746 NortH Caroiina Troops, 1861-65.

ginians as above. For several days we were marched around,
seemingly in circles, to get at the enemy’s infantry, held back
behind their cavalry, who were desolating the country, burn-
ing houses, barns, mills, grain and frightening the poor un-
armed women. About this time it was seemingly agreed be-
tween Sheridan, Hunter, Grant and Sherman that they could
not whip the men until they had desolated their homes, in-
sulted and driven off their families and destroyed property,
as was done in Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia.

But this is a digression, warranted however, we think, by
the terrible destruction seen all around. On the morning of
5 June the enemy’s infantry having been located, General
Wm. E. Jones, after a march and double quick of sixteen
miles, threw his army across the valley, crossing the turnpike
between the villages of Piedmont and New Hope, eight or ten
miles north of Staunton. Our cavalry in the meanwhile was
holding the enemy in check till the infantry was in position.
The middle or right centre of our line ran up at right angles
and eastward, and then south with the Valley turnpike, one-
fourth mile or more; thence eastward again, to the Blue
Ridge, on the extreme right. The position of the Sixty-ninth
as developed in the battle, was the most perilous of any of our
forces, being on an elevation facing cleared fields north, west
and east, and being at the angle on the turnpike, six compa-
nies on the line west of and two running south with the pike.

Generals Imboden and Rosser and other cavalry on our
flanks, did noble service, but as all of our general officers were
killed and no one left was fully conversant with the country
and troops, no one has written any report that I have seen,
nor has any special report been made by General Hunter. It
is impossible, therefore, to give an intelligent idea of the bat-
tle, but from the best information gathered, General Jones
kept the most of his troops on his left flank up to, and prob-
ably across the Shenandoah river, and with the Sixtieth,
Fifty-first, Forty-fifth and Thirty-sixth Virginia Regiments,
and such others as he had still further west held the line.
Our cavalry had engaged the enemy hotly from early dawn
on both sides of the turnpike, and when our regiment got into
position, and in haste, threw up breastworks of rails, the en-

Sixty-NintH REGIMENT. TA7

emy rushed upon us, but meeting so warm a reception, they
retired in disorder. Coming again and again, we drove them
back nicely every time. The right wing of our line rested
upon and went south with the turnpike.

The enemy’s wagons, plainly visible one mile distant,
turned back and began a retreat. Our men were jubilant and
wanted to pursue, but a flank movement was discovered and
the enemy being reinforced by Averill with 6,000 or 8,000
troops, our right flank was turned and we were driven back
in some disorder, but with the loss of no wagons or cannon
except the small battery of four guns, at the angle of our
line and immediately supported by the Sixty-ninth. This
battery was furiously fired upon and silenced in the early
morning fight by thirty of the enemy’s guns. Being de-
feated all along our lines the enemy attempted this flank
movement which was finally successful. General Jones hear-
ing of this movement, bravely ran his horse out between the
lines and instantly comprehended the gravity of the situa-
tion. Dashing back for aid he called out as he passed us,
“Brave Carolinians, I’ll bring you help.” He did return
very soon with the Thirty-sixth and Sixtieth Virginia Regi-
ments; but it was too late. He vainly attempted to repel
this assault, now furiously made all along the lines. He was
killed in this action, madly dashing at the very guns of the
enemy. Upon the fall of Jones, our forces retired, a while
in disorder, but soon rallied. Colonel Jones, of our brigade,
was also killed, with several other valuable officers. The
Sixty-ninth lost a number of brave officers and men. Cap-
tain Julius M. Welch, of Company E, a heroic, Christian sol-
dier, Lieutenant James Conley, Lieutenant Adam Peck, Com-
pany D; Sergeant Welch, Company F, and several others
whose names are forgotten by the writer. Southern men
seldom fought better than upon this occasion. Every officer
and man seemed to imbibe the dauntless spirit of our leaders.

Our forces retreated slowly and sullenly towards Staun-
ton. The loss of the enemy was very great in killed and
wounded, with only. two prisoners. Our loss was 100 killed,
250 wounded and near 955 prisoners. Loss of the Sixty-
ninth, 20 killed, 30 wounded and 21 missing. Our loss in