360 Norra Caroiina Troops, 1861~’65.

again, with scarcely an hour’s rest, and that w
waiting for a train.

to the east of Petersburg, and extendi

south from the Jerusalem road. Here
line of breastworks,

of artillery, especially in Graham’s Petersburg Battery.

Johnson’s Tennessee Brigade is said to have sustained the

heaviest losses. In this new position a box of cartridges
upon one of our men of the Fifty-sixth was exploded by the
concussion of a bullet from the enemy—the only instance
recollected during the war. Here, too, First Lieutenant Jos.

B. Coggin, of Company D, a brave and efficient officer, from
South Lowell, Orange county, was mortally wounded.

VOLUNTARY NIGHT CHARGE OF 2 By JUNE.

About dark, word is passed along the line that General
Beauregard says that if we will hold our own until 10 o’elock,
all will be well. The “King of Spades” did not explain. So
the guess lay between whether we would then get a rest, or
have the privilege of digging another hole in the ground.

Before the time is up, and without other troops taking
our place, Ransom’s Brigade was rapidly moved down the
rear of the line, by the left flank, and took position in sume
pine woods near the Baxter road. In a short time the line
was advanced and took position on the open ground in front.
The men supposed we were supporting a line of battle in our
front held by Wise’s Brigade; but the fact was that they had
been overpowered and compelled to abandon this position.

We were now the only line between the enemy and Peters-
burg. This was soon made evident by a terrible volley,
which killed among others, that fearless and most competent
officer, and courteous gentleman, Captain Frank R. Alexan-
der, of Mecklenburg, as he was advancing to make a recon-
noissance with his splendid Company (K). From the cap-

as spent in
The Forty-ninth and Fifty-sixth imme-
diately go into line of battle, with our brigade, about a mile

ng at a right angle
we throw up a new

After some very desperate fighting, in
which the three other regiments bore their full share, in front

of this position, Beauregard found the original line here un-
tenable with such odds against him, and had withdrawn thus
far, preserving each organization, but losing several pieces

Firry-SixtH REGIMENT. 361

tured line the brigade was now exposed to the rapid ne 3
a double line of battle, the flash of their guns coming ie
from the ditch and over the embankments above fH a
rear, as they now faced us. No organization ges ire
for orders or live in short range of such a fire. : Fire
make a change of base immediately. With a ra eo
ous impulse the brigade arose and dashed gtd
few minutes the line was ours, and the roar of mus ; ry ait
The Thirty-fifth met with the fiercest resistance, an 3 fa
hand-to-hand struggle in the works, lost their own a fi
colors temporarily and took two from the Cae i a
charge was also the Twenty-second South a Naty -
liott?s Brigade, gallantly moving Sint ga wit 6 A
the left, and sweeping the enemy’s line before : em nor
complete casualties cannot now be given ; but the rel es
was sustained by the Thirty-fifth North aso Nes =
70 killed, among them their superb leader, that C mn go a
tleman, Colonel Jno. G. Jones, of Person county. sahcprss
ing of Wm. I. Gillis, Frank Roberts, J ames pees rage
McKee, of Company D, Fifty-sixth North epee. ue
called as a part of the casualties in this remar wits ee
The prisoners were passed up the line to the cee Bisse
thereafter, the Captain of the Color Company 0) ne a
sixth North Carolina noticed what seemed en the oe it 3
to be a good portion of the brigade abandoning the pees
moving compactly to the rear. Rushing out to e Bes
commands and entreaties, and protesting agains _ a oe
ately giving up what had been gained at such a oe . _ Ay
ered that these were the prisoners there consolida : an =
the march to the rear. Of course, he did not further inte
vith the procession.

te is ned night a Federal officer was found on the Aid
tured line, suffering too severely to move, and begeing | by
sent to the rear; but on being quietly asked if he wou 2
rather take his chances with his own people in the sere ‘a
as it was now evident that we were about to be ae oe
with cheerful and very quiet resignation awaited our

arture. : ae
é Company I secured an equipment of Springfield rifles and