FIFTEENTH BATTALION.

. J. M. Wynns, Lieut.-Colonel.
. Baldy Ashburn Capehart, Captain, A. Q. M.

 

FIFTEENTH BATTALION.

(WYNNS’ BATTALION CAVALRY. )

By JAMES M. WYNNS, Lieurenant-CoLoneE..

This battalion of cavalry was organized in July, 1863. It
was originally intended to comprise six companies, but from
the pressing needs of that section two companies at Wilming-
ton never joined us. After the lapse of so many years I
can only give a partial list of the officers, as follows:

J. M. Wrwns, Lieutenant-Colonel, commissioned 22 July,
1863; formerly Captain Company C, Second North Caro-
lina Cavalry.

Lieutenant J. W. Perry, Adjutant.

Captain B. A. Caprnarr, A. Q. M.

Starky SHarp, Surgeon.

Captains—J. G. Holliday, M. M. Wise, J. T. Beaman,
—. —. Evans, —. —. Taylor.

Lisutenants—J. F. Branch, H. J. Jenkins, A. J. Cobb,
J. A. Allen.

This battalion and the Sixty-eighth Regiment of infantry
were organized for the purpose of protecting Eastern North
Carolina, and first went into camp of instruction at Murfrees-
boro, thence to Weldon, where it remained in active service
during the fall and winter of 1863, taking part in the raids
made by troops under General M. W. Ransom on South Mills
and other points in Eastern North Carolina in the territory
held by the enemy, bringing out much needed provisions, and
inflicting more or less injury on the enemy. On one of our
raids we pursued the enemy to very near Deep Creek, on the
Dismal Swamp canal, in a most exciting chase of six miles.
Our horses being jaded, the enemy outstripped us, and we
only made a few prisoners We killed and wounded quite a
number, most of whom were left in the swamp. Our casual-
ties were small, and the commissary stores brought out on