spice Scene one tnt moma eerynsanagencincterneep li | | i | 1 618 NortH Caroriina Troops, 1861-65. Lieutenant Wiley, of Company F, Captain S. A. Grier, of Company D, and others now living. And Lieutenant Wiley says, that by his own personal knowledge of all that transpired when the selection of men and horses for that pursuit was made, Company F, of the Sixty-third, furnished more men and horses than any other company in the brigade; and that this fact was generally spoken of then. And Lieutenant Wiley writes: “I led a detachment of Company F in the immediate rear of Wilson from Staunton river until they were driven into our infantry. This de- tachment, at one time charged Wilson’s rear and captured sev- eral men and horses. John Jamison, still living, was in that detachment.” George E. Barnhardt, of Company H, writes: “Captain McKellar and some other officer, I do not remember, were ap- pointed, at Staunton river, to select men and horses for the immediate pursuit on Wilson’s rear. It was more a selection of horses than men. Horses able to make rapid and contin- uous pursuit. Company H, and I suppose all other compa- nies of the regiment, passed single file before these officers and they selected the horses.”” Sergeant Ratcliff, of Company ° D, Sixty-third, captured in that rear pursuit of Wilson a That night the Sixty-third camped on the Darbytown road. Federal Colonel on a magnificent gray horse, which he swapped to General Barringer and the General rode it till he was captured. My recollection is that the Colonel’s name was Crook, as I heard afterwards. At Blacks and Whites, T. O. Serves was mortally wounded and “Joe” Blackwelder badly shot, both of Company F, with others I do not know. BACK AND FORTH OVER THE JAMES. On 28 July the Sixty-third marched north of the James to help meet a move of Federal cavalry against Richmond, joined in the affairs at Fuzzle’s Mills and Riddle’s Shop and then returned to our old position eight miles south of Peters- burg. On 14 August we were again summoned north of the James. Marching day and night the Sixty-third reached the Charles City road early on the 15th and met the Federal cavalry, ad- Sixty-Tuirp REGIMENT. 619 vanced to White’s Farm within six miles of Richmond and took part in the action there. We found a strong party near Fisher’s Farm. General Barringer was ordered by Major- General Lee to drive them off. He put in the Sixty-third Regiment which ran the enemy clear across White Oak Swamp back to their infantry supports near Wilcox’s house. Early next morning a Virginia regiment guarding the swamp was routed and General Chambliss killed trying to rally them and the enemy rushed forward victorious to White’s Tavern. General Lee came up with our brigade and by his great per- sonal courage rallied the Virginians and the Sixty-third with the bridage attacked the enemy who, after an obstinate and bloody struggle, now broke in rout and confusion and were driven back thus for several miles, many being killed and wounded and about 200 prisoners captured. At last, se- curing a strong, safe position for their artillery, they made a desperate stand. But just in the nick of time Gregg’s Texas infantry brigade and Gary’s South Carolina Cavalry Brigade came up fast from the direction of Fuzzle’s Mill and struck the Federal left. Their rout was now com- plete, the enemy was driven violently into and across White Oak Swamp, a number of men and horses perished in the mire and water, and a great many prisoners and animals were captured. Here Charlie Brem, a brave and gallant boy soldier of Company F, Sixty-third Regiment, actually lost his boots in the mire by the eagerness of his individual pursuit of the fleeing foe. But they say that he borrowed a pair from a stranger right there. Vol. 87, pp. 217-220, 241- 244 and 248. These were two bloody days for the brigade which lost about 125 in killed and wounded. POPLAR SPRING CHURCH.—-FIRST REAMS STATION. We found, on the 17th, that the main body of Federal cav- alry had returned south of the James and we hastened there. The enemy had taken the Weldon railroad and there was an attempt by infantry and cavalry to retake it, 21 August. Our brigade was on the extreme right and moved along the path leading from Poplar Spring Church to the railroad.