234 Norra Carona Troops, 1861-65.

proach quite near and open on the fort without eliciting any
reply. This puzzled them, and they were timid and would
not venture the passage of the fort.

On 7 April, in obedience to orders, Colonel Marshall, with
six companies of his regiment, moved at daylight to meet a
force of the enemy, reported to be moving on our rear from
New Bern. When about three miles from the fort the bat-
talion was halted to await orders. Remaining until. night,
it was learned that the enemy had returned in the direction of
New Bern’ and the command returned to the fort.

On the 10th the enemy advanced from New Bern in force
by the Blount’s Mill road, and the regiment was moved out
to meet them and check the advance. Forming line of bat-
tle at Blount’s Mill, we awaited their attack, and after a
skirmish of about two hours duration they retired in flight,
felling trees across the road to retard pursuit. About the
13th or 14th the boats in the river mustered courage to at-
tempt the passage of the fort. Steaming boldly up, one of
them made a successful passage, as we had none but the field
guns in the battery, and although we fired upon her repeat-
edly in her passing, the damage, if any, was of a trifling na-
ture.

The fort having failed eventually in accomplishing the ob-
ject for which it had been constructed, was evacuated on the
15th and all the troops below drawn in nearer to the town.

On the 18th orders were received to move in the direction
of Kinston, via Hookerton, which latter place we reached on
the 19th, where we remained, awaiting orders until the 25th.
Captain Julian Gilliam, of Company C, having resigned 1
April, 1863, First Lieutenant George Gilliam was promoted
to Captain and Second Lieutenant John C. Warren to First
Lieutenant. Lieutenant John Gatling had previously been
promoted to Adjutant, and 1 November, 1862, to Captain
and Acting Quartermaster.

On the 25th the regiment marched to Kinston and remain-
ed there until 2 May, when we took the train for Virginia,
reaching Taylorsville, near Hanover Junction, on the 14th
and going into camp. The regiment was divided for some
time during our stay at this point; three companies were

Firry-Seconp REGIMENT. 235

held in camp, five were detached for duty at the railroad
bridge over the South Anna river on the Central Railroad,
engaged in building fortifications, and two were doing picket
duty at the Richmond & Fredericksburg Railroad. When
not engaged in building fortifications and doing picket duty,
the regiment was drilled daily, and it was in the finest condi-
tion when we began our march to join the Army of North-
ern Virginia.

About 1 June Pettigrew’s Brigade was assigned to duty in
Major-General Harry Heth’s Division of General A. P. Hill’s
Corps. On 6 June the brigade was ordered to proceed to
Hamilton’s Crossing, and we marched until late on Sunday
evening, the 7th, when we were directed to strike the railroad
and take the cars. Obeying this order, we were conveyed by
rail the remainder of the distance and reached the Crossing
at 4 o’clock Monday morning, the 8th. Upon’ arrival, we
were placed in position on the Rappahannock river, about six
miles below Fredericksburg, where we remained in line of
battle until 10 June, when the regiment was ordered to pro-
ceed to Hanover Junction to relieve General Corse, of Pick-
ett’s Division. Reaching the railroad depot, we awaited
transportation for several hours. Fortunately, before cars
could be furnished the order was countermanded and the reg-
ment directed to report to General Pettigrew, which was done
on the same night, when we resumed our place in the line of
battle along the river.

GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.

On 14 June we left the lines in front of Fredericksburg
and started on the ever memorable Gettysburg campaign. By
easy marches we reached Culpepper Court House on the 17th.
Continuing the march on the 18th, passing through Berry-
ville, Charlestown, and other villages, we reached Shepherds-
town on the 23d, and on the 24th waded the Potomac at this
point, thence proceeding leisurely towards Gettysburg, pass-
ing through the battlefield of Sharpsburg, crossing the Antie-
tam river on the stone bridge, on through Chambersburg, Pa.,
and halting on the 29th at Cashtown, a village at the foot of
the mountains on the Baltimore and Chambersburg pike, and

SIN REE EN: ERRNO RIE SERNA RE IRON CNR aS Renta geht T orem

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