Greensborough Patriot
February 26, 1863
Page 3
Correspondence of the Patriot
From
the 45th Regiment
Camp 45th Regiment N. C. Troops
February 18, 1863
Messrs. Editors:
North Carolina
soldiers may fight and fight, and bear the brunt of the hardest battles, yet
who sings or mentions their heroism, but kind zephyrs what sigh over their
remains not over their graves, for they have none? It ought not to be so, and so far as I am
able, it shall not be, with you dear Patriot, as my medium. The backwardness of our dear State has always
been a jest to her sister States. But
high moral worth was always conceded to her.
Her laws are the fruit of wisdom.
But never did I feel so proud to be called a North
Carolinian as now. I don’t wish to make
envious distinctions between Confederate Soldiers, and I yield to our brothers
from other States, praises that could not be given to any foreign nations. But if North
Carolina soldiers maintain the position they have
taken, generations to come will mention Spartan prowess as second to that of N.
C. If a “South
Mountain” must be held against the
whole Yankee army; if a “Malvern Hill” is to be drenched with crimson; if a
“Seven Pines” is to be strewn with corpses, North
Carolinians must be the victims.
Be mindful that we soldiers do not proclaim against this treatment. No, we are proud to prove ourselves equal to
any emergency. Let me recite to one
regiment, the 13th N.C. That
Regiment at South
Mountain, was twice
surrounded; and both times cut its way out, and it still fought on.
Other regiments have done as well and probably better
than the 13th, but I mentioned that one as an instance. While I speak of North Carolinians in general
it will be my aim to speak of the 45th in particular, as the whole
Regiment is from around Greensboro.
Now and then a new case of small pox breaks out amongst
us, and for that reason I think it is advisable for our “folks” not to visit us
much at present. We have had but few
tents since we came from Drewry’s Bluff, before
Christmas. But we had made log “hen
houses” and had begun to roost comfortably, when last Wednesday morning, that cold snowy morning, ere Aurora had blushed at the approach of her
spouse, we were aroused by marching orders.
We had to march through the rain and snow to Kinston to take Gen. Evans’ place—his brigade
being ordered below. Some of our
absentee without leave are availing themselves of the leniency of Gen. Smith’s
order of pardon.
OUTPOSTS, NEAR TRENTON,
Feb. 21—Our flag that went down day before yesterday,
came up by yesterday evening. Several
ladies went down by it. The Yankees were
pleasant. One of the ladies touched our
Lieutenant’s pants and told the enemy that this was the stuff—alluding probably
to the pants, and the man in them. Maj.
Winston goes down this morning to meet a flag returning some pardoned prisoners
captured a week or two ago, of which I informed you at the time. The Yankees are quite still and hence no
news.
HAMMERFEST
[Transcribed by Sharon Strout]
