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Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori

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This large monument was found in Oak Hill Cemetery in Talbotton, Georgia.  Here is the inscription:

Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori
Erected by the Confederate Guards in Memory of their Captain
Thomas S. Moyer
who fell in battle on the plains of Manassas.

The first line comes from Book 3 of the Odes, a collection in four books of Latin lyric poems by Quintus Horatius Flaccus (aka Horace) published in 23 B.C.  It can be translated into English a few ways:

- "It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country;"
- "It is noble and glorious to die for your fatherland;" and
- "It is beautiful and honorable to die for your fatherland."

Thomas S. Moyer, born about 1841, was the son of Enos (or Enoch) and Anna Moyer.  He joined Company D, 7th GA Infantry Regiment (Cobb Confederate Guards) as Captain 4 May 1861.  This company was assigned to Col. Francis Bartow's Brigade in Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's Army of the Shenandoah.  In July 1861, this army marched from their station to support Confederate troops at Manassas Junction in Virginia.  Since most of the brigades arrived on the 20-21 July, many men marched directly into battle.

This First Battle of Manassas resulted in a victory for the Confederates.  Captain Thomas S. Moyer suffered wounds during this battle, however, that cost him his life.  He died 5 August 1861.

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The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"

So I answered, "O Lord God, You know."

Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!' Thus says the Lord God to these bones: 'Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live...'" (Ezekiel 37:1-5, NKJV)