The regiment remained in camp near Smithfield until 10 April.
During this time our corps under command of General Hardee was
reviewed by General Johnston, General Hardee, Governor Vance and
others. There was not in the grand parade of that day--the last
grand review of the Confederate Army--a more soldierly body of
troops than the Junior Reserves. Later in the day, Governor Vance
made a stirring speech to the North Carolina troops, which by its
eloquence aroused enthusiasm and caused the fire of patriotism to
burn more brightly in our hearts. On 10 April we begun our last
retreat before Sherman.