What does it take for a brand new military regiment to become a reliable veteran unit? Good leadership, pride of unit (esprit de corps), patriotism, dedication to mission are just a few of the reasons for the evolution of a green outfit to a veteran unit. Dedication and patriotism were two key ingredients that the 3rd Arkansas Voluntary Infantry, CSA, …
3rd Arkansas We came from Arkansas, Texas and California too. We traveled to Pennsylvania to fight the burly blue. The modes of transportation were cars, planes and vans. Some motored through the Shenandoah while packed like a sardine can.
One Left Behind So I stand at this monument in the middle of my town. I touch the stone and they touch back from a realm that has no bounds. I call out their names each year and remember the days of yore. I’m coming my beloved ones and I’ll see your faces once more.
Vernon Dutton’s latest poem,” Shoulder to Shoulder”, is a powerful statement of the heart of soldiers being the Voice of Peace in the world. We’ve stood on the hills of Sharpsburg and the plains of Gettysburg too. We’ve held the line when all seemed lost and suffered comrades losses anew. The fear of battle has choked us time and time …
One Left Behind I can’t describe my heart ache, when my comrades are no more. I see their faces in my dreams and know they’re on That Far Shore. I know my time is coming and I’ll join them soon enough. I march to the next clash of arms and expect it to be quite rough.
One Left Behind We came to this battlefield just across the Pennsylvania Line. We wore the Blue and Gray and for our causes prepared to die. The bonds between your pards grow strong through each campaign. And when they have to leave you, your heart is not the same.
Bloody Lane We broke and reformed two more times, but it was so strange How moments ago we had been berserkers and killed as if deranged. But now we wanted it all to stop. The Yanks were on a rampage. At last we were saved from annihilation when our artillery got their range.
Bloody Lane We all had now entered that blood lust: the bane of the human mind. We cared for only killing though outnumbered all down the line. We screamed our Rebel Yell and called to our Gods of War. We were no longer in the Christian Mode. We were men of Odin and Thor.
Bloody Lane We are the Bully Boys of Wright’s Georgia Men. We came on the field when the battle looked so grim. We reinforced the North Carolinians in the middle of the line. My company dwindled during the day until we were only nine.