REMINISCENCES OF THE CIVIL WAR 1861-1865 BY P. L. LEDFORD THOMASVILLE, N. C. JULY 1909 NEWS PRINTING HOUSE THOMASVILLE, N. C. Copyright 1909 By P. L. LEDFORD PREFACE. Although many histories have been written and tradition has furnished its part toward the perpetuation of the memory of the exciting times of the civil war, very much occurred that has never been recorded. Monuments may be erected and histories written, but unless the veterans now living get busy and refresh their memories, and the memories of their comrades very much that happened, and ought to be preserved in durable form will with the passing of the main actors pass into oblivion. The Confederate Soldiers now living are all old men, and each one could, and ought to contribute items of information that would be interesting to the children and adults of future generations. These scenes, anecdotes, incidents and historical facts ought to be written by the soldiers themselves, for by no other means can a correct history of the war period be handed down to posterity. I undertake my part of the task well knowing the information that I shall try to give will not be pictured in a graphic style to please the overeducated critic, but I feel assured that though written in a plain style the facts narrated will be read and appreciated by many who will not depreciate the information given, on account of the lack of embellishment or absence of the style so pleasing to the lovers of eloquence, poetry, song and graphic story. The following pages written by a plain confederate soldier who spent three years in the war instead of at college are submitted to the public upon the merits of the information given, without claiming any literary merit. Feeling that I am performing an imperative duty that I owe to the cause and my country, I respectfully dedicate the reminiscences to the soldiers of the late war who were my comrades while passing through the trying ordeal.