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[Illustration: Yours truly, I. HERMANN]
MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN
WHO SERVED AS A PRIVATE IN THE 60'S
IN THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES
Personal Incidents, Experiences and Observations
Written by
CAPT. I. HERMANN
Who Served in the Three Branches of the Confederate Army
Atlanta. Ga.:
Byrd Printing Company
1911
Copyright 1911
By I. Hermann
All rights reserved
INTRODUCTION.
The following reminiscences after due and careful consideration, are
dedicated to the young, who are pausing at the portals of manhood, as
well as womanhood, and who are confronted with illusory visions and
representations, the goal of which is but seldom attained, even by the
fewest fortunates, and then only by unforeseen circumstances and
haphazards, not illustrated in the mapped out program for future
welfare, greatness and success.
Often the most sanguine persons have such optimistic illusions, which,
unless most carefully considered will lead them into irreparable errors.
Even the political changes, often times necessary in the government of
men, are great factors to smash into fragments the best and most
illusory plans, and cast into the shadow, for a time being at least, the
kindliest, philanthropic and best intentions of individual efforts,
until the Wheel of Fortune again turns in his direction, casting a few
sparks of hope in his ultimate favor, and which is seldom realized.
If the reader of the above has been induced to think and carefully
consider, before acting hastily, the writer feels that he has
accomplished some good in the current affairs of human events.
CHAPTER I.
A PICTURE.
Entering the post-office for my daily mail, I noticed in the lobby,
hanging on the wall, a beautiful, attractive and highly colored
landscape and manhood therein displayed in its perfection, gaudily
dressed in spotless uniforms; some on horseback, some afoot, with a
carriage as erect and healthful demeanor that the artist could
undoubtedly produce; he was at his best, setting forth a life of ease
and comfort that would appeal to the youngster, patriot and careless
individual, that therein is a life worth living for. Even the social
features have not been omitted where men and officers stand in good
comradeship. Peace and repose, and a full dinner pail are the
environment of the whole representation.
It is the advertisement of an army recruiting officer, who wants to
enlist young, healthy men for the service of the executive branch of our
National Government, to defend the boundaries of our territory, to
protect our people against the invasion of a foreign foe, to even
invade a foreign land, to kill and be killed at the behest of the
powers that be, for an insult whether imaginary or real, that probably
could have been settled through better entente, or if the political
atmosphere would have thought to leave the matter of misunderstanding or
misconstruction to a tribunal of arbitration.
The writer himself was once a soldier; the uniform he wore did not
correspond with that of the picture above, it was rather the reverse in
all its features. He enlisted in the Confederate service in 1861, when
our homes were invaded, in defense of our firesides, and the Confederate
States of America, who at that time, were an organized Government.
Usually an artist, when he represents a subject on canvas, uses a dark
background, to bring forth in bright relief, the subject of his work.
But I, not being an artist, reverse the matter in controversy, and put
the bright side first.
OTHER PICTURES.
When in 1861 the Southern States, known as the Slave States, severed
their connection with the Federal Government and formed a Confederacy of
their own, which under the Federal Constitution and Common Compact,
they had a perfect right to do, they sent Commissioners, composed of
John Forsyth, Martin J. Crawford and A. B. Boman to Washington, with
power to adjust in a peaceable manner, any differences existing between
the Confederate Government and their late associates. Our Government
refrained from committing any overt act, or assault, and proposed
strictly to act on the defensive, until that Government, in a most
treacherous manner, attempted to maintain by force of arms, property,
then in their possession and belonging to the Confederate Government,
and which they had promised to surrender or abandon. But on the
contrary, they sent a fleet loaded with provisions, men and munitions of
war, to hold and keep Fort Sumter, in the harbor of South Carolina,
contrary to our expectations, and as a menace to our new born Nation.
Then, as now, there were State troops, or military organizations, and
being on the alert, under the direction of our Government, and under the
immediate command of General Beauregard, they fired on the assaulting
fleet to prevent a most flagrant outrage, and after a fierce conflict,
the Fort was surrendered, by one Capt. Anderson, then in command.
Abraham Lincoln, the then President of the United States, called out
75,000 troops, which was construed by us as coercion on the part of the
Federal Government, so as to prevent the Confederates from carrying out
peaceably the maintenance of a Government already formed. To meet such
contingency President Jefferson Davis called for volunteers. More men
presented themselves properly organized into Companies, than we had arms
to furnish. Patriotism ran high, and people took up arms as by one
common impulse, and formed themselves into regiments and brigades.
The Federal Government, with few exceptions, had all the arsenals in
their possession. We were therefore not in a condition to physically
withstand a very severe onslaught, but when the Northern Army attempted
on July 21, 1861, to have a holiday in Richmond, the Capital of the
Confederate States, we taught them a lesson at Manassas, and inscribed a
page in history for future generations to contemplate.
[Illustration: So Mounting a Stump, I Proceeded to Introduce Myself.]