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This poet, in his efforts to tell how the Southern soldiers loved and revered their great leader, Robert E. Lee, held his breath and exclaimed "Ah, me. This task surpasses me. Dead soldiers, rise from your graves, speak and tell how you loved Lee". The greatest sentiment ever expressed in word or song, one that covered more than almost anything I ever read, was one by this Southern poet, A. J. Ryan. Speaking of the sword of Robert E. Lee, he said, "Forth from its scabbard; never hand waved sword from stain so free, nor purer sword led braver band nor braver band had a cause so grand, nor cause a chief like Lee".

Another one of the youths of Red River County who volunteered to fight in this Southern cause was one of the sons of Rev. John Anderson, one of the early teachers spoken of heretofore. He left his home when hardly 16 years of age and went to battle. He was severly wounded at one time but came through undaunted and unconquered. He still lives and at the age of 91 years is as enthusiastic a supporter of the Southern cause as he was the day he joined the army. He lives at Ashdown, Arkansas. His name is T. T. C. Anderson. Mr. Anderson taught school in Arkansas for 54 years, having just retired a few years ago.

A young man whom I knew personally, Robert Rainey, a Confederate soldier, fought in Hood's Brigade as a private soldier, was in the cavalry, was wounded in battle one day, fighting clear on


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The History of Clarksville and Old Red River County
Pat B. Clark   1937