John H. DeHart was killed in battle near Kinston, N. C., and is buried in a public cemetery there.

He was a young man of more than usual promise. He attained education that was unusual for that time of pioneering in Western North Carolina. He was a splendid conversationalist and was developing a gift for public speaking and was able to sing well.

After volunteering for the war served in a very active part of the army and in several major battles. The battle of Chimoga was counted by him as of great destructiveness. In fact he told the family when home that he could not see how any one lived in it because all the trees and and everything standing had been struck by bullets or shells. He went through all of these dangers to be killed in a little skirmish.

He had command as the ranking officer at the time of his death and enemy had learned his name and called him out by name and said “Surrender Colonel DeHart, we have you surrounded.” He did not surrender but his command did when they saw he was dead.

His parents never quit morning his loss as long as they lived and everyone that I have ever heard speak of him and who knew him well, respected or loved him.

Contributed by John R. DeHart
Document Prepared by Gloria Lambert

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Last updated: Friday, 10-Oct-2008 12:51:17 MDT