The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 22, July 1918 - April, 1919 Page: 177
521 p. : ill. (some col.), ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Reminiscences of the Terry Rangers
them to surrender. So their final act in this fearful drama was
called "The Breakup" and is still so-called.
In our last contact with the Yankee troops down in Lawrence
Cunty I did not endorse Mr. Gill's speech to them, for it was
only one-fourth correct, since I was the only one that had a
genuine parole, but he proceeded on the theory, I suppose, that
"all things are fair in war."
The war was now over, our dream of an independent Confed-
erate government was passed. Overwhelming numbers with inex-
haustible supplies had triumphed over a half-fed scantily supplied
army, greatly inferior in numbers. I am reliably informed that
war records of this period will show to parties seeking correct his-
tory that the Confederate enrollment of soldiers was 600,000 in
all, while the enlistment on the other side was 2,800,000, or more
than four to one in favor of the Northern army. In addition to
this, all Southern ports were blockaded by the Federal government,
so it seems wonderful even vet that this war could have continued
four years with this great inequality of advantages.
Personally I had been loyal to the Confederate government,
had done the best I could, had offered my life, endured privations
and shed my blood freely; had no apologies to make for my ac-
tion, and still believed and now believe we were right and en-
gaged in the cause of human liberty as did our forefathers in other
years. I do not know certainly, and do not want to know how
many men I killed or how many I wounded. I only know I had
many fine opportunities to do both. I wear four scars on my
body from Yankee bullets that will go with me to, my grave, but
I regard them as scars of honor received in defense of the South-
land, and am proud of them. I thank God that I can forgive
and pray for my former enemies and that I entertain no ill will
towards any of them at this time.
In the foregoing pages I have in a plain way told where I
served and when I served in the Confederate army, together with
many incidents connected therewith. I have tried at all times to
be accurate, and fair and loyal to the truth. It now remains for
me according to first intention as announced in the beginning of
this record to tell just why I served the cause with such fidelity.
I might answer this question with one word "Patriotism." I be-177
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 22, July 1918 - April, 1919, periodical, 1919; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117156/m1/187/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.