276 NortrH Carotina Troops, 1861-’65. reinforce General Beauregard, who was threatened by a heavy force. Upon our arrival there the sharp-shooters be- came hotly engaged, and at 6 o’clock p. m. General Ransom’s Brigade was moved forward and made a most brilliant charge on their works, but by some misunderstanding he was not sup- ported and was compelled to fall back, losing some good of- cers, himself painfully wounded. The following day hot skirmishing was kept up during the entire day, both armies preparing for bloody work. General Beauregard by this time knew what a superior force in numbers he had to con- tend against, and displayed great military skill in getting his troops in position. On the morning of the 17th he moved forward his entire line, and after a most desperate struggle for four hours, he drove them in some disorder to Bermuda Hundreds, under cover of their gunboats in the James and Appomattox rivers. Thus the “bottling up of Butler,” so graphically detailed by General Grant, was completed, and the military career of this “Beast and modern Falstaff” was at an end (at least in Virginia). In this battle our loss was very heavy—3,000 in killed and wounded. Among the killed was our noble Major Rogers, who fell pierced by two balls, while gallantly leading this regiment. Our new men behaved admirably, but being inexperienced a great many were killed. After this battle our entire regiment, save commissioned officers, were duly exchanged and returned for duty, swelling our ranks to 700 men. At this time we only had five com- missioned officers on duty, and the arduous duty of com- manding these men devolved upon them alone. We remained here several days watching the movements of the enemy. From here we were transported by steamers to Richmond to reinforce General Stuart, who was then fight- ing a heavy column of cavalry that was making a raid on the city. After a fierce engagement in which General Stuart was killed, the army withdrew, leaving many of their dead and wounded behind them. We were then ordered to make a forced march, and again Firry-Fourtu REGiment. QTL join the main army at Spottsylvania Court House. Upon our arrival there General Lewis received orders from Gen- eral Lee in his own handwriting to “continue your march by most direct road to Jowls’ Mills and Mud Tavern, and join General Ewell’s Corps between Stannard Mills and Crutch- field’s; lose no time, and bring up your men in good order.” This order forced General Lewis to march his men 87 miles that day, which was one of the longest marches in one day on record. After reporting to General Ewell, we were assigned to Early’s Division again, and had the honor of bringing up the retreat to Hanover Junction, and not being pressed at this time by military exigencies, were allowed to spend a quiet Sabbath in camp. The next morning we moved for Mechanicsville, where we had a brisk skirmish with the cavalry, which was, as usual, soon driven back. On 11 June we reached Petersburg and took position in the trenches near the city. This position we did not faney, as the enemy could “pick at” us from the slightest exposure. But, much to our comfort and surprise, we only remained in this position four days, when orders were received to be ready to march in a short time. LYNCHBURG. On the 14th our entire corps took up a line of march for parts unknown to us. After marching some days we reached Charlottesville, and took the ears for Lynchburg to meet Hunter’s army then threatening the city, arriving at the lat- ter place at 2 o’clock p.m. We were moved four miles west of the city and formed’a line of battle on the Salem turnpike. Our skirmishers were advanced, and soon attacked the enemy in a spirited manner, and they fell back to Liberty in much confusion, we pressing them so closely they left many wagons, prisoners and commissary stores behind. On the morning of the 22d we crossed the mountain range at Buford’s Still in pursuit, and at Hanging Rock they were intercepted by our cavalry and a brisk little fight took place, in which they lost 200 prisoners, 15 pieces of artillery, 150 horses, and many wagons laden with stores.