502 NortH Caronina Troops, 1861-65.

Savannah. With the feeble force at command of the Confed-
cracy this hope, of course, was futile; the small army was
easily flanked, and it followed to Columbia, just in time to
grieve over its cinders. Thence through Charlotte, Salisbury,
Raleigh and Smithfield, Bentonville is reached and the last
battle of the war is fought, the Sixtieth participating, and
some of its members having the distinction of having taken
part in the first, and the last of the Confederacy’s battles,
that of Great Bethel on 10 June, 1861, and that of Benton-
ville, 19-21 March, 1865.

Falling back, we passed again through our State’s capital
12 April. How sad did Raleigh look that day. Greensboro
is reached and Johnston surrenders; with this ended the his-
tory of the Sixtieth North Carolina Regiment. While others
perhaps may have gained more renown, and we have no in-
tention of denying the right of any to all the honors which
ean be heaped on them, we insist that no regiment sustained
more severe hardships, was more faithful to its recognized
duty, to protect the honor of North Carolina than the Six-
tieth. From its full ranks of 1,200 men, a bare handful,
scarcely 75, remained to lay down their arms. The large ma-
jority of the others had given their lives to their State.
Surely her citizens, now enjoying peace and prosperity, will
not forget to honor the memories of those brave men.

With all ascription of praise and gratitude, as is their due,
we will pray, “Let them rest in peace.”

Tuomas W. Parton.

ASHEVILLE, N. C.,
26 April, 1901.