30 Norro Caroiina Troops, 1861-’65.

ion of Orlando B. Wilcox, which, however, arrived too late to
be of any substantial service to him. Gregg’s division of
cavalry, with an additional brigade commanded by Spear,
was with him. He had abundant artillery, consisting in part
of the Tenth Massachusetts battery, Battery B First Rhode
Island, McNight’s Twelfth New York Battery, and Woer-
ner’s Third New Jersey Battery. On the 22d Gregg was as-
sailed by Wade Hampton with one of his cavalry divisions,
and a sharp contest ensued. General Hampton, from the
battlefield of the 22d, sent a note to General R. E. Lee, sug-
gesting an immediate attack with infantry. That great
commander, realizing that a favorable opportunity was of-
fered to strike Hancock a heavy blow, directed Lieutenant-
General A. P. Hill to advance against him as promptly as
possible. General Hill left his camp near Petersburg on
the night of the 24th, and marching south, halted near Arm-
strong’s Mill, about eight miles from Petersburg. On the
morning of the 25th he advanced to Monk’s Neck Bridge,
three miles from Reams Station, and awaited advices from
Hampton. The Confederate force actually present at Reams
Station, consisted of Cooke’s and MacRae’s Brigades of
Heth’s Division, Lane’s, Scales’ and McGowan’s Brigades of
Wilcox’s Division, Anderson’s brigade of Longstreet’s Corps,
two brigades of Mahone’s Division, Butler’s and W. H. F.
Lee’s Divisions of cavalry, and a portion of Pegram’s Battal-
ion of artillery.

Being the central regiment of the brigade, MacRae’s line
of battle was formed on it as was customary. Just previous
to the assault upon General Hancock’s command, the regi-
ment was posted in the edge of a pine thicket, about three
hundred yards from the breastworks held by the Federal
troops. When the order was given to advance, the men threw
themselves forward at a double-quick in a line as straight and
unbroken as they presented when on parade, and without
firing a gun, mounted the entrenchments and precipitated
themselves amongst the Federal infantry on the other side,
who seemed to be dazed by the vehemence of the attack, and
made a very feeble resistance after their ranks were reached.

A battery of artillery, captured by the regiment, was

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Forty-FourtH REGIMENT. 31

turned upon the retreating columns of the enemy. It was
manned by sharpshooters of the Forty-fourth, who had been
trained in artillery practice. Captain Oldham, of Com-
pany K, sighted one of the guns repeatedly, and when he saw
the effect of his accurate aim upon the disarmed masses in
front, was so jubilant that General MacRae with his usual
quiet humor remarked: “Oldham thinks he is at a ball in
Petersburg.”

The Federal loss in this battle was between six and seven
hundred killed and wounded, and 2,150 prisoners, 3,100
stand of small arms, twelve stand of colors, nine guns and
caissons. The Confederate loss was small, and fell princi-
pally upon Lane’s Brigade; it did not exceed five hundred in
killed and wounded. The casualties in the Forty-fourth
Regiment were trifling, as well as in other regiments of the
brigade, for Hancock’s men in our front fired wildly and above
the mark, being badly demoralized by the fire of the Confeder-
ate artillery, under cover of which MacRae’s men advanced
to the assault.

James Forrest, who carried the colors of the regiment, be-
came famous for his chivalrous devotion to the flag, and his
gallantry on every field.

On the night of 25 August, 1864, the regiment returned
with MacRae’s Brigade to its position on the line of entrench-
ments at Petersburg, held by General Lee’s right, and contin-

ued to perform the routine of duties incident to such a life
until 27 October, 1864.

BURGESS MILL.

The enemy having forced back our cavalry, and penetrated
to a point on our right known as Burgess’ Mill, on 27 Octo-
ber, 1864, General MacRae was ordered to attack with the
understanding that he should be promptly reinforced by
one or more brigades. Reconnoitering the enemy’s position,
he pointed out at once the weak part of their line to several
officers who were with him, and ordered his brigade to the
assault. It bore down everything in its front, capturing a
battery of artillery, and dividing the corps which it had as-
sailed. The Federal commander, seeing that MacRae was