1861 August 7 (in camp)

[From the diary of William Cox Holmes]
We formed into line at an early hour & beat the drum for
roll call, then we went out & drilled squad drill for awhile.
After breakfast we re-formed and Capt. [?] delivered a
very touching sympathetic address stating what we had to
do and what responsibility was resting upon us as patriots
& what we must expect. In alluding to our absence from
our friends never to return perhaps the tears were forced
into my eyes & I felt what indeed I was & what I had to do
& with a willing heart & full determination to do it. I
went at it & from this time promise it will be my effort
to continue to do so. The day passed off in attending to
the various duties of the camp, appointing guards of the tents,
& the night was spent [illegible] sleep.

William Cox Holmes (1840-1924) was an alumnus of the University of Virginia. He began service in the 25th Mississippi Infantry, which was re-designated the 1st Mississippi Infantry in 1862. Later became a captain in the 1st Mississippi Sharpshooter Battalion. After the war he graduated from the New Orleans School of Medicine and practiced in Texas from 1867 until his death.

MSS 38-472