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The blooming fields, the orange-groves and extensive flower-gardens, no longer cheer the tourist or protect the wearied traveller from the burning sun of the South. The Southern flag no longer floats over its brave defenders; but the scenes and trials of the Southern people during this contest cannot be forgotten by those who saw and felt them. The history of the struggle will be written hereafter, when passion shall have cooled, and the historian shall be a philosopher, and not a fanatic. Then many things shall assume a different appearance from that which they now present; but no historian will ever say that the 43d Battalion of Virginia Cavalry proved recreant to their duty.To Colonel Mosby's father and mother, I return my most sincere thanks for assistance rendered me when I commenced my enterprise.To George Palmer, Esq., of Richmond, Va., I tender my obligations for similar favors rendered in 1860; while Major Richards, Captains Glasscock and Richards, and other members of the command, will please accept my grateful remembrance for the encouragement given me in my feeble efforts to narrate the deeds of heroism done by our command.
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