406 Nortn Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

ered ‘educated.’ Not so, however, thought his father. Fore-
seeing the difficulties which have culminated in a war between
the South and the North, and desirous that his son should be
prepared for usefulness in every emergency, he placed him
in the Virginia Military Institute, where he was when hos-
tilities commenced. Of the course of young Burgwyn in
that institution an idea may be formed from the following
letter from the now lamented Stonewall Jackson:

“Lrexineton, Va., April 16, 1861.

Str:—The object of this letter is to recommend Cadet H.
K. Burgwyn, of North Carolina, for a commission in the ar-
tillery of the Southern Confederacy. Mr. B. is not only
a high-toned Southern gentleman, but in consequence of the
highly practical as well as scientific character of his mind,
he possesses qualities well calculated to make him an orna-
ment not only to the artillery, but to any branch of the mili-
tary service. T. J. Jackson,

Prof. Nat. Phil. and Instr. Va. M. I.
To L. P. Walker, Secretary of War.’

“The discriminating and sagacious judgment of the pro-
fessor has been fully attested by the career of the pupil from
the moment he entered the service to the day on which he met
a soldier’s fate on the bloodiest field of the war, as with colors
in hand, he was leading his men on to victory. When New
Bern fell, he was the last man of his regiment to cross the
creek on the retreat—having refused to enter the boat until
all were safely passed over. On this occasion young Bur-
gwyn was Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment, the Colonel
being the present Governor, Vance.

“From this State we follow the subject of our narrative to
the bloody fields around Richmond, winding up with the ter-
rifie fight at Malvern Hill, in which his regiment was unsur-
passed for heroism by any troops on the field.

“On the resignation of Colonel Vance, when he became Gov-
ernor-elect of the State, young Burgwyn was promoted Colo-
nel, and soon thereafter we find him again in service in his
native State. In the critical campaign in Martin County,
when the enemy were threatening disastrous consequences to

 

 

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Twenty-Sixtu Reeiment. 407
the region of the Roanoke river, we find Colonel Burgwyn
performing signal services, especially in the engagement of
Rawls’ Mills, where he displayed a cool judgment and indom-
itable courage of which a veteran of many years standing
might have been proud. In all the course of this career, so
well calculated “to turn the head” of one so young, Colonel
Burgwyn displayed a modesty so commendable that he
silenced the tongue of envy and won the confidence of his
brothers in arms. When on Governor Vance’s resignation, it
was suggested that he was too young for the Colonelcy, Gen-
eral D. H. Hill wrote of him: ‘Lieutenant-Colonel Bur-
gwyn has shown the highest qualities of a soldier and officer,
in camp and on the battle field, and ought by all means to be
promoted.’

“‘As we have seen, Colonel Burgwyn did receive the promo-
tion and subsequently was strongly recommended for the
higher command of Brigadier-General.

‘“‘We have thus given a brief sketch of the career of one
whose death in the very outset of manhood prompts the ques-
tion, ‘If he was such in the gristle, what would he not have
been in the bone?’ ”

His last words after sending a farewell to his parents and
family were: “Tell the General my men never failed me
at a single point.” “Felix non solum claritate vitae, sed
etiam opportunitate mortis.”

In a letter from Major George P. Collins, Brigade Quarter-
master, written from the battle field and dated 3 July, 1863,
and addressed to Colonel Burgwyn’s father at Raleigh, N. C.,
he thus describes the end: “Captain J. J. Young (Regimen-
tal Quartermaster) has undertaken to give you the sad news
of your son’s death, but I cannot let the opportunity pass
without expressing my deep sympathy with his bereaved par-
ents and family, as well as testifying to the gallant and sol-
dierly manner in which he met his death. He was one of
eleven (afterwards ascertained to be fourteen) shot bearing
the colors of his regiment, and fell with his sword in his hand,
cheering his men on to victory. The ball passed through the
lower part of both lungs and he lived about two hours. Among
his last words he asked how his men fought, and said they