University of Texas at San Antonio Civil War Diaries

and they now had an opportunity of testifying their devotion to their country, by bravery on the field of battle. During the winter Genl Wigfall was elected C.S. Senator from Texas, for which Texas has our thanks. Thinly rid -ing us of a bragadacio, and causing to be placed at our head. The great and gallant Hood. The leader of the "Virginin Texans." Thus were we prepared for the in -suing spring campaign in which we hoped to add another luster to that soldier that pleased us mightly at "San Jacinto." Truly were we ready to raise the shout of defiance, and strike for homes & loved ones

our camp, which we occupied before the battle, and till dark the camp reminded one of the noise made in a pond by frogs, every individ -ual giving in his experience, the emotions he had, and the part he played in his first battle. This being our first fight, we of course thought it a "Waterloo." In the year 64, it would rank as a slight skimish. Major Genl G. W. Smith of the "Virginia Army" Thus speaks of us. "The Texans have won immortal honors for themselves, their State, and their commander, Genl Hood, at the bat -tle of "Elthams Landing," but in praise of The "Texas Brigade," I could talk a week, and then not say half they deserve."

Genl Melton thus speaks. "Here we had a fair sample, of your Texans, under Hood. The best fighters in the Confederacy, Men upon whom one could depend, who seem to fight for the very love of it." While the boys were all giving in their experiences, I felt rather gloomy. I was tired & hungry. I had no remedy for the latter for in the morning I had thrown away my overcoat, in order to doub -le quick, and in double quicking I had lost my haversack, containing 2 ears hard corn, 1 cracker, and 3 bites of bacon, so my feelings can be better imagined than experienced, besides this, I was seized with a fever & cramps, and in the language of "Bowers" wished myself most dead.

up not to participate unless an emergency demanded it but as reserve. We lay upon our arms till nearly 3 pm, listening to the event but dangerous music of "bloody battle", listening to the tales of straglers, who in their love of country determined not be rash, viewing different exciting scenes, attendant upon a battle, such, as flying ambulances, loaded with maimed and dying. The slightly wounded, here comes one with a slight shot in the leg, another with a bleeding hand, another minus an eye. About 3 pm, the gallant "Hood" ordered us forward, with alacrity we obeyed, ever wil-

Night coming on the battle closed for the day.

We stood in the water, unable to rest our weary limbs, and not a half mile distant could be heard the moving columns of Yankee reinforcements, and their officers giving commands We were extricated from this di -lemma by a courier from Hood, who had been sent in search of us. We were [?] back to the Brigade, whom we found had taken a position on the "Nine Mile road" after taking our position, the majority of the regt, pitched out for the Yankee camp, and came back loaded down with blankets, clothes