78 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

failed to drive them, when Cooke’s and Kirkland’s were sent
forward, and in a most terrific storm of thunder and light-
ning, steadily advanced over the field, facing a deadly fire
and with a yell carried everything before them, capturing
seven stands of colors, nine guns, 2,100 prisoners and a large
quatity of camp equipage.

The bayonet was freely used in this affair, and Lieutenant-
Colonel A. ©. MeAlister distinguished himself by his
daring in leading the regiment to the muzzles of the cannon.

Loss in the Forty-sixth, seventy-three killed and wounded.
Among the wounded were Captain H. R. KeKinney, of Com-
pany A; Captain A. T. Bost, of Company K; Captain Troy.
ve oo. G : Lieutenant T. R. Price, of Company O;

1eutenant M. N. Smyer shi
graven atone: te eyes shot out); Lieutenant

After Reams Station the regiment returned to the lines
around Petersburg, occupying different positions until De-
cember, when winter quarters were built on Hatcher’s Run
near Burgess’ mill, about ten miles from Petersburg and ive
mediately in front of the enemy.

_ About 7 December took place the famous Bellfeld expedi-
tion, noted for the suffering endured by the men from cold
and exposure, which continued for five days.

From 7 December to 4 February the Forty-sixth re-
mained in winter quarters, with little to vary the monotony.
<8 February, 1865, took place the affair at Hatcher’s Run
rnleioae ee Dy yore was engaged, with some loss, ames
— emg Lieutenant J. W. Brock, of Company G, by

27 February Lieutenant-Colonel A. ©. McAlister was de-
tached from the regiment and with the writer as Adjutant
assumed command of a force of about six hundred zie and
was assigned to duty in the counties of Randolph, Chatham
Montgomery and Moore, North Carolina, This force was
composed of the Seventh North Carolina, Major James G.
Harris commanding, and two companies each from the Fif-
teenth, Twenty-seventh, F orty-sixth, Forty-eighth and Fitty-
fifth North Carolina Regiments, designed for the protecti é
of that section from raiding parties of the enemy as sins

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FEE oR ENG ER CET INT CCT

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palaces tap

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Forty-SixtH REGIMENT. 79

‘preserve order in enforcing the Conscript Act. This force

was actively employed until General Johnson’s army arrived
near Greensboro, when it was attached to General D. H.
Hill’s Division until paroled by General Sherman.

An episode of this bit of service was a lively engagement
in the streets of Greensboro with a portion of Wheeler’s dis-
organized cavalry, which undertook to capture the Govern-
ment stores in the warehouses, and incidentally the town gen-
erally. The cavalry was driven out, but not without a num-
ber of casualties to both sides.

By reason of the above mentioned detail service, the writer
can give no particulars of the regiment’s experience from Pe-
tersburg to Appomattox from personal knowledge. Those
whose duties kept them at the front near Petersburg state
that the morning when Lee’s lines near Hatcher’s Run were
broken, the Forty-sixth, with the balance of Cooke’s Brigade,
retired in its usual good order.

On the retreat to Appomattox its experiences were those
of the army generally, continued fighting and starvation.
Ever ready to do its duty, no apparent disaster, however
great it seemed, shook its steady column, and up to the su-
preme moment at Appomattox its unity was preserved, its
men, those whom the bullet and disease had spared, an-
swering promptly “here,” when the final roll call was had.

At Appomattox the remnant of this band of heroes laid
down their arms to take them up no more forever, and the
Forty-sixth North Carolina passed into history with not
one member who but feels a just pride in its record, upon
which rests no blemish. At the surrender the regiment was
commanded by Colonel W. L. Saunders. Its strength is not
recorded, but the whole Cooke’s Brigade numbered 70 officers
and 490 men. Official Records Union and Confederate
Armies, Vol. 95, p. 1278.

Its torn and tattered battle flag which waved in triumph
over many a bloody scene, was never lowered until by order
of the immortal Lee it was laid down forever, but not in dis-
grace or shame, for about its folds shone the glories of Mal-
yern Hill, Harper’s Ferry, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Bris-
toe, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Mechanicsville, Cold Har-