ne Wy i Ah ; | i] WA Wi 268 NortH Carouina Troops, 1861-65. W. H. Tare, Assistant Surgeon. Rev. Jouy Parts, Chaplain. Rozert G. Russet, Sergeant-Major. E. G. Broprz, Ordnance Sergeant. J. J. Forney, Quartermaster Sergeant. Thus it will be seen that this regiment was composed of ten companies from different parts of the State. Though high up in numbers, it was made up of good material; many of its officers and men had formerly belonged to the First Volun- teers or “Bethel,” Seventh and Eighth North Carolina Regi- ments. Upon the completion of its organization this regiment was sent to the coast of North Carolina, and after three months service on picket duty, and other duties incident to camp life, it was ordered to the Army of Northern Virginia, and was temporarily placed in Law’s Brigade, with the Sixth, Twenty- first and Fifty-seventh North Carolina Regiments, which constituted a part of Hood’s Division. Soon after it was assigned to this command, the first battle of Fredericksburg came off. FREDERICKSBURG. Here we “fleshed our maiden sword,” and at once covered ourselves with glory. On 13 December, 1862, this regiment, with the F ifty-seventh, being new regiments, were detached and ordered to drive the enemy from a rail- road cut, from which they had driven our troops in the early part of the day. At 5 o’clock p- m. this memorable charge was made in the most gallant manner in the presence of some of our prominent generals, and to use the language of General Hood, our commander, “They pursued the broken enemy across the railroad for a mile into the plains. Although scourged by a galling flank fire, it was not until repeated mes- sengers had been sent to repress their ardor that they were recalled. I verily believe the mad fellows would have gone on in spite of me and the enemy together; and as they re- turned, some of them were seen weeping with vexation be- cause they had been dragged from the bleeding haunches of Firry-FourtH RrGiment. 269 the foe, and exclaiming: ‘It is because he has no confidence in Carolinians! If we had been some of his Texans he would have let us go on and got some glory.’ ” Our loss in this battle was comparatively light, considering the deadly work we were engaged in, but we left some brave men on the field, which served to remind us that in our next it might be our lot to fill a soldier’s grave. After this battle we went into winter quarters on the Rappahannock river, and in a short time the campaign of 1863 was opened. We were then transferred to General Robert F. Hoke’s Brigade, which was composed of the Sixth, Twenty-first, Fifty-fourth and Fifty-seventh North Carolina Regiments and assigned to Early’s Division, Jackson’s Corps. We took part in some of Jackson’s strate- gic movements around Chancellorsville, and were engaged in several “brushes” which were very common at that time. On 3 May our division alone, was sent back to Fred- ericksburg, a distance of sixteen miles, and took posi- tion on Marye’s Heights to prevent a flank movement on General Lee, then at Chancellorsville. On the following day Sedgwick’s Corps, with other troops, crossed the river, and swept us from our position. Soon Rode’s Division came to our assistance, and after a bloody struggle we re- gained our former position, and the enemy were driven back across the river. Many of our brave men fell in this battle. It-was here that our much-lamented Colonel, J. C. S. McDowell, fell mortally wounded, and on the 8th yielded up his life, “as a holocaust to his country’s need.” His ro- mains were then taken by a dear friend to Richmond, an. placed in the capital by the side of the immortal Jackson, who had “crossed over the river” at the same time. After the death of Colonel McDowell, Lieutenant-Colonel Ken- neth M. Murchison was made a full Colonel, and Captain James A. Rogers, of Company D, was made Major, vice Ellis promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel. Soon we joined the main army, then at Chancellorsville, and were assigned to Ewell’s Corps,. and with the army took up a line of march for Culpepper Court House. From thence we moved north- ward, passed Little Washington, and moving with the ut- most rapidity we soon entered the Valley.