Test of Valor.—On the skirmish line was the place to test the real powers of the soldier. In the Southern army were plain unassuming men, without reward or the hope of reward, or even realizing that they were doing anything extraordinary, that performed deeds of daring that stamped them as heroes of the highest type.
Escape of the Enemy.—Near the close of the war an inducement was offered by the Yankees to dissatisfied Southern soldiers to pass through the lines, and occasionally a sentinel would leave his post and with his gun and equipments make a dash for the lines on the other side. As he approached the picket post on the other side the Yankee sentinel would call out, “Come in Johnnie.” A few soldiers escaped sometimes under the fire of sentinels at contiguous posts. While a few citizens and soldiers crossed over the line but few joined the Northern army.
Welcome Peace.—Soldiers on both sides were tired of war and welcomed the treaty of peace, and were glad to return to their homes and again engage in the quiet peaceful pursuits of life.
Four years of exposure suffering and strife
Ruined many a home and many a life,
At the end of the war many soldiers brave
Were peacefully sleeping in heroes graves.
On the Warpath.—The campaigns of the civil war were generally vigorously prosecuted in warm weather. In the good old Summer time soldiers slept on blankets thrown on the ground with nothing but the canopy of heaven as a covering, and then if they received marching orders the boys had nothing to do but to take up their beds and walk at quick step or if in case of urgent necessity at double quick time.
Often while sweetly sleeping not disturbed by the fear of Yankees or anything else, the drum would beat and soldiers would be aroused from sleep and then there would be something doing, and very soon the command would be moving.
Though densely dark with no moon or star light,