Nortu Carorina Troops, 1861~’65.

ON THE CHOWAN.

This company was encamped for a few months at the
Bethlehem church during which time the United States
transports which were provided with guns equal to the capac-
ity of the vessel plied the Chowan river and a squad of about
thirty of the company were sent out in command of Captain
Hillary Taylor and Major Joseph J. Edwards, to learn of the
movements of these vessels and also to aid those who were en-
gaged in bringing bacon and live hogs across the river from
Chowan county for the commissary. Being on the hillside
of the river at Coleraine, Bertie county, we saw a large side-
wheel steamer steaming down the river and Major Edwards
desiring to test our accuracy with our new Enfield rifles, com-
manded us to occasionally fire at the steamer, which caused
her commander to bring her within about three-quarters of a
mile of the shore when she fired a small shell at us that came
directly over our heads and exploded which created some con-
fusion ; but being able to secrete ourselves behind the hills, we
were lost to view and the steamer soon sped away with no cas-
ualties to either side. This was our first experience. We re-
turned to camp, and soon thereafter at about 1 o'clock, a. m.,
the beat of the long roll aroused our slumbers, orders were
given to be in readiness for marching at once, and the com-
pany was hurriedly marched to Harrellsville.

The Federals in the meantime had invaded the village be-
fore we could get there, their supposed purpose being to cap-
ture bacon and other commissary stores and commit the
usual depredations on the citizens.

Our company being only a squad and not knowing the
strength of the enemy, our officers did not deem it wise to
make a charge in blank darkness but being acquainted with
the location of the village they flanked it, and in doing so
aroused a suspicion of the enemy’s picket guard, that fired a
scattering ball at our shadow, but without doing any execu-
tion or locating our whereabouts. When we had reached a po-
sition to make a surprise attack on them, should they return
to the place whence they came before the dawn of day, a
miraculous incident occurred. One of our comrades, Mr.

Srxty-E1gHTtH ReGiMent. 717

Geo. W. Valentine, an elderly man, had lagged considerably
in the rear and upon his advance, was discovered by some of
our men who commanded him to halt, but the old gentleman
not being well drilled in military tactics and this being his
first experience in a skirmish, paid no attention to the com-
mand and continued his advance that caused, to his great sur-
prise, a volley of bullets fired at him, but fortunately was not
hit, and was recognized only when he cried out: “In the
name of God, are you going to kill me.”

Thus having made our location known to the enemy, a
hasty retreat was necessary. We made our way through the
fields in the darkness until we reached a pine thicket about
one and a half miles down the road towards the river, and
there awaited the return of the enemy, with breathless silence
until near 10 o’clock, a. m., when their approach brought us
to arms. The road was full for quite a distance with the
soldier enemy in advance of their pillaged plunder, (consist-
ing of negroes of both sexes, and every size and age, horses and
vehicles of every kind and even the contents of the wardrobes
of our best people). We gave them a volley that demoralized
them and put them to flight toward the river where the vessels
were lying awaiting their return. Still not knowing their
strength we did not advance upon them, but took a quick step
retreat to where there was no danger. Returning to our
camp, we passed through the village and viewed the smoul-
dering remains of several valuable buildings and other prop-

erty.

ORGANIZED INTO A REGIMENT.

Shortly thereafter we were moved and put in quarters for
the remainder of the winter and spring near Jackson, North-
ampton county, N. C., where the companies from Princess
Anne county, Va., Currituck, Camden, Pasquotank, Chowan,
Gates and Bertie counties and two other companies from our
own Hertford County, joined us. We were there organized
into the Sixty-eighth Regiment.

No accident or incident occurred while in quarters at the
above named place. On or about 1 May, 1864, the regi-
ment was moved to Weldon, and only remained a short time;