548 NortH CaroLina Troops, 1861-’65.

Hardee’s attacking column and sent to our assistance when
not needed.

The next morning, while making a reconnoissance, I lost
the faithful sorrel mare that saved me on 10 March, shot by
the enemy’s pickets, and I had to ride an “‘old plug” during
the rest of the battle. This was one of the saddest incidents
of my experience.

Major Hahr, an accomplished Swede, served as Aide-de-
Camp to General Kirkland during this battle, and was cool
and efticient under fire.

When Johnston found that Sherman’s right wing was ap-
proaching in his rear he changed front to rear on his right
wing to meet him. Kirkland’s Brigade was directed to de
ploy and skirmish with the enemy, holding him in check while
the army took its new line at right angle to the former. But
an opening was left for us in the line of battle at the main
road. We fought and slowly fell back until ordered to take
our place in the line. Then we moved by the right flank quick-
ly down the road. Coming to the line, the command was given
by Kirkland, “Into line, faced to the rear!” The enemy was
pressing us closely but this well-drilled brigade filed into the
line, the Seventeenth on the right, and filled the gap—-just in
time to meet a vigorous charge from Sherman’s troops. There
were no breastworks, but our men laid down and repulsed the
enemy, who left their dead in our front. The right, Com-
pany A, of the Seventeenth, commanded by Captain William
Biggs, rested on the road, and I was near them, riding the old
plug. Biggs made his men stand up in two ranks and wait
for the word, and then fired “by rank,” giving his commands,
“Rear rank, ready, aim, fire! Load!” and then “Front
rank,” ete. The volleys were very distinct amid the rattle
of “firing by file” all along the line. This fire by rank was
very effective, as piles of dead were left in front of this com-
pany.

William Biggs was a daring and intelligent officer, distin
guished on many occasions. As a journalist after the war he
became a fearless champion of the rights of his people.

General Kirkland says that General Johnston in a speech
in Savannah, discussing the discipline in our armies, referred

 

 

Tae Martin-Kirxianp Brigapr. 549

to Biggs’ “fire by rank” as the only exception to the irregular
fusillade of fire by file which he heard during the war.

General Johnston paid a high compliment to the brigade
while the fight was going on. Captain C. A. King, of Har-
dee’s staff rode up to headquarters with a report from the
front, and General Johnston asked, “Who is responsible for
this heavy firing?’ King replied, “The enemy are attack-
ing Kirkland’s Brigade.” Whereupon General Johnston
turned to General Hardee and said, “I am glad of it. I
would rather they attack Kirkland than any one else.”

On the same day the North Carolina Brigade of Junior Re-
serves on Kirkland’s left and temporarily attached to his com-
mand—all boys under 18 years old—fought heroically, with
all the spirit and ardor of youth, and shouting with every vol-
ley. The conduct of these youths and their able commanders
was greatly praised throughout the army.

Sherman failed to break the Confederate line, and John-
ston, finding the immense host concentrated in his front,
withdrew to Smithfield without being pursued, and Sherman
turned towards Goldsboro for supplies and recuperation.
Sherman in his report treats this as a drawn battle—equiva-
lent to admitting a defeat, as his forces outnumbered John-
ston’s four to one.

Every State in the South and almost the entire North was
represented on the bloody field of Bentonville. The gallant
Kirkland and his surviving followers will always feel proud
of the record they made there. With this engagement our
conflicts in the field were ended. The retreat began 10 April,
1865, which ended in Johnston’s surrender, and the brigade
was disbanded at Center Church, Randolph County, N. C., 2
May.

May the blessings of Providence attend every survivor of
this devoted band “unto his life’s end !”’

Caries G. Exxiorr.

Norro.k, Va.,
26 April, 1901.