28 NorrH Caronina Troops, 1861-’65.

killed or disabled, whilst the gunners were subjected to an
incessant and murderous fire. At this juncture Lieuten-
ant R. W. Stedman, of Company A, volunteered to drag
the guns down the road out of danger if a detail of forty
men was furnished. Forty men immediately stepped to
his side and said they would follow him, although they all
_ knew the effort was full of peril. The work was done suc-
cessfully, but only three of the volunteers escaped unhurt.
Lieutenant Stedman was severely wounded by a grape shot.
For his personal gallantry in this action he was honorably
mentioned in high terms of praise, in an official order from
division headquarters. The loss of the regiment in the en-
gagements of the 5th and 6th was exceedingly heavy; a
large proportion of its officers were killed and wounded;
amongst the latter the Major of the regiment. Both officers
and men won the special commendation of brigade and divis-
ion commanders. On the 8th the regiment moved with the
brigade towards Spottsylvania Court House. On the 10th
Heth’s and Anderson’s Divisions, commanded by Early, had
a serious conflict with a portion of General Grant’s army,
which was attempting to flank General Lee by what was called
the Po River Road. In this engagement the Forty-fourth
suffered severely, and fought with its accustomed valor.
Captain J. J. Crump, of Company E, elicited by his con-
duct, warm commendation from the general commanding.

SPOTTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE. -

On the 12th the regiment was assigned its position directly
in front of Spottsylvania Court House, and was in support of
a strong force of Confederate artillery. Repeatedly during
the day it was charged by the Federal columns, their ad-
vance always being heralded and covered by a heavy artil-
lery fire. Every assault was repulsed with great loss to the
assailants, whose advance was greeted by loud cheers from
the Forty-fourth Regiment, many of the men leaping on the
earthworks and fighting without cover. The loss during
this engagement was comparatively slight. The Major com-
manding the regiment was again wounded and sent to a hos-