i

aii ips atacand ais

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

526 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

1864. July 12 the brigade was engaged in a severe skirmish
in front of Fort Stephens. On 4 October, 1864, the brigade
was engaged in a battle near Strasburg, Va. ; also at Hatcher’s
Run 16 February, 1865. On 25 March, 1865, this brigade,
the advance of the assaulting column, successfully charged
the enemy’s works at Hare’s Hill and Petersburg. In the last
five of these battles the brigade was under the command of
General W. Gaston Lewis. The brigade continued ander the
command of Brigadier-General Lewis in the retreat from Pe-
tersburg, and until the battle of High Bridge, near Farm-
ville, Va., where he fell severely wounded. The brigade was
in command of Captain Jno. Beard, of the Fifty-seventh
North Carolina Regiment, at the surrender at Appomattox,
and then numbered 26 officers and 421 men. 95 Off. Rec.
Union and Confed. Armies, 1277.

The Adjutant-Generals were successively Captain James
Adams and Drury Lacy, Jr.; Brigade Quartermaster, Major
John Hughes; Brigade Commissary, Major James Lyon;
Inspector of Brigade. Lieutenant John Justice lost a leg;
Captain Huffman, killed.

The writer deems it unnecessary to give even a limited
sketch of the military record of the Generals of the brigade.
General Hoke held, in a pre-eminent degree, the confidence of
his men, being trusted and idolized by them, and they knew
that he trusted them. His appearance in battle always in-
spired the greatest confidence and enthusiasm.

General Godwin was a brave and accomplished officer—
a leader of men. His military career, cut short by his un-
timely death, was limited but brilliant.

General Lewis was an exceptionally good officer—an hon-
orable man, and skillful officer, he classed among the bravest
of the brave, and held to the last the confidence of his men.

This brigade was especially fortunate in its commanding
officers, never being placed in a false alignment, or sacrificed
in battle (as many others were) by rash and incompetent
officers.

James F. Bratt.

Linwoop, N. C.,
19 October, 1901.