578 NortH Caro“ina Troops, 1861-65.

at horse stall No. 55, on the old Fair Grounds), which termi-
nated in pneumonia, and I was sent to the hospital which con-
tained but few patients at that time. I recollect two besides
myself—one'was a young physician, Dr. J. J. Lawrence,
from my company, and the other was James Hudson, a mem-
ber of the Hornet’s Nest Rifles, from Mecklenburg county.
Mr. Hudson died on 11 May; his company followed his re-
mains to the depot and fired a salute in honor before the de-
parture of the train.

Mr. Hudson was the first man who lost his life in the ser-
vice of North Carolina in the late struggle between the North
and South, which fact, I have no doubt, has been lost sight of
by all save a few who were present and had the fact impressed
upon their minds. He and myself, both being sick with
pneumonia, were quartered in the same room.

I shall ever remember this sad death and never forget his
last night’s struggle with fever and delirium, with no mother
or sister to bathe his feverish brow and with love and affec-
tion speak words of consolation to him in his last moments on
earth. He was delirious all night previous to his death from
the effects of fever.

Pat, the Irish nurse, who was always fond of sampling the
spirits, to ascertain whether or not Mr. Dodd was furnishing
the patients with a good quality, and myself, were witnesses
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 Caro-
lina troops, for the reason that he died two days before the
regiment was mustered into service; nevertheless he died in
defence of his State, as much so as the soldier who died on
the field of battle, for he was in camp in response to the call
of the Governor for troops to defend the Commonwealth.

The following contemporary notice is copied from the
Raleigh Register of 15 May, 1861, which is on file in the
State Library:

“Death of a Volunteer.—We regret to learn that Mr. James
Hudson, a highly esteemed member of the Hornet’s Nest
Rifles, from Charlotte, died at the hospital of the encamp-
ment, in this city, on Saturday last. His disease was pneu-

Tue First N. ©. Sotprer wHo Diep. 579

monia. This is the first death that has occurred among the
volunteers in this city. The remains of the deceased were
escorted to the Central depot on Saturday afternoon, when
after depositing them on board of the train bound to Char-
lotte, the company fired a salute in honor of his memory, and
then returned with saddened hearts to their encampment.”
Rozert H. Braptey.

RatziaH, N. C.,
31 December, 1901.