On March 29, 1865 Daniel Boyd wrote his final letter in the collection. He had fought in the battles of Averasboro and Bentonville after advancing into North Carolina with Hardee’s Corps.

He was writing from camp in Smithfield Station, which is in modern-day Selma, North Carolina. Daniel says: “It is thought that Sherman will back through S C. It matters not which way he starts. He will go where ever please for we have no body to keep him back.” He speaks of desertion saying that about one third of the men have gone home. He says that seven thousand had left Hardee’s camp since they left Charleston. Daniel states his personal reluctance to leave saying, “I would hate to give it up after fighting four years.”

Boys of Diamond Hill

The Military Writers Society of America Gold Medal for History 2012.

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