NortH CaroLina Troops, 1861-’65.

“ June 21, 1864, 5:10 p. m.

“Theo. Lyman to Major-General Meade:

“TI have just been to meet General Barlow. About a mile
from the railroad (W. & W. and Petersburg) he engaged dis-
mounted cavalry and two guns; took the Colonel of the Third

North Carolina Cavalry, who thinks Early is behind on the
railroad.”

During the month of August the reorganization of the
field officers took place, as heretofore referred to, and Major
Roger Moore (promoted later to Lieutenant-Colonel) was left
in command. The regiment was now in the brigade of Gen-
erful Rufus Barringer, where it remained for the rest of the
war. It was in the division of General W. H. F. Lee, under
command of General Wade Hampton, commanding the corps
of cavalry.

It participated in the brilliant attack on the enemy at
Reams’ Station, 25 August, 1864. From General Hamp-
ton’s report the following is taken:

“General Barringer, whom I had sent with his brigade to
the east of the railroad, reported that he had met a strong
force of infantry with cavalry. I ordered him to picket the
road strongly and join me with his command at Malone’s
Crossing. * * * (Colonel Roberts, with his regiment,
charged here one line of the rifle-pits, carrying it handsomely
and capturing from sixty to seventy-five prisoners. * * *
He struck the rear of the enemy, with Barringer’s Brigade in
the center of his force. Under a heavy fire of artillery and
musketry the line advanced steadily, driving the enemy into
his works. Here he made a stubborn stand, and for a few
moments checked our advance, but the spirit of the men was
so fine that they charged the breast-works with the utmost gal-
lantry, carried them and captured the force holding them.
This ended the fighting, my men having been engaged twelve
hours. We captured 781 prisoners, 25 commissioned officers,
buried 143 of the enemy and brought off 66 of their wounded.
Our loss was: Total killed, 16; wounded, 75; missing, 3.
Of these Barringer had 10 killed, 50 wounded, 1 missing.

Forry-First REGIMENT. 781

* * * General Barringer commanded Lee’s Division to
my satisfaction, while his brigade commanders, Colonel Davis
and Colonel Cheek, performed their parts well.”

The following letter from General Lee to Governor Vance,
in reference to this gallant achievement, will live in history as
one of the fairest laurels ever won by sons of the Old North
State. Under date of 29 August, 1864, he writes:

“T have frequently been called upon to mention the ser-
vices of North Carolina soldiers in this army, but their gal-
lantry and conduct were never more deserving of admiration
than in the engagement at Reams Station on the 25th in-
stant.

“The brigades of Generals Cooke, McRae and Lane, the
last under the command of General Connor, advanced through
a thick abatis of felled trees, under a heavy fire of musketry
and artillery and carried the enemy’s works with a steady
courage that elicited the warm commendation of their corps
and division commanders, and the admiration of the army.
On the same occasion the brigade of General Barringer bore
a conspicuous part in the operations of the cavalry, which
were not less distinguished for boldness and efficiency than
those of the infantry.

“Tf the men who remain in North Carolina share the spirit
of those they have sent to the field, as I doubt not they do, her
defense may be securely intrusted to their hands.

“T am with great respect, your obedient servant,

“R, E. Lug,

General.
. AT Se 4 ”
“His Excellency, Z. B. Vance, Governor of North Carolina.

The dark and gloomy winter, the last of the war, was
approaching. The regiment was now to endure the most ex-
treme hardships of a soldier’s life in cold, fatigue, hunger,
pain and anxiety. As the lines drew closer and forage be-
came scarcer, the horses perished and the few must do the
work of many., The middle of November found the Forty-
first, in Barringer’s Brigade, encamped near Gladcross’ mill,