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of thorough soldiers in the field. By such a course you will families and kindred, and

best secure the comfort of your restore tranquillity to our country,

You will return to your homes with the admiration of our people, won by the courage and noble devotion you have displayed in this long war.

I shall always remember with pride the loyal support and generous confidence you have given me. I now part with you with deep regret, and bid you farewell with feelings of cordial friendship, and with earnest wishes that you may hereafter have all the prosperity and happiness to be found in the world.

J. E. JOHNSTON,

General.

The following is the form of the parole given:

GREENSBORO, North Carolina, May 1st, 1865.

In accordance with the terms of the military convention entered into on the 26th day of April, 1865, between Gen. Joseph E. Johnston commanding the Confederate army, and Major Gen. W. T. Sherman commanding the United States army in North Carolina, ......... of Wheaton's Light Battery has given his solemn obligation not to take up arms against the government of the United States until properly released from this obligation; and is permitted to return to his home, not to be disturbed by the United States authorities so long as he observes this obligation, and obeys the laws in force where he may reside.

Hobart Ford,

JOHN F. WHEATON,

Captain C. S. A., Commanding Battery.

Captain and A D C., U. S. A., Special Commissioner.

On the 3d of May, 1865, having discharged the last sad duties devolved upon it by virtue of the terms of the surrender, the members of the Chatham

Artillery with heavy hearts entered upon their homeward march, in company with Loring's division and the men of Parker's Light Battery. After crossing the Yadkin these two artillery companies parted company with the infantry, and continued the march together until the 8th, when they separated - the Chatham Artillery taking the direct road for Augusta. The Catawba river was crossed on a pontoon bridge. Marched through Chesterville, crossed the Broad river in a flat, passed through Newberry, crossed the Saluda river in a flat, and reached Hamburg opposite Augusta on the 14th. There the men rested during the 15th, and on the 16th of May, 1865, were formally disbanded to their respective homes in compliance with the specific orders of Gen. Johnston and the express terms of the surrender. During the entire march while in other commands straggling and disorganization obtained to a fearful extent — the organization of the Chatham Artillery was carefully preserved. Guard duty was regularly performed to the last moment, and good order maintained. None left the company except such as were too weak to endure the fatigues of the march. These were placed upon the cars at Greensboro and at Salisbury. On the morning that the company was finally disbanded, ninety men answered to their names at roll call. Of the thousands returning from Greensboro-so far as it can be stated with certainty — the Chatham Artillery was the only military organization which reached. the city of Augusta intact. Day by day on the homeward march, companies and whole regiments melted away. Thus, to the latest moment of its military existence, did this company maintain inviolate that obedience to, and love of order, which always characterized it in such a remarkable degree. During this

homeward march the company had transportation for baggage and rations, and at Augusta transportation home by rail road and steam boat was furnished the men, as far as practicable, by the Federal quarter

masters.

CHAPTER X.

Concluding observations.

Thus ended the connection of the Chatham Artillery with the military service of the Confederate states. Commencing on the 3d of January, 1861, with the occupation of Fort Pulaski under orders from the governor of Georgia, it continued until the last gun of the war had been fired, until, by the surrender of the Confederate forces under Generals Lee and Johnston, the last hope of achieving the independence of the southern Confederacy had been extinguished in the gloom of despair.

Although the military history of this Battery is less bloody, and in the record of its services may be enumerated fewer scenes of carnage, imminent dangers and hair breadth escapes than occur in the history of many other organizations in the Confederate army, of the members of no company can it be more truthfully said, they did their whole duty cheerfully, intelligently, efficiently and patriotically at all times and under all circumstances. The appreciation of this fact, even amid these dark days of disappointment and of poverty, is a source of pride and of honor priceless in the consolations which it brings.

Although the rich goal of national independence was not attained, the happy consciousness remains of selfrespect preserved, of honor vindicated, of manhood declared, and of every honest effort expended in the brave defense of principle and property. Overcome,

but not conquered - defeated, but not humiliated-impoverished, but not degraded — oppressed, and yet proud in spirit-such to-day is the condition of the south. Federal armies-attracting to themselves under the stimulus of extraordinary exertions, and by virtue of most prodigal bounties, multitudes of recruits from the new and mercenaries from the old world-in obedience to the commands of a military dictator, and at the expense of blood, and treasure, and right, compassed a physical solution of the question of comparative strength in favor of superior numbers and greater resources. They did not determine the validity or impropriety of the moral propositions involved in this gigantic struggle. The sword never does, it never has, and it never can submit any other than a physical arbitrament in matters of conscience, of abstract principle and of inalienable right. The dismemberment of Poland was accomplished by warlike measures which commended themselves to the entire approbation of the arbitrary, grasping monarchs by whom they were inaugurated and sustained; and yet the life blood of that nation has ever been held sacred, and its death agonies perpetuated in honor, in story and in song, and the action of the invading armies which blotted out from the sisterhood of nations a brave people struggling for liberty and national existence, condemned by every lover of freedom, by the voice of civilization, and the verdict of impartial history. Today the causes which brought about the Confederate revolution are morally as unaffected by the issues of the contest as they were at the moment of its inception. The Roman motto, exitus acta probat, is as fallacious as it is antiquated. The subsequent acts of radical rule justify each day more and more emphatically the necessity which was laid upon the south to

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