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192 Norto CaRoLina TROOPS, 186165.

has removed much of the bitterness which then a =
tween the two sections, General Sherman's friends have ~
deavored to defend his conduct and pag the spa nee
at the time, but the fact that the “record” is against him st
On tha part of the troops of General Hardee’s little —
the campaign through Georgia and South —* em -~
ing the entire winter of 186465 was a severe an eS
but there. was no complaint or murmuring, and pene ae
the best of spirits. We were poorly clothed, and oie y he :
as we were compelled to subsist on the country throug, “a -
we passed, and this was poorly supplied except wit . ,
until we reached the high-lands. Here the people were dis
posed to share the last mite with our soldiers. Whenever
they were advised of our coming in time, the good ues
would have food in abundance prepared, and they ~
bring out large trays as we were passing, speaking —
of comfort and cheer to us at the same time. Many © -
men were entirely without shoes during January and Feb-
ruary. This was owing to the fact that we were ee
pelled to leave our baggage and supplies at Savannah og’ :
lack of transportation, and we had been so situated since tha
e could reach us. :
On 3 March, 1865, we crossed the State line at aes
and were once more on the soil of our native State. ae
looked back in sadness at the desolation wrought in our sisteT
State, and our hearts were overflowing with sympathy o
the thousands of now homeless ones who had been so kind an¢
generous to us. Now we must look forward to a like condi-
tion which was in store for our own people.
General Joseph E. Johnston, on 6 March, assumed com-
mand of all the forces in North Carolina. It was thought
that General Sherman was heading for Charlotte, N. C., and
jeneral Hardee had instructions to watch his movements “
keep in his front, while Wheeler, Hampton and Butler wi
the cavalry, harrassed his flanks and rear to prevent —
ing” and to be in position to promptly report any change 0
movement. While General Hardee was on the march prom
Cheraw to Rockingham, N. C., General Sherman suddenty

FirtietH REGIMENT. 1938

changed his course in the direction of Fayetteville, N.C. Gen-
eral Johnston promptly informed General Hardee, but the
courier failed to deliver the message and in consequence we
continued the march for a whole day in the opposite direction,
reaching Rockingham, where we camped for the night. At
this point the second dispatch was received from General
Johnston and we immediately turned in the direction of Fay-
etteville and attempted, by forced march by day and by night,
to regain the time lost. We reached Fayetteville and crossed
the river before making a stand. The enemy occupied the
town on 11 March and destroyed the old United States arse-
nal and burned the business portion of the town,

AVERASBORO.

On 15 March we occupied a position on the Averasboro
road, leading from Fayetteville to Smithfield and Raleigh,
near Averasboro. As the enemy had retired from our
front the day before, we were ordered to make ourselves com-
fortable and enjoy a day of rest. During the day we learned
that the enemy were advancing in large force and driving our
cavalry before them. A hurried disposition of the troops
was made. Colonel Rhett with his South Carolina Brigade,
oceupied the advance position where the Smith’s Ferry road
intersects the Averasboro road near Smith’s house. EIli-
ott’s Brigade occupied a fortified position behind a swamp
200 yards to the rear and General McLaws’ the main line of
defence about 600 yards to the rear of the first line. As soon
as proper disposition of the troops was completed, Colonel
Rhett was directed by General Hardee in person to advance
his skirmishers. T hey. were soon heavily engaged by the en-
emy, and Colonel Rhett venturing too far to the front, and
mistaking a small party of the enemy for his own men, was
taken prisoner. The command of this brigade now devolved
upon Colonel Butler, of the First. South Carolina Infantry.
Nothing more than a lively and prolonged skirmish developed
during the 15th. At 7 o’clock on the morning of the 16th
the enemy made a vigorous attack on our position with in-
fantry and artillery. Their infantry made repeated attempts
to carry our position, but were always repulsed with heavy

13