The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-05-20
Recollections of the First North Caro-
lima Military, 1861.
To the Editor:

AS time passes and we grow older
to some extent Some say ] don't
want to think of the past. | want 10
look forward to the future. That is
al right III some respects, but what
would become of history if we did not
look backward some times?
Being at the Soldiers Home. the
old "Pettigrew Hospital" recalled to
my memory. the first Military Hospi-
tai that was organized in the State.
of North Carolina during the war be
tween the States.
1t was located on the .oid Fair
grounds. east of Raleigh, in the house,
formerly occupied by the keeper OF
the Fair grounds. which house is now
standing and is occupied by a coiored
family.
1t was organized by the late DR.. +.
Burke Haywood individually. and not
BIZ the State. as many may think. DR..
Haywood's memory is revercd by
many an old soldier. VINO was reliev
ed and saved from an untimely death
by his great medical skill. love and
sympathy. Dir. Haywood was greatly
assisted by W. III. Dodd. Esq. as drug
gist. whose pleasant smiles and per-
suasive words would make the pills
disappear easier. let them be ever SO
bitter. How many Except the old
est citiZens) remember Bill Dodd as
a pill roller?
The COMPANY of which | was Il
member. "Edgecombe Guards" arriy-
ed in Raleigh on the 30th of April.
1861, from Fort Macon. where we
were first ordered by the Gocernor.
| was Just recovering from the
measles when | took severe coid
from exposure. incident to camp nie
(my company was at horse stall. No.
80, on the old fair grounds, (which ter
minated in pneumonia, and ! was
sent to the hospital which contained
but few patients at that time. re-
collect two besides myself-one WAS a
young physician, DR.. j. j. Lawrence,
from my company, and the other was
James Hudson. a member of the Hor-
nets Nest Rifles. from Mecklenburg
county. Mr.. Hudson died on the 18th
day of May; his company followed his
remains to the depot and fired a sa-
lutte in honor before the departure
of the train.
Mr.. Hudson was the first man who
lost his life in the service of North
Carolina in the late struggle between
the North and South. which fact.
| have no doubt has been lost sight of
by all save "a few who was present
and had the fact impressed upon
their minds He and myself. both be-
ing sick with pneumonia, were quar-
tered in the same room.
| shall ever remember this sad
death ESQ will Mr.. Dodd). and never
forget his last nights struggle with
fever and delirium. with no mother
or sister to battle his feverish brow
and with love and affection speak
words of consolation to him in his
last moments on earth. He was delir-
ious all night previous to his death
from the effects of fever. At times
he would imagine that he was in
swamps and mires. fleeing from the
enemy: again he would be surround
ed by Yankees; it was piteous indeed
TO hear him pleading for his life and
liberty.
This was the first life that was
sacrificed upon the altar of North
Carolina. and | suppose in the Con
federate cause. but alas. it was not
the last.
Pat. the Irish nurse, who was al
ways fond of sampling the spirits
to ascertain whether or not Mr.. Dodd
was furnishing the patients with
good quality. and myself. were wit
nesses of his last hours of pain and
distress, and his passage ''over the
river" which was at last peaceful
His name does not appear upon the
roster of North Carolina troops. for
the reason that he died two DAYS be-
fore the regiment was mustered into
service: nevertheless he died in de-
fence of his State, as much so as the
soldier who died on the field of bat
tie, for he was in camp in response
TO the call of the Governor for troops
to defend the Commonwealth
| wish to say word in regard to
kind ministration Of the late Rev.
w. J. W. Crowder. who has recently
passed
Into the land of the great departed,