Page:The Immortal Six Hundred.djvu/214

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THE IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED


graphs that hang upon my room walls I see that one of dear comrade Le Broten, of Louisiana, gentle, kind, suffering without a murmur. A soldier of the Confederacy, he could die for principle; he would not surrender it. Then comes Capt. J. L. Hempstead, once during the war drill master of the 5th Va. Inft., Stonewall's Brigade; gentle as a woman, brave as a lion, a courtly knight of the old school, his heart went out in sympathy to his suffering comrades, his generous hand relieved their wants from his scanty ration. Captain Hempstead was born in Iowa, of Virginian parentage. When the war tocsin sounded he gave up home, loved ones, and comfort to help in the defense of Virginia's honor. Capt. Will Page Carter, Page's Battery, a lovable comrade, kind and generous, a dignified gentleman. "We can suffer, men, for principle; we cannot surrender without dishonor," I heard him say to those comrades about him who were not able to leave their bunks. I wish it were possible for me to


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