272, Nortu Caroiina Troops, 1861-’65.

and captured a good lot of prisoners that had been cut off
from their commands.

We then moved on to Madison Court House, and in ap-
proching Rapidan river, had a fierce encounter with the
enemy’s cavalry, which was soon driven back. We then con-
tinued our march in the direction of Culpepper Court House,
and upon arriving there had a rest of two days, awaiting some
troops to come up. On the 12th we resumed our march for
Warrenton Springs and rested for the night. The next
morning we crossed the river, and found many dead Yan-
kees and horses where General Stuart had fought them the
day before. He was then driving them in the direction of
Rappahannock Station. Our whole army then began de-
stroying the railroad for some distance, and after this work
was accomplished we went on to Rappahannock Station and
went into camp. The next day we moved to Brandy Sta-
tion, and in passing through an open space of fields, we were
subjected to a severe enfilading fire, from the horse artillery,
which caused some confusion ; but they were soon driven off,
and we then moved on quietly and bivouacked near Brandy
Station.

On 1 November, 1863, we moved our camp two miles west
of Brandy Station on the railroad, and much to our surprise,
we were ordered to build winter quarters; and what rejoic-
ing there was in the anticipation of a long rest and a cessa-
tion of hostilities. Those of us who possessed a talent for
making ourselves comfortable soon had good cabins, and as
every officer was priding himself upon having the “best,” a
sudden change in our life of quietude and sovial enjoyment
came over the spirit of our dreams.

RAPPAHANNOCK BRIDGE.

On the evening of the 15th our brigade was called out and
hurried to the river to reinforee Hays’ Brigade of our divis-
ion, then on picket, and threatened by a heavy force. Just
at. dark we reached the river, and were hurried across on
pontoon bridges, and took position behind some works that
had been built to defend the passage of the river. It was
thought by General Early that a successful resistance could

Firry-FourrtH Rxeeimenr. igs!

be made, or if forced to withdraw, it could be done under the
batteries from the south side. In a short time Sedgwick’s
Corps with the assistance of Russell’s and Upton’s Brigades
from the Fifth Corps, took possession of our bridge and the
two brigades after some desperate fighting, were overpowered
and compelled to surrender.

Out of the 2,000 men engaged and so recklessly exposed,
1,750 were captured and 150 killed and wounded. Those
who escaped only reached the south side by swimming the
river. From our regiment only three commissioned officers
escaped, viz., Lieutenants Edward Smith, Fitzgerald, and
the writer of this sketch, who was then carried fifteen miles
at night, through a mist of rain and snow, in an unconscious
condition, before a change of clothing could be had. Those
that were captured were taken to Johnson’s Island, Ohio,
and were held until after the war.

If. the writer is not mistaken, General Hoke was at this
time home on a wounded furlough, and upon hearing of this
dreadful disaster, came on and obtained permission to take
the remnant of his brigade to Kinston, N. C., to be recruited
by conscripts, and his old men then at home on sick and
wounded furloughs. The Twenty-first North Carolina of
our brigade was absent at the time, being on detached service
in North Carolina, and thus escaped capture. The conscripts
soon began to pour in from Raleigh, and for three weeks we
were engaged in the monotonous business of preparing these
men for more active service.

NEW BERN.

General Hoke, not yet entirely well of his wounds, became
restless and obtained permission to “tackle” New Bern. On
30 January, 1864, we moved in that direction, by the Dover
road, and were reinforced by Clingman’s and Corse’s Bri-
gades. Upon reaching Core creek our sharpshooters were
thrown out and soon became engaged with the enemy, when
they were driven back to Bachelor’s creek, where they were
well fortified and made a stubborn resistance. Our artillery
Was soon in position, and a deadly assault was made upon

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