76 Norta Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

About the time we were getting back from the pursuit pe
caring for the prisoners, General Di. Hill arrived at the
Red Hill to make a demonstration against Washington.

RUFF’S MILL.

Colonel Leventhorpe with others was sent down the river
as far as the Blount’s Creek Mill (then Ruff’s Mill), our com-
mand being familiar with the country leading thither. At the
mill a considerable little fight occurred, chiefly artillery, in
which Colonel Leventhorpe did himself and regiment credit,
as well as all the troops engaged with him. There ces
old path at the head of the mill pond leading from the ea
tation of General Blount across the creek out to the New ern
road. Knowing of this pass Colonel Leventhorpe was 1n-
formed of it, and a part of our little command was sent over
in order to strike them on the flank, but their videttes yes
the lookout and when that movement was discovered they

Seventy-Firra REGIMent. 77

others, was placed on board of some craft (name. not re-
membered) and started to Fortress Monroe. When off
against Elizabeth City or Edenton, they managed to get con-
trol of it and went into port. Richardson was only gone
from his company about a month, and died not long after his
return, very suddenly of heart failure. He was a young
man of splendid character and much esteemed not only by
his men, but by all who knew him. He died in camp at
Greenville, Pitt County, and an escort was sent with his re-
mains to his home in Wayne County, where he was interred.
We had had a busy winter and spring, having done duty
steadily and without complaining. The horses had given
way considerably and General Martin knew that a rest was
needed both by men and horses and so ordered.

We got pasturage from Mrs. Virginia Atkinson and moved
headquarters to the place known as the Clark place, on the
north side of the river. This section was selected because it
was easy to secure supplies of anything necessary to our con-
sumption and here Captains Edgerton, Thompson and Ellis

; P tt i Nf and
hurriedly withdrew all their forces tow ards New Bern,

were encamped from about the middle of May until after Pot-
ter’s raid on Rocky Mount. Captain Gray was encamped

: ‘ ie
the Blount’s creek affair ended, the enemy having been p
sued several miles on their retreat.

General Hill and most of his command went dow
man’s farm and did some handsome artillery pract

Washing-

ice at the

ton. The companies of Captain
i i ir w ty aroun
were with us doing their whole duty
afterwards until we went out to recuperate, when be is
allowed to take their choice for a resting place. ey W
: e called them ours, though they were

“ ¢ t wi
with us so much tha Seventh Confederate

Colonel Claiborne’s companies of the

Cavalry.
General Hill left in a day or two after this and was frank

i valrymen
enough to say he believed he had found a few cavalry

P eine
who would fight if they got the opportunity. He oe a
out giving us any orders except to do the best we ah ties

ortunities presented. Not more than 48 hours after this
Goacral 9 New Bern, came over to Washing:

Geers! Vee a as said. We did not fight

ton «with about 5,000 men, It W

much, but got one man killed and Captain John A. Rich-

ay Captain Richardson, with a number of

ardson captured.

n to Rod- twelve miles below Greenville near Mr. Gray Little’s, and

kept pickets over near Williamston, as well as on the Tar.
Gray’s and Ellis’ companies were Georgians, the other three
companies were North Carolinians, and half of them from
Wayne County.

POTTER'S RAID.

On the morning of 19 July, 1863, a courier from General
Martin ordered Major Kennedy to take the gallop and report

. at once to Colonel Martin, of the Seventeenth North Carolina

Troops, near Hamilton. Collecting every available man in
camp, amounting to only eighty-four, including the wagoners,
he proceeded as per order. Colonel Martin being sick, Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Lamb was in command, and by him the order
was given to take the gallop for Tarboro, where he expected we
would meet the enemy on his return from Rocky Mount, and
if so, hold them in check until he could get up with his regi-
ment and artillery. The order was obeyed as promptly as