ten, is in splendid health, full of en- ergy and often rides twenty miles a day on horsrback, relieving the sick in his county. He was one of the most accomplished of sur- geons and physicians, and greatly beloved.

Wm. Wallace Scott, formerly of Mississippi, was also at one time our assistant surgeon. The other assistant surgeon of this regiment, who served for a short time during the war was, Dr. John B. Kelly of Anniston. He enlisted as a private in Co. B, and was promoted assistant surgeon.

BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS.

The succession of fierce engagements, known as the battles of the Wilderness, which began May 5th, 1864, and continued through May I2th, were events of surpassing interest to the Con- federate States. The meeting on the 5th of May between parts of General Lee's army and that of General Grant, was not a great distance from the old Chancellorsville battle ground. Rodes' brigade fought in the woods most of the time, and the writer had the bad luck to have a minie ball, which had struck the limb of a tree, to glance and pierce the ankle of his right foot, cutting through the shoe, skin and flesh and grazing the bone, but did not