The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-26
THE CONFEDERATE VETERANS
NORTH CAROLINA'S QUOTA
OF SOLDIERS.

The meeting of the Confederate Vet
Grams in Raleigh yesterday was an oc-
casion of Statewide interest. There
| were upwards of four hundred in at
tendance, representing all sections of
the State. They came from all walks
of life and were truly comrades in their
private meetings and public gatherings.
In the uniform or wearing the badge Of
the gray there are no distinctions, the
millionaire and the inmate of the Sol
diers Home, the prosperous lawyer,
Judge and merchant clasping hands with
their brethren who had not found ma
terial successfully were all as one,
animated by a common patriotic pur-
pose.
There can be no honor too high for these
brave souls, and in honoring them we
honor ourselves. Those who need the
help of the State ought TO find their
last days made comfortable by such
pensions and such care as will make
them feel that the rising generation is
as devoted to the veterans and to the
perpetuation of their deeds of valor as
the men of the last generation.
1t would be strange indeed if every
North Carolnian did not cherish tn
glory of the Confederate soldiers from
their own State, for this State made
a record that has never been surpassed
in history A recent issue of the Con-
federate Veteran, edited by General
Clement A. Evans, contains Il carefully
compiled paper from Prof. d. II. Hill
showing by facts and figures the glo-
rious record made by our soldiers:
"Adiutant and Inspector General Coop
err reports probably a close estimate)
that 100000 men We're first and last,
enrolled under the Confederate flag.
What proportion of these ought North
Carolina to have furnished? The total
white population of the eleven seeded
States was 5,441, 800 North Cardinals
was G29, $40, and it was third in white
populations; hence North Carolina would
have discharged to the letter every legal
obligation resting upon it if it had fur
nished 62, 942 troops. What number did
it actually supply? On November 10Th,
1864, Adjutant General r. c. Gatlin,
a most systematic and careful officer
made an official report to the Govern
or (of North Cardinal on this subject.
The following figures, compiled from
that report by Mr.. John Neathery, give
the specific information. Troops trans
ferred to the Confederate service, ac-
cording to original rolls on file in this
office, 64,636; conscripts between tn
ages of eighteen and fOrty-five, as per
report of the commandant of conscripts
dated September 80. 1864. 1885; re-
cruits that have volunteered in the
different companies since date of original
rolls (compiled), 21,60S; troops in UNI
attached companies and serving in
regiments from other States 3,103; reg
ular troops in State service, 3,203-total
offensive, 111.135. To these must be
added junior reserves, 4, 217: senior re-
seserves, 5.6S6-total in active service,
121, OBS. Then organized and subject to
emergency service in the State, home
guard and militia, 1862 Total troops
armed. equipped, mustered into State or
Confederate service, $4,000.
Prom these official figures it will be
seen that, estimating the offensive troops
alone, North Carolina exceeded her
quota 41,715 men. Including the junior
and senior reserves-wbo did active
duty in garrison. guarding prisoners, ana
on occasion good fighting-the State ex-
ceeded its quota by 51,61S. Taking all,
it went over its quota by the large SUM
of $3.50. This number of troops far
exceeded the State voting population"
''As shown by the census of 1860. the
total number of men in North Carolina
between the ages of twenty and sixty,
the extreme limits of military service.
was 12S.SS9. Subtract from this number
the number of troops furnished and il
reveals the extraordinary fact that in
the whole of North Carolina there were
only 3,SSo men subject to military duty
who were not in some form of martial
service. Most of these $3.50 were eX-
empted because they were serving the
State in civil capacity as magistrates,
county officers, dispensers of public
food, etc. So practically, every man in
the State was serving the State or the
Confederacy. 1t may well be doubted
whether Il more striking evidence Of
public devotion was ever recorded.
These statistics exhibit the remark
able patriotism and State pride with
which North CarOlinians sustained to
the point of exhaustion the Confederate
cause. 1t is probable that the numbers
only approximate the real strength fur
nished by the great old State, since the
doubling of names may have occurred
in some instances by various re-enlist-
ments or changes of commands. Yet,
with this considered. it remains true
that the sister Confederate States must
pay TO North Carolina the tribute of
praise which she well deserves as the
leader Of all in furnishing men to the
Confederacy. And now that these sta
tistics are given. will not some other
competent comrades enter the field and
give to us through the Veteran the con
trbutions in men and means of their
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