Page:The Immortal Six Hundred.djvu/208

  , which is always the case in large or small bodies of men; but it is a proud record to present to the world, that, notwithstanding the ordeal of fire, starvation, and disease, there were but seventeen of the six hundred who faltered and took the oath of allegiance to the United States Government, disgracing themselves, dishonoring their uniforms, leaving their comrades to suffer. What nation of the world can present a better record than this? And does it not prove the oft-repeated claim that the Confederate army was an army of heroes, whose hearts were as true and brave as ever beat in the breast of an Alexander, or a Ney? What could be said that would be flattery of the five hundred and eighty-three men who kept the faith throughout the terrible ordeal? No torture could wring from these men one whimper of pain, nor one regret that they had linked their fortunes with the cause of the South and followed her flag whither it led. These men were heroes by nature's gift; they were Southern