100 Nortu Caroiina Troops, 1861-’65.

need turn and fight. Two charges of the enemy were repulsed
and the third was being made when a column of the enemy ar-
rived on our left and rear. A fierce struggle ensued in
which we were totally defeated, slain, wounded, captured, or
scattered. Only a few came out, the river being in front, the
victorious enemy in rear. By order all means of crossing the
river had been removed. But the next morning when Lee
passed up the northern bank toward Amelia Court House,
MacRae at the head of our organized brigade, that is a few
from each of his regiments, was in the retreating column as
chipper as ever. Even the corps of such of his sharpshooters
as had escaped retained their organization.

Passing through Farmville on the 7th our men snatched
some rations from a government commissary store which
they were in sore need of, as none had been issued, except on
one occasion two ears of corn to a man. On the evening of
the 7th we arrived on the field by a run, when Fitz Lee and
Gregg’s Cavalry Brigades charged each other, in which Gregg
was defeated and himself captured.

_ On Sunday morning, 9 April, the Forty-seventh arrived
at Appomattox, the last ditch, and was surrendered with the
Army of Northern Virginia. When it was filed to the right
of the road the men supposed they were going in line of bat-
tle to charge the enemy who were visible in front, but when
MacRae commanded “Halt,” and without any further or-
der as to rest, etc., so contrary to his rule as a disciplina-
rian, all stared and wondered what it could mean. He
dismounted and lay down, and we, too, began to lay down.
The sad news was quickly learned, and then followed that
mighty expression of blasted hope, which a witness will never
forget. The Forty-seventh Regiment had no field officer.
There were two Captains of companies, Faucette, of Com-
pany K, who was in command, and Thorp, of Company A.
Company A had, in addition, Lieutenant Westray and twelve
men; Company D had three men. The number of men of the
other companies not remembered, but were about seventy-five.

The United States troops (now seemingly no longer ene
mies) flocked among us by the hundreds and showed their
highest respect for their late antagonists. To see General

coup teceteghebereags arn neat ena

jeep rnnset rn espe east tan rT Et SRA ATS AS NEEM et RE Tarn rycen were

Forty-SEvENTH REGIMENT. 101

Lee was the burden on every tongue. There was no exulta-
tion; on the contrary they showed marked consideration for
our feelings. If the whole country could have witnessed this
sympathetic scene between the old Greys and the old Blues,
seas of bitter tears and mountains of hate would have been
spared.

A herd of fat, young steers, and many wagon loads of
crackers were brought to us, with which we appeased our
hunger. Through Monday and Tuesday we received our
guests. On Wednesday we were paroled, and late in the
evening we formed in our organizations for the last time,
marched between the open ranks of the Federals and stacked
guns. No Federal officer of rank was in sight. There was no
music. *Twas silent—very sad. We broke ranks for home.

And now old comrades (who may read it) this skeleton of a
sketch is an attempt to write only the truth, though a very
small part of it, of the Forty-seventh North Carolina Regi-
ment. Praise, criticism or even mention of the heroes who
composed it are purposely omitted. The merits alone of
these would fill a large volume, and partial mention would
be actual wrong. Is it not, therefore, better that whatever of
merit, of honor, and of fame the dear old regiment attained
we shall share in common ?

Joun H. Tuorp.

Rocky Mount, N. C.,
9 April, 1901.