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by A. C. Jones, Three Creeks, Ark.,
From the Confederate Veteran, Vol. XX, p. 464
first printed in the Religious
Herald.
I send you a little war story which illustrates that noblest quality of the Southern soldier, the spirit of fraternity which prevailed in our army and which constituted its principal element of success.
The 3d Arkansas Regiment of Infantry was the sole representative of our State in the Army of Virginia for nearly two years. We were brigaded with the 30th Virginia (from Fredericksburg and vicinity) and the 27th and 36th North Carolina. The Virginia and Arkansas soldiers became better acquainted and more intimate than the other regiments; indeed, we became very social and friendly.
Shortly after the awful fatigues and marches of the first Maryland campaign, culminating in the bloody battle of Sharpsburg, the troops were camped somewhere between Shepherdstown and Winchester. We were sorely in need of clothing and shoes, and there was not a blanket in the command, while the frosty nights of that cold climate pinched severely. At that time the 30th Virginia received a considerable supply of shoes and blankets from their friends and relatives at Fredericksburg, about eighty miles distant. When these supplies arrived, we of the 3d Arkansas were surprised to receive a message from the headquarters of the 30th, requesting that we send a detail to receive our share of these good things. Colonel Manning called a meeting of the officers, and we passed some resolutions warmly thanking the Virginians for their generous offer, but declining to accept on the ground that the donors of those goods intended them for the relief of their own kin. The reply came back immediately and in the strongest terms: "We are brothers fighting in the same cause, and, besides, you are a long distance from home, and it is impossible for your friends to help you. We insist upon it that we divide." And they did.
Some months afterwards we had an opportunity to show our appreciation of this kind and generous act. The great battle of Fredericksburg was fought. One hundred and fifty pieces of heavy artillery planted on Stafford Heights poured shot and shell upon the old town. The women and children had to crawl into the cellars, while their houses were being battered down over their heads; and not only this, but while the enemy occupied the town they robbed the citizens of everything they could lay their hands on. After we had driven the enemy back across the river and the town had been evacuated, word came to us that there were a number of women and children actually starving. The 3d Arkansas immediately took the initiative. We divided our rations in half (and they were slim enough, God knows) and stirred among the other regiments and gathered quite s little supply off food which we sent over, relieving their immediate necessities. Sometime afterwards the ladies of Fredericksburg sent us a beautiful new silk flag.
I know not what others may think, but in my judgment this incident deserves to be recorded in Confederate history, as do the most heroic deeds of personal valor.