From 1861 to 1865, Confederate soldiers were honored here as men who sacrificed their lives for what was called a just cause and fought for principle, their homes, and those they loved. The dedication was made by the Daughters of the Confederacy with aid from the Confederate Veterans Association of Fannin County. It invoked the image of their silent tents spread on fame's eternal camping ground, with glory guarding the bivouac of the dead. It also gave wartime figures of 2,242 battles fought, total enlistment in the Confederate Army of 800,000, total enlistment in the U.S. Army of 2,778,804, 270,000 Federal prisoners captured by Confederates, and 220,000 Confederate prisoners captured by Federals, and named Co. E, 11th Tex. Cav. and Co. F, 11th Tex. Cav. The conflict was characterized as a great war unrivaled in history for bravery, gallantry, daring, and dash.