Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

IN THE VALLEY.

Upon reaching Front Royal, Rodes’ Division of our Corps
was detached and sent to Berryville, when our division
(Early’s) with Johnson’s, were sent to Winchester. On
reaching the vicinity of Winchester our sharpshooters be-
came engaged, and soon drove the enemy into one of their ad-
vanced forts, which was very strong. A line of battle was
soon formed, and all preparation made for an immediate at-
tack. General Ewell finding it a difficult matter to procure
a suitable position for his artillery on the hills commanding
the town, spent the day in posting his batteries.

The town was strongly fortified, and it was thought that
Milroy, with a garrison of 6,000 men, would make a desper-
ate effort to hold it. General Ewell at once resolved to storm
the works, and with all the artillery from the two divisions
opened a galling fire upon their works, and in three hours’
time the Federal guns were silenced. At 6 o’clock p- m.,
Hays’ Brigade of our division, made a most gallant charge
and carried their redoubts by storm, capturing and killing
a good portion of the garrison. Night coming on, Milroy,
with a handful of his men, deserted their command and fled
in wild confusion and reached Harper’s Ferry in safety.

In this engagement 2,000 prisoners, equally as many
horses, and a vast amount of commissary stores were cap-
tured. On 18 June our regiment, then numbering 400 men,
was ordered to take these prisoners to Staunton, a distance of
100 miles, and rejoin the army then in Maryland, at a speci-
fied time. The Fifty-fourth was thus deprived of a share
in the battle of Gettysburg in which the rest of the brigade
participated. With as little delay as possible we started en
route for Staunton, marching eighteen miles a day, and
guarding prisoners at night. On 3 July, 1863, we returned to
Winchester, and in conjunction with a Virginia -regiment,
were ordered to guard an ordnance train to the army, then in
Pennsylvania. Upon reaching Williamsport it was ascer-
tained that the enemy was making some demonstrations in
our front, and we were at once ‘ordered by General Imboden,
who was then in command, to take position and repel any

Firty-Fourta ReEGiMent. 271

attack that might be made upon our wagon train, which had
arrived there, but could not cross on account of the high
stage of the water in the Potomac.

On the morning of the 6th a strong force of cavalry and
artillery advanced on the Hagerstown and Boonsboro roads.
Our force being small, four companies under command of
Lieutenant-Colonel Ellis, were detached to support our only
battery, and the remainder of the regiment deployed as sharp-
shooters, so as to check any advance of the enemy that might
be made on the Boonsboro road. At 5 o’clock p. m. the en-
emy advanced their artillery, which was followed by dis-
mounted cavalry, and a fierce little battle ensued, which

lasted for an hour, when they retreated. In this fight 25

were killed and wounded from our regiment, and a good
number from the regiment that had joined us.

General Imboden guarded our flanks, while Colonel Mur-
chison maneuvered this little army with much coolness, and
soon won the unbounded confidence of his men in his mili-
tary skill and their admiration for his personal bravery.

RETREAT FROM GETTYSBURG.

On 8 July we again joined the main army at Hagerstown,
Md., and with it we again crossed the Potomac. Marching
continuously we reached Rapidan Station, and went into
camp for a short rest, which was so much needed. From this
camp heavy cannonading could be heard in our rear, and we
were frequently annoyed by the cavalry dashes on our rear
guard. After our rest we moved on Somerville Ford, to
check a column of cavalry from crossing; but after a feeble
demonstration, they withdrew to Raccoon Ford to reinforce
some troops already there, and confronting Johnson’s Divis-
ion. We were hurried to that point and assisted in driving
them back.

From here we moved to Orange Court House, and after
being reviewed by General Lee, we went into camp and were
held in reserve for two days. Colonel Murchison, after a
short absence, joined us at this place, and took command of
the regiment. In a short time we were sent out on picket

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