358 Chromeles of the Cape Fear River I came out of the army as I had entered it—without one dollar, but with a clear conscience, having performed my duty to my country as I saw it. From April 20, 1861, to June 5, 1865, I never had a furlough or a day’s absence from duty. “I can not close without saying a word about the splendid women of Wilmington for their devotion and attention to our destitute sick and wounded during those trying times. I have tried to recall the names of some of them, but can not do so. I fear few, if any, are living today.” Capt. Elisha Porter, of Company E, Third North Carolina Regiment, served from the beginning of the war up to and in- cluding the Battle of Chancellorsville. During that engagement he penetrated within the enemy’s breastworks and was bayo- neted by a Federal soldier. Finding that he was about to be killed, he attempted to scale the breastworks and succeeded in doing so, but was shot in the thigh and apparently mortally wounded. After the battle he heard the voice of a friend, by whom he was taken to the Confederate field hospital. Dr. Porter survived for many years after the war, but was always crippled. Joseph Price was one of the first lieutenants in Company H, Fortieth Regiment, which was organized at Bald Head, at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, the 1st of December, 1863, from heavy artillery companies already in the service. Company H was composed principally of Irishmen, and no better or more loyal men or better soldiers could be found in any company. Whether work or fighting was to be done, they were always ready and went wherever ordered. Lieutenant Price’s capture of the United States steamer Water Witch, by boarding in a night attack, was one of the most brilliant of the Confederate exploits on the water. His modest official report of this affair was characteristic of the man. Capt. Richard W. Price entered the Confederate service in October, 1864, at the age of seventeen, in the Junior Reserves, afterwards the Seventy-second Regiment. He served chiefly at Fort Fisher, and when the fort fell he was captured and taken a prisoner to Fort Delaware, where he remained until after the general surrender. When the Fort Fisher Survivors’ Associa- tion, composed of the Blue and the Gray, was organized, Captain Price was made secretary, and held that position to the time of his death. Capt. Robert G. Rankin was chairman of the Safety Com- SARC Cm res Bre The War Between the States 359 mittee before the outbreak of the war. At the beginning of the war he was made quartermaster of Wilmington, and was after- wards made captain of the First Battalion, Heavy Artillery. This battalion went into the Battle of Bentonville with 260 men and came out with 115. Every officer except two was killed, wounded, or captured. Captain Rankin was among the killed, stricken by eight balls. Capt. John T, Rankin entered the Confederate Army as a private, and at the youthful age of nineteen was made first lieu- tenant of Company D, First Battalion, North Carolina Heavy Artillery, under Captain McCormick. He was at Fort Fisher during the first battle and was highly complimented by General Whiting for gallantry. During the second battle Captain McCormick was killed and Lieutenant Rankin became captain. He fought at Fort Anderson, and on February 20, 1865, was wounded in the thigh at Town Creek and taken prisoner. He was treated with great courtesy by Colonel Rundell, of the One Hundredth Ohio Regiment, and carried to the Old Capitol Prison at Washington, where he saw the crowd and commotion caused by the second inauguration of President Lincoln. He was afterwards sent to Fort Delaware, where he remained until released after the war. Maj. James I. Reilly: General Whiting, in his report of the fall of Fort Fisher, says: “Of Major Reilly, with his battalion of the Tenth North Carolina, who served the guns of the land face during the entire action, I have to say he has added another name to the long list of fields on which he has been conspicuous for indomitable pluck and consummate skill.” Colonel Lamb, in his official report, says: “Major Reilly, of the Tenth North Carolina Regiment, discharged his whole duty. To the coolness of Major Reilly we are indebted for the defense of the land face.” Maj. William J. Saunders, chief of artillery, says: “I would beg particularly to call attention to the skill displayed by that splendid artillerist, Maj. James Reilly, of the Tenth North Carolina Regiment.” James Reilly was a sergeant in the old United States Army, and was in charge of Fort J ohnston, when, on January 10, 1861, 1t Was hastily occupied by some ardent Southerners from Wil- mington. After the State seceded he was appointed captain of a light battery and won fame in Virginia. On September 7, 1863, he was promoted to major, and John A. Ramsay became captain of the company. Major Reilly was one of the bravest and most efficient defenders of Fort Fisher. a _! ~ ee ae a LALA AO e isnt cehecmmeenssaiiiaeeiel eimai ataaal