324 NortH CARoLina Troops, 1861-’65.

A. Graham, Company K, Nineteenth North Carolina (Sec-
ond Cavalry), taking their stand on opposite sides of a
path leading to the stream, with swords crossed, counted the
men off in boat load lots as they were called out, and in this
way without confusion or crowding, all were successfully fer-
ried over and these two officers were the last to step aboard.

Major Wm. A. Graham, so widely known in the State for
his prominence in agricultural matters, at the battle of New
Bern was Lieutenant in command of Company K, Second
North Carolina Cavalry, and the writer has been so fortunate
as to get him for an eye witness account of that part of the
battlefield where his command was posted, as follows:

“My company (K) was dismounted and placed in the brick
yard. About sun set was ordered to report to Colonel Vance,
Twenty-sixth North Carolina Troops, who sent me to Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Burgwyn, commanding right wing of the
Twenty-sixth Regiment and the companies on the road
(Weathersby). Colonel Burgwyn placed my company on
picket some half mile or more beyond the bridge, and he, with
writer, scouted on flank of the pickets. The axes of the en-
emy could be heard cutting a road along the railroad.

“Next morning Captain Hayes, of Company A, Second
Cavalry, reported. The pickets were called in and every-
thing made ready for the battle. The forces at the road
(Weathersby) consisted of Companies A and K, Second Cav-
alry, a section of the Charlotte battery, Lieutenant A. B.
Williams in command and Captain McRae’s independent
eompany of infantry. Company K connected the force in
the road with the right of the Twenty-sixth Regiment. No
enemy appeared in our front and when Colonel Burgwyn be-
gan forming the companies of the Twenty-sixth in rear of
the entrenchments, we had no idea we had been defeated, but
thought it was probably for pursuit. Going to him for or-
ders, he informed me that we had been defeated on the left
and must try and beat the enemy to New Bern.

“Everything moved off in fair order until getting near the
crossing of the railroad, a scout announced the enemy coming
up the railroad only a short distance off. Colonel Burgwyn
ordered the artillery and Captain Hayes’ company, who were

TWeENTy-SIxtH REGIMENT. 325

mounted, to save themselves, which they proceeded to do.
Colonel Burgwyn, with the infantry, took to the left through
the woods. He dismounted his orderly and gave me one of
his horses and ordered me to scout to the left and forward to
see if the bridges were standing. Coming out at the camp
of the Thirty-seventh Regiment, I saw both bridges on fire
and so reported. We then struck the trail of Colonel Vance’s
retreat and overtook his command at Bryce’s creek, endeavor-
ing to cross in a boat, carrying three men. Colonel Vance
had swam his horse across the creek and had gone to hunt
other boats. It was reported that the enemy were close upon
us and at least half of the men threw their arms in the creek,
saying they did not intend that the Yankees should have
them. There was great confusion. Colonel Burgwyn was as
cool as if nothing unusual was transpiring. Calling such of
the officers as he saw to him, he announced he would hold a
“council of war,” told the council we were responsible for the
action of the men, and must form them and keep order. This
was done. Men were sent up and down the creek to hunt
boats.
“In the afternoon a negro man who belonged to Foy,
came to the opposite side of the creek and announced there
was a boat a mile or so down the creek where Colonel Hoke
(R. F.) had crossed. The men moved off through the swamp
down the creek, sometimes up to the armpit in the mire. The
negro went along on the other side, and when he reached the
boat he halloed and we went to him. I got into the boat and
had just taken a seat, when Colonel Burgwyn called me to
him and ‘said I must help him keep the men from overload-
ing and sinking the boat; the boat would hold eighteen. I
stood facing Colonel Burgwyn, and each time as we counted
eighteen we halted the column. When we all had crossed ex-
cept Colonel Burgwyn and myself, I entered the boat and,
leading the horse into the water, swam him over along its
side. The boat returned and Colonel Burgwyn came over in
like style. It was now near sun set. Colonel Burgwyn took
command of such formation as there was and held it until we
reached Trenton next day, where we found Colonel Vance
and several hundred men of the different commands which