Wilmington journal., 1867-10-04
North Carolina Soldiers.

North Carolina Soldiers.
"The Petersburg Index, some ten days
| ago, in noticing a recent article IN the
Henderson On. c. Index upon the unfair
ness of Pollard's paper in regard to the sol
diers of our State, says
sOf our own knowledge we can testify to the
valor of the men sent to the neld ny me 5lo.hel
of Pender, of Pettigrew, Of Branch, OF Anderson,
and Of Cooke their deeds were above praise
eve refer to this for the purpose Of ad-
ding another Virginia tertimony to that
Just given When in Petersburg recently,
a distinguished resident Of that city told
US that he heard Gen. Ambrose 7. Hill
say, in answer to aninquiry made him, as
TO what troops lie preferred, that
he had rather have North Carolina
troops than those from any other
State. He said that whilst they al
ways fought as bravely as those from any
State whatever, they were more submissive
to authority tractable. Hence they
were really better soldiers. Our distin-
guished friend also stated that he asked
Gen. Hill who was the best Maior General
in the Confederate service. His answer
was Gen. Ponder We were pleased to
hear this, as it confirms our own impress
sion, and what we had said some months
ago in these columns Gen. Lee doubtless
shared with Gen. Hill in this opinion rela-
tive to our North Carolinian's s merit, If we
may Judge from his admirable eulogy in
his report of the campaign in which Gen.
Pender fell. That eulogy ought to be en-
craven on tablet of bronze or marble,
and placed in our State Capitol, to let flu
ture generations know the estimate in
which our foremost soldier was held by the
great Leader in our late gigantic struggle !;
as well as to teach them of what stuff their
ancestors were made"
It gives us pleasure to publish the fore
going article from the Warrenton Indicator.
The North Carolina soldiers have always
received compliments III such meagre pro-
portion to their deeds that when one comes
from sources beyond the State, we feel a
kindly spirit awakened in our breast. We
are especially glad to publish the extract
from the Petersburg hat1ec, as we had occa-
sion, few days ago, to correct that paper,
in having been led into injustice to North
Carolina troops in its attempted corrections
of Pollard's late work, in his article upon
Major General WILCOX; a correction
which was unnoticed until the facts we
gave were called specially to its attention
by full and manly defence by General
LANE of the gallant soldiers under his COM
mand, in letter to that paper
Our article was responded to by private
letters from one of the battle-scarred Brig
ade Commanders, whose troops were re-
fected upon, and from one of the gallant
officers of LANES Brigade, whose services
in the field in the prison, and in the hos
pital from desperate wounds, are second to
none of the thousands who represented
North Carolina in the armies of the Con
federate States. The thanks which these
letters convey, repay us an hundred fold
for the Jealous interest we take in the good
name of men who, when they had arms in
their hands, asked the aid of none, but
whonow, in theirpeaceful occupations, look
to those who knew and honored them for
their heroic action and gallant bearing to
defend them, whenever they are attacked
by friend Oh foe; and so long rs God gives
US the strength we will not permit them to
be harmlessly assailed.
We have heard General A. ?. HILL COM
plment the North Carolina troops of his
corps more than once, and express his
firm reliance upon their discipline and bear
ing. Upon one occasion, when d large
party of officers oi his corps were enjoying
the liberal hospitality of Petersburg gen
tleman, in the freedom of the social cheer,
he was asked by an officer which was his
fa7orite brigade? ? He promptly replied
CookE's. And the next MACRAE's was
the answer. And the next? LANES and
M AHoNE's, said GeneralHILL. At this point
an officer, not member Of either Of the
brigades mentioned, jocularly objected to
further investigation, as his own might be
among the last. For this reason, as we af
terward received from his own lips, bis
only other North Carolina brigade, was not
mentioned as coming next in his good
opinion.
OF General HILLs regard of. and reli-
ance upon, General PENDER, none knew
better than ourselves. Associated with that
officer during the last years of his life, in
the most intimate personal and official re-
lations, we were fully acquainted with the
confidence reposed in his favorite Lieuten-
ant by General HILL, and how much, in all
his undertakings. the judgment of General
PENDER was consulted and relied upon
The letter-book of the former, if it is pre-
served, contains more than q score of let
ters calling the attention of the War De-
partment to the merits of the latter and
urging his promotion. This fact and the
action of General PENDER at Chancellors-
vile. secured his promotion, at the time
the youngest officer of his rank in the army.
His fall at Gettysburg spread gloom, not
only over his Division, but over the entire
army. Gallant, skillful, energetic, this
young commander had won a reputation
surpassed only by the success and ability
of his services. General LEE, in his pre-
iminary report of this battle, in speaking
of the death of General PENDER, to which
we suppose the Indicator has reference,
says: "This lamented officer has borne a
5;St;pc11isbad mart in ayarv onooronoo,,S =