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400 NortH Caronina Troops, 1861-’65.

During the Spring of 1862-63, and the winter of 1863-64,
the band was granted a furlough and gave several concerts in
different parts of the State, and everywhere met with the most
enthusiastic reception. They played at Governor Vance’s
first inauguration.

The band remained with the regiment to the end and was
captured on the retreat from Petersburg and taken to City
Point, and thence to Point Lookout. They were finally re-
leased, and Captain Mickey reached home (Salem) on 3
July, 1865.

DESERTIONS,

A few words on this subject is of historical interest. Ex-
cept in the closing days of the struggle, there were few, if any,
desertions to the enemy. There were numerous cases of ab-
sence without leave, but the parties did not mean to desert
their colors. Impelled by an irresistible yearning to see those
they had left behind in their humble homes, they would go
home without leave, but when this longing was gratified, they
would voluntarily rejoin their commands and do as loyal ser-
vice as any.

It became finally necessary to visit the death penalty in
instances, as an example to deter others. Sergeant Andrew
Wyatt, Company B, and some ten others of the regiment on
10 December, 1862, deserted while the regiment was sta-
tioned at Garysburg, N. ©. They started for their homes in
the Western part of the State, but were arrested at a crossing
on the Roanoke river. The Sergeant was court-martialed,
convicted and condemned to be shot. While in camp near
Magnolia, N. C., January 1863, he was taken out in a wagon
to the place of his execution, where the brigade was dvcvu an
in a three-quarter square to witness the shooting. The pris-
oner was blindfolded, ordered to kneel down by the freshly
dug grave, the firing squad stood with their guns at a “ready”
and the officer was reading the sentence, when an orderly rode
up with an order from General French, commanding the de-
partment, granting a pardon. Subsequent to his conviction
the officers of the regiment became satisfied that the Sergeant
only intended to go home and see his family, and then return

Twenty-Srxta Regiment. 401

to his command, and on their request, his life was spared.
Sergeant Wyatt was killed at Gettysburg, bravely doing his
duty in that famous first day’s battle.

While at Hanover Junction in June, 1863, Colonel Lane
was president of a general court-martial. Several of his reg-
iment had been tried for desertion and sentenced to be shot,
and were awaiting their execution. Among them was John
Vinson, a member of Colonel Lane’s old company (Company
G). When the regiment started for Pennsylvania these pris-
oners were marched at the rear of the regiment under guard.
Riding by their side one day, Colonel Lane remarked to
them: “Are you in sympathy with the South, and if permitted
to do so, will you help us fight in this next battle?” They
said:. “We will. We only wished to go home to see our
folks.” General Lee informed of this, ordered them restored
to duty, and no soldiers fought better at Gettysburg. John
Vinson was wounded with the colors of the regiment, having
volunteered to carry them. S. T. Dula, of Company I, was
recommended by Major Jones for promotion for gallant con-
duct at Gettysburg, where he was wounded.

After the return to Virginia, he deserted, but voluntarily
returned to the regiment after an absence of two or three
weeks. Major Jones sent for him and said to him: “What
in the world did you mean by doing this. You have put me
in a devil of a fix.” Dula replied that “he heard his wife had
had a little one, and he could not resist going home to see it.”
He was allowed to go on duty, and was killed at Bristoe Sta-
tion, leading the charge.

Governor Vance was most energeti¢ in getting these “absent
without leave” men to return to their commands. He issued
several proclamations on the subject. In the proclamation
dated 27 January, 1863, he promised to use his influence with
the authorities to pardon all those who would return to duty
voluntarily. Many returned to their commands in response
to this proclamation, and General Lee writes Governor Vance
under date of 26 March, 1863: “I at once remitted the pen-
alties inflicted by the courts, and restored the men to duty. I
also directed that no charges should be preferred against sol-

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