138 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

critical moments by Confederate generals in important com-
mands, save that the hand of Fate had penned the decree of
our defeat; but of all those, which contributed to our down-
fall, that of Major-General Whiting, on the afternoon of 16
May, 1864, was one of the most glaring and stupendous.
Soon after the battle opened the Twenty-fourth and Forty-
ninth Regiments were ordered to the right flank of Bushrod
Johnson’s Brigade, on the right of the turnpike facing to-
wards Petersburg, and which was heavily engaged on the
immediate right of our brigade. Moving at double-quick
through thick woods we came upon the enemy’s first line of
works, and drove them from it with great loss. Pursuing
the foe, we advanced to the attack of the second line under a
very heavy fire in our front, and a severe enfilade from our
right. Colonel W. J. Clarke, of the Twenty-fourth com-
manded the brigade. Under his orders, and following that
regiment, we turned to the right, and drove the enemy from
the position, which enabled the enfilade fire to harass us,
capturing his colors, inflicting heavy loss upon him. Moving
directly forward, we again attacked the second line of their
works, and had nearly reached them, when we were ordered
to fall back and reform our lines. This was done under shel-
ter of a skirt of woods; and in a short time Major James T.
Davis, Colonel McAfee having been wounded, and Lieuten-
ant-Colonel Flemming having been left in command of
the brigade skirmish line when we were moved to the right,
gave the command to advance with Captain Chambers’ com-
pany deployed as skirmishers at an oblique angle to our right.
In this attack, aided by the flanking movement from our left,
the works in our front were readily taken. In these two
charges of this day the Forty-ninth lost heavily in officers and
men. When the works had been taken the dead body of Cap-
tain Ardrey was recovered. Besides the wounding of the
Colonel, Lieutenants W. P. Barnett, of Company F, and H.
©. Conley, of Company A, were killed. Captain G. W. Lytle,
of Company A, was mortally wounded, and Lieutenants Dan-
iel Lattimore, of Company B, and B. F. Dixon, of Company
G, were severely wounded.

Forry-NintH REGIMENT.

BERMUDA HUNDREDS.

The next day we continued the pursuit of Butler’s army,
and assisted in his “bottling up” at Bermuda Hundreds.
Several brisk skirmishes and picket fights were had there
until the lines were established, but none were of serious
importance. In a picket charge on the night of 1 June, Cap-
tain George L. Phifer, of Company K, was wounded. Com-
panies ©, F and K of the Forty-ninth were on the picket, and
sustained a loss of three killed and seventeen wounded. In
June, 1864, Dr. Ruffin resigned, and Dr. Dandridge was
appointed Surgeon, in which position he continued to the
close of the war.

On 4 June we crossed the James at Drewry’s Bluff, and
confronted the enemy on the Chickahominy, at the York
River Railroad bridge, and strengthened the fortifications
there. On the 10th we were relieved by Kirkland’s North
Carolina Brigade, and returned, by a forced march, to the
south side, and thence to Petersburg, to meet Grant’s advance
across the James. From this time on Ransom’s Brigade be-
came a part of Bushrod Johnson’s Division. After march-
ing all night of the 15th we reached Petersburg about 8
o’clock on the morning of the 16th, and were hurried to our
fortifications on Avery’s farm. At a run we succeeded in
getting to the works before the enemy reached them. Through
a storm of shot and shell we gained them, just in time to
meet their charge, and drive them back. In the afternoon
we were hurried to Swift Creek, where the Fifty-sixth
North Carolina, under Major John W. Graham, and Gracie’s
Brigade, drove back the Federal cavalry which had attempted
to cut our communications with Richmond, and enter Peters-
burg from that direction. We were then marched along the
Richmond pike until about midnight, when we opened com-
munication with the head of Longstreet’s Corps. By the
first light next morning we were hurried by train back to
Petersburg, where early in the morning the enemy had cap-
tured a considerable part of Bushrod Johnson’s old brigade
and several pieces of artillery. Hastily we threw up a line
of rifle pits; and now commenced Beauregard’s magnificent
grapple with Grant’s army until Longstreet’s command could