ANTIETAM: A Civil War Battle Documentary
zthygerson for Private John Stephens [CONFEDERATE]
John Stephens was a soldier in Hood's Texas Brigade during the Battle of Antietam. In this quote, Private Stephens recollects the scenery of thousands of Confederate troops crossing the Potomac River and the emotional impact that many of them will never return home after the ensuing battle.
"Imagine a river about 500 yards wide, 2 to 3 feet deep, and very swift, as full of men as it could be, all apparently jolly. I imagine that some of them at least contemplated the serious side of the situation. While I was deeply impressed in the movement, yet I could not for the life of me suppress the feeling of sadness as I beheld that vast concourse of humanity, wading the river. Apparently never once thinking that their feet, many of them, would never again touch the soil on the South side of the Potomac. Private John Stephens, Hood's Texas Brigade."
