878

HISTORY OF THE ORPHAN BRIGADE.

your statement to Mr. Kirkley, of the War Records Office, who compiled the rosters. When I receive his reply as to how the error occurred I will send it to you." Subsequently he wrote (Oct. 24, 1893): " It gives me great pleasure to send you the letter of Mr. Kirkley, of the War Records, who compiles the rosters for the printed volumes. You will see that he has already discovered the facts of which you wrote me, and that the designation has been changed in the volumes on the Atlanta campaign."

I extract from Kirkley's letter to Boynton : " I beg to say that Capt. Herr is correct as to the original organization of the First Kentucky Cavalry and subsequent consolidation with Col. J. R. Butler's regiment. According to the muster-rolls of the regiment, after consolidation, it continued to be known as the First Cavalry; but the Richmond authorities designated it as the Third, and we have been so governed in the preparation of our rosters. There is no doubt as to the identity of the regiment. ... In the roster of the Atlanta campaign I described it as the ' First (Third) Cavalry.' Gano's regiment, to which Capt. Herr refers, was known at Richmond as the Seventh or the Third Regiment of Morgan's brigade."

For brief notice of the attitude which Kentucky had assumed before the enlistment of the various regiments for the Confederate service, see Chapter II. of preceding history of the Orphan Brigade. I have endeavored there to set out in as clear and emphatic terms as possible the theories upon which these men based their action   theories which they still hold to be so sound as to warrant the claim that they fought   not for slavery, not for sectional aggrandizement, nor the gratification of sectional animosity; not for the destruction of just government   but in defense of the principles essential to the integrity of the States, and to the permanence of institutions that alone can maintain unimpaired the right of all men to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."   So actuated, they have never admitted that defeat vitiated their claim to the title of patriot soldiers, nor abated the proud consciousness which possesses all generous minds when heroically combating error, oppression, or usurpation of power. As observed in the connection referred to, an apologetic tone would indicate a lower order of men than those who accepted the result with no other mental or spoken reservation than that their purity of purpose must not be questioned, and then set earnestly to work to prove their eminent fitness to be honored citizens of the government established over them by a decision adverse to their arms, but by them accepted as one to which they would thenceforth give allegiance.