Spirit of our soldiers.
At a meeting of the Thirty-second Virginia infantry, Corse's brigade, Pickett's division, held in the trenches on the evening of the 13th of February, Sergeant R. A. Sclater was appointed chairman, and Lieutenant A. T. Pettit secretary.The following preamble and resolutions were adopted with the utmost enthusiasm and without a dissenting voice:
‘ Whereas, we, the men of the Thirty-second Virginia infantry, entered upon this war in 1861 with the intention of preserving our freedom; and whereas, in 1864 we re-enlisted for the war for the same purpose; and whereas, the enemy is still invading our solid with the original purpose of our subjugation or annihilation; therefore.
"Resolved, That we accept the issue, and are determined to resist until our independence shall have been acknowledged or extermination reached.
"Resolved, That we are determined to follow wherever Jeff. Davis directs or General Lee leads.
"Resolved, That as Virginians we mean to prove worthy of Virginia.
"Resolved, That copies of these resolutions be forwarded to the Confederate Congress and the Virginia Legislature; also to the Richmond papers for publication. "
’ At a meeting of the old picket, held on the succeeding evening, the following preamble and resolution were unanimously adopted:
‘ "Whereas, we, the picket from the Thirty-second regiment, on the night of the 13th instant were thereby debarred from a participation in the action of the regiment, as expressed in the above resolutions; and whereas, we are anxious that our voice should be heard, and our determination to maintain our liberty at all hazards should be known, therefore be it.
"Resolved, That we fully approve and concur in the resolutions passed by the regiment on the night of the 13th instant, and desire that this expression of our sentiments be appended thereto."
’ Eloquent and patriotic addresses were delivered by both officers and enlisted men, and the friends of this regiment of veterans will be glad to learn that it is still at the front, with its armor on and spirit unconquered and unconquerable.
Lieutenant A. T. Pettit, Secretary.
at a meeting of the officers and men of the First Virginia infantry, Terry's brigade, Pickett's division, held at their camp, near Howlett's House, February 15, 1865, for the purpose of expressing their sentiments and determination to devote all of their energy to the prosecution of the war,
on motion, Lieutenant-Colonel F. H. Langley was called to the chair, and G. A. Nolting, company H, appointed secretary, and Lieutenant L. M. Blanton, company C, assistant secretary, and a select committee of nine appointed to draft resolutions.
on motion, Lieutenant R. McC. Jones, company C; Lieutenant L. M. Blanton, company C; Sergeant B. M. Crow, company B; Sergeant E. Wright, company G; Corporal R. D. Jordon, company G; Private E. C. Hale, company K; R. J. Smith, company I; H. M. Walthall, company D, and E. F. Davidson, company H, were appointed.
the committee retired for a few minutes, and returned and offered the following preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted by the regiment:
‘ "Whereas, it is eminently proper, in time of public peril and despondency, that men should meet together to council, resolve and act; be it therefore
- 1. "Resolved, That to the humiliating propositions for peace made by President Lincoln to our companions, we enter our indignant protest: that while we would be rejoiced to stop the effusion of blood and the desolation of our country, we will assent to no terms short of independence and separate nationality.
- 2. "Resolved, That inasmuch as we have tendered the olive branch to our foes, which they have trampled in the dust, no alternative is left us but to defend our homes, our property and lives as long as the foot of the vandal pollutes the soil of the South.
- 3. "Resolved, That while recognizing our dependence on Almighty God, who defends the cause of the just, we again dedicate ourselves to the cause; again we unfurl a banner which we have borne from "Bull Run" to Bermuda Hundreds, and again we swear to die free-men rather than live slaves.
- 4. "Resolved, That we hail with pleasure the appointment of R. E. Lee General-in-Chief; that we have an abiding confidence in his judgment, patriotism and valor; and that wherever he orders we will go with joyful acclamation.
- 5. "Resolved, That the people at home be exhorted to sustain the army, to drive back the skulkers, to aid in feeding and clothing the soldiers, to send the best men into the councils of the nation, that energy and ability may be infused into the different departments, State and Confederate.
- 6. "Resolved, That, though disaster and gloom now hover over us, we believe all things will be so ordered in the coming campaign that our wrongs will be avenged, our rights secured, and those who now claim us as slaves will own, us as victors.
- 7. "Resolved, That we would sail with acclamation the enrollment into our armies of negro troops. We therefore recommend to our representatives in Congress assembled to use their endeavors for the immediate accomplishment of this end.
- 8. "Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the Confederate States Congress, division and brigade headquarters, and to the Richmond papers, with the request that they be published."
