Newspaper article dated 1 Jan 14 (probably 1914) was found in the Thomas John Blackwell family Bible – entitled Twenty-Ninth Year: Lest We Forget

It occurs to me that a plain narrative of some of my recollections of the times of the early sixties, will not be without interest in the retrospect of that memorable era when the war of the states commences.

War, cruel war, which knows no mercy, no justice, and which is one of the greatest curses that is recorded upon the pages of the world’s history.

It is sometimes said it is too early to write the story of our civil war. It will soon be too late. Some of us live, and we should not think from recording what we know to be true. Thus only will a full history of the Southern courage and fidelity be preserved. But I did not commence this with the idea of writing a history of the war, but, lest we forget, only to give, after an expiration of fifty years, my recollections of Co. K, 9th Tenn, Volunteers.

The company was organized May 1861 with Jo. C. Marley, Captain; Hart Richardson, 1st Lieut; Peter Fitzpatrick, 2nd Lieut; —- Gray, 3rd Lieut; James Griggs, Orderly Sergeant, with P.N. Coner 2nd Sergeant. the minor officers I do not recollect. The company was named the Lauderdale Hornets, a very significant name, and we often thought how warm we would make it for the Yankees when an opportunity presented itself.

Soon after getting our uniform, which was a dark gray trimmed with yellow, our coats cut on the shad-belly style, we were taken to Durhamville to receive our flag, which was presented to the company by the people of Durhamville and vicinity. It was quite a _____ silk flag, costing over $60.00. Mrs. __lespie (nee Miss Annie Walker) now ___ Texas, made a very graceful presentation speech, and was responded to in ____ manner by Lt. Fitzpatrick. Afterwards the Company was addressed by ____ J.H. Boon with enthusiastic and ____otic words. Just then, with our ____ uniform and our flag waving about ____ heads, and our hearts filled with _____tic emotions, we thought that ___f us could whip four Yankees; ___s only afraid that the fould would ____ihilated all too soon and bring _____ tan undesired end. Those of ____ served to the end of the war ____ to a great extent our idea of _____ of the Northerner and thought ____ were as many as we could con- _____ handle.

____ er this we were taken to Un- ____ where with other companies ___ d the Ninth Tenn. Infantry ____ Douglas being made Col- ____ the 9th, 6th and other reg- ____ formed into a brigade ___ Chester was comma ___ onmet Gen. ___ k, and ____ everything was on the qui vive. Or ___ night after the tattoo had sounded an ___ we had retired ____sleep of the ___ aroused by a ____ beat of drum ____ tle. Some of ___ of old-the joint ___ ened and our kne ____ anouther. But, w ___ scared. Oh! no. ___ night wind stri ___ that caused th ___ We were like P ___ if he kept coa ___ “Indade I do; I s ___ The alarm prove ___ from throwing a ___.

The battle of Belmo ___while we were at Colum ___ not in the fight, our regi ___ in reserve. General Grant ___ to capture the command of Col. ___ who was encamped across the river, b ___was driven back by boats with c ___ siderable loss. We had a great ma ___ cases of camp fever, of which many ___ best soldier boys died. I was ___ tacked with it, which incapacitated ___ as a soldier for several months. After recovering I joined Forrest Calvalry and served through the war.

I have written this fifty after the war. Hope some one will take up where I left aoff and five a history of the 9th Tennessee Regiment – one that saw some of the hardest fighting of the war.

Comrades, soon the last picket will be called from post and the last camp ifre smoulder to ashes, while we and the cause for which we fought and so many died will become but a dim memory of the long ago. We of the sixties are getting old and dropping off one by one. But this is not all. Ages shall have rolled on and on and mother earth h ___ become as a faded and crumpled lea ___and our bodies indistingushable dust and the stars have grown cold, ashe ___ and tray; and the curtain of the res ___ rection has opened wide and time ___ blosomed into eternity; and mort ___ clothed with immortality we can stand face to face with our Maker, and present him with the products of our life, the citadel of human character, that has outlived the house of the grave-digger. And as the setting sun of the parting day guilds the heavens of the coming evening with the mild, yet beautiful light, so let your departure reflect some glow upon the world left behind; and may flight of angels sing to you in your sleep of a memory of a life well spent in the noblest work, purest love and sweetest charity. C.S.O.R. (Charles Stephen Olin Rice)

Charles Stephen Olin Rice is the son of Shadrack Rice and Louisa Elizabeth Linerieux Rice. He and his parents are buried in St. Paul Cemetery.