 pure,
    Recumbent sleeps his image. All of fame,
    Glory and love that mortal man may claim,
    In this white stone and this white name endure,
    'Neath "Robert Edward Lee" might angels write:
    "Here lies the last and noblest Christian knight."

Joseph E. Johnston, whom I met and knew later, was an able and
accomplished soldier and impressed me as being of the same class with
Lee. Albert Sydney Johnston, Beauregard and others, distinguished in
their profession of arms, had also resigned from the United States
Army and had cast their lots with the South. Soon both sides began
with great energy to hurry troops to the front. Lee with a scattered
force commanded in what is now West Virginia, Joseph E. Johnston at
Harpers Ferry and Beauregard at Manassas. The Federals with the nucleus
of the old army drilled and disciplined, armed and equipped, were
rapidly assembling large forces at strategic points. The Confederates
were equally energetic in assembling opposing forces, but they lacked
the nucleus, the general discipline, the arms, the equipment,--all
but courage. Big Bethel, the first battle of the War, Manassas, and
movements leading up to them, as well as movements at other points, are
matters of history and are not to be recounted here.

The first service of "The Regiment" was at Laurel Hill in West Virginia
with Brigadier-General Samuel Garland, who was soon compelled by
the Federals under McClellan to retire because of his advanced and
untenable position. His retreat was hasty, circuitous and trying,
lasting from July 7th to the 12th, 1861, during which time skirmishes
or small battles occurred, in one of which Garland was killed. After
his death the brigade took position on the Parkersburg Pike at
Greenbrier River under Brigadier-General Henry R. Jackson. This first
was a trying campaign in which a number of casualties occurred and much
sickness and suffering ensued.

It was from this position at Greenbrier River that the Cheat Mountain
expedition into West Virginia in September, 1861, was made. A F