When at my wife's parents' home in Louisburg, NC, I have a 5 mile loop I run through the country. On this loop I pass Horton Hill (pictured above). Every time I pass it, I can't help but imagine the battle that took place on it during the Civil War.
The Battle of Horton Hill was a small battle. However, it was a very bloody battle where all but 2 soldiers perished on the grassy knoll. Although they were wounded and bloodied, Sam Horton and Dick Baker survived the battle. Horton & Baker were both privates. However, Horton was a Confederate soldier - Baker was fighting for the Union.
The legend goes that after 4 days of engagement, Horton and Baker were overwhelmed by the silence. Both believed that on the other side of the hill remained a strong army in wait. They grew restless and afraid of the near certain fate of death, or worse capture.
It was on the second day of silence when both on their own accord decided to breach the hill. Rather die fighting for freedom, than lie in wait for death they raced up the hill to face their enemy. As they reached the crest, the silence haunted them. Then, they saw each other. Both fired! Both missed. It was in this fraction of time they realized - there was no army. As if looking into a mirror, they saw themselves. In this moment, they chose peace. With caution, they began talking instead of fighting.
As the story goes, they sat under the tree pictured and drank North Carolina moonshine for days creating a friendship that would last for generations. Still today the family names of Horton and Baker litter the country side in this rural area of NC.
In reality - I concocted this entire fable in my head while running on these lonely roads of Franklin County. It is not likely true, but generating the story has made the time go by while running the miles.
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