382 Norto Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

not to expose yourself here; let’s get down.” We hear that
General Gracie is killed at this point a few days later.

Equally characteristic is the following incident, which I
might have recalled to Captain Williams before he closed his
admirable sketch of Company ©, Tenth Regiment (Artil-
lery). It is given as received from his predecessor, in com-
mand of that battery at the battle of Gettysburg. During
the ferocious artillery duel preceding the charge of Pettigrew
and Pickett, General Lee, with other officers, was for a time
immediately in the rear of this battery below the crest of the
hill. A young Lieutenant, from a command not yet en-
gaged, finely mounted, galloped up and stationed himself in
an exposed position out in front and near by, and was look-
ing back to see if he had attracted the desired admiration.
General Lee took in the situation at once. Beckoning him to
come back, and then ignoring the rank designated by his full
dress uniform, said: “Young man, who are you?” He was
answered with name, rank and command, and replied:
“Thank you for the information ; I might have mistaken you
for some citizen who wished to witness a battle. As I am
somewhat older than you, will you pardon me for expressing
an opinion? I think you should not expose your life unnec-
essarily; your country may need it. Return to your com-
mand.”

The Army of Northern Virginia knew its leader, and he
knew them. It had been demonstrated that the Army of the
James could not enter Petersburg; also that the two cities
were safe even after the Army of the Potomac, though re-
pulsed at point after point, had made its way down by the left
flank and joined it. For it had now taken “all summer,”
and General Grant had not yet been able to “fight it out on
this line.”

“ ”?
THE LAST DITCH.

But it was true as he said, we had “robbed the cradle and
the grave,” and were now “in the last ditch.” While our
additions were individually raw recruits, they did not consti-
tute new organizations, but were immediately consolidated
with younger members of their families and neighbors al-
ready constituting veteran corps. They were generally

Firty-SixtH REGIMENT. 383

familiar with the use of fire arms. Our only trouble was
that there were not enough of them.

While our last stake is being thus played for all it is worth,
confident even in our last ditch, the Northern people have
been fully aroused to the determination that the war shall not
last another year. Volunteers coming? No; the day for
them on both sides has long since passed. Drafts are made
of many more additional men than we can number in the ag-
gregate of veterans and conscripts combined, thus making
the odds here at least 4 to 1. Draft riots in New York in-
spire a faint hope that the Empire State will give no more
men against us. But quiet is soon restored up there, and
there is a mighty increase of population in our front. Some
expectation was raised that the vote for General McClellan
against Mr. Lincoln (on the encouragement of which Mr.
Stephens and Mr. Davis had a very acrimonious controversy,
see their correspondence in re Cable, see Official Records)
would be strong enough at least to indicate a desire of the
Union States to have some offer submitted to us looking to a
settlement by arbitration. Delusive hope. A feeling akin
to that which on our side had in August elected Vance over
Holden, in North Carolina, now on the other carried Lincoln
triumphantly through over McClellan. If Grant found his
force again insufficient, he could again double it, and all
would be properly equipped and fed. We had no more.

Among the drafted men confronting us circulars were sent
by “grapevine telegraph,” offering them protection and oc-
cupation in our rear, if they were peaceably inclined. This
at first met with some success, and as many as twenty-five
one night came through our regimental picket line from a
single regiment.

Recently, Hampton had made a cavalry dash in the rear of
Grant’s left flank, and driven from their pens into our lines
1,600 head of fine beef cattle. (See Vol. I, Ninth North
Carolina.) This showed that the spirit that had opposed
Grant all summer, was still with us. Friendly exchanges
of tobacco, crackers, newspapers, etc., had ceased with the
appearance of the too friendly circulars; but nothing could
keep down the spirit of banter, now and then cropping out