The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-01-14
THE FIRST n. c. VOLUNTEERS.
History Of the Regiment Which Was First at
Bethel and Last at Appomattox.
To the Editor:
BY Edward j. Hale.

oIlIla.
She has not exhibited those boastful
qualities which seem to characterize the
peoples of new countries. She had pass
ed her century before she discovered that
it was the making, not the writing, of his.
tory which chiefly distinguished her. and
recorded the fact i'll her recently adopted
motto. Ut may be said of her, as the
Duke of York said of Richards noble
father,
I'm peace, was never gentle lamb more
mild;
In war, was never lion ragged more fierce.
When We consider these peculiarlties
of our mother State, assimilating her
more nearly than her sisters to old
world communities, with their repose and
reserved strength, we will be prepared
to understand the secret of the surprises
which she gave to her neighbors. 1t will
also explain why so few general officers
were accorded to her at first and so
grudgingly, and how it came about. be-
fore the war had ended that the North
Carolina contingent i'll the Army of
Northern Virginia were masters of the
situation. Indeed, mo thoughtful soldier
of that army, observing the course of
events i'll the last year or two of the war.
could hesitate to believe that if it had
lasted year longer the leadership of the
army, saving Lee himself, would have
been supplied by North CaroEnians-
that is ITO say. by those who contributed
the greater number of soldiers as well
as the greater losses in battle. The
turning Of the tide at Gettysburg, so
diSheartening to the South, seemed only
to inspire the troops of our glorious
State with greater fortitude as they enter
ed upon the losing battle which Grants
new methods imposed in the death Crap
pie of 1864 and 1860.
Bearing these things I'M mind we may
review with composure the attitude of
North Carolina before the outbreak of
hOstihties, and feel the thrill Of COM
pensated pride at the CELEBRITY and ponder
BUSINESS of her blows fterwards-wheth-
er delivered by the First Regiment. set
ting the pace at Bethel Church. or by
any of its successors. The contrast i'll
her two moods constitutes one of the
sublimest episodes Of history.
The General Assembly of North Caro-
lima met on the 18th of November. 1860.
South Carolina PASSED her ordinance of
secession on the Goth of December. Mis-
sissippi followed on the 9th of January,
the 18th: Georgia ON the 18th; Louisi-
ana ON the Doth, and Texas on the 1st
of February Amid the profound agita
ton which these events produced, North
Carolina preserved her equanimity as a
State though her people Were divided.
Those who favored joining the newly
formed Confederacy advocated the call
ing of convention. Those who opposed
hn f. n
ton. There were. however, a large num-
Der who opposed secession as ineXpedent,
who nevertheless favored the calling of a
convention. Such body it was thought
could observe the course of events, and
be ready for action if circumstances re-
CURED
On the Both of January the General
Assembly passed bill for an election to
determine the question Of calling con-
ventlon, and at the same time for choos-
ing members of the convention if called.
'Ine 2Sth of February was named as
the day for the election. The call of
the convention was rejected by mar
row majority, some $50; but the num-
Der of delegates chosen who thought
secession ineXpedient unless coercion
of the seeded States We're attempted,
was 80; while the number of those who
were known as "SecesSionists." that is
those who favored immediate action, was
So
FROM PEACB TO WAR
On the 10Th of April hostilities began
in Charleston Harbor. On the 10Th Mr..
Lincoln issued his proclamation for CO.
ercion. On the 18th Governor Ellis is
sued his patriotic rejoinder, converting the
General Assembly in special session"
ON the LIST of May On the 18th of April
the beading organ of the majority con-
tanned an editorial which voiced their
as these were affected by
such stupendous change in their affairs
and which it will be enlightening to quote
as follows:
ut is needless to remind our readers
how earnestly and honestly we have Ia
bored to preserve our once great and glo-
rious and beneficent Union. In its exist
ence we have believed were involved that
blessing, peace; that sound
form of liberty and law inaugurated by
the constitution of the United States; and
the security, nay, even the existence, OF
that domestic institution out OF when
have arisen all our national troubles. In
the new aspect of affairs, we see no real
son to change any opinion that we have
expressed, that the difficulty ought TO
have been peaceably settled, and would
have been if good men had been intiuen-
tial We believe now. as heretofore, that
by the exercise Of that patience which
the immense issues at stake demanded,
there would have been u peaceful set
tlement. We believe now, as heretofore,
that a fratricidal war for such cause
Us wrong of which we would not be
guilty for a thousand worlds. But with
all these opinions unchanged, there is
a change in the conditions OF affairs-l
change with which neither we nor the
people of North Carolina have had aught
to do--over which they have had no con-
troll, but which of necessity will shape
their action. The Presidents Proclama-
ton is the last feather that breaks the
camel's back 1t shows that the nro-
fessions OF peace were II delusion and Il
cheat, or. If ever really entertained. that |
peaceful intentions have been abandoned. |
War Is to be pIuS"cn ed against the |
South u ri.anS cf tic 5000 men call. i
ed for; and North Carolina has been of |
fcially required to furnish a quota of the |
$4,000. VIII she do it? Ought she to
do If No no. Not a man can leave hp1. |