748 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

prisoners was great because of the loss of our leaders and
guides who knew the country and our men were picked up
by the enemy’s cavalry. Finally Brigadier-General J. C.
Vaughn, of the Tennessee troops, succeeded in taking our
men off of the field with little confusion and no loss of guns
or wagons. A short while after the Tenth New York (Cav-
alry) charged upon our rear, with sabers glittering in the sun-
light, and the cheers of victors. General Vaughn gave them
a warm reception with grape and canister in an open field.
The rear guard of the Sixty-ninth, commanded by Major
Stringfield, also repulsed them in a hand-to-hand fight, and
in a personal combat he killed one and captured another of the
enemy. ‘This stopped their pursuit.

LYNCHBURG, VA.

After this our army fell back to Rockfish Gap, awaiting
another battle with the enemy; but they much preferred
burning houses and desolating the country, which they did
at Staunton, Lexington and Lynchburg. In a day or s0,
General Breckinridge assumed command of our army. We
then rapidly passed down Rockfish river through Amherst
Court House and to Lynchburg. There in the breastworks
we were largely reinforced by General Early. He at once
assumed command and took the offensive, rapidly following
General Hunter, who being greatly pressed and, as he says,
out of ammunition, dodged off into and went down the Kan-

awha Valley, leaving our forces in the undisputed possession
of the Shenandoah Valley.

LEXINGTON, VA.

Here began Early’s celebrated campaign. The march
down the valley was a triumphal one of twenty to twenty-five
miles per day. In passing through Lexington, the West
Point of the South, the home of Stonewall Jackson, and
where his honored remains were buried, our entire army
marched through the cemetery and around his grave with re-
versed arms and bowed heads, and memories thrilled with
thoughts of this world renowned hero.

The Federals also seem to have visited his grave in great

Led

Srxty-NintH REGIMENT. 749

numbers, and carried off as individual trophies the flagstaff
and head-board—these being literally cut into splinters.
What a grand sight to see the soldiery of two great opposing
armies honoring this noble dead! Onward marched our
army of 12,000 men.

‘* Proudly they tread, that gallant Southern host.
Forth marched they from mountain grove and coast;
Their hearts beat high, they thunder on the foe,
And likea whirlwind to the conflict go.”

ON TO WASHINGTON.

We passed through Staunton, New Market, Harrison-
burg, Strasburg and Winchester. At this last place we met
an ovation indeed. The entire populace crowded the streets
and nearly wild with joy mothers, wives and sisters embraced
sons, husbands and brothers, as they marched on—none being
allowed to stop. On we went. “On to Washington” was
our cry, and on to Washington we went, capturing a splendid
4 July dinner at Martinsburg. We crossed the Potomac 5
July, wading through it and camping on the old battle ground
of Antietam. On 6 and 7 July our army went near to, but
did not capture Harper’s Ferry. On 8 July we passed Mid-
dletown; on the 9th, Frederick City. At this place our gal-
lant General Rodes whipped Lew Wallace and sent him
whirling a la’ “Ben Hur chariot race,” towards Baltimore.

Our corps (Breckinridge’s) camped upon the battlefield
at night, although we had no part in the battle as a regiment.
On Sunday, 10 July, we marched twenty-two miles toward
Washington City, forty miles distant. On 11 July we
reached the outer works, Fort Stevens. General Early de-
manded the surrender of the city, and captured their outer
lines. We burned the palatial mansion of Postmaster-Gen-
eral Blair, in retaliation for the burning, by Hunter, of Gov-
ernor Letcher’s residence at Lexington, Va., one month be-
fore. It was the universal opinion of the army that we

could have taken the city, although those in General Early’s
y that he was well posted as to the movements of

As we neared the city and the country and vil-
saw our army, they were amazed, and many per-

confidence sa
the enemy.
lage people