TWENTIETH REGIMENT.

By BRIGADIER-GENERAL THOMAS F. TOON.

I cannot write a history of the Twentieth North Carolina
Regiment—initiated at Seven Pines, sacrificed at Gettys-
burg, surrendered at Appomattox—epochs too widely sun-
dered to be bridged over by consecutive history. I can not
record all the great sacrifices made, suffering and privation
borne with unflinching heroism, heroic achievements, bloody
victories, and grand triumphs—instances of individual dar-
ing and unswerving fidelity to duty—after a lapse of thirty-
Six years, when so many noble hearts of the Twentieth Regi-
ment have passed to that shore where wars cease, and no his-
tory can invade the ever blissful present. So many too anx-
ious to forget the fitful shadows of that dream, “‘too bright to
last,” have sealed their lips and refused to speak How can
even a sketch be made?

I will not attempt to make a display of imaginary history,
embellished by thirty-odd years of afterthought, or supply the
deficiencies of facts or memory by substituting cireum-
stances which are more pleasing than actual.

Such facts as I ean collect I desire to arrange in some order
consistent with happenings. I cannot do justice to a single
brave soldier of the regiment, and can only recollect the

TENTIETH REGIMENT. : ;
TWE 3. John 8. Brooks, Lieut.-Colonel. smallest part of that which ought to be written of the noble
3. John 8. , Lieut.-C
1. T. F. Toon, Colonel. 4. P. A. Smith, Captain, Co. A. Twentieth, North Concttke,
2. Nelson Slough, Lieut.-Colonel. i

5. C. B. Denson, Captain, Co. E. The Twentieth North Carolina Regiment comprised com-
panies from the counties of Brunswick, Columbus, Cabarrus,
Duplin and Sampson, stationed at Smithville and Fort Cas-

well, as follows:

 

Carrain Jno. 8. Brooxs, Brunswick Guards.
Caprain J. B. Sranztey, Columbus Guards No. 1.