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456 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

in helpless, inextricable confusion behind a certain line, when
presently an orderly column comes in view, a small but entire
brigade, its commander at its head, files promptly along its
appointed position. A smile of momentary joy passed over
the distressed features of the general as he calls out to an
Aide, ‘What troops are those? ‘Cox’s North Carolina Bri-
gade,’ was the reply. Then it was that taking off his hat,
and bowing his head with goodly courtesy and kindly feeling,
he said: ‘God bless gallant old North Carolina!’ ”’

I saw General Lee mounted upon his horse upon a knoll, as
described by Governor Vance, as I advanced in column, and
was gratified that amidst the confusion, he should witness
the order and the promptness with which the brigade hastened
to the rescue. I was too far off to hear any remark he may
have made, or order he might have given. From the effect
of our artillery and infantry fire, and from the fact that night
was coming on, the pursuit was discontinued, and friends
hastened to me and to members of the brigade, and repeated
what the General had said. I was not aware that Governor
Vance was acquainted with the facts until he delivered his
address. But with that love for the North Carolina soldiers
and pride in our native State, for which he was eminently
distinguished, with pen and tongue he was ever ready to de-
fend their good name, and see that justice was accorded them.

There was no such army as that which followed Lee. In
its ranks were men from all orders of society, of property aad
of education.- They were accustomed to the use of fire-
arms and to riding horseback. There was a comradeship
and individuality among them. Ever cheerful in camp or on
the march, they discussed around the camp fire the conduct of
the officers and the merits of the battles they had fought; and
so resourceful were they in battle, that the commands of the
officers were often unnecessary to enable them to seize strate-
gic advantages, or even when dispersed, to rally in squads,
and continue the struggle, inflicting severe punishment upon
the enemy. ‘This was never more apparent than during the
day following the disaster at Sailor’s Creek; for, notwith-
standing its dispersion, the next day Grimes’ Division was in
good spirits, and seemingly as ready for battle as ever.

THE ANDERSON-RAMSEUR-Cox BRIGADE. 457

Upon an appeal from General Mahone, whose right was being
turned, they rushed forward, and in a hand-to-hand encoun-
ter, recaptured a battery, restored the line, and stopped all
further pursuit for the day.

The last scene of this fearful drama was rapidly drawing
to aclose. Having done all that valor and human endurance
could accomplish, the inevitable result could not be much
longer postponed without a needless sacrifice of human life.
When directed to cut their way through the encircling ranks
of the enemy they cheerfully attempted it. The army now
reduced to two corps under Generals Longstreet and Gordon,
moved over wretched roads steadily towards Appomattox
Court House, our purpose being to reach Danville. By great
effort, the head of the column reached Appomattox Court
House on the evening of the 8th, and the troops were halted
for rest. During the night, there were indications of a large
force moving on our left and front. Besides his own division,
General Grimes was put in command of the remnants of
Bushrod Johnson’s Division and Wise’s Brigade. Just be-
fore daylight, Gordon moved his command through the vil-
lage, and was supported by Fitz Lee’s cavalry on his right.
At 5 o’clock a. m., I received an order that on the firing of a
cannon the division would move forward. This order was
communicated to the Brigade Commanders through my Or-
derly, A. M. Powell (now Mayor of Raleigh). At this time
the bronzed and searred veterans of the division which had
served under D. H. Hill, R. E. Rodes, S. D. Ramseur and
Bryan Grimes, remained undaunted, and their devotion to
their peerless chief, who had so repeatedly led them to victory,
was unshaken; and thus stimulated, their faith rose superior
to unrelenting fate, and their resolution never faltered. Even
while their vigilant and gallant foe was hemming them in on
every side, the word of command braced anew their expiring
energies, and their brave hearts beat quick and responsive to
the prospect of the renewal of the conflict. Therefore, when
the signal to advance was heard, they promptly moved for-
ward in echelon by brigades at intervals of one hundred paces.

Sheridan’s dismounted cavalry was in our front and on our
right, hopeful and exultant at the prospect of an early termi-