576 NortH CAROLINA Troops, 1861-’65,

turned to the works near the Jones House, where in a short
time it went into winter quarters.

December 8th the brigade was sent to drive off the cavalry
force which was endeavoring to destroy the Petersburg &
Weldon Railroad, but on reaching Jarratt’s Station, we found
the enemy had retreated. The weather was exceedingly
cold, and the sufferings of the men were intense. The bri-
gade was ordered to support the attack on Fort Steadman,
and it performed its part nobly in helping to repel the deter-
mined assault made on the main line of the Confederate works
near our winter quarters. General Lee ordered General
Lane to attack the enemy, who had taken position on a hill
near the Jones House. Gerieral Lane dislodged him by the
efficient aid of his sharpshooters, commanded by Major
Wooten, of the Eighteenth. Major Wooten was one of the
best officers in the service. The sharpshooters were sup-
ported by the brigade. The winter in the trenches at Peters-
burg—1864-’65—-was a most trying one in many respects.
The chaff was winnowed from the wheat.

On the night of 1 April the brigade was shelled continu-
ously until daybreak the next morning. The regiments in

the works from right to left were in the following order: -

Twenty-eighth, Thirty-seventh, Eighteenth, Thirty-third.
The Seventh was on detached duty. The men were placed
from six to ten paces apart—a mere skirmish line. Against
this weak force Grant hurled his crushing masses, at day-
break the next morning. We fought desperately, but our
thin line was pushed back by sheer force of numbers until it
was broken in pieces. We then retreated behind our winter
quarters and continued the contest, each man for himself. A
part of the regiment fell back to the plank road under Colonel
Cowan and a part to Battery Gregg, under General Lane.
Battery Gregg was fiercely attacked and fell after a most
heroic resistance. Color Sergeant Atkinson, of the Thirty-
third, after the Federals had mounted the parapet, and were
yelling furiously, left the fort, and made for the rear, waving
his flag defiantly at the astonished enemy. The Federals
fired at him repeatedly, but he escaped unhurt. It was a
daring deed that will live in history. Our men cheered him

Turrty-THIRD REGIMENT. 577

long and loudly, even after he had reached the Confederate
works. In this fight General A. P. Hill was killed. He
was a cool, gallant, sagacious officer. Under his leadership
the Light Division won an undying fame. Here, too, fell
Captain John D. Fain, of Company C. Colonel Cowan,
Captain Fain and myself were standing in a group, watch-
ing the movements of the enemy. Presently we heard that
unmistakable thud, and Captain Fain fell heavily forward,
mortally wounded. He begged us to take him off the field,
but it was impossible to do so at that time. In five minutes
he was dead. I never knew a purer man. He was the soul
of honor—so gentle, so manly, so heroic that no one could
help loving him. We held the inner line of works until
night, when Petersburg was evacuated, and we began our last
retreat.

April 3 we crossed the Appomattox at Goode’s bridge, and
on the 5th had some brisk skirmishing with the enemy near
Amelia Court House. Near Farmville, while crossing the
river, the enemy opened fire upon us with his artillery, and
we lost a few men. We had nothing to eat. It was impossi-
ble to procure any food, and the enemy was keeping closely
upon us. We marched grimly, resolutely on, not dreaming
the end was so near.

SURRENDER.

April 9 we were ordered to occupy a position on the left
of the road, near Appomattox Court House, and on the fight-
ing line. While we were moving to this position at a double
quick we were suddenly halted and a Federal officer came
from the front and rode down our line. He smiled, as he
rode quickly on, but it was the wickedest smile I ever saw on
any man’s countenance. The report quickly spread that
General Lee had surrendered. We could not believe it and
the officers vehemently denied it. General Lane, however,
assured us the report was true, and we bowed to the inevita-
ble. Lieutenant McIntyre, of the Thirty-third, said to me:
“Major, let’s not surrender. Let’s cut our way through.”
Presently he whispered: ‘“Won’t you have a drink of qui-

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