576 Norta Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

ments from the Appomattox river to a point near the scene
of the Crater. There has been no sterner suffering, nor
more heroic courage and fortitude in war than the soldiers of
this brigade invariably exhibited. About 15 March the bri-
gade was moved from the pits and intrenchments protecting
Petersburg to Burgess’ Mill, twelve miles west of the city, on
the right of our army. On.the evening of 24 March, 1865,
it was ordered back to Petersburg to join in the assault upon
Fort Stedman, the center of Grant’s line. With Grimes’
Division, Wallace’s South Carolina and his own brigade, Gen-
eral Matt. Ransom assaulted Fort Stedman at day on the
morning of the 25th, captured the fort and the enemy’s lines
to the right and left half a mile each way, and advanced some
one-fourth of a mile in rear of the fort, capturing several hun-
dred prisoners. The enemy opened fire on us from two
hundred pieces of artillery, and the strength of Grant’s army
was immediately concentrated upon some five or seven thou-
sand Confederates. The result was inevitable. After most
terrible slaughter General Lee ordered a retreat and Ran-
som’s Brigade was given the honor of coveriyg it. Ransom’s
and Wallace’s brigades lost half their number during the day.
Here the gallant young orderly to the brigade, William Hood,
of Company H, Thirty-fifth North Carolina Regiment, who
was promoted for gallantry at Sharpsburg, received a mortal
wound and was buried on the field in the uniform of his Gen-
eral, Gen.Grant commenced his movement en our right in the
last days of March. Ransom’s and Wallace’s Brigades were
ordered, with General Pickett’s Division, to meet the advance
of the enemy and, if possible, drive them back.

FIVE FORKS.

On the last day of March this command drove the enemy
back beyond Dinwiddie Court House and won a decided vic-
tory. General Grant ordered up one or two corps to rein-
force Sheridan, and on the morning of 1 April, the Confed-
erates were ordered to retire. They did so in good order,
Ransom’s Brigade covering the backward movement. They
reached Five Forks and the enemy immmediately attacked
them. Pickett’s Division, Wallace’s and Ransom’s Brigades

Rawnsom’s BRIGADE. 577

under Ransom, and a division or two of our cavalry. The
brigade never fought better, drove the enemy back three dif-
ferent times, when Sheridan’s forces, with their immense
numbers, completely flanked and surrounded them. Nearly
all the brigade was captured, killed or wounded. From four
to five hundred, under command of General Ransom, by a
desperate effort, cut through the enemy’s line and made a
safe retreat. In this retreat they marched without food,
scantly clad, and almost without ammunition to Appomattox
Court House, skirmishing and fighting all the way. At Ap-
pomattox Court House, the brigade surrendered, with Lee’s
army, without a blemish upon its flag or its name.

Too much cannot be said of this brigade. The brigade
staff officers cannot well be too highly commended. Its first
Quartermaster, Major J. F. Simmons, was a man of unusual
ability, high literary attainments and eminently qualified
for the position he filled so acceptably. Captain Thomas W.
Rowland, Assistant Adjutant-General, was an educated, ac-
complished soldier, of uncommon intelligence in all the lines
of his duty. Died shortly after the war from consumption
contracted in the army. Lieutenant W. E. Broadnax, Aide,
was a gentleman of large wealth, of liberal education and of
the best associations. Nothing could have been finer than his
gallantry and devotion. Major Thomas W. Broadnax and
Major Clay C. Drewry, Quartermasters, were both excellent
business soldiers. Lieutenant Thos. W. Mason, a first honor
graduate of the State University, possessed of large wealth,
was universally respected and beloved by the brigade. His
conduct at all times and under all circumstances, was exem-
plary and admirable. His gallantry at Sharpsburg was es-
pecially conspicuous. His patriotism and love for his coun-
try has been no less conspicuous in civil life than his
military services were distinguished in war; and as a mem-
ber of the upper House of the State Legislature, as one of
the three members of the Railroad Commission, and as
Chairman of his county’s court, his services have been of
great value to the State. In 1895 he received the nomina-
tion of his party to sueceed General Ransom as United States

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