No tags yet.
The forge of Civil War combat bonded officers to the men they led. The very best officers were often beloved by their soldiers, and the close comradeship they developed during the war carried over into civilian life. An example of this is found in The Natchez Democrat, December 11, 1865, with an article describing the homecoming welcome received by Brigadier General Nathaniel H. Harris on his return to Vicksburg:
We publish this morning, the correspondence of the Vicksburg Herald, in reference to a public serenade given to this
distinguished Mississippian, on his return to Vicksburg, together with the remarks of the Genl; and those of Col. Manlove and the Hon. D.O. Merwin on the occasion. We are certain that anything referring to the General who led so many of the sons of Adams County to frequent victories, will be read with pleasure by the community.
Serenade of Gen. Harris
The personal friends and companions in arms of Gen. N.H. Harris, paid their respects to him on Saturday evening last, presenting an occasion for a reunion of friendship and regard. Not unmixed, however, with sad recollections of brave fallen friends.
After a general reception had taken place, being loudly called upon, Gen. Harris said, in substance, that he met his friends once more on the banks of the old Mississippi with the deepest emotions. He [viewed] this visit to him simply as a mark of personal friendship, and not as any testimonial to the performance of duty, because he saw around him men who were fully entitled to more distinction than himself. He loved that old river, he loved the hills of Warren, his native State, and the feelings awakened in his heart upon meeting his friends amongst these loved scenes were too great for utterance.
We have come back to our old home to pursue the charming avocations of peace. We have thrown away the sword and our hands were grasping the plow and the pen. Yes, the war was gone, and God grant forever and forever. The little remnant of thousands, the scenes of war’s bloody drama, were fast fading away from our view, and we stood looking hopefully forward to a great great future, in which we had much to do.
We must now labor shoulder to shoulder, to repair our shattered fortunes, rebuild our cities, revive our trade and commerce, and reconstruct our whole Union. Peace hath its victories as well as war, and history stood ready with her pen to record the wise, conservative policy pursued in building up the country as a greater victory than ever was accomplished by the sword. In the achievement of this great victory we had our duties to perform by an earnest ad hearty co-operation. We must aid by marching together to accomplish harmony, good order and quiet.
The speaker concluded his earnest and heartfelt remarks by again thanking his friends for their kind remembrance of him.
The Hon. A.K. Smedes, being called upon, said, in substance, that he felt deeply affected by the scene before him and the remarks of his friend. There before and around him stood men who had shared every peril, danger and hardship together; who had periled life, health and happiness upon the bloodiest field of a most bloody war; a little band of survivors, who had come together to shake each other quietly by the hand, to drop a tear over the past, and to encourage each other for a peaceful and brighter future. He congratulated them that they had been spared through so many hardships and trials to meet in their old homes in friendship and peace. [EDITORS NOTE: A.K. Smedes was a wealthy Vicksburg lawyer and judge prior to the Civil War. In the 1860 U.S. Census for Warren County, he is listed as owning real estate worth $15,000 and having a personal estate worth $5,000]
Col. Manlove also yielded to the demands of the friends around him, and said he too, felt the occasion most deeply. When he
looked upon the little remnants of his old brigade, and thought of the past – thought of the far-off battle-field – thought of the brave fellows who were sleeping the sleep that knows no waking – who had shared in victory and defeat together, he could not restrain his emotion. [EDITORS NOTE: Thomas B. Manlove was Lieutenant Colonel of the 48th Mississippi Infantry, and served in the Mississippi brigade commanded by Nathaniel Harris (Compiled Service Record of Thomas B. Manlove, 48th Mississippi Infantry, accessed on Fold3.Com, September 5, 2018)]
He was now a loyal man to the Government and country, loyal in feeling and in principle; but he would be disloyal to every manly feeling, to every generous emotion should he fail to remember the brave and gallant dead of his old command. He heartily united in the sentiments expressed by his old and beloved commander and friend, and intended to work himself, as he knew all true men would, for the restoration of law, order and Government. Their faithful performance of duty in the past, under trial, gloom and misfortune, was the best guarantee that could be given for the future.
Hon. D.O. Merwin responded to the call made upon him by saying, in substance, that being a good soldier, true to his principles was the best evidence a man could give that he was worthy of confidence and fit to be trusted. His friend, Gen. Harris, had left Vicksburg at the call of duty and the State, without show or the pomp and circumstance of war; he had gone modestly away and with a company of brave men – but few of whom were now living – had as modestly as he had gallantly, won great advancement and distinction. He had come back as he [had] gone, modestly and without assumption. The speaker was proud to say that the returned soldier was prominent for his observance of quiet and good order. Not an instance of violation of law, peace and quiet had yet transpired against the returned soldier. [EDITORS NOTE: Daniel O. Merwin was a lawyer and resident of Vicksburg. During the Civil War he served as 1st Lieutenant of Captain Moody's Company, Louisiana Artillery, also known as the Madison Light Artillery. Wounded during the Seven Days Battles for Richmond in 1862, he had to have his right arm amputated, and he resigned his commission in November 1862. On June 14, 1864, he was appointed Major and enrolling officer for the state of Mississippi and assigned to the conscript bureau. (Compiled service record of Daniel O. Merwin, Capt. Moody's Company, Louisiana Artillery, accessed on Fold3.com, September 5, 2018)
The present meeting and the sentiments uttered rendered assurance of the future; and with them all, he should use his best endeavor to foster and cherish the best interests of the country. The empty sleeve hanging at the side of the speaker awakened earnest responses from the men around him, and with harmony and good feeling, the friends of the past and the present, now no longer soldiers, but quiet citizens, bade each other good night.
(Time did not dim the affection that the veterans had for Nathaniel Harris; when the old general died on August 23, 1900, the Vicksburg paper said of him:
"Officers like General Harris, and men similar to the heroes under his command, won laurels, achieved victories, endured hardships, and manifested a devotion to duty that has perhaps never been equaled in history. What a pity that insatiable Death claims them as victims, and that they could not live for all time as models and examplars of manhood and faithful devotion to duty. (Vicksburg Evening Post, August 25, 1900)
Brigadier General Nathaniel Harrison Harris is buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York. His grave is marked with only a simple rectangular stone with his name and date of death on it. Perhaps, being buried in the North, his relatives did not want to call attention to his Confederate service, fearing his stone might be vandalized. If he had been buried in his native Mississippi, I feel certain his grave would be marked with a more fitting monument.
