The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-15
A SCRAP OF HISTORY
General Hoke's Farewell Address to His
Division in 1865.


Division in 1865.
The following certified copy OF Gen
| eral Hoke's address to his division at
the close of the war is furnished the
Hornet for publication, and will no
doubt be gladly welcomed by many Of
our readers, who, together with the
writer. followed where the gallant Hoke
led during the trying times of 1875
Headquarters Hoke's Division,
Near Greensboro, n c.,
May 1, 1861.
Soldiers OF my Division:
On the eve of long. perhaps final
separation, | address to you the last
sad words Of parting.
The fortunes of war have turned the
scale against us. The proud banners
which you have waved so gloriOusy
over many a field are to be furel at last.
But they are not disgraced. my COM
! rades. Your indomitable courage, your
heroic fortitude, your patience under
sufferings. have surrounded them with
such a halo which future years can
never dim. History will bear witness
to your valor, and succeeding genera
tons will point with admiration to your
grand struggle for Constitutional free
dom.
Think then of your home.
Freedoms battle once begun.
Bequeathed from bleeding sire TO son,
Though baffled oft, is ever won.'
You have yielded to overwhelming
forces, not at superior valor. You are
parOled prisoners, not slaves. The love
Of liberty which led you into the con-
test burns as brightly in your hearts
as ever. Cherish it. Associate it with
the history of your past. Transmit it
to your children. Teach them the rights
OF freedom, and teach them to main
tain them. Teach them the proudest
day in all your career was that on
which you enlisted as Southern soldiers
entering that holy brotherhood whose
ties are now sealed by the blood Of
your compatriots who have fallen, and
whose history is coeval with the bril-
liant record of the past four years.
Soldiers, amid the imperishable laurels
that surround your brOws, no brighter
leaf adorns them than your connection
with the late army of Northern Sr-
ginial
The star that shone with splendor over
its oft-repeated fields Of victory, over the
two deadly struggles of Manassas
Plains, over Richmond Charlottesville
and Fredericksburg. has sent its rays
and been reflected where true courage
is admired, or wherever freedom has
friend That star has set in blood
but yet in glory. The army is now OF
the past. The banners trail, but not
with ignominy. No stain blots their
eScutcheons No blush can tinge your
cheeks as you proudly announce that
you have a part in the history of the
Army of NOrthen Virginia.
My comrades we have borne together
the same hardships; we have shared the
same dangers: we have rejoiced over
the same victories. Your trial@@HDur pa
thence have excited sympathy and adj
miration. and l have borne willing wit
ness to your bravery, and it is with
heart full of grateful emotions for your
services and ready obedience that
take leave of you May the future OF
each one be as happy as your past
career has been brilliant. and may no
cloud ever dim the brightness Of your
fame. The past rises before in it's
illimitable grandeur It's memories are
part of the life of each one of us. But
it is all over now. Yet, though the
sad, dark veil of defeat is over us, fear
not the future. but meet it with manly
hearts. You carry to your homes the
heartfelt wishes of your General for
your prosperity,
My comrades, farewell
X. +. HOKE,
Major General.