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surrender of Appomattox Courthouse, in almost every battle in Vir- ginia, it bore a conspicuous part. It acted as the advance guard of Jackson when he moved upon McClellan around Richmond, and almost without an exceptional instance it was among the foremost of Longstreet's corps in an attack or pursuit of the enemy. It was also, as a rule, with the rear guard of this corps, whenever falling back before the adversary. If a ditch was to be leaped, or fortified position to be carried, General Lee knew no better troops upon which to rely. In truth, its signal achievements in the war of secession have never been surpassed in the history of nations."
And hear what the greatest military chieftain of modern times, General Robert E. Lee, addressing General Wigfall, on the 2ist of September, 1862, just after Sharpsburg, writes: "General, I have not heard from you with regard to the new Texas regiments, which you promised to raise for the army. I need them very much. I rely upon those we have in all our tight places, and fear I have to call upon them too often. They have fought grandly and nobly, and we must have more of them. Please make every possible exer- tion to get them on for me. You must help us in this matter. With a few more regiments such as Hood now has, as an example of daring and bravery, I could feel more confident of the campaign."
I have thus dwelt on some of the events of the campaign of 1862, in which the Texas brigade participated, not for the purpose of unduly boasting nor of drawing a comparison between the achieve- ments of these troops and those of other Confederate troops, or of other Texas troops who may have fought in Johnston's army or on this side of the Mississippi. They only did their duty as soldiers; and if this little band of Texans was more conspicuous or accom- plished greater results than their brothers on other fields, it was, doubtless, because they were better disciplined and better led. In other words, they were afforded a better opportunity to display their courage, and simply demonstrated what, under the same conditions, other Texans would have done. All, no doubt, did their best in the great struggle which taxed the courage and energies of the people of the South. And how near we came to achieving .success in the mighty struggle, none but the God of Battles, who shapes the des- tinies of nations, can jever know. No doubt it was He who, on Shi- loh's bloody field, directed the unconscious aim of the Federal soldier who fired the shot which struck down the great commander of the Western army, Albert Sidney Johnston, and thus turned vic- tory for our arms into defeat. Evidently it was the guiding hand
