596 Norra Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

its services. Says Colonel Sinclair in his official report of
the battle: “Special praise is due to Company D, com-
manded by Captain Lassiter, for the alacrity with which they
volunteered to defend our retreating columns when the ene-
my’s cavalry was reported to be upon us.” This gallant of-
ficer, Captain Hardy J. Lassiter, from Chatham county, was
soon to yield up his life on the battlefield, for he was killed
while leading his company in that memorable charge on Mal-
vern Hill (1 July, 1862).

On 17 March, 1862, the Thirty-fifth regiment was made
a part of French’s brigade, and on 9. April it was assigned to
a brigade to be commanded by Brigadier-General Robert Ran-
som, Jr., who had shortly before been ordered to North Caro-
lina to assist in reorganizing the troops assembled at Kin-
ston. The Thirty-fifth regiment was ever afterwards at-
tached to this famous brigade; well might it say, in the words
of the Trojan Hero: “Magna pars fus.”

REORGANIZATION FOR THE WAR.

After five months of service and battle experience, the of-
ficers of the regiment were much better qualified to select a
commanding officer than when at Camp Mangum.

They realized how important, not only for their good name
but for their safety as well, it was to have a cool, brave, expe-
rienced and resourceful man at their head; and after the ma-
turest deliberation, they unanimously chose as their Colonel,
Matt. W. Ransom, at the time Lieutenant-Colonel of the First
North Carolina State Troops, and then in command of his
regiment at Kinston.

This accomplished man and gallant soldier now known
to the country as an eminent statesman and brilliant orator,
who for more than twenty-one years represented his State in
the United States Senate and latterly minister plenipoten-
tiary of his country at the sister republic of Mexico, was then
known to his people as a young man who had graduated from
his State University with distinguished honors; had been
elected Attorney General when but a few years out of college,
member of the Legislature and rapidly taking rank as an ora-

TuHiIrtTy-FirrH REGIMENT. 597

tor and advocate; who had been selected as one of three com-
missioners to proceed to Montgomery and represent his State
before the Congress of the new Confederacy ; who had volun-
teered among the first, and appointed to high command in a
regiment enlisted for the war, and in the short time of his
military service had won the confidence of his superiors and
admiration of his men. It was greatly feared by the officers of
the Thirty-fifth Regiment that Colonel Ransom would decline.
His friends urged him to do so. His own regiment was loath
to part with him. Major-General Holmes, the Department
Commander and his personal friend, advised him not to ac
cept, stating among other reasons, that the Colonel of
the regiment would be sure to lose his life. That for the next
battle or two the regiment would feel the demoralization of its
conduct at New Bern and probably require to be rallied and
its commander to greatly expose himself and he would most
likely be killed. This suggestion of his friend and com-
mander decided the matter, but not as General Holmes
wished. Thanking the General for his friendly interest, Col-
onel Ransom remarked that he had been in doubt about ae-
cepting the place, but “‘your statement of the situation
makes plain my duty in the premises.” Leaving General
Holmes’ presence Colonel Ransom notified the committee that
he would accept the position.

When. it became known that Colonel Ransom was to leave
them, the officers of his old regiment presented him with a
handsome sword as a testimonial of their respect and esteem.

As before stated, Major Petway had been unanimously
elected Lieutenant-Colonel, and Captain John G. Jones, of
Company E, was elected Major, thus completing the reorgani-
zation of the regiment as it re-enlisted for the war. .

Colonel Ransom appointed his regimental staff, viz.: As
Surgeon, Dr. Chas. J. O’Hagan, at that time Assistant Sur-
geon of the First Cavalry, appointed by General Robert Ran-
som, Jr., then Colonel of that famous command: as Quarter-
master, Captain Nicholas M. Long, who subsequently re-
signed and was succeeded in December, 1862, by Captain
Joseph M. Rogers; as Commissary, Dr. Chas. J. Gee, and as
Adjutant, Mr. Nelson, of Wayne county, who had been a