[14] or ‘Cadet,’ Regiment, and went through the Newbern campaign as its First Sergeant, his brother William being First Lieutenant in the same company. The arrangement was equally honorable to both, Henry giving up his claim to a commission in order that William, who had volunteered as a private, and been rejected on the ground of near-sightedness, might be able to go. In what spirit he accepted this position may be seen from an extract from a letter dated Newbern, March 21, 1863.
When I took my present position I really gloried in the thought that I was going to have a position where I could do a great deal of good to my fellow-men. But I feel that I have sadly neglected and lost that golden opportunity.But he had won the hearts of his men, and left stamped upon them the memory of a Christian soldier. As one of them said on his return to a friend of the family, inquiring about the Bonds:—
Lieutenant Bond was a good officer and a brave man, and the men liked him; but Orderly Bond the men would follow anywhere. He was a brave man; and such bravery, Christian bravery.He was first under fire at Kinston. He writes:—
I had sometimes expressed a fear that I might prove myself a coward in battle, but I was determined, if my will could effect anything, my friends should not be thus disgraced. The last few moments before going into the Kinston fight I felt perfectly calm, and was exhorting my men, whenever I got a chance, to keep cool and take a deliberate aim; my only prayer being, as we advanced into line of battle, that which I have heard our Mr. Clarke say never failed to be heard, “God help me!—help me to keep my selfpossession for the sake of my men.” I somehow felt as if my prayer was answered immediately; for I felt perfectly cool and fearless, although we were led into a nasty place, if there ever was one. . . . . I could not help feeling a little pleased to overhear some of my men say when I passed by their camp-fire at night, without their knowing that I was near, (this is strictly private, mother,) “Sergeant Bond fought bully!” Pardon my seeming vanity in repeating this remark (which I dare say will not wholly please you), but it struck me with a sort of astonishment to hear that I had
