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Patho 5 ae Ta Satin Mec,

284 NortH CAROLINA Troops, 1861~—’65.

ical moment seemed very much exercised, and evinced a de-
sire to lead a charge on them if his men would follow. At
once many exclaimed, “No, no, but if you will retire we will
do the work.” As he rode off, General W. G. Lewis, our
brigade commander, so distinguished for his intrepid valor,
rallied a few men and led the charge until he, with many
others, fell severely wounded, and was unavoidably left in
the hands of the enemy. The writer of this sketch was then
acting as his Inspector General, and was the only member
of his staff that was left to tell the tale of this bloody trag-
edy.

This charge was evidently the last one of importance. As
the enemy moved on for a stronger position in our front, un-
der cover of darkness, we moved on sluggishly, and at every
step some brave man was compelled to step out of ranks
from overpowering fatigue. At 12 o’clock M. we reached
the vicinity of Appomattox Court House, and had a few
hours of repose, which was so much needed.

THE SURRENDER.

On the morning of the 9th an advance was begun, but find-
ing overpowering numbers in our front, and upon all sides,
this little army then reduced to something over 8,000 in-
fantry and 3,000 cavalry and artillery actually in line, was
halted pending negotiations for its surrender, which was
made on that bright Sabbath day. On the succeeding days
the rolls were made out and the army paroled in accordance
with the terms agreed upon between Generals Lee and Grant.
The fragments from the various commands were gathered
and marched ‘to a spot designated for that purpose, stacked
their arms and deposited a few furled colors. Having re
ceived their paroles, our battle and famine-worn soldiers took
up the line of march for those homes they had so bravely
fought to defend for four long years of blood, hardship and
toil.

Thus closes the volume of the bloody record of the Fifty-
fourth Regiment of North Carolina troops, and to those of us
who still survive, it is indeed pleasant to recall that fearful
struggle for independence and to look back upon a series of

. Frrry-Fourta REcGimMent, 285

battles and victories unequalled in history; and every one of
us will speak with pride of the time when he was a soldier in
the Army of Northern Virginia.

Norr.—TI have been much indebted to General W. G.
Lewis (who has since died) for information; also to Mrs.
Paris, who so kindly furnished me with diaries containing
data, casualties, ete., that were written by our beloved old
Chaplain, the late Rev. John Paris, who was so noted for his
piety, and untiring devotion to the cause in which we were

engaged. He was indeed one of God’s nobility.
J. Marsnatyt WItiraMs.

FaYeEtteEvit_e, N. C.,
9 April, 1901.