598 NortH CaRoLina Troops, 1861-65.

in a few moments the First Maine and the Tenth New York
“fell back with some more confusion and considerable loss”
before our sabers also. Men will not stand long the cold steel
and clash of the saber. One side or the other gives way
quickly as did Sheridan’s splendid soldiers before these two
North Carolina regiments in those glorious charges and coun-
ter-charges at Ground Squirrel Church.

We kept up the fight on their rear, pressing them hard con-
tinuously. General Gregg, commanding their Second Divis-
ion, says: “On the 11th, near Ground Squirrel Church, this
division, marching in rear, was attacked by Gordon’s Brigade
of rebel cavalry. The attacks of the enemy were repeated
during the entire day, thus forming a part of the general en-
gagement with the enemy at Yellow Tavern.” Vol. 67, p.
853. “This division,’ mark you. And our attacks, on their
rear, were as victorious as they were “repeated.”

At Yellow Tavern, in their front, Stuart made for hours
a terrible fight and his last, while the North Carolina Brigade
fought them fiercely in their rear. But the odds and every
hope, could we have realized it, were all against us from the
start in that fatal fighting of 11 May at Yellow Tavern, and
Wickham and Lomax had to give way before the overwhelm-
ing hosts and their defeat, gloriously resisted by them and
lessened by Gordon, was made most direful by General Stu-
art’s death-wound.

It seems to me that every reader of this history will
be interested in the story of Stuart’s fall and, therefore, I
give it and General R. E. Lee’s general order on his death,

Colonel Russell A. Alger, Colonel of the Fifth Michigan
Cavalry, on 8 July, 1864, reports it thus: “Arriving at a
point commanding a hill in rear of rebel battery, my atten-
tion was called by Captain Judson, of this regiment, to an
officer, accompanied by a large staff and escort, carrying a
battle flag, who was just coming on to the hill from the rear.
This officer was shot from his horse by Private John A. Huff,
Company E, formerly of Berdan’s Sharpshooters. He was
immediately carried to the rear by his staff. About thirty
minutes later the hill was carried, and a woman and a negro
informed me that General Stuart had been shot on the hill

Srxty-Toirp ReGimMent. 599

mentioned, and first brought to their house and afterward
carried away in an ambulance.” And Colonel Alger further
says: “T regret to report that Private John A. Huff, Com-
pany E, the man mentioned who wounded General Stuart,

has recently died of wounds received at Haw’s Shop on 28
May.” Vol. 67, pp. 828 and 829.

ce
Heapnquarters Army Nortuern Virernia,

20 May, 1864.
General Orders No. 44.

The commanding general announces to the army with
heartfelt sorrow the death of Major-General J. E. B. Stuart,
late commander of the Cavalry Corps of the Army of North-
ern Virginia. Among the gallant soldiers who have fallen
in this war, General Stuart was second to none in valor, in
zeal and in unfaltering devotion to his country. His achieve-
ments form a conspicuous part of the history of this army,
with which his name and services will be forever associated.
To military capacity of a high order and all the noble virtues
of the soldier, he added*the brighter graces of a pure life,
guided and sustained by the Christian’s faith and hope. The
mysterious hand of an Allwise God has removed him from the
scene of his usefulness and fame. His grateful countrymen
will mourn his loss and cherish his memory. To his com-
rades in arms he has left the proud recollection of his deeds,
and the inspiring influence of his example.

R. E. Lex, General.”

“His achievements,” as we have well seen, were in part
> ?

the work of the Sixty-third North Carolina. This “General
Order” is on page 800, Vol. 69.

But Yellow Tavern was to Sheridan what Guilford Court
House was to Cornwallis. One more like it would have
ruined him and his hosts. He knew it and began his mid-
night retreat with the spires of Richmond in sight and her
church “bells heard ringing.” Vol. 67, p. 834. And it was
this regiment and other North Carolinians who were blasting
the highest hope and aim of Sheridan and his raid and saving
Richmond. Our regiment never think or speak of it vainglo-