[674] took command of the department of North Carolina, whence he was soon transferred to the command of the Trans-Mississippi department and promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general. He accepted the service but declined the promotion until it was again offered in the fall of 1862, when he accepted the rank. He reached Vicksburg July 30, 1862, and soon established his headquarters at Little Rock. In this department he made a manly struggle against adverse conditions until the following March, when he was relieved by Edmund Kirby Smith, under whose general command General Holmes retained charge of the district of Arkansas. On the day that Vicksburg surrendered, he made an assault upon the Federal force at Helena under General Prentiss, where the Confederate troops were distinguished for fearless action, but failed to carry the enemy's works. Subsequently on account of illness he turned over the military command to General Price, but resumed it after Price had retreated from Little Rock. The greater part of the State was now occupied by an overwhelming Federal force, against which no further hostilities were attempted during the service of General Holmes in that field. In March, 1864, he was relieved of command in Arkansas, and placed in charge of the reserve forces of North Carolina. As commander of the defenses of North Carolina, he was of great value in the organization of the troops of that State, until, in June, he was called to the department of Fredericksburg. He was a brave and fearless officer and esteemed for his virtues. After the close of the war he retired to Fayetteville, and passed the remainder of his life upon a small farm, which he tilled with his own hands, accepting the reverses of fortune with unmurmuring patience. He died June 21, 1880. His eldest son fell at Malvern Hill.
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[674] took command of the department of North Carolina, whence he was soon transferred to the command of the Trans-Mississippi department and promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general. He accepted the service but declined the promotion until it was again offered in the fall of 1862, when he accepted the rank. He reached Vicksburg July 30, 1862, and soon established his headquarters at Little Rock. In this department he made a manly struggle against adverse conditions until the following March, when he was relieved by Edmund Kirby Smith, under whose general command General Holmes retained charge of the district of Arkansas. On the day that Vicksburg surrendered, he made an assault upon the Federal force at Helena under General Prentiss, where the Confederate troops were distinguished for fearless action, but failed to carry the enemy's works. Subsequently on account of illness he turned over the military command to General Price, but resumed it after Price had retreated from Little Rock. The greater part of the State was now occupied by an overwhelming Federal force, against which no further hostilities were attempted during the service of General Holmes in that field. In March, 1864, he was relieved of command in Arkansas, and placed in charge of the reserve forces of North Carolina. As commander of the defenses of North Carolina, he was of great value in the organization of the troops of that State, until, in June, he was called to the department of Fredericksburg. He was a brave and fearless officer and esteemed for his virtues. After the close of the war he retired to Fayetteville, and passed the remainder of his life upon a small farm, which he tilled with his own hands, accepting the reverses of fortune with unmurmuring patience. He died June 21, 1880. His eldest son fell at Malvern Hill.
Atlanta, Ga. 1899.
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