322 Chronicles of the Cape Fear River

close observer of men and affairs and well informed upon the
important questions of the day.

“He ever found solace and joy in the freedom of country
life. He loved to breathe the clear air of heaven; the ocean and
its wonders and the marvelous flora of our region were sources
of delight to him, for he found more pleasure in the lilies of the
field and in the shells of the sea than in all the arts of man’s
device. The joyous notes of the mocking-bird, the sighing of
the pines, and the voices of the deep were music to his ear, and
the modest Drosera and Dionwa were to his admiring eyes
among the masterpieces of creation.

“Tn all the manly sports and healthful pleasures of the sound
he was an ardent and successful leader. His sprightly, generous
nature, his exquisite wit and humor, made him ever welcome in

social life, and his charming pen sketches of the annual regatta,
which were as fresh and breezy as the salt sea air, were always
read with feelings of pleasure and delight.

“The kindly, beaming smile is gone, the joyous laugh is
hushed, and the captain of the winning boat has met his Pilot
on the boundless tide. Sincerity and simplicity went hand in
hand with him, who was to rich and poor, to lowly and exalted,
the same in high-bred courtesy and never-failing kindliness.”

William Henry Green entered the service as a private in the
Branch Artillery, Capt. A. C. Latham, in July, 1862. In the
following year he was detailed as sergeant major of the battalion
of Maj. J. C. Haskell, to which Latham’s battery was attached,
and he served in this capacity during the remainder of the war.
He had an active career as artilleryman, participating in the
famous Battles of Cedar Run, Second Manassas, Chantilly,
Warrenton Springs, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Spottsylvania,
and Second Cold Harbor, and throughout the siege of Peters-
burg and the retreat to Appomattox, where he was paroled.

Maj. Edward Joseph Hale volunteered as a private in the
Bethel Regiment, of which D. H. Hill was colonel, the day after
Lincoln’s proclamation calling for troops. He was in the first
pitched battle at Big Bethel, June 10, 1861. When that regi-
ment was disbanded, Governor Clark appointed him a second
lieutenant of North Carolina Troops. In 1862 he was ap-
pointed first lieutenant and adjutant and assigned to duty with
the Fifty-sixth North Carolina Regiment, Ransom’s brigade.
He participated in all the engagements of that command in
Virginia and eastern North Carolina, and distinguished himself

The War Between the States 323

for his coolness and bravery. Though little over twenty-one
years of age, General Longstreet recognized his ability and ap-
pointed him judge advocate of the Department of Court-martial.
His ability, fighting record, and general qualifications were
known to Brigadier General Lane, and that officer, after the
death of Capt. George B. Johnston, tendered him the position of
adjutant general of his brigade of veterans in the fall of 1863.
Captain Hale displayed such strong character in the conduct of
his duties that before the close of the terrific campaign of 1864
he was the idol of the troops. His behavior on the battlefield
was extraordinarily cool and courageous. In the Wilderness, at
Spottsylvania, and Turkey Ridge; in many battles before Peters-
burg, after Grant had crossed to the south side of the James; at
Deep Bottom, Gravelly Hill, Riddle’s Shop, and Fussell’s Mill;
at Reams Station; in the battles of the 2d of April, 1865, in the
morning, and later at Battery Gregg and Battery 45; at Amelia
Courthouse, Farmville, and other engagements on the retreat to
Appomattox, he distinguished himself, fighting with conspicu-
ous gallantry. Not long before the close of the war a remark-
able tribute was paid to Captain Hale’s bravery and skill. Upon
the petition of the major commanding the Twenty-eighth North
Carolina Regiment and all of its officers present, he was recom-
mended by his brigade, division, and corps commanders for the
coloneley of that regiment because of conspicuous gallantry and
merit. Later, he was appointed major on the staff.

B. Frank Hall served throughout the war as a member of the
Duplin Rifles, or Company A of the Forty-third Regiment,
North Carolina Infantry. He entered the service as a private,
but soon rose to the rank of first sergeant. Sergeant Hall was
on duty with his regiment in Daniel’s brigade during the Seven
Days’ Battle before Richmond, was under fire at Malvern Hill,
and afterwards at Drewry’s Bluff and Suffolk, and from Decem-
ber, 1862, to June, 1863, he was on duty in North Carolina,
participating in the affair at Deep Gulley. He took part in the
terrific fight of July 1 at Seminary Ridge and the next two days
of the Battle of Gettysburg, and in the affair at Hagerstown,
on the retreat from Pennsylvania. Subsequently being attached
to Hoke’s brigade, he served in North Carolina at the Battle of
Bachelor’s Creek, the siege and capture of Plymouth, and the
skirmishes before New Bern. Returning thence to Virginia, he
participated in the battles at Hanover Junction and Bethesda
Church; and on March 25, 1865, he took part in the assault