458 Nortu Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

nation of the conflict, and the reward which awaited success.
But they were destined to find that the lion, though so pressed
and wounded, was a lion still.

The division had not proceeded far before Cooke’s and
Cox’s Brigades were exposed to a murderous artillery fire,
but, instead of halting and recoiling, they promptly charged
and captured it. The engagement now became general along
our front, and our cavalry, though worn down by incessant
duties on the retreat, gallantly and bravely supported us on
the right. The struggle, however, was unequal. The pistol
and carbine were ineffective against the Enfield range and de-
structive “buck and ball,” and but few infantry were sup-
porting them. Retiring slowly at first, their retreat soon be-
came a route as they hastened to their infantry supports in
the woods, while riderless horses galloped over the field
where lay their wounded and dying. An infantry Captain
was captured and brought before me, and he gave me the first
information that General Ord, with ten thousand infantry,
was in our front. Upon taking a commanding position, I
ordered a halt, when many columns of infantry were seen
advancing, evidently with the intention of capturing us.
Firing was now resumed, when General Grimes directed me
through his courier, H. A. London, to withdraw. The armis-
tice had evidently been agreed to, but I did not anticipate it.
Still contesting the field, I retired slowly. The enemy seeing
the movement, hastened their advance with the evident pur-
pose of surrounding us, and moved so rapidly as to make
some ruse necessary to check their zeal. In this emer-
gency, through an Aide, James S. Battle, I ordered the
regimental commanders of Cox’s Brigade to meet me at the
centre as we retired. I then directed their attention to a
gradually rising hill, between us and the advancing columns
of the enemy, and directed that they face their regiments
about, and at a double quick charge to the crest of the hill,
and before the enemy should recover from their surprise,
halt, fire by brigade, and then with like rapid movement face
about and rejoin the division. Raising the “rebel yell,” the
brigade with celerity and precision, promptly and faultlessly
executed the order, and having gained the brow of the hill, the

 

 

Tue ANDERSON-RAMSEUR-Cox BRIGADE. 459

enemy anticipating a determined struggle, commenced to de-
ploy and prolong their line as if on parade. But before the
movement was fully executed, the command rang along the
Confederate line clear and distinct above the din of battle,
“Halt, ready, aim, fire!” And while the encircling troops
were surprised and stunned by the audacity of the charge
and the unusual character of the fire, the brigade safely with-
drew and regained the division, which in the meantime had
been skirmishing as it withdrew. General Gordon, superbly
mounted, as we passed by exclaimed, “Grandly and gloriously
done!”

This was the last charge of the Army of Northern Vir-
ginia.

I have abundant cause to be proud of my brigade, and my
obligations are due and cheerfully rendered to each and every
brave soldier who contributed to its success.

Especially am I indebted to my regimental commanders,
whose prompt obedience to orders and patient endurance
greatly lightened my labors and responsibilities to whom, and
to the members of the staff alone will the limits of this sketch
permit me to individually refer.

It will be remembered that after the disaster to Johnston’s

' Division at Chancellorsville, such members of the First and

Third Regiments as escaped capture were consolidated and
placed in my brigade. As many more of the Third than of
the First Regiment escaped, H. A. Brown, the gallant and
efficient Colonel of the First Regiment, was placed in charge
of the corps of sharpshooters, where he won well merited
distinction, while S. D. Thurston, the cool and accomplished
Colonel of the Third, was placed in command of the consoli-
dated regiments in which he served with great intelligence
and acceptability. At the battle of Winchester, he was dan-
gerously wounded and rendered incapable of rejoining his
command. He was succeeded by W. M. Parsley, the Lieu-
tenant-Colonel of the Third, a gallant officer of great personal
magnetism, who was killed on the retreat from Petersburg.
During his service with me he had shown himself conspicu-
ously brave and intelligent and his early death was greatly
lamented.