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282 Nort Caroiina Troops, 1861-65.

with heavy rails and staked and ridered extended for a consid-'
erable distance north from the low gap. The Tenth Confed-
erate had been ordered to the front and its place supplied by
the Fifth Tennessee, and with the exchange of forces ordered
to hold this low gap. The Fifth North Carolina was posted
on the right and the Tennesseeans on the left. A short dis-
tance north of the apex of the gap and on the right of the road
a deep ravine or hollow extended down the mountain to the
lane, and inside of the high fence. This ravine afforded an
excellent protection for the men and horses. The fence was
torn down and the battalion filed: into the mouth of the ravine,
dismounted and took position along the top of the elevatiou
in front. The Tennesseeans were not so well protected, how-
ever, but owing to obstructions in their front, the position was

_thought to be almost impregnable insomuch as the high moun-

tains on our flanks made it impossible for the enemy to force
us back by a flank movement, as they had been doing all the
preceding night and morning. By the time we got well into
position the enemy was in sight down the valley. This was
the first time we had had an opportunity to see the enemy in
force. From our elevated position we could see for some con-
siderable distance down the valley. It was a scene not to be
forgotten especially by that little handful of half starved and
bedraggled Confederate soldiers posted along the top of that
hill awaiting the coming struggle. The storm of the night
had passed and the bright sun shed its loving rays upon friend
and foe. The enemy had discovered our position and like a
gathering storm wheeled into line. To the soldier the evolu-
tion was a premonition of the coming struggle, a precursor of
battle; to the scholar, it was a suggestion of the hosts of Sen-
nacherib “Like the leaves of the forest when the summer is
green.”

Soon a battery of artillery got into position and opened a
vigorous shelling on our position, directed principally against
the ‘position occupied by the Fifth Tennessee on the left of
our line. The cannonading continued for an hour or more,
and so far as doing any damage to us might have continued
until the close of the war—our position was bomb-proof. This
fact the enemy soon discovered and made preparations for

FirraH BaAtrtration. 283

another and more aggressive attack: Our artillery had been
sent to the front to assist in clearing the pass at Irvine, and

- up to this time we had not fired a shot, not being in rifle

range. The enemy’s battery ceased firing and a heavy cav-
alry force was thrown forward and commenced a rapid move-
ment up the valley. It was clear they were making prepara-
tions to charge our position. The enormous squadrons be-
ganarapid move. Then was witnessed a fearful sight. All
this vast host of cavalry with sabers drawn that flashed in the
early sunlight of the morning like shafts of light on the pol-
ished sky, banners waving, bugles sounding that well known
note that has sent dismay into the ranks since men learned the
art of war, there was no mistaking the meaning of the move-
ment. It was clear to every one that the little handful of
Confederates could not withstand the mighty onset of that
vast host. But what was to be done? We had been ordered
to hold this position, and every one who has served as a sol-
dier knows what this meant. I tried to take in the awful sit-
uation. To stand still was certain death or capture. There
are times in battle when the soul hardens a man, even to
change the soldier into a statue and all his flesh becomes as
granite. This condition seemed to have come to the men who
stood along that hill-top with their rifles firmly grasped await-
ing the onslaught. Not a murmur fell from a single lip; not
a hand trembled, and not a cheek blanched. There were no
weak souls or cowards there. Not a man flinched from the
pending suicide. The road was full far as we could see.
The cleared fields on both sides of the lane fence were
crowded with the enemy’s cavalry pressing forward. When
in range each man rose up and discharged his rifle full in the
face of the charging squadron. On they came unchecked by
the effort of the brave men in front. In front of the North
Carolinians was an abrupt rise on the surface running down
to the main road. This obstruction forced a right oblique
movement into the main road at the terminus of the ravine.

DEFEAT AND DISASTER.

Our line was broken and the position of the Tennesseeans
on the left of the road was completely enveloped by the enemy.