Just got in from church, and the service our preacher spoke on reminded me of Capt. Elijah Slay's (Co C, 16th Miss Inf) final diary entry.

"Let me die upon the field of battle in the front ranks as an example to those who's duty it is to free the South from the iron hand of tyranny. What care I, though my name may never be put in print, nor my country know I shed my blood for her freedom. What a worthless man is he who only acts to be seen of men. God sees and understands the honest heart."

The last two sentences says a great deal.

Virgil