Although many histories have been writtenand tradition has furnished its parttoward the perpetuation of the memory ofthe exciting times of the civil war, verymuch occurred that has never been recorded.Monuments may be erected and historieswritten, but unless the veterans now livingget busy and refresh their memories, andthe memories of their comrades very muchthat happened, and ought to be preservedin durable form will with the passing ofthe main actors pass into oblivion. TheConfederate Soldiers now living are allold men, and each one could, and oughtto contribute items of information thatwould be interesting to the children andadults of future generations. These scenes,anecdotes, incidents and historical factsought to be written by the soldiers themselves,for by no other means can a correcthistory of the war period be handed downto posterity.

I undertake my part of the task wellknowing the information that I shall tryto give will not be pictured in a graphicstyle to please the overeducated critic, butI feel assured that though written in aplain style the facts narrated will be readand appreciated by many who will notdepreciate the information given, onaccount of the lack of embellishment orabsence of the style so pleasing to the[4]lovers of eloquence, poetry, song andgraphic story.

The following pages written by a plainconfederate soldier who spent three yearsin the war instead of at college are submittedto the public upon the merits ofthe information given, without claimingany literary merit. Feeling that I amperforming an imperative duty that I oweto the cause and my country, I respectfullydedicate the reminiscences to the soldiersof the late war who were my comradeswhile passing through the trying ordeal.