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i lit n itt .There is a whole book in the brilliant war record of Gen. Hoke, but it not our purpose even to attempt an enumeration of the important engagements in which he appeared. Sutiiee it to say that he entered the Confederate service a little above the position of a private, and that he returned home at the close of the war a major-general. 1 have been told by several old soldiers, high up in aknowledge of the war and its history, that “there is no doubt if anythinghad happened to General Lee to render him incapable that General Hoke would have succeeded Lee.” Genprnl Hoke's parting words to his soldiers at the close of the war are tine words—splendid sentiment of tv brave otlicer to brave men. In a later number The Uplift will reproduce that speech.1 know him as a man, and not a living soul since his return from the war has ever seen him wearing a uniform or sporting a sword. General Hoke has not made a speech in the limelight since the war. In the councils of the business organizations to which he has contributed his wisdom, he makes clear-cut statements that go right to tIn* spot as much as any speech could possibly do. He will -it. down with a few friends and upon request tell you of a war incident or about a certain battle or experiences, but in all these lie emphasizes what “my soldiers did, leaving himself out. This is greatness 1 have heard him tell these stories of the war possibly on a -'Core of occasions—it always occurred at niglii when he had not 'dug else to do. lb* is a charming conversationalist, an I h** tells a story of a brilliant dash, a bloody struggle, a glorious battle or a sorrowful 'defeat with a clearness, with a light and action so perfect that you feel the atmosphere, almost , in which the event occurred.General Hoke did his level best during the war. and in the light of cold observation and judgment forty-five years removed it is a record as brilliant as the most brilliant. When the Confederate fortes surrendered, and returned to their wasted farms,he accepted the result as final. Us quit fighting “Yankees for good, and began fighting the problems ol life, the difficulties confronting thej South and the obstacle* to the development of i he land In* loves with just | as much ardor as if he wore the Confederate uniform unceasingly.It is said that General Hoke hat never attended a reunion, local. Stat* or the general organization. He hat been too busy. He lias a loving | memory of the boys in gray, but General Hoke simply had enough ol I war, aud at the surrender he wat done for good.”After the war, General Hoklt; ploughed his war horse some. Hlt; washed for gold some in the raoun tains of North Carolina. Genera Hoke, measured by a commerciuimsm is a tiling max up Knows Homing about. Tlis meanest tiling I ever heard him say about any person was when he was asked uboiit a certain gentleman (the man in question is measly and miserably stingy)‘ Why,” replied the General, “he is very careful with his money'.”General Hoke was married January 7th, 1809, to Miss Lydia A. VanWyck, of South Carolina, and to them have been born six children, of whom four are living: Mr. Van Wyck Iloke, of Lincolnton; Dr. Michael Hoke, of Atlanta; Mrs, Alexander Webb, of Raleigh; and Mrs. W. P. Pollock, of Kinston.Here's tothe good health and long life of North Carolina’s greatest soldier, the strong believer in man and ardent lover of his State.
Newspaper Details
The Gold Leaf
Henderson, North Carolina, US
Thu, Jan 13, 1910
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Charles H.
GA, USA 14 Nov 2021
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