CHAPTER II.
BEGINNING OF HOSTILITIES.
The War Begins.—Fort Sumpter was fired upon and surrendered. Lincoln called for troops from North Carolina to help to subjugate her Southern sister States. Governor Ellis promptly informed the president that no troops would be furnished from the State for such a purpose, and at once called for volunteers to assist the South in its struggle for independence. The state followed the lead of Virginia, identified herself with the South, and the war was on.
The most loyal friends of the Union now plainly saw that war was inevitable, and that there was no neutral ground to occupy. This plain proposition presented itself that all must fight, and to fight for the perpetuation or restoration of the Union meant crossing the lines and taking up arms against our own homes and our own people. Very few were willing to take this step or assume such a responsibility. Past differences of opinion were to a great extent reconciled, the bulk of the people stood together, joined the Southern forces, fought under the same flag, and startled the civilized world with their wonderful achievements.
Young Men Volunteer.—Young men of my immediate neighborhood volunteered, some of them deceived by the spell-binders who in their harangues asserted that all of the blood lost in the war could be wiped up with a silk handkerchief. These impetuous uncompromising war men soon began to maneuver to screen themselves and their sons from serving as soldiers in the army, and were busy trying to secure bomb proof positions or hire substitutes. The conservative element composed largely of the honest yeomanry of the country, including many of its best citizens, although not ambitious for military honors, or overanxious to become soldiers, held themselves in readiness to join the army when they considered it time for them to go or their country demanded their services. As time moved on the army was enlarged and the home force depleted. From time to time citizens left their homes to exchange the garb of the citizen for the uniform of the soldier.
Parting Scenes.—There were many pathetic scenes at the parting of loved ones. The mother reluctantly gave up her sons that she had fondly hoped would be to her a solace, comfort and support in her declining years. The boys in their vigorous young manhood went to the war, but many or them never crossed the threshold of home again. The faithful wife kissed her husband good-bye fondly hoping, wishing and praying that he would be spared to return home again, perhaps in a short time she was left a lonely widow with the double responsibility resting upon her of training the little family of more than orphan children that with her were left to mourn their irreparable loss. The affectionate sister who had grown up in the same home with a brother she was proud of, helped him to get ready to go to the war, feeling sure he would return home with honors in a short time, but the ravages of disease, the exposures of the camp or march, or a fatal shot from the enemy caused him to fill a soldier’s grave. The sweet young girl enjoying the ecstatic bliss of loves bright, young dream, cheered her lover as he moved on to the war, and perhaps at parting they exchanged vows of undying affection, but cruel fate deprived the gallant young soldier of the privilege of returning to claim his bride. He too, had to give up his life on the fatal field of battle.
Ere the war was half over the most of the ablebodied men were required to join the army. Many of them promptly responded, while others not willing to risk the dangers to which soldiers were exposed refused to go and concealed themselves.
Recusant Conscripts and Deserters.—In some sections of the country there were recusant conscripts and deserters consisting of two classes. There were some substantial citizens at home that were doing well, quietly attending to their own home affairs, without paying much attention to the politics of the country. These citizens were uncompromising union men, opposed to the war, quietly concealed themselves and failed to report for duty when called upon. They were not outlaws in the full acceptation of the term, were supported by homefolks and friendly sympathizers, and did not interfere with the personal rights or property of anyone. There were others though who were vindictive and terrorized the people by pillaging, stealing, robbing, doing private injury and sometimes threatening the lives of people at home. In places infested by such gangs a fearful state of affairs existed. These recusant conscripts and deserters were hunted by details of soldiers already in the service, assisted by militia officers at home. Some of the militia officers rendered themselves very unpopular by offensive methods used to capture men who were dodging, consequently a very bitter feeling was engendered between neighbors and sometimes between members of the same family. The power of the civil government and military was used to induce all to join the army, and the most of the men subject to military duty had to go, although some went under protest.
Loss of Loved Ones.—As the war advanced there was mourning in many homes, on account of the loss of loved ones. Within a radius of a very few miles of my home many stalwart young men were brought home dead, having sickened and died in camp, on the march, in the hospital, or having been slain in battle. Many a poor boy the idol of a good mother gave up his life on the gory battlefield, deprived of the tender care and affectionate ministrations of a mother, sister or wife to comfort him in his dying hour. Some were left with their bones to bleach on the gory field of battle, others were never accounted for and if buried at all were buried by strangers that did not know them and perhaps did not want to know them.
Roll Call of The Dead.—The following principally young men are the names of some of my relations, playmates, schoolmates, acquaintances or soldier comrades that lost their lives during the war: