TweEntTy-THIRD REGIMENT.

THE REORGANIZATION.

While camped on the banks. of the Chickahominy at Rar-
rett’s Ferry, the regiment was re-organized. This was hast-
ened in order to take advantage of a provision in the Conted-
erate Conscript Act, passed 16 April, 1862. This provision
allowed troops whose term of enlistment had not expired, to
re-organize with all the privileges, as to election of officer:,
which they had before the act was passed, provided the re-
organization was effected within forty days from the passing
of the act. With that period lapsed the Confederate soldier’s
right to choose his own officers, all commissioned officers being
thereafter appointed by the President of the Confederacy.

Thus a re-organization of most of the Volunteer North
Carolina regiments in that army, a perilous thing in face of
a vastly superior enemy, took place about this time, an event
unparalleled in the annals of history. A large proportion of
officers failing of re-election, their places were filled with
men raised from the ranks, or from subordinate positions.
Nearly, or quite all the commands, had in their ranks plenty
of men competent to serve as commissioned officers. But
many thus elevated were not qualified by sufficient experience
for command, and the presence of so many inexperienced of-
ficers told against the South a month later in the prolonged
death grapple with the enemy in the Chickahominy swamps,
known as the Seven Days’ Fighting. That under such circum-
stances victory should have crowned Southern effort, attest the
dauntless valor of Southern troops.

Our boys, prompted more perhaps by the desire for change,
a strong factor in all lives and strongest of all in the monot-
onous life of a soldier, elected as a rule, new Line Officers.

The following change was made in Field Officers: Daniel
H. Christie was elected Colonel in place of John F. Hoke ;
Robert D. Johnston, rormerly Captain of Company K, Lieu-
tenant-Colonel; Ed. J. Christian, former First Lieutenant of

TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT. Company ©, Major; Vines E. Turner, former Second Lieu-
. H. Horner, Captain, Co. B. 4. V. E, Turner.Captain, Quart. Master. tenant in Company G, Adjutant. That night the officers

is
2. Frank Bennett, Captain. Co. A. 5. At D Peace, Capt > i i x :
3. H. G. Turner, Captain, Go. H. 6. Geo T. paaeneiie castes: OS I. who had failed of re-election bade us farewell, took leave for

7. Jas. A. Breedlove. Captain, Co. G. Richmond and later sought, most of them, other positions in

 

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