The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 48, July 1944 - April, 1945 Page: 274
617 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 24 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Southwestern Historical Quarterly
Finding a number of truly devoted Christians in camp it was ar-
ranged that each ward should be visited during the day, and the sick
comforted and read to, and at night a public service of short duration
held. It was here that an instance of patriotism so sublime was displayed,
that I am sure you will rejoice to hear of it. A young man, Charles A.
[Kingley?] Kingland, 1st Texas Vols., Hood's Texas Brigade, was quite sick
when he was captured. He originally came from Massts He met his brother
-a Union soldier-in the Wilderness. He wrote to his father, and told him
how sick and destitute he was. His friends promised to assist him if he
would take the oath of allegiance to the U. S. He refused, and they
abandoned him. He grew weaker and weaker. He sent for his Texas friends
and asked their advice about taking the oath for his life's sake. Many
advised it. I was talking to him, and at an opportune moment I said,
"Charley, do you think the South is right in this struggle"? "Yes." And
the North wrong?" "Yes." "If you were well would you be exchanged?
"Yes." I said, "Charley, you are a Christian, when you die, and are
judged you will go to Heaven. You cannot take that oath. You cannot
perjure your soul." He agreed to it, and died the next day. He could
have been released by giving way and sending a telegram to a Father.
I wrote the Father that he could take the body (as I learned he was
coming for it) but the name should adorn the page of Texas History. ...
I can only add, Mr. President, that great allowances may be made
for returned prisoners if they display unusual desire to see their families
before rejoining the field. Such devotion, such hoping against hope-
exposed to the sneers and false reports of the traitors in their midst,
the insiduous temptations of the enemy to allure them from the Army
is only comprehended when witnessed.
It was to check this that I was made an humble instrument in the
hands of Almighty God in getting up these schools &c. which the enemy
discovering caused them to bear so terribly upon me.
Of my private history I cannot speak. I refer you to the Hon. Mr.
Oldham Senator from Texas. He will give you an account which will
go to show how crushing and vast are the sacrifices of those who for
principle leave their parents in the North to uphold the liberty which
Washington fought for, and which you, as his successor, are pledged to
defend.
I have the honor to remain,
Your Excellency's
Very Obdt Servt.
ARTHUR H. EDEY.
Co. "A" 5th Texas Vols274
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 48, July 1944 - April, 1945, periodical, 1945; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth146055/m1/292/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.