174 Norra Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

erates, two of which were repulsed. The first charge, as he
terms it, was merely an advance of a battalion of sharpshoot-
ers, under Captain John Young, which drove in the Federal
pickets and skirmishers. Captain Young reported that there
was only a line of picket pits in our front. Under this im-
pression the Sixteenth, Twenty-second and Thirty-fourth
North Carolina regiments, and Benning’s Georgia Brigade,
were ordered to charge. On reaching the edge of the woods,
Benning’s men, seeing a strong line of works, well manned, in
their front, were halted. The Twenty-second Regiment
charged up to the works, but, having lost their support on
their right, were withdrawn. They were not repulsed. Pri-
vate Ellison, of Company L, snatched an United States flag
from the earth works in this charge, and brought it away
with him. Shortly after this Lane’s, MacRae’s and another
brigade of Heth’s Division, with the Twenty-second Regi-
ment covering their left flank, charged the position and car-
ried the works in splendid style. Hampton’s cavalry shared
in the attack and rendered most efficient service.

An incident worthy of record occurred in the winter of
186465, while the Twenty-second North Carolina was on
duty on the lines south of Petersburg, Va., in support of Bat-
tery 45. General A. P. Hill, commanding the corps, was
desirous of getting certain information with regard to the
force and position of the enemy on his front. This he thought
might be obtained by the capture of some prisoners, and he
directed General A. M. Scales, commanding brigade, to make
a foray on the skirmish line or picket posts of the enemy op-
posite his lines. General Scales detailed Captain C. Frank
Siler, of Company M, of the Twenty-second North Carolina,
to undertake the expedition with a part of the sharpshooters
of the brigade.

Captain Young, who commanded the sharpshooters, was
temporarily absent. Siler was ordered to report to General
James H. Lane and get a reinforcement from the sharpshoot-
ers of that brigade, but before making the move, Siler wished
to reconnoitre the position. To effect this thoroughly, he
adopted a ruse. Crossing to the Yankee lines he offered,
with the usual signals, to exchange newspapers, as was often

TWENTY-SECOND REGIMENT. 175

done. While haggling about the exchange he examined the
position and its surroundings carefully and selected a path by
which it might be approached advantageously. Returning
to his command, he rode over to General Lane’s quarters to
get the reinforcements as ordered, General Scales having
loaned him a horse for the purpose. Now, for the better de-
fence of Battery 45, the men of the Twenty-second had
dammed up a small stream in its vicinity which had the effect
of collecting much water in the battery’s front and rendering
the approach to it very difficult. Along the top of this dam was
the shortest route between the two brigades, and over it Siler
attempted to ride. It was very dark, however, and, as he af-
terwards discovered, his horse was ‘‘moon-eyed,” and. in con-
sequence, horse and man tumbled off the dam into the water
and mud seventeen feet below. Nothing daunted, and in
spite of cold and bruises, he fished himself and horse out,
and after much tribulation he succeeded, ‘‘accoutred as he
was,” in finding Major Wooten, who commanded Lane’s
sharpshooters, and got the detail wanted. Uniting them
with his own men they all proceeded quietly to the Yankee
rifle pits by the path Siler had previously selected. Arrived
at the pits, they found all there asleep except a sentinel in
front of the works, upon whom they closed before he could
discharge his piece. The sentry ran into the works and tried
to use his bayonet, but Siler turned it aside and secured him
before he could give the alarm. The command then swept
up and down the rifle pits, and after capturing sixty men,
made good their retreat with their prisoners, to the Confed-
erate lines, not, however, without receiving a heavy fire from
the Yankees, who had recovered from their surprise, which,
owing to the darkness, fortunately, did no damage. From
some of the prisoners captured all information wanted was
obtained, and Captain Siler and his men were highly compli-
mented for their gallant action.

SOUTHERLAN D'S STATION.

An incident, well worth recording, happened near this sta-
tion, after our troops had evacuated the works on Hatcher’s