HISTORIES

OF THE

SEVERAL REGIMENTS AND BATTALIONS

NORTH CAROLINA

GREAT WAR 1861-65.

WKITTEN BY MEMBERS OF THE RESPECTIVE COMMANDS

EDITED BY

WALTER CLARK,

(Lreut.-Cotone, SeventietH Reciment N. C. T.)

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VOLT.

PUBLISHED BY THE STATE.

NASH BROTHERS,
BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS,
GOLDSBORO, N. C.
1901.

Copyright, 1902, by T. S. Kenan.

 
CONTENTS.

ORGANIZATION OF ResERVEs, Dy the Editor, 7
SEVENTIETH REGIMENT (First Res.) by Colonel Charles W. Broadfodt,
Srventy-First Regiment (SEconp Res.) by Captain David E. McKinne
Seventy Seconp Reciment (Tutrp Res ) by Colonel John W. Hinsdale
Seventy-TurirD ReGiment (FourtH Res.) by the Editor,
Seventy-Fourta Reeiment (Firra Res.) by the Editor,

SevenTy-Firra Reeiment, (SEvENTH Cav.) by Colonel John T. Kennedy
and Lieutenant W. F letcher Parker,

Seventy-Firra Reciment (Sevents Cav.) by Lieutenant E. J. Holt..
Seventy Sixta Reeiment, (Sixta Res ) by the Editor

SEVENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT (SeventH Res.) by Lieutenant John G.
Albright, ........-

SEvENTY-E1cHTH REGIMENT (Erearn Res. ) by the Editor.

Seventy Nintu Reeiment (Eientra Cav.) by S. V. Pickens, Adjitcant 109
EIGHTIETH REGIMENT, by Captain R. A. Aiken ...

Eieuty-First REGIMENT (First Deratep) by the Editor

Eieuty-SeconpD REGIMENT : ORs DeratLeD) dy Colonel A.
Brenizer.

SUPPLEMENTAL HISTORIES.
SrxTeEntH ReeiMent, by Lieutenant G. H. Mills,
Tentu Reciment, by Lieutenant T. C. Moore

BATTALION HISTORIES.

BatTaLion ORGANIZATION, bg the Editor
First Barrauion, by Major R. W. Wharton
Seconp Barratton, by Lieutenant-Colonel Wharton J. Green,
Tarrp Barrauion, by Major John W. Moore,
FourtsH Bartrauion, dy the Editor,
Firra Barration, by Captain Virgil S Dash,
Sixtx Barrauion, by Mujor Matthew P. Taylor,
SmventH Barration, by the Editor,
Eientu Barrarion, by the Editor,
Ninta Barration, by Sergeant T. A. McNeill, .
Tents Barration, by Cuptain Woodbury Wheeler, ...
TenTH Barration, by Lieutenant F. C. Frazier,
Trento Barrauion, by Adjutant C. S. Powell, .
Exveventa Barraion, by the Editor,.... 0.00. .6. 0 vec ee csceees a
TWELTH BaTTaLion, by the Editor
THIRTEENTH BatTa.ion, by Lieutenant J. H. Myrover,.
THIRTEENTH BatTa.ton, by Captain Lewis H. Webb,
THIRTEENTH BaTTauion, by Captain James D. Cumming,
FourtEEntH Barra.ion, by Adjutant 8. V. Pickens,
Firreents Battaion, by Lieutenant-Colonel James M. Wynns,
Stxteenta Barrauton, by Colonel John T. Kennedy

 
 

IV CoNTENTS

SEVENTEENTH BaTTALIon, by Major A. C. Avery, oo... 2 sees
EIGHTEENTH BatTation, by Major James C. MacRae.
NINETEENTH Barraion, by the Editor,
TwentTieTH Batrauion, by #. R. Hampton, Hospital Steward,
TWENTy-FirsT BaTraLion, by the Editor,.
TWENTY-SECOND BatraLion, by the Editor,
TWENTY-THIRD BatTaLion, by the Editor,
TWENTY FouRTH BattraLion, by the Editor,.
TWENTY-FIFTH BatraLion, by the Editor,
UNATTACHED ComMPANIEs, by the Editor,
NortH CAROLINIANS IN OTHER CoMMANDS, by the Editor,
Tue Two Broruers, by Captain David G. Marwell,....-. .........
THE Conscript Bureau, by the Editor,
Tue Corps or Encinesers, by Captain C. B. Denson,
BRIGADE HISTORIES.

BriGADE ORGANIZATION, by the Editor,
ANDERSON-RaMsEuR-Cox Bricapb®, by Brigadier-General W. R. Coz,
Brancu-Lane Brieabe, by Brigadier-General J. H. Lane,
CLINGMAN’s BriGADE, by Captain W. H. S. Burgwyn, A. A. G.,
Cooxr’s BrieapDe, by Captain James A. Graham,
DaNIEL-Grimes Brigapg, by Captain W. L. London, A. A G., ..
GARLAND-IvERSON-JOHNSTON BRIGADE, by Lieutenant J. F. John-

ston, A. D. C.,
Hoxe-Gopwin-Lewis Bricapg, by Major J. F. Beall,
Martin-KirKLAND BriGADE, by Captain C. G. Elliott, A. A. G
PENDER-SCALES BRIGADE by Adjutant T. L. Rawley,

PETTIGREW- KIRKLAND: MacRase Brigade, by Captain Louis G.
Young, A. A.’G..

Ransom’s BRIGADE, by Cc boats W. H. 8. Burgwyn,
Rosperts Cavaury Brieapr, by Lieutenant E. J. Hollt,. <2
Gorpon-BARBINGER CAVALRY BrIGADE, by Private Julian 8. Carr,
Junior Reserves’ BriGaDE, by Lieutenant F. H. Busbee, -
CHAPLAIN SERVICE, by Chaplain A. D. Betis,
Tue Mrpicat Corps, by Surgeon P. E. Hines,
Tue Miuitra, by Captain James M. Grizzard,
Tue Home Guarb, by the Editor,

MILITARY PRISONS.
Prison Lire aT JoHNson’s ISLAND, by Colonel R. F. Webb,
Prison LiFe at Jounson’s Isuanp, by Colonel Thomas S. Kenan,...
PRISONERS AT JOHNSON’S ISLAND TO GOVERNOR VANCE,
List oF PRIsoNERS AT JOHNSON’s ISLAND, by Lieutenant T. F. Cross,
Prisoners aT Morris Isuanp, by Captain W. G. MacRae,
List or N.C. Prisoners aT Morris Isuanp, by Col. Jno. L. Cantwell,
Prison Lire Av Fort Detaware, by Sergeant C. W. Rivenbark,....

Esecare rrom Fort Warren, by Lieutenant-Commander J. W. Alex-
ander, C. 8. N.,
SarisBpuRY Prison, by Chaplain A. W. Mangum, .

ORGANIZATION OF RESERVES.

By WALTER CLARK, Ligzurenant-Cotonet 70 N. C. T.

When the Southern leaders were contemplating separa-
tion, they estimated largely upon the expectation that all the
States South of Mason and Dixon’s line, the Ohio and the
northern boundary of Missouri would go with the South, in-
eluding Indian Territory and New Mexico. This would
have given the new Confederacy nearly one-third of the pop-
ulation of the old Union. Im this event there would have
doubtless been a peaceable separation and no war. But it
proved that in the States of Maryland, Delaware, that part
of Virginia since known as West Virginia, Kentucky and
Missouri, the majority were largely on the northern side and
there was no small defection among the whites in East Ten-
nessee and other localities, to say nothing of the colored refu-
gees who swelled the Union army. It is estimated that no
less than 350,000 men from the Southern side of the line
above indicated served in the Federal armies which also con-
tained, besides the troops from the populons Northern States,
a host of foreigners attracted by high bounties and good pay.

The result was that instead of the Confederate armies being
one-third of the forces in the field (which would have insured
early success if there had been war) the official records show
that first and last over 3,000,000 of men served in the North-
ern armies and 600,000—certainly not more than 650,000—
in those of the South. This disproportion of 5 to 1 struck
the cold ealeulating mind of Edwin M. Stanton, who perceived
that in an exchange of prisoners, man for man, the South
therefore was largely advantaged. With an iron will, and
reckless of all considerations of humanity, he stopped the ex-
change of prisoners. The blow was a staggering one to the
Confederacy. It could not recruit its armies from abroad
and the loyal population, capable of bearing arms, was already
almost en masse in service.

 
NortH CAROLINA Troops, 1861-65.

President Davis, contrary to the course pursued by Gov-
ernor Vance, instead of shipping cotton as a basis of credit
and to procure supplies, conceived the fatal idea, and pursued
it to the disastrous end, that by withholding our cotton, a
“eotton famine” would force the nations of Europe to raise
the blockade, and come to our aid. Thus besides the natural
weariness of war, the lack of supplies caused the soldiery to
be half fed and badly clothed and shod, and more than this,
when the ery of want went up from wives and little ones in
many an humble home, the cancer of desertion became an
open sore. .

With ranks daily depleted by deaths on the battlefield and
in the hospitals, by wounds, by the growing volume of deser-
tions, by the necessity of detailing troops from the front to
prevent depredations at home, and the “unreturning brave”
who languished in Northern prisons, the necessity to replen-
ish the ranks was overpowering. A resort to the colored
population for many reasons was deemed impracticable and
when tried in a small way, in the last days of the war, in
the spring of 1865, the experiment was not satisfactory.

There was only one other resource, to extend the age of the
military conscription, which already embraced all able-bodied
men between the ages of 18 and 45, except those exempt as
State officers, physicians, and ministers of the gospel, and per-
haps some others. In the presence of a necessity which
would admit of no denial, the Confederate Congress on 17
February, 1864, passed a law placing in the “Reserves”’ those
between the ages of 17 and 18 and between 45 and 50. A
salvo was added that they were not to serve out of their res-
pective States, but this was, by reason of the same necessity,
disregarded. Junior Reserves from this State served in
South Carolina and Virginia and our Senior Reserves fought
in South Carolina and Georgia, though the bulk of the latter
relieved other troops to go to the front by taking their places
in preserving internal order, arresting deserters, forwarding
conscripts, guarding bridges on the great railway lines (over
which passed the supplies and recruits for our armies) and
guarding the prisoners at Salisbury.

A brief breathing spell was given in which those who

ORGANIZATION OF RESERVES. 3

wished might volunteer. Then the General Orders to em-
body the Reserves were formulated and issued. Those be-
tween 17 and 18 years of age were embodied in April and
May, 1864. Those between 45 and 50 were, with the excep-
tion of two regiments and two battalions, left at home till Au-
gust and September to make and harvest the crops, and the
remainder were organized into regiments in the Fall. The
reserves ordered out in April were organized into companies
and sent to camps of instruction at Wilmington, Raleigh and
Morganton and during May and June nine battalions were
organized, as follows—the men electing their company officers
and these latter electing the Field Officers:

First Battalion (three companies), Major Charles W.
Broadfoot, 25 May, at Raleigh.

Second Battalion (three companies), Major John H. An-
derson, 28 May, at Raleigh.

Third Battalion (three companies), Major B. F. Hooks, 31
May, at Goldsboro.

J*ourth Battalion (three companies), Major J. M. Reece,
at Raleigh, 30 May.

Fifth Battalion (three companies), Major W. F. Beasley,
at Goldsboro, 2 June.

Sixth Battalion (five companies), Major Walter Clark, 3
June, at Raleigh.

Seventh Battalion (three companies,) Major W. Foster
French, 4 June, at Wilmington.

Eighth Battalion (three companies), Major J. B. Elling-
ton, 10 June, at Morganton.

Ninth Battalion (darks peerenie); Major D. T. Millard,
Asheville, 28 June.

The Sixth was the only battalion having more than three
companies when organized. On 15 June another company
each was added to the First, Fourth and Fifth Battalions
and later another company to the Second.

All these were Junior Reserves except the Third Battalion,
which were Seniors. This battalion of Seniors went into im-
mediate service as bridge guards and later on were in several
battles and became part of the Eighth Regiment of Re-
serves—or Seventy-eighth North Carolina. Another Bat-

 
 

a ts <a

~ Nort Caroutina Troops, 1861-65.

talion was partially organized with three companies at Mor-
ganton where over 100 of them were captured 28 June, 1864,
in Geo. W. Kirk’s raid. The remainder were recruited up
by the addition of Juniors from other counties and two new
companies were thus created which later at Salisbury were
added to Millard’s Ninth Battalion. This battalion after see-
ing services at Wilmington as is narrated in its history herein,
was brigaded with the three Junior Reserve Regiments (Sev-
entieth, Seventy-first and Seventy-second North Carolina) at
Kinston in January, 1865, and attached to Hoke’s Division
whose fortunes that brigade thenceforward shared till John-
ston’s surrender. As to the other eight battalions, the First
(Broadfoot) and Sixth (Clark) Battalions with two other
companies added, were organized into the First Regiment of
Reserves (Seventieth North Carolina) at Weldon 4 July,
1864. The Second (Anderson) and Fifth (Beasley) were
organized into a larger battalion at Weldon 16 July, and this
on 7 December, 1864, by the addition of two companies, was
raised to a regiment, the Second Reserves or Seventy-first
North Carolina. The Fourth (Reece), Seventh (French),
and Eighth (Ellington) Battalions were organized into the
Third Regiment of Reserves or Seventy-second North Caro-
lina, at Wilmington, 3 January, 1865. Major Reece, with
six other officers and between one hundred and two hundred
men of these three battalions, which were then under his com-
mand, were captured near Fort Fisher the night of 25 De
cember, 1864, under circumstances not creditable to him.
His brave but inexperienced boys, many of them, stoutly re-
fused to be surrendered and saved themselves. The report
made by one of these, the gallant young Adjutant, F. M.
Hamlin, will be found in Serial Volume 87, Official Records
Union and Confederate Armies, p. 1025.

The Junior Reserve Brigade, composed of the above three
regiments and Millard’s Battalion, was commanded at first
by Colonel F. S. Armistead, of the Seventieth. At the bat-
tle of South West Creek below Kinston 8-9 March, 1865, it
was under General L. S. Baker, and 15 March Colonel J. A.
Nethereutt, of the Sixty-sixth North Carolina, was assigned
to it just before the battle of Bentonville and commanded the

a el a

RRR AME Re ry RRR TRUDE 2) ARERR CES IE tet

ORGANIZATION OF RESERVES. 5

brigade till the surrender under Johnston. At. first, Adju-
tant A. T. London and Lieutenant E. 8. Foster of the Seven-
tieth acted as Assistant Adjutant General and Ordnance Off-
cer, respectively, of this Brigade but when Colonel Nether-
eutt took command 15 March he assigned Lieutenant Wm.
Calder as Assistant Adjutant General and Lieutenant E. S.
Martin as Ordnance Officer, both of the First Heavy Artil-
lery Battalion.

The field officers of the Junior Reserves without exception
had seen previous service in the army. The writer was the
only field officer who was himself a Junior Reserve (under
18) and only one other (Beasley) was under 21 years of age,
which fact it appears from General Holmes’ letter book he
reported to the authorities at Richmond. The company of-
ficers were, as a rule, 17 years of age when elected, but
those who passed the Examining Board were retained after
they reached that age and there was a good sprinkling of
company officers of maturer age and army experience who '
having resigned, or been discharged, from the army by rea-
son of wounds or physical disability re-entered service with
the Juniors. The Examining Board was composed of Ma-
jors C. W. Broadfoot, J. H. Anderson and Walter Clark.
As may be imagined at first many of the young company
officers were found by this board deficient in education or
knowledge of tactics and dropped. ‘These as fast as they
became 18 years of age were sent, together with all non-com-
missioned officers and privates who arrived at that age, to the
regiments in Virginia. The company officers who passed
the required examination were retained with their companies.
The vacancies caused by those failing to pass were filled usu-
ally by electing old soldiers “on light duty” by reason of
wounds, or other disability or by the election of young men
of better education, resulting in a very decided improvement
in the personnel of the company officers. Towards the last,
amid the pressure and hurry of events, privates and non-
commissioned officers arriving at 18 years of age were not
always sent off to the older regiments.

So much for the three regiments and the battalions of the
Juniors. Of the Seniors, there were five regiments and two

 
 

 

6 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

battalions. The words “Junior” and “Senior” were not
officially used and the first three were designated simply
“First, Second and Third Regiments of Reserves” (or Sev-
entieth, Seventy-first and Seventy-second North Carolina),
The latter were designated as the “Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Sev-
enth and Eighth Regiments of Reserves” (or Seventy-third,
Seventy-fourth, Seventy-sixth, Seventy-seventh, and Seventy-
eighth North Carolina, for a cavalry regiment has some how
gotten switched into the enumeration in Moore’s Roster as the
Seventy-fifth). There were also three battalions, besides that
of Major Hooks’, above mentioned, which was incorporated
into the Eighth Reserves (Seventy-eighth North Carolina).
These were a battalion of Seniors organized at Asheville and
commanded by Major L. P. Erwin, who did good service in
that section, another from Catawba and adjacent counties,
commanded by Major A. A. Hill, and the Third Battalion or-
ganized at Raleigh, which served at Fort Fisher and was
commanded by Major J. T. Littlejohn. A large part of the
officers of these five regiments and three battalions of Seniors
had doubtless seen service in the army and probably many of
the privates had also.

The Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Reserves were formed into
the Second Brigade and commanded by Colonel John F.
Hoke, with headquarters at Salisbury. Of this Brigade Ma-
jor M. P. Beardon was Quartermaster and Captain R. P.
Waring Adjutant General. The Seventh, together with the
companies late organized into the Eighth Reserves in De-
cember, 1864, were in a brigade at Wilmington command-
ed by Colonel Jno. K. Connally, of the Fifty-fifth North
Carolina. 87 Official Records Union and Confederate Ar
mies, p. 1021. From December, 1864, to March, 1865,
the Seventh Reserves served in Georgia, South Carolina and
this State, brigaded with the Tenth North Carolina Battalion
(Young) and part of the time with the Fiftieth North Car-
olina, the brigade being commanded by Colonel Wash. M.
Hardy, of the Sixtieth North Carolina.

The services of the above regiments and four battalions of
Reserves are narrated, as well as they can now be recalled, in
the following sketches of their respective regiments and bat:

ee nee NRL Tan Te am

ORGANIZATION OF RESERVES. 7

talions, but this history of their organization is here given
as the reference thereto in Major Gordon’s admirable article
on the organization of troops in Vol. 1 (p. 16) of this work
was very brief from his lack of information in this particular
matter. Major H. R. Hooper was Quarter Master of all the
Reserves of North Carolina and Dr. Thomas Hill, Surgeon
in Chief. Lieutenant-General T. H. Holmes commanded
the Reserves with Captain John W. Hinsdale Assistant-Ad-
jutant General till his promotion to Colonel of the Seventy-
second North Carolina (Third Juniors) when he was suc-
ceeded by Major Chas. S. Stringfellow as Assistant-Adjutant-
General.

The rolls kept in Raleigh of our regiments were duplicates
and naturally not kept up with the care of those used as pay
rolls, which were sent to Richmond, hence much of the com-
plaint of the defects in Moore’s Roster, which is nowhere
more incomplete than in regard to the Reserves. The State
can not now get a complete and correct roster of her troops
unless an act of Congress is passed to have a complete tran-
script made from the original Confederate pay rolls which
were surrendered at Greensboro, where they had been carried
from Richmond, 100 (Serial Vol.) Off. Rec. Union and Con-
fed. Armies, 842, and which are now on file at Washington,
and this ought to be done with a careful collation of the rolls
which were sent in from time to time, of each company and

regiment.

Raveien, N. C.,
4 July, 1901.

 
— oe oN

 
SEVENTIETH REGIMENT.

(FIRST JUNIOR RESERVES. )

By COLONEL CHARLES W. BROADFOOT.

Under the inexorable necessity of filling the ranks depleted
by the waste of three years of war, the Confederate Congress
on 17 February, 1864, passed the act by which the military
age, previously 18 to 45, was extended to embrace all from
17 to 50. Those from 17 to 18 years of age, known later as
Junior Reserves, were embodied into companies in April and
May, and in May and June were formed into battalions, and
later on into regiments—forming a total in this State of three
regiments and one battalion, which became the Junior Re-
serves’ Brigade in Hoke’s Division, Hardee’s Corps. The
embodying of those from 45 to 50 years of age was postponed
a few weeks to enable the men to make and save their crops
and make arrangements for the care of their families.

The First Regiment of Junior Reserves was formed by the
consolidation of the First and Sixth Battalions, of whose
organization it is proper to speak at this place.

 

FIRST BATTALION.

This battalion consisted of three companies. Company
A, Captain Charles Price, 81 officers and men; Company B,
Captain D. S. Speed, 78 officers and men; Company C, Cap-
tain C. J. Richardson, 93 officers and men. Total, with
field and staff, 255.

It was organized into a battalion at Camp Holmes, near
SEVENTIETH REGIMENT. Raleigh, 25 May, 1864, by electing as Major, the writer, who
Walter Giarky Lieut. Colonel 6 Ghnstopher ©! Smith, 0 Lieut, Co. A. had or in 7 Bony Deeent and oa ae hae oe
(Picture in fist Hegiment.) 7. Lucullus Hunter, Private, Co. B. peony D, Forty third North ¢ arolina, but at this time w a
Aide on the staff of Lieutenant-General Holmes, and had re-

cently returned with him from the campaign in Arkansas.
The battalion was equipped with clothing, shoes and ac-
coutrements as well as the government at that time could do,

 

 
 

10 Nortu CaRro.ina Troops, 1861-’65.

but were armed with Enfield rifles, which had been changed
to percussion from flint and steel, and which were well nigh
worthless. Later on better guns which had been captured in
Virginia, were issued to the Juniors.

On 29 May the battalion was ordered to Weldon, where it
went into camp on the Northampton side of the river, on the
ground formerly occupied by the F ifty-sixth Regiment, near
the residence of Mr. John M. Moody, who with his entire
family was as kind and considerate of the soldier boys as it
was possible to be. The camp was styled “Camp Daniel” in
honor of Brigadier-General Junius Daniel, then recently

killed in battle and who was born a few miles distant in Hal-
ifax County.

THE SIXTH BATTALION.

The Sixth Battalion consisted of five companies. Com-
pany A, Captain A. M. Heitman, 89 officers and men ; Com-
pany B, Captain C. D. Dowd, 80 officers and men ; Company
C, Captain W. 8. Lineberry, 78 officers and men; Company
D, Captain W. H. Carter, 76 officers and men; Company E,

Captain Thos. L. Lea, 82 officers and men. Total when or-
ganized, including field and staff, 408 officers and men.
This battalion was organized at Camp Holmes near Ral-
eigh, 3 June, 1864, by electing Walter Clark, Major. Major
Clark, a cadet at Tew’s Military School, had in May, 1861,
entered the service as drill-master and later went to Virginia
with Pettigrew’s regiment, Twenty-second North Carolina;
in 1862-63 he had served as Adjutant of the Thirty-fifth
North Carolina (Colonel M. W. Ransom). On the return
to this State of that brigade in 1863, he resigned and entering
the senior class at the State University, graduated 2 J une,
the day before his election as Major. His battalion was
equipped much as the First had been and was ordered to
Goldsboro, 8 June. After a few days stay it was ordered to
Weldon 18 June and went into camp 19 June, near the First
Battalion, in a camp styled “Camp Ransom,” in honor of
General M. W. Ransom, whose residence was close by and on

whose staff (when Colonel Ransom) the Major commanding
had served.

rea ce Haye

SREY (rhytme nee te ER fe ReRR Tes bre eee SETAE He hen wt

SEVENTIETH REGIMENT. 11

The post at Weldon was commanded by Colonel James W.
Hinton, of the Sixty-eighth North Carolina, and the district
was under the command of General L. S. Baker, with head-
quarters at Goldsboro. Pickets were kept out by the two bat-
talions to guard against surprise by raiding parties, or a sud-
den advance of the enemy from the Chowan. The com-
mand was rigidly and constantly drilled and with the facility
of boys soon acquired military discipline and efficiency. On
27 June the Sixth Battalion was ordered to Gaston and took
post on the east side of the river to protect the railroad bridge
at that point from a threatened cavalry raid, but returned to

Weldon 1 July.

ORGANIZED INTO A REGIMENT.

On 4 July, 1864, the First and Sixth Battalions were, in
pursuance of General Orders, organized into a regiment. On
15 June, Captain M. C. Nixon’s company had been assigned
to the First Battalion. The Halifax County company of
Captain W. R. Williams, was now added to the two battal-
ions, making ten companies whose officers on that day elected ”

Cuartrs W. Broaproort, Colonel.
Watrer Crarx, Lieutenant-Colonel.

_N. A. Grecory, Major.

The election was conducted by Lieutenant Graham Daves,
Aide to General Holmes. Upon his report of the election,
orders were issued assigning above officers to duty accordingly.
Major Gregory had seen service as First Lieutenant of Com-
pany I, Twenty-third North Carolina Regiment, but having
been wounded and disabled at Chancellorsville, had resigned.
He now patriotically acepted his election and re-entered the
service.

During July, the headquarters of Lieutenant-General
Holmes were removed to Weldon. Not long after his arri-
val, he sent for the above field officers of the First Regiment
and explained to them his earnest wish that his chief of staff,
Lieutenant-Colonel F. S. Armistead, might be made Colonel
of the First Regiment, as thereby he felt confident that he
would without delay be appointed Brigadier-General of the

 
 

 

12 Nortu Carona Troops, 1861-65.

Junior Reserves Brigade (which was to be formed) by Pres-
ident Davis, who had been a cadet at West Point with him-
self and a life-long friend. Colonel Armistead was himself
a West Pointer and brother of General Armistead who was
killed at Gettysburg. Their mother was a Stanly, of New
Bern. In deference to General Holmes’ wishes the field
officers resigned and at. the new election F. §. Armistead
was elected Colonel, ©. W. Broadfoot Lieutenant-Colonel,
Walter Clark Major, and N. A. Gregory accepted the vacant
captaincy of Company H. This arrangement was expected
to endure for a very brief period and in order to carry it out
fully, General Holmes delayed the formation of the other
battalions into regiments as long as he could. But the ex-
pected promotion of Colonel Armistead, for some reason, did
not materialize, and the arrangement continued to the end, ex-
cept that on formation of the Second Regiment, Gregory was
elected Major of that. As Colonel Armistead for many
months commanded the post, or the brigade, the regiment was
in the actual command of Lieutenant-Colonel Broadfoot and
in his absence by Major Clark. On the second organization,
the company of Captain W. R. Williams was transferred to
Anderson’s Battalion and that of Captain John A. Manning
was substituted.

The companies as relettered after the second organization
were officered as follows:

Company A—Warren, Franklin and N ash—Captain,
Charles Price, of Warren; First Lieutenant, C. ©. Smith, of
Nash; Second Lieutenants, E. 8. Foster and W. B. Coppedge,
both of Franklin. This company was the only one which
had no change in its officers from its organization in May,
till the surrender a year later. Captain Price is a distin-
guished lawyer, living in Salisbury and has been United
States District Attorney for Western North Carolina ; Lieu-
tenant Foster is a promising physician in Louisburg.

Company B—Granville—Captains, D. 8. Speed, R. L.
Crews, F. R. Gregory; First Lieutenants, A. Thorpe, T. W.
Taylor; Second Lieutenants, F. S. Daniels, W. H. Gregory,
R. H. Andrews, Alex. Turner.

scoot

“GP reer mmr eC RoR Rent NRC RRS TETRESEO mT EHR NRERANA  LY tee tne ip

SEVENTIETH REGIMENT. 13

Company C—Davidson—Captain, A. M. Heitman; First
Lieutenant, J. A. Parks; Second Lieutenants, C. L. Badgett,
R. W. Lindsay, F. E. Thomas.

Company D—Wake—Captain, C. J. Richardson; First
Lieutenants, A. J. Alford, G. R. Smith; Second Lieutenants,
G. R. Smith, W. H. Crabtree, R. Halyburton.

Company E—Moore and Montgomery—Captains, C. D.
Dowd, W. W. Beard; First Lieutenant, W. A. Fry, R. W.
Wellborn ; Second Lieutenants, J. T. MeCaulay, D. J. Dye,
E. J. Dye, J. C. Neal.

Company F—Randolph—Captain, W. S. Lineberry;
First Lieutenants, L. 8. Gray, H. C. Causey; Second Lieuten-
ants, H. C. Causey, Z. T. Rush, W. T. Glenn, W. R. Ash-
worth.

Company G—Caswell and Stanly—Captain, Thos. L. Lea,
of Caswell; First Lieutenant, J. W. Smith, of Stanly; Sec-
ond Lieutenants, J. G. Denny and L. Eudy, of Caswell,
Waverly Johnson, of Northampton.

Company H—Chatham—Captains, W. H. Carter, N. A.
Gregory, J. A. Faison; First Lieutenants, J. T. McAuley,
Carson Johnson; Second Lieutenants, W. Y. Fulford, J. J.
Watson, J. W. Treloar.

Company I—Orange—Captains, M. C. Nixon, J. S. Far-
thing, A. D. Markham, W. F. Hargrave, B. F. Weaver, Ga-
briel Holmes. The latter was a son of Lieutenant-General
Holmes and grandson of Governor Holmes.

Company K—Martin, NV orthampton, Bertie and Chowan—
Captains, Jno. A. Manning, Frank S. Faison; First Lieuten-
ants, Frank S. Faison, W. D. Pruden; Second Lieutenants,
W. D. Pruden, J. K. Wheeler. Lieutenant Pruden is now

the well known lawyer of Edenton.

There were many changes among the officers by the oper-
ation of the Examining Board and resignations and some
names may be indavertently omitted. Among the company
officers, Captain N. A. Gregory, F. R. Gregory, J. A.
Faison and W. W. Beard and Lieutenant W. H. H. Gregory
had seen previous service in the army. Captain Faison was
a West Pointer.

 
 

 

14 NortH Caro.ina Troops, 1861-’65.

The staff of the regiment was as follows:

A. T. Lonnon, of Wilmington, Adjutant.

N. M. Jonzs, of Chatham, Sergeant-Major.

C. S. Weppen, of Wake, Quartermaster Sergeant.

Assistant Surexons, James Jordan, of N orthampton; F.
R. Gregory, of Granville; G. G. Smith, of Concord. Dr.
Gregory had previously been Captain of Company B.

When first organized into battalions, we had. no surgeons
and the following extract of a letter from the writer at that
time gives an idea of the situation:

“Camp DanieEL,
“June 2, 1864.

“I have no surgeon and have to prescribe for the sick
myself. A doctor of Major Hahr’s Battalion has kindly fur-
nished me with some medicines with full directions how to
use. To-day I dosed about thirty. * * * Thavea good
deal to amuse me in camp. My men come to me for every-
thing. One wants a furlough, one has broken his gun and
expects me to mend it for him; another wants to go home to
get married, ete.”

An assistant surgeon reported for duty on 17 June, 1864,
but with no medicines. ‘These came within a short time,
however, and thereafter we had the services of kind, attentive
and competent surgeons. This regiment, with the other
Junior Reserves, joined in the following letter:

“Camp OF JUNIOR RESERVES,
“Near Wetpon, N. C., October 10, 1864.
“Hon. Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.:

Str:—We, the undersigned Field Officers of the Junior
Reserves of North Carolina stationed near Weldon, N. C., at
the unanimous request of the officers and enlisted men of the
commands, respectfully tender their services to the depart-
ment for duty in Virginia during the present emergency,
while our National Capital is threatened and its brave defend-
ers stand in need of reinforcements.”

This letter was a source of pride to Lieutenant-General

arwencaseerey! sae tat haan ateten a mea aceeiaemmee aae ce sale ciaians anti ~

Porro e

SEVENTIETH REGIMENT. 15

Holmes, commanding the Reserves of North Carolina, who
often spoke of it in highly complimentary terms to the writer.

On 16 October, 1864, the regiment went to Boykin’s Depot,
met a raid from the Blackwater where it remained a day or
two, and returned to Weldon, as the enemy had retired, where
we continued to furnish guards for bridges at Gaston and else-
where, and heavy details for outpost duty.

THE LOWER ROANOKE,

This regiment and Anderson’s Battalion were ordered to
Plymouth on Saturday, 29 October. We left Weldon and
went by rail to Tarboro. On Sunday marched eighteen
miles, on Monday twenty-five to within thirteen miles of Ply-
mouth, where we met our troops returning from the capture
of the place and the blowing up of the Albemarle by the en-
emy, and were ordered to Hamilton, N. C. This was extra-
ordinary marching for raw levies. There was little or no
straggling and the regiment was highly complimented by Gen-
eral Baker, commanding.

Camp “Baker,” near Hamilton, was headquarters, and
from this point the outpost service become both arduous and
important, as our advanced posts extended to Foster’s Mills,
below Williamston, in Martin County. Covering the ap-
proaches to Martin, Edgecombe and Pitt Counties, whence
at the time large supplies were drawn for the support of Lee’s
army.

Early in November, four companies (B, E, H and I), were
sent under command of the Major of the regiment to William-
ston where he was placed in charge of the post, relieving Lieu-
tenant Colonel Van Hook with six companies of the Fiftieth.
Two companies of cavalry, Captains Pitts and Brown, of the
Sixty-fifth North Carolina, and Lee’s Alabama Battery of
artillery were also under his command, seven companies al-
together. With these he was to guard the crossings at Fos-
ter’s and Rawls’ Mills and patrol the roads leading to Ply-
mouth and Washington where the enemy were in force. One
of the principal objects served by the outpost at that time was
to cover the movements of Dr, Fretwell, who had been sent
out from Richmond to place torpedoes in the Roanoke below

 
+16 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

Williamston, which he did successfully with a force of de-
tailed men as experts. The enemy made two or three at-
tempts to disturb our quiet, and on one occasion Major Clark
followed them with part of the cavalry, and three companies
of infantry and a section of artillery nearly to Jamesville,
the rest being left to guard the road from Washington.

 

BELFIELD, VA.

About 10 December, six companies, A, C, D, F, G and K
were ordered from Camp Baker to Virginia and went as far
as Belfield, Va., where they took part in the fight at that place
which turned back the raid under General Warren. The other
four companies, B, E, H and I, were at the time below Wil-
liamston at and near Foster’s Mills, and were ordered to
follow the others as rapidly as possible. These four made
a forced march to Tarboro, when they were immediately or-
dered back to meet a raid from Plymouth.

 

 

 

 

 

es
4 %

“N330u438Y 529

BUTLER'S BRIDGE.

On 12 December, after marching one hundred miles in
eight days, they were in line behind breastworks at Butler’s
Bridge, near Hamilton, Fort Branch and Camp Baker, with a
section of Lee’s light battery from Montgomery, Ala., and two .
companies of cavalry of the Sixty-fifth North Carolina State
Troops, Captains Brown and Pitts in the immediate front.
The whole force under command of Lieutenant-Colonel
Broadfoot. Just before daylight on the morning of the 13th,
we were attacked in front and rear at the same time, the
party in the rear having been piloted through the swamps by
one or more traitors, known as Buffaloes. The cavalry com-
panies were dismounted and in front as skirmishers, and their
horses were a few yards in rear of the breastworks, on the
Hamilton side, when they were fired upon by the enemy and
broke away from the few men in charge of them and dashed
over the bridge and up the road in the direction of Tarboro.
The noise of these loose horses crossing the bridge was mis-
taken by the enemy in front for a charge, and they fell back,
allowing the entire command to escape, and reform on the
Tarboro road about one-fourth of a mile distant, in a line of
old breastworks commanding the road.

‘ALINISIA GNV 3J9GING SYSILNG 40 dVW
ha

 

 

"HLNOWATA? fii)

 

 
 

SEVENTIETH REGIMENT. 1 FP

In this affair the regiment lost Dr. Gregory captured in
Camp Baker, where he went to attend the wounded, Lieu-
tenant VanB. Sharpe, of Pitt County, who had been wound-
ed while on the skirmish line, and several privates were also
captured, and we had our camp plundered, if a camp of
Junior Reserves at that time can be said to be the subject of
plunder. Colonel Hinton and Adjutant Hinton, of the Sixty-
Eighth, who had spent the night at the Sherrod house in our
rear, waiting the coming up of that regiment, were captured,
as they came out expecting to meet it, but the Adjutant soon
escaped. He had a leave of absence in his pocket to go home
to be married and he kept his tryst. The enemy returned
hastily to Plymouth. Upon the return of the six companies
from Belfield, the regiment resumed its duties at Camp Baker
of protecting the approaches from below and thus guarding
Tarboro and Weldon.

POPLAR POINT.

Late in December, the enemy sent several boats up the Roan-
oke, threatening Fort Branch, and on 23 December, two com-

panies of the regiment, with a section of Dickson’s light bat-
tery (Company KE, of Starr’s Battalion), the whole under the
command of Lieutenant-Colonel Broadfoot, who had volun-
teered for this service, went to Poplar Point on the Roanoke,
a short distance below Fort Branch, to reconnoitre, and pre-
vent, if possible, their further ascent of the river. The loss
of a boat, sunk near Williamston by a torpedo placed in the
river the night before by Dr. Fretwell, who had been sent
from Richmond as already stated, for the purpose of obstruct-
ing the river, had checked the gunboats which were advanc-
ing slowly, dragging the river from open boats as they went.
When they passed a bend in the river below Poplar Point and
came into view, the guns of Dickson’s Battery located on the
bluff, opened fire and stopped them. The enemy shelled the
banks, which were lined with two companies of our regi-
ment, without damage, and upon 24 December another bat-
tery having been placed below the gunboats and the infantry
having been reinforced by Colonel Whitford’s Sixty-seventh

2

 
 

18 Norra CAroiina Troops, 1861-65.

Regiment, the enemy retired, shelling heavily the woods as
they withdrew. General Leventhorpe, commanding the Dis-
trict of North Carolina, complimented our command for its
part in this affair.

Just here an anecdote: While passing along the line the
officer in command caught one of the boys with an unex-
ploded shell from the enemy between his knees, trying to ex-
tract the powder. Upon being sharply reprimanded and told
of the danger to himself and others, the boy replied : “T am
not skeered of the d—d things when they are coming at me

through the air, and I know I ain’t afraid of ’em when I have .

?em in my hands.” About 29 January this regiment, with
the Second and Third Regiments and Millard’s Battalion of
Junior Reserves, commanded by Captain C. M. Hall, were
formed into a brigade under command of Colonel F. 8S. Arm-
istead, by General Order No. 1, of this date, and Captain B.
F..Smith, Assistant Quartermaster, was assigned to duty as
brigade Quartermaster. This was our first acquaintance with
a quartermaster, as our dealings heretofore with that branch

of the service were at long range. We never had a commis- |

sary officer, but our brigade had an excellent ordnance officer
in Lieutenant E. S. Foster, of Company A, of our regiment,
assigned to duty as such.

About the middle of February, 1865, our regiment as part
of the First Brigade Reserves, went to Kinston, N. C., and
were accounted worthy to stand with their older brethren of
Hoke’s Division, as part and parcel of the same; and from
this time to the farewell address of that gallant General made
to his division on 1 May, 1865, we shared its hardships, as

well as its glories.
SOUTH WEST CREEK.

After being encamped with the brigade for some three
weeks at Kinston (about one mile west of the Jno. C. Wash-
ington residence), news came that the enemy was advancing
from New Bern in force. The brigade was placed under
command of General L. S. Baker, and attached to Hoke’s
Division, and on 6 March we crossed the river and marched
down to South West Oreek, where we lined the bank of that

SEVENTIETH REGIMENT. 19

stream, the right of our brigade (the First Regiment) resting
on the county road where it crosses that stream north of the
railroad. The morning of the 8th we heard the heavy fight-
ing and joined in the cheering as the news came down the line
that Hoke had captured 1,600 prisoners and a general officer
on the right. About 3 p. m. we were ordered to cross the
stream before us, which we did on an improvised bridge under
firing going on between our skirmishers and those of the en-
emy.

On the other side the brigade formed line of battle in the
same order as before, the First Regiment Reserves (Seven-
tieth North Carolina) on the right. On orders from Gen-
eral Baker the brigade moved handsomely forward, and drove
the enemy from behind their temporary breastworks of fence
rails and logs. We captured some prisoners and the loss in
the brigade was not very heavy.

MIS-STATEMENT CORRECTED.

General D. H. Hill, writing a month after, says in his re-
port of this battle, speaking from hearsay, for he states
therein that the Reserves were not under his command, as
follows, 98 (Serial Vol.) Off. Rec. Union and Confed.
Armies, 1087. The Reserves advanced handsomely for
a time, but at length one regiment (the First, I think),
broke and the rest lay down and could not be got forward.”
Had General Hill been writing of troops under his own com-
mand, or of matters of his own knowledge, his statement
would be accepted. But by the very reason of his high char-
acter this statement by him on hearsay can not be allowed to
go down in history uncorrected. I, who saw the whole mat-
ter, must say, and all others who were present (of whom hun-
dreds are still living,) among them the editor of this work,
will concur with me that this statement is a gross injustice to
the gallant boys. The facts are that the whole brigade went
forward handsomely, as General Hill says, and while closely
engaged, a portion of the First Regiment (not all) miscon-
ceiving a command that was given to the skirmish line, did
break and fell back some 150 yards to the stream. They did
not attempt to cross it by the bridge or otherwise and were

 
 

 

 

|
: |
|
if

20 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

readily and promptly rallied and immediately went forward
again. They were much chagrined at misunderstanding the
orders which alone had caused them to fall back. No part of
the brigade at any time lay down and refused to go forward.
Those who commanded the Juniors or saw them in action
know that there were no troops who had more enthusiasm or
were more easily led than they.

About dark General Hoke placing himself at the head of
our brigade, some other troops being added, marched us
down the road towards Neuse river with the intention of turn-
ing the enemy’s flank, but about midnight the scouts brought
in news which induced General Hoke to retrace our steps and
at daylight we had recrossed the creek and were back in our
breastworks.

The enemy in front were repulsed, but Sherman’s army
was coming up from South Carolina and we were in danger
of being “in a strait betwixt two.” On the 10th we retreated
through Kinston, thence through Goldsboro to Smithfield,
where we saw General Joseph E. Johnston, who was in chief
command. There one morning the Junior Reserves Brigade
was drawn up on three sides of a square to witness the execu-
tion of three men from Zachary’sGeorgia Regiment, who were
to be shot for mutiny. There were threats of rescue, hence
this precaution. The men were tied to stakes and shot by a
detail, half only of whose guns were loaded with ball, the
other half with powder (the loading being done by others) so
no man would know that he fired the fatal shot. It was a

painful scene.

BENTONVILLE.

On 16 March the battle of Averasboro was fought and the
next morning we moved forward to meet Sherman. The
night of the 18th we camped in the woods beyond the stream
which runs through Bentonville. The next day, 19 March,
was a bright Sunday morning. Hoke’s Division lined the
road and at right angles to us was the Army of the West.
The enemy were in the angle. In the afternoon we saw the
Western army at right angles to us as it charged and took two
successive lines of breastworks, capturing the enemy’s artil-

SEVENTIETH REGIMENT. 21

lery. Several officers led the charge on horseback across an
open field in full view, with colors flying and line of battle
in such perfect order as to be able to distinguish the several
field officers in proper place and followed by a battery which
dashed at full gallop, wheeled, unlimbered and opened fire.
It looked like a picture and at our distance was truly beauti-
ful. It was gallantly done, but it was a painful sight to see
how close their battle flags were together, regiments being
scarcely larger than companies and a division not much larger
than a regiment should be. In the meantime Hoke’s Division
was sharply engaged with a corps which was trying to turn
our flank. The enemy’s large force enabled him to do this and
next morning Hoke’s Division was thrown back and formed a
new line of battle facing nearly due east, whereas the day be-
fore we had been facing southwest.

This new line the division promptly fortified with breast-
avorks hastily thrown up of logs, filled in with earth dug up
with bayonets and tin pans and a few spades and shovels. In
front of this line, two hundred yards, was the skirmish line
of each brigade. That of our brigade was commanded by
Major Walter Clark, of the First Regiment. During the
two days we held that position the enemy repeatedly charged
and sometimes drove in the skirmishers to our right and left,
but being favored by the ground or for some other cause, the
skirmishers of our brigade held their ground the entire time.
On Tuesday afternoon, the enemy having broken through to
our extreme left, threatened our communications. That
night General Johnston withdrew across the stream, having
held 70,000 of Sherman’s troops at bay with forces in the
beginning not exceeding 14,000, and at no time reaching
20,000. In many respects this was one of the most remarka-
ble battles of the war.. Sherman’s troops were evidently de-
moralized by a long course of pillaging and plunder.

Sherman did not follow our retreat, but sheered off to
Goldsboro. General Johnston’s army was encamped around
Mitchener’s depot and was reorganized 31 March, 100 Offi-
cial Records Union and Confederate Armies 732-736. On
6 April we had the last great review held of any of the Con-
federate armies and Governor Vance made one of his most

 
 

 

 

 

22 NortH Caroiina Troops, 1861-65.

inspiring speeches. No brigade there made a finer appears
ance than the Juniors. It was the largest brigade in Hoke’s
Division, nearly doubling in numbers Clingman’s, and in-
deed was the largest brigade in the whole army by the official
returns.

THE RETREAT.

On 10 April we began our final retreat. On 12 April we
passed through Raleigh, Hoke’s Division being the rear guard
and our last pickets passed through the town at midnight,
Governor Vance passed out just ahead of us and spent the
night in General Hoke’s tent about seven miles west of Ral-
eigh. We passed through Chapel Hill and the Alamance Reg-
ulator battle ground (of 16 May, 1771) and thence on up to
Red Cross in Randolph, where we halted several days await-
ing the result of the “Bennett House” surrender of 14 April.

In passing through Alamance the streams were much
swollen by recent rains, and there was great difficulty in cross-
ing and many narrow escapes from drowning occurred, espe

cially among the boys.

- The first treaty for surrender, the most creditable thing
in the career of General Sherman, having been disallowed by
President Johnson, we were again moved westward but we
were again stopped at Bush Hill, near Trinity College, by the
news that a final surrender had been made on 26 April.
There on 1 May $1.25 in silver was paid to each one
from general to private and on the next day, what was left
of the command received paroles from the commanding officer
of their respective regiments. By this time the army had
dwindled to a skeleton, the certainty of a surrender and the
unwillingness to be made prisoner having rapidly thinned
the ranks.

On the afternoon of 2 May, 1865, what was left of the
First Regiment of Junior Reserves received their paroles and
quietly dispersed to their respective homes. The regiment
was off duty forever.

We suffered, we fought, we failed, it has pleased some to
call us rebels because we had done our duty, but history will
record the names of the gallant, bright-faced buys of the

SEVENTIETH REGIMENT.

23

North Carolina Junior Reserves on that page where only

those of heroes are written.

Fayettevitie, N. C.,
2 May, 1901.

Cuartzes W. Broaproot.

 
[ESS a ET SE RI SIH

 
 

SEVENTY-FIRST KEGIMENT.

(SECOND JUNIOR RESERVES. )

 

By DAVID E. McKINNE, Caprain Company A.

 

The Second Regiment Reserves (Juniors) was formed by
the consolidation of the Second and Fifth Battalions, with

the addition of other companies.
THE SECOND BATTALION.

This battalion was composed of three companies, Company
A, Captain W. H. Overman ; Company B, Captain J. Q. Hol-
land; Company O, Captain John K. Wells, and was organized
31 May, 1864, at Camp Holmes near Raleigh, by the elec-
tion of John H. Anderson, Major. Major Anderson had
served as a private in the “Bethel” Regiment and later as
First Lieutenant Company D, Forty-eighth North Carolina,

 

and had resigned on account of wounds. His battalion 2
June was ordered to Goldsboro. There on 15 June Captain

T. ©. Rowland’s company was added, as Company D.

THE FIFTH BATTALION.

This battalion was also of three companies. Company A,
Captain A. R. Hicks; Company B, Captain J. W. Grainger,
and Company C, Captain McD. Boyd. It was organized at
Goldsboro 2 June, 1864, by electing W. F. Beasley Major.
Major Beasley had seen service as First Lieutenant Com-
pany H, Forty-eighth North Carolina Regiment. A few
days later Captain S. Spears’ company, afterwards command-
ed by Captain Corl, was added to this battalion and both these
battalions were ordered to Weldon.

ANDERSON 'S BATTALION.

SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT.

W. F. Beasley, Lieut.-Colonel. 5. Wm. H. Overman, Captain, Co. B. On 16 July at Weldon the Second and Fifth Battalions

N. A. Gregory, Major. 6. B. F. Rogers, 2d Lieut., Co. E.

D, E. McKinne, Captain, Co. A. 7. BR. M. Furman, 2d Lieut., Co. B. were combined into Anderson’s Battalion of eight compa-

J. Q. Holland, Captain, Co. C. 8. M. P. A. Ludwig, Drummer, Co. F. ‘ : a
Q I 9. J. W. Denmark, Drummer, Co. A, nies by electing Ae H. Anderson Lieutenant-Colonel and Ww.

F. Beasley Major.

 
 

 

 

 

26 Norta Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

The fall of 1864, this battalion spent at Weldon. On 4
October Captain W. S. Flynn’s company was added and on
10 October this battalion and the First Regiment of Re-
serves united in an offer of their services to go to Virginia.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCES.

The writer, in August, was assigned to duty as Adjutant of
_the post of Weldon and filled that position until called to the
command of his company by the subsequent retirement of
Captain Hicks and Lieutenant Draughon. The following
personal experiences may be of interest. On 31 August, a
dispatch came that the enemy had burnt Winton and New-
som’s and were advancing. The commander of the sub-de-
partment issued an order to Major Walter Clark, of the Sev-
entieth Regiment (First Junior Reserves) to go to the front,
and take command of the scattered companies, infantry,
cavalry or artillery in that section and keep the enemy in
check till he could send back authentic information. The
writer was ordered to accompany him as Acting Adjutant-
General. An engine and a box car containing our horses, were
obtained by an order for them from General Arnold H. Elzey,
commanding at Richmond, who happened to be passing
through Weldon. The engine ran down the Seaboard road,
ear in front, till we reached Boykins, where Lieutenant Bien-
venu, of the Louisiana Artillery, was on post with a section
of his battery. He and some of his men armed with rifles
were taken on board. Lieutenant Bienvenu and his men,
took post with us on the top of the front end of the car and
we ran down to the end of the track at Nottoway river. The
enemy had burnt a few houses but our pickets reported they
had left. Returning to Boykins the special train was sent
back to Weldon while we saddled our horses and reached
Murfreesboro by 10 o’clock at night. Off at daylight next
morning, we went to Winton to find the enemy had burnt
houses there and withdrawn. Thence we went on in the Cole-
raine section towards Pitch Landing, everywhere visiting
our cavalry outposts. Nothing more being left to be done,
we got back to Murfreesboro by dinner and here a singular
thing happened. Major Clark seeing a soldier sitting on

SEVENTY-First REGIMENT. 27

the porch with a Spencer seven-shooter, captured from the
enemy, reached out his hand to look at it, when to his sur-
prise the soldier held on to one end of it and declined to
let it go out of his hand. When we went to the stables to
order our horses, he kept at a respectful distance, but in sight.
Soon after Captain Hugh L. Cole, enrolling officer of that
district, whom we knew, came over to the hotel, and at sight
of us seemed much amused for some unknown cause, while
the soldier suddenly and mysteriously disappeared. Not till
after the war did we learn the solution. The sight of two
boys of 17, one wearing the stars of Major and the other the
bars of a Lieutenant together with our very rapid movements,
had caused some of the cavalry the former had been sent
to command to suspect we were spies and we had been vir-
tually prisoners in the hotel ‘unbeknownst to ourselves’ till
Captain Cole raised the blockade. That evening we reach-
ed Jackson, having ridden that day 72 miles, capturing on
the way a Yankee straggler and a Confederate deserter, both
of whom, with the aid of two cavalrymen, picked up by us,
we carried into Weldon next day as the sole result of our
commission to “take command of our forces on the Chowan
and skirmish with the enemy, falling back if necessary, but
sending all the information to be gathered.”

PLYMOUTH.

After this, in October, the Seventieth Regiment and An-
derson’s Battalion were ordered to Tarboro and thence to
Plymouth, where the “Albemarle” had just been blown up
by Lieutenant W. B. Cushing, of the Federal Navy. After
a forced march, just as we were nearly to Plymouth, we met
the Fiftieth Nerth Carolina, which had been forced to evac-
uate the town by the Federal fleet now that their dreaded en-
emy, the iron-clad “Albemarle,” was out of the way. An-
derson’s Battalion returned to Tarboro and thence to Wel-
don, leaving the First Regiment at Fort Branch near Ham-
ilton.

SECOND REGIMENT ORGANIZED.

On 7 December the company of Captain W. R. Williams
was added, making a full regiment, of which Jno. H. Ander-

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28 Norra Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

son was elected Colonel, W. F. Beasley Lieutenant-Colonel,
and N. A. Gregory Major. W. G. Hunter, of Salisbury, was
appointed Adjutant; J. P. Jordan, Assistant Surgeon ; Chas.
R. Ramseur, of Lincoln, Sergeant-Major; C. F. Bisaner, of
Lineolnton, Commissary Sergeant; J. W. Worth, Quarter-
master Sergeant.

The companies as finally reorganized and relettered, were
as follows (including all the officers from the beginning) :

Company A—Wayne and Duplin—Captains, Albert R.
Hicks, of Duplin, David E. McKinne, of Wayne; First Lieu-
tenant, James Walter Draughan, of Sampson; Second Lieu-
tenants, David E. McKinne and Buckner H. Smith, of
Wayne, and Hugh F. Murray, of Pitt.

Company B—Rowan—Captain, W. H. Overman; First
Lieutenant, Nevin D. Fetzer; Second Lieutenants, J. J.
Trotter and Turner P. Trotter, all of Rowan.

Company C—Lincoln and Gaston—Captain, J. Q. Hol-
land, of Gaston; First Lieutenant, J. A. Beale, of Bertie;
Second Lieutenants, L. M. Hoffman of Gaston, C. F. Bisaner
of Lincoln, G. F. Lucas and J. N. Hopper.

Company D—Cleveland and Rutherford—Captain, J. K.
Wells, of Cleveland ; First Lieutenant, H. G. Logan, of Ruth-
erford; Second Lieutenants, J. G. Falls, Jr., of Cleveland,
H. H. Weatherman and R. J. Durham.

Company E—Cabarrus—Captains, S. Spears and G. F. C.
Corl, of Cabarrus; First Lieutenants, W. G. Hunter of
Rowan, Thos. J. Shinn of Cabarrus; Second Lieutenants,
Frank Winecoff, John O. Wallace and B. F. Rogers of Ca-
barrus, and W. R. Hines of Edgeemobe.

Company F—Union—Captain T. C. Rowland ; First Lieu-
tenant, B. H. Benton; Second Lieutenants, S. R. Robinson
and H. E. Nelson.

Company G—Greene and Lenoir—Captain, Jesse W.
Grainger, of Lenoir; First Lieutenant, Samuel Laughing-
house of Pitt; Second Lieutenants, J. Ed. Clarke of Pitt,
Jno. F. Humphrey of Wayne, Charles S. Smith of Halifax.

Company H—Pitt, Johnston and Wilson—Captains,
McD. Boyd and Joseph J. Laughinghouse; First Lieutenants,

SEvenTY-First REGIMENT. 29

J. J. Laughinghouse, Benj. Sheppard; Second Lieutenants,
R. B. Anderson, —. —. Smith, all of Pitt, and Robert M.
Furman, of Franklin.

Company I—Beaufort, Hyde and Tyrrell—Captain Wil-
liam §. Flynn, of Beaufort (previously in United States
Army); First Lieutenant, Samuel Selby, of Hyde; Second
Lieutenants, John W. Wilkinson and John Adams.

Jompany K—Halifax—Captain, W. R. Williams; First
Lieutenant, David C. Whitaker; Second Lieutenants, W. K.
Martin, Jr., and W. T. Purnell, all of Halifax.

This last company had done provost duty at Weldon from
its organization in May, 1864. Captain Williams had been
Captain Company F, Forty-third Regiment, and had resigned
on account of wounds. It had been attached to the Seven-
tieth North Carolina as Company K, 4 July, when it was
first organized, but subsequently Captain Jno. A. Manning’s
company was substituted.

BELFIELD, VA.

On 8 December, the regiment, together with six companies
of the Seventieth Regiment (First Juniors), hastily ordered
from Hamilton, and the Seventh Battalion (French’s),
Eighth Battalion (Ellington’s), and Ninth (Millard’s) bat-
talion, all of Junior Reserves, ordered from Wilmington,
were sent to Belfield, Va., to meet the advance of Warren’s
Corps. The Junior Battalions from Wilmington were un-
der the command of Colonel George Jackson. They were
there under the enemy’s fire for the first time and followed
the enemy several miles on his retreat. The weather was
intensely cold and the boys, poorly clad and badly fed, suffer-
ed terribly from exposure, though only a few were killed or
wounded in the fight. For their conduct in this expedition,
the Legislature of North Carolina passed a special vote of
thanks to the Junior Reserves.

COLERAINE EXPEDITION.

In January, the regiment was joined by Millard’s Battal-
ion and sent to Coleraine, on the Chowan, to meet an expected
advance of the enemy. The command forded rivers,

 
 

aie ae EE Le

 

 

30 Nortu Carouina Troops, 1861-’65.

marched in the rain without tents at night, with almost no
camp equipage, to find that the enemy had withdrawn. On
our return, we were ordered to Goldsboro, thence to Kin-
ston where the three regiments of Junior Reserves (Seventi-
eth, Seventy-first and Seventy-second North Carolina) and
Millard’s Battalion—being all the Juniors—were placed in
a brigade commanded by Colonel F. S. Armistead and en-
camped on the north of the railroad, about one mile west of
the residence of John C, Washington.

SOUTH WEST CREEK.

The enemy advancing from New Bern on 6 March, we
erossed the river with Hoke’s Division (to which we were
thenceforward attached) and other troops and marched down
to South West Creek four or five miles below Kinston, where
we were on the left of our army, the right of our brigade rest-
ing on the county road which runs north of the railroad. For
some reason, Millard’s Battalion was not with us in this bat-
tle, but was placed farther to the right. On the afternoon
of the 8th we crossed the creek in our front on an improvised
bridge and as soon as the brigade was formed in line, we
moved forward in handsome style and drove back the enemy
in front of us. After dark General Hoke put himself at our
head, some other troops being added, and we moved by the
left flank down the road towards Neuse river, the object being
to turn the enemy’s right flank. About midnight, scouts
came in with information which caused General Hoke to or-
der us to retrace our steps and by daylight we were again
in our intrenchments west of the creek, which we had marched
out of the afternoon before.

As news came that Sherman was coming up by way of
Fayetteville on the 11th, we were withdrawn, passing through
Kinston. We marched through Goldsboro on to Smithfield,
where we united with the Western army and saw General
Joseph E. Johnston. Hn route, on 15 March the brigade
which at the battle of South West Creek was commanded by
General L. S. Baker, was placed under Colonel John H.
Nethereutt, of the Sixty-sixth North Carolina, and that gal-
lant officer and good fighter remained with us to the close.

SEVENTY-F irst REGIMENT, 81.

BENTONVILLE.

On 17 March the army took up the movement to meet
Sherman. On the night of the 18th we encamped just be-
yond Bentonville. The next day was a bright Sunday morn-
ing, and we were in the fight on the left of Hoke’s Division.
In the afternoon we witnessed the gallant charge of our de-
pleted army of the West when it charged and took two succes-
sive lines from the enemy. His overwhelming numbers,
however, enabled Sherman to out-flank us on our left during
the night and next morning our line of battle which had faced
southwest on Sunday was thrown back and faced nearly due
east. This line was strengthened by a hasty breastwork of
logs and dirt which we held, against all assaults, on the 20th
and 21st. On the night of the latter day the enemy having
outflanked us again on our left we quietly withdrew, and
leisurely fell back to Mitchener’s depot. Sherman did not
pursue, but moved on to Goldsboro to join the column from
New Bern which we had met at South West Creek. The
conduct of the Junior Brigade at Bentonville was admirable
and elicited high praise not only from Colonel Netherecutt,
commanding the brigade, but from Generals Hoke and Har-
dee, commanding the division and the Corps. General Jos.
E. Johnston in his published writings since the war has added
his encomiums. Our loss in killed and wounded was report-
ed as 41. For three days with 14,000 men, at no time, with
all reinforcements, reaching 20,000, Johnston had held at
bay Sherman’s 70,000, and had fought one of the most re-
markable battles of the war.

At Mitchener’s depot, the army was reorganized and took
a much needed rest. On 6 April we had a grand review, the
last held in the Confederate armies. The Junior Brigade
was the largest on the parade. Governor Vance was present
and made one of his most stirring speeches.

THE RETREAT.

On 9 April General Lee surrendered at Appomattox. On
the next day, we began our retreat simultaneously with Sher-
man’s advance from Goldsboro. On 12 April we passed
through Raleigh, Hoke’s Division being the rear guard.

 
 

 

 

 

32 Norty Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

Here a few of the officers heard of Lee’s surrender, but it
was not known to the army at large. At midnight, our last
pickets passed through and early on the 13th the United
States forces took possession of the Capital of the State.

We encamped the night of the 12th about seven miles west
of Raleigh. Next morning our army divided, part going
via Hillsboro to Greensboro, while Hardee’s Corps, to which
we belonged, took the route through Chapel Hill and via Al
amance batile ground. Haw river and Alamance creek were
greatly swollen by the rains and with great difficulty were
crossed.

A striking incident of the crossing is thus related by Lieu-
tenant R. M. Furman, of our regiment (since State Auditor).
One of the smaller boys disappearing under the water, a
taller and stouter comrade grabbed him and pulled him up,
he dived down a second and third time and on being pulled up
his comrades, suspecting an attempt at suicide, asked what he
meant. “Why,” said the little fellow, shivering and drip-
ping, “My gun’s down thar and I’m trying to git hat.”

THE SURRENDER.

We halted several days at Red Cross, in Randolph, to await,
as it turned out, President Johnson’s action on the Johnson-
Sherman treaty made at the Bennett house near Durham 14
April. This being disapproved at Washington, we again
moved westward but the definite surrender of 26 April near
Greensboro having been arranged, we were again halted at
Bush Hill, half way between Trinity College and High
Point. This proved our last march and our last halting place
as Confederate soldiers. After it became apparent that a
surrender was at hand, many left, fearing a prison. At
our last halt $1.25 in silver was paid to each man in the army
without respect to rank and at the close the mule teams were
divided among the members of the regiment to which the
wagons belonged.

On 1 May, Major-General Robert F. Hoke, who was one
of the youngest and best generals in the army and command-
ed our division, issued the following farewell address to the

division.

SEVENTY-First REGIMENT. 33

“Soldiers of my Division:

“On the eve of a long, perhaps final separation, I desire to
address to you the last sad words of parting.

“The fortunes of war have turned the scales against us.
The proud banners which you have waved so gloriously on
many a field are to be furled at last; but they are not dis-
graced. My comrades, your indomitable courage, your
heroic fortitude, your patience under suffering have sur-
rounded these with a halo which future years cannot dim.
History will bear witness to your valor and succeeding gener-
ations will point with admiration to your grand struggle for
constitutional freedom. Soldiers, your past is full of glory.
Treasure it in your hearts. Remember each gory battle field,
each day of victory, each bleeding comrade. Think then of
your future.

‘* Freedom’s battle once begun,
Bequeathed from bleeding sire to son,
Though baffled oft, is ever won.”

“You have yielded to overwhelming forces, not to supe
rior valor; you are paroled prisoners, not slaves; the love of
liberty which led you in the contest still burns as brightly in
your hearts as ever, cherish it, nourish it, associate it with
the history of the past. Transmit to your children, teach
them the rights of freemen and teach them to maintain them;
teach them that the proudest day in all your proud career
was that on which you enlisted as a Southern soldier, entering
that holy brotherhood whose ties are now sealed in the blood
of your compatriots, who have fallen and whose history is
covered with the brilliant records of the past four years.

“Soldiers amid the imperishable laurels that surmount
your brows, no brighter leaf adorns you than your late con-
nection with the Army of Northern Virginia. The star that
shone with splendor over its oft repeated field of victory, over
the two deadly struggles of Manassas Plains, Richmond,
Chancellorsville and -Fredericksburg has sent its rays and
been reflected wherever true courage is admired and wherever
freedom has a friend. That star has set in blood, but yet in
glory. That army is now of the past. Its banners trail, but

3

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

34 Norru Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

not with ignominy ; no stain blots its escutcheon, no blood can
tinge your face as you proudly announce that you have a part
in the past history of the Army of Northern Virginia.

“My comrades, we have borne together the same hard-
ships, we have braved the same dangers, Wwe have rejoiced
over the same victory ; your trials and your patience have ex-
cited sympathy and admiration and I have borne willing wit- .
ness to your bravery. It is with a heart full of grateful emo-
tion for your service and ready obedience that I take leave of
you.
“May the future of every one of you be as happy as your
past career has been brilliant and no cloud ever dim the
brightness of your fame. The past looms before me in its
illuminating grandeur. Its memories are a part of the past
life of each one of you; but it is all now over. The sad, dark
veil of defeat is between us and a life time of sorrow is our
only heritage.

“You carry to your home the heartfelt wishes of your Gen-
eral for your prosperity.

“My command, farewell!
“R. F. Hoxz,

“Major-General.
“Headquarters Hoke’s Division, near Greensboro, N. C.,
1 May, 1865.”

On 2 May, 1865, we fell in ranks for the last time
and our paroles were given to each man and dividing
into squads, we took our several ways to our homes, where
“amid departed hopes there lingered (for many) the melan-
choly attractions of the grave.” Those days have passed, so
has our youth. The Juniors are now more than Seniors, but
while one of our regiment remains, he will always say with
pride “I belonged to the Second Regiment of the North Caro-
lina Junior Reserves.”

Davin E. McKinnz.

Princeton, N. C.
2 May, 1901.
hn W. Hinsdale, Colonel.
. w Poster French, Lieut.-Colonel.

SEVENTY-SECOND REGIMENT.

5. H.W. Connelly, 2d Lieut., Co. C.
6. J. M. Bandy, 2d Lieut., Co. E.
D. S. Reid, 2d Lieut., Co. K.

eer a6 tan. Or & C. W. Taylor, Orderly Sergt., Co. Cc.

. Jno. W. Harper,

2d Lieut., Co. C.
. %. J. L. McGimpsey, Private, Co. B.

SEVENTY-SECOND KEGIMENT.

(THIRD JUNIOR RESERVES.)

By JOHN W. HINSDALE, Cotonet.

It affords the writer pleasure to respond to the invitation
of Judge Walter Clark, himself a distinguished officer of the
boy-soldiers, to make a lasting memorial of the courage and
heroism of the brave and patriotic lads who composed the
Third Regiment of Junior Reserves, known since the war as
the Seventy.second Regiment of North Carolina Troops. It
is to be regretted that the task has not been performed at an
earlier day, before the stirring scenes in which these youths
took so conspicuous a part have faded into the dim outline of
a shadowy dream. Some inaccuracies must now necessarily
creep into this sketch. Fortunately, the writer was Assist-
ant Adjutant-General of Lieutenant-General Theophilus H.
Holmes, who commanded the Reserves of North Carolina,
and has in his possession many valuable records pertaining
to that office, access to which has been of great assistance in
the preparation of this regimental history.

It is deemed not inappropriate here to narrate some things
of a general nature concerning the Reserves.

The year 1863 closed with depression and gloom through-
out our young Confederacy. Missouri, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Tennessee and the Arkansas and Mississippi Valleys had
been lost. Vicksburg, with its ill-fated commander, had sur-
rendered. Gettysburg, in spite of the heroic efforts of Caro-
lina’s best and bravest, had been turned by Longstreet’s de-
fault into a Union victory. All of our ports had been block-
aded. Sherman with his army of bummers, was preparing
for his infamous march through Georgia and the Carolinas in
which he emulated the atrocities of the Duke of Alva, pro-
claiming as his excuse that “War is hell,” and violating, with
fire and sword, every principle of civilized warfare. Grant

 
 

 

 

 

36 Norte Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

had been placed in command of all the Union armies and was
preparing to take personal charge of a campaign of attrition
against the Army of Northern Virginia, willing to swap five
for one in battle, if need be, in order to exhaust his straitened
adversary—a process by which with his unlimited resources
of men, he knew he was bound to win in the end.

Tt was under such dire distress that the Confederate Con-
gress 17 February, 1864, aroused to a full sense of the magni-
tude of the struggle, and recognizing the necessity for putting
forth our whole strength in the contest for Southern inde
pendence, passed an act for the enrollment of the Junior and
Senior Reserves—the former, lads between 17 and 18 years—
the latter, old men, between 45 and 50 years thus, in the
language of President Davis, “robbing the cradle and the

ave.” .
cae eae al T. H. Holmes was entrusted by Pres:
ident Davis with the organization of the reserve forces in
North Carolina. A true son of the Old North State, he had
promptly responded to her call, and resigning a Major’s com-
mission in the United States Army, had been appointed by
the President first Colonel, then Brigadier, then Major-Gen-
eral and finally Lieutenant-General. As courageous as 4
lion, he was as gentle as a woman. At the battle of Hele-
na, Arkansas, amid a storm of shot and shell, with a cool-
ness which the writer has never seen surpassed, he rode into
Graveyard Hill, upon which was concentrated the fire at short
range of fifty cannon and five thousand muskets. It was a
daring and fearless ride. Like General Pettigrew, he was
one of the few men who declined promotion. Well does the
writer remember the receipt by General Holmes, when com-
manding the Trans-Mississippi Department in Little Rock, of
a Lieutenant-General’s commission, all unsought and unex-
pected. He at once dictated a letter to the President, declin-
ing with grateful thanks the high honor and requesting him
to bestow it upon a worthier man, It was only upon Mr.
Davis’ insistance that the promotion was afterwards accepted.

Mr. Davis in his “Rise and Fall of the Confederate Gov-
ernment,” says of him:

‘He has passed beyond the reach of censure or of praise,

SEVENTY-SECOND REGIMENT. Sk

after serving his country on many fields wisely and well. I,
who knew him from our school boy days, who served with
him in garrison and in the field, and with pride watched him
as he gallantly led a storming party up the rocky height at
Monterey, and was intimately acquainted with his whole
career during our sectional war, bear willing testimony to the
purity, self abnegation, generosity, fidelity and gallantry
which characterized him as a man and as a soldier.” <A
truer, braver, purer heart never beat under the Confederate
grey.

General Holmes on 28 April, 1864, established his head-
quarters at Raleigh, N. C., and undertook the task of or-
ganizing the Reserves of the State. His staff consisted
of Lieutenant-Colonel Frank S. Armistead, a graduate of
West Point, as Inspector-General. He was later elected Col-
onel of the First Regiment of Junior Reserves and was after-
wards assigned to the command of the brigade consisting of
the first three regiments. He was recommended by General
Holmes for the appointment of Brigadier-General in terms
of high praise.

Captain John W. Hinsdale, as Assistant Adjutant-Gen-
eral, who had served in this capacity on the staffs of Gen-
erals Pettigrew at Seven Pines, and Pender, through the
Seven Days’ Fight around Richmond, and also with General
Holmes in the Trans-Mississippi.

First Lieutenants Theophilus H. Holmes, Jr., and Charles
W. Broadfoot, Aides-de-Camp. The first, a mere boy, soon
afterwards gave his young life to his country while gallantly
leading a cavalry charge near Ashland, Virginia. The lat-
ter, a member of the Bethel Regiment, rose from private to
Colonel of the First Junior Reserves, and is now one of the
first lawyers of the upper Cape Fear.

First Lieutenant Graham Daves was appointed Aide-de-
Camp after the death of young Holmes and the promotion of
Lieutenant Broadfoot. He was a brave and efficient officer of
scholarly attainments and high integrity. A. W. Lawrence,
of Raleigh, was appointed ordnance officer, and Dr. Thomas
Hill, now an eminent physician of Goldsboro, was appointed

‘Medical Director.

 
Se CL aE SEE oe

SSE |

 

 

 

38 Norto Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

Major Charles S. Stringfellow, now one of Richmond’s
most distinguished lawyers, succeeded Captain Hinsdale as
Assistant Adjutant-General upon the latter’s promotion.

ORGANIZATION OF REGIMENT.

The Third Regiment of Junior Reserves was formed 3
January, 1865, by the consolidation of the Fourth Battalion,
commanded by Major J. M. Reece; the Seventh Battalion,
commanded by Major W. F. French; and the Eighth Battal-
ion, commanded by Major J. B. Ellington. It is proper,
therefore, to give an account of their services as separate or-
ganizations.

THE FOURTH BATTALION.

The Fourth Battalion, four hundred strong, was organs
ized at Camp Holmes, near Raleigh, N. C., on 80 May, 1864,
by the election of J. M. Reece, of Greensboro, Major; John
S. Peseud, of Raleigh, was appointed Adjutant. Peseud
was a brave, true-hearted lad, and is now an honored citizen
of Raleigh. The battalion was sent to Goldsboro 2 June.

It was composed of the following companies:

Company A—From Guilford County—John W. Pitts,

Captain; J. N. Crouch, First Lieutenant; T. A. Parsons and
George M. Glass, Second Lieutenants.

Upon the resignation of all the company officers, W. W.
King was elected First Lieutenant and Davis S. Reid Second
Lieutenant. The former was in command of the company

at Fort Fisher, Kinston and Bentonville. He also acted 23

Regimental Adjutant for a time, when D. S. Reid com-
manded the company. Both of these officers were intelligent,
brave and efficient.

Company B—From Alamance and Forsyth Counties—A.
L. Laneaster, Captain; A. M. Craig, First Lieutenant; Wil-
liam May and C. B. Pfohl, Second Lieutenants.

Company C—From Stokes and Person Counties—R. F.
Dalton, Captain; G. Mason, First Lieutenant; G. W. Yan-
cey and J. H. Shackelford, Second Lieutenants.

Company D—From Rockingham—A. B. Ellington, Cap-
tain; J. P. Ellington, First Lieutenant; F. M. Hamlin and
William Fewell, Second Lieutenants. This company was

SEVENTY-SECOND REGIMENT. 39

added to the Battalion 15 June. Captain Ellington was pro-
moted to the Majority when the regiment was formed.

Lieutenant J. P. Ellington in July, 1864, was drowned
in Masonboro Sound, while in the discharge of his duty as of-
ficer of the day, visiting the pickets on the beach. His body
was recovered by exploding torpedoes in the sound.

Lieutenant F. M. Hamlin was promoted to the First Lieu-
tenancy and commanded the company until he was made Ad-
jutant of the regiment.

The battalion soon after its organization’ was ordered to
Goldsboro to report to Brigadier-General L. S. Baker, com-
manding the district of Southern Virginia and Eastern
North Carolina. It was sent thence to Kinston and there
did guard and picket duty. On 15 June it was ordered to
report to Colonel Frank S. Armistead at Weldon. He had
been placed in command of the defences at that point. On
26 June the battalion was ordered to report to General W. H.
C. Whiting, at Wilmington, the only remaining port of the
Confederacy. The battalion thereupon was stationed at Camp
Davis near Wilmington, on Masonboro Sound, under com-
mand of Colonel George Jackson, an efficient officer, and
did picket and guard duty on the sound and the beach to pre-
vent the landing of the enemy, the escape of slaves to the
blockaders and all communication with the passing vessels.
It was here that young Ellington, of Company D, lost his life,
crossing the Sound in a storm while on his rounds as officer of
the day. He was a zealous and capable officer. The salt
works, from which large supplies of salt were obtained for the
army, were in the vicinity of this camp, and were guarded by
the battalion.

From Camp Davis the battalion moved to Sugar Loaf, on
the Cape Fear River, about fifteen miles below Wilmington,
six miles above Fort Fisher and one mile from the ocean,
where it drilled and did guard and picket duty. “Sugsr
Loaf” is a singular formation. It is a high sand hill run-
ning from the river bank half way across the peninsula, stecy
on the exterior, but sloping on all sides to a basin in the cen-
tre. Itis a natural fortification, which the engineering skill
of General Whiting, by fosse and rampart, had converted

 
 

 

 

 

40 Nortu Caroiina Troops, 1861-’65.

into an impregnable intrenched camp, containing perhaps
one hundred acres.

On 9 December, 1864, the battalion went from Sugar Loaf
to Belfield, Virginia, in company with the Seventh and
Eighth Battalions. Its future movements will be described
in connection with the other two batteries.

THE SEVENTH BATTALION.

The Seventh Battalion, 300 strong, was organized at Camp
Lamb, near Wilmington, in June, 1864, by the election of W.
F. French, of Lumberton, Major, and E. F. McDaniel, of
Fayetteville, was appointed Adjutant. This battalion was
composed of the following companies:

Company A—From Cumberland, Robeson and Harnett
Counties—T. L. Hybart, Captain; D. 8. Byrd, First Lieuten-
ant; ©. ©. McLellan and C. S. Love, Jr., Second Lieuten-

ants.
Upon the death of Captain Hybert, on 9 September, D. S.

Byrd was promoted to the Captaincy.

Company B—F rom New Hanover, Brunswick and Colum-
bus Counties—John D. Kerr, Captain; J. B. Williams, First
Lieutenant; E. H. Moore and B. F. Gore, Second Lieuten-
ants.

Company C—From Richmond County—Donald Mc-
Queen, Captain; A. B. McCollum, First Lieutenant; A. C.
McFadyen and S. A. Barfield, Second Lieutenants.

The battalion did guard duty at Wilmington until the mid-
dle of July. Here Captain Donald McQueen died of typhoid
fever on 25 June. He was a fine soldier, an honor to his
name and to his cause. Lieutenant McCollum succeeded him
in command of the company.

On the night of 3 July, 1864, Lieutenant Cushing, of the
Federal Navy (the same who blew up the Confederate ram
“Albemarle” at Plymouth), with a few detailed men, entered
the Confederate headquarters at Smithville (now Southport)
and carried off General Paul O. Hebert’s Adjutant-General
to the Federal fleet. Thereupon the Seventh Battalion was
ordered from Wilmington to Smithville for its protection.

SEVENTY-SECOND REGIMENT. 41

It camped in a beautiful grove of live oaks back of the town.
Here it did its full share of guard and picket duty under the
command of General Hebert, an old officer who had served
with distinction in Mexico and had been Governor of Louis-
jana. It was here that Captain T. L. Hybart, of Fayetteville,
was stricken with typhoid fever and died 9 September, 1864.
He was one of the best officers in the command, and had: he
lived and the war continued, would have made his mark.
The battalion remained at Smithville until 9 December when,
with the Fourth and Eighth Battalions, all under Colonel
Jackson, it moved to Belfield, Virginia, to repel a Federal
raid.
THE EIGHTIU BATTALION.

The Eighth Battalion, 300 hundred strong, was organized
at Camp Vance, near Morganton, N. C., on 7 June, by the
election of James B. Ellington (First Lieutenant in Com-
pany D, Sixty-first North Carolina Regiment), as Major.
It was composed of the following companies:

Company A—F rom Iredell County—W. G. Watson, Cap-
tain; George Rufus White, First Lieutenant; Amos M. Guy
and Sinclair Preston Steele, Second Lieutenants.

Japtain Watson resigned in January, 1865, for the pur-
pose of joining a cavalry regiment in Lee’s army. He re-
turned home to procure his outfit for the service, but was
captured by Stoneman and sent to prison in Louisville, Ky.
He is now the excellent and popular clerk of the Superior
Court of Rowan County. Upon his resignation, Lieutenant
White was promoted to the Captaincy.

Sompany B—lrom Catawba—J. R. Gaither, Captain; J.
M. Lawrence, First Lieutenant (both captured at Fort
Fisher) ; Charles Wilfong and J. M. Bandy, Second Lieu-
tenants.

Lieutenant Wilfong resigned after the battle of Kinston,
and Lieutenant Bandy thereafter until the surrender, com-
manded the company. He made a fine officer. After the
war he was for a number of years a professor in Trinity Col-
lege. He now resides in Greensboro, where as a civil] engineer
he ranks high in his profession. Sergeant James M. Barkley

 
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42 Norra Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

was elected Second Lieutenant and F, H. Busbee Junior Sec-
ond Lieutenant. Both of them were excellent officers. Lieu-
tenant Barkley is now an able and eminent minister of the
Gospel in Detroit, Mich. I am indebted to him for many
data which I have incorporated into this sketch. Lieutenant
Busbee is now one of the first lawyers of the State—a bril-
liant advocate and a wise and learned counsellor.

Company C—From Burke and Caldwell Counties—Lam-
bert A. Bristol, Captain; Marcus G. Tuttle, First Lieuten-
ant; George T. Dula and Horace W. Connelly, Second Lieu-
tenants.

George T. Dula resigned and John W. Harper was elected
Junior Second Lieutenant. He soon thereafter laid down
his young life on his country’s altar. He was killed at the
battle of Kinston.

The battalion remained for some days at Camp Vance and
was drilled by Lieutenant Bullock, a drill master. On 24
June, it was ordered to Raleigh and at Camp Holmes was
uniformed and equipped with small rifles, which were very
inferior and quite dangerous—to the “man behind the gun.”
On 26 June the battalion was ordered to Wilmington. It
went into camp at Camp Davis. It afterwards did picket
and patrol duty on Masonboro and Wrightsville Sounds under
Colonel George Jackson. On 4 August it was ordered to re-
port to General L. S. Baker, at Goldsboro, but returned to
Wilmington 16 August and was again placed under Colonel
Jackson’s command at Masonboro Sound.

On 2 September, under orders from the War Department,
Major Ellington, who when elected Major was disabled from
active service by wounds, and who afterwards recovered, was
relieved of his command and sent to his company near
Petersburg, Virginia. He was soon afterwards killed at
Fort Harrison, Virginia. Major Ellington was a gallant
officer and much beloved by the boys. It was a mistake to
have relieved him. General Holmes afterwards secured a
ruling of the War Department by which the officers of the
Junior Reserves after they reached the age of 18, were re
tained. But the privates and non-commissioned officers were

SEVENTY-SECOND REGIMENT. 43

‘still required to be sent to General Lee as fast as they became
eighteen years old.

Captain William G. Watson succeeded Major Ellington in
the command of the battalion. In the fall, the battalion was
ordered to Sugar Loaf, on the Cape Fear river, where for
several months it did picket duty, drilled, ete. On 10 Decem-
ber it was ordered to Belfield, Va., under Colonel Jackson.
Its further career will be traced in connection with the
Fourth and Seventh Battalions from which it never after sep-
arated until Johnston’s surrender.

BELFIELD, VA.

On 8 December, 1864, General Whiting was notified by
General Lee that the Fifth and Second Corps of Grant’s
army, with Bragg’s Division of Cavalry, were moving under
General Warren upon Weldon, and that they were near Bel-
field and that Hill and Hampton were following them. One
object of this raid was to destroy the railroad bridge at Wel-
don and thus cut off supplies for Lee’s army from that direc-
tion. General Whiting at once ordered Colonel George Jack-
son to proceed with the Fourth, Seventh, Eighth and Ninth
Battalions of Junior Reserves and four pieces of Paris’ Artil-
lery with three days’ cooked rations, to Weldon, and there
report for temporary service to General Leventhorpe, com-
manding. ~ The latter, an Englishman by birth, was the first
Colonel first of the Thirty-fourth and then of the Eleventh
North Carolina Regiments, and had done splendid service in
clearing the enemy from the Roanoke river and in defending
the Wilmington & Weldon Railway.

The four battalions assembled in Wilmington from Sugar
Loaf and Smithville. Through the efforts of Major French,
the troops were here shod. They were placed on flat cars
and thus exposed, were transported to Weldon. ‘The weather
was intensely cold. More than once the train had to be
stopped, fires made in the woods and some of the boys lifted
from the train and carried to the fires and thawed out. Many
went to sleep in their wet clothes to find them frozen stiff
upon awakening. This suffering was undergone without a
murmur. The old guard of Napoleon on the retreat from

 
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44 Nort Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

Moscow, never displayed more heroism and fortitude than
did the boy-soldiers—the Young Guard of the Confederacy.

Under the law, the reserves could not be required to cross
their State lines, but without hesitation and without an ex-
ception, the brave boys at Weldon hurried on to Belfield, Vir-
ginia, there to meet the invading foe. The Federals with-
drew, leaving their dead unburied, after a sharp fire and re-
pulse from the reserves who had just reached the battlefield,
and the latter joined in the pursuit across the Meherrin river
at Hicks’ Ford. On 17 December, 1864, the General Assem-
bly of North Carolina, recognizing their heroism, passed the
following resolutions :

“Wuerras, The Legislature has heard with satisfaction
of the good conduct of the officers and soldiers of the Junior
Reserves and Home Guards, who volunteered to cross the
State line into Virginia, in order to repel the late advance of
the public enemy on Weldon; therefore,

“Resolved, That the officers and soldiers of the Junior Re-
serves and Home Guards, so acting, deserve the commenda-
tion of their fellow citizens, and are entitled to the thanks of
this Legislature.

“Resolved, That a copy of these proceedings be transmitted
to Lieutenant-General Holmes and Major-General R. C. Gat-
lin, that it may be communicated to the commands which
they are intended to honor.”

From Belfield the four battalions, together with the First
and Second Regiments of Junior Reserves, were ordered, un-
der Colonel Leventhorpe, to Tarboro to repel a Federal raid
from Washington, N. C. The command moved to Hamilton,
some miles below Tarboro. The enemy retired upon the ad-
vance of the Confederate troops. The battalions remained
there a day or two and returned to Tarboro. The troops
camped about a mile northeast of the town for several days.
The boys were without overcoats, tent flies or tents, and lay
upon the bare ground in the rain and sleet and snow Many
of them were frost bitten A good old farmer along side
whose fence the boys camped on the first night of their stay,
kindly gave them leave to start their fires by using the top rail
of his fence. When he came back next morning there was

SEVENTY-SECOND REGIMENT. 45

not a rail to be seen. When he remonstrated, saying that
they had taken more than he had given them leave to take,
one wag said: “No, sir; as long as there was a top rail,

. we had your permission to burn it. We never took any but

the top rail” The old man laughed good naturedly and
left.

The severity of the experience of the Reserves on the Bel-
field expedition may be realized when it is stated that
although they had been in camp over six months and had
been somewhat enured to a soldier’s life, over one-half of them
were sent to the hospital when the battalion returned to Wil-
mington.

The command marched thence to Goldsboro and by train
was conveyed to Wilmington, and thence back to Sugar Loaf.
There they remained under the command of General W. W.
Kirkland until the battle of Fort Fisher. This officer was
a splendid fighter and a superb soldier. He was Colonel of
the Twenty-first North Carolina Regiment, and afterwards
commanded Early’s Brigade, Pettigrew’s Division. He had
taken part in many of the desperate battles of Virginia and
had been twice severely wounded. He was transferred to
Wilmington late in December and established his headquar-
ters at Sugar Loaf.

FIRST ATTACK ON FORT FISHER.

The three battalions composing the Third Regiment of
Junior Reserves participated brilliantly in the defence of
Fort Fisher, when attacked by General B. F. Butler and Ad-
miral Porter on 23, 24 and 25 December, 1864.

Fort Fisher was located on the point of a narrow penin-

‘ sula which extends southwardly from New Inlet between the

ocean and Cape Fear river, near its mouth. It defended
Wilmington, the last remaining port through which army
supplies, ammunition, clothing and food for Lee’s Army
were brought in by blockade runners. Under its guns, the
“‘Ad-Vance” brought in supplies of inestimable value to our
North Carolina troops. Its defence was of supreme import-
ance to the Confederacy. It was an earthen fort of an irreg-
wlar form, with bastions at the angles. The land face, 250

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

46 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

yards long, was continuous from ocean to river. The sea
face was 1,300 yards long. Both faces were mounted with
heavy guns, mortars and light artillery, presenting a formid-

able front to the enemy. It was the strongest earthwork .

built by the Confederacy, really, as Admiral Porter said,
“stronger than the Malakoff tower which defied so long the
combined power of France and England. Two miles above
the fort were the Half Moon and the Flag Pond Batteries,
and a mile and a quarter below, and at the extreme end of the
peninsula, Battery Buchanan with four heavy guns.

When Butler’s expedition of 8,000 men set forth against
it, the fort was garrisoned by only 667 men—a totally inad-
equate force for its defence. General Butler, with General
Weitzel and his troops, appeared in transports off New Inlet,
near Fort Fisher, on 15 December. The navy under Ad-
miral Porter, did not appear until the 18th. He had col-
lected the largest and most formidable naval expedition of
modern times. The weather being stormy, prevented any

hostile operations until the 23d. On the night of the 23d,

Admiral Porter anchored a powder ship, containing 215 tons
of powder, about 800 yards from the northeast salient of the
fort. It was anticipated that the explosion of this mass of
powder would greatly impair, if not destroy, the works, and
the least effect expected was that the garrison would be so par-
alyzed and stunned as to offer but small resistance to subse-
quent attacks. The explosion did no more harm than a Chi-
nese fire-cracker. Colonel William Lamb, then in command
of the fort, wired General Whiting at Wilmington that one of
the enemy’s fleet had blown up, so little impression did it
make on him. :
General Benjamin F. Butler, of New Orleans fame, in his
autobiography, gives an amusing account of an interview
with Major Reece, who commanded the Fourth Battalion of
Junior Reserves and was captured at Fort Fisher. Butler
says: “TI inquired of him where he was the night before last
(the night of the explosion of the powder boat). He said
he was lying two miles and a half up the beach. I asked
him if he had heard the powder vessel explode. He said he
did not know what it was, but supposed a boat had blown up,

SEVENTY-SEconD REGIMENT. 47

that it jumped him and his men who were lying upon the
ground, like pop-corn in a popper, to use his expression.” It
is hard to tell which most to admire. Butler’s gullibility or
Reece’s “jollying” extravagance.

The next day, 24 December, was employed by Porter in
bombarding the fort, dropping into it as many as 130 shells
a minute. At this time the three battalions of Junior Re
serves, about 800 strong, were encamped near Sugar Loaf, six
miles up the Cape Fear river from the fort. On the night
of the 24th, the Fourth, Seventh and Eighth battalions were
assembled at Sugar Loaf under Brigadier-General William
W. Kirkland. Major French had been temporarily assigned
to the command of a regiment of Senior Reserves, but at his
request was permitted to return to his own command and fol-
low its fortunes. General Whiting directed General Kirk-
land to send these battalions to Battery Buchanan, there to
take boat for Bald Head and relieve Colonel J. J. Hedrick
and his seasoned veterans, in order that they might reinforce
Fort Fisher. They marched soon after midnight through
Fort Fisher to Battery Buchanan, on the extreme end of the
peninsula. In the darkness, many of the boys while passing
through the fort, stumbled into the holes which were made in
every direction by the shells. All the battalions arrived at
Fort Buchanan before-day. The boat which was to carry
them to Bald Head could not make a landing on account of
the tide, whereupon Captain Bristol early in the morning re-
ported in person the situation to Colonel Lamb, who or-
dered the Juniors into the Fort. This was early Christmas
morning.

Between Fort Buchanan and Fort Fisher is a clear, open
beach, upon which a partridge could not hide himself, over
which they must pass in full view of the fleet. As soon as
the march began the fleet poured upon the command a terrific
discharge of shot and shell. The first one killed at Fort
Fisher was Private Davis, of French’s Battalion of J uniors,
who on this march was cut in two by a large shell. Another
private was severely wounded by the same shell. Nothing
but the poor practice of the fleet saved the boys from utter
destruction on this perilous march. When they reached

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

48 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

Fort Fisher a scene of desolation met their gaze. The bar-
racks had been destroyed and the interior of the fort was
honeyeombed by holes in the ground large enough to bury
an ox team made by the huge shells from the fleet. French’s
battalion and as many of the others as could be ac-
commodated, were placed in the already over-crowded bomb-
proofs. Those who could not obtain protection here were
carried by Major Reece to the breastworks at Camp Wyatt,
three miles above the fort. The gunboats soon discovered
their presence there and enfiladed the trenches with a terrific
fire. The boys sought shelter under the banks of the river,
where they spent the day listening to the music of the great
guns of the fleet and watching the great shells as they passed
over them into the river—a grand, but not a very engaging

spectacle.
It was after dark when Major Reece determined to take his

command back to the fort. Late in the afternoon he heard
the report of small arms in the direction of the fort. He
knew that a land force was attacking the fort, and he felt
that it was his duty to take his boys to the rescue. He
marched them down the river towards the fort But unfor-
tunately he failed to put out a skirmish line and fell upon a
regiment of General Weitzel’s troops by whom he and a ma-
jority of his command were captured and earried to Point
Lookout. The following is a list of the officers who were
risoners:
rege et J. M. Reece; Captain J. R. Gaither, First Lieu-
tenant J. M. Lawrence, of Company B, Eighth Battalion ;
First Lieutenant M. G. Tuttle, Company ©, Eighth Battal-
ion; Second Lieutenant George W. Yancey, Company CG,
Fourth Battalion; Second Lieutenant C. P. Pfohl, Com-
pany B, Fourth Battalion. Those officers who escaped
were Captain A. L. Lancaster, Company B, Fourth Bat-
talion: First Lieutenant G. R. White, Company A, Eighth
Battalion; Second Lieutenant Amos Guy, Company A,
Eighth Battalion; Third Lieutenant S. P. Steele. Company
ighth Battalion.
prise Lieutenant F. M. Hamlin, Company D, Fourth Bat-

talion, a brave young subaltern, led a part of his company up

SEVENTY-SEcoND IEGIMENT. 49

the river and escaped capture. They found their way to
Kirkland’s Brigade at Sugar Loaf and rejoined their com-
mand at the fort next day.

The fleet bombarded the fort until 12 o’clock Christmas
day, when Butler landed 2,500 troops near the Half Moon
Battery, about two miles north of Fisher. He immedi-
ately pushed up Curtis’ Brigade within a few hundred yards
of the parapet of the fort. A skirmish line was then ad-
vanced to within seventy-five yards of the fort. Upon the
approach of the enemy, the Junior Reserves sprang to the
parapet of the land face which was swept by the guns of the
fleet, and by a well-directed fire, delivered with a coolness
which could not be excelled, they repelled the attack. One
little fellow from Columbus County, whose name is not re-
membered, being too small to shoot over the parapet, mounted
a cannon and fired from there as coolly as if he were shoot-
ing squirrels, until he fell wounded. About dusk the Re-
serves were ordered to the palisades in front of the parapet
and immediately under the guns of the fort, where they re-
mained till morning. The guns of the fort were discharged
over their heads. The rain was descending in torrents. That
night the Federals re-embarked most of their men.

General Whiting in his report says: “Colonel Tansill
was ordered to the command of the land front. The gallant
Major Reilly, with his battalion and Junior Reserves, poured
cheering, over the parapet and through the sallyport to the pal-
isades. The enemy had oceupied the redoubt (an unfinished
fort) and advanced into the port garden. A fire of grape
and musketry checked any further advance. The garrison
continued to man the out-works and channel batteries through-
out the night, exposed to a pelting storm and occasionally ex-
changing musket shots with the enemy. The fire had been
maintained for seven hours and a half with unremitting
rapidity.”

Colonel William Lamb who, under General Whiting, com-
manded the troops, in his report says: “At 4:30 p- m., 25
December, a most terrific fire against the land face and pali-
sades in front commenced, unparalleled in severity. Ad-
miral Porter estimated it at 130 shot and shell per minute.

4

 
 

 

 

 

 

mepryres

en

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50 Norta Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

vanced towards the works. When the parapet and the guns
were manned by regulars and the J unior Reserves. cg
“During the night the rain fell in torrents, wetting the
troops and their arms, but it did not dampen their spirits nor
interfere with their efficiency. ae tack.
qe Tuesday morning the foiled and frightened enemy
left our shores. I cannot speak too highly of the coolness
i )
and gallantry of my command. he
olunel Lamb at another time said: “Be it _ to _
eternal credit of these gallant boys that they, from this a
baptism of fire, emerged with a reputation for eiositne _
lished for all time, and that to no Ppa more than these 1
: : id victory.
due the honor of our splendid vie ory. :
The troops were complimented in general orders Py py
eral Bragg for their heroism and gallantry. The 5 re :
loss suffered by any one command in the fort se Y :
Junior Reserves. Thus ended the first glorious defence o
Fort Fisher. es
When the news was flashed to Raleigh that awe * —_
had appeared off Fort Fisher, pine eae wines
i ices to assist in repelling the
romptly tendered his services mak
sone at and was assigned to duty by General Br age sei
city of Wilmingtgn, where he was put in one of t = ueia
: i int. The writer who acco:
ment of troops at that point. a ee
c sas hi jutant-General, unfortunately
General Holmes as his Adju es
ici 1 of Fort Fisher. He is inde
not participate in the battle o: }
to TES French for most of the foregoing de-
tails.
eee 26 December, the reserves were moved to camp = cr
Head Island, where they remained on guard and Vee u :
for several days when they were ordered to Camp McLean,
oldsboro, N. C. Se
: On 6 December, there had been an attempted pinee
tion of these three battalions near Sugar Loaf, ap pe peas
William R. Johns was elected Colonel ; aoa veh N. ns -
i : A. B. Johns, Major. Captain W. h.
Lieutenant-Colonel ; and A 8,
Johns, a disabled officer, was then in the enrollment —
under Colonel Peter Mallett, the Commandant of ait ;
of North Carolina, and being unable to undergo the hardships

SEVENTy-SEconp R EGIMENT, 51

and exposure of camp life, declined the election. ©
len, the Lieutenant-Colonel, declined for the same reason,
Major Johns was never assigned and never entered upon the
discharge of the duties of Major and so the battalions con-

tinued to serve under Separate organizations. Major Johns

afterwards formally tendered his resignation, which was ac-
: cepted,

aptain Al-

ORGANIZATION.

On 3 January, 1865, while the regiment was at Camp Me-
Lean, near Goldsboro, it was finally organized by the elec-
tion of Captain John W. Hinsdale, Colonel; W. F. French,
Lieutenant-Colonel, and Captain A. B. Ellington, Major.
On 7 January the last two were assigned to duty. Frank M.
Hamlin, one of the gallant young officers who refused to sur-
render with Major Reece, was appointed Adjutant. But

- from time to time Lieutenants W. W. King, Andrew J. Bur-
ton and Frank S. Johnson, son of Senator R. W. Johnson, of
Arkansas, who had shortly theretofore left the University of
North Carolina and volunteered in the Third Regiment, acted

as Adjutant. J. K. Huston was appointed Quartermaster

Sergeant, and George B. Haigh, of F ayetteville, grandson of

the Hon. George E. Badger, Commissary Sergeant. Drs, E.
B. Simpson and J. 8. Robinson were assigned to the regiment
as Surgeon and Assistant Surgeon,

The companies composing the regiment were then lettered
and designated as follows:

Company A—JF
Pitts.

Company B—From Alamance and F.
Captain, A. L. Lancaster.

Company C-—From 8
tain R. F. Dalton.

Company D—From N ew Hanover, Brunswick and Co-
lumbus Counties—Captain, John D. Kerr.

Company E—From Catawba County—Captain, J. R.
Gaither.

Company F—From Iredell and Rowan Counties—Cap-
tain, W. G. Watson,

rom Guilford County—Captain, John W.

orsyth Counties—

tokes and Person Counties—Cap-

 
52 Norru Carorina Troops, 1861-’65. ay Gri Sibu Rac enie: ta

 

~~ Q—_From Burke and Caldwell Counties—Cap- mained there only a day or two, the enemy having with-
— ne 2 , ie o> / drawn. It returned to Goldsboro where it remained drilling
tain, L. A. Bristoe. tt and doing guard duty until the last of J Tt was th
cont sata 1s land, Robeson and Harne g gu uty until the last of January. was then
COMPANY H oe ag — wee ordered to Kinston and camped near the beautiful home of
a Rick , ae d County—Captain, A. B. Colonel John C. Washington. It was here employed in con-
te ae structing the breastworks and fortifications for the defence
McCollum. .

 

 

 

 

 

Company K-—From Rockingham County—Lieutenant F. _

M. Hanlin.

Colonel Hinsdale, upon receiving notice in the city of pos
eigh of his election, at once signified his acceptance, bse
was questioned by General Holmes whether he was e a
under the orders of the War Department, by reason of the
fact that he was not a disabled officer. The matter was aed
ferred to the authorities in Richmond and after nagenines
ble delay the department decided in Colonel Hinsdale 8 nee
and he was assigned to the command of the regiment ie :
February, 1865, by the following all too partial general or

der:

“Hreapguarters Reserves Norrn Carorina,
Raxetien, N. C., 14 February, 1865.

rene rders No. 4.
Ze - S. Sirinefellow, Assistant Adjutant-General
rats A., will relieve Captain John W. Hinsdale, cane
ant-Adjutant-General of Reserves of N orth Carolina,
the latter officer will proceed to join the Third Regiment -
serves of North Carolina as its Colonel, he having been duly
elected to that office on 3 January, 1865. — :

“The Lieutenant-General commanding in taking leave 0
Colonel Hinsdale, tenders his warm congratulations on ne
promotion and earnestly hopes that the intelligence, zeal an
gallantry, which has characterized his services as a staff “mee
may be matured by experience into greater usefulness in hi

new and more extended sphere.
“Turo. H. Hormss,

+ ?
“Lieutenant-General Commanding.

While at Camp McLean, near Goldsboro, the regiment was

ordered to Halifax to repel another Federal raid. It re

of the town and especially of the county bridge across the
Neuse river. Kinston was in easy reach from New Bern
and had been visited by many Federal raiding parties from
time to time. Our boys were heartily weleomed by the good
people of that town.

The rations: which were issued to officers and men
while here and at Goldsboro were very scant. They con-
sisted of half a pint of black sorghum syrup, a pint of husky
meal every other day, a third of a pound of pork or Nassau
bacon and a few potatoes occasionally. The old soldiers will
all remember Nassau bacon, a very gross, fat, porky substance
which ran the blockade at Wilmington and was distributed
among Lee’s veterans as bacon. When a ration of cornfield
peas was issued the boys were in high jinks indeed. But
never was there collected together more uncomplaining men.

They recognized the fact that the Confederacy was doing for
them its best.

BATTLE OF SOUTH WEST CREEK.

Upon the discovery of the advance of the enemy from New
Bern, whence they set out early in March, General Hoke’s
Division was ordered to Kinston. On 6 March, the Junior
Reserve Brigade, consisting of the First Regiment under
Lieutenant-Colonel Charles W. Broadfoot; the Second under
Colonel John H. Anderson, and the Third under Colonel
Hinsdale, and Millard’s Battalion under Captain C. M. Hall,
all under Colonel F. S. Armistead, marched through Kinston
and across, to the south side of Neuse river, which here runs
in an easterly direction past the breastworks which they had
80 laboriously constructed. They marched down the river
road which leads out in a southeasterly direction to Southwest
ereek. This creek is a sluggish, unfordable stream, which
runs in a northerly direction and empties into the river about

 
 

 

54 NortH Caroxtina Troops, 1861-’65.

six miles below Kinston. The regiment was placed in some
old breastworks on the margin of a swamp, about a hundred
yards from the creek. Our pickets were stationed on the
creek. The next day the enemy made their appearance on
the other side of the stream and established a line of skir-
mishers and sharpshooters. During the day our skirmishers
were engaged and occasionally a minie ball would whistle
over the breastworks as each individual boy of the regiment
believed, “just by my ear.” On the morning of 8 March,
General Hoke, whose troops were also stationed along the line
of the creek, was relieved by the arrival of D. H. Hill’s troops.
Hoke’s Division crossed the creek and made a detour down
the lower Trent road which crossed the British road at Wise’s
Fork, about three miles in our front. The lower Trent road
runs in a southeasterly direction to Trenton. The British
road runs in a northeasterly direction towards the river. Gen-
eral Hoke with his usual dash surprised a Federal brigade,
captured it and sent it to the rear. The reserves held the
breastworks throughout the 8th. On the morning of the 9th,
the reserves crossed Southwest creek on an improvised bridge
constructed by them about 200 yards above the bridge on
the Dover road which had been destroyed. This bridge was
made by felling trees across the creek and covering them
with lumber taken from Jackson’s mill in the vicinity. Line
of battle was formed on the east side of the creek on swampy
ground and the brigade was ordered forward under fire
through fallen trees, brush, brambles, and bullets—making
it difficult to preserve the alignment. They advanced as
steadily as veterans driving the enemy who were fresh troops
from New Bern, well dressed, well fed, well armed and well
liquored, as was evidenced by the condition of some prisoners
captured. The Third Regiment suffered the loss of a num-
ber of brave officers and men, among them Lieutenant John
W. Harper, a gallant young officer of Company ©, from Cald-
well. Here also Lieutenant Hamlin was wounded in the
arm. That night General Hoke undertook a flank movement
down the British road and the Neuse river road, the Junior
Reserves being a part of his command. We could plainly hear
the enemy at work on their fortifications. The night was

SEVENTY-SEconpD REGIMENT. 55

rainy and so dark you could not see your hand before you.
After marching through slush and rain about six miles, we
countermarched and returned. On the afternoon of the 10th
all of our troops fell back to the entrenchments on the British
road, and later in the day we re-crossed the Neuse, burning the
bridge behind us, and marched through Kinston, our brigade
camping at Moseley Hall. This retrograde movement was
the consequence of the arrival of Sherman’s army in North
Carolina.

The operations near Kinston, sometimes called the battle
of Kinston, but usually the battle of South West Creek, were
upon the whole a Confederate success, and when the dispar-
ity in numbers between the contending forces is considered,
were very creditable to the Confederates. General Bragg in
general orders thanked the troops for their heroism and valor
and complimented them upon their achievements.

The arrival of Sherman in Fayetteville and the approach
of the troops from Wilmington to form a junction with Sher-
man at Goldsboro, made it necessary for us to withdraw to
prevent being cut off and in order to form a junction with
General Johnston’s Army, which was moving in the direc-
tion of Smithfield. On 15 March Colonel John H. Neth-
ercutt, of the Sixty-sixth North Carolina, was placed in com-

mand of our brigade which was permanently assigned to
Hoke’s Division.

A MILITARY EXECUTION.

Arriving at Smithfield 16 March, we remained two days
and there witnessed one of the saddest spectacles of the war—
a military execution. The regiment constituted a part of
the military pageant which attended the shooting to death of
G. W. Ore, a private of Company B, Twenty-seventh Georgia
Regiment, who had been tried for mutiny by a court-martial
and had been condemned. The poor fellow was first marched
around to the solemn musie of the Dead March, in front of
the regiments which were drawn up in an open square, facing
inwards, he was then made to kneel, and was tied to a stake on
the open side of the hollow square. A detail of twelve men
drawn up at ten paces performed the painful duty of ecarry-

 
 

 

 

 

 

56 NortH Carona Troops, 1861-’65.

ing out the sentence of the court. At this late stage of the |
war, when the struggle was perfectly desperate and all hope
of success had fled, this seemed to us to be little less than mur- ©
der. :

On 18 March we marched again, not to the West, but to
the South. We knew that Sherman was approaching from
that direction, and we surmised that there was serious work
before us. General Joseph E. Johnston, who rode for a short
distance on that day at the head of the Third Junior Re
serves, said as much to its commander. Sherman was
moving from Fayetteville in the direction of Goldsboro in
two parallel columns, about a day’s march apart. General
Johnston had determined to take advantage of the fact that
Sherman’s left wing was thus separated from the right, and
to strike a bold blow on the exposed flank at Bentonville in
Johnston County.

BENTONVILLE.

As soon as General Hardee, our corps commander,
reached Bentonville with his troops, he moved by the left
flank, Hoke’s (our) Division leading, to the ground previ-
ously selected by General Hampton. It was the eastern edge
of an old plantation, extending a mile and a half to the west
and lying principally on the north side of the road and sur-
rounded east, south and north by a dense thicket of black-
jacks. There was but one road through it. Hoke’s Division
formed in the road with its line at right angles to it on
the eastern edge of the plantation and its left extending
some four hundred yards into the thicket on the south. The
Junior Reserves constituted the right of Hoke’s Division and
supported a battery of Starr’s Battalion of artillery command-
ed by Captain Geo. B. Atkins, of Fayetteville. The brigade
of Juniors were led by Colonel John H. Nethereutt, who had
superseded Colonel Armistead. This gallant officer was Colo-
nel of the Sixty-sixth North Carolina Regiment—a plain,
blunt man, but every inch a soldier. The Third Regiment
threw out a skirmish line which was commanded by Captain
Bristol and hurriedly constructed a rail fence breastwork.
Here under a fire of artillery we suffered many casualties.
 

 

ee
wa a a

oie

 

ci ait Se ac rt een
Ses ES

< BENTONVILLE
~

BENTONVILLE

== Confederate Assault March 19
== “Subsequent Position
was Federal Lines

(i Federal Map Ji

SEVENTY-Seconp REGIMENT. 57

The troops belonging to the Army of Tennessee were formed
on the right of the artillery. A wooden farm house in front
of the Third Regiment for some time afforded cover for a
number of sharpshooters, who did excellent practice on our
line, until Captain Atkins, with a few well-directed shells,
caused them to pour out like rats out of a sinking ship.
The enemy soon thereafter charged Hoke’s Division, but
after a sharp contest at short range was handsomely repulsed.
On the morning of the 20th it was reported that the Fed-

eral right wing had crossed over to unite with the left wing
which had been driven back and was coming up rapidly upon
the left of Hoke’s Division. That officer was directed to
change front to the left. By this movement, his line was
formed parallel to and fronting the road. Here light en-
trenchments were soon made out of dead trees and such mate
rial as could be moved with our bayonets. From noon to
sunset Sherman’s army thus united made repeated attacks

upon Hoke’s Division of six thousand men and boys, but

were uniformly driven back. The skirmish line of our bri-

gade was commanded by Major Walter Clark, of the Seven-

tieth Regiment (First Juniors), on the 20th and 21st. On

the 21st the skirmishing was heavy, and the extreme of the

Federal right, extending beyond our left flank, made our posi-
tion extremely hazardous in view of the fact that the bridge
over the creek in our rear was our only chance of retreat,
The Seventeenth Army Corps of the enemy late in the after-
noon broke through our line considerably to the left, but by
superhuman effort, its leading division was driven back along
the route by which it had advanced.

That night the Confederate Army recrossed the creek by
the bridge near Bentonville and were halted beyond the town
two miles north from the creek. The Federals made re-
peated attempts to force the passage of the bridge, but failed
in all. At noon the march was resumed and the troops camped
near Smithfield. Sherman proceeded on his way to Golds-
boro to form a junction with Schofield, without further moles-
tation. The Confederate losses in the battle of Bentonville
were 2,343, while that of the Federals was nearly double as

‘many. (For many of the foregoing facts, see Johnston’s

 
 

 

 

 

58 Norru Carouina Troops, 1861-’65.

Narrative, pages 384 to 393, from which liberal extracts
have been made. )

The Confederates never fought with more spirit, and the
Federals with less, than in the battle of Bentonville. Gen-
eral D. H. Hill remarked upon this and said: “It may be
that even a Yankee’s conscience has been disturbed by the
scenes of burning, rapine, pillage and murder so recently
passed through.”

General Hampton said of this last great battle of the Civil
War, that in his opinion it was one of the most extraordinary :
“The infantry forces of General Johnston amounted to about
14,100 men, and they were composed of three separate com-
mands which had never acted together. These were Har-
dee’s troops, brought from Savannah and Charleston; Stew-
art’s from the Army of Tennessee; and Hoke’s Division of
veterans, many of whom had served in the campaigns of Vir-
ginia. Bragg, by reason of his rank, was in command of this
latter force, but it was really Hoke’s Division, and the latter
directed the fighting. These troops, concentrated only re-
cently for the first time, were stationed at and near Smith-
field, eighteen miles from the field, where the battle was
fought, and it was from there that General Johnston moved
them to strike a veteran army numbering about 60,000 men.
This latter army had marched from Atlanta to Savannah
without meeting any force to dispute its passage, and from the
latter city to Bentonville unobstructed save by the useless and
costly affair at Averasboro, where Hardee made a gallant
stand, though at a heavy loss. No bolder movement was con-
ceived during the war than this of General Johnston when he
threw his handful of men on the overwhelming force in front
of him, and when he confronted and baftled this force, holding
a weak line for three days against nearly five times his num-
ber. For the last two days of this fight he only held his posi-
tion to secure the removal of his wounded, and when he had
accomplished that he withdrew leisurely, moving in his first
march only about four miles.”

The Junior Reserves lost quite a number of ofticers and
boys in this battle. Their conduct was creditable to the last
degree. General Hoke, their attached and beloved com-

SEVENTY-SECOND REGIMENT. 59

mander, thus writes concerning them: “The question of
the courage of the Junior Reserves was well established by
themselves in the battle below Kinston, and at the battle of
Bentonville. At Bentonville you will remember, they held
a very important part of the battlefield in opposition to Sher-
man’s old and tried soldiers, and repulsed every charge that
was made upon them with very meagre and rapidly thrown
up breastworks. Their conduct in camp, on the march, and
on the battlefield was everything that could be expected of
them, and I am free to say, was equal to that of the old sol-
diers who had passed through four years of war. On the re-
turn through Raleigh where many passed by their homes,
scarcely one of them left their ranks to bid farewell to their
friends, though they knew not where they were going nor
what dangers they would encounter.”

THE LAST REVIEW.

The regiment remained in camp near Smithfield until 10
April. During this time our corps under command of Gen-
eral Hardee was reviewed by General Johnston, General Har-
dee, Governor Vance and others. There was not in the grand
parade of that day—the last grand review of the Confederate
Army—a more soldierly body of troops than the Junior Re-
serves. Later in the day, Governor Vance made a stirring
speech to the North Carolina troops, which by its eloquence
aroused enthusiasm and caused fire of patriotism to burn

more brightly in our hearts. On 10 April we begun our last
retreat before Sherman.

THE RETREAT.

On 12 April we reached Raleigh. I recall how we marched
through Raleigh past the old Governor’s Mansion on Fay-
etteville street, facing the Capitol, then up Fayetteville street
and west by Hillsboro street past St. Mary’s young ladies
school in a beautiful grove on the right. How the servants
stood at the fence with supplies of water for us to drink!
Tiow the fair girls trooped down to see us pass! How one
tall, beautiful damsel exclaimed: ‘Why, girls, these are all
young men,” and how one of our saucy Sergeants replied:

 
 

 

 

 

 

60 NortH CaRoLina Troops, 1861-65.

“Yes, ladies, and we are all looking for wives!” It was in

Raleigh that we heard the heartrending rumor of General
Lee’s surrender.

Our line of march was through Chapel Hill. The Univer-

sity at that place was deserted and many refugees from the
lower counties were preparing to fly again. After leaving
Chapel Hill we camped on the Regulators’ Battleground,
thence our line of march was on the Salisbury and Hillsboro
road, over which 200 years before the Catawba Indians passed
in their visits to the Tuscaroras in the East. Governor Tryon
and later Lord Cornwallis had led their troops over this his-
toric way in the vain endeavor to subdue the men whose sons
now trod footsore and weary over the same red hills, engaged
in a like struggle for local self government.

When we reached Haw river on Saturday, 15 April, we
found the stream rising rapidly. In crossing the river, sev-
eral of our boys were drowned by leaving the ford to reach
some fish traps a short distance below and being caught by
the swift current and swept down into the deep water below.
On reaching Alamance creek, we had a novel experience.
On account of heavy rains the stream was much swollen
and the current very strong. General Cheatham’s command
was moving in front of General Hoke’s Division and on at-
tempting to ford the stream several men were swept down by
the current, whereupon the others absolutely refused to move.
This halted the entire column, and as the enemy’s cavalry
were closely pressing our rear, the situation was becoming
critical. General Cheatham rode to the front and learning
the cause of the halt, ordered the men to go forward, but, em-
phasizing their determination with some pretty lively swear-
ing, they doggedly refused to move, whereupon General
Cheatham seized the nearest man and into the stream they
went. After floundering in the water awhile, he came out,
and after repeating the process for a few times, they raised a
shout and proceeded to cross. Three wagons, two with guns
and one with bacon, capsized and were swept down the river.
Some lively diving for the bacon followed, but I guess the
guns are still rusting in the bottom of the creek. I am sure
none of them were disturbed on that occasion.

SEVENTY-SECOND REGIMENT. 61

In the midst of the peril of the crossing of the river, Lieu-
tenant-Colonel French realizing the danger to which the
smaller boys were exposed, jumped from his horse, and sta-
tioning himself in mid-stream just below the line of march,
rescued several of the brave lads from inevitable death.
Standing there, watching his chance to save life, he was every
inch the faithful officer and brave soldier, and no wonder the
boys loved him. Within the last twelve months he, too, has
crossed over the river and is now resting under the shade of
the trees. Farewell my dear old comrade!

We reached Red Cross, twenty miles south of Greens-
boro, late on 16 April. Here we stayed until the following
Easter Sunday morning. On Saturday afternoon, a bright
boy from Cleveland County, named Froneberger, was killed
in camp by lightning within ten steps of regimental head-
quarters. His death was instantaneous. The next morn-
ing, 17 April, after a scanty breakfast we made ready as
usual to resume the march, but received no orders. We
waited till noon, then all the afternoon, then till night, and
still no orders. The next morning we heard that General
Johnston had surrendered.

We camped at Red Cross for a few days. Meanwhile it
became known that we had not surrendered. That Johnston
and Sherman had undertaken to make terms for the surren-
der of all the then existing armies of the Confederacy and for
the recognition of our state governments—about the only
decent act of Sherman’s life. But it came to naught by rea-
son of its disapproval in Washington. The armistice which
had been entered into for this purpose was terminated, and
the toilsome, weary, hopeless march was resumed, but we all
knew that the war was over.

It was at this time that a quantity of silver coin, in Greens-
boro, belonging to the Confederate Government was seized
by General Johnston and distributed among his officers and
men—each receiving one dollar and twenty-five cents without
regard to rank. The writer has in his possession the identi-
cal Mexican milled silver dollar which came to him on this
occasion. On one side of it has since been engraved “Bounty
to John W. Hinsdale for four years’ faithful service in the

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

62 NortH Caronina Troops, 1861-65.

Confederate Army.” One hundred times its weight in gold

would not purchase this old piece of silver, associated as it
is with the distressing memories of the heart breaking sur-
render.

The regiment marched about eight miles to Old Center
Meeting House, in Randolph County, staying here about
three days and then we moved by way of Coleraine’s Mills to
Bush Hill (now Achdale), and came to a halt one mile from
old Trinity College.

THE SURRENDER.

General Johnston on 26 April made his final surrender of
the army to General Sherman and on 2 May, 1865, at Bush
Hill, what remained of the Third Junior Reserves were
paroled, and turned their faces sorrowfully homeward. The
regiment had been disbanded for all time.

This was the end of all our hopes and aspirations. Might
had prevailed over right and the conquered banner had been
furled forever.

North Carolina has much to be proud of. She was first
at Bethel, she went farthest at Gettysburg, she was last at
Appomattox, her dead and wounded in battle exceeded in
numbers those of any other two States of the Confederacy to-
gether. But, her last and most precious offering to the cause
of Liberty were her boy-soldiers, who at her bidding willingly
left their homes and marched and fought, and starved, and
froze, and bled, and died that she might live and be free. God
bless the Junior Reserves. Their memory will ever be cher-
ished by the Mother they loved so well.

The following patriotic lines, written by the author of the
“Conquered Banner,” will appeal to the heart of many a
mother whose young son marched away with the Junior Re-
serves:

‘¢ Young as the youngest, who donned the Gray,
True as the truest who wore it,
Brave as the bravest he marched away
(Hot tears on the cheeks of his mother lay),
Triumphant waved our flag one day—
He fell in the front before it.

SEVENTy-SEconp REGIMENT.

Firm as the firmest where duty led,
He hurried without a falter;
Bold as the boldest he fought and bled,
And the day was won—but the tield was red—
And the blood of his fresh young heart was shed
On his country’s ballowed altar.

On the trampled breast of the battle plain,
Where the foremost ranks had wrestled,
On his pale pure face not a mark of pain,
(His mother dreams that they will meet again),
The fairest form amid all the slain,
Like a child asleep he nestled.

In the solemn shade of the wood that swept
The field where his comrades found him,
They buried him there—and the big tears crept
Into strong men’s eyes that had seldom wept,
(His mother—God pity her--smiled and slept,
Dreaming her arms were around him),

“A grave in the woods with the grass o’ergrown,
A graye in the heart of his mother

His clay in the one lies lifeless and lone ;

There is not a name, there is not a stone,

And only the voice of the winds maketh moan

O’er the grave where never a flower is strewn,
But his memory lives in the other.’’

Joun W. Hinspatez.

Ratetan, N. C.,

26 Apri, 1901.

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

SEVENTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
J. F. Hoke, Colonel. (Also Colonel of Twenty-third.)

SEVENTY-THIRD REGIMENT.

(FOURTH RESERVES. )

By THE EDITOR.

The Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Regiments
of Reserves (Seventy-third, Seventy-fourth, Seventy-sixth,
Seventy-seventh and Seventy-eighth North Carolina) being
composed of men at that time between 45 and 50 years of age,
those few still living are over 81 years of age. Hence it has
been impossible to get their histories written by participants
as has been rigidly required of other commands. We have
to rely for our scanty data upon the order books and letter
books of General T. H. Holmes, who was in charge of the or-
ganization of the Reserves in this State, which books have
been fortunately preserved by Colonel John W. Hinsdale, his
Adjutant-General, and upon such references as are found in
the “Official Records of the Union and Confederate armies.”
As to the Seventy-seventh North Carolina (Seventh Reserves)
alone we have a partial sketch, written by John G. Albright,
First Lieutenant of Company A, which was published in
“Our Living and Dead” October 1874, pp. 134-137, and
which is used as the basis of the sketch of that regiment. We
also have in Moore’s Roster, Vol. 4, pp. 333-344, the muster
rolls of six companies purporting to belong to the Seventy-
third regiment, but the Field officers and all the companies
except Company A (which belonged to the Seventy-seventh )
seem to have belonged to the Seventy-eighth (Eighth Re-
serves). At pp. 845-358 are the muster rolls of seven of the
companies of what purports to be the Seventy-fourth and its
field officers, but in fact they seem to have belonged to the
Seventy-seventh (Seventh Reserves.) To those should be
added Company A, which is erroneously given on pp. 333-335

as belonging to the Seventy-third.
The muster rolls of all the regiments of Junior and Senior

Reserves were captured, with the other Confederate muster

5

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

66 Norru Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

rolls, after the fall of Richmond, and are now in the Bureau of
Pensions and Records at Washington, but to an application by
the writer, backed by an official request of Governor Aycock,
General F. C. Ainsworth, in charge of the bureau, gave only
the list of the field officers of the eight regiments of reserves
(which we already had in General Holmes’ Order Book), and
stated that owing to the precarious condition of the rolls writ-
ten on Confederate-made paper, he could not give-a list of the
company officers or men without an act of Congress. We
know by incidental mention in General Holmes’ letter book
that Captains Turner and Surratt commanded two of the com-
panies.

The Fourth Regiment of Reserves (Seventy-third North
Carolina) were as already stated, Senior Reserves, 7. e., men
between the ages of 45 and 50. The names of the company
officers can only be had from the rolls at Washington, which
are now not accessible. The regiment was organized in
July, 1864, at Salisbury, by the election of—

Joun F. Hoxs, Colonel.
Leroy W. Srowsn, Lieutenant-Colonel.
Jno. N. Prior, Major.

All three of these had seen previous service. Colonel Jno.
¥. Hoke in the beginning of the war was Adjutant-General
of North Carolina, and later for a time, Colonel of the Twen-
ty-third Regiment; Lieutenant-Colonel Stowe and Major
Prior had both served in Virginia, and been wounded, in con-
sequence of which the former (who was Captain in the Six-
teenth North Carolina) had resigned, and the latter assigned
to light duty was Lieutenant and Enrolling Officer when
elected Major of this regiment. R. P. Waring, of Meck-
lenburg, who had served as Captain Company B, Forty-
third North Carolina, was appointed Adjutant, and J. M.
Williams Surgeon, and Daniel W. Perry Assistant Surgeon.
John F. Hill was captain of one of the companies. A portion
of the regiment was assigned to the important duty of guard-
ing the bridges on the lines of railways upon which depended
the sustenance and recruiting of our armies and the remaining
companies were sent to Salisbury to guard the thousands of

Srventy-Tuoirp REGIMENT. 67

prisoners there confined, thus relieving other troops for the
field.

The regiment was ordered to Raleigh 21 August for service
at Wilmington, but was stopped at Greensboro and soon after
it was sent to Salisbury where it performed the duties above
mentioned till 4 March, 1865, when not being longer needed
to guard prisoners, it was placed in the Eighth Congressional
District to arrest deserters with regimental headquarters at
Salisbury.

A brigade was formed in November, 1864, of the Fourth
Fifth and Sixth Regiments of Reserves (Seventy-third Sev-
enty-fourth and Seventy-sixth North Carolina) all of Which
were on the same service, guarding prisoners at Salisbury
bridges on railroads and arresting deserters. This brigade
was placed under command of Colonel Jno. F. Hoke with
headquarters at Salisbury. The services performed were
useful and indispensable and relieved other troops for ser-
vice in the field. On some occasions there were fights with
deserters who were armed and when banded koodiivas made
themselves a terror to certain neighborhoods. The only time
these three regiments seemed to have come in contact with the
enemy was when Stoneman made his raid to Salisbury to re-
lease the prisoners at that point. es

Upon Johnston’s surrender, some few of the regiment were

paroled, but the majority doubtless went home without cere-
mony.

 
 

SEVENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.

(FIFTH RESERVES. )

By THE EDITOR.

The history of this regiment is substantially told in what
has been said of the Seventy-third. It was organized 3 De-
cember, 1864, by the election of—

Davin J. Corrrnine, Colonel.
Grorcr C. Srown, Lieutenant-Colonel.
Josupit K. Burxe, Major.

All these were doubtless officers who had seen previous ser-
vice and had been retired or lad resigned on account of
wounds. The only company oflicer whose name is accessi-
ble (till we get copies of the captured rolls filed at Washing-

ton) is Captain Nicholson, of Company A. The companies
composing the regiment either separately or organized as
battalions, had been in service several months. Except de-
tachments guarding prisoners and on local service against de-
serters, the regiment was at Salisbury guarding prisoners till
March, 1865, when being no longer needed for that service,
they were sent to the Sixth Congressional District to arrest
deserters and patrol and protect the country districts with
regimental headquarters at Greensboro.

Upon Johnston’s surrender some of them were paroled, but
the bulk of them probably returned quietly to their homes.

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

SEVENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.

(SEVENTH CAVALRY. )

BY
COL. JOHN T. KENNEDY, ann
LIEUT. W. F. PARKER, Company F.

By paragraph § cf Special Orders No. 161, from Adju-
tant and Inspector General’s Office, Richmond, Va., 11 July,
1864, it was ordered as follows: “The five North Carolina
companies of the Seventh Confederate Regiment, the three
North Carolina companies, D, E and I, of the Sixty-second
Georgia Kegiment and Company ©, of the Twelfth North
Carolina Battalion will constitute the Sixteenth Battalion
North Carolina Cavalry to the command of which Lientenant-
Colonel Jno. T. Kennedy is hereby assigned.” This order
will be found in 82 Vol. (Serial No.) Off. Rec. Union and
Confed. Armies at p. 763, and also in Serial Vol. 129 of same
publication at page 536. One of the North Carolina com-
panies (Kennedy’s) in the Sixty-second Georgia had become
so large that it had already been divided into two companies
(Richardson and Dees), so that at the time of above order
there was really four North Carolina companies, which
obeyed the order of transfer, making a complete regiment.
This was to be the Seventh North Carolina Cavalry, or Sev-
enty-fifth North Carolina Regiment, of which John T. Ken-
nedy was Colonel, Jno. B. Edelin was Lieutenant-Colonel,
and Captain Pitts was promoted to Major. But Colonel
Kennedy being wounded, was placed on detached service,

SEVENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT. and Lientenant-Colonel Edelin was in command till his cap-

. a nr ‘3 DES a4 7 >
1. John A. Collins, 1st Lieut.,Co.F. 8. E. J. Holt, ist Lieut., Co. A. ture in March, 1865, when Major Pitts took command. In
2. W.F. Parker, 2d Lieut., Co. F. 4. W. H. Call, Ord. Sergeant. 7 the rush of events the formal order to change the designation

to Seventh Regiment of Cavalry (or Seventy-fifth North
Carolina) was either not issued or not observed. Though
having ten companies and a Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel and
Major, it was in fact a regiment commanded by Lieutenant-
Colonel Edelin, it officially retained the desienation of Six-

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

iz Norto Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

teenth Battalion till the very end. Jno. R. Moore was Adju-
tant and W. H. Call, of Company G, was made Ordnance
Sergeant ; Sergeant-Major John MeGuy; Surgeon, Dr. Eves.

The North Carolina companies, D, E and I, of the Sixty-
second Georgia, were all raised in 1862. They became in
the new command: .

Company A—Wayne and Johnston—Captain, W. A.

( Json. ne
nent ee B—Wayne, Wake and J ohnston—Originally
commanded by Captain J. T. Kennedy, then divided into two
companies, Captain John A. Richardson and Geo.. T. Dees.

Company C—Forsyth and Guilford—Captain, T. R. Du-
vall. These three companies had been assigned to Colonel
Griffin’s Sixty-second Georgia in August, 1862. They
served in 1862-63 and till May, 1864, on the Blackwater in
Virginia and Eastern North Carolina. This command was
engaged in scouting and was in frequent i geet with a
enemy, especially around Plymouth, Washington, N. C., an

New Bern. Captain J. T. Kennedy was elected Major of
the Sixty-second Georgia.
i ‘
The five companies transferred from Colonel Claiborne’s,
later Colonel James Dearing’s Seventh Confederate Cavalry,

became:

Company D—Captain J. J. Lawrence, later Captain L. G.
Pitts, from Wilson and Johnston.
Company E—Captain B. C. Clement, from Davie.
Company F—Captain W. K. Lane, of Wayne. The com-
pany was from Halifax.
Company G—Captain J. A. Clement, from Davie.
Company H—Captain E. A. Martin was from Northarap
ton and had been, till the above order, Captain Company ©
in the Twelfth (Wheeler’s) Battalion, and as such had done
service since its organization in 1862 on the Chowan.
Company I—Captain F. G. Pitts, from Edgecombe, and
after his promotion to Major, by Captain J. B. Edgerton.
Company K—The fourth company transferred from Grif-
fin’s Sixty-seeond Georgia, and which had been created by
dividing Kennedy’s original company became Company K in

SEveNty-FirtH REGIMENT. 73

the new regiment and was commanded by Captain George

T. Dees.

The Seventh Confederate Cavalry, to which five of these
companies belonged, was broken up into companies and squad-
rons, and performed similar duties to the Sixty-second
Georgia throughout Eastern North Carolina and Southeast
Virginia. In May, 1864, both commands were ordered to
Petersburg and there the North Carolina companies in these
regiments were assembled into a new command, entirely com-
posed of North Carolina companies as above stated. In the
meantime, Lieutenant-Colonel J. T. Kennedy had been
severely wonnded in a hot fight near City Point in June,
1864, and was not able to be with the new regiment after
its organization but very little.

To give a history that will embrace these companies after
their organization in 1862 up to the formation of the regi-
ment in 1865, it will be necessary to give something of their
history while parts of Griffin’s Sixty-second Georgia, and
while the others were in Claiborne’s, later Dearing’s Seventh
Confederate Cavalry, and then of their carcer after the for-
mation of the Sixteenth Battalion (later Seventy-fifth Regi-
ment) 11 July, 1864.

The Sixty-second Georgia Regiment was organized at
Garysburg. Joel R. Griffin was Colonel, —. —. Towns, of
Georgia, Lientenant-Colonel, and Jno. T. Kennedy, Major, as
an acknowledgment to the three North Carolina companies
in the regiment. We were drilled by General Beverly H.
Robertson, an officer who had been in the cavalry service in
the West. There were seven companies of Georgia and
three from North Carolina, which were afterwards increased
to four by the division of Kennedy’s old company as above
stated. Captain Duvall’s, from Guilford County ; Captain
W. A. Thompson’s, from Wayne County ; Captain J. A. Rich-
ardson’s, of Wayne, who succeeded the writer, who was then
Major, and G. T. Dees, of Wayne also. The Seventh Con-

federate Regiment drilled with us. In November, 1862,
the camp of instruction was left for active service. Colonel
Griffin was ordered to Franklin, Va., and remained there

 
 

 

74 Norra Carouina Troops, 1861-65.

during the winter of 1862, doing duty the most of the time
between Franklin and Suffolk, where his services seemed to
be most needed. Also Colonel Claiborne’s Regiment went
up the Blackwater with headquarters at Ivor, in the same sec-
tion, near enough to combine their forces when necessary.
Tt did excellent and gallant work on every occasion.

EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

In the spring of 1863, both regiments were brought back
to North Carolina and were carried down to a little village
on the railroad a few miles this side of Morehead City called
Newport, in order to capture some guns and other stores
which were being deposited there by the Federals. In this
expedition Major Kennedy was not a party, having been sent
home with a critical case of typhoid pneumonia. When the
returned from this expedition the Sixty-second

o the vicinity of Greenville, on the Tar
on picket and

troops
Georgia was sent t
river, where they remained only a few days

Seventy-Firra REGIMENT. 75

north side of the Tar and over to the Roanoke at William-
ston, a line was kept up, Captain Gray was in charge, a very
vigorous and careful officer, and it may be added, one who
was not easily frightened. Seeing our long lines of picket
duty to be kept up and orders to stop all intercourse between
the sections, the enemy conceived the idea that they would re-
open communications and trespass on the adjacent country.
Aware of their intent, we caused a large cypress seven feet at
the stump, standing near the road in the swamp below the
Red Hill, two and a half miles from Washington, to be felled
across the road as a protection for us, and flattening the top
so that a log one foot in diameter would lay easily on it, we
then cut trenches for the guns to protrude under the small
log. Lieutenant-Colonel Kennedy selected good men in camp
that were able for duty and got behind our work.

We had donble-barrel guns heavily charged with buck-shot
and only twenty-five men behind the log. In this position
we waited until the enemy made their appearance on the op-
posite side of the swamp, about four hundred yards from us.

camp duty.
Colonel Griffin was then order
and report to Petersburg with it in person.

ed to take half his regiment A couple of guns were unlimbered and placed in position and
Soon after he : two rounds from each were discharged at our work, making

left Major Kennedy was ordered to take a position between the splinters fly, but not affecting our log. They then got
Greenville and Washington, and stop all communication be- up their tools with which to move the obstruction and by
tween us and the Federals either by land or water. The fours took the mareh on the causeway. Not a man showed
ation of Mr. William Grimes, the older brother of Gen- himself until the enemy’s first four were in about twenty
an Grimes, was selected for headquarters, and every care of us, when the command to rise and fire was given.
effort was made to enforce the order, keeping pickets both on Sia varrel only was discharged. Though this was the first
the creeks and river and on all the public roads and private ene ei a ts men had been called on to show what they
landings leading across the river and into the town of Wash- vould do, the order was executed with great unanimity, and

: evidently many of the Pale tie : : ;

This was a hard order to fill, but no exemption was iene i ‘ : : the struck far down the line. This
F . } se a ha . 75 °

single instance, and that was m the case : é in their column and just at that time the order

ad to ab every Bate to fire the other barrels was given and to mount our work with

har we ayell. This last action completely demoralized them and of-
ficers and men all seemed only too anxious to vet out of the
swamp and back to Washington, the most of our little force

 

plant
eral Bry

ington.
made except in one
of the Rev. Mr. Kenerly, who was allow
day to fill his engagement to his congregation.
nothing by extending him this courtesy.

ei He } in pursuit to the bridge. The result, seven prisoners, two of

whom were thought to be mortally wounded, and the others
only gun shot wounds. No casualties to us nor any firing
Alas dn. the i from the enemy save desultory pistol shots as they ran.

ed was on the south side of the Tar

The service just nam
oint, below Washington,

river and extended down to Hill’s P
N. C., and often below Blount’s Creek Mills.

 
 

 

 

 

76 Norta Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

About the time we were getting back from the pursuit pe
caring for the prisoners, General Di. Hill arrived at the
Red Hill to make a demonstration against Washington.

RUFF’S MILL.

Colonel Leventhorpe with others was sent down the river
as far as the Blount’s Creek Mill (then Ruff’s Mill), our com-
mand being familiar with the country leading thither. At the
mill a considerable little fight occurred, chiefly artillery, in
which Colonel Leventhorpe did himself and regiment credit,
as well as all the troops engaged with him. There ces
old path at the head of the mill pond leading from the ea
tation of General Blount across the creek out to the New ern
road. Knowing of this pass Colonel Leventhorpe was 1n-
formed of it, and a part of our little command was sent over
in order to strike them on the flank, but their videttes yes
the lookout and when that movement was discovered they

Seventy-Firra REGIMent. 77

others, was placed on board of some craft (name. not re-
membered) and started to Fortress Monroe. When off
against Elizabeth City or Edenton, they managed to get con-
trol of it and went into port. Richardson was only gone
from his company about a month, and died not long after his
return, very suddenly of heart failure. He was a young
man of splendid character and much esteemed not only by
his men, but by all who knew him. He died in camp at
Greenville, Pitt County, and an escort was sent with his re-
mains to his home in Wayne County, where he was interred.
We had had a busy winter and spring, having done duty
steadily and without complaining. The horses had given
way considerably and General Martin knew that a rest was
needed both by men and horses and so ordered.

We got pasturage from Mrs. Virginia Atkinson and moved
headquarters to the place known as the Clark place, on the
north side of the river. This section was selected because it
was easy to secure supplies of anything necessary to our con-
sumption and here Captains Edgerton, Thompson and Ellis

; P tt i Nf and
hurriedly withdrew all their forces tow ards New Bern,

were encamped from about the middle of May until after Pot-
ter’s raid on Rocky Mount. Captain Gray was encamped

: ‘ ie
the Blount’s creek affair ended, the enemy having been p
sued several miles on their retreat.

General Hill and most of his command went dow
man’s farm and did some handsome artillery pract

Washing-

ice at the

ton. The companies of Captain
i i ir w ty aroun
were with us doing their whole duty
afterwards until we went out to recuperate, when be is
allowed to take their choice for a resting place. ey W
: e called them ours, though they were

“ ¢ t wi
with us so much tha Seventh Confederate

Colonel Claiborne’s companies of the

Cavalry.
General Hill left in a day or two after this and was frank

i valrymen
enough to say he believed he had found a few cavalry

P eine
who would fight if they got the opportunity. He oe a
out giving us any orders except to do the best we ah ties

ortunities presented. Not more than 48 hours after this
Goacral 9 New Bern, came over to Washing:

Geers! Vee a as said. We did not fight

ton «with about 5,000 men, It W

much, but got one man killed and Captain John A. Rich-

ay Captain Richardson, with a number of

ardson captured.

n to Rod- twelve miles below Greenville near Mr. Gray Little’s, and

kept pickets over near Williamston, as well as on the Tar.
Gray’s and Ellis’ companies were Georgians, the other three
companies were North Carolinians, and half of them from
Wayne County.

POTTER'S RAID.

On the morning of 19 July, 1863, a courier from General
Martin ordered Major Kennedy to take the gallop and report

. at once to Colonel Martin, of the Seventeenth North Carolina

Troops, near Hamilton. Collecting every available man in
camp, amounting to only eighty-four, including the wagoners,
he proceeded as per order. Colonel Martin being sick, Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Lamb was in command, and by him the order
was given to take the gallop for Tarboro, where he expected we
would meet the enemy on his return from Rocky Mount, and
if so, hold them in check until he could get up with his regi-
ment and artillery. The order was obeyed as promptly as

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

78 Norra Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

iels’ me
could be done until we reached Daniels’ school me so :
i E 7 i s thought pru-
y r es from town, when it wa ght
three or four miles acs
pcs 1 d and feel our way. cece g
dent to send videttes ahea Ries fo i
; i r the work and ordere
in J rer vas detailed for the wor
Captain J. B. Edgerton wa : be
i im as taking five men
ces ith him as he chose an
to take such men wit pee ee
i i 7 forward. He did not find t
with him, he went forv : . pee
ntil he arrived at the bridge. Their attention was padi
uv uo a D> ; : :
fi of his men firing at them contrary to Ms
soon as they could collect their
He reported at once
idge and were

to his posse by one
orders. They mounted as
scattered forces and started after him. sg
that their whole force had come nent Z r ee
i ir way § rere then two miles trom us.
feeling their way and wer spree
instrue -o back and make a show of fig
then instructed to go be es pers
could toll them on our way perhaps. This w aves Pes
to make arrangements to meet ee be rtp a rbot
i; 7 i an d
rth si “oad was a little fla ; 5
the north side of the 1 eee
i road and between
i red, : he south side of the road a
timbered, and on the s | a
and a field by which they were bound to fee :
ue our detachment, was another fla

Two hundred yards to our rear was
a nice old pine field where the horses could be — fr is
‘cht “hey P iedly carried around wl
sight. They were hurriedly :
eins the men dismounted and two Sra neee find
oO ssi 5 ; z
i 3. Wethen hurried bac (

oners left with the horses. .
house and the men were placed three paces ee on spades Fi
of the road and about fifteen paces (or ee I ae Ae

1 ri rith legs nearly the s gth.
forming a long triangle wi ¢ A
We calmly awaited the report of Captain Edgerton.

school house
they continued to purs
or pond wooded also.

DANIEL’S SCHOOL HOUSE.

ed at the crook in the road up at the field ;

ir fir il or-
then cautioning the men to be sure to ey pes fire ama a
i to ai the stirrups, Edg
and not to aim at any one above = ,
ae with his detachment, took their eee Z
i : e
the road, there being only six or a pints Aa tee
; '
vas 81, as follows: Cap ge
‘hole number engaged was 81, as =
hin 34; Captain Ellis, 28; Captain Thompson, 19. Pear
ine as on the south side of the road with his men
ide with his. This was

He soon appear

dered
and Major Kennedy

Edgerton w
Major Kennedy was on the north s

SeventTy-Firrn REGIMENT. 79

what we baited with, and the enemy very carelessly took the
bait.

When they came to the corner of the fence in full view
they unlimbered a small piece of cannon and give us a couple
of rounds, but did not move us. They then thought perhaps
it was the same little party that had been showing up before
them all the way from Tarboro, prepared for a charge and
made the movement handsomely until fired upon from the
right and left, and seventeen of their horses were shot down
at a single volley. The command to fire was not given until
it was believed by firing at that time we would succeed in cut-
ting off as much as we would be able to take care of, and this
so proved for being only a few of us mounted, many that
were dismounted ran off before us and we could not help our-
selves, our horses being two hundred yards from us back in
the old field. In making the charge they could see none of
the men in the woods and all whom they could see being
mounted it emboldened them not to surrender when asked ;
and when their column was cut in two and their rear had
gone tilting back for Tarboro these fellows in front kept
right on fighting, using their sabers after their pistols and
carbines had been discharged.

Captain Edgerton and the mounted men, as well as Major
Kennedy, had their hands full for a while in hand-to-hand en-
counters. Captain Edgerton had the Yankee Major (Clark-
son) on his side of the road, and right vigorously he gave him
the saber as he went by him in the road. The Yankee Cap-
tain (Church) was on the other side of the road, but did not
have as good luck as the Major—not that any did his duty
any better than Captain Edgerton, for he was just as good as
a true soldier ought to be—but Major Kennedy had shot out
all he had loaded and did not have time to draw saber before

the Captain and others were pressing him, and having his
rifle in his hand he raised himself in his stirrups and gave the
Captain such a blow as sent him reeling off his horse. Those
of us who were mounted then had some exciting races to catch

those of them who, seemingly, had gone completely wild since
the little fight commenced.

The dismounted men having done all they could in secur-

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

80 Norto CaroLina TROOPS, 1861-’65.

ing prisoners and horses were ordered to procure their horses
and mount preparatory to a pursuit, and while this prepara-
tion was being made the six of us who were already mounted
had some exciting races through the woods and paths adja-
cent to the school house in running down and catching a
number who had got ent off from the Major in his rapid flight
in the direction of Mr. John Daniels’.

The enemy lost in this melee seventeen horses killed, forty-
five captured, five prisoners left in the school house, two of
whom were thought to be mortally wounded, and ten of the
last captured sent back to Lieutenant-Colonel Lamb, who was
only a few miles in our rear; also Captain Church, severely
wounded, and sixty-two saddles and equipments.* The gallop
was then taken to the bridge at Tarboro in the hope to cut off
any who might not have had the fortune to pass the bridge be-
fore our arrival. As we approached the bridge we found a
small portion of it torn up and that portion next to town on
fre. Dismounting and going as far as we could, for the fire
on the bridge, we called on the town to aid us with all the help
and buckets they could and we would save the bridge. The
call met a hearty response from the citizens. The first bucket
handed was from Governor Clark, who happened to be in
town on that day. The bridge was saved and by 8 p. m.,
we could have been across, and why we were not allowed to
continue the pursuit at once we never were able to under-
stand. The next morni fter the enemy had had a whole
night to travel we were or em, but had not
at that time any idea of overtaking them before they were
captured. Claiborne with a part of his regiment and a bat-
tery of artillery, was in his front and on the opposite side
of the creeks which the enemy had to cross, and below him
still were Colonel Martin’s troops; but in some way the bat-
tery and troops at the bridge near Scuffleton were removed,
giving the only gap whereby he could possibly have escaped
and as the gap had been opened for him he accepted
and went on his way rejoicing with many mules, horses, ¢ar-

Union and Cmfed. Armies 96°
Cav. admits 2 killed, 15 wounde

Nore.——The Federal account of this raid Ree.

SEvENTy-FirrH REGIMENT. 81
riages, wagons and i |
fe gons a large
‘ge quantity of bacon i
about negroes to eat it. Having (ists dle
hig gees aving safely crossed the creek he
| ‘h sailing until he could get to the nei
New Bern unless 2 Doe ee
co. 88 some one could get in his front, which in
D , y S
Lo tae to oe as nearly all parties you met down
) ul until you had ti th
oo J ad time to understand them
Sale — command followed them on some miles after
S 1 ¥ < ida
Sang : 3 er ona finally commenced to press them, when
a wagon load of ef
g meat and neg
sigue d negroes would be dropped
3 pped.
p d the most of the day, occasionally -
women and children and vehicles of oan k ear tata)
Q es of various kinds wi i
used inds with vari
pp About half an hour before sun down we came ss

with the mai
cine 28 body on the road leading from Swift creek t
eet’s Kerry, across the Neuse river. :

STREETS FERRY.

> mf 1
in eaters atten Jno. N . Whitford (then Major Whit-
ae eas ora ) ~ battalion had come in from the river
sas peel ." re command and our exhausted little
- “ me Jash or two at them until dark shut in upon
So we concluded to delay further operations cindtt

next morning
ing and demand a surrender, and if refused
at them determined to win aces

While we were arrangi
Se a - ga the Fiftieth North Daselina Lthestey
: at Jarolina Infe

- ches ogee near us. After supper (such ‘i

emia = ay W ashington, of the Fiftieth,

oa. oe a “ while we were discussing the

epi svt eisai ie surrender the next morning a cour-
eting him, as the ranking officer, to at once

move all troops from t i
3 Pp ‘hat locality and as hurriedly as possi-

This we :
re bie ‘ blow entirely unexpected and well calculated to
Snap a. P ex troops who had been doing faithful duty and
erfully looking forward to the time when they 5 ld
z y cou

ma h i p LJ a S.

‘ou Vv 1 Our OW 1€¢ arters I in)
arc the enemy I udl nit to n head 1
enemy, thoug h on | y eight miles fr om N ew Bern, remained
W her e we left them the whole of the next da V. The Vw ie
witl oO t rat s na ot a T ca oO ti n TY , wo via

1011 ATLONS a 1 ni a roun d f amminitio and wo
? 1

6

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

82 Nort Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

2101 4 ac 2mM0: 0 nO: 1 5 a
no. have ur le a dem ns rati n the next ry ming nd were
amazed t 0 find us all decamped. These facts we kne Ww then
fr m ce int fiven y ew str golers ken up c8)

a f age ta mn our

0 accov Ss > b >
maren and since then we h ave seen par ties W ho cer tify to the
same hia o, men who were eye witnesses 4 KK .
r | S> y a nd k new

EVANS MILL.

After this transaction we were ordered back to our ea
where we rested until about the last of ——— Ww eh: Pees
* work he Tar river, doing only picke ;
back to our work on the oe
in G 1 antime was keeping his p
Captain Gray in the mean .
ig 7ee Roanoke as far down as
straight between the f —
z ’s creek he Tar. The companie
and Tranter’s creek on t Piptits be!
ighborhood of Kinston in October an
dered to the neighborhood o ee
i inter ‘ters; this work was soon finishe
to build winter quarters ; ;
cept regular picket duty nothing of mets ee
shtick: the winter, so the next ae Sane ; . a a
-eady for activ full work, and they got it. é
was ready for active and a
ee Banos and Ransom demonstrated as pe as eA : :
% New : sent us down to the m1
below New Bern. They sen “4
sia the block house where we surrounded the eae = _ -
ing them leave and only getting two
block house, making them y 8 an
and a mee and about fifty of as fine chickens nn om .
Coming back over to our old camp es only nes ak ss
r rder was t from General De
rest before an order was sent f Bgtratis
him at a specified time at Williamston. oe no oe
iller vas in command of Gr
‘olonel of Artillery and was in eh
sone and the Seventh Confederate oe ae = c
if neo tillery carried on the field) at th
battery (if not all the ar . agen
a isplayed in that engagem
le of Plymouth. He disp =
payer of that branch of the service as sare cooln
and discretion as he could ng he been 60 see ee “ He
Virginia officer, no one w
Though a young Virginia 0 icer, NO ee
- Jeserves to be said of his generous 1 0
suv more than ceser e ay
his stately and manly qualities of head and heart, we esi
thine and affectionate appreciation of the — re
pg w] e - :
of his friends and companions 1n arms. aap li par a
R. E. Lee, to see him one time was to always know
Ee Lae JU, Y ‘

him.

SEVENTYy-Firru REGIMENT, 83

CAPTURE OF PLYMOUTH AND WASHINGTON.

Major Kennedy was not present at the disposition of the
troops to make the assault on the town of Plymouth, but ar-
rived in time to find where the command of Dearing was
placed and went in. A portion of Griffin’s Regiment, also
the Seventh Confederate, were occupying positions to the
right and soon it became necessary to change and cross Cona-
by creek in order to cut off any who might attempt to leave the
town in the direction indicated, as many were already passing
over in the hope to save themselves from being captured.
Many were so badly frightened that when asked to halt
and surrender they kept running and were fired upon and
killed ; but I saw none killed who promptly obeyed the order

to halt. The troops under Dearing’s command, it is allowa-
ble to say, contributed their

full share in proportion to num-
bers in the h

asty reduction of the little town, and while there

were quite a number killed and wounded we were truly glad
to see it no worse, and to be convinced that victorious as we
were, mercy had not been dethroned.

The next day the march was taken up for Washington on’
the Tar river, and being familiar with the country, Major
Kennedy was ordered to proceed at once with that portion of
the Sixty-second Georgia present and the Seventh Confed-
erate was sent with him and we were followed by Colonel
Mayo’s infantry regiment. We found no obstruction until
Wwe came to the works near the town. A few shots and a
charge disposed of all forces in our front and we went quietly
in and taking the gallop down to the river a few shots were
fired at the transports as they made their way slowly down
the river. The rejoicings of the inhabitants of the once
lovely and beautiful little town ean be better imagined than
described. No people in the State nor any where else had
more of the milk of human kindness in their hearts and could

come nearer making a stranger feel like he was at home. We
had seen and knew some of them before the war and also quite
a number in the surrounding country, who y

vere equal to the
occasion at all times when generous kindness was in demand.
A courier from De

aring ordered us off and the next morn-
ing we breakfasted at Mr. Bradford Perry’s, on the road to

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

84 Norru Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

Greenville. Before we got to Greenville serene ie
burning we were informed. _We can Hes eee Bie
Confederate soldier after having been as ae es : omer
were by the citizens would have applied the tore

town.
NEW BERN.

. ; eras
Plymouth and Washington having tars preg ce
: 1 y day tart was made by Gen
erate hands in a few days a8 en shies
Y ing Kinston and Trenton,
for New Bern. After passing S
Trent river, Major Kennedy was ordered to take a gu

Srventy-Firra REGIMENT. 85

spond to those just put by its side, and to complete the tem-
porary structure we hastily put on some railings extending
from one bank to the other. All things being ready to re-
sume the march the horses were led across and the order to
mount given.

As we mounted, and before the order to march was given,
General Dearing and Colonel Folk rode up. The sun had
just risen and as we got out to the road with Captain Edg-
erton and Captain Pitts, a few of the enemy came in sight, a
dash was made at them by about four men, catching only one.

1 make through the swamp (or Dismal As soon after this as the troops could be collected and proper

Be te woul -ossing of the ereek a short dispositions made the attack on the fort was ordered. The

1 eaneag arene d, twelve miles be- advance on the work was participated in by all the troops
5 ae be |

een pe cana der to carry out. present and without any disposition to show the white feather
low New Bern. This was a very tiresome order y present and withot any disposition to show the white feather

d used ;
The road we had to travel was Hak er barn ‘hat over leys and the white flag appeared as we advanced. A few over
only by pedestrians as a hunting path, an 200 well equipped soldiers were captured and what there was

. . k to knee-deep in water. c |
half of “ ee ee sea pen and then concluded that of supplies, of all kinds, in the sani
We tried it by two

ingle file would do better. This did better, but by no means : Se
sing

 

 

rough
well, for by the time 300 horses follow one another a 2
wad and water the last that pass in the track are as muda)

The city of New Bern was not well supplied with troops
and was ready to capitulate had an attack been made, with
a proper demand, but an order from General Lee hurried
General Hoke at once back to the Army of Northern Vir-
ginia and but a few days elapsed before all our cavalry were
ordered there, arriving just in time to aid in what should

i le
coons and often they go up to stirrups and even to the sadd

d that it was necessary to ma ck -
eet rene at all for we had about 300 horses, and “get there
to)

i eek
was the word of command. Finally we came to the er

i fort.
about 100 yards from the county road leading by a nar
Where we struck it the banks were high for that eee os
the water deep. There was a large oak shops oe mie “

ing been used as a toot-log
d the appearance of having | se
eeies so = concluded to use this log as a causeway for
P iecicsar tats

have been the decimation or bottling up of the whole of But-
ler’s army. After Butler was disposed of then five compa-
nies of our regiment, with two of Claiborne’s (Pitts and Bar-
rett) were ordered to dislodge the enemy from Dunn’s farm.
We went for them and they hastened to Bermuda Hundreds

and Port Walthall, taking refuge in the boats and under
cover of their guns.

‘os by adding to its breadth a foot on each side; so at : “if
ee Taking the measurement of the stream, ae se : -
‘3 ss Lo]

es pines standing a little way off and beech — figs

ild at 3 o’clock in the night, we broug tet

ok ate d milling them on it until we could ba oad ;

a ‘d t ee desired localities, we placed them by the side ir
dead. ay They were flattened on the top and sides, an

i em on top of our old oak and flattened it to corre

en

One whole night they shelled us without any casualty, for
without knowing it at the time we had selected a position
which gave us all the protection we needed. The next morn-
ing a few ventured out but in a very short while they were
glad to get back under the protection of their guns. We re-
mained on this farm only a few days when General Dearing

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

86 Norro CaroLina TROOPS, 1861-65.

himself took us across the river and below Petersburg tu the
front of our last work on the City Point road. Here we en-
camped and got a few hours rest for our men and horses; and
it was fully appreciated and much needed, for we had not
had any solid, good rest in eight or ten days. An old sol-

dier knows how to appreciate such opportunities.

WOUNDED AND PRISONER.

Having rested here about two days, we were ordered to go
down the river to an old church called Broadway, and dis-
lodge any of the enemy we might find. When in about a
half mile of the church one-half the command was halted and
the front companies carried forward; when in plain view a
considerable force made its appearance which was imme-
diately attacked with such determination as to demoralize
and seatter them, driving them from their camp and its equip-
age. It was here that Lieutenant-Colonel Kennedy received

wounds that partially disabled him from a full participation

in the remainder of the struggle—one through his leg, one

through his arm and one through the body, entering the right

side just above the kidney and passing by the other in a
The enemy were moved and the command un-
back to camp and remained

rand move, on Petersburg,

straight line.
der General Dearing was brought

on the south side until Grant’s g
when it was called upon and did as much gallant service as it

was possible for any troops to have done under the circum-
stances.

When wounded Lieutenant-Colonel Kennedy was carried
to the house of a friend who lived near and in full view of our
first line of works which had to be carriéd before the enemy
could proceed. This was a long line and the only troops en-

gaged on our side were a part of Dearing’s Brigade (cavalry),

ise’s Brigade ( infantry), and Sturdivant’s Bat-

General Wise 3 I
tery of artillery. Unable to be removed he was in their lines

?
and near enough to the road to see every one of the enemy's

detachments as they passed by to the attack, and there were
ould not believe it possible for our small

force to withstand them at all. As they marched up the

hill he had his bed moved to a window that commanded
a view of the whole situation and with his field glasses could

Sreventy-Firra REGIMENT. 87

see distinctly every charge made and the repulsed blue
coats hurriedly retreating to their main body. On our line
of works he could also see the brave Wise and the gal-
lant Dearing leading and encouraging their little puoi
Dearing seemed to be most in the work and most conspicuous
in repulsing every charge made, but he was a cavalry officer
and naturally a leader, of great courage and ability The
writer saw during the day several lines of the enemy advante
and retire, leaving their dead and wounded at times. Th

gallantry and determination of our officers and men held dheen
in check until the evening when they were reinforced b 20,-
000. At this time Dearing and Wise retired in good pec to
our next line and continued the fight until General Hoke’s
Division came to their aid. The charges were very darin 1

executed and repulsed, almost hand-to-hand, and all the eg
ficers of Dearing’s Brigade who were in the enigagenuint unite
in the belief that Dearing’s gallantry and the determined
bravery of his men and officers saved Petersburg from th :

falling into the hands of the enemy. ¢ 2

EXCHANGED,

The next day Lieutenant-Colonel Kennedy was cared for
by Gen. Burnside’s division surgeon, and to him and many ft.
ficers of this division he is thankful for many acts of el ‘
ous kindness. As soon as he was able to be aoved *e ea
sent down to Fortress Monroe and exchanged for an offi ;
of his rank who had been eaptured at the Order ‘is Pet te
burg. From this time he was not with the reutinent nee bri
gade a great portion of his time, but was with it seduatiniiel
and some times on duty. What is said after this ‘will be nd

~ what he has learned from the officers and men as well as
rom personal knowledge.

SUNDRY ENGAGEMENTS.

_ pa wager ve of Petersburg until the surrender
- a. ie y Poa icts in which the brigade participated.
oy nee vps we had a heavy engagement, losing
‘sees ake rne anc several men, and the brigade will always

ember with pride and pleasure the timely aid of the First

 
 

 

88 Norra Carortina Troops, 1861-65. ; Seventy-Firra REGIMENT. 89

: . : 7. the warehouse burned. A part of our regiment, especiall

North Carolina Brigade in this parC = A pet Dees’ company, did very fine work there cg aid of the North

oo . Carolina Junior Reserves who acted very gallantly. When
it was known the raiders had gone in the direction of Belfield,
Colonel Kennedy was ordered to take every available man
and join in the pursuit. When we got to Belfield they were
a few hours ahead of us and having been very handsomely re-
pulsed at the bridge they turned back for their own lines.
We followed until it was considered useless to go further,
when we were ordered back to Belfield.

The weather was very cold, but we camped in a very finely
timbered piece of woodland and soon had good fires made of
just such logs as the men chose to use. The writer went to

stain on their shields. tes + atta ot 5 sleep that night with a chunk of wood for his pillow, throwing
Soon after the fight of Burgess’ Mill a reorganiza a light oil-cloth over and covering him entirely. The next

the cavalry was effected and ee rks? een bane pe Te morning when he awoke there was at least four inches of snow
Major-General and General Dearing was assigned to aha on his oil-cloth, but our fire was not quite extinguished. His
Brigade, and General W. P. Roberts, who had been t a f crutches were also completely covered up with the snow and
lant young Colonel of the Second, was placed in comman i it took several minutes to locate and scratch them out. We
our (Dearing’s) Brigade. ; remained in this camp near a week before orders to return to

SEVENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT FORMED. B the lines. The weather was cold, good wood was plentiful,
we had good rations and good fires to warm by and much of
our beef was consumed.

 

as much as we desired to handle. —
of the enemy and their supplies by our commanding General,

W. H. F. Lee, and the return of the troops to their camps,
General Dearing remarked if “Aunt Nancy” (Gen. —
ger) had not got there just at the time he did, that he wou
have had a much harder time, for, said he, they outnumbere

us three to one. In all the fighting along the Wilmington &
Weldon Railroad, the Davis House, Peebles’ Farm, a
Mill, Hatcher’s Run, and along the Squirrel Level Road,
Five Forks and the Boisseau House, these troops under Gen-
erals Roberts and Dearing did their full share, leaving no

 

 

 

 

 

At the reorganization the Georgia material was placed to-
vether in Georgia commands, and the North Carolina sani | ;
a North Carolina commands. When General Dearing left ; 1S, MOBEBTSO. BRIGADE.
to take charge of the Virginia Brigade he brought omar ; Soon after returning to our line the gallant and brave
Colonel Kennedy official notice of promotion to Colonel ae { young General W. P. Roberts, took command of our brigade,
assionment to the Seventh North Carolina Cavalry, whic E and a Maryland officer, Major Edelin, was assigned as Lien-
au thé Seventy-fifth North Carolina Regiment. Being then 4 tenant-Colonel to the Sixteenth Battalion ( for so we were
on erutches he was assigned to duty as commandant of the still styled, though really a regiment). He did not sueceed

a. Beane Casale : 1 well and soon was captured and it was thought by those who
ae Colonel Kennedy was leaving for his post General ; ought to know that the capture was coveted by himn—at any
decide oe to City Point after 2,500 head of cattle, } rate men and officers agree that his capture was no loss to us,
sapiens ie being familiar with the country led the way, 5 as he was not a favorite of eithe men or officers. General
a esileg hese es pes Him. The eattle were brought out £ Grant continued to push his numberless cohorts against Gen-
eae cee" pene sie ver seni there were 2,485 brought t eral Lee’s constantly decreasing army until the bloody fight-
— 3 paar Bate? report: This was a hand- ' ing at the Boisseau house and Five Forks demonstrated the
ee ee eee: plein table aequieiten to General Lee’s d necessity of giving up Richmond and Petersburg. On 2
cia = ee dnd that winter the beef ration t April the retreating army commenced to move. General

: at F tnat ‘9 slits . 7

So tad Abort this time a raid was made on Belfield and ;

 

was fine.

 
 

 

 

 

90 Nortu Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

Sheridan’s Cavalry, elated with recent victory, vigorously
pursued, but they were so gallantly and defiantly held in
check by Roberts’ Brigade that they not only surprised their
enemies, but attracted their admiration and esteem. Again
on the 3d when every brigade of cavalry, including Bushrod
Johnson’s Division of infantry, became panic-stricken and
gave way it was the Sixteenth Battalion (Seventy-fifth Regi-
ment) more than any other that checked General Sheridan’s
impetuous onslaught, holding his whole corps of cavalry at
bay for over two hours and until General W. H. F. Lee could

rally his forces and restore confidence.

This command was complimented by General Lee himself

and many other prominent officers for its gallant conduct, and

its officers received the thanks of all for their Tar Heel pluck
and fortitude which became known throughout the command ;

and again at Jetersville the Seventy-fifth did good work, not

failing to charge time and again until General Roberts saw
his weak line against

that it was useless to continue to throw
Sheridan’s vast army in the vain endeavor to break through,
so as to enable General Lee to retreat by Burkeville to Dan-
ville. Then followed constant skirmishing to Appomattox

Court House, in all of which the brigade acted a conspicuous

part, and especially the Seventy-fifth, led by Lieutenant E. J.

Holt, who gallantly helped to lead the last cavalry charge

made by the Army of Northern Virginia. When first organ-
but when placed under

command of General Dearing it soon became entitled to be
he war from North

ized its true worth was not known,

classed among the best troops sent to t

Carolina. Not in a single action was it known to falter.

At Blacks and Whites, at Battery 7, below Petersburg (the
heaviest fight we ever had), at Plymouth, at Broadway, Bur-

gess’ Mill, the Davis House, Peebles’ Farm, Hatcher’s Run,
Boisseau House, Newport, Croatan, Tarboro or Daniels’
School House, Chinquepins Evans’ Mill, Red Hill, Blount’s
Creek, Ruff’s Mill, and many other minor engagements, our

companies exhibited the

which did so much to immortalize that army.
J. T. Kennepy,

W. F. Parker.

Goxpssoro, N. C.,

Enrte.p, N. C.,
9 April, 1901.

sticking qualities of a true soldier

ADDITIONAL SKETCH SEVENTY-FIFTH
REGIMENT.

By E. J. HOLT, First Lizuvrenant, Company A.

In the spring of 1862, there were several companies of
mounted troops raised in North Carolina as independent com-
panies, with the understanding that they were to remain in
the State and were to be used only in its defense.

Japtain W. A. Thompson, sheriff of Wayne County, raised
a company in February and March, 1862, in Warns and
Johnston. First Lieutenant, E. J. Holt; Second Lieuten-
ants, W. P. Holland and H. B. Ham. This company had a
sharp encounter with the enemy at Kenansville. Captain J
fT. Kennedy raised in Wayne, Johnston and Wake Counties
in July another company. On his promotion to Major this
company, which had become very large, was divided into two.
Captain Jno. A. Richardson, with Jas. B. Edgerton First
Lieutenant; M. Whitley, James H. Parker, and later Wil-

_ liam Hooks, Second Lieutenants; and Captain Geo. T. Dees
. T. Dees,

with A. M. G. Wiggins First Lieutenant, and John M. Mil-
ler Second Lieutenant. Captain T. R. Duvall raised s com-
pany in Forsyth and Guilford, of which S. S. Lindsey was
First Lieutenant, and §. C. Thornton Second Lieutenant
Captain KE. A. Martin’s company was from Northampton;
J esse B. Boone was First Lieutenant, and Jesse T. Britton
with Jas. G. Odom Second Lieutenants. Captain W. K
Lane, of Wayne, a company from Halifax County, of witeh
Jno. H. Branch was First Lieutenant and Jno & Collins
and W. Fletcher Parker were Second Lieutenants. Cap-
tain J. J. Lawrence a company in Wilson and bea
Counties, of which later L. J. Barrett became Captain, with
First Lieutenants Moses T. Mays and then R. P Edwards
(promoted from Second Lieutenant), and Second Lieuten-
ants Joseph B. Davis and Joseph W. Taylor. Cusiate F.G.
Pitts a company in Edgecombe, with Van B. Sharpe First
Lieutenant, and B. P. Jenkins and Mark B. Pitts Second
Lieutenants. Captain B. C. Clement a company from Davie

 
 

 

 

 

 

92 Nortu Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

County, of which S. M. Johnson was First Lieutenant, and
S. L. Lander and John A. Welch were Second Lieutenants.
Captain J. A. Clement a company from Davie, with L. G.
Gaither First Lieutenant, and B. F. Nichols and C. E. Har-
per Second Lieutenants.
In August, 1862, Thompson’s, Kennedy’s and Duvall’s
companies became a part of the Sixty-second Georgia Regi-
ment, in which they served through 1862, 1863 and till 11
July, 1864. When it was organized in 1862, Captain Na be
Kennedy was made Major, and Captain R. P. Howell Quar-
termaster. These officers were all the recognition the North
Carolina companies received at the hands of their Georgia
omrades.
: The Sixty-second Georgia, during the fall of 1862 and
the whole of 1863 till May, 1864, was on picket duty and fre-
quently engaged with scouting and raiding parties of the en-
emy who were in strong force in Plymouth, Washington, New
Bern, N. C., and in Suffolk, Va., and from the Spring of
1863 it and the Seventh Confederate Cavalry were all the
cavalry between Petersburg, Va., and Wilmington, N. C.
They were broken up into companies and squadrons and for
months at a time the men were on picket every other day.
They were forced to depend for forage for their horses and
food for themselves on the country in which they happened

to be.
They were present and bore their full share in the capture

of Plymouth and the investment of Washington and New
Bern. Near Tarboro the three North Carolina companies
under the command of Major Kennedy, engaged a largely
superior force of the enemy in Potter’s raid, and in an open,
square fight, killed, wounded, captured or put to flight every
Yankee in the party. We pursued the raiders to the banks
of Neuse river, near New Bern, N. C., and if the infantry
Colonel who was in command at that point had yielded to
Major Kennedy’s request to push them, the whole force
would have been captured. The whole of 1863 and till May,
1864, was spent in guarding the eastern part of the State and

the southern part of Virginia.

In May, 1864, we marched to Petersburg, Va., and were a

Sreventy-Firra REGIMENT. 93

part of General Beauregard’s forces that met and successfully
drove back the first assault on Petersburg, and were on hand
on the north side of the Appomattox when Butler was bottled
up at Bermuda Hundreds. In June Lieutenant-Colonel
Kennedy was severely wounded in a hot fight near City Point,
below Petersburg, Va. We were then in Brigadier-General
James Dearing’s Brigade. We were kept busy all through
the summer of 1864 in guarding General Lee’s right and in
June we followed the Wilson raider’ from the time they
crossed the Weldon Railroad to near. Danville, Va., and back
to Reams Station. On that raid we were hotly engaged at
Blacks and Whites, on the Richmond & Danville Railroad,
and had several running fights. It was a sorry lot of Yan-
kees we let go back. A few, however, did go through.

There was more or less fighting almost every day on our
part of General Lee’s line in that awful summer of 1864.
General Grant was moving south and stretching General
Lee’s line continuously and our brigade was always expected
to meet them on every move, and we did, at Jones’ farm,
Reams Station, the Davis farm, Burgess’ Mill, Armstrong’s
Mill, Poplar Spring Church and several other points which
have passed from the writer’s memory. In July, 1864, the
North Carolina companies were taken out of the Sixty-sec-
ond Georgia Regiment and Captain E. A. Martin’s company
from the Twelfth Battalion, and added to the Sixteenth
North Carolina Battalion, which had been formed by the
North Carolina companies of Captain W. K. Lane, Captain
B. C. Clement, Captain J. A. Clement, Captain L. J. Bar-
rett, and Captain F. G. Pitts, which had been taken from the
Seventh Confederate Cavalry.

During Colonel Kennedy’s absence Lientenant-Colonel J.
B. Edelin, of Maryland, was in command of the Seventy-
fifth Regiment, which was thus formed, though it was still
styled usually the Sixteenth Battalion. Captain F. G. Pitts
was promoted to Major, John R. Moore ‘Adjutant, W. H.
Call, of Company G, Ordnance Sergeant.

In February, 1865, General Dearing was transferred
to a Virginia command. He was a splendid officer and
his whole brigade regretted his change of command.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

94 — Norra Carona Troops, 1861-65.

Brigadier-General Roberts, of North Carolina, was assigned
to a new brigade composed of our regiment and the Fifty-
ninth North Carolina in February, and commanded us till
the end. In December, 1864, we were moved from General
Lee’s right, near Dinwiddie Court House, and went into win-
ter quarters at Belfield, Va. We built nice, cozy quarters
and hoped to pass the winter in resting our tired and run-
down horses, but there was hardly a week we hae not have -
meet a raiding or scouting party of Grant's cavalry. In
February we hurriedly marched to Dinwiddie Court House
and for five days we were in the worst snow and sleet of the
winter and what was worse, were absolutely without food of
anv kind for men or horses. Some of the men found
spoiled corn where artillery horses had been fed and eat : a ,
For four days the writer never tasted even corn. It was fea1
but the men did not complain.

ithe brigade returned to Belfield for only a short time. ve
went back to General Lee’s right flank and were there vie
March when Grant began his flank movement which force

the Confederates back till we were on the White Oak road.

The Seventy-fifth was engaged every day from the 28th till
Richmond and Petersburg were evacuated and the retreat -
Appomattox was begun, and on 31 March in a — is ve
on a portion of Sheridan’s cavalry, captured a beaut pe
flag, which is now in the possession of a pon (es 7
old company. On 1 April Captain B. C. gers: a ie
geant, and thirteen men, were captured by a sma ge :
the enemy who had gotten in our rear. 95 (Serial) Vol.

L ies, 827.
Off. Rec. Union and Confed. Armies, ‘
foot the 30th our commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Edelin

charged a solid line of battle by himself. We — aia i!
jn line of battle expecting to either make an assault or 7 -
one when Colonel Edelin drew his sabre and charged a . :
directly upon a large body of cavalry. The — Ce 2
opened ranks and our brave Lieutenant-Oolonel rode rm : .
waving his sabre and yelling like a maniac. That was

y y or heard of him. :
: Major Pitts took command and held it till rer 2 cgay:
when he literally broke down from exhaustion and was sup

SEventy-Firru REGIMENT. 95

posed to be captured. On the morning of 28 March the Sev-
enty-fifth had about 315, rank and file, but the constant fight-
ing, marching and the want of rations and sleep had caused
all but the strongest to give out, and by 5 April I am sure
there was not over one hundred men for duty. The losses con-
tinued till at the surrender we numbered only 51. On 3
April General Roberts with our regiment, stopped a stampede
which, if allowed to have gone further, would have ruined
General Lee’s chance of ever getting his army beyond Amelia
Court House.

Our brigade was the rear guard on the county road just
south of the Appomattox river, and another regiment had
been posted with orders to hold the Yankees in check while
ours fell back to another position. We had not gone a mile
when a cavalry regiment hastily pursued by a squadron of
cavalry came at a dead run and in wild disorder upon us.
Our regiment got panic-stricken and joined in the race, but
General Roberts placed himself in the road in their front and
managed to halt about fifty men; he had us to about face and
in a hurry we sent the pursuing force back on their main
column. If General Roberts had not halted us when he did
there is no telling what the result would, have been—disas-
trous certainly. That day General Roberts placed the writer
in command of the regiment and he held it till 9 April.

There was not a mile that we did not fight over from the
time the retreat begun till we reached Appomattox Court
House. The losses from wounds were not very heavy, but
the constant fighting and marching day and night just wore
men and horses completely out. On the 5th the writer was
shot from his horse, but was not severely wounded, and did
not leave the command.

On the night of 8 April the brigade halted about half a
mile east of the Court House, at daybreak on the 9th we were
mounted and marched to the west side of the village, and at
sunrise were in line of battle. Shortly after a battery in
our front opened on us and General Roberts promptly
ordered a drawn sabre charge. We as promptly made it and
captured the battery (four brass guns) and about fifty of Sher-
idan’s dismounted cavalry. We took the guns and prisoners

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

96 Nort Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

back to the point where we had formed a line that morning
and while there the writer saw about fifty dismounted en-
emy in a piece of woods about half a mile in our front and a
little to the right of where we had captured the battery. I
informed General Roberts and he ordered us to charge
them, which we did with drawn sabres. We had an open
field to cross, cut up by ditches. We passed the ditches
safely and reached a point not over fifty yards from the en-
emy, who had taken shelter behind a rail fence built on the
bank of a five or six foot canal. Of course we knew nothing
of the canal till we were nearly at it. Wesaw that we could
not reach the boys in blue with cold steel and we returned
sabres, unslung carbines and fired a volley at them, and then
fell back; just as the men fired my horse was killed, so I had
to go out on foot. Two or three of my men were wounded,
but kept their seats.

That was the last charge ever made by our command, and
was as gallant as any it ever made, and was certainly the last
made by any part of General Lee’s army. I think I had
ample opportunity to know that it was the last charge made,
for I went back alone and on foot and I noticed there was no
firing any where along the lines.

When I got back where I had left the brigade, General Rob-
erts and a few others had got news of the surrender and had
made their escape. I might have done so too, but I was with-
out a horse and was too tired to walk. General Roberts’ ab-
sence left the writer in command of the brigade, and we were
soon camped in a field near the Court House where we made
out a roll of men and officers present, drove our guns into the
hard earth to tie our horses to, made a fire, burned our flag to
keep the Yankees from getting it, and waited for further or-
ders and something to eat.

The next day we lay and rested. On Tuesday evening we
got our paroles ready and left for our homes in North Car-
clina. The writer signed all the paroles (95) for Roberts’
Brigade and Barringer’s Brigade (23)—in all 118 men. A

copy of my own parole is hereto appended.
E. J. Horr.

Smirnrietp, N. C.,
9 April, 1901.

SEVENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.

(SIXTH RESERVES. )

By THE EDITOR.

- ge regiment was organized in October or November.
4, at Wilmington, by electing the following Field Officers :
A. A. Moss, Colonel.

James V. Symons, Lieutenant-Colonel.
TERRELL Brooxs, Major.

T he companies compe. sing t he regiment seem to ha ve I een
. eo . : : -
in ¢c mntinuo iS service since J uly and were all or der ed to

VW ilmingto 22 . ey were con manded as fol-
2ton = Oc ODET Ch
t / N

low S:

Caprain Joun M. Brawtey, Rowan.
Captain Levi Carrout, Rowan.
Caprain T. W. Grirrvin, Union.
Caprain J. M. Srewart, Union.
Capraix Josnua Rovusz, Lenoir.
Caprain J. Powrtri, Columbus.
Carraiy J. L. Cops, Robeson.
Captain Grorae E. Knox, Brunswick.
Cartain Joun W. Turner,
Captain Duncan Ketty, Bladen.

Le OY Jones 1s also ment 10ne as aptain in this regiment
1 oe © d © i i i gi
Lis
n seneral Holmes Order book. The above were ( aptains

In the senior} Res erves b it it 1s t &

, it not t in t t they were all
certa hat

in this regiment.

Dr. G. i. Cox was Assistant Surgeon, and J. M. Willia
was transferred to the regiment as Surgéon fr ; ~
enty-third. : : steak

The Seventy-sixth was sent to Salisbury 24 Novemb
probably to relieve the Sixty-eighth North ‘Carolina which
was soon thereafter ordered to the Roanoke section It fas

placed with the Seventy-third and Seventy-fourth in John F
: J :

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

98 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

Hoke’s Brigade and seems to have performed boeigee? ee
3 | a ding the prisoners a i ;
s those regiments of guar

with jails for bridge guards and arresting deserters and

i i i d by them.
ing order in neighborhoods disturbe
ee ‘March 1865, being no longer needed to guard the

: ‘oh
risoners at Salisbury, the regiment was ordered ee
Point and then was placed in the Seventh wera eae
‘et to ith regimental headquarters a
trict to arrest deserters wl 2 = oe
i dered to Greensboro.
boro. On 16 March it was or se
ston’s surrender, they were either paroled or went home wi

out that ceremony.

SEVENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.

(SEVENTH RESERVES. )

By JOHN G. ALBRIGHT, First Lieutenant Company A,

This regiment was organized at Greensboro in July, 1864,
by the temporary appointment of Chas. E. Shober, Colonel ;
J. A. Barrett, Lieutenant-Colonel; J. 0. Dobbin, Major.

These last two were disabled officers on light duty and were
released in November when their successors were selected.

From Lieutenant Albright’s sketch and from General
Holmes’ order book also, it appears that their successors were
elected at Camp Davis, on Masonboro Sound, in November,
when Lieutenant-Colonel Barrett and Major Dobbin were
ordered to other duties; upon the regiment being sent south.

In Moore’s Roster, Vol. 4, p. 345-358, where it is errone-
ously given as the Seventy-third, we find the muster rolls of
seven companies, the names of whose officers were given below,
and on pages 333-335 we find the muster roll of what is given
there as Company A, Seventy-third Regiment, but which we
know from Lieutenant Albright’s narrative, printed in “Our
Living and Our Dead,’ October, 1874, pp. 134-137, was
Company A, of this regiment. The roster of officers, if those

given in Moore’s Roster (amended by adding Company A) is
correct is as follows:

Company A—Alamance—Captain, W. §, Bradshaw ;

First Lieutenant, Jno. G. Albright; Second Lieutenants, Al-
fred Sharp and James Gilliam.
ized 13 June, 1864.

Company B—Guilford—Captain, Jacob Boon; First
Lieutenant, George Kirkman; Second Lieutenants, T. M.
Woodburn and John Soots. This company was organized
18 June, 1864.

Company C—Guilford—Captain, W. B. Johnston; First
Lieutenant, W. R. Pearson ; Second Lieutenants, John Blay-

This company was organ-

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

100 Norru Carottna Troops, 1861-65.

lock and Frederick Smith. This company was organized 13

June, 1864. Bees

Company D—Person—Captain, R. 8S. Davis; First Lieu-
tenant, T. H. Brooks; Second Lieutenants, Chesley Hicks
and Alfred Blalock. This company was organized 21 June.

Company E—Stokes—Captain, W. H. Watts; First Lieu-
tenant, W. G. Haynes; Second Lieutenants, Dempsey Bailey
aud Matthew Phillips. This company was organized 28
June, 1864.

Company F—Caswell—Captain, A. A. Mitchell; First
Lieutenant, J. S. Glass; Second Lieutenants, A. M. Fuller
and J. J. Chandler. This company was organized 23 June,
1864.

Company G—Forsyth-—Captain, E. E. Nolland; First
Lieutenant, Jno. H. Shore: Second Lieutenants, David
Shouse and Solomon Tice.

Company H—Stokes—Captain, William Clinard; First
Lieutenant, N. S. McGee; Second Lieutenants, P. B. Cook
and Israel Moser.

The muster rolls of the other two companies are not
given in Moore’s Roster.

This regiment was ordered to Raleigh 27 October, 1864,
and on 1 November General Holmes telegraphed General
Bragg at Wilmington that he had sent him this regiment to-
gether with Erwin’s Battalion (Seniors) ; three companies of
Millard’s Battalion (Juniors) and thirteen other companies
of Seniors, and that there were no others except those guard-
ing prisoners at Salisbury. The thirteen companies of Sen-
iors were probably the ten soon after organized into the
Eighth Reserves and the three companies that formed Little-
john’s Battalion. On 10 November it was reported at Wil-
mington with nine other companies of Seniors, 89 Off. Rec.

Union and Confed. Armies, 1207, at Masonboro Sound. On
28 November the regiment elected

Cuas. E. Suosmr, Colonel.

Ezexter. W. Hancock, Lientenant-Colonel, who was pro-
moted Colonel 26 January, 1865, upon the resignation of Col-
onel Shober.

Prone cepnogentema per ee or meray

a ee

ve teeter

Ce

SEVENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT. 101

James R. McLean, Major.

It was soon sent south and as appears from the above Of-
ficial Records it left Charleston for Savannah 7 December and
on 9 December was in the battle of Coosawhatchie under the
command of General Beverly H. Robinson, 92 Off. Rec.
Umion and Confed. Armies, 446, and on 26 December it was
in the skirmish at Tullifinny Iron Works, 130 of the regi-
ment being present. Another detachment of 263 were in
Harrison’s Brigade at Coosawhatchie, same Vol. pp. 992,
999. From January to March, 1865, inclusive, it was in a
brigade commanded by Colonel Wash. M. Hardy, of the Six-
teenth North Carolina, composed of this regiment, the
Fiftieth North Carolina and Tenth North Carolina Battal-
ion, which brigade belonged to McLaw’s Division.

So far this sketch has been taken from General Holmes’
Order Books and the above Official Records published by the
United States Government. What follows is the above cited
sketch of Lieutenant Albright, of Company A. It probably
gives a fair idea of the scope of duties imposed upon the Sen-
ior Reserves. To read it causes us to regret that the histories
of the other regiments of Senior Reserves were not obtained
from members of those commands, while it was possible to
do so. Lieutenant Albright’s interesting sketch is as fol-
lows:

LIEUTENANT ALBRIGHT’S HISTORY.

The Senior Reserves of Alamance County, having been
conscripted, met in Graham in June, 1864, and elected the
following officers: W.S. Bradshaw, Captain; John G. Al-
bright, First Lieutenant; Alfred Sharp, Second Lieutenant ;
James Gilliam, Junior Second Lieutenant. These officers
were never commissioned, but were ordered into the service.
Fifteen men were selected out of the company and were sent
to Greensboro as a guard at that place. In a short time the
remainder were ordered into the southern part of the county to
catch deserters from the army. A detachment under the
First Lieutenant was sent to scour the Cane Creek Mountains,
where they caught a deserter and found five caves, dug for
the purpose of hiding provisions, ete., in which was found one
quilt, one large jug, tin cups, ete., which had just been de-

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

102 Norru Caroiina Troops, 1861-65.

serted by the proprietors. The detachment went on to Cane
Creek factory. The officer in command sent to a man’s
house to see if he was at home, when two men leaped out of
the back door and started through a corn field at the top of
their speed. One of them was a large man and the other a
small one. At first the superior strength of the large one
gave him the advantage, but before they got to the end of the
field the small one was before. It was the most ludicrous
foot race ever witnessed by the writer. Each one ran, not as
running from danger, but as if for a thousand dollar wager.
The large man was at first supposed to be a deserter, but was
not, for he had once been taken to Camp Holmes and pre-
sented for service, but not accepted. The small one was the
one to whom the house belonged. After the race was over
the officer went in and told the good woman that the running
would be of no service to her husband, and told her to tell
him that the company had to go to Greensboro, and that he
must come on immediately, which, be it told to his credit, he
did. He belonged to our company.

From Cane Creek Factory we went to Greensboro, where
we were put in a regiment of other reserves, and a set of field
officers placed over the company. Our next move was to Ash-
boro. Here our small man who ran so at the factory came up
and delivered himself to the authorities. He had gone to
Greensboro just in time to be too late, and had followed us to
this place. At Greensboro he was furnished with gun and
eartridge box. On his way to Asheboro he came across one,
like himself who was a deserter and Senior Reserve, and on
whom he prevailed te go with him to camp. ~

We drove over the mountains in Randolph County, scaring
up wild turkeys, foxes and owls in great abundance, but no
deserters. The turkeys were seared so terribly that they
eould not: get out of the way. One of the men wanted to
shoot, and when the officer would not let him, tried to bayo-
net it.

About this time we received orders to forage on those who
had sons in the bushes, which was done to some extent. This

rigid system brought up a great many who were sent off as
conscripts, and not deserters,

SEVENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT. 103

We were sent from Ashboro to Wilmington. From Wil-
mington we were ordered to Camp Whiting, thence to Ply-
mouth, thence back to Wilmington, thence to Camp Davis, on
Masonboro Sound, where our young field officers disappeared.

There we had an election for the officers of Lieutenant-
Colonel and Major. Wheeler Hancock, of Rockingham, was
elected to the former and J. Robert McLean, of Guilford, to
the latter office. We had no fight there but could see the en-
emy frequently in their vessels.

From Camp Davis we were ordered to Savannah, from
thence to Coosawhatchie river. The next day after our ar-
rival we got in a fight with General Foster’s forces, which
numbered about seven thousand men, while ours were only
about three thousand. We held the fort (at Savannah) for 37
days and nights they shelling us nearly all the time from a
fort near by. We had nothing but rifle pits to protect us from
their fire. After the fall of Savannah, Sherman being about
to surround us, we evacuated our position, setting fire to the
bridge across the Tullifinny river, which, not burning rapidly,
was cut down by a detachment which had been felling trees
across the road. When we reached New Pocataligo the en-
emy were within a quarter of a mile of us. We would have
been captured had it not been for the Fiftieth North Carolina
Regiment, which kept the enemy at bay until we got by.
We retreated across the Salkehatchie river, about a mile above
the railroad crossing, where we remained some time. There
our commanding Colonel (Shober) left us, and the command
develved upon Wheeler Hancock, the Lieutenant-Colonel,
but the brigade was commanded by Colonel (Wash. ) Hardy,
(Sixtieth North Carolina), for we were brigaded with the
Fiftieth Regiment and Tenth Battalion, ours being called
the Seventh Regiment of Reserves. We were marched
up the Salkehatchie river to Buford’s bridge to prevent Sher-
man’s crossing. While we were there he succeeded in cross-
ing at Rivers’ bridge, after having a pretty lively time with a
Georgia regiment, who captured some of his advance guard.
We were next marched to Branchville and stationed on the
Edisto river, while Sherman passed on towards Columbia.
We next went to a place called Ridgeville, where a great many

 
 

 

 

 

 

104 Norra Caroiina Troops, 1861-’65.

wounded and sick men were relieved from duty by Dr. Cher-
ry, the only man who seemed to have any mercy or humanity.
Several of those relieved died soon after getting home.

From Ridgeville we were marched to Florence, where we
got on the train and went to Cheraw, and from Cheraw to
Wall’s Ferry. While there the men got completely disheart-
ened, went to the officers and asked them what they must do
for something to eat, who told them that they could do noth-
ing for them. Upon this some of the men went home.

From there we were marched fifteen miles west of Fayette-
ville, where General Wade Hampton charged Kilpatrick, cap-
turing some of his men, and from there to Averasboro, where
we halted for a day or two. We were marched back a mile
or so, where we threw up breastworks by cutting down pine
trees and chinking underneath with pine knots. There we
were attacked by Sherman’s forces. The line of battle ex-
tended from the Cape Fear to a small stream eastwards. If
two brigades next to the river had not given way, we could
have held our own, but as they did Sherman proved too hard
for us. Under cover of the darkness we retreated from the
place in good order and marched on to Bentonville, where we
. engaged Sherman on one Sunday morning (19 March). In
the evening our brigade was double-quicked from the left to
the right of the line, where Colonel Hardy rushed us up
within twenty feet of the enemy’s breastworks, telling the of-
ficers it was to relieve our men. We received a terrible vol-
ley, upon which one of the officers called out to cease firing,
that they were shooting their own men. Still the firing went
on. We took shelter the best we could behind the pine trees,
except some of us who were in a pond about sixty or seventy
yards wide. These retreated across the pond, the officers
shouting all the time, “You are shooting your own men.”
There we lost about fifty-one men in about half a minute,
out of about four hundred. When the firing ceased Captain
Bradshaw ordered Lieutenant Blalock to go forward and see
if they were our own men who fired into us. When he got
within fifteen or twenty feet of their works, two videttes
leaped out, took him by the arms and led him across the

8

oem

timate a

SRS eee Sree

.

SEVENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT. 105

breastworks. Then, knowing who they were, we fired into
and drove them from their works.

After the firing ceased two of the officers gathered up all
the men they could find, marched out about three hundred
yards and built small fires of pine rails—one for Colonel
Wortham’s Regiment (Fiftieth North Carolina) and one for
the Senior Reserves,

The men being ordered to look after the wounded, split
lightwood rails, and, having lighted them, went back to the
breastworks and brought them out to the fires, where they
were placed into ambulances and carried away. We marched
back about half a mile, where we encamped for the night.
At daylight the firing was renewed, and continued until Tues-
day night at 12 o’clock. The enemy never broke our lines
during the whole fight.

After the battle we were marched four miles out towards
Smithfield, when we were ordered into line of battle again.
Sherman’s forces ceased to pursue us, and we went on to
within about two miles of Smithfield, where we rested two or
three days. Here, to the gratification of all, Hardy was re-
lieved, the Tenth Battalion and Fiftieth Regiment being or-
dered into Haygood’s and Kirkland’s Brigades. Here, also,
we were joined by those who had left us at Wall’s Ferry.
From Smithfield we went to Raleigh (27 March) when Gen-
eral Holmes gave our regiment a furlough for twenty days.
Two days before this had expired Johnson had surrendered.

Thus ended the connection of the Senior Reserves, of Ala-
mance County, with “The Lost Cause.”

Jno. G. AuBricut.

GRAHAM, N, C.,
27 March, 1874.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ile lh UDB AR 93 al eS a

eve abr

iain iia RAE LTA A NTE

SevENt 1 -CIGHTN REGIMENT.

(EIGHTH RESERVES. )

By THE EDITOR.

This regiment is erroneously given in Vol. 4 of Moore’s
Roster at pp. 333-344, as the Seventy-third. The muster
rolls of only six of the ten companies are there given, of which
we know that Company A belonged to the Seventy-seventh
(Shober’s Seventh Reserves).

The officers of the remaining five companies there given
are:

Company B—Robeson and Richmond—Captain, Nathan-
iel McLean (afterwards Lieutenant-Colonel of the regi-
ment) ; First Lieutenant, Kenneth McKenzie; Second Lieu-
tenants, William McRae and J. B. McRae. This company
was organized 5 July, 186+.

Company C—New Hanover and Brunswick—Captain,
Benj. J. Jacobs; First Lieutenant, Edwin W. Grissett; Sec-
ond Lieutenants, Richard L. Bordeaux and Boney Souther-
land. From the dates of the commissions of the officers and
enlistments of the men, this company was raised 22 April,
1864.

Company D—Bladen—Captain, David Callahan; First
Lieutenant, James H. Tyson; Second Lieutenants, Joseph
Hester and R. A. Williamson. This company was raised
early in May.

Company E—Cumberland and Harnett—Captain, James
Hockaday; First Lieutenant, W. H. Senter; Second Lieu-
tenants, E. Adams and W. Johnson. This company was em-
bodied early in August.

Company F—Cumberland—Captain, W. J. Kelly, First
Lieutenant, Randall McDaniel: Second Lieutenants, Jno. T.
Wright and John Shaw. This company was organized 11
April, 1864.

The order book of General Holmes mentions as also belong-
ing to this regiment Captain F. A. Hart.

 
 

 

 

 

 

108 Norto Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

The officers of the other companies and the counties w vhere
raised can not now be ascertained until the copies of the
rolls can be had from Washington. Indeed it is not certain
that Moore’s Roster has correctly placed the above, for the
dates of the organization of the companies do not correspond
with the letters given them, which were usually bestowed ac-
cording to seniority.

Three of the companies were organized at Goldsboro in
May into a battalion commanded by Major B. F. Hooks, who
did service in guarding the bridges along the line of the Wil-
mington & Weldon Histtksond: welioving etaes troops to go to
the front. On 1 June, 1864, 160 men of Hook’s Battalion
were guarding the bridge over the Neuse just south of Golds-
boro, which had once been destroyed by the enemy.

On 22 December, 1864, at Wilmington, it was organized

with other companies into the Eighth Regiment of Reserves
by the election of—

Attmanp A. McKoy, Colonel.

Naruantet A. McLean, Lieutenant-Colonel.

Boaz F. Hooxs, Major.

—. -—. MeAlister was appointed Adjutant, David Berry
Assistant Surgeon.

Colonel McKoy was elected Judge of the Superior Court
in 1874, and served as such till his death in 1885.

This regiment was in garrison in the forts below Wilming-
ton and in December was brigaded with the Fourth (Reece),
- Seventh (French), Eighth (Ellington) Battalions of Junior
Reserves. This brigade commanded by Colonel J. K. Con-
ally, of the Fifty-fifth North Carolina, mustered 1,200 men
present for duty and assisted in the defence of Fort Fisher
24 and 25 December, 1864. Off. Rec. Union and Confed.
Armies, Serial Vol. 87, p. 1021.

The regiment was also in the vicinity of Wilmington
during the second assault of Fort Fisher. :

Whether it was at Bentonville or in reserve, does not posi-
tively appear, but it was at Goldsboro 9 March and was proba-
bly in the brigade commanded at Bentonville by Colonel
George Jackson. It was ordered to Raleigh 27 April and
Sitaoncared from view with Johnston’s surrender.

 
 

 

 

 

 

ks

 

 

 

 

SEVENTY-NINTH REGIMENT.
Robert L. Coleman, Colonel 2 i
leman, Co A 2. George Tait, C el,
John W. W oodfin, Major, on his horse * Prinee Hal” esi
from whose back he was killed, :

SEVENTY-NINTH REGIMENT.

(SIGHTH CAVALRY. )

By S. V. PICKENS, ApsuTAnT.

This regiment had its nucleus in three companies known
as Woodfin’s Battalion. Afterwards it was raised to six com-
panies and was then known and reported officially as the
Fourteenth Battalion. It was only in the Spring of 1865
that it was raised to a regiment by the addition of four more
companies. It is therefore proper to give some account of
these battalions.

WOODFIN'S BATTALION OF CAVALRY.

In order to give a connected history of this command it is
not amiss to write something of a sketch, at the outset of
Company G of the First North Carolina Cavalry, for this
was, in a sense, and to a limited degree, the nucleus of said
battalion. It was one of the earliest organizations in the
State for the Confederate service, made up of men and boys
from Buncombe, Henderson and Rutherford, with a few from
other western counties, aggregating in numbers one hundred
and twenty. Many of them were from the very best fami-
lies of the country, some of them attaining distinction in the
long and bloody war which followed. The commander, Jno.
W. Woodfin, a born horseman and as chivalrous as any knight
of the olden time and full of patriotism and devotion to the
dear Southland, was an inspiration to this gallant band he had
gathered around him, and it is not surprising that they were
so early and so eager to go forth to meet in mortal combat the
horde of invaders that in 1861 threatened on every hand the
peace and quiet of our whole country. The company or-
ganized with the following officers, to-wit: John W. Wood-
fin, Captain; Wm. Riley West, First Lieutenant; James L.
Gaines, Second Lieutenant; John Blasengame, Junior Sec-

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

110 Nortu Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

ond Lieutenant. Leven Edney, Orderly Sergeant, succeeded
very soon by Henry Coleman.

The company was quartered for a short time at the Jesse
Smith house, corner of West College and Haywood streets
(now the “villa” property), it then went into camp of instruc-
tion north of Asheville, about one and a half miles out, near
the foot of Woodfin Mountain (now called “Lookout’’),
the horses being temporarily stabled in the barns at the negro
quarters of Captain Woodfin. This camp, the first in West-
ern North Carolina, was named in honor of the commanding
officer and his elder brother Nicholas, a true and most
thorough Southerner, giving liberally of his ample means
to the advancement of the South’s interests. After the
lapse of a month or two “Camp Woodfin” was vacated, the
company removing to Ridgeway, N. C., leaving Asheville 9
August.

At Ridgeway the company was assigned to Colonel Bob.
Ransom’s Ninth North Carolina (First Cavalry), and the men
were engaged in perfecting their drill until late in the fall,
when they were ordered to Manassas, Va. Here they were put
on outpost duty, scouting and skirmishing almost daily,
eventually going into winter quarters and remaining until
Spring, when, about March, they were returned to North
Carolina, first stopping at Goldsboro, thence to Pollocks-
ville, near New Bern, and there put on picket duty, remain-
ing in that locality until some time in May, when they
were again sent back to Virginia, this time to Richmond,
thence to Culpepper and Brandy Station, doing picket duty
and scouting on both the Rapidan and Rappahannock rivers.

On 9 June was engaged in the heavy cavalry fight at Brandy
Station.

On 23 September, 1861, Captain Woodfin was pro-
moted to Major and transferred to the Nineteenth Regiment
(Second Cavalry), commanded at the time by Colonel M. L.
Davis, Jr., of Rutherford County, and later by James L.
Gaines, of Asheville, who lost an arm at Five Forks in April,
1865. Henry Ooleman, also a Buncombe man, having suc-
ceeded to the Captaincy of Company G, of which as I have
noted, he was orderly, was killed at same time and place.

Sreventy-NintH REGIMENT. 111

Although but little more than a boy, he had established a rep-

“utation for cool courage and daring. Lieutenant West and
others mentioned as leaving Company G, returned to West-
ern North Carolina and set to work to organize another com-
mand and very soon the former had a company and with two
others, Captains Harris and Fortune, formed a battalion, the
composition of which was as follows:

First Company—Buncombe—Wm. R. West, Captain ;
William Henry, First Lieutenant; A. E. Posey, Second Lieu-
tenant; F. M. Corn, Junior Second Lieutenant.

Seconp Company—Transylvania—l. A. Harris, Captain;
Ben Brittain, First Lieutenant; Branch Johnston, Second
Lieutenant ; Thomas Harkins, Junior Second Lieutenant.

Turrp Company—Buncombe—Wnu. P. Fortune, Captain;
Wm. Gilliam, First Lieutenant; James Wilson, Second Lieu-
tenant; B. F. Fortune, John Step, Junior Second Lieuten-
ants.

On account of ill health Major Woodfin had resigned his
position in the Nineteenth Regiment and on returning to
Asheville, impelled by that same spirit that prompted him to
offer himself as a sacrifice upon his country’s altar in the
early days of 1861, he accepted the leadership of this bat-
talion. _

The Federal army having taken possession of Knoxville
and occupying other sections of East Tennessee, it became
necessary for Western North Carolina, and more especially
the town of Asheville, having taken so early and active a part
in furnishing troops and giving aid in every possible way
to the Confederate forces as to embitter all in sympathy with
the other side, to defend its own borders from invasion, pil-

_lage and robbery. Hence this newly organized battalion

was the nucleus of a small “defensive army” and was ac-
tively engaged in repelling demonstrations made along the
border lines of North Carolina and Tennessee principally by
a band of marauders under the command of the notorious
George W. Kirk, made more bold and aggressive by the near-
ness of the regular army at Knoxville and less distant points.
Ever on the alert and guarding with zealous care all inva-

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

112 Nortu Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

sions of this territory, when his scouts on or about 20 Novem-
ber, 1863, reported a small force as having crossed the peas
see line into North Carolina and advancing in the direction o

Warm Springs, Major Woodfin, with a hastily gotten macvioenss
detachment of his battalion, then at Marshall, sixteen miles
from the Springs, dashed with that impetuosity prein S
of the man, down the French Broad river, hoping to reach
that point before the invaders. But in this he failed, ant _
turning an abrupt angle in the road not far from cabs .
Leap”’ and in close proximity to the bridge across the riv e
leading to the hotel, he found himself confronted by a larger
force than he expected. Being several paces in advance of
his “troop,” he waved it to hold up, presumably with
the purpose of allowing him to take in more fully the situa-
tion, so as to intelligently direct further movements, but
unfortunately he had gotten into the outer circle of an am-
buseade, and was ruthlessly shot from his horse by a party
hidden ynder a small building near the road _ side. A
young man of Captain West’s company named Jake Davis
was at the same time wounded, and afterwards died. J. J
Ramsay, of same company, and Smith, of Harris
company, were also wounded. The detachment being out-
numbered and having lost its leader, fell back to Marshall.
A committee of citizens, headed by Esquire Albert T. Sum-
mey, of Asheville, went down under flag of truce to recover
the body of the much lamented citizen and soldier. They
found it stripped of all valuables, but glad to get the life-
less remains they brought it to his bereaved family and
friends, and with all the honors that could be paid a martyred
hero, he was laid to rest in the Methodist cemetery on Church
street and later removed to Riverside. In the funeral cortege
was his favorite charger “Prince Hal,” upon which he was
killed, fully caparisoned, being led by his trusted camp ser-
vant.

FOURTEENTH BATTALION,

The battalion, after the death of Major Woodfin, continued
in this defensive work for a time, acting rather independently
as companies; not a great while elapsed however, until there
united with these three companies three others, making what

Seventy-Ninto ReEGIMeEnr. 113

was afterwards known as the Fourteenth Battalion. The
additional companies were as follows:

Wiley F. Parker, Captain, of Buncombe; Joe Hale
Smith, First Lieutenant, of Buncombe, killed in 1865 by a

band of marauders; Wm. Eller, Second Lieutenant, of Bun-
combe.

E. Russell, Captain, of Haywood.

Jim Ray, Captain, of Madison; Whitfield Morgan, Lieu-
tenant, killed in 1865, by band of marauders; and —. —
Boone, Lieutenant.

Of this battalion, James L. Henry was made Lieutenant-
Colonel and Charles M. Roberts Major. Lieutenant-Colonel
Henry had been Adjutant of the Ninth North Carolina
(First Cavalry) under Colonel Robert Ransom, and when
the latter had been promoted Brigadier-General, had became
Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General of his brigade. After
the war he was judge of the Superior Courts from 1868-1874.
Major C. M. Roberts had also seen previous service. The
staff were A. M. Alexander, Quartermaster; Robert Farns-
worth, Commissary; Washington Morrison, Surgeon; Wil-
liam Murdock, Assistant Surgeon; S. V. Pickens, Acting Ad-

jutant; Aaron Wright, Quartermaster Sergeant, and W. L.
Norwood, Sergeant Major. The last has since been judge of
the Superior Court.

The writer, who had from 20 May, 1861, served as a pri-
vate in Company G, Ninth North Carolina (First Cavalry),
about 1 March, 1864, transferred to this battalion and be-
came its Adjutant. He found the command, officered as above
stated, encamped at Webster, Jackson County. The services
of Woodfin’s Battalion and of this larger battalion had been
manifold in guarding this section, picketing roads, fighting

bushwhackers, with occasional brushes with the enemy, but
the details are now irrevocably lost.

Major Roberts was fatally wounded in September, 1864, in
an engagement on Laurel, in Madison County, with Kirk’s
men, and other bushwhackers. He was a true and brave sol-

dier, beloved while living by the entire command, and

lamented when dead. His remains were taken by a military
escort, in command of the writer, and buried in his own yard

8

 
114 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-’65. Seventy-NintH REGIMENT. 115

with military honors. All his assailants were slain on the
spot and houses burned from which they fired. ee
Harris then became Major, and Lieutenant James P. Deaver
became Captain of Company A.

 

This command had several engagements with the enemy
on Laurel in Madison County, on Indian ereek, Red Banks
and other points in Tennessee during the years 1864 and
1865. It was in its last line of battle in the city of Asheville,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lieutenant Morgan and Sergeant Robert Wells, of Com-
pany D, were shot down in cold blood near Asheville by some
of Kirk’s men, pending the armistice agreed upon by Gen-
erals Sherman and Johnston. Lieutenant Hale Smith died
or was killed, near the same date. ao

This command had much good material among the men
and officers, many of whom had been long in active service
in Virginia, or the Army of Tennessee, and had been sent
here to defend their immediate homes against the ravages
and outrages of men who were true to neither side.

The Fourteenth Battalion was kept in that part of North
Carolina near to, and west of the Blue Ridge, with frequent
raids into Kast Tennessee.

The service was a peculiar service and a particularly hard
and dangerous one. Men who had grown fat in General
Lee’s army wasted away to skin and bones amidst the hard-
ships of these mountain campaigns, having no assurance of
safety in the day or night, in camp or on the march, these
mountain gorges serving as cities of refuge for deserters and
bushwhackers. Truly the men of this command needed to
he always on the alert and wide awake.

If time, space and memory would allow, it would be a
great pleasure for me to enroll the names of more than five
hundred of the noble men who served in the ranks of the
Fourteenth (sometimes called the “One Eyed Battalion”
from the fact that Lieutenant-Colonel Henry had lost one
of his eyes) who marched over these mountains through heat
and cold, and fearlessly met and fought foes who forced guer-
rilla war upon them in and around their homes and firesides ;
and foes, too, who had lived in this section and were familiar
with the roads, rivers and locations of houses, and very many
of them deserters from the Confederate army and of the

cause they had sworn to support. In April, 1864, the battal-

ion was at the mouth of Ivy and reported 221 present out of
atotalof510. 59 Off. Rec. Union and Confed. Armies, 865.

_ about four hundred yards to the north of the female college,
about 15 April, 1865.

This battalion was with Colonel Palmer, who commanded
the Western District of North Carolina, at Greenville, Tenn.,
on the day after that brave soldier, General John H. Morgan,
was betrayed and killed in Mrs. Williams’ garden, or vine-
yard; the writer saw the spot, marked by two rude stakes,
placed at his head and feet where he died, and it was shown
me by Mrs. Williams.

In the Fall of 1864, J. E. Rankin was made Adjutant.
He was for many years, since the war, chairman of the

Beard of County Commissioners for Buncombe and is now a
prominent banker of Asheville.

ORGANIZATION OF THE REGIMENT.

In the Spring of 1865 four companies were added as fol-

lows:

Job Barnard, Captain, of Buncombe; Hezekiah E. Bar-
nard, First Lieutenant of Buncombe; Taylor Buckner, Sec-
ond Lieutenant, of Buncombe.

A. I. Posey, Captain, of Henderson; Ben. Brittain, Lieu-
tenant, of Henderson; F. M. Corn, Lieutenant, of Henderson.

William Gilliam, Captain, of Buncombe ; John Step, Lieu-
tenant, of Buncombe.

—. —. Galloway, Captain, of Transylvania; William
Ducker, Lieutenant, of Transylvania; Dick Owens, Lieuten-
ant, of Transylvania.

This made us a full regiment, being the Eighth Cavalry, or
Seventy-ninth North Carolina Regiment. Of this regiment
Lieutenant-Colonel George Tait, of the Fortieth North Car-
clina (Third Artillery) was first appointed Colonel, but not
liking the service for some reason, resigned and Robert L.
Coleman, who had been Captain A. ©. S. in the Sixtieth
North Carolina, and later the Chief Commissary of the De-

partment of Western North Carolina, was made Colonel. He
was a splendid soldier and a most excellent man.

 
 

 

116 Norte Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

In one of the darkest hours towards the last,Captain “Jim”
Ray, with part of his company and part of another, deserted
to the enemy.

The last service of the command was around Asheville. On
6 April, 1865, the regiment aided to repel Colonel Kirby’s
raid coming in from Greenville, Tenn., and as news travelled
slowly then, there being no railroad or telegraph station
nearer than the then terminus of the Western North Carolina
Railroad, six miles below Morganton, a part of the command
was in a skirmish as late as 10 May. On being made certain
of Johnston’s surrender the regiment quietly dissolved and
the men went home without being paroled.

I am much indebted to Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. Ray, of
the Sixtieth Regiment, for aid in preparing this sketch of
the Eighth Cavalry.

Incidentally it may here be noted that the eight cavalry
regiments from this State were all odd numbers, i. e., Ninth,
Nineteenth, Forty-first, Fifty-ninth, Sixty-third, Sixty-fifth,
Seventy-fifth and Seventy-ninth, while the three artillery

regiments were all even numbers—Tenth, Thirty-sixth and
Fortieth.

Though in no great battles the experience of the command
was, in many respects, perhaps more trying and it performed
faithfully and well the duties assigned to it. It well merits
its place in the Military History of North Carolina in the
Great War of 1861-65.

S. V. PicKkEns.

HENDERSONVILLE, N. C.,
30 May, 1901.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EIGHTIETH REGIMENT.
A. L. Welch, Sergeant, Co. A.

EIGHTIETH REGIMENT.

(WALKER’S REGIMENT OF THOMAS’ LEGION.)

By CAPTAIN R. A. AIKEN, Company H.

This command was organized as a battalion on 1 October,
1862, in the city of Knoxville, Tenn., under orders from
Major-General E. Kirby Smith, commander of East Tennes-
see and Western North Carolina, and was a part of Thomas’
Legion. The separate companies had been mustered into
service a few months prior to this, and had been guarding the
bridges between Bristol and Chattanooga, Tenn.

The organization was effected by the election of the fol-

lowing field officers.

W. ©. Waxxer, Lieutenant-Colonel, Cherokee County,
Ee OF

James A. McKamy, Major, Blount County, Tenn.

Tuomas D. Jounson, A. Q. M., Asheville, N. C.

Perry ©. Gaston, Adjutant, Franklin, N. C.

Dr. Bens. Mayriexp, Surgeon, Murphy, N. C.

Dr. Cras. H. Gren, Assistant Surgeon, Tennessee.

Dr. Cus. F. Warxer, Sergeant Major, Murphy, N. ©.

Wa. M. Netson, Quartermaster Sergeant, Cherokee
County, N. C.

Ep. P. McGenerr, Ordnance Sergeant, Cherokee County,

N.C.

For the greater part of its service it was known as Walk-
er’s Battalion. When it was raised to ten companies in the
spring of 1864, W. ©. Walker became Colonel, J. A. Me-
Kamy Lieutenant-Colonel, and Captain Stephen Whitaker,
of Company E, became Major.

COMPANY OFFICERS.

Company A—F rom Cherokee—C. C. Berry, Captain, 18
July, 1862; J. N. Bryson, First Lieutenant, 18 July, 1862;

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

118 Norro Carotmna Troops, 1861-’65.

Elisha Burgin, Second Lieutenant, 18 July, 1862; Andrew
C. Berry, Junior Second Lieutenant, 18 July, 1862. Officers
men, 125. ;
ees B—From Cherokee—W. ©. Walker, Captain,
19 July, 1862; W. B. Nelson, Captain, 1 October, 1862; W.
J. McGehee, First Lieutenant; G. N. Loudermilk, M. C.
Fowler, D. C. F. Walker, Wm. H. Phillips and Jno. H. Kirk-
land, Second Lieutenants. Officers and men, 113.

Company C—J. A. McKamy, Captain, 10 September,
1862, promoted Major 1 October, 1862, and Lieutenant-Colo-
nel 4 January, 1864, Blount County, Tenn. ; James M. Sin-
gleton, First Lieutenant, 10 September; Captain 4J anuary;
1864, Blount County, Tenn. ; Wm. Ashley, First Lieutenant,
10 September; James A. Paul, Second Lieutenant, 10 Sep-
tember; John W. McKamy, Second Lieutenant, September,
1862; Lenoir R. Young, Junior Second Lieutenant, Septem-
ber, 1862. Officers and men, 105.

Company D—Cavalry—W. C. Wallace, Captain, 1 Sep-
tember, 1862, Knoxville, Tenn.; James Carnes, First Lieu-
tenant, 28 September, 1862, Blount County, Tenn. ; F.
M. Lauter, Second Lieutenant, 28 September, 1862, Blount
County, Tenn.; Jos. Harden, 28 September, 1862, Blount
County, Tenn. Officers and men, 83.

Company E—Cherokee County—Stephen Whitaker, Cap-
tain, 8 September, 1862, promoted Major 4 January, 1864;
John A. Robinson, First Lieutenant and Captain; W. C. Ta-
tum, First Lieutenant; W. A. Wiggins, Second Lieutenant.
Officers and men, 129.

Company F—Graham County, Cavalry—D. ©. Ghormley,
Captain, 24 September, 1862; John Grant, First Lieutenant ;
E. R. Nelson and D. S. Kurkholder, Second Lieutenants.
Officers and men, 75.

Company G—Cavalry—David Neff, Captain, 24 Septem-
ber, 1862; Jas. F. Cawsey, First Lieutenant, 24 September,

1862; Benj. F. Ward, Second Lieutenant, 24 September,
1862; W. W. Cowan, Junior Second Lieutenant, 24 Septem-
ber, 1862. Officers and men, 111.

Company H—Cherokee County—G. N. Loudermilk, Cap-
tain, 19 July, 1862; Robert A. Aiken, First Lieutenant and

EIGHTIETH REGIMENT. 119

Captain; Hiram Ledford, First Lieutenant; John Habbitt,
Second Lieutenant. Officers and men, 90.

Company I—Indian Company from Cherokee County—
James Welch, Captain; Cam. H. Taylor, First Lieutenant ;
Indian Second Lieutenant; Indian Junior Second Lieuten-
ant. Officers and men, 90. ,

_ Company K—Indian Company from Jackson County—
“Black Fox,” Captain; Indian First Lieutenant; Sec-
ond Lieutenant. Officers and-men, 90.

Company L—Artillery Battery, Four Guns—J. T. Levi,
Captain, “Louisiana Tigers;” Jno. W. Barr, First Lieuten-
ant, Abingdon, Va.; J. M. Shipp, Second Lieutenant, Abing-
don, Va.; R. P. Searcy, Junior Second Lieutenant, Tennes-
see. Officers and men—Louisiana, Tennessee, Virginia and
North Carolina—104.

Total officers and men in above companies, eleven hundred
and fifteen. About 200 of these were Tennesseeans and 50
from Virginia and Louisiana, in battery. For the roster
while a battalion see Moore, Vol. IV, pp. 196-216.

Immediately after its organization, these companies com-
posing the battalion, were scattered along the Bristol and
Chattanooga Railroad, guarding bridges, towns, block houses,
ete., also arresting conscripts, deserters, and doing other pro-
vost duties. In April, 1863, the battalion, commanded by
Lieutenant-Colonel W. ©. Walker, was in A. E. Jackson’s
Brigade at Jonesboro, Tenn., 35 (Serial Vol.) Off. Ree.
Union and Confed. Armies, 792. On 31 July it was at Zol-
licoffer, Tenn, same volume. page 946.

After the occupation of East Tennessee by General Burn-
side, 5 September, 1863, Companies C, E and H were in up-
per East Tennessee, with Colonels Love and Stringfield and
most of the Sixty-ninth Regiment of Thomas’ Legion, and
were then cut off from the battalion under Colonel Walker.

There were also three or four companies of “sappers and
miners,”” masons, carpenters, blacksmiths, gunsmiths, salt
and salt petre and alum makers. Captain R. C. McCalla, a

Scotchman, and a most excellent gentleman, is the only officer
whose name I can recall.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

120 Nortu Carortina Troops, 1861-’65.

Nearly half of these were from North Carolina, and in
their line did faithful service. They were detached from us
and taken to Bragg’s and Johnston’s army, at and below Chat-
tanooga.

Having no names or data, or reports of any kind, I can say
nothing about them, only that in a general way they were
good men. Captain McCalla was made Major later on.

In Lindsey’s History of the Civil War in East Tennessee,
there is an account of the court-martial and shooting of
twenty North Carolina soldiers as deserters. I have been
unable to trace those men to any regiment unless perchance
they belonged to these companies of sappers and miners, and
were the East Tennessee recruits to those companies, and I
really fear they were, and though Tennesseeans, belonged to
“Thomas’ Legion.” I fear they were unjustly and cruelly
treated—for, to my personal knowledge, many of them joined
with the promise that they were not to be taken out of the
State except in the North Carolina mountain line of defense.
The records show that General Bragg had a dislike for Ten-
nessee and North Carolina troops, yet without them he and
his army would have been crushed as an empty egg shell by
General Sherman.

The history of all Countries and of all States in Civil
War shows that when the army of its defense falls back and
leaves them to a merciless foe, many good soldiers under other
-cireumstances, will leave for their homes. If any of these
* men joined the enemy, of course they forfeited their lives,
otherwise they were cruelly treated.

As elsewhere stated, all these were mountain people from
. North Carolina and Tennessee who are as a rule, high strung
and independent. They will brook no insult in or out of an
army.

They were not as ignorant, nor were their forefathers, as
newspaper scribblers and sensation loving writers like
“Charles Egbert Craddock,” et id omne genus, would make
them.

These slanders have been ably refuted by Professor Eben
Alexander, of our own University, by Rev. D. Atkins, D. D.,
and by Hon. Wm. Rule, of the Knoxville Journal Tribune.

EIGHTIETH REGIMENT. 121

Mr. Rule says: “Such writers are either fools or liars.
There is more ignorance, vice, loathsome men and women,
under the shadow of Trinity Spire, New York, than in all
the mountains of North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Al-
abama and Georgia combined.”

Colonel Wm H. Thomas, commanding Legion, mentioned
quite fully in the sketch of the Sixty-ninth Regiment here-
tofore, is really entitled to a larger notice than can be given
to any individual officer, although quite a number of officers
and men will have to be more fully noticed herein than in
ordinary regimental histories, for the reason that the work or
service done was largely by individuals, squads and compa-

nies.

During the latter part of 1862 and first eight months of
1863, most of the duty performed by these men was tiresome,
thankless, disagreeable, galling and verging on the unmanly.
Enforcing conscription was always a disagreeable duty to a
soldier and gentleman. Colonel Thomas took the Indian

- companies and fell back across the Smoky Mountains towards

Waynesville and Webster, and practically remained in that
locality during the balance of the war. Lieutenant-Colonel
Walker, with several companies, foot and horse, reported to
and obeyed the orders of Generals Bragg and John C.
Vaughan.

On 8 September, 1863, Lientenant-Colonel Walker with his
battalion, 300 strong, are reported at the battle of Limestone
Bridge, East Tennessee, where they charged gallantly and
aided in capturing 350 prisoners, 51 (Serial Vol.) Off. Rec.
Union and Confed. Armies, 643. From October to Decem-
ber, 1863, the battalion commanded by Major McKamy, was
in A. E. Jackson’s Brigade, Robert Ransom’s Division. On
6 November it reported 399 total present for duty. In April,
1564, it was still in Jackson’s Brigade and at Carter’s Depot,
but was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel McKamy, 59 Off.
Ree. Union and Confed. Armies, 802, having been raised to
a regiment. At the same date the three Indian companies are
officially recorded as being at the mouth of Tuckaseege, 206
present out of 283 total, same volume, p. 865.

There was much hard and dangerous service done, both in

 
 

 

 

 

 

122 NorrH CaroLina Troops, 1861-’65.

Tennessee and North Carolina. The four counties of Chero-
kee, Clay, Graham and Swain were disputed territory all this
time. While large bodies of Federals seldom came out, yet
small scouts were constantly depredating upon and killing the
citizens and taking off many to prison. Colonel Walker was
murdered at his home near Murphy on the night of 3 Janu-
ary, 1864, while there on sick leave.

In order to properly realize and appreciate the work done,
the reader should bear in mind how these North Carolina
counties before named, are situated. Cherokee, in the ex-
treme west, is wedged in between Tennessee and Georgia,
its east end between Graham and Clay Counties, the former

with a long, rugged and tortuous, but not impassable moun- |

tain line, bordering on East Tennessee and reaching from
Tennessee river and the great buit end of the “Great Smoky
Mountains” out towards “Hanging Dog” westward, while the
latter—-Clay County—borders on Georgia and crosses the
Blue Ridge, or embraces its western limit.

It should be said of Colonel Walker that he was a man of
more than ordinary ability and influence. He was a member
of the Legislature in 1857-58, and when the “call to arms”
resounded in his State, he raised the first company from Cher-
okee, was soon made Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiment
(Twenty-ninth North Carolina), but failing health compelled
him to resign. Recovering somewhat his health, he promptly
assisted his old friend, Colonel W. H. Thomas, in forming the
“Legion,” where he was always regarded as a prompt and
faithful officer and loyal soldier of the South. After his
death, Lieutenant-Colonel McKamy was entitled to the com-
mand of the Eightieth, but he was with Colonel Love in Vir-

ginia, doing valiant service till his capture at. Winchester, ~

Va., 19 September, 1864, where he lost most of his men by
wounds, capture and death.

Let the reader still bear in mind the geography and topog-
raphy of this region. The eastern boundaries of these three
counties practically jut up against the great Nantahala Moun-
tains, connecting the Smoky and Blue Ridge—the culminat-

ing points of both—for really, both do disappear from the
maps hereabouts.

EIGHTIETH REGIMENT. 12s

The Smoky Mountains and Tennessee line “round up” a
few miles east of Tennessee river, at an altitude of about
6,700 feet on “Clingman’s Dome.” This great and grand
mountain, terrible to view from a distance, yet beautiful
and useful in reality on its great broad top, was most of
the time inhabited during the war or occupied by the soldiers
of this regiment, especially the Indians.

The cavalry companies of Neff and Wallace did much ac-
tive service for Generals Bragg and Johnston, and were per-
manently cut off from the battalion as well as the regiment.
After the murder of Colonel Walker and during almost all
the year 1864, the remaining companies of this battalion
were on duty along the mountain gaps and passes, making
and repelling attacks upon and from the enemy similar work
to that heretofore delineated in the sketch of the Sixty-ninth
Regiment.

The cavalry companies of the regiment, especially Wal-
lace’s and Neff’s, did no service in North Carolina at all after
Burnside’s occupancy of East Tennessee, but were attached
to General J. C. Vaughn’s East Tennessee cavalry brigade un-
der orders of General Bragg. They did good service, and
like all soldiers in this East Tennessee and Western North
Carolina Department, were always on the move, and as subse-
quent events have proven, were of invaluable service to the
South.

When Longstreet failed to capture Knoxville, and fell back
up eastwards towards Virginia, he was soon followed by
Burnside, Sherman, and as far as Strawberry Plains by Gen-
eral Grant, with an army of 50,000 men. At this time and
place a “council of war” was held by these three great Union
Generals in the house and at the then home of Lieutenant-
Colonel Stringfield, of the Sixty-ninth North Carolina, of
our Legion, and in a house built by his father for his great
grandfather, Colonel James King, a King’s Mountain hero.

In this council of war the idea was advanced and pressed
almost to a certainty to cut the army into four divisions and
send 10,000 each up Little Tennessee toward Macon County;
10,000 to Waynesville, and 10,000 up French Broad, towards
Asheville and Burnsville, N. C., and 20,000 towards Bristol

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

124 Norto Garotina Troops, 1861-65.

and Lynchburg. This matter was held in abeyance till Gen-
eral Grant could personally inspect the line, or base of oper-
ations. So he mounted his horse and rode 175 miles through
Tennessee and Kentucky and finding the roads so terrible, he
abandoned the idea. But the project was not a bad one,
with Chattanooga and Knoxville as bases for operations.

Colonel Thomas often contended that that would be done.
Such being possible it will be seen that upper Georgia and
South Carolina would have been threatened and also South-
west Virginia with the salt works and all that fine region ex-
posed.

It is no secret that General Lee seeing he could not hold
Richmond much longer began to look towards the mountains
of Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina to fall back to.
Lieutenant-Colonel Stringfield was consulted by General
Breckinridge about East Tennessee and North Carolina while
we were together in the Valley Campaign. Colonel Thomas
doubtless had been consulted also, hence his tenacity to hold
every mountain pass towards Tennessee. The men were often
detailed to build roads across Smoky Mountains and to ac-
quaint themselves with all the mountain trails, ete.

At that time the Cherokee Indians, 400 of whom were in
the two regiments of Thomas’ Legion (Sixty-ninth and Eigh-
tieth North Carolina), occupied almost the center of this vast
mountain country along the Tennessee line, and there is no
doubt that their presence here was a great protection to the
people. They were loyal to us to an intense degree. Colonel
Thomas, as has been stated in the sketch of the Sixty-ninth,
had been their friend, patron, chief and agent for twenty-five
years prior to the war.

But of the whites we must say that: these mountain people
were rather unique in their individuality. Their stern inde-
pendence of speech and action sometimes cast a doubt upon
strangers as to what they would do next, as sometimes they
would talk strangely to a loyal Southron, but when fighting
was needed history shows that they “fought as never man
fought before.”

Judge O. P. Temple, of Knoxville, Tenn., in his history
of “Civil War in East Tennessee,” has much to say in defence

EIGHTIETH REGIMENT. 125

of all of them, especially the Union element. President Lin-
coln early in 1862 began to inaugurate measures to relieve
the “loyal’’ East Tennessee people, and in his December mes-
sage to Congress, 1861, he strongly recommended their re-
lief, and in January, 1862, a strong army started thither,
which met, defeated and killed General Zollicoffer at Fishing
Creek. This defeat thrilled the entire populace, Southern
and Union. This failure of General Thomas to follow up his
advantage soon disheartened his people, and all the Southern
people flew to arms.

The conscript law was now passed and the bitterness and
the “uncivil” war began in earnest.

Counties were arrayed against counties, townships, com-
munities and families were divided—split up, estranged, em-
bittered and finally out in open arms against each other. Un-
der such surroundings our men lived, camped, marched,
drilled and some few deserted us. It was a very unsatisfac-
tory state of affairs, and the sterling manhood of our men
was often brought to the test. It was painful and hu-
miliating to have to arrest any one, but after living among
and associating with people for weeks and months it was a
very disagreeable duty to arrest them or impress or confiscate
anything of theirs.

After East Tennessee was overrun by Burnside’s army, the
Eightieth as before stated, guarded the mountain paths
from Tennessee. Quite a number of our people refused to
go in the army as conscripts, but went over to Knoxville,
Burnside in meanwhile telling them it was his intention to go
up through North Carolina and over into Georgia and South
Carolina.

Cherokee County was sorely infested with a lot of “bum-
mers” from both armies daily almost, stealing horses, cattle,
provisions, clothing, ete., and some small negroes. Colonel
Walker tried to suppress this, but was murdered early in
January, 1864. For some time prior to this Colonel Walker
was kept constantly on the alert with his men, on Nantahala,
Little Tennessee, Valley, Notley and Hiwassee rivers. Spies,
seouts, recruiting officers, etc., being always on the move.

Sergeant Steve Porter, of Company F (Andrews), can tell

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

126 Nortu Caroxina Troops, 1861-’65.

of many hair-breadth escapes and blood-curdling stories of
his cavalry company in East Tennessee in Sevier, Blount, Me-
Minn and Polk Counties

Sergeant A. Lon. Welch, of Company A (Anderson, S. C.)
can also relate many thrilling adventures of those dark days.
Mr. Welch is now a prosperous man in his South Carolina
home.

Captain Cam. Taylor, of Company I, is a leading lawyer
among the Cherokee Indians in the West at Tah-le-quah (cap-
ital of the nation), where quite a number of his Indian breth-
ren followed him (he is part Cherokee). Captain Sou-ate-
Owle, of Company A, now of Cherokee, N. C., and com
mander of “‘Saw-noo-kee” Camp No. 1268, is still living at his
Swain County home near Cherokee P. O. He was a brave
warrior. He and twenty of his command attended the Louis-
ville reunion and attracted a good deal of notice. He is a
Baptist. preacher.

In the midst of these stormy days Colonel Walker finally
went home, near Murphy, sick. He was called to the door
and shot down like a dog. Following this tragedy there was
much apprehension among officers and men. Burnside’s
army having all lower East Tennessee in its iron grasp, there
was little that this regiment, divided up as it was, could
do but stand sentinel and defend their homes and the homes
of their comrades of the Twenty-ninth, Thirty-ninth, Twenty-
fifth and Sixty-ninth Regiments, and they did their duty well
and faithfully under great danger and privation. The win-
ter of 1863-64 was unusually severe, the snows were deep and
numerous, but wood was plenty.

Another great service performed by these men was the re-
capture of 250 Federal prisoners who escaped from down
South in squads of five to fifteen. This was largely done by
the Cherokee Indians, who were familiar with every footpath
in the mountains and could follow the trial of a man or party
when all signs had failed to others.

Many Yankee soldiers, after escaping from Columbia,
ete., were picked up and sent back. These Indians were
never cruel to prisoners or any one else, but were faithful
“sentinels” on the “watch tower.” One faithful fellow on an

EIGHTIETH REGIMENT. 127

outpost low down on the Tennessee river towards Tennessee,
was placed on guard and well cautioned and admonished,
he stood at his post all night, or near fourteen hours, in one
of the fiercest and most terrific snow storms in the history of
the country.

When his absence was noted next morning and relief guard
sent out he was found bravely walking his post. The Indians
were splendid for such service, but they could not face can-
nons—‘“‘big guns on wheels.”’

In the Fall of 1864 some effort was made by some Union
men to re-establish the old government and reinstate the “old
flag” in Cherokee. “The writer is not in possession of suf-
ficient facts bearing on the case to give an intelligent state-
ment of it. As a further evidence of the bad elements, dan-
gerous and perilous incidents of the times the life of Major
Whitaker, an old and valued citizen of the county and a fear-
less officer, was frequently threatened.

Lieutenant-Colonel Stringfield, of the Sixty-ninth, com-
manding the six companies west of the Balsam Mountains,
often had to travel from Asheville and Waynesville to Mur
phy entirely unattended, fording and swimming the creeks
and rivers, at the imminent peril of his life. He narrowly
escaped assassination several times. On one occasion, at the
house of Mrs. Walker, on Valley river, now Andrews, a
would-be assassin approached within ten feet of him while sit-
ting near an open window, a plank broke, the dog barked, and
at the alarm the window and curtain were shut down and his
life was saved, thanks to an overruling Providence.

On 10 March, 1865, General Martin reports the Sixty-
ninth and Eightieth, including their Indian companies, as
having 1,055 present for duty. 103 Off. Rec. Union and
Confed. Armies, 1048.

The writer deeply regrets that he is unable to give the
names of numerous officers and men who died in battle in
Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky and North Carolina,
and of many heroic deeds of all in lower East Tennessee and
North Carolina.

Major Whitaker died in December, 1900, giving no de-
tails. Lieutenant-Colonel McKamy, in 1898. Captain Neff

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

128 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

was captured at Somerset, Ky., ine The fate or subse-
areer of many others is unknown.

| Gin Dhoriey is also living in North Georgia. om
the capture of Lieutenant-Colonel McK amy, Winchester, Va.,
19 September, 1864, Major Stephen Whitaker, of Cherokee
County, assumed command of the regiment and was pated
faithful to his trust. He was the last field officer of the “Le
gion” to lay down his arms, and in this he had a rather pon. i
and remarkable experience. When Lieutenant-Colonel W.
W. Stringfield was sent with a flag of truce to Knoxville to
General Stoneman, the notorious Colonel Kirk violated a
truce made at Asheville and moved rapidly west, to Franklin,
Macon County, there he actually treated the people kindly
and gave most of them their horses.

Major Whitaker, hearing of the surrender of Lee and John-
ston in April, and of Colonels Thomas and James R. Love at
Waynesville on 9 and 10 May, went to Franklin and surren-
dered himself and son on the 14th. His men—like those of
Colonel Thomas—were allowed to keep their guns, in self de-
fense. Thus closed the service of some as good men as ever
fought for the South. Much more should be said concerning
numbers of officers and private soldiers, but the information
cannot be gotten. Captain T. D. Johnston, Quartermaster,
is an invalid now living at Asheville. He has twice repre
sented us in Congress. P. ©. Gaston, Adjutant, lived and
died in Macon County—a highly respected citizen. Dr. B.
Mayfield recently died at Murphy, N. C., a loved and respect-
ed physician. Dr. Walker, Sergeant-Major, is a highly re-
spected citizen of Cherokee County.

In the preparation of this sketch I am greatly indebted to
Lieutenant-Colonel W. W. Stringfield, of the Sixty-ninth
North Carolina, a most gallant and efficient officer of our Le-
gion, whose memory will always be dear to them as long as
a member of the command survives.

R. A. AIKEN.
Morpny, N. C.,

30 May, 1901.

EIGHTY-FIRST REGIMENT.

(FIRST REGIMENT OF DETAILED MEN.)

By THE EDITOR.

At this late date it is diffieult to get data as to this regi-
ment. Its history is substantially that related of the Eighty-
second Regiment.

In November, 1864, the Confederate authorities directed
that the detailed men in this State should be at once organized
into regiments and battalions. General Holmes reported
their number in this State to be 3,117.

On 12 January, 1865, he directs that the First Regiment
Detailed men under Colonel (or Lieutenant-Colonel) L. M.
McCorkle, the Second under Colonel A. G. Brenizer, and
the Third under Colonel Bouchell, should constitute a’ bri-
gade under the command of Colonel W. J. Hoke, and they
were all ordered to Salisbury. There was also a battalion of
them under Major Rencher, which was ordered to Raleigh.

On 21 February, 1865, General Holmes telegraphed Gen-
eral Bragg that he had organized two regiments of detailed

men and could turn them over to him. They were probably
utilized to guard prisoners and public property. It can not
be certainly known—auntil we can get copies of the rolls from
Washington—even who the field officers were. It seems
probable that the Colonel was W. J. Hoke, formerly Colonel
of the Thirty-eighth North Carolina and just then command-
ing at Charlotte, and that Lock McCorkle was Lieutenant-
Colonel.

The artisans in the Navy Department works at Charlotte

were in September, 1864, organized into two companies and
were doubtless placed in this regiment.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIGHTY-SECOND REGIMENT.

(SECOND REGIMENT OF DETAILED MEN,)

By A. G. BRENIZER, Coton.

In the latter part of 1864 the Confederate Congress or-
dered the organizing of all detailed men into companies and
regiments, which in North Carolina was done under the su-
pervision of Lieutenant-General T. H. Holmes. These men
were artisans, mechanics, laborers, clerks, etc., employed in
the various departmennts of the Confederacy, and in the em-
ploy of contractors with the government to supply iron, coal,
equipments, rifles, saltpetre, ete., ete., detailed from the army
to perform these duties. Some of these men were “light duty
men,” unable to do full duty in the field, but capable of en-
gaging in some work at home, to carry on the war.

Three regiments of detailed men of ten companies each
and a battalion were organized in this State. At that time I
was in command of the arsenal at Salisbury, being Major of
Artillery, C. S. A., on ordnance duty.

The second regiment was organized by electing:

A. G. Brenizrr, Colonel.

Jasper Stowr, of Gaston, Lieutenant-Colonel.

——. , Major.

—. —. McNeely, of Salisbury, was appointed Adjutant.

In this regiment were the following companies:

Company A—Captain, Philip S. Whisnant, of Anson;
First Lieutenant, B. F. Glenn; Second Lieutenants, J. M. W.
Flow, S. C. Hunter. :

Company B—Captain, W. P. Brown, of Mecklenburg ;
First Lieutenant, James Earnhardt; Second Lieutenants, A.
McCoy and J. E. Caldwell.

Company C—Captain, W. H. Houston, of Union.

Company D—Captain, William Paisley; First Lieuten-
ant, J. R. Fisher; Second Lieutenant, B. R. Mayer.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

132 Norra Carottna Troops, 1861-’65.

Company E—Captain, P. H. Montague, of Rowan. There
were five other companies whose captains I do not recall,
to-wit: one from Gaston, one from Stanly, one from David-
son, one from Cabarrus and one from Randolph.

The only field service rendered by this regiment was when
Sherman was making his famous (or infamous) march
through South Carolina and threatening Western North
Carolina. It was expected that his route would be through
Charlotte and Salisbury.

These three regiments of detailed men were ordered out and
encamped at Salisbury where we did picket duty until Sher-
man turned to the right, towards Fayetteville, and all dan-
ger of invasion towards Charlotte was over. We were then
ordered home.

When Stoneman came on his raid in April, 1865, and took
possession of Salisbury, destroying all government buildings,
and railroad property and all government stores that had not
been removed, his appearance was so sudden ‘that there was
no time to get these regiments together. One company, that
from Rowan, commanded by Captain P. H. Montague,
was at Salisbury, the men being engaged all night long in
loading ordnance stores on the train under orders from the
general in command. At daybreak Stoneman attacked the
town, which was easily captured, there being only a few con-
valescents and a hattery of artillery, which was passing
through, and the above company of my regiment.

At the last moment an order came for that company to re-
port at headquarters and they were sent out of town to join
the small foree which stood before Stoneman, endeavoring
to check his advance. They reached there just in time to
be surrendered and were carried to Camp Chase, Ohio, where
they remained about three months after the close of the war.

A. G. BrenizEr.

Cuartorrs, N. C.,
26 April, 1901.

EIGHTY-THIRD REGIMENT.

(THIRD REGIMENT OF DETAILED MEN.)

By THE EDITOR.

This regiment was commanded by Colonel Bouchell and
was in the brigade composed of the three regiments of de-
tailed men which by order of Lieutenant-General T. H.
Holmes 12 January, 1863, were brigaded and placed under
command of Colonel W. J. Hoke.

We have no information as to its services nor as to its of-
ficers. The muster rolls of these three regiments are doubt-
less among those captured at Charlotte, to which point they
were removed after the fall of Richmond, and which are now
in the Record and Pension Bureau at Washington. Some
day, Congress will doubtless order all these rolls printed.
But until that is done the names of the officers and men of

this regiment will be lost save the name of its Colonel, which
alone has been preserved.

 
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md eerie i ONE TCH SIX-
TEENTH KEGIMENT.

By GEORGE H. MILLS, First Lizvrenant, Company G.

 

 

 

 

The Sixteenth Regiment of North Carolina Troops (Sixth
Volunteers) was composed originally of twelve companies,
as follows:

Jompany A—Jackson—Captain, A. W. Coleman.
Company B—Madison—Captain, John Peake.
Company C—Yancey—Captain, J. S. McElroy.
Company D-—Rutherford—Captain, H. D. Lee.
Company E—Burke—Captain, E. J. Kirksey.
Company F—Buncombe—Captain, P. H. Thrash.
Company G—Rutherford—Captain, C. T. N. Davis.
Company H—Macon—Captain, Thomas M. Angel.
Company I—Henderson—Captain, Wm. M. Shipp.
Jompany K-——Polk—Captain, J. C. Camp.
Company L—Haywood—Captain, R. G. A. Love.
Company M—Gaston—Captain, B. F. Briggs.

In April, 1862, Company N, Captain J. W. Kilpatrick,
from Rutherford, was added, making thirteen companies, but
after the battle of Seven Pines, it was transferred and be-
came Company I, Fifty-sixth North Carolina. After Sharps-
burg Company A was transferred to the Thirty-ninth, and
Company L to the Sixty-ninth North Carolina, both these
last in the Army of the West.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The regiment was organized at Raleigh on 16 June, 1861,
electing—

SteruEn D, Ler, of Buncombe, Colonel.

Capra R. G. A. Love, of Haywood, Lieutenant-Colonel.
Carrary B. F. Brraes, of Gaston, Major.

Woovsury Wueeter, Adjutant.

Nors.—A sketch of this Regiment will be found in Vol. 1 of this

“work, pp. 751-773. The writer of this very interesting additional sketch
died 10 January, 1901. He wasa gallant soldier.—Ep.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

138 Norra Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

Corumsvs Mix1s, of Polk, Surgeon. :
W. D. Wurrrep, of Henderson, Assistant Surgeon.

D. F. Semaery, of Buncombe, A. Q. M.
J. M. Israzr, of Buncombe, A. C. S.

The regiment remained in Raleigh under command of

Major Henry K. Burgwyn, commandant of the camp, until

Colonel Lee and staff arrived about 1 July. On 3 July the
first six companies under command of Lieutenant-Colonel
Love left for Richmond, followed the next day by Colonel
Lee, with the balance of the command, arriving about mid-
- night in Petersburg, where we spent a most uncomfortable
night sleeping on the bare brick floors of the market house.
At daylight we were aroused, crossed the Appomattox and
had breakfast, then taking the train for Richmond, arriving
about 12 M. Sunday, 5 July, joining the regiment in the old
fair grounds.

Remaining two days in Richmond, we were ordered to
Staunton, Va., and taking the Virginia Central, we passed
Gordonville, Charlottesville, and crossed the mountains to
Waynesboro, where the citizens turned out en masse and gave
us a most royal feast. And it will never be forgotten—the
first rebel yell ever given by the Sixteenth. When we camie
suddenly in full view of the Blue Ridge, the counterpart
of the homes of twelve hundred patriotic men who had scarce
ever been out of sight of the mountains, there rose an im-
promptu shout and yell that (often after repeated on bloody
fields) seemed to rend the very heavens.

Reaching Staunton at a late hour, we spent the night in
the depot yard, and next morning moved into very pleasant
quarters in the valley near the headwaters of the Shenandoah,
where we remained two days. Teams were purchased—one
for each company and more for the regiment besides, making
about thirty teams, the Jargest and finest horses we had ever
seen, and wagons sufficient to transport baggage and supplies
for an army, all of which we then had in abundance.

WEST VIRGINIA.

We were ordered to the relief of General Garnett, at Cheat
Mountain. Marching out from Staunton on the Parkersburg

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 139

pike, with brass band in front, the streets lined with citizens,
soldiers, and ladies, and our colors gaily floating in the breeze,
we began to think we were soldiers. We made ten miles,
camping at Buffalo Gap, and that night Colonel Lee received
orders to take 500 men with arms and ammunition and with-
out baggage, and make a forced march to reach General Gar-
nett, but in the morning, for some reason, he decided to take
the whole regiment and push on without delay. So at din-
ner we passed the place where we expected to camp that night,
eleven miles, where we found the citizens had turned out with
wagon loads of provisions, off which we made a hearty dinner,
then promptly falling into ranks we marched ten miles farther
toward the top of the mountain, making twenty-one miles in
the day. The men were all pretty much worn out with the
hard march, and as soon as supper was over, dropped into
their blankets, hoping to have a good night’s sleep and rest.
The Adjutant came to the Orderly of Company G and told
him if anything should happen during the night to form the
company as quickly as possible and march down to the road,
which gave the men quite a scare, feeling like they were get-
ting on dangerous ground, as we had already met several
wounded men and wagons with dead officers, but as no car-
tridges had heen issued, the men, of course, could not see the
point, and nothing occurring during the night except that
Captain Davis alarmed the camp with an attack of night-
mare. Early in the morning we were on the march crossing
the mountain and Calf Pasture river. Reaching McDowell
we met Governor Letcher with a big demijohn of buttermilk
in his buggy. He told Colonel Lee that.General Garnett had
been killed and his command routed was falling back, advis-
ing Colonel Lee to push forward to Monterey and there to
stop all troops and get things into better shape. We reached
Monterey, a small village in a narrow valley between two
mountains, and went into camp, and soon the stragglers came
flocking in, in squads from one to twenty, the most forlorn
looking set of men ever seen, ragged, barefoot and hungry,
having lost everything. Our men having an extra supply

of clothing, divided with them and made them as comforta-
ble as possible.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

140 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

We remained at Monterey for ten days, and a few days
after we reached there we were aroused in the night by the
long roll being sounded, and Colonel Lee tearing through
camp yelling at the top of his voice, “Rouse up, men, fall in,
the enemy is upon you!” Everything was in confusion for
a time, but order soon prevailed, the men were up, dressed
with all their accoutrements on, the companies formed and
marched to the parade ground. After waiting and listening
for the enemy a short time, it being very dark 80 we could
see nothing, we heard Colonel Lee’s voice in front: Well,
men, I am glad to say if there is no other enemy present,
we have at least conquered one enemy—that is the enemy
sleep,” and complimenting us for promptness, he said it was
just five minutes from the time the alarm was sounded till
the regiment was formed. ‘Captains, have your rolls called
and report all men not in line.”

You can imagine what a relief it was when we found it
was a false alarm, and we then understood what was meant
at the camp on the mountain when the Orderly was told to
form company and march down to the road. You can guess
that we would have made a poor fight, as the men did not have
a round of ammunition in their boxes. All that was left of
Garnett’s men had been gathered in, and re-shod and clothed
as well as could be done, General H. R. Jackson, of Georgia,
taking command. 2

After ten days’ stay at Monterey, the Sixteenth Regiment
was ordered forward, taking a westerly direction, and after
three days’ march arrived at Huntersville, Pocahontas Coun-
ty. One of our camps will long be remembered by our survi-
vors as one of the most eligible camping places they had ever
met. A sugar maple orchard on a clear stream of cold water,
whose banks were fringed with spear mint, induced our com-
pany commander to suggest that here was the water, here is
the mint; if anyone can furnish the sugar (“here it is” said
‘the writer) and some one-the spirits, we’ll have the best mint
julep you ever tasted. At this juncture our best forager, W-
T. Wilkins, made his appearance, and had secured the brandy,
and then and there, in the fence corner by the stream, and out
of sight of our strict disciplinarian, Colonel Lee, there was 4

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 141

jolly time over the jolly, jolly grog such as makes the mouth
of an old soldier water to think of.

Leaving Huntersville next day, we crossed Greenbrier river
on a fine bridge, camping three miles beyond at Edray, where
we spent ten days picketing ten miles distant in the direction
of Cheat Mountain, at Clover Lick. The, first detachment
going without rations, the Lieutenant in command sent to the
proprietor, Mr. Warrick, who was then looking after his
stock, to know if he could get supplies of food for the eem-
mand. He replied that he did not stay there himself, only
had an old man there to look after and take care of the stock,
but if the men could milk, there were fifty cows in the
meadow, 500 sheep in the pasture, and we could supply our-
selves with milk and lamb, while the old man furnished us a
quantity of buckwheat flour, from all which we had a most
royal teast, sweetened with maple sugar which we found in
abundance.

While camped at Edray we were aroused by a terrible
commotion; the sentinels on post commenced hollowing and
kept it up all night—that Generals Beauregard and John-
ston had fought the Yankees .at Manassas—killing 20,000
and capturing twice as many more. Washington would be
taken in another day and the war would end! Alas, how
badly were we mistaken.

Remaining at Edray ten days, we broke camp on 30 July,
going west, crossed a high mountain, marched till dark and
camped in a cow pasture, and early next day reached Big
Spring and went into camp. Thinking to spend some time,
wagons were unloaded, tents pitched, and everything made
ready for camp, but alas for the hope of rest for a soldier.
At 3 p. m., a courier dashed into camp with the report thai
Captain Camp, Company K (who had been sent to establish
a post on Valley Mountain), was then fighting a large Lody
of Yankees, and needed reinforcements at once. We were
ordered to fall in, leaving our baggage train, and push for-
ward to his relief. We marched forward over the fine moun-
tain turnpike, reached the top of the mountain at dark,

found Captain Camp, but no fight and no Yankees, and per-
haps none in twenty miles,

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

142 NortH CaRoLina TRUOPS, 1861-65.

We bivouacked without baggage, tents or rations, 2
did not arrive until 10 a. m. next day. This = our firs
experience (often later repeated) in camping without sup-
aes the arrival of our wagon train the boys were soon ive
ecoking and putting up shelter, the mountain side soon being
covered with our white tents, making a most semeaesee”
scene, where before was a wilderness of lofty sugar ee =
lynn, with undergrowth as high as your head, rhod en pe
and May apple, blackberries in abundance, then per ectly
green. (1 August). We found snow birds building nests,
hatching and rearing their young—something we had never
before seen. At Valley Mountain we were joined by two
Tennessee Brigades, Generals Anderson and Donaldson and
two Virginia Regiments. The Fourteenth Georgia and our
regiment were brigaded with the last under Colonel William
Gilham, of Virginia. A squadron of cavalry, under com-
mand of W. H. F. Lee, and two batteries of artillery were
added to the force, and an Irish battalion under Colonel
Mumford, from: Lynchburg. There was also a company of
Baltimoreans, under command of Captain Clate Clark, and
General William Loring coming up took immediate com-
mand of the force. General Robert E. Lee also came, he
being in command of that department.

SICKNESS AND DEATH.

Very soon after reaching Valley Mountain, it commenced
raining, and it being a rich loam and limestone soil, the roads
became almost impassable, the whole earth seemed full of
water with springs bubbling up in our tents. The measles
broke out in camp, and transportation being short, the moun-
tain was converted into a sick camp. Typhoid fever made
its appearance, and one morning there was more than 500
sick reported in the regiment. The men began to die, and
soon Valley Mountain had a large graveyard. Charles Green,
Company G, was the first man we lost, dying 26 August.
H. C. Green, of same company, in attempting to cross Valley
river after a rain when swollen into a torrent, was drowned,
his body being washed down into the Yankee lines where it

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 143

was found and buried by a citizen whose name was Ford.
About this time death began to get in his work, many men
dying from the exposure and the hard duty they were com-
pelled to undergo, the rains continuing through August and
Sepiember, causing a great deal of sickness and many deaths.
The bones of many of the brave boys of the Sixteenth still
tie buried ali along the road from Valley Mountain to Staun-
ton.

Early in September blackberries began to ripen, and the
men were sent out on the mountain to gather them, a most ac-
ceptable service, and furnishing a splendid diet which was an
agreeable change and did us much good. Blackberry pies
and pudding with maple sugar or molasses were our favorite
bill of fare, lasting until we left the mountain 1 October.
Our camp was on top of the mountain, the dividing line be-
tween Pocahontas and Randolph, until 20 September, when
General Lee ordered a forward movement down the road to-
ward the enemy, and our first camp was made just outside
our former picket lines. Next morning at an early hour we
were again on the advance, and soon struck the Federal picket,
and we had our first experience in fighting.

OUR FIRST SKIRMISH.

We were at it all day, and only made five miles march,
passing the grave of our comrade, Henry Green, who was
drowned a month before. Just after halting, Companies E
and G were ordered on picket in the mountains. Misunder-
standing the orders, Captain Kirksey, who was leading, was
marching us directly into the lines of the enemy, when we met
Colonel Gilham, who told him there must be a mistake, and
ordered him to stop where we were, as we were nearly on the
pickets of the enemy. Galloping to headquarters, Colonel
Gilham soon sent a courier ordering our return, another de-
tachment was sent in our stead, and much relieved we re
turned to camp. On our way out in passing the sharpshoot-
ers of the Irish battalion, we saw the first dead Federal sol-
dier. He had given his life in the performance of his duty,
and perhaps was then and there forgotten forever.

We hoped to have a good night’s rest, but the most fearful

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

144 ' Norra CaroLina TROOPS, 1861-65.

had ever witnessed came on us, drenching us

i Ww EE
rain storm as submerged ;

to the skin, and being near the river our camp w mu
we either had to stand up or lie down in the water. «\t day

light the rain ceased, and soon the - —— . —
us up, but we were a most forlorn- 00 Lots ie Toe
being completely soaked. Making our brea as r eo
beef and soaked bad bread, we were again orderec — aon se
Driving in the Federal pickets, whom we eas = y -
hundred yards, our progress was slow, and it was late -
afternoon before, we came in sight of the enemy, in oF he.
position, at the lower end of a wide valley between git a
mountains, strongly fortified with heavy batteries of artillery,
Bee bescuher 1861, was made memorable by - i
currence that cast a gloom over the whole command an¢ en
dened the Southern heart all through the Confederacy. “
onel John A. Washington, the last owner of Mt. V ernon, act:
ing as Aid to General R. E. Lee, while on a reconnoissance on
a mountain road with Major W. H. F. Lee Giatet Maier
eral) was killed by a shot from the enemy's picket, ] see:
Lee, whose horse was killed, making his escape by mounting
Colonel Washington’s horse. ee
. Up to this time, we had been pushing our way sat . ‘
river through a narrow gorge between the mountains, but ©
the afternoon of the third day the scene opened out into a
wide valley, at the lower end of which we could see the en-
emy’s works, a strong position admirably selected, and pe
oughly manned with artillery and infantry, the pickets we
out across the valley from hill to hill. The river running
down at the foot of the mountain on the north side of the val-
ley, changed its course about the middle and cutting directly
across to the south side, divided the valley into two farms.
Just where the river crossed were posted a lot of sharpshoot-

ers, with long range rifles, who were making it lively for Gen- -

erals Lee, Loring and others at a house where they had estab-
lished headquarters. The Sixteenth always being in front,
Company G was ordered to go down and drive them —
A Major was put in command of the expedition, who marche

us across a field of high grass, until we reached the river at

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 145

the foot of the mountain, then down under cover of the moun-
tain as far as we could go without being discovered by the
Federals. We then climbed a steep mountain, pulling up by
the bushes until we reached the top, where we could see all
the way down ‘the river to the breastworks covered with bat-
teries of artillery and bristling with muskets. We were or-
dered to lie down and keep perfectly quiet, the sharpshooters
being just below us and in easy gunshot of us. Some of the
men became impatient, threatening to shoot. The Major

. arose saying he would kill the man that made any noise. We

lay there for half an hour, watching them shoot at our officers,
All at once they started back to their works, some of them
stopping to knock apples from an apple tree. Then our gal-
lant commander raised up with a long drawn sigh, said:
“Well, boys, if we must, we must, so come on,” and like the
Ning of France, we marched down the hill again. On get-
ting to the foot and coming up out of a deep ravine, we found.
ourselves directly in front and in full view of the whole force
ready to fire. The Major, taking in the situation at once
promptly jumped down a bank about ten feet into the river,
and ordered everybody to do the same, which order we all
promptly obeyed. Retiring then in good order, we kept our-
selves well under the bank of the river for about a hundred
yards, coming out on a sand bank, protected by a high fence.
The Major ordered us to stop where we were, and he would
go up and make report of our success and for further orders,
taking one man with him. When about the middle of the
grass field, a gun was fired from one of the batteries, the shot
passing high over our heads. The Major and his bodyguard

fell flat in the grass, saying he knew they were firing at him,

as with their glasses they knew that he was a field officer by
his sword and other decorations. He soon proceeded to head-
quarters, made his report, and asked to be relieved as he was
very sick. Orders were sent to us to remain at our post, and
to send a strong picket to the ford and hold it until morning.
The night was quietly passed with nothing to do except re-
lieving the pickets every two hours—we were all wet to the
waist, having but one blanket to the man, the night being
very cold, the men suffered considerably.

10

 
 

 

146 Norto Carolina TROOPS, 1861-’65.

: ‘fully next morning, but was late in
The sun rose beautifully

reaching us down under the shadow of copter: me bs
were lying on a sand bank enjoying a sun ote n, dry : basic
blankets and clothing, when a volley of musketry a a
at the ford. Our picket had discovered a squad of a -
twenty Federals coming up under cover of the orang e
bank of the river and fired on them, they returning = om
and at once withdrew. Two of our men, John Dow eho
John F. Logan were wounded. We were then moved
taking position behind a large raft of logs, and later across :
river on the side of the mountain, another Major being pu
in command and a surgeon sent to stay with us. About aye:
we saw two men riding down the road toward the enemy's
lines with a white flag. They passed out of sight but re-
turned shortly, the flag stopping opposite us while the ine
man galloped to headquarters, and soon returned oie =
ambulance, and all then crossed the river going 1n the nie
tion of the Federals. In less than an hour they returne :
driving very slowly, and we afterwards learned that they ie
- the body of Colonel Washington, who was killed the day be-
fore. His watch, money, and all his papers were returned
ith his body.

We chil in our position for two days and nights, and
on the morning of the third day, at 4 a. m., Captain Champ
Davis came down to the writer and told him he must get the
pickets up as soon as possible. It was very dark and cloudy,
the sound of the water running over the rocks the only thing
to guide us. The first post was found and notified, but the
second was by some means passed unnoticed, soon finding
myself at the third, which I knew was the last. Knowing the
danger in coming back with a party in the dark, the men were
instrneted to wait for a signal and then to come up. Ad-
vancing very slowly and calling the name of one of the men
in a low voice, I soon came to the post, but it was all I could
do to keep them from killing me—they were so badly fright-
ened. We soon got all right and reached headquarters, where
we found the regiment awaiting us.

Daylight having appeared, Colonel Lee came to the front
and read a general order from General Lee, that on account

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 147

of his plans miscarrying he had determined not to make any
further demonstration on that line, but that we were to march
back to Valley Mountain for the present. We marched back
about one mile, halting in a field where we waited until near
dark for some troops to pass from another road, then marched
several miles to the camp, where we had stopped the first
night coming down. There we rested until morning, and
then marched to Valley Mountain, where we remained a
few days. Almost half our men were sick at this time from
fever and measles, and all the teams that could be used for
that purpose were put to work hauling off sick men to the
camp established at Edray on the south side of Middle Moun-
tain, and they were from there transferred to Warm Springs,
Hot Springs, and other points in the direction of Staunton
and Richmond as fast as transportation could be procured.
This was, on account of the rain and bad roads, slow and
hurtful to the sick, several dying on the way. Remaining
on Valley Mountain a few days, we moved camp to Big
Springs, and on the last day of September the writer gath-
ered a bucket full of large, fine blackberries on the side of
the mountain. .

On 1 October we had one of the heaviest rain storms I
ever saw fall—a fire could not be made during the whole day
and nearly all our tents were blown down. The dry ford of
Elk, perfectly dry when we passed up on 1 August, was now
a raging torrent, sweeping down trees and everything else it
came in contact with. During the day we were called out
and stood in the rain for an hour, the report being circulated ©
that the Federals were following us and were then on Valley
Mountain. We were dismissed, but ordered to hold ourselves
in readiness to move at a moment’s notice.

Just before night a wagon was driven up, having orders to
carry off the sick men of Company G. Eleven very sick men
with typhoid fever, the writer ordered to accompany them,
were put in the wagon and started with two other wagons,
and soon we reached the crossing of this dry run of Elk, the
road being the bed of the stream. There was an old man
who lived on both sides of the run, his house on one, his
kitchen on the other side, and he was caught on the kitchen

 
 

 

 

 

 

148 Norra Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

side and could not get to his house. When we — he
asked what we were going to do. We told him our ise
were not to stop until we crossed Elk Mountain. He pease
us “for God’s sake not to attempt to cross, as the last team
that had attempted to cross, with all the men, had nee
drowned.” As it was very dark and raining hard, we canis
for the night. Before morning the rain ceased, and the sun
rose bright and clear. Hooking up our teams were soon on
the road. Getting into the ford, the front mules became
frightened and turned for the bank. The driver cate
stopped and called to the writer, who was hanging on “ ‘ .
feed box, for help. I had to give up my hold on the box anc
wade round holding to the saddle mule until I could get to
the lead, and jumping on to his back I took the bridle of the
off one and finally got them straightened. Looking across I
found the ford filled with logs. I turned them down the
stream and got out fifty yards below on a low bank, the mules
sometimes on the big rocks, at others swimming. Of course,
the water filled the wagon and the sick men were thoroughly
soaked. We pushed on, and soon came to a wagon turned
over in the water, and the mules drowning. A little lower
down we found Captain Kirksey, of the Burke Tigers, ona
big rock in the middle of the stream, the men with him having
all got out safe. :
Crossing Elk river five or six times, often having to swim
it, just before night we came to a large farm with lots of hay
stacks near the road, and here I determined to camp. We
made a shelter of rails, covering it with hay, making good
beds on the ground, collected wood for fires and made the men
as comfortable as possible. Having had no rations for two
days and nothing to cook, we went to bed hungry but warm
and comfortable. Early next morning we were on the road
with other wagons that had arrived during the night. Cross-
ing Elk Mountain we reached Edray about noon, where the
sick were turned over to the Surgeons in charge of the camp,
and after a rest of one day they were sent to Hot Springs,
where several of them died and others came out cripples for
life. The regiment came up in a day or so. Having camped
a short time on Elk Mountain, we moved on to Green Brier

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 149

bridge, where we remained for some time doing picket duty,
drilling and other like work.

FALLING BACK.

Here General Lee divided his forces, taking part and going
to the help of Generals Floyd and Wise in the Kanawha Val-
ley, leaving General Donaldson, of Tennessee, in command
at Green Brier. After ten days the force returned, and a few
days later we took up our march, moving south, leaving the
mountains covered with snow. Passing Huntersville, the
third day we reached Warm Springs, now called Bath Court
House. The fourth, we passed near Hot Springs, where a
great many of our sick men were in hospital, then by Bath
Alum to Millboro, on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad,
near Rock Bridge Alum Springs. We took the train at 4
o’clock a. m. for Staunton, which we were to reach by 9
o’clock and where we were told we would stop for some time,
so we made no preparation for breakfast, all our rations being
packed up in mess chests and loaded on the ears with the bag-
gage. We did not reach Staunton until 5 p. m., and there
orders were waiting us not to disembark but to push on at once
for Manassas, as a battle was expected at any moment.

AT MANASSAS.

We moved out, crossing the mountain after dark, passing
Gordonsville late in the night and Culpepper at sunrise, ar-
riving at Manassas about 5 p. m., hungry and tired, having
been two days and nights on board without food or drink.
We were soon unloaded, had fires lighted, the pots on, and
in short order a two days’ meal was cooked and eaten. We
remained at Manassas about two weeks, under command of
Colonel George B. Anderson, of the Fourth North Carolina,
and on 21 November were ordered to join Colonel Wade
Hampton at Bacon Race Church, about twelve miles in the
direction of the Potomac, reaching there next day, and a day
later Colonel Hampton with his brigade, composed of the
Hampton Legion, Fourteenth and Nineteenth Georgia, and
Sixteenth North Carolina and an Arkansas Battalion. moved
about eight miles near the mouth of the Occoquan, on the Po-

 
 

 

 

 

150 Nortu CAROLINA Troops, 1861-’65.

tomac, where we were engaged in drilling, picketing and
working on breastworks at Colchester, the point at which Gen-
eral Washington crossed on his famous visit to his mother.

We were frequently shelled from the gunboats on the river,

which we could see plainly from the hill top.
The officers commanding the Legion were Colonel Griffin,

the infantry; Major M. C. Butler, the cavalry ; Major
Stephen D. Lee, the artillery ; Colonel Wade Hampton, Com-
mander-in-Chief; Nineteenth Georgia, Colonel Boyd; Four-
teenth Georgia, Colonel’s name forgotten; Sixteenth North
Carolina, Colonel Stephen Lee.

WINTER oF 1861-2.

We remained here until Christmas day, and moved back
to Bacon Race, did picket duty, threw up entrenchments and
fortifications at Wolf Run Shoals during the winter, which,
with several deep snows, was a very severe one. The river
was often frozen over, and on one occasion when Company G@
had spent the night at the ford, two of our men crossed on
the ice to a house beyond, on neutral ground, bought apple
brandy, sugar and eggs, and we had an elegant nogg, before
the relief company arrived.

On 15 March, 1862, we broke camp, starting for the Rap-
pahannock, reaching Falmouth, a small manufacturing town
on the river above Fredericksburg, on the fourth day. We
crossed the river here and went into camp on the heights above
the city, spending the balance of the month drilling until 15
April, broke camp and again took the line of march, through
the city and over the afterwards famous battleground below,
and on the third day reached Bowling Green, in Caroline
County, the place where John Wilkes Booth was killed three
years later and others of his party were captured. Leaving

this place after dark, we marched to Milford, a statien on
the Potomac Railroad, where we embarked for Ashland, ar-
riving there about midnight, where we spent the next day.

YORKTOWN.

The day after, we started for Yorktown, which point we
reached after a hard march of five days, passing some noted

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. | 151

places on the way: Hanover Court House, Old Church, Yel-
low Tavern, New Kent Court House, Williamsburg and oth-
ers of note, going into camp on the Williamsburg road just
above Yorktown. We fared well here, having nothing else
to do, and living on the finest fish and oysters. On 26 April
the companies of the regiment were reorganized by the elec-
tion of company officers, and on the following day the newly-
elected company officers met and elected Captain Champ
Davis, of Company G, Colonel of the regiment ; Captain J.
S. McElroy, of Company C, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Captain
W. A. Stowe, of Company M, Major. I had forgotten to
mention earlier, that in consequence of infirmity, caused by
exposure, old age, etc., that on 22 February, 1862, Colonel
Stephen Lee had resigned, leaving Lieutenant-Colonel R. G.
A. Love in command of the regiment.

On 4 May before daylight, we were again in motion and
in line of battle, the troops all leaving and everything on the
move’ Yorktown was being evacuated. All through the
night trains of artillery had been passing. Colonel Hampton
was to act as rear guard, and after all had passed we marched
out in line of battle, taking the road and holding the Feder-
als back, skirmishing with their cavalry until we reached
Williamsburg, where we found a large part of Johnston’s
army entrenched in the forts and fortifications in front of
the town. Marching through, we went into camp on the
hill above town, in the same spot where we had camped as we
went down. Late in the afternoon we were called out and
expected to go back into town, where heavy firing was heard
below, but after a short time it ceased, and while we were in
line the Commissary came round with buckets of mean whis-
key and tin cups and gave every man a stiff drink. Orders
were issued to cook rations and be ready to march at 3 o’clock
next morning. Before that time we were up and ready and
soon on the road. The rain falling heavy and the mud deep,
we had a hard march, arriving at Barhamsville late in the
afternoon, near West Point, wet, cold, muddy and hungry.
It cleared up about sunset, and building big fires we cooked
supper and spent a comfortable night.

During the night the wagons and artillery trains were pass-

 
 

152 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

ing, and early in the day the troops from Williamsburg were
to pass, after fighting pretty much all day. We were put into
line of battle that evening and slept on our arms, At night
the Federals had sent boats up York river with troops and
were landing them near West Point and White House. About
4 p. m., they advanced, but were handsomely repulsed by
General Hood’s Texans, General Hampton and others. We
were in General G. W. Smith’s Division, commanded by
General Whiting. That night the Sixteenth was sent out on
the battlefield to watch the Federals, and just at 12 o’clock
a courier came with orders to return to headquarters. On
reaching Barhamsville, everything was in motion, and we
fell into line and marched until sunrise, when I found myself
and a comrade standing by the identical fence corner that
we had left at 12 o’clock.

Continuing our march we reached New Kent about 10
o’clock, finding the main army resting there. After resting
a short while and getting breakfast, we were moved back in
front of a creek, with the Legion just in our rear, and formed
line of battle, Company G being in a garden. We soon found
the eneiny’s cavalry were following us. A battery of the
Legion artillery was placed in our rear and opened on them,
when in some confusion they retired. At dark we moved
forward, crossing the creek and went into camp on the hill in
rear of it. Next morning resumed our march, but stopped
within less than two miles. There we spent two days still
holding the rear until dark of the second day, when we took
the line of march, and in the rain and storm passed White
House and Savage Station and crossed the Chickahominy at
Bottom’s Bridge and stopped for the rest of the night. :

SEVEN PINES.

Next day we moved up near Richmond, went into camp,
where we remained doing picket duty before Richmond until
29 May. Then we broke camp about dark and moved up to
Meadow Bridge, where we spent the next day and night. On
the 31st about noon, were ordered to fall in and wert’ for
Seven Pines, going part of the way at double-quick. Reach-
ing the battlefield about 5 p. m., we were assigned a place on

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 153

the left. Advancing through a swamp with all the large
trees cut down and all the obstacles that could possibly be
placed in our way, we were greeted with a terrible hail of
shot and shell, mostly passing over our heads, but occasionally
some brave hero would fall, while the rest were pushing for-
ward until we came directly in front of a heavy fortification
defended by infantry and artillery, and which it was impos-
sible to carry with our small force. Just then some one gave
the order to lie down, which was promptly obeyed, protecting
ourselves behind the obstructions, but that did not prevent our
men from getting hit. We soon made the discovery that
Company G was the only force in sight. Its Captain, L. P.
Erwin, ordered the First Sergeant, A. B. Long, to go to the
right to see wheré the right wing was, but he did not return,
and the Captain, ordering the company back a short distance
under cover, called to the writer to stay with it and he would
go and see. Lieutenant Lee Hemphill got up and said he
would go with him. Lieutenant McEntire had just been
wounded and gone to the rear. After waiting some time and
hearing nothing from them, and being under a shower of bul-
lets, the men being often hit, an officer came riding down in
rear and called out: “What are you doing in here? Get
out! Get out!” Not knowing anything better to do, I ordered
the company up and we moved back in good order until we
came to the edge of the swamp, where we found a regiment of
Federals marching across our front, firing at everything they
saw crossing the field. Stopping the company and falling
back into cover, and satisfied we had not been seen, we moved
very cautiously to the right, until we could take advantage of
a piece of woods, and in that way made our escape. We could
see a number of Confederate flags across a wheat field and
near York River Railroad. On reaching the road we found
Colonel Pender with the Sixth North Carolina, and Company

G was attached to it for a short time, until the Sixteenth

made its appearance. T then learned that our Colonel Davis

had been slain.
Everybody knew Uncle Jack Wilkins, our company Com-

missary, and that he was a strict temperance man, but that
Sunday morning after the fight the old man hobbled down

 
 

154 Norrnu Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

with several canteens of “fire water” and gave each of the
men a dram. He knew we needed it, and the good angels
only smiled.

There was a great deal of bluster and bragging among the
Hampton Legion men, and one company proposed to go back
into that swamp and demolish the Yankee army, but I noticed
that nobody held them. Dark coming on about this time, we
moved back a short distance, cold, wet and hungry, without
blankets, overcoats or any kind of covering, having left every-
thing back on the road; but what was our surprise on waking
up in the morning to find that we were lying in a few yards of
a depot of supplies filled with overcoats, blankets, all kinds of
clothing, with barrels of crackers, sugar, coffee, meat of all
kinds, and army supplies, in addition to the knapsacks,
blankets, etc., belonging to a Pennsylvania and a New York
Regiment driven out the day before, affording a great treat
for our famished, worn out men. Unfortunately for the
writer, just as he was lying down between two men to keep
warin, the Adjutant came and said he wanted me to take
charge of a party and go back into the swamp. This spoiled
all my prospects for a good night’s rest. Going back cau-
tiously, we established a picket line as near the entrance as

we thought prudent. Everything passed off quietly during

the night, except we could hear wounded men calling for help,
and about daylight we had the pleasure of helping several of
our friends to get back into our own line.

Still keeping careful watch, about 9 a. m., I was notified
that the army would retire in the direction of Richmond and
we must hold the line for three-fourths of an hour, and then
get out and join the command if we could. Remaining the
required length of time, the men were withdrawn and
marched back to the road, where, looking back across the
river, we saw three balloons making observations. Very soon
a gun was fired and a shell came whistling along near us.
Thinking we were being fired at and in great danger, the men
were ordered tq leave the road and march in the woods. Fol-
lowing up the road about two miles, we came up with the
army and were relieved from further duty for the time, and
thus ended our part in the battle of Seven Pines. We had

i

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 155

lost our Colonel and many brave men, but how many killed
and wounded, at this late day, thirty-seven years after, it is
impossible to tell.

NEW BRIGADE FORMED.

Remained at this place about ten days doing picket duty,
when under general orders Hampton’s Brigade was broken
up and the troops sent to their several State organizations.
The Sixteenth was brigaded with the Twenty-second North
Carolina; Thirty-fourth, Colonel R. H. Riddick; Thirty-
eighth, Colonel W. J. Hoke; and the Thirteenth, Colonel
A. M. Scales, and General W. D. Pender as commander. The
Twenty-second was reorganized and Major Conner, of the
Legion, was appointed Colonel. The brigade was attached
to General A. P. Hill’s Light Division.

General J. E. Johnston being wounded at Seven Pines,
General R. E. Lee, our old Valley Mountain commander, was
put in command of the Army of Northern Virginia.

When General Pender took charge of the brigade, he made
a requisition on the 16th for an officer to take charge of the
Ordnance Department of the brigade, and the writer was de-
tached for that purpose, was given a horse and permission to
go into Richmond at will, a privilege which was used to the

-fullest extent.

We remained in camp on the Nine Mile road, getting into
good shape, until 25 June, when we moved out in the diree-
tion of Meadow Bridge, reaching that point at 10 o’clock at

night. I have always thought that General Lee formed his

plan of campaign from General Johnston’s, which was not
earried out, as circumstances changed all of the latter’s oper-

ations.
SEVEN DAYS FIGHT.

At 4 p. m. en the 26th the Light Division was put in mo-
tion. Pender’s Brigade was the fourth to cross the Chicka-
hominy at this peint; General Branch, who was ordered not
to cross until he heard from General Jackson,,crossing above,
and Hill was ordered to move when Branch gave him notice
that Jackson was in position, but not hearing from either he
became impatient and ordered a forward movement.

 
 

 

156 Norru Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

General Pender says in his official report: ‘After cross-
ing I was ordered to cross the fields direct for Mechanicsville.
Soon after leaving the Meadow Bridge road, one or two pieces
of artillery opened upon us from a road above Mechanicsville.
Here, owing to my imperfect knowledge of the roads and par-
tial misleading of the guide, my left regiment went too far to
the left, and consequently did not join the brigade until late
at night, for while it was coming up after being sent for, it
was ordered by some one to support another brigade, and I
would here mention it was reported to me as behaving well
under a very murderous fire to which it was soon exposed,
losing about 200 men.” This “left regiment” was the Six-
teenth North Carclina Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-
Colonel J. S. McElroy.

The men lay on their arms that night, and were in line and
ready for action before daylight. During the night I re-
ceived an order from General Pender to bring up the ord-
nance train at once. I started immediately, but on reaching
Mechanicsville, the streets were so blocked with ambulances,
wagons, and litter-bearers bringing off the wounded, that it
was impossible to proceed for some time. General Pender
becoming impatient, mounted his horse and came to meet and
hurry up the train, saying it was important to have the train
up before daylight. On seeing the condition of affairs, he or-
dered me to use all dispatch, and left a courier with me direct-
ing me where to go. On reaching the designated point, I
left the train and rode forward to look up the brigade. Rid-
ing near a thick pine old field on the right and w eat field on
the left, I was soon ordered to “halt! advance and give the
countersign,” but as I could not see the party I was in doubt
to which army he belonged, and after some parleying on both
sides, he said he belonged to a Georgia regiment. I then
advanced and found a mere boy hid in a thicket of plum
bushes. On telling him who T was looking for, he said he
did not know where they were, but that he was on the outpost
and was expecting to be fired on at every moment, but there
was a regiment just below him, as he had heard thein halt and
stack arms there during the night and had not moved since.

Riding through the pines about fifty yards, I found Colo-

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 157

nel Riddick with the Thirty-fourth Regiment, the men just
getting up and rolling up their blankets. I told the Colonel
to send for ammunition at once. Then firing commenced
just where I had left, the balls flying among the men and
causing some contusion, one ball striking my horse, slightly
wounding him. Telling Colonel Riddick where to find the
ordnance train, I galloped back to find my train in great dan-
ger from shell and shot flying over and about it. I soon re-
ceived orders from General Pender to move behind the hill,
which was promptly obeyed. In a very short time the firing
ceased and a forward movement was ordered.

Taking the road to Cold Harbor, we came on the ground
fought over the evening before, and found it covered with
Confederate dead. Crossing the creek on a bridge below El-
lyson’s Mills, we soon came to the works of the enemy and
could see how impregnable they were, and but for Jackson’s
coming in the rear, it would have been impossible to carry
them. In rear of the works we found their abandoned camp,
strewn with blankets, oil cloths, knapsacks and everything per-
taining to camp life.

Reaching Gaines’ Mill about 2 o’clock p. m., we crossed
the creek on a bridge and moved rapidly to Cold Harbor,
where we were soon engaged in one of the hardest fights of the
war, losing many men killed and wounded. General Hill
says in his report: “The Sixteenth North Carolina, Colonel
McElroy, and Twenty-second, Colonel Gray, at one time
crossed the crest of the hill and were in the enemy’s camp,
but were driven back by overwhelming numbers, holding our
position. The loss of the regiment was very heavy, the fight-
ing was kept up wee 90 bolock p- m., and we then lay down
to rest on our arms.’

Saturday morning early the men were up, but found the
enemy had crossed the river, leaving the dead and wounded to
be cared for by the rebels, with an immense amount of army
stores in our hands. We spent the day in burying the dead
and caring for the wounded. We had to-day our first sight
of the welobrated Stonewall Jackson, as he and General Lee
met near where we were lying and had a long conference.
From his appearance no one would have suspected that he was

 
 

 

158 Norru Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

more than a Corporal in a cavalry company. The writer had
a fine opportunity of riding over and viewing the battlefield,
and it was a sight not to be desired a second time. ‘The field
where the New York Zouaves fought was literally red with
them, and a large majority of them were shot through the
head; hundreds of horses were lying around, some not dead,
some with legs shot off, trying to get up, moaning and crying
like children begging for help, or as if begging some one to
shoot them and end their pain.

Sunday, the 29th, we crossed the river and followed the
enemy in the direction of James river. On Monday there
was a serious battle at Frazier’s Farm, in which the Sixteenth
was engaged and lost many men killed and wounded. Cap-
tain Coleman, of Company A, was killed, a shot taking off his
head.

Tuesday, 1 July, the great battle of Malvern Hill was
fought. A. P. Hill’s Division, although under fire all day,
did not go into the fight, being kept in reserve.

The next day, 2 July, finding the enemy had gone, we were
ordered to follow as fast as possible. We found the roads,
fields and woods full of all kinds of army supplies, wagons,
ambulances, pontoon trains, and everything pertaining to a
well-equipped army, showing that the enemy had retreated in
great haste and much confusion. Following down through
Charles City County, we found them camped and at bay on
James river, near Harrison’s landing, under cover of a large
fleet of all manner of war vessels, in which position they were
safe from the ragged rebels who had for seven days driven
them from field to field. After several days we moved back,
at night, by the river road towards Richmond and camped for

some time on the farm of Secretary of War Randolph, below
Richmond.

MOVING NORTHWARD.

About 20 July, A. P. Hill’s Division was ordered to join
General Jackson at Gordonsville, where we remained until 6
August, when we marched in the direction of Orange Court
House, camping on the side of a mountain. On the 7th, we
marched only a few miles, camping near a big spring near the

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 159

town. Next day, the 8th, marched into town, lay around on
the streets all day, camping at night at the foot of the hill be-
yond town. There was some fighting that day about the river
and several prisoners were brought in.

Early cn the 9th we were on the march in the direction of
Culpepper Court House. Owing to the extreme heat many
of the men gave out, some with sunstroke. Late in the after-
noon we came in hearing of the artillery at Cedar Mountain,
and erossing Rapidan river, we were soon in sight of the bat-
tle.

CEDAR MOUNTAIN.

Pender’s Brigade was put in on the left of the main road,
and advancing soon met troops falling back in confusion.
We speedily advanced and reaching a wood were greeted with
a volley of musketry. We did not stop, but drove the enemy
across the Culpepper road and off the field. We were here
joined by Archer’s Brigade, which lapped over a part of our
right. Pegram’s Battery then came into action, and for half
an hour shelled the woods in our front, and we were then or-
dered forward on the Culpepper road. Just after reaching
the woods some batteries in our front commenced shelling the
field, the shot passing through the tops of the trees over our
heads. As soon as the guns ceased firing, we faced to the
front, marching in line through the woods until we came to
a high rail fence, where we were halted and the men ordered
to rest on their arms.

Everything being quiet in our front, Major Cole, of the
Twenty-second; Lieutenant-Colonel Miller, of the Thirty-
fourth, and the writer, were ordered to make a reconnoissance
through the woods in front. Being informed that some Vir-
ginians were on our right, we crossed the fence and moved
forward some distance, but found no one until we had gone
about two hundred yards, when we discovered a lot of men
sitting under the shade of some trees, and hailed them several
times but could get no answer. I then went up to them and
demanded who they were, and they said they belonged to a
Virginia regiment and were afraid we were Yankees and
would shoot them. ‘The Colonel and Major then went back

FEM SSE LL

 
 

 

160 Norrnu Carotmva Troops, 1861-65.

to report, leaving me to hold the fort. General Pender sent
me about thirty men, with orders to form a line on the left of
the Virginians and to stay there until morning. Everything
was quiet during the night, and about 9 a. m. I was sent or-
ders to hold on about an hour and then withdraw quietly and
join him at the side of the mountain. About this time we
got up a lively skirmish with the enemy’s pickets in front, but
held our ground until time to leave, when we drew off gradu-
ally, and after a hot and hard march over the battlefield we
reached the mountain almost exhausted with heat and hunger.
On going out the night before I found a bag of ground coffee,
sugar, cakes and other nice things left by the enemy in their
hasty retreat, and sent it back to be taken care of, and on
reaching headquarters I called for breakfast, which was soon
furnished with coffee, crackers, mutton chops, Irish pota-
toes, ete.

After an hour or so rest, we again marched back on the
battlefield and maneuvered around on it all day Sunday.
General Pope says that General Jackson sent in a flag of truce
asking for the privilége of burying his dead, but as we passed
over the field after 10 o’clock and saw no dead or wounded
except Federals, and as we had possession of the field until
Monday night, I think this must be one of General Pope’s
many mistakes. I know that he sent one, and General Ewell
says that while the armistice was in existence, General Early
took a detachment from his brigade and gathered up six
wagon loads of arms. All day Monday we maneuvered on
the field and offered him battle, but he refused to accept the
gage.

On Monday night we built up camp fires as if we were
going to spend the night, but about midnight we fell into line
and marched in the direction of Orange Court House, and
passing that place next day went into camp near the Brick
Church on the railroad, where we remained until 18 August,
when we broke camp and moved forward on the Manassas
campaign. We stopped two days on the Crenshaw Farm.
On the 20th we moved again, crossing the Rapidan at Som-
merville Ford, and passed Stephensburg, camping near Bran-
dy Station.

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 161

On the 21st we moved up the Rappahannock, crossing
Hazel river at a mill, and moved in the direction of Warren-
ton Springs, where we spent Sunday under a heavy shelling,
having several men wounded. About 4 p. m. Longstreet’s
Corps relieved us, and we marched back about one mile to
Jefferson and cooked three days’ rations, and on Monday
morning started on our long march to Manassas, passing
through Orleans and stopping that night a short time to rest
near Salem. On Tuesday we passed through Thoroughfare
Gap; marching all day and all night we reached Bristoe Sta-
tion at sunrise on Wednesday morning, 27th. Following the
railroad, about 9 a. m. we reached Manassas, where we found
a brigade of New Jersey troops to oppose our progress. Pen-
der’s Brigade was halted for a short time behind a hill on
which there were some works, forts that the writer assisted in
building in November, 1861. Captain Crenshaw was or-
dered to put his guns there and open on the enemy as they ap-
proached from the direction of the bridge on Bull Run, and
soon had them in full retreat. We were then ordered to ad-
vance, and passing by a large house that was used as a hospi-
tal, the writer was ordered to stop Company G and take charge
of the place, while the brigade followed on. We found in the
yard and around the hospital a good many wounded and dead
Federals and 4 lot of sick in the hospital in the care of two
Philadelphia surgeons, and after having the wounded brought
in and put in charge of the surgeons, we had the dead buried.
We were very highly complimented and thanked by the doe-
tors for our care and protection of their hospital and prop-
erty.

DESTRUCTION OF STORES.

7

We found all the depots and storehouses full of army sup-
plies of all kinds; quartermaster, company and hospital stores
of every description that could be desired, and you may be as-
sured that we feasted that day after starving for three. About
sunset the brigade returned, after having quite a severe en-
gagement at the bridge across Bull Run. On reporting to
General Pender, I was ordered to join my regiment, which I
found near by, and going to my “room” I retired as I then

11

 
 

162 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

thought for the night, but alas, the soldier who followed
Stonewall Jackson had no assurance when down, when he
would be called up. About 1 o’clock a. m., we were aroused
by a terrible explosion, and getting up we found all the depots
and stores at the station on fire and millions of property
being destroyed. How we poor rebels felt can better be im-
agined than described, to stand and see hundreds of bags of
coffee with sugar, flour, meat, and all kinds of provisions and
delicacies destroyed with all manner of stores that we would
have liked to have, but as there was no way of saving them
and no wagons to transport them, it was necessary to burn
them to prevent them again falling into the hands of Pope’s
army that was just behind us. It was Jackson’s business to
cripple him until Lee could come up, so they had to be de-
stroyed. There was 50,000 barrels of bacon, 1,000 barrels of
corned beef, 50,000 barrels of pork, 20,000 barrels of flour,
two trains loaded with clothing and other stores, four sutlers’
stores, 2,000 new tents and various other valuable equip-
ments.

The order then came to fall in, and A. P. Hill’s Division
moved towards Centreville, which we reached about daylight
Thursday morning, 28 August, where we got breakfast and
rest until about 10 a. m., when we took the road for Man-
assas, going by Sudley’s Ford, and as we marched could see
thousands of Yankees moving around the station and on the
road to Centreville. Crossing the run we saw a pile of rocks
with a cedar post in the center, marking the spot where Bee
fell on 21 July, 1861, and where he gave the old man his im-
mortal name—“Stonewall” Jackson.

Crossing the ford we stopped for a short time near the old
stone house, and the men looking for water found an old
well in the yard without bucket or rope. They secured a
long pole, tied their canteens to it and filled them, and after
drinking all they wanted and filling for future use, an old
man came from the house, saying: “TI don’t think that water
is very good—when the battle was fought here last summer
some dead men were thrown into it, and it has not been
cleaned out since.” You can imagine that those canteens
were soon emptied, and some of the men also. In a short

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 163

time we were marched into the woods, and quite a lively ac-
tion began between Ewell’s Division and Hooker.

7 a 7

This engagement between Generals Ewell and Hooker was
in the direction of Grovetown, and night coming on put a
stop to the firing. Troops were moving all night taking posi-
tion for the expected affray of the 29th, which came all too
soon for many of our wornout men.

SECOND MANASSAS.

About 10 o’clock a. m., Hill’s Division was moved into
town near the old railroad which has been so much written
about, and soon we were assaulted by a large force and had
all we could do to hold our ground. Pender’s Brigade was
in front, and received the assaults of an army corps for a
whole day, at one time giving way and falling back on the
reserve, but the gallant Pender soon rallied them and with a
gallant dash soon routed the enemy and recaptured the lost
ground. In this charge Company G, Sixteenth, lost two men
killed with the flag and many wounded ; one man, A. B. Long,
was struck in the left eye, the ball passing through his head
and coming out behind his right ear. All thought he would
die, but he is still alive and is one of the best citizens of Ruth-
erford County. In all this struggle the Sixteenth held its
own until dark, when we lay down on our arms, feeling that
the morrow would bring more hard fighting and wounds and
death to many. :

Early on Saturday, the 30th, the whole command was
ready and under arms, but all quiet until about 4 p. m., when
we were startled by the roar of artillery, and looking to the
front we found the whole Federal army rushing on us, and
we were hard pressed until dark, sustaining at least six
charges, but we held the line until just before dark a general
charge was ordered along the whole line, and with one mad
rush the whole of Pope’s grand army was driven from the
field and across Bull Run, and ends the second battle of Man-
assas.

OX HILL.

On Sunday, 31 August, we were again in motion, and cross-
ing at Sudley’s Ford we struck the little river turnpike, and

 
 

 

 

 

164 Norton Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

about dark bivouacked near Chantilly, and continuing down
that road we soon came in contact with the rear guard of
Pope’s army, in charge of General Phil. Kearney, at Ox
Hill, and engaging them at once in a severe thunder storm we
soon put them to flight, and in this affair the brave Generals
Phil. Kearney and Stephens were killed. We also lost many
killed and wounded; the Thirty-fourth, of our brigade, lost
two gallant field officers, Colonel R. H. Riddick and Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Miller.

Leaving Ox Hill on the 3d, we passed Leesburg on the 4th
and camped near the Big Spring, and on the morning of the
5th, General Pender sent for the officers of the brigade to re-
port at his headquarters. He made them a speech, telling
them that we were now going to cross the Potomac and going
into the enemy’s country, and that they must act as officers
and gentlemen, keeping a firm hand on the men of their com:
mands, and that he would hold them responsible for their
conduct.

ACROSS THE POTOMAC.

About 10 a. m., we fell in and reached the ford at 2 p. m.,
and crossing we at once started on the way to Frederick City ;
marching until midnight, we stopped near a corn field, where
we got some green corn, roasted it and eat supper. We gath-
ered a supply for morning. We were soon on the march and
reached Frederick about 12 m., where we spent several days
near the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, blowing up iron bridges
and doing all the damage we could to publie property. The
men were not allowed to leave the camps to enter the city or
to forage on the country. The writer remembers sending up
a pass for a man to go out to get some milk for a sick man,
and it was returned: ‘Let the sick man eat a little beef.”
Leaving Frederick 10 September, we passed South Mountain,
Boonesboro and Middletown, on the third day crossing the
Potomac to Williamsport and spending the night near Fall-
ing Waters, next day entering Martinsburg, driving General
White in the direction of Harper’s Ferry, which place we
reached on the 13th. On leaving Ox Hill, for some cause
unknown to the writer, General A. P. Hill was put under ar-

Sic oP ares se
PTE aT SOS aT eR

alia ani

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 165

rest by General Jackson, General Branch commanding the
division. General Hill marched on foot with the rear guard
all the day through Maryland, an old white hat slouched down
over his eyes, his coat off and wearing an old flannel shirt,
looking as mad as a bull, but just before reaching Harper’s
Ferry he was released, and donning his coat and sword he
mounted his horse and dashed to the front of his troops, and
looking like a young eagle in search of his prey, he took com-
mand of his division to the delight of all his men.

CAPTURE OF HARPER'S FERRY.

It was late in the day of the 14th when Jackson had his ar-
rangements completed for the attack on the enemy. Hill’s
Division was ordered to storm the position, and moving for-
ward with a rush, Pender’s Brigade in front, they gained the
crest of the hill, the enemy retreating within their works with
little resistance. During the night the crest gained by Pender
was crowned with artillery, and all the available points within
reach were taken possession of by Colonel Crutchfield, Jack-
son’s chief of artillery.

At dawn on the 15th, Jaekson opened his artillery on Har-
per’s Ferry, and after an artillery duel of one hour the firing
ceased and Pender, with the Sixteenth in advance, commenced
to move on the place, when a white flag was seen to flutter
from the Federal works, and Harper’s Ferry had fallen. The
result of this victory was 11,000 prisoners, 13,000 stand of
small arms, 73 pieces of artillery, 200 wagons, with a large
amount of commissary and army stores of every description.

SHARPSBURG.

A. P. Hill’s Division was left to take charge of the property
and provisions captured, and Jackson left at once to join Lee
at Sharpsburg. Hill remained until all the captured prop-
erty, etc., was removed on the 16th, and on the morning of
the 17th left to join Jackson and Lee, reaching Sharpsburg
at 4 p. m., and was immediately assigned a position on the
right, just in time to meet and repulse the grand charge of
Burnside’s Corps and assist in driving them back across An-
tietam creek. In this last assault the Sixteenth and Pender’s

 
 

166 Norra Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

Brigade lost a large number of men killed and wounded. The
whole of the 18th we lay in front of McClellan, expecting
every moment to be attacked, the sharpshooters with their
long range rifles making it dangerous for a man to show his
head from behind the stone wall where we were lying. Well
does the writer remember having been sent out before daylight
on some slight duty, and on coming back under cover of the
stone wall, I found that Branch’s Brigade where I was then,
was separated from Pender’s which I wished to reach, by a
deep ravine, and about a dozen sharpshooters in rifle pits were
shooting at every man who attempted to cross. The officer
then in command told me not to attempt to cross, for I cer-
tainly would be killed, and advised me to lie down by him
and wait until dark. I found him to be Lieutenant-Colonel
Robert F. Hoke, of the Thirty-third, afterward Major-Gen-
eral Hoke, of Plymouth fame. When the time came I crossed
in a hurry and was soon with my company, posted behind a
heavy rail fence. About 10 p. m., a cavalry charge was made
upon us, I suppose to find out whether we had left, but a well
directed fire soon sent them back wiser if not better soldiers.
Tt was a rainy day, and about 12 o’clock at night orders came
down the line for every man at a certain signal to rise up and
without a word or noise march back to the road on top of
the hill, which movement was executed perfectly, and after
some delay we moved toward the river which we crossed about
8 a. m., and climbing the steep hill below Shepherdstown,
went into camp in the woods near by. The Federals followed
up with artillery and shelled the town and woods for some
time with little damage.

SHEPHERDSTOWN.

On the 20th, McClellan crossed a large force over the river.
A. P, Hill and Early were sent out to drive them back, which
was splendidly done. We formed on top of the high bluff,
and the Federals having to charge up over the steep bluff were
soon repulsed and driven into the river and slaughtered like
hogs, the river being blue with their bodies. After they had
retired, the artillery on the Sharpsburg hills and the sharp-
shooters posted in the canal commenced shooting at the boys,

oie a a c
Tee na Ra er ag a

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 167

and every man had to take care of himself until dark so we
could leave. Pender’s Brigade lost many men in this affair.
We moved back a mile or so and camped for the night. Next
morning we marched up near Martinsburg where we re-
mained two weeks, when we again moved up to Bunker Hill,
where we remained a month or more resting and getting ready
for the next campaign, and where the boys had lots of fun
yelling at “Old Jack” and the rabbits.*

About 20 October the writer was sent to Winchester on sick
list, and after two days was transferred to Staunton and then
to Richmond, where after a week in the hospital I was sent
home, which I reached just in time to get down with a long
spell of typhoid fever, not returning to the regiment until
March following, and this gap in our history I filled in from
information.

After General Lee’s return from the campaign in Mary-_
land, there was two months comparative quiet, the two armies
on either side of the Potomac watching, resting and reorgan-
izing after the hard fought battles and arduous service each
had undergone.

Around Martinsburg and Winchester General Lee’s forces
remained quiet, the infantry and artillery drilling, and the
eavalry keeping watch on the enemy’s movements, ready to
strike or receive a blow whenever opportunity offered. The
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad received General Jackson’s at-
tention, and in one day it was torn up, crossties burned and
rails destroyed for twenty-five miles, but before we had got-
ten entirely out of hearing distance, the Federals had rebuilt
and equipped it. On this raid our brigade distinguished
itself by running down and capturing a red fox, General
Pender coming in a close second for the brush, the Sixteenth
adding to its former reputation for tackling and eapturing
every sort of wild animal from a woodchuck to wildeat. The
lower Valley was then a most excellent foraging ground, and
our chef in his element bringing to the larder chickens, honey,

* “Qld Jack’? was Stone wall’s sobriquet and whenever vociferous vell-
ing was heard down the line, our boys would say ‘That’s-old Jack or a

rabbit.” —Ep.

 
 

 

 

 

168 Nortu Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

butter and sometimes whole hogs, sorghum, and a very palat-
able extract of cane seed or corn juice, adding much to the
regulation ration, Chiefs of Divisions and Brigades were
very lenient, allowing much latitude to the diversions and
amusement of the veterans.

LEAVING THE VALLEY.

With the advance of General McClellan on 26 October,
crossing the Potomac at Harper’s Ferry and moving east
of the Blue Ridge into Virginia, General Lee promptly
broke camp and moving in parallel lines confronted him at
every point. Jackson was left in the Valley and our
forces moved toward the Shenandoah, camping near Berry-
ville, with cavalry picket in the direction of Charleston, Har-
per’s Ferry and Snicker’s Gap. Stuart’s maim body of cav-
alry had gone through Snicker’s and Ashby’s Gap, and as Mc-
Clellan moved south he hung on his flank, moving towards the
Rappahannock, leaving the Gaps open to the Federals. A
large body made their appearance, drove in our pickets from
the top of the mountain and approached the river, where we
hurriedly double-quicked to meet them, the Sixteenth hold-
ing the ford. Two Federal regiments soon made their ap-
pearance in the open field beyond the river in musket range,
but a few rounds of shell from Crenshaw’s Battery on the
hill behind us completely demoralized them, and they hur-
riedly sought shelter in the woods, leaving quite a number
lying on the field. A field officer raised a white flag, rode
directly down in front and asked us not to fire on them while
they removed their wounded, and no further demonstration
was made.

The Sixteenth Regiment was on an open sward not more
than two rods from the river bank, and lying flat on the
ground were prepared to give the enemy a hot reception, but
did not get a chance to fire a gun. One casualty only, from
carelessness or excitement on the part of a member of Com-
pany G, which resulted in badly wounding a comrade, J. R.
De Priest, in the knee, causing the loss by amputation of his
leg. The Federals retired across the mountain, followed by
our cavalry, and our troops retired to their camps. Burn-

SrxTEENTH REGIMENT. 169

side had moved to Fredericksburg, finding General Lee on
the south bank of the Rappahannock, and about the first of
December General Jackson quietly moved the main part of
his corps up the valley, crossing the Blue Ridge at a gap near
New Market, thence to Orange Court House. In crossing
the mountain, from the top could be seen the long lines of the
infantry with their bristling bayonets gleaming in the sun-
shine, and on the Alleghany Mountains across the valley a
heavy storm of snow was falling. The artillery and wagon
trains could be seen for miles, and from the course of the
roads the whole army seemed to be manceuvering as if on
parade. Reaching Fredericksburg, or Hamilton’s Crossing,
about 8 December, we rested a day or two, had new clothing
and shoes sent from North Carolina issued to the men, and
were then ready for the fray we knew would soon come.

FREDERICKSBURG.

On the 12th we were marched by the crossing, and here
General Jackson, with that famous new suit, passed our bri-
gade without recognition, save to a few who knew him too well
to be deceived. Our brigade was assigned a position adjoin-
ing General Longstreet’s Corps, in the open field opposite the
center, commanded by Hooker, camping in the edge of the
woods. At sunset a detail was ordered on the picket line,
relieving Colonel McDowell. It was a bitter cold night, the
lines running across the open field from Hazel Run on our
left to Hamilton’s Crossing, a bare open field without rock or
brush save the cedars which skirted the road leading into our
lines from Fredericksburg. A pistol shot by a scared picket
caused a rally by fours to the rear just as we were relieving
the old picket. Waiting for a few moments for the expected
advance. the line was soon re-established. In a short time
Major Cole, with a detachment, came to the line and passed
through to set fire to some buildings which had sheltered
sharpshooters that evening, and obstructed the fire of our ar-
tillery. This was successfully accomplished without acci-
dent. At daylight our picket was relieved and went back to
camp for breakfast. As the fog raised on Saturday, 13 De-
cember, the columns of Franklin and Hooker were seen ad-

 
 

170 NortH Caroutina Troops, 1861-’65.

vancing across the open field, their sharpshooters and skir-
mishers in front. General Lee had just ridden along in front
of our lines, and discovering a body of horse coming from the
left across Hazel Run, waited until he discovered it was Gen-
eral Stuart and staff. General Jackson soon appeared, and
after a short consultation all went off to the right. Soon we
were ordered into line and sent to the center of the field about
two hundred yards in front of the elongation of Longstreet’s
line on our left, and a battery of artillery was unlimbered to
our right and rear, which at once commenced firing and re-
ceiving the fire of numerous batteries from both sides of the
river. It was most gallantly served and suffered in men and
horses, a caisson being blown up with a terrific explosion by
the batteries of the enemy, whose aim was perfect. The bat-
tery also suffered from the sharpshooters, and a brave officer
of the battery rode down to our regiment and asked Colonel
McElroy to drive off the skirmishers and they would take
care of the main body. Colonel McElroy immediately or-
dered Company G to the front, which deployed as skirmish-
ers, but the fire of the Federal sharpshooters concentrated on
us, and one-half our men were shot down without accomplish-
ing anything. Jos. (. Mills and one or two others were
soon wounded and carried off the field, then another company
was sent and with like result and still another, when Colonel
McElroy, with some very strong and earnest expressions, or-
dered the regiment forward, and with a double-quick occu-
pied the ground immediately on the railroad confronting at
least three brigades and holding his ground, falling back
only a few yards to a small ditch about four feet in depth,
from which the regiment poured a murderous fire into and
held in check a vastly superior force. General Pender had
that morning expressed his full confidence in the gallantry of
the Sixteenth and said he looked for a good report from it in
the battle. Late in the evenine he sent in the Fifty-seventh
North Carolina, Colonel A. C. Godwin, a new regiment, to
the help of the Sixteenth. This regiment charged across the
field fully a mile, with the rebel yell, and on they came, not
seeming to know that there was anybody but Yankees in their
front. They discovered our men just in time, and were

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. wel

directed to distribute their favors among the blue coats just a
little way ahead. A charge was made and the Federals
driven from the field and into the swamp on our left, where
large numbers were captured and sent to the rear, two men of
Company G capturing fifty and marching them off the field
in one body. The battle raged fearfully on our right, and
often the tide of victory seemed to be with the Federals as
they swept. by our right flank and appeared to be getting to
our rear, but soon a rebel yell was heard, and as it advanced
swept back the solid columns of the Federal lines. In this
battle our regiment lost many brave men, good and true, and
quite a number wounded.

The complete repulse and disastrous defeat of Burnside
had been accomplished on this first day before one-half of our
troops had the opportunity of trying their metal, and back to
Falmcuth under cover of night the enemy retired.*

WINTER OF 1862-68.

A short time after the battle of Fredericksburg, Jackson’s
Corps was moved about twelve miles down the river to Camp
Gregg, named in honor of General Gregg, who was killed at
Fredericksburg, where the winter was spent in picketing at
“Moss Neck, on the Rappahannock, about three miles above
Port Royal. There the writer found them on his return to
camp in March, after five months’ absence, and soon after
reaching camp was ordered to hold myself in readiness for
picket, but before night the order was countermanded and
the Sixteenth was ordered to go as an escort to the station
with the body of Colonel Gray, of the Twenty-second, who
had died during the day, and to go on picket the day after.
In the meantime it had become very cloudy and during the
night commenced snowing, and when we left camp the snow
was several inches deep. The river being about two miles
from the hills and all cleared lands between, we could get
very little wood for fires, and in consequence we had to walk
up and down the river all day and night to keep from freezing.

i y i d this
*In his address to the army after this battle General Lee use
expression, ‘‘ Escape from utter destruction has now become the boast
of those who advanced in full confidence of victory. —Ep.

 
172 Nortu Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

We could occasionally see a Yankee cavalryman across the
xiver through the snow, and the boys were continuously talk-
ing to them and joking with them. The snow continued fall-
ing and by the time we were relieved next day at 10 o’clock
and started back, we found it nearly three feet deep and the
hardest walking I ever had. The weather soon turned warm
and we had a lot of fun, fishing in the Rappahannock and a
mill pond at Moss: Neck church.

General Jackson had his headquarters near our camp in an
office in the yard of Colonel Corbin, on whose place we were
camped, but as he claimed to be one of the F. F. V’s., and was
inclined to get full sometimes, and then would try to be very
loving with the general, he soon moved out in the direction of
Hamilton’s Crossing and we saw no more of him for some
time.

We spent March and April drilling and getting ready for
the summer campaign, which we expected would open soon,
as we had heard “Fighting Joe” Hooker had been made com-
mander of the Federals, and of course we expected some hard
work. About 28 April, a detail of men with two wagons was
sent from the Brigade to Port Royal with seines to catch shad
for the camp. The Sixteenth was on picket that night, and
of course were anticipating a fine time eating fish, but like
many others on many other occasions we were again to be
disappointed. Just at daybreak we heard the pickets firing
at Fredericksburg, and Fighting Joe had commenced his “On
to Richmond” to find a strong “Stonewall” in his way. Very
soon a courier came with orders to go back to camp at once,
which we did, finding all in confusion, wagons loading and
everybody preparing for a move. Soon the order came to
“fall in,” and just as we were marching out of camp the two
wagons sent out returned with two full loads of shad. They
were thrown out in the middle of the street, and many of the

boys as they passed took one in their hands with the hope that

they might get a chance to cook them that night for supper,
which T know some did.

CHANCELLORSVIILE,

Passing Fredericksburg Friday morning, 1 May, we came

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. is

to Chancellorsville, where we found Hooker already estab-
lished and ready for the fray, but poor fellow, he was doomed
to the same fate as some of Jackson’s pets. All day we lay
in his front with artillery and musketry firing, but with lit-
tle effect on either side that we could see.

On Saturday, 2 May, Jackson’s Corps was put in motion
and marching a westerly course in the direction of Spottsylva-
nia Court House until we had passed Hooker’s right flank,
we then turned squarely to the right and crossing the road
were completely in Hooker’s rear, leaving Lee in his front.
Just about sunset the grand move was made by Pender on the
right, near the Chancellor house, where we found the Yan-
kees busily preparing supper, and being uninvited and un-
looked for guests we caused quite a commotion, but made our-
selves at home all the same. There never was such a surprise
party anywhere. They knew nothing of our presence until
we poured a volley into them and they broke, every man for
himself and Jackson for the hindmost. The boys were sorry
they could not stop to take supper, at least to take a cup of
coffee, as there were large pots of the genuine on the fires,
quantities of bread, ham and all kinds of good things to eat
and the cooks all gone. But the orders were “forward.” It
was then getting dark, and with the flash of small arms in
every direction, the bursting of flying shells in the air and the
old Chancellor house in a blaze, the scene was grand and more
than sublime. In the confusion of battle we could scarce tell
friend from foe. Just then a halt was ordered to rectify and
straighten out the lines, ete., and General Pender was or-
dered to send a regiment to General Stuart. Calling to
Major Gordon, of the Thirty-fourth, he ordered him to go’
with General Stuart, but Gordon began to complain that his
men were very tired and needed rest. Pender then said,
‘Well, sir, Colonel McElroy will go—his men are tired, too—
Colonel McElroy, take your regiment and go with General
Stuart.” We started at once and followed Stuart without
knowing where we were going, but had not gone far when a
courier came up and told General Stuart that General Jack-
son had been wounded, and he was wanted to take command.
He then ordered Colonel McElroy to go on to the United

 
174 Norrs Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

States Ford, where he would find a regiment of cavalry
camped, to deploy his regiment to the left of the road, and at
signal to fire three rounds into them and then get back into the
road, and join the brigade on the field, and then left us to ex-
ecute the order. Marching about six miles we came in sight
of their camp fires where they were having a busy, merry
time, some cooking and eating, others fiddling and dancing,
and other lying round the fires resting, not looking for or
thinking of danger. Suddenly there was a crash as the three
volleys were fired into this careless, happy-go-lucky troop in
quick succession, causing another most surprising surprise
party, and such a rush and stampede was never witnessed be-
fore. We never knew what damage was done, but the Fed-
erals thought the whole Confederate army was upon them,
and yelled out, “Shackson’s is upon us—Donner und blitz-
zen,” as each gathered himself together for a flank movement
to the rear, and the whole’ command hastily got on the safe
side of the river, leaving camp equipage, rations and spoils
to a few skulkers (or broken down, mayhap) avho failed to
keep up with the regiment on its return. It was said by one
of these men that a large force of Federals were sent over the
river next day, but we don’t know about that. In obedience
to orders the Sixteenth immediately returned to the battle-
field, reaching Chancellorsville about sunrise, and just as the
line had been formed for the last grand charge Sunday morn-
ing. There being no place for us in the line, the Sixteenth
fell in behind the Thirty-fourth and went into the fight,
having marched and fought the whole day before and all night
-again. It was not long until we were in the thickest of the
fight again, and with one grand charge the enemy was routed
and fell back on his last line. The Sixteenth lost very heav-
ily in officers and men. Colonel McElroy was wounded in
the mouth and disabled, Colonel William Stowe in the head,
and Major Lee having been crippled for life at Fredericks-
burg, the regiment was without a field officer. Captain A. S.
Cloud, Company E, assumed command, and after a few days
we were marched back and went into camp near Camp Gregg

. . . * pat
where we put in the time drilling on the beautiful fields of

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 175

the Rappahannock and waiting for Halleck to put up another
General for us to whip.

PROMOTIONS.

The death of General Jackson caused several changes in the
army. A. P. Hill was promoted to Lieutenant-General;
Pender, Major-General, and Colonel A. M. Seales, of the
Thirteenth North Carolina, to be Brigade commander.

Sometime after our return to Camp Gregg, Pender issued
a complimentary order to the brigade, in which he said: “I
may be exacting and hard to please, but in this instance I am
perfectly satisfied. You have pleased me well.” We re-
mained at this camp until 4 June, drilling and grazing our
teams on the fine clover fields of the Rappahannock. As we
were drilling that evening, looking across the river hills we
could see large fields of dust rising above the trees across the
river, and we knew the Federal army was again in motion.
We were at once ordered back to camp and began preparation
to move, tents struck, baggage packed and loaded in the
wagons and everything got ready, and about dark we bade
farewell to our pleasant camp never to see it again. About
dawn of day we reached Hamilton’s Crossing and found the ~
enemy in possession of the Port Royal road, making a good
breastwork. It had been their line of battle in December,
1862. Our sharpshooters were ordered to drive them out,
our brigade succeeding, but Lane’s men on the left failed to
move those opposite their line, and we had to build a barri-
cade between the two brigades, Lane’s men being on the high
ground and unprotected.

Remaining at this place ten days, the writer had to make
several trips from the railroad where our line was, to the
Port Royal road occupied by the sharpshooters, and had to
pass over the ground fought on in December. The Yankees
who had been killed in that fight had been laid up in piles of
about a hundred and a few shovels of dirt thrown over them.
It was the most repulsive sight I ever beheld; there were
heads, hands and fect sticking up through the dirt, and my-
riads of worms and insects of various kinds working all over

 
 

 

176 Norru Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

the piles. The stench was dreadful, and we had to hold our

noses and run to get away from it.
We remained here until 13 June, with no demonstration of

any kind except artillery duels across the river. Every even-
ing the bands on each side would play Yankee Doodle, Star
Spangled Banner, Dixie, Bonnie Blue Flag, and both would
wind up with Home, Sweet Home, whereat there was on both
sides a universal shout, reverberating from one to the other,
back and forth, showing there was one tie held in common by

these two grand armies.
GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.

General Lee had sent Ewell’s Corps across the mountains
into the Valley, and word has just reached us of his capture
of Winchester and Martinsburg with many prisoners and a
lot of property, and of his march across the Potomac into
Maryland and Pennsylvania. On 14 June, 1863, our pickets
in front. reported that the enemy had all crossed the river, and
on examining the ground we found a very small force in sight
with only a few guns posted on the Stafford Hills. They had

removed or destroyed the pontoon bridges on which they had ©

crossed. We were at once moved back of the hills, and or-
dered to prepare three days’ rations and be ready to move
early next morning. We spent the day in cleaning up arms,
filling up boxes and getting rid of our surplus baggage.
Longstreet’s Corps came up during the day from the Black-
water and went into camp just in our rear. The order of
march was the Sixteenth North Carolina in front with one
howitzer from Pogue’s Battalion, then the remaining regi-
ments of Pender’s old brigade under command of Colonel
W. J. Hoke, of the Thirty-eighth, followed by the Light Di-
vision, Major-General Pender, and the balance of A. P. Hill’s
Corps, then all the remainder of Lee’s army. Very early on
the morning of 15 June we broke camp near Hamilton’s
Crossing, striking the main road above Fredericksburg and
on hy Chancellorsyille, passing the old Chancellor house, and
on in the direction of the river. All along the line we saw
Hooker had thrown up works and fortified on his retreat from
Chancellorsville. Late in the afternoon we crossed the river

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 177

at the same ford where the boys had fired into the cavalry
camp on the night of 2 May, and went into camp on the hill
beyond, next night camped at Stevensburg, then to Culpepper
Court House, and two more days march brought us to the
Blue Ridge, crossing at Chester Gap, and down into the Val-
ley at Front Royal, where we forded the two branches of the
Shenandoah and camped at Nineveh. The next day we
marched only about three miles, camping at White Post.
Passing through Charlestown where John Brown was hung,
the next day we camped near Shepherdstown, where General
Scales came up and took command of the brigade, he having
been wounded at Chancellorsville.

Next day we passed through the town and crossed the Poto-
mac below Boteler’s mills; we are soon on the familiar ground
of Sharpsbburg and in the United States, 24 June, and
went into camp just beyond the town. Company G was sent
on picket all night. Next day passed through Hagerstown,
where we saw a good many Southern sympathizers, but they
were afraid to make much of a demonstration, as they were
closely watched by their Union neighbors, but we saw many
rebel flags displayed inside of the doors and windows of many
of the houses. We were advised not to make any noise or
fuss, but to pass through quietly lest we should get our friends
into trouble. That night we camped near a town in Pennsyl-
vania, name forgotten, where a quantity of whiskey was jis-
sued—some of the men got drunk, and some of them were
severely punished. The writer got a canteen of whiskey, a
knife, fork and spoon which I have yet (not the whiskey).
Next night camped near Chambersburg where we spent two
days, and the next night, 30 June, camped on top of Cash’s
Mountain, about five miles from Gettysburg.

BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.

Next morning, 1 July, we passed through Cashtown, and
about 2 p. m., came in sight of Gettysburg and were soon
moved to the right in a lane with a wheat field in our front.
Tearing down the fence, the order came “forward march,”
and the Sixteenth, with Pender’s Division, moved forward at
quickstep dressing to the left, and after marching about a

12

 
 

 

 

 

178 NortH CAROLINA TROOPS, 1861-65.

mile in line of battle through the ripe wheat, we came up to
the artillery posted on a bluff and firing rapidly. Passing in
front of the guns, we lay down and watched the fight going
on for half an hour, Heth’s Division being on the line in our
front. While lying here the guns in our rear kept firing
over us and some guns on the opposite side replying, several
of our men were hit by fragments of shells. One Captain
was struck and his head was cut and scratched in several
places. He jumped up and started to the rear hollowing at
every jump, “I’m dead, I’m dead .’ The Colonel of “ reg-
iment called two stretcher men and told them to “oo and
take that dead man off—if you can catch him.”
While lying there we saw two regiments fighting on a rail-
road cut, and saw a United States flag captured and recap-
tured several times, and just before we moved forward 1 saw
a man take the flag and wrap it around the staff and stick it
in a brush pile, and what became of it then I never knew,
for the command “attention” came and every man arose to
his feet, grasped his arms with a firm grip, and at the order
“forward, guide left, march,” we moved off at a quick step
across a meadow and soon began to receive the attention of
the foe, many of our men being struck with minie balls and
shells. The men began to fall around me in my own
company. Lieutenant John Ford fell on my right, John H.
Bradley on the left, just after I had helped him pull the ram-
rod, which had got fastened, from his gun. N umbers of
others were wounded ; our surgeon was shot in the head, and
ought to have been killed for being there and for not attend-
ing to his duty. I did all I could to get him to dismount
and attend to John Ford, for I saw he would bleed to death
unless attention was given him, but the doughty surgeon
rode on, the only mounted man I saw on the line. Our line
continued to advance, and passing to the right of Heth’s men,
came on the enemy’s line and began to push them back up
the hill, when just as we crossed a ditch I was struck on the
right thigh with a piece of shell, knocking me down and tear-
ing and cutting the flesh badly. After a short time I found
that I could get up, and picking up a good hickory stick
started to the rear as best I could. On my way out I passed

Se ees

PE ET

ee ee pica tails. eae
SS -

reyes eee Mie OS es
APIO I SPI nr

SrxteentaH Recent. 179

several sink holes among the limestone rocks which I found
full of men, some wounded and others hiding. On reaching
the place where Ford and Bradley had fallen they were gone
but going further up the hill I found Ford lying face levee,
and raising him up saw at once that he was dying. I asked
him if I could do anything for him; he could not speak, but
motioned with his hand to be carried off the field, as the are
balls and shells were falling thick around him. I called. a
couple of litter bearers that I saw in the woods nearby to
come and take him to a safer place, but could not prevail on
them to do so, and the poor man died where he was in a few
minutes. Going on I soon passed General Lee’s headquar-
ters, when I saw Generals Lee, A. P. Hill, Longstreet and oth-
ers watching the fight with their glasses. I soon reached the

ambulance and was carried to the hospital, a large barn about

two miles in rear of the line, where I found many wounded
men of the Sixteenth, about ten of my own company, Bradley

among them. And this is what I saw of the battle of Gettys-
burg.

Captain J. Y. McIntire, who was in command of the com-
pany, tells me that we drove the enemy back beyond Cemetery
TTill, where they had a hospital filled with wounded and sur-
geons. We were afterwards moved back across a branch
where we formed line and throwing out pickets in front spent
the night.

During the next day, 2 July, we remained in the same posi-
ticn nearly all day, moving a little to the left, both sides keep-
ing a shelling and sharpshooter firing during the day and
night.

THE PICKETT-PETTIGREW CHARGE.

On the morning of the 3d all were up and ready, expecting
every moment to be into a fight, but strange to say everything
was quiet, each side watching and waiting for the other to
move. Our men becoming impatient would call out and say,
“Tf we had Jackson we would move and do something.” But
all at once, about 1 p. m., there was a crash and one hundred
and fifty guns on our line belched forth fire and were an-
swered by an equal number from the enemy, keeping it up for

 
 

180 Norra Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

two hours, when the firing ceased and soon the order came,
“Forward.”

General Pender having been wounded the day before,
Scales’ and Pettigrew’s Brigades were put under Major-Gen-
eral Trimble and sent in on the left of Pickett. We were met
by a storm of shot, shell and minie balls which caused Pick-
ett’s men to waver and fall back in confusion, leaving the sup-
porting brigades to stand the brunt of the fight.

Finding that Pickett had been repulsed, it was deemed nec-
essary to withdraw if possible, and there was a general break
to the rear, under a destructive fire which killed and wounded
a great many men. A part of the Sixteenth, under Captains
Cloud, McKinney and McEntire, had advanced so far that
they found it impossible to withdraw and were forced to sur-
render. They were at once taken to the rear in a great hurry,
where they found everything in confusion and ready to re-
treat, teams were hitched up and turned to the rear as if ready
to run, and if Lee had made another assault then, they would
have done so. Being badly crippled himself, and out of am-
munition, far away from his base, with a big river behind
him and heavy rains coming on, he found it necessary to re-
tire, and did so at his. own leisure, lying in their front the
whole day, the 4th, without being attacked, which shows how
much they feared him. The Sixteenth lost very heavily in
men and officers, there not being an officer left in the regiment
higher than Lieutenant, several companies without a single
officer. :

General Pender was wounded and died at Staunton; Gen-
eral Seales wounded, Colonel W. J. Hoke, Thirty-eighth,
wounded, leaving the brigade in command of Colonel Low-
rance, of the Thirty-fourth.

General Trimble said to General A. P. Hill as he left the
field: “If hell can’t be taken by the troops I had the honor
to command to-day, it can’t be done at all.” This was the
remark of General Trimble, a Virginian, to General Hill, a
Virginian, about North Carolina troops—Pettigrew’s and
Seales’ Brigades. The Sixteenth Regiment was one of them,

which fact ought to set aside the oft-told tale that there was

no troops in that assault but F. F. V’s.

 

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 181

THE RETREAT FROM GETTYSBURG.

About 12 o’clock on Sunday, 4 July, orders came to the
hospital for a general move to the rear, and the movement back
to the Potomac began. The wagons and ambulances were
loaded with all the wounded that could be moved, but we had
to leave many of our poor fellows whom we never saw again.
The writer managed to secure a seat on the top of a load of
hay, where he spent about thirty hours. When we reached
the top of the mountain it began to rain and soon got very
dark, but there was no halt made, a steady trot being kept up
all night, and I could never tell how we got along without
some accident. During the night we passed Thad Stephens’
Iron-Works, which Ewell’s troops had burned as they passed
on some days before, and they were still smoking. I heard
after the war that the old man said that it saved him from
bankruptcy, as he got a big price for them from the govern-
ment, enabling him to settle up all his affairs.

About daybreak Sunday morning it ceased raining and
soon the sun came out, and we poor wounded rebels who had
been riding all night in the cold began to feel the influence of
his gentle rays, and though hungry, tired and sore, began to
crack jokes with the natives, they jeering and telling us that
we would never cross the Potomac, that we would soon be
gobbled up. About 10 o’clock there was a short stop to feed
and rest the teams as they were very tired. After an hour’s
rest they were hitched up again, and soon we passed through
Greencastle, where the Dutch women paid us their compli-
ments by abuse and wishing us in a warmer climate than
Pennsylvania. Here we saw the effect of a raid that had
been made on the train ahead of us, several wagons cut down,
the teams and men captured and gone. General Imboden had
been sent with us as an escort to protect us, but he was a com-
plete failure in that part. A few hours after, just as the
wagon I was on had passed across the road near Emmetts-
burg, one of Imboden’s cavalrymen dashed by at full speed,
ran over a man and horse in front, but made no stop, only
looking to his own safety. Hearing considerable commotion

‘in the rear, I looked back and saw that a small squad of eav-

alry had dashed into the road just as the last of Pender’s train

 
182 Nort Carortina Troops, 1861-’65.

passed, and striking the front of Heth’s train, had captured
several teams, wagons and ambulances, the first ambulance
having Colonel Leventhorpe, of the Eleventh, and I think Col-
onel J. K. Connally, of the Fifty-fifth North Carolina, with
others that I did not know. They were at once hurried off
on the cross road for fear of recapture. Major Scales, Divis-
ion Quartermaster, was the only man I saw that seemed to
have a head on him, and he stopped a few of Imboden’s men
and gathered a few stragglers together and soon drove the
raiders off, but they had done considerable damage in cutting
down wagons and running off the teams. A member of my
own company who was riding with me, swore he would save
his own bacon, jumped off, took to the woods, and I did not
see him again until we reached the Potomac. We were not
molested again, arriving at Williamsport, on the bank of the
Potomac, which we found past fording, this compelling us to
halt. The whole train was placed at the foot of the hill be-
tween the Chesapeake and Ohio canal and the river, so as to
be able to cross as soon as the river fell.

On Monday about 4 p. m., we were startled by a shot fired
from beyond the town, and the ball dropping down among us
struck one of our mules, breaking his neck, then plunging into
the river, followed by several others, but none doing any
other damage. There was quite a commotion for awhile, but
some of our cooler headed ones, seeing the necessity of action,
soon had: quite a little company organized of stragglers,
drivers and some of the wounded, and marching back into the
town we gave them the best fight we could under the cireum-
stances, but I fear we would all have been captured had not
General Pierce M. B. Young, who had been sent by General
Stnart after the raiders, come up just in time, and making a
charge drove them off, killing and capturing several of them.
We had several men killed and wounded in this affair; the
Sixteenth had one man (Bowman, Company I) killed. In
the meantime, General Lee had left Gettysburg on the night
of the 4th, after lying all day in front of Meade, who did not,
for reasons best known to himself and his Generals, feel in-
clined to push him, had marched at his leisure, and passing
Hagerstown on Monday, established himself on a line between

vad eS eee ere bee et = .
STM ahem en reser AD emeeeerant es:

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 183

that town and in front of Williamsport, where he remained
for about ten days in front of Meade offering him battle, but
he refused to accept. Quite an artillery duel was kept up
between the two armies all that time, but little damage to our
side.

FALLING WATERS.

On the afternoon of the 13th orders were received for the
trains to cross at the ferry, and everything was sent over
during the night, General Lee moving with army after dark,
going down on the north side and throwing a pontoon bridge
across at Falling Waters, where the river is quite narrow, the
banks being steep and high, forcing the water into a channel
of 200 feet. Falling Waters is so called from a creek that
runs over a precipice about twenty feet high and into the river
at that place. The fall is just above the road and is quite pic-
turesque, making a miniature Niagara.

It was at this place that a squadron of Federal cavalry
made a dash at Hill’s Corps as the men were lying on the
ground resting and waiting for the artillery to cross. In
this affray General Pettigrew was mortally wounded and a
few rebels captured, among them one member of Company G.
As soon as our men realized that an assault had been made,
they sprang up, opened fire and soon drove them off, killing a
number and among them the man that shot Pettigrew.

When all the artillery and wagons were safely crossed, the
men followed, and marching up the turnpike a few miles en-
camped for the night near Martinsburg.

Passing through Martinsburg the next Monday, 15th, up
the valley to Bunker Hill, where we remained in quiet about
ten days, the men enjoying themselves living on dewberries,
there being a great abundance of them in the clover fields, fur-
nishing good picking for the whole army. Leaving the valley
we crossed at Chester Gap and had quite a brisk little skir-
mish and artillery duel at Gaines’ Cross Roads; not much
damage done to either side. Going on to Culpepper Court
House we camped there until 9 August, when the cavalry got
up quite a warm fight near Brandy Station. We were or-
dered out and started towards Orange Court House, which we
reached on the 10th, going into camp on the farm of Colonel

 
184 Nortu Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

Taylor, near Barnett’s Ford, where we picketed and rested
until October, having one or two fights with cavalry at the
ford.

About 11 October General Lee sent A. P. Hill’s Corps
across the river, passing Madison Court House, the second
day crossing Robertson’s Run, where our sharpshooters had
a severe battle with the Federal cavalry, driving them off,
which developed our movement and put the whole army in
motion. Ewell having been left on the Rapidan, at once
broke camp and followed by Culpepper Court House. Hill
moving by the left flank all the time, crossed the Culpepper
road by Amosville and Warrenton, where we camped in the
camp the Yankees had vacated that day. Next day Scales’
Brigade was stopped at a little town, New Baltimore, and or-
dered to wait until the army train had passed, then to follow
and guard it from raiders. After the wagons had all passed
we fell in and followed until late in the afternoon. General
Seales ordered Captain McLoud to stay with the train, and
he with the other regiments of the Brigade would go to the
front, as we could hear heavy cannonading in front. We
marched by companies on each side of the road until about
midnight, when the train stopped and we lay. down by the side
of the wagons and slept until daylight, when we were roused
up and soon joined the main force at Bristoe Station, where
we found that Hill’s Corps had had a severe and disastrous

fight, being roughly handled, all through a mistake of General
A. P. Hill.

BRISTOE STATION.

Arriving near Bristoe on the afternoon of 14 October, A.
P. Hill found the rear guard of Meade’s army, under General
Warren, moving across his line of march, and immediately
made arrangements to attack him with Cooke’s and MacRae’s
Brigades of Heth’s Division. Warren had his corps posted
behind a railroad embankment and out of sight, but had a
strong line of sharpshooters posted about two hundred yards
behind his line and in front of a piece of woods, giving the
impression that his line of battle was in the woods. Hill or-
dered Heth to advance his two brigades at once and take pos-

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 185

session of the railroad, but Heth not liking the looks of things,
did not move until Hill had sent him three peremptory orders
to do so. He then ordered the two North Carolina Brigades
forward, but when they were in a few yards of the railroad
Warren’s whole corps rose and gave them a volley that very
nearly cut to pieces the whole command, only a few falling
back in good order, many wounded and as many dead lying
on the ground. Our artillery opened on them and a heavy
fire was kept up during the day, the enemy holding their
ground until dark, when they retired in the direction of Man-
assas.

We remained on the ground until about 2 o’clock p. m.,
burying our dead and caring for the wounded, cooking, ete.,
when we again moved back to Catlett’s Station, where our
brigade commenced tearing up the railroad and burning the
ties, working all day in the mud, tired and hungry.

About dark Baxter Long came up and gave me some crack-

‘ers he had found in an old shed on the way, also some pork

and beans left by the Yankees. Being very hungry I did
not wait to get into camp, but commenced eating the crackers
at once, but when I got a fire so I could see I found my crack-
ers filled with black, hairy worms. I had no idea how many
I had eaten, but it did not turn my stomach for I was soon
able to make a hearty meal after getting things in shape.
Next morning we finished our job of tearing up the track and
crossed the Rappahannock on a pontoon bridge, going into
camp near an old brick house. The country beyond the Rap-
pahannock looked bare and desolate, nothing in sight but
chimneys on all sides. I do not remember seeing but one
house standing on our way from New Baltimore to Bristoe
and back to the Rappahannock, and that was a large house
with a large placard on the front gate marked: “This house
is protected by papers from the British Consul at Washing-

ton.”

While camped here the writer was lying in his tent, cov-
ered with all the blankets he could get and shaking with a
severe chill. The cry was raised, “Fresh beef, somebody’s
coming,” and we knew at once that a lot of fresh conscripts
were coming. Soon some one was heard to say: “There’s

 
186 Norto Caroiina Troops, 1861-’65.

France. Hello, France, come here, old fellow,” and the an-
swer came back: ‘How the devil can I come; don’t you see
I’m under guard?” And I at once recognized our old Valley
Mountain comrade, F. D. W., who remained with us until
the close of the war, often enlivening the camp with his dry
jokes.

The next day we were ordered to move back near Brandy
to put up winter quarters. On the way I felt like I would
have another chill, and seeing our doctor unpacking a box
near where we stopped, I went to him and told him what was
the matter. He unstopped a jug and poured out about a gill
of whiskey, telling me to drink it. I told him it would make
me drunk. He said “drink it,” which I did, and did not have
any chill, but had something else. The men went to work
cutting logs and putting up shanties on the land of the old
Congressman, John Minor Botts, who would not let us have
any straw .

MINE RUN.

The second day while camped here we had a grand cavalry
review of all the cavalry of the army on the same field where
Stuart fought the Federals the summer before. That night
about 10 o’clock, just as I was going to lie down, my only
brother, who belonged to Pogue’s Battalion, came up to the
fire and wanted to know if we did not have marching orders.
When informed that we did not, he said you will have soon for
everything between this and the river is on the move. Just
then the Adjutant came along and ordered us to pack up all
baggage and be ready to move at 4 o’clock a. m., and all our
calculations about winter quarters was knocked in the head
for the time. Some of the men had completed nice cabins
and expected to move into them the next morning, but such is
war. We found afterward that a force of the enemy had
erossed the river at a ford above us and were making an effort
to get in our rear. We were on the march before the time or-
dered, and soon found from the whistle of shells passing over
that we were followed. About daylight we halted on a high
ridge where we spent the day in line of battle. The artillery
and sharpshooters kept up a constant fire all day, a shell now

 

SIxTEENTH REGIMENT. 187

and then passing over our heads. About an hour after dark
we moved back to a road where we waited some time for some
others to pass and then marched on in the direction of Cul-
pepper Court House, which place we passed about 12 o’clock.

Culpepper was about the darkest town that night I ever
saw. I saw only one light in the town as we passed through.
Our artillery and wagons being in front and the road very
muddy, we made slow progress, and being an extremely cold
night I don’t think there was a fence rail left between Cul-
pepper and the Rapidan, all being burned. We crossed at
Barnett’s Ford early in the morning and went into camp near
the one we had left, feeling quite at home after an absence of
more than a month. We remained at this camp until about
23 November, when Captain L. P. Erwin came on a visit to
us, and I made a bet with him of a pound of candy, then
worth $25, that we would leave that place before morning, and
sure enough at 12 o’clock we had orders for marching at 4
o’clock, and before the citizens of Orange had gotten their
eyes open we had passed through the town on our way to the
Wilderness. Just after that, the writer was put in command
of the provost guard of the brigade. Just before night we
crossed a little stream called Mine Run and stopped for the
night. Next day we moved back across the Run and formed
line of battle on a ridge, and soon found General Meade and
his army in front of us. The weather had turned intensely
cold and there was great suffering among the men.

My guard was posted in rear of the line in an open field
on the high ground where the wind from the mountain had
full sweep at us, and the only protection we could get was to
put some pine tops into a deep gully on the icicles, where we
could lie on our blankets. “There was a continual artillery
and sharpshooter duel going on all the time but no fighting.
On the night of 1 December, 1863, Generals Lee, Stuart, A.
P. Hill and others rode up and down in rear of our lines
several times, and we made up our minds we would have
hot work in the morning. When daylight came we found the
Yankees had gone during the night. The order came at once
to follow, which we did, passing their works soon after cross-
ing the Run, where we found the sides of the road strewn with

 

 
 

188 Nort Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

the plunder left by them in their hurry to get off. We fol-
lowed about eight miles on the Wilderness road, when we met
Generals Lee, Stuart, and others. General Lee said: “Well,
boys, you may go back to camp.”

We gave three cheers for General Lee, and started home
again, reaching Orange about 12 M. the next day, and went
into camp the next day near the old place. A few days after
our return Captain Erwin was retired from the service on ac-
count of wounds received at Fredericksburg, and left for
home promising that he would call on my friend, Andrew An-
tone, as he passed through Richmond and get the pound of
candy I had won from him and give it to two young lady
friends of mine, but I find it has not been paid yet, and I still
demand the $25 worth of candy.

In General Meade’s examination before a Congressional
Committee on Conduct of the War, he was asked why he did
not fight Lee at Mine Run. He replied that the weather was
so cold that his sentinels froze to death on post.

WINTER oF 1863-’64.

We reached our old camp near Orange about noon, 3 De-
cember. The men marched like cavalry, all so anxious to get
back to the old grounds. The weather moderated after we
got back, and for two weeks we had fine, pleasant weather,
but just before Christmas it began to snow and sleet, and we
then had very cold weather for some time. The day before
Christmas I had accepted an invitation to visit some friends
in Lane’s Brigade about four miles up the river near Liberty

-Mills, to take Christmas dinner, they having possessed them-
selves of a fine gobbler and other Christmas goods, but just
after tattoo the long roll was sounded and orders were issued
to pack up and be ready to march at a moment’s warning and
let no one leave camp until further orders, so all our caleula-
tions for Christmas were spoiled. We were kept in suspense
for three days, and as nothing further happened, the men be-
gan to feel at ease. We found out afterwards that the order
was only intended to keep the men in camp during Christ-

mas, fearing that they would go off, get drunk and do mis-
chief—but such is war.

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SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 189

We remained quietly doing picket duty during the next
month, having one or two little cavalry dashes, at Barnett’s
Ford until 1 February, 1864, when the enemy made a feint to
cross in the afternoon. Our brigade was marched down to
the ford and kept the breastworks until after dark, when they
were ordered back to camp and to cook rations and be ready
to return at 4 o’clock. Promptly on time we were again in
the trenches, and at dawn of day the artillery on both sides
opened and kept up a heavy fire for about an hour, the in-
fantry having a little fight across the river with their cav-
alry—if they had infantry we saw none of it.. They soon re-
tired and we were left alone. Troops were coming in all day
to our relief, but as there was no further demonstration on the
part of the enemy all again became quiet, the troops returned
to their camps and the usual routine of duty was taken up.

Just at this time the writer was granted a thirty days’ leave
of absence, and drawing from the Quartermaster $500 Con-
federate money, I started for Richmond and home. Some
time before I had sent to R. M. Robinson, of Charlotte, three
and one-half yards of cloth furnished by North Carolina for
$25. On reaching Charlotte I found the clothes ready and
paid Robinson $150 for making and trimmings, and on my
return to Orange I had $10 left, which I gave for a pound of
soda and went to camp without a cent, showing that it cost six
months’ pay to go home, pay for a suit of clothes and one
pound of soda.

During March and April we had only one little affair at
the Ford with cavalry and artillery, our cavalry being on the
north side of the river. Standing on the hills on the south
side we could see the charging and counter charges, first one
on the run, then the other. We had a few men wounded at
the river by shell. Quite an amusing incident oceurred at
the Ford with some women who were crossing on foot while
the shells were falling and bursting in and around the Ford,
but for fear of making some one blush I will not relate this
story. The Yankees were soon driven off and all was quiet
again for some time.

About 25 A'pril we had quite a snow storm, the ground
being covered several inches. In a day or so the sun came

 
 

190 Norru Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

out warm, the snow melting off except on the mountain sides
a few miles off over the river. On 4 May I was on picket
with strict orders to allow no one to cross unless they had a
pass from General Robertson. There was some cavalry graz-
ing their horses on a clover field across the river, and just
after | had returned from the lower part of the line, I heard
their bugles blow “boots and saddles,” and saw the men run-
ning and bridling their horses in great commotion, and soon
after a courier riding at full speed came up the road leading
to the Ford where I had placed myself to meet him. Stop-
ping his horse for a moment he drew from his pocket a large
official envelope addressed “General R. E. Lee,” saying he
had a dispatch for General Lee. My orders forbade my
allowing any one to pass without General Robertson’s per-
mission, but believing that delay might be dangerous, I at
once determined to assume responsibility of disobeying orders
and handing him the dispatch, told him to go ahead. I im-
mediately walked down to the river and notified my pickets
to be ready to move as I was sure we would be sent for, and
soon a courier came ordering us to camp. Bidding farewell
to Barnett’s Ford, where we had spent near ten months rather
pleasantly, we started to camp, and on our arrival found all
the troops gone and about a hundred negroes plundering and
searching for anything and everything left by the men. I
found orders for me to follow by Orange Court House, which
we soon passed for the last time, not catching up with the
army until late, when we found them camped near Mine
Run, at the same place we had camped on our return from
Mine run in the previous December.

THE WILDERNESS.

Early on the morning of 5 May, 1864, we were under arms
and again on the march, passing Mine Run and about 4 p- m.
came near the future battlefield, and leaving the plank road
we turned to the left and marched more than a mile, when we
were halted in a dense thicket and in the rear of Ewell.

Lying there about an hour, we heard the fight open in the
direction of the plank road. Orders came to fall in, and we
started at a double-quick, and soon reaching the road where

ie ee SS (oe ee Dota ae

emepeeee sere ie se ee

5 SR pe

rr ara

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 191

we had left it we found the road filled with wagons and ambu-
lances and the field on the left of the road full of artillery.
Going down until we came to the Brock road, which crosses
the plank road and leads to Spottsylvania Court House, we
moved to the right and formed line on this road, our left rest-
ing on the plank road. We then moved forward, passing over
a regiment that would not advance. The Colonel was cursing
them and told them to lie down and let somebody that would
go, go over them. We soon struck some troops of Hancock’s
Corps and drove them before us through a swamp, when we
were stopped and moved back to the Brock road on the top of
the ridge, and it being near dark, we put out sentinels in front
and prepared to spend the night, barricading with all the old
logs and rails that we could find.

Early on the morning of the 6th, orders came to send a de-
tail with all the company canteens for water for the men,
and just at sunrise a gun was fired down the road and the shot
came whistling up the road, and following it came Hancock’s
Corps. This was the only battle I ever saw or heard of in
modern times fought without artillery, and the one mentioned
above was the only one I remember to have heard that morn-
ing, and there was only one gun used on the 5th near the
plank road, and that only fired grape at very close range.

Thomas’ Georgia Brigade was on our left, and Hancock’s
line was so arranged his forces struck it before he reached our
front. Thomas’ men gave way at once, almost without firing
a gun. Our left, the Thirty-eighth, I think, seeing them-
selves flanked began to break, and soon a general break all
along our line occurred. Colonel C. M. Avery had his regi-
ment, the Thirty-third North Carolina, lying just in the rear
of the Sixteenth, and as we moved back in good order, he or-
dered his men up and said as I passed him, “We will give
them one volley before we go,” and he gave the order to fire,
and at the same time the fire was returned, killing and wound-
ing many of his men. The Colonel himself was mortally
wounded. Several of the Sixteenth were hit, and Color-
bearer Carpenter was killed and many others wounded. I
soon met a staff officer on horseback, who was making an effort
to rally and stop the men, but with little effect. He told

 
 

192 Nortrs Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

them that ‘Longstreet was on the ground and would be there
in less than five minutes, only hold your ground until he gets
in,” but everybody seemed to be for himself and the Yankees
take the hindmost, which would soon have occurred to us all
if just then we had not met General Benning, of Longstreet’s
Corps, leading his brigade in. He told his men to open ranks
and let us pass. After getting in rear of Longstreet’s we
got our men quiet and into line, and crossing the plank road
we formed a new line on a kind of crescent in rear of Ewell.
Just after crossing the road I met Tom Hayden with a can-
teen, and our detail not having returned I asked him for a
drink. Handing his canteen he said, ‘Here is some pond
water,” and without thought I took a big swallow before I
found it was the meanest whiskey I ever tasted, and of course
I was worse off than before I took it. In a few minutes we
heard Longstreet’s men open fire and in a very short time we
heard the old rebel yell; and we knew that Hood was moving
them; then the yell became general all along the line, and I
don’t think I ever listened to a sweeter sound. It would
start on the left and like a wave roll down the line and back
again, and our line took up the refrain, and just like the lit-
tle dog after being whipped when a big dog comes up and
takes his place, they began to jump and yell and cut up
shines, as much as to say, ‘‘Arn’t we horses.”

Shortly after Longstreet had routed and was driving them
back, we were moved down upon the line on the left of the
plank road, where some command had erected the only breast-
work during the night, and then you should have seen what
a brave set of fellows we were. Just then we saw a little fel-
low riding up behind us on a gray horse, dressed in a fine new
uniform with two stars on the collar and a big black feather
in his hat. We recognized little Captain Cloud, who had
been captured at Gettysburg, just on his way from Johnson’s
Island. During his captivity he had been promoted to Lieu-
tenant-Colonel. We almost had to detail a guard to stop him
from charging over the works and capturing Grant and the
whole Yankee army. The battle raged pretty much all day
in our front, and it is claimed by some that but for the
wounding of General Longstreet Grant’s army would have

Uo 4 ea oie gent Ye BY

 

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 193

been driven across the Rapidan. I know that by this timely
arrival he saved our brigade from capture. We remained in
this position until Sunday, the 7th, about 4 p. m., when we
were ordered to march by the Brock road to Spottsylvania
Court House, which place we reached at 12 M. Monday and
found nearly all our artillery on the line and pretty well for-
tified.

SPOTTSYLVANIA.

Spottsylvania is located on a long high ridge, and in May,
1864, contained a court house, jail, one brick church and a
tavern—these are all the buildings I remember. Our forti-
fied line was near the top of the ridge and north and east from
the court house, and was about five miles in length, extend-
ing about four miles above to the Tay river, and one mile be-
low the conrt house. The ground in front of the court house
was sloping for about two hundred yards, and there was met
by a thick pine woods, and beyond these pines Grant had two
fortified lines about one hundred yards apart.

Arriving on the ground about 12 o’clock Monday, 8 May,
we were put on the line on the left of the court house near
the branch, with a thick pine forest in our front, but did not
remain long in this position, but were moved to the right be-
yond the court house, and for three days were kept moving
up and down the line, being in reserve all the time.

On the night of the 11th we were marched about four miles
to the left near the Tay river where there was a fort, and just
as I had my little shelter tent put up and ready to lie down,
orders came to fallin, and we were soon on the way to town in

ud and rain, the night so dark we could scarcely see the men
ahead of us. It stopped raining and cleared up before we
reached the court house, and just as day was breaking we
heard Tancock’s grand assault on our lines open and were
soon made aware that part of our line had been captured—
Johnson’s Division of Ewell’s Corps being taken prisoners.
This was the place where it was said General Lee wanted to
lead the troops in person, but the men refused to go forward
until he went to the rear, assuring him that they would re- -
establish the lines, which they did most gallantly. When we

13

 
 

194 Norra Carorina Troops, 1861-’69.

reached the field we found ourselves in rear of Lane’s Bri-
gade, then desperately struggling to hold its position, and
standing some time on the high ground in rear we were in a
very uncomfortable position for a short while, but Lane find-
ing that he had support behind him, ordered a charge and
went over the works—we at once occupied and spent the day
in them, finding it much safer, though we had some men
wounded by shells and long range rifles.

After driving the enemy back behind his works, Lane came
out and going down the line in front of the court house he
went in again and had quite a hard fight, capturing a large
number of prisoners and a stand of colors. The next day just
before dark, General Lee thinking that Grant was moving
round his right, we were sent inside the line to find out what
they were doing. We marched in by the right flank, led by
Major-General Wilcox, and after reaching the pine woods, the
head of the column, soon found the Yankee sharpshooters in
strong force, several of our men being wounded by their first
fire. General Wilcox soon came back, his old white pony
pacing along like he was going to meeting. The General
always rode with a long hickory switch. As he passed us he
told us to face to the right and move just above the path and
lay down. We obeyed the order. As I lay down between the
color-bearer and another man we soon found that a Yankee
sharpshooter was using us as a mark for his rifle, the balls
passing very uncomfortably near and over us, but dark coming
on, though the firing still went on, it was not so close and
dangerous. I was very tired and soon fell asleep, but was
aroused by the men moving off. Jumping up and taking my
place in line I thought that we were going to make an assault,
but coming to a low fence we had crossed I knew we were
going out and was much relieved. We passed out through
the lines and lay down to rest near an ice house and were not
farther disturbed during the night—a very unusual occur-
rence, as assaults had been made on our lines every night.

The next day we were again marched to the front to retake
a part of the line that had been captured, and did so in a hand-
some charge, driving the enemy before us and eliciting the
praise of General Early, who was in command of the corps

 

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 195

ae nae eis A. P. Hill being sick.

h ‘earth in and around was covered with
dead Yankees killed in this affair. During the day we saw
the Federal General Sedgwick shot and killed by a sharp-
shooter while he was superintending the placing of a gun ie
enfilade our lines. He was more than a half ale one A
friend informs us that a beautiful monument has been pls
on the spot.

We were sent next day to the right to support General
Wright, of Georgia, while he was sent in to make a reconnois-
sance, we holding his lines while he made his move on Grant’s
works. Finding the enemy’s lines well manned he soon re-
tired, suffering some loss, and occupied his old ground, and
we were sent back to the left of the court house whos we
spent the day under heavy shelling, losing several men. We
remained in all about ten days at Spotsylvania, on the go all
the time. We could not lie down with any assurance that
we would be undisturbed for five minutes. “The last day we
were there, after being under fire of the sharpshooters and
artillery all day, we were moved from the left of the court
house down to the right and sent into the Yankee lines to see
what they were doing. The line was formed just inside of
our lines, and we moved forward over the open ground, then
through a piece of woods, and crossing over a high rail fence
we found ourselves in front of their works and were at once
fired on by sharpshooters and their artillery from outside
works, about one hundred yards in rear. Without stopping
to return the fire, we made a rush for the works and drove
them back into the second line. After holding this line for
an hour under a very heavy fire of solid shot, we were or-
deréd to march out by the flank, and going back to the road
at the court house we found the army in motion and at
once took up the line of march toward the North Anna
river. After marching several hours we halted to rest in
a piece of woods, and there for the first time in more than
two weeks we had a few hours of uninterrupted rest and
sleep. Next morning we were up early and on the march,
and soon after crossing North Anna river we struck the
Fredericksburg railroad, and following it down to Ander-

 
 

196 Norru Caroiina Troops, 1861-65.

son Station we spent near two days in maneuvering between

that and the river.
JERICHO FORD.

On the afternoon of the second day we were ordered back
to the station, and following the railroad back in the direc-
tion of the river about a mile we came to a water tank, where
we found the Light Division in line of battle. The order to
move forward soon came, and the Division moved off through
an open woods in excellent order and fine style, General
Thomas’ Georgia Brigade on the left and resting on the river.
There being no place for Scales’ Brigade, we marched in rear
of Thomas, the Sixteenth leading. General Thomas mounted

his horse and rode in rear of his troops, hollowing as if he was

in a fox chase; soon reaching a fence in the edge of the woods,
with a clover field in front, the fence was thrown down and
the field entered, when his line was fired on from the cedar
hedge just on the brow of the hill by a line of sharpshooters.
The whole of Georgia broke loose and ran for dear life. The
Sixteenth standing end foremost at the head of the brigade,
Colonel W. A. Stowe ordered them into line, and we moved
to the front, the Yankees running down the hill as fast as
tHeir legs could carry them. We followed up to the cedars,
and by the time we reached the hedge they had got down the
hill and across a branch, and going up a hill in front of us
our men had a fair chance to pick them off. One poor fellow
was lame and got behind, but he did some of the hardest run-
ning I ever saw. I don’t think he was hit, though I saw a
good many balls strike near him.

As soon as the pickets got out of danger, the guns on the
high ground beyond began to pay their respects to us, giving
us a fusillade of grape and canister. The Sixteenth was
standing there alone, unsupported, no other being in sight.
The writer, who was standing about twenty feet in front,
called to the Colonel that it would not do to stand there, we
must move forward, and he gave the order to do so at once.
We moved down the hill, crossing the branch and then up to
near the brow of the hill and lay down, the shot passing over
us, a few of our men being hit. We soon discovered that a

Dyer se

 raremraart to Ee aia aireinee-wep-anyih enchant laine =e neoenieeee Teme ae ae ar

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 197

movement was starting in our front to cut us off and capture
us, and reporting the fact to the Colonel he ordered us to fall
back to the branch in line; he then led us down the branch by
the left flank until we reached the river, then keeping well
under the bank of the river we kept up the river until we came
to the railroad, and following that we soon found the other
regiments of our brigade. I never could tell how it was that
we were allowed to go into such a place alone or how the others
got away. I was informed by a man at Division Headquar-
ters that General Wilcox cursed out Thomas and the others
who failed to come up. This place was called Jericho Ford.
We spent the night on the railroad near the water tank where
we went in and next morning moved down to the station.
When we got back to the station we found that General
Smith, chief engineer of the Army of Northern Virginia, had
already located a line and done a lot of work. The line ran
through a beautiful garden, which was soon torn up with
trenches and embankments for artillery—everything in the

_way of vegetables, pot plants and herbs destroyed and the gar-

den ruined. The Yankees soon found us out and followed
up. The second day we found them established in our front
with artillery and small arms. During a rain storm I had
crawled under a high piazza for protection, but had hardly
gotten in a comfortable position when the first shot fired came
crashing through the house above me, and I soon walked out
into the rain but did not find much comfort then, for a gun
fired from the opposite side of the river, enfilading our line,
killed two men in the company on the left of Company G and
all was confusion for a short time. The rain soon stopped,
and dark coming on the men were put to work by the en-
gineer in charge of the line so as not to be enfiladed. We re-
mained at this place about a week; had no general engage-
ment, but kept up a sharp picket fight very near all the time
we remained,

General Lee finding that General Grant was again on the
move to flank him, we again started to head him off, and cross-
ing the South Anna river and passing between Hanover Junc-
tion and Ashland, we stopped for the night in the swamp near
the latter place. Early next morning we were again on the

 
 

198 Norru Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

march, and about 12 M. halted near Green Pole church,
throwing up strong works and remaining three days with
heavy picket and artillery firing all the time. I think the
Sixteenth had but one man killed, Sergeant Westall, a gallant
young fellow of Company H, Macon County, killed on the
picket line. We left this place early next morning and passed
down by Beaver Dam Station to Atlee’s Station and spent two
days as reserve corps. Just four weeks from the time we left
Orange, we were told that the officers’ baggage wagon was
just in rear near the branch and we could go back for a short
time and clean up, which we gladly accepted. I had changed
my clothes on the morning we had gone on picket at Orange,
but don’t think I had had my shoes off since. We had just
gotten through our toilets when the long roll was beat and
“fall in, men,” was the order, and off we go through heat and
dust for Cold Harbor. Passing down in rear of Mechanics-
ville, we met Breckinridge’s and Hoke’s Divisions on their
way to join Lee, then on, crossing the bridge at Gaines’ Mill,
which had been burned since we were there in June, 1862, we
were soon in front of part of Grant’s army drawn up in line

on the same field where we had killed so many Zouaves 27
June, 1862.

SECOND COLD HARBOR.

There are three ridges which all come together, the Yan-
kees having possession of the last or outside one, and extend-
ing their lines up to the junction, then on the left for several
miles. They also had a line of dismounted cavalry on the
middle ridge. We turned to the right going down the third
or inside ridge, and formed in rear of Breckinridge’s artil-
lery; Lane on our left joining Hoke and Breckinridge, Mc-
Gowan on our right and resting on the Chickahominy. In
passing down to the right I walked over the place where I saw
a number of Rutherford boys buried in 1862—Sloan, Staf-
ford, Correll and others of Company G; Moore of Company
D, and George Foster of Polk.

Soon after our line was formed General Breckinridge gal-
loped down our front and ordered his artillery to open fire on
the middle ridge, which was soon cleared and our whole line

Aecieetelts RITE TE iyi, aE eee

sesiperes eng

Pan a

 

 

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 199

moved forward. On reaching the top of the ridge we saw
the cavalry dashing out across the bottom in front and into
the swamp beyond. Lane had quite a fight on his left, also
Hoke and Breckinridge, but all succeeded in clearing the
ridge. General Lane was severely wounded and some of his
men killed. About dark it began to rain very hard. The
writer was ordered to go to the front and relieve the Captain
of the sharpshooters, as he had been on continuous duty for
three days and nights. I was directed to go to a light that
could be seen in front as the place to find the Captain, and
feeling my way down the hill into the bottom, soon found my-
self in a ditch; badly scratched by the briars on the banks, I
scrambled out and started ahead, finding another, then a third
ditch, but finally reached the place and relieved the Captain
and took command of the line, extinguishing the light which
had been made for my guidance. The next morning, 3 June,
it had cleared off, and just as day began to appear in the east
the enemy made a general assault on our left. <A part of
Lane’s Brigade and all of Scales’, with McGowan’s on our
right, being covered by a dense swamp, were not disturbed and
had nothing to do but listen and look on for more than two
hours, the battle raging with great fury, the enemy making
about thirteen assaults with a loss of over 8,000 men killed
(5,000 by their own count). Our loss was very slight, being
well protected by works put up during the night. I had my
position on the road where it entered the swamp and expected
to be attacked at any moment, but was undisturbed by any
force. One Federal Captain came out who said he had de-
serted, and one or two wounded men who had missed their
way. They were disarmed and sent to the rear. While
standing there I heard a gun fire in the swamp on the right,
and pretty soon a man came up to me shot through the arm,
and said a Yankee sharpshooter had shot him. Taking two
men I went down to the place where he had been and cau-
tioned them to watch close and keep themselves well covered
or they would get shot if there was any one there, and went
back to my post at the road. Some time afterward one of the
men came up, bringing a blanket full of holes which he said
he found behind a log, showing that the man had shot him-

 
 

200 NortH CAROLINA Troops, 1861-’65.

self. He lost his arm by amputation. About 12 o’clock I
was relieved, the fight having ceased except the firing of artil-
lery, and I went back to the line. I found the meadow cov-
ered with fine strawberries, and I stopped and enjoyed a fine
feast with the shells flying over my head. On getting up to
the lines and going up a little way to the left I could see the
.ground in front of the works covered with dead Yankees.*
Next day they sent a flag of truce asking leave to remove their
dead and wounded, and for more than two hours they were
busy with litters and ambulances getting them off.

After the repulse of Grant’s troops on the 3d, we remained
in our position undisturbed except by shells and solid shot
from beyond the swamp. The men would lie down on the
bank to sleep, but regularly at 12 o’clock a big gun would be
fired and the shot would come tearing over us, some times
striking the bank and going through the house just in our
rear. It was not necessary to give orders to fall in, for the
boys had already rolled in and there they lay for two hours
while the firing continued.

RIDDLES SHOP.

On the morning of 13 June, just eleven days after coming
to Cold Harbor, orders were received to be ready to march at
once, and we were soon on the way crossing the Chickahominy
and passing Seven Pines, we crossed the Nine Mile road and
took the road to White Oak Swamp and Frazier’s farm.
About 1 p. m., we found the cavalry stopped by the roadside
in an old field, and we knew that we were close to the enemy.
Passing the cavalry a short distance we turned to the left of
the road through the pines and were halted and faced to the
front, and soon General Wilcox’s voice was heard ringing out,
“Forward march, guide right,” and off we moved in line of
battle. Soon the Federal sharpshooters began to fire at us
through the pines, the balls whistling by and now and then
striking down a brave rebel. We drove them through the
woods and into an old field, and were making a dash to cap-
ture a rifle gun which had been shelling us, when General

*It was here that when Grant ordered a second advance not a man in
his whole army moved.—Ep.

Dm

}
te
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|

 

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 201

Wilcox galloped up and ordered us to fall back into the pines
about one hundred yards, where we formed line. The gun
mentioned we would have captured in another moment for
the men had left it, opened on us again and got our range so
accurately that the shells struck our lines at every fire. Our
men lay flat on the ground but this did not save them, for
they were being killed and wounded by the dozen, Company
G losing six in less than that many minutes. I was stand-
ing with a group of officers watching the movement of the en-
emy, when I was struck by a piece of shell, making a slight
wound on my right hand, cutting the guard of my sword in
two and striking me in the stomach, of course knocking me
speechless. I remember Colonel Stowe taking me by the col-
lar and pulling me back against a big tree; the Adjutant got
a canteen of water and he and the Lieutenant-Colonel worked
with and rubbed me until I could speak, and a man from
my own company ran out, picked me up and started to carry
me off when General Scales, who was lying behind a tree fifty
yards in the rear, called to Stowe and inquired who was
wounded, telling him to send the man back to his place; that
he had a man with him who would attend to me. I was then
taken up and carried about a mile up the road, where we
found a doctor and the ambulances, and getting into one I
was taken back to the field hospital and the next day sent to
Richmond, where I spent the most miserable six weeks of my
life at Winder Hospital, leaving there on Sunday morning,
31 July, the day after the great mine at Petersburg was blown
up, and if they had succeeded in cutting the southern road as
they expected, I would now be resting in Hollywood Ceme-
tery, for I know I could not have lasted many more days at
Winder Hospital.

I wish here to pay tribute to the memory of a brave man,
the man who picked me up at Riddle’s Shop and who I never
saw again. Before going into the battle of the Wilderness
there were twelve men detailed to act as color guard, with
strict orders not to leave the flag for a moment. My position

- as commander of the sixth company in line would naturally

be next to the colors. After the opening of the fight at the
Wilderness I never saw but one of their men, and that was

 
 

 

202 Nortru Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

Adolphus B. Carson, of Company G, of Rutherford County.
I could lay my hand on him at any hour, day or night, during
the six weeks. The poor fellow died soon after at Peters-
burg. He joined Company G in March, 1862, at Fredericks-
burg, and was never absent from the regiment for one hour ex-
cept from sickness, and had never asked for a pass to go out-
side. In February, 1864, I had the privilege of giving a fur-
lough of eighteen days, and I gave it to him.

On Sunday morning, 31 July, I left Richmond for home,
reaching there late on Monday, where I remained until Tues-
day afternoon. Just after being put out of the hack from
Cherryville and while lying on the hotel porch, Dr. Miller
passed, and seeing me stopped and invited me home with him,
but not feeling able to walk I had to decline his kind invita-
tion. He then said after feeling my hands: “You need a
stimulant; you must have some brandy,” whereupon a now
very prominent man of Shelby stepped up and said: “I will
bring him some.”
glass, and poured about two spoonfuls into the glass and I
drank it. He then informed me that I owed him a dollar,
which I paid him, and have taken particular pains never to
speak to him again.

Leaving Shelby about 2 p. m. Tuesday, we reached Webb’s
Ford about dark to find the bridge undergoing repairs; the
floor being off, the driver set me afoot and went home. Rev.
G. M. Webb very kindly gave me a glass of buttermilk and
loaned me a horse to ride homeon, which W. L. Davis prom-
ised to take care of and return next day. On reaching the
bridge we found that it could not be crossed by horses, but
Davis hired a man to ford the river with them and we crossed
on the sleepers. We reached home about 1 p. m., to find the
town full of people waiting to hear the news from friends in
the army.

I remained at home until 1 November, 1864, reporting
onee at Columbia, S. C., and once at Asheville. I would
here crave the pardon of the reader for giving so much of my
own experience, but will say as one of old said of Solomon,
“The half has not been told.”

On 1 November, 1864, I found the Sixteenth at Battery

He soon returned with a bottle and small.

 

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 203

45, on the Boydton Plank road near Petersburg. The regi-
ment was moved next day nearer the city, just where the Wel-
don Railroad crossed our lines, and at once went to work erect-
ing cabins for winter quarters.

PETERSBURG.

The day after I left the Sixteenth at Riddle’s Shop, the
regiment was marched to Richmond, embarked on the cars
and rushed to Petersburg, where it arrived just in time to

- meet the advance of Grant’s army in their attempt to capture

the place. The Sixteenth was in a number of engagements
during the summer, including the repulse at the celebrated
mine sprung by Burnside 30 July, and in which he admits
that his loss in killed was over 6,500. The Sixteenth was en-
gaged in all the movements of the army round Petersburg
during the summer on both sides of the Appomattox, but as I
was absent I am not prepared at this late day to give the de-
tails.

WINTER OF 1864-65.

Very early in November we commenced building winter
quarters, going in between the lines and cutting the pine poles
which grew plentifully in our front. General Lee issued a
general order that no timber should be cut in rear of the line,
so all our firewood and cabin material had to be carried across
a field near a half mile; the distance between the opposing
lines at this point was more than a mile. An amusing inci-
dent, showing General Lee’s attention to small things, oc-
curred here in which a member of Company G figured as a
party of the second part. The medical department of our
brigade was located a half mile in rear of our line. John
Steadman, of Company G, was detailed as ambulance driver,
being disabled by wounds in knee from marching. General
Lee was riding along in the rear one day and found Steadman
cutting a pine tree and asked: “What are you cutting that
tree for?’ Steadman answered: “To burn, of course.”
“Don’t you know,” said the General, “that it is against or-
ders? What is your name.and command ?” ordering him to
report to his command under arrest. Steadman grinned and
thought “that’s all right, P’ll never hear of it again,” but to

 
204 Nortru Carorrma Troops, 1861-65.

his utter surprise the next day an order came from headquar-
ters to put John Steadman under arrest for cutting trees in
rear of the line.

We got our cabins fixed up pretty soon, and then regular
details were made each day for work and picket. No camp
guard was kept up. General Lee had an immense dam con-
structed across a creek that run between Battery 45 and Fort
Gregg on the opposite hill, there being nothing between the
two forts. Our men were called on to work on the dam and
in a mine near our camp. About Christmas this dam was
completed and the waters stopped, but the dam did not fill for
two weeks, but when it did fill it was the largest body of fresh
water I ever saw and completely filled up the line between
the two forts. Then came a long and hard rain during the
latter part of the winter which broke the dam and tore up
everything below, smashed the railroad bridge and the stone
viaducts of the canal and almost stopped the Appomattox so
that all our hard work went for nothing.

CHRISTMAS DINNER, 1864.

About 1 December the Yankee papers gave an account of a
Christmas dinner that the people of the United States were
going to furnish their soldiers. Our papers also had a great
deal to say about it, and it was soon suggested that our army
have a Christmas dinner, and the people of the South were re-
quested to furnish it. A paper was sent to the company of-
ficers asking their opinions on the matter. I signed in oppo-
sition to the dinner, as I had spent the summer in North and
South Carolina and thought I understood the condition of
things there, and the other States were even in a worse condi-
tion. We were losing territory every day and communication
from the South was being constantly cut off, and I could not
see how anything could be accomplished to the satisfaction of
the army. I suggested that if the people had anything to
spare that they send it to their immediate friends and let them
enjoy it. I was out-voted and the dinner was ordered to be
sent. About two weeks after Christmas we had orders to send
to the commissary for our Christmas dinner, and when it came
we got for Company G one drumstick of a turkey, one rib of

 

 

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 205

mutton, one slice of roast beef, two biscuits, and a slice of
lightbread.

So our Christmas dinner was a failure, as I feared it
would be.

Early in December, 1864, General Grant made a move to
the left, known by the men as the “Belfield Raid.” The Six-
teenth was ordered out and marched just before dark, going
down the Weldon Railroad and as far as Belfield, in rain,
sleet and snow, but before we got there the Yankees under
Sheridan had been defeated and driven off, and after an ab-
sence of five days, hard marching but no fighting, the Six-
teenth was again back at Petersburg in their old quarters,
where we spent the remainder of the winter.

The first thing that greeted our sight each morning when
we opened our doors and looked to the front was the Federal
flag floating high above the timber in our front, and an obser-
vatory with a lookout on the top overlooking our lines and
Petersburg. During the winter there were several beautiful
displays of fireworks on the lines below us, which we enjoyed

very much, being at a safe distance. We would stand some-
times half the night watching the mortar shells flying through
the air, sometimes bursting in their passage and often appear-
ing to meet each other in the air.

FORT STEDMAN, 25 MARCH, 1865.

On the night of 24 March, General Lee massed a num-
ber of troops on the left of him and in front of Fort Stedman
for the purpose of capturing the fort. The lines at this point
were about 150 yards apart, the picket lines within fifty yards
of each other. “The pickets were generally captured before
they suspected anything was wrong, and then a grand dash
was made at the fort and works around, which were soon cap-
tured. By this time the Federals were waked up all along
the line and were moving to recapture the lost ground. There
was a great stir and commotion among them in our front, and
we expected them to make a dash at us, but we were not dis-
turbed—only badly scared. Very soon it was found that
such a strong force was brought against the place, and that
all the works captured could be enfiladed from other batteries,

 
 

206 Norru Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

so the position could not be held, and orders were given to fali
back, and we lost more men in falling back than in making
the assault. A great many lay down and were captured—
and a great many were killed—and not many got back safely
into our lines.

On the 26th Grant made a reconnoissance in our front with
a strong force, by making an attempt to cross over the ground
that had been covered by the big dam that had been washed
away a few weeks before. I suppose they were satisfied, as
they withdrew their troops after a sharp skirmish with Scales’
Brigade and other troops on the ground. The next day he
commenced moving troops to his left, and we were ordered to
march in the same direction. Just as I was packing my traps
for the move, I was notified that I was to be left with a small
party from the brigade to keep up a show of fight and take
care of the property of the brigade. My orders were to keep
these men in the works all through the day and make as big
a show and as much noise as we could with the small force
(about forty) left with me, and not to leave until the Yankees
were on the works; but I knew that if we stayed there that
long we would be like the Irishman at Bull Run. When
teased for running at that fight he replied: ‘Faith, and
thim that didn’t run is there yet.” The brigade marched
out after dark, and I was left alone with 20,000 Yankees in
front with nothing to do but walk over and take us home with
them, but they didn’t come. The pickets who had been put
on duty that morning were left and were not relieved for
three days. The Sixteenth was engaged in all the fights and
skirmishes from Petersburg to Five Forks on the 31st, where
more than half the regiment was cut off and captured, the re-
maining portion making their way with the brigade toward
Burkeville. On Friday night as I was lying in my cabin
asleep some one came and knocked, and on my enquiring
what was wanted answered that they wanted quarters for
General Cox and his brigade; that he had been sent there to
reinforce me. Of course I was glad help was at hand and
that the responsibility was to be removed from my shoulders
to that of higher authority. The next morning I found Gen-
eral W. R. Cox, of North Carolina, and his brigade on the

 

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 207

ground. On reporting to him and looking over the ground
with him, and having our pickets relieved, he insisted that I
should take my men out of the works in front of our camp
and take them down on the left of the Weldon Railroad. To
this move I objected, as I was acting under orders from Gen-
eral Wilcox and did not think I had any right to leave. I
told him that of course I would yield to him and would put
my men in the works between his, as his were posted at least
twenty feet apart, but he thought that would cause some con-
fusion with his men. I told him then that I had a special
duty to perform and that I would take my own men out of
the works and retire to the cabins, which I did. I have met
the General several time since, and he always jokes me about
not wanting to yield the command to him. Everything re-
mained quiet in our front during the day, but there was fight-
ing going on all day on our left about Fort Stedman with ar-
tillery. About 12 o’clock that night, 1 April, reading the
Lamp Lighter, I heard a gum fired in front and a shot came
screaming over our works, and from that time on until day-
light it was kept up making it very uncomfortable for us, but
doing no damage.

LINES BROKEN AT LAST.

At daylight Sunday, 2 April, a general advance was made
all along the line. The ground in front of us was open for
more than a mile, and we could see thousands of troops march-
ing across our front in the same direction taken by them in
their sortie a few days before, showing that they had mapped
out their course on the former occasion. There was nothing
to stop them after driving in our pickets, and crossing the
creek that had been dammed they struck Lane’s Brigade,
breaking their line and passing on to attack Fort Gregg in
rear of his line and on the hill opposite Battery 45. I stood
on 45 all day long and watched the operations. A part of
Lane’s brigade lad fallen back into it, with some Mississippi
troops and probably some others. I do not know who was in
command of the party, but I do know that they made the most
gallant fight that I ever looked at. Five times I saw the as-
saulting column form on the hill and charge, and four times

Es ener UO rae open Be BE pcs or ag oN N Fem ree er Pee oN he TORE

 
 

208 Nortru Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

they were repulsed, but the fifth and last time they got the
fort, but nothing else as the artillery had been withdrawn,
and the fort had been gallantly defended by less than one
hundred infantry. I could not help thinking how foolish
they were to sacrifice so many men as I saw fall for the cap-
ture of a fort that was already cut off, surrounded and would
have been soon abandoned. I have always thought that the
reason they did not attack us was on account of a mine that
had been run from the works of our brigade some two hundred
yards to the front near a large house. I was sure that they
had got the location of it from deserters from our lines, and
I want to say that the only man of the original Company G
who ever deserted, had worked all the winter in this mine.
The fighting and skirmishing was kept up all day, the shells
flying around and over us, but doing no harm that I saw.
Our sharpshooters were being driven in, and before dark they
had reached the house in front near the mine. All the after-
noon Colonel Lane, who was in command of the artillery that
was posted on our line, had been withdrawing his artillery
and everything looked like a break up.

The last time I remember seeing Colonel Lane he was gal-
loping up Halifax street on a little poor sorrel colt with a
rope bridle, and using a shingle for a whip. In the mean-
time Longstreet had crossed over the James and had thrown
his forces between Petersburg and the Appomattox, and was
holding the only bridge open to us.

As I stood on No. 45 pretty much all day Sunday, 2 April,
and saw the Yankees march across our front, crossing over
the creek where the big dam had been, and sweep Lane’s
Brigade out of their way and then assault and capture Fort
Gregg—I felt that everything was lost, on that line at least.

Everything was in confusion on our lines all day, and we
expected nothing but that we would be assaulted every
moment, but were not disturbed except by their artillery
which kept up a fire all day on our lines, I think for the pur-
pose of seeing if our forces had not been moved out. Late
in the afternoon a wagoner drove up to camp and called to
me that he had been sent to take the baggage of the officers
of the Sixteenth. I had just before gone over my kit and

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 209

made a small bundle of my papers and a few things that I
wanted to save and thought I would carry with me, but to
relieve myself of a burden I put it all back and loaded every-
thing in the wagon, which drove off across the railroad, and
I heard nothing more of it until I reached Farmville. There
on reaching the Quartermaster’s camp on the opposite side of
the river, he found Colonel Ashford, of the Thirty-eighth,
who had been wounded in the arm, and who made the driver
throw out our baggage and put in his. I was very much
disappointed and worried, as I had lost all my private and
public papers and some very valuable articles, including
all my clothing except what I had on.

Colonel Lane, who was in command of the artillery, was a
son of General Joe Lane, of Oregon, who was a candidate for
Vice-President on the Breckinridge ticket in 1860. He was
a good, kind-hearted man. There were some little boys who
came every day to our camp to beg for something to eat, and
though rations were scarce, we sometimes had a little we could
give them. On one occasion a little fellow about four years
old came along with a sack, and when asked what he had it
for, said: ‘I’m going to General Lane’s tent; he gives me
a pint of meal every day. I didn’t go yesterday, and he’ll
give me a quart to-day.”

THE HISTORIC RETREAT BEGUN.

About 10 o’clock that night, or Monday morning, we had
orders to evacuate the place, which was quietly done. On
reaching the city we found everything in confusion, hundreds
of negroes surrounded the commissary department, some roll-
ing off barrels of flour, others carrying off hams and every-
thing they could lay their hands on and get away with A
barrel of whiskey had been emptied into the gutter, and as
we passed we saw an old negro man dipping it up with a tin
eup and drinking it, jumping up cracking his feet together as
happy as a lord. We soon left the city and crossed the river
on the pontoon bridge, and marched on the main road through
Chesterfield County, between the James and Appomattox.
After daylight I found that I had lost one of my men, James
Hoyle, of Company G, and have never heard of him since.

14

 
210 Norto Caronmina Troops, 1861-’65.

He was wounded in the knee and I suppose must have given
out in the night and was probably picked up next day by the
cavalry, and quite likely died in prison. After some time I
saw an old man marching ahead of me with a shawl on his
shoulder, and soon recognized old Dr. Armstrong, who had
spent the fall and winter in and around our camp, and preach-
ed to us often. He was an old Presbyterian D. D., and had
been imprisoned by General Butler when in command of Nor-
folk, and had been made to sweep the streets with a ball and
chain on his leg and under a negro guard. When I caught
up with him and asked him why he was leaving he replied ;
“T never expect to fall into the hands of General Butler again
if I can help it.” He kept up with us till we reached Appo-
mattox, and I heard some time ago that he was still alive at
his home in Norfolk. We marched all day Monday and
Monday night, and Tuesday morning, 4 April, just at day-
light recrossed the Appomattox, having to wade some distance
before reaching the bridge, and there we found the remnant
of the Sixteenth under Colonel Stowe. After resting an
hour we again took the road and reached Amelia Court House,
where we spent the night, getting a very small quantity of ra-

be]

tions, the first since leaving Petersburg. Just as we were
ready to march the next morning, Wednesday, a courier
dashed up with the news that the Yankee cavalry was raiding
our wagon train on another road, and the Sixteenth was
started at once to drive them away. We found several wagons
with their wheels cut down and others on fire, the teams all
gone, the ground strewn with officers’ trunks all broken open
and rifled of their contents. While there a gentleman came
up with a small piece of silverware that he had found. He
said they had robbed his house of everything they could carry
off, but had dropped that one piece on the road. We followed
for some distance, but the only Yankee we saw was a cavalry-
man who was so drunk that he didn’t know anything. Some
one had taken all his outer clothing off, and we left him lying
in the road as we found him. We found the brigade resting
about 11 o’clock that night, and early next morning were
again on the march in the direction of Farmville, which we

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. Zit

reached on the morning of the 7th, where we found our wagon
train and I learned of my loss.

FARMVILLE.

On 7 May, at Farmville, we were attacked by a whole corps
of infantry and one division of cavalry, and after a sharp
fight the enemy was repulsed with heavy loss, including one
General. Here, so far as I know, the last Federal soldier was
shot by the Sixteenth. Israel Higgins, of Company G, being
on the skirmish line, shot an officer off his horse and then
crawled out to him and got the horse and brought it in, but in
doing so he was seriously wounded and had to be left in the
hospital there. After the surrender at Appomattox I was
sent to from division headquarters for his name which I gave.

Before the enemy could bring up their reinforcements we
were again met on the march in the direction of Appomattox
Cenrt House, but in the afternoon we made a stand, formed
line of battle and got ready to give the enemy a warm wel-
come. They came in sight, formed line and we expected
every moment that they would advance on us, but with the
exception of shelling us a little they did not trouble us.
After dark we again moved off and marched all night and
day of the 8th, with a short stop or so for rest, and went into
camp about two miles from the court house. The last time I
left home a little niece of mine put half a dozen ears of pop-
corn in my haversack; I still had one left, and that was my
only supper. We each got a pint of meal that night, but too
late to be baked, so carried it over.

Karly on Sunday morning, 9 April, we were aroused and
soon on the way, but for some reason unknown to us, our pro-
gress was very slow. We would march a little way, then stop
and stand for some time, then move on to be halted again,
and it being still dark we could not see what was going on
ahead. We had about 1,500 prisoners, including one General
of cavalry, and we thought may be they were delaying the
march. Just as daylight began to appear we heard picket
firing in front, and as we came nearer the firing became more
rapid until about sunrise it sounded very much like a general
engagement. About this time we came in sight of Appomat-

 
212 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

tox Court House and could see troops engaged on the high
grounds beyond. Appomattox is just such a town as Ruther-
fordton, the main street running east and west instead of
north and south, with a large branch at the foot of the hill,
with the much talked of apple tree in the bottom to the right
of the road. There is no branch on the south side, but the
ground rises gradually into a long, high ridge, resembling the
ridge from Captain Bell’s school building to New Hope

Church and on to the right.

APPOMATTOX.

General Lee had divided his army into two wings after the
death of A. P. Hill, who was killed on 2 April, near Fort
Gregg, the Third Corps (Hill’s) being attached to Long-
street’s and the Second was under General Ewell; but he,
with a number of other officers, had been captured the day be-
fore. That wing of the army was under command of General
Gordon, who was then doing the fighting on the heights south
of the town. As we marched down the hill toward the town
we met two Confederate and one Federal officer coming in a
gallop, the Federal carrying a white flag, and from his dress
and long yellow ringlets, I recognized him as General Custer.
They were then on their way to General Longstreet to have
him stop the march. A very short time after they passed and
just as the Sixteenth had reached the branch and near the old
apple tree, an order came to right-about march. We imme-
diately turned and marched by the left flank a short distance
and then left the road, going up on just such a place as where
T. B. Justice’s residence stands, were halted and ordered to
stack arms and rest. A few minutes after we had stopped, as
I was lying down by a tree in rear of the line, a Confederate
officer rode down from the woods behind us, and approaching
me asked why the firing had ceased in front. I told him I
did not know, but there was a rumor and a suspicion that the
army was going to surrender. He asked: “What makes
you think so?’ I told him what I had seen, and pointing to
the hill on the opposite side of the road directed his attention
to the artillery coming off the field. He then asked where
the Colonel of the regiment was, and on Colonel Stowe being

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 213

pointed out he rode down to where he was, and leaning down
said something to him that I could not hear, but I heard the
Colonel say: “No! No!” He then put spurs to his horse
and dashed back through the woods and was soon out of sight.
We soon heard a number of carbines crack and followed by
the last rebel yell I ever heard—then all was quiet. I learned
afterwards that it was General Rosser of the cavalry, and he
with General Mart Gary, of South Carolina, with a number of
others, cut their way out and did not surrender. A brother
of the writer, who was on the hill with the artillery, said he
never saw a more gallant charge during the war. After get-
ting through they struck Sheridan’s wagon train and burnt
about five miles of it, and that was stated as one reason why
they did not give us any rations but kept us there four days
without a mouthful to eat and sent us away without anything.

A few hours after we had gone back to the hill General
Lee rode back from the front, and as he passed the men all
ran down to the road and surrounded him, everyone trying
to shake hands with him, many of them in tears. He took off
his hat and made a little speech in which he said: “Boys, I
have done the best I could for you. Go home now and if
you make as good citizens as you have soldiers, you will do
well, and I shall always be proud of you. Goodbye, and God
bless you all.” He seemed so full that he could say no more,
but with tears in his eyes he gave Traveler the rein and rode

off in the direction of his headquarters, and that was the last
we ever saw of him.

PAROLES.

The same day the officers of the different commands were
ordered to sign the following parole, viz. :

“We, the undersigned prisoners of war, belonging to the
Army of Northern Virginia, having this day been surren-
dered by General R. E. Lee, commanding said army, to Lieu-
tenant-General Grant, commanding the Armies of the United

States, do hereby give our solemn parole of honor that we

will not hereafter serve in the armies of the Confederate
States, or in any military capacity whatever against the
United States of America, or render aid to the enemies of

 
214 Nortu Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

the latter until properly exchanged in such manner as shall be
mutually approved by the respective authorities.

‘Done at Appomattox Court House, Va., this the 9th day
of April, 1865.”

The above officers will not be disturbed by the United
States authorities as long as they observe their parole and

the laws in force where they may reside.
Gro. H. Suarpe,

General Assistant Provost Marshal.

Regimental and company officers were ordered to sign the
following obligation for the men:

“T, the undersigned commanding officer of ———, do, for
the within named prisoners of war belonging to the Army of
Northern Virginia, who have been this day surrendered by
General Robert E. Lee, Confederate Army, commanding said
army, to Lieutenant-General Grant, commanding Armies of
the United States, hereby give my solemn parole of honor,
that the within named shall not serve in the Armies of the
Confederate States, or in military or other capacity whatever,
against the United States of America, or render aid to the en-
emies of the latter until properly exchanged in such manner
as shall be mutually approved by the respective authorities.

“Done at Appomattox Court House, this 9th day of April,

1865.”
On the next day, the 10th, the following farewell address
was issued to the army by General Lee:

General Order No. 9. Headquarters Army Northern Vir-
ginia, 10 April, 1865.—After four years of arduous service,
marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the Army of
Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelm-
ing numbers and resources. I need not tell the survivors of
so many hard fought battles, who have remained steadfast to
the last, that I have consented to this result from no distrust
of them, but knowing that valor and devotion could accom-
plish nothing that would compensate for the loss that would
attend a continuation of the contest, I have determined to
avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past valor has en-

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 215

deared them to their countrymen. By the terms of the agree-
ment officers and men can return to their homes and remain
there until exchanged. You will take with you the satisfac-
tion that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully
performed, and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will ex-
tend you his blessing and protection. With an increasing
admiration of your constancy and devotion to your country,
and a grateful remembrance of your kind devotibn and gen-
erous consideration of myself, I bid you an affectionate fare-
well.

R. E.. Lzz, General.

It was arranged that each regimental or battalion com-
mander should sign paroles for the officers and men under
them, and accordingly, after waiting four days, on Wednes-
day, the 12th, Wilcox’s Light Division was reached and the
company commanders were furnished a parole for each man
surrendered like the following:

Appomattox OC. H., Virginia, April 10, 1865.—(Paroled
Prisoner’s Pass. )—The bearer, Private F. D. Wood, of Com-
pany G, Sixteenth North Carolina Troops, a paroled prisoner
of the Army of Northern Virginia, has permission to go to his
home and there remain undisturbed.

W. A. Stowe,

Colonel Commanding Regiment.
ARMS STACKED.

About 3 o’clock on Wednesday afternoon, the 12th, we
marched into the main street of the town and marched in be-
tween two lines of Yankees faced inward, who at order of
their commander presented arms, which was followed by our
men. ‘The men then stacked arms and were marched back to
the place where we came from, and gathering up what few be-
longings we had left the Light Division formed line for the
last time and marched out, passing again over the ground
where we had lately surrendered and out of the town on the
road to Campbell Court House. There was no demonstration
of joy or rejoicing when we surrendered or marched through
the Federal lines, but everything passed off quietly. We saw

 
 

4
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216 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

very few of their officers or men while we were there. Major-
General Gibbon came to our camp to see his brother, Dr. Gib-
bon, one of our surgeons. He enquired what troops it was de-
fended Fort Gregg on Sunday before, and said he had never
secn such a gallant defence by so small a party.

General Sheridan also rode through our camp, but did not
speak to any one so far as I heard. While we were stacking
our arms in the street I saw a young lady standing on a ve-
randa in front of us crying. I wanted to go to her, take her
in my arms and kiss her, but could not break ranks just then
—too many Yankees between us.

INCIDENTS ON THE TRIP HOME.

Gathering up the company we marched about five miles
that evening and then stopped in.a piece of woods for the
night, without anything to eat or any prospect for break-
fast. It rained hard during the night and we had to take
it, there being no chance for shelter. Next morning was
fair and bright when we got up. I called up all the mem-
bers of Company G and gave each one his parole, telling them
I thought they had better get away from that crowd as soon
as possible, as I had fears that they would suffer for food if
they kept with it, that I expected to take the first road I saw
leading to the right. There were paroled with me F. D.
Wood, R. 8. Callahan, C. C. Hawkins, Joseph Jay and John
P. Eaves, of the original company; Jo and Josh Steadman,
J. A. Justice and W. H. Jay, recruits from Rutherford
County; J. C. Camp, of Polk, and Isham S. Upchurch,
Joseph and Elisha Cole of Chatham, and Daniel Boon Dallas
of Robeson County. We soon came to a road that seemed
to lead into a mountain on the right. I told the men that i
was going to take that road, they could go with me or on the
main road as they chose. Bidding the Chatham men goodbye
T turned to the right and found that all the Rutherford men
followed me but three. We soon began to pass farm houses
and made application for something to eat, but received the
same answer from all: ‘Nothing for ourselves; both armies
have been in the country for a week and have taken every-
thing we had.” Finally about 12 o’clock, when I was almost

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. DIT

ready to give up, we came to a large house, and on entering
the yard we found no white person at home except a young
lady, and on making our wants known we received the same
answer. I then asked her if she would allow us to rest a
short while on the grass near a beautiful spring in the yard.
Looking through the hall I saw a large map hanging on the
wall and asked permission to look at it a moment, and while
examining it she stood near while I pointed out the route we
wanted to travel. She then said she had some cow peas that
she would give us if we could use them, and I told her any-
thing that would sustain life and give us strength to travel
until we could reach a part of the country that had not been
overrun by soldiers, would be thankfully received. She then
went up stairs and brought down a half gallon, which I gave
to one of the men to cook. One of the party had a little salt,
the only seasoning we had, and I don’t think I ever enjoyed a
dish of peas more in my life, and again thanking the young
lady for her kindness, we started on the tramp feeling much
refreshed.

After leaving the kind young lady who gave us the peas,
we passed a number of fine merchant mills on the way, but
could get nothing from any of them, all claiming that their
grain and flour had been pressed for the army. Every one
we approached said “if you go to Henry Alexander’s you can
get something.” Finding that he lived on the road we were
traveling, we made for his house, and as we walked up into
the yard an old gentleman came out and said: “Well,
how many of you is there along,” and being told there was
fourteen in all, he gave us a shoulder of meat and near a half
bushel of meal, and one of his daughters went in and came
back with a lap full of eggs, another with some Irish potatoes
and other eatables, all most acceptable to a lot of hungry men.

‘It being still sometime until night, we took the good things

given us with many thanks and moved on several miles, stop-
ping at a house just before night and getting our provisions
cooked we ate a hearty supper and then went to a school house,
built a fire and went to bed on the floor. The next morn-
ing after travelling a few miles we stopped on the road and
ate the remains of Alexander’s rations, and then agreed to

 
 

1
|
|
i

oe reer ema one gmaeineeeenme

218 North Caroiina Troops, 1861-65.

travel in smaller parties, as we found it hard to get food for
such a large crowd. Captain Joe Mills of Brindletown, Dr.
R. R. Murphy and John Corn of Polk, with Bill Carson, a
servant of Joe Mills, took the first left hand road we came to,
the others keeping the right. After that we had no trouble in
getting places to stay and food to eat. On Monday, the 17th,
Tom McEntire and W. T. Wilkins caught up with us at G.
W. Napiers, the old tobacco trader, who used to travel
through this country before the war. After Tom came with
his fiddle we had a fine time, but I don’t suppose the readers
will be interested in our trip. We passed through Camp-
bell, Bedford, Henry and Patrick Counties, Virginia, and
Stokes, Surry, Yadkin, Wilkes, Caldwell, Burke and MeDow-
ell, then home, where we arrived on 27 April.

Just at the mile post on the Asheville road I met Colonel
Wash Hardy driving an ambulance, with Mrs. General Polk
and daughters, on their way to Asheville. Telling them
that J had heard at Morganton that the Yankees had left
Asheville and gone down into Tennessee, they drove on and
in a few miles met the Federal General Palmer and 1,500 of
his bummers. Learning who the ladies were, they allowed
Colonel Hardy to go on with them, but made him promise to
turn over the team and ambulance to a Quartermaster they

had left at Asheville.

HOME AT LAST.

A few hours after reaching home, while sitting on the
street talking to some friends, a party of about a dozen Yanks
rode down the street carrying a white flag. Some of the boys
who had not had enough of war stopped them and talked
about capturing the party. The Lieutenant in command
said they were going to carry a message to some troops below
to stop taking property, as the war was over, and on the
strength of that they were allowed to go. The officer in
charge smiled very blandly as they rode off. They then pro-
ceeded to eross the branch on the Shelby road, and true to
habit established themselves as a picket post and caught every
one who attempted to leave town by that road. One man
from the country who had come in horseback, saw them pass,

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 219

ran and jumped on his horse without waiting to put on the
saddle, and went out of town at full speed, calling to some
one as he passed to get his saddle. Every one laughed at him
for being seared, but he was the only one who saved his horse.
In a very few minutes after this there was at least fifteen
hundred Yankees in town. A number of citizens who had
hid out their horses and other valuables, thinking the coast
was clear had brought them in, only to have everything that
a Yankee could steal taken from them. While standing on
the street looking on, a party of officers rode up to the front
gate of one of our citizens, dismounted and entered the house,
the family coming down to the gate. I thought I would walk
up and speak to them. One who, four years later, became
very near and dear to me, came running down the walk wring-
ing her hands and erying, and without any welcome to me,
said: “Do go and tell Settle, Hawes and the others to get
away with their horses—please go.” Not knowing who they
were, I asked who and where they were. “Oh, McCormack’s
men—Wheeler’s Cavalry,” was the answer. I afterward
learned they were a lot of Kentucky cavalry who had strag-

gled off from the army, and thinking they had found a safe

place had stopped here and were feeding their horses on the
public corn and were being feasted and feted by the citizens,
and soon as the Yankees came took refuge in Mrs. MeDowell’s
attic and there remained until General Palmer left next
day, taking the Blue Grass horses with them but leaving the
men as not being of any value.

I have tried in this long and rambling story to do nothing
but justice to all, and to tell nothing but the truth, though
I am fully conscious that I have not told the half, so I think
I had better close without any apology to anyone; the only
thing I am sorry for is that it has not been better told.

G. H. Mirts.

Rurnerrorpton, N. C.,
9 April, 1901.

 
 

 
 

SUPPLEMENTAL SREICH TENTH
REGIMENT.

FIRST ARTILLERY—COMPANY I.

By T. C. MOORE, First Lizurenant Company I.

I desire to add the following to the brief sketch of Com-
pany I, Fourth North Carolina, which is to be found in
Vol. 1 of this work, at page 582. I have lost my notebook
of the movements of the battery and must write mostly from
memory.

Company I, Tenth Regiment State Troops, Light Artil-
lery, was organized in May, 1861, at Wilmington, with Sam-
uel R. Bunting as Captain; L. H. Bowden, First Lieutenant ;
D. E. Bunting, Second Lieutenant, and James F’. Post, Jun-
ior Second Lieutenant, and myself as First Sergeant. We
were ordered into camp at the Marine Hospital for field
drill; then to the old Costin House. From there we were
ordered to Wrightsville and Masonboro Sound as coast guard.
We remained there until ordered to New Bern 13 March,
1862, to take part in the fight there. Arrived at Kinston
and met the troops falling back from New Bern. After that,
were put on detached service between Kinston and New Bern,
Washington, Greenville and Trenton. We were engaged in
the fight at Hobb’s Mill. Also in the fight at Gum Swamp,
near Kinston, under General Robert Ransom. Then in the
fight at Deep Gully under General D. H. Hill; then at the
siege and retaking of Washington, N. C. On 13 December,
1863, our battery was engaged in the fight at Kinston. It
lasted to 19th at Goldsboro bridge. 26 Off. Rec. Union and
Confed. Armies, 118, 807. We had one man killed and four
wounded, and lost two of our guns in these series of fights.

We were then ordered to Fort Fisher, where we remained

Tee ee (or at Masonboro Sound) till the capture of Fisher 15 J an-

1. W. R. Capehart, Surgeon, C. S. A. 3. John Springs Davidson, Private, Co. C,
2. Robert H. Brooks, Sergt., Co. A, Manly’s Brem’s Battery, 10th Regt. (1 Art.)
Battery, 10th Regt. (1 Art.) 4. Robt. E, Gibson, Private, Co. D., Ramsay’s
Battery, 10th Regt. (1 Art.)
5. Jas. N. Thompson, Private, Co. A, Manly’s Battery, 10th Regt. (1 Art.)

 

 
 

222 North Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

uary, 1865. Captain Southerland was wounded at Sugar
Loaf. Our battery’s conduct in the assaults on Fort Fisher
is mentioned in 87 Off. Rec. Union and Confed. Armies,
1021, 1024 and 88 ditto 1226. After the fall of Fisher and
evacuation of Wilmington we retreated to Northeast river.
On the morning of 23 February, 1865, we had two hours
fight at Northeast railroad bridge. We then made forced
marches thence to Kinston. After arriving at Kinston, under
command of General Hoke, we were engaged in his move-
ment 8 March, 1865, when he got in the rear of General
Schofield, about 10 or 11 o’clock at night, routing that part
of his army and capturing about sixteen hundred prison-
ers. We fell back to Kinston 10 March. From Kinston
we joined General Joseph E. Johnston and were in the
three days’ battle at Bentonville 19-21 March. After that
fight our battery was in the historic retreat to Greensboro.
There the battery was surrendered with the army. It was
commanded at that time by Captain T. J. Southerland; T.
C. Moore, First Lieutenant; T. J. Ivey, Junior First Lieu-

tenant; W. W. Freeman, Second Lieutenant; C. C. Redd,
Junior Second Lieutenant; Stephen A. Currie, First Ser-
geant, and reported 70 present for duty.

*T. C. Moore.

 

 
 

eee ee se Wea tsa sre T om ees:
eee I EE TEL Ba SEL TL = ses a aoa ree

BATTALION ORGANIZATION.

By THE EDITOR.

The following Battalions, twenty-five in number, continued
in existence till the close of the war, except the Fourth, Fifth,
Seventh, Eighth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Fourteenth, Sixteenth
and Eighteenth, which were merged into regiments, after
somewhat lengthy existence as battalions.

The Sixth, Ninth, Eleventh, Seventeenth, Eighteenth,
Nineteenth, Twentieth, Twenty-first, Twenty-second, Twenty-
third, Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth weré not officially so
styled and are herein thus numbered only for convenience, the
official designation being given in each case in the sub-head.

There were also several other battalions not hereinafter
given whose existence was soon merged into regiments as Sin-
gletary’s Battalion, which became the Twenty-seventh Regi-
ment; Wm. T. Williams’ Battalion, which was raised into the
Thirty-second Regiment; Rogers’ Battalion, later Forty-sev-
enth Regiment; Evans’ Battalion, later Sixty-third Regi-
ment; Sixth Battalion, which was enlarged and made the
Sixtieth Regiment. Then there were the eight Reserve Bat-
talions which were merged into the Seventieth, Seventy-first,
Seventy-second and Seventy-eighth Regiments, as is related
in the history of the organization of the reserves and several
battalions of Senior Reserves were merged into the Seventy-
third, Seventy-fourth, Seventy-sixth and Seventy-seventh
Regiments.

There may have been other battalions still which soon lost
their separate existence in regimental organization.

Including the “Bethel” Regiment and excluding those nine
of following battalions which, as stated above, were merged
into regiments, this State furnished 84 regiments, 16 battal-
jons and 13 unattached companies, besides the companies and
individuals from this State serving in commands from other
States, and nine regiments of Home Guards and the militia

rendering short tours of duty.

Pip aaah) pss ocala amma eae

a

 
FIRST BATTALION—SHARPSHOOTERS.

R. W. Wharton, Major.
R. E. Wilson, Captain, Co, A.

3.
4,

James A. Blum, Sergeant, Co. A.
George E. Nissen, Sergeant, Co. B.

FIKST BATTALION.

(SHARPSHOOTERS. )

By R. W. WHARTON, Maysor..

This battalion was organized in April, 1862, and was com-
posed of two companies from the Twenty-first North Caro-
lina Regiment.

That regiment originally had twelve companies. At its
reorganization in April, 1862, the two commanded, origi-
nally, by Captains John K. Connally and R. W. Wharton, -
were organized into a battalion, R. W. Wharton with the
rank of Major commanding. Captain Connally having pre-
viously resigned, Company A, of the battalion, was com-
manded by Captain R. E. Wilson, and Company B by Cap-
tain P. D. Headley. Both companies were organized in May,
1861, Company A, in Yadkin county, and Company B, in
Forsyth. Most of the members of the two companies were
from those two counties, though there were some from the ad-
joining counties.

The history of the Twenty-first Regiment, originally the
Eleventh Volunteers, is the history of the two companies
composing the battalion during the first year of the war.
The Twenty-first North Carolina Regiment, though com-
posed entirely of North Carolina troops, was organized at
Danville, Va., in June, 1861, where it remained about three
weeks, engaged in company and battalion drill. It went
thence to Richmond, Va., and stopping there four or five
days, proceeded by railroad, towards Winchester, Va., to join

Norr.—There was also a First Battalion of Junior Reserves which was
later merged into the Seventieth Regiment whereupon the Ninth (Mil-
lard’s) Battalion was designated the First Battalion and as such attached
to the Junior Reserves Brigade. Its story is herein told under the head-
ing ‘‘Twentieth Battalion.’’ There was also a First Battalion of Senior
Reserves whose career is told later on as the ‘Twenty first Battalion.’’
Moore’s Roster gives also the ‘‘ First Battalion Heavy Artillery” whose
career is narrated further on under the heading “‘Ninth Battalion”? and
the First Battalion of Thomas Legions later Kightieth North Carolina.

—ED.
15

 
 

 

 

226 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

General Joseph E. Johnston. When the regiment arrived
at Manassas Junction, about sundown, 16 July, it was or-
dered to remain on board the cars and wait further orders.

MANASSAS.

At daybreak next morning it was ordered to leave the train
and proceed immediately to Mitchell’s Ford, on Bull Run.
Mitchell’s Ford is on the direct road from Manassas Junction
to Centerville, about half way between the two places, and
about four miles from each. Centerville lies north of the
junction, and had been occupied by the enemy under General
McDowell on the preceding day, and it was expected that he
would attempt to capture the junction that day, the 17th.
The regiment reported to Brigadier-General Bonham, at
Mitchell’s Ford, and was posted by him on the extreme left
of his brigade, about half a mile from the ford. While going
to this position the regiment was under fire for the ~ oh
While passing through an old field, the enemy fired a few s 10
and shell in our direction. Some of the shell exploded ~
near us, sounding decidedly ugly and causing a general cs
position to duck one’s head. The fight on that day was e y
an artillery duel, with but ae damage on either side. 0
in the Twenty-first was hurt.
oT hat night ae Twenty-first was posted at the ford, —
pying several hundred yards on each side of the same an
remained in that position up to and during the battle of Sun-
day, 21 July. Early on the morning of the 21st the oe
opened fire on our position with artillery and kept it up .
several hours. The shot were aimed too high, however, an
again no one in the regiment was hurt. At first as men
were quite nervous, but that soon passed off and when tas
the day the Twenty-first was ordered to march on Centervi e
a shout went up from one end to the other of the regiment =
in ten minutes time it had fallen into line, waded the cree
and was on the Centerville side ready for any service -
quired. From some mismanagement, not, however, = t :
part of the commanding officer of the a. . 0
the commander of the brigade, nothing was accomplished un-

der this order.

First Barration. 227

After the battle, the Twenty-first remained in thé vicinity
of Manassas for several weeks, and from bad water and the
general unhealthiness of the country there was much sick-
ness among the men and officers. Camp was next moved to
a point near Groveton on the Manassas Gap Railroad and
about eight miles west of the junction. The change of camp
seemed to do no good and in a short time there were between
seven and eight hundred sick men in camp. Diarrhea and
camp fever were the prevailing diseases. During the six or
seven weeks which the regiment spent in this camp, one hua-
dred and sixty-four of its members died in camp and neigh-
boring houses. From some cause the loss of the two compa-
nies, that afterward formed the battalion, were less than half
of that of any other two companies in the regiment. Frem
here the regiment went to Bull Run Gap, the point where the
railroad passes through the Bull Run mountains. In the
latter part of October most of the men, who had survived,
were again able for service and the regiment then about 800
strong, moved down to Centerville, where, for some time, a
battle seemed imminent. Soon after Christmas the Twenty-
first went into winter quarters on the railroad between Man-
assas and Bull Run. On 8 March, the Twenty-first, with
the balance of the army, left Manassas Junction and fell back
to the south bank of the Rappahannock river. The Twenty-
first was then a part of Ewell’s Division, which remained in
the vicinity of Rappahannock station until April, when it
moved back to Gordonsville and from there moved over into

the Valley of Virginia and united with the forces under Gen-
eral Jackson.

BATTALION ORGANIZED.

On the march to the Valley of Virginia, the division halted
for two or three days near Gordonsville. During that halt
the First Battalion of Sharpshooters was organized, though
the two companies composing it remained a part of the

_ Twenty-first until after the battle on 25 May, 1862. It was

in that fight the Twenty-first had its real baptism of blood on
the field of battle. In that fight every third man of the regi-
ment that went in was killed or wounded in twenty minutes.

 
 

 

 

 

228 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

General Jackson, with Taylor’s Brigade of Louisianians, ap-
proached Winchester by the Valley Pike, while Ewell, wit

Trimble’s Brigade, and one or two batteries, approached by
the plank road from Port Royal. Shortly before night, on
the evening of the 24th, Trimble’s Brigade, with the Twenty-
first North Carolina in front, came upon the enemy’s picket,
some three miles out from the town. The picket was soon
driven in and the troops advanced until they were about a
mile and a half from Winchester. Soon after dark the writer
was ordered to proceed with his own and another company to
a skirt of woods on the left of the road and about a mile from
town. It was expected that we would find the woods occu-
pied by-the enemy’s skirmishers. We were to drive them out
of the woods and hold the same until further orders. We
found no one in the woods, but the enemy had left evidence

of having recently been there.

WINCHESTER.

At daylight on 25 May, 1862, Colonel Kirkland came up

with eight companies of the Twenty-first, ordered the writer
to call in his two companies and join the regiment and
immediately proceeded down the road toward town at a
doublequick. Just at the edge of the town, where the land
was cut up into small parcels, surrounded by stone walls and
without any warning a whole brigade of Yankees rose up
from behind a stone wall on our left and less than seventy-
five yards from the road on which the regiment was march-

ing, and poured a deadly fire into our ranks. Colonel Kirk-

land ordered a charge; some of the men got to the wall behind

which the enemy were, but none got over it. We then fell
back behind a wall that ran along side the road on which we
had been marching and kept up the fight until the enemy’s
hich was much longer than ours, extended around on
our side so as to subject us to a flank as well as front fire.
The regiment was then moved about a hundred yards to the
left, in order to protect its right flank and formed with a view
of making another attack on the enemy’s position, but not in
front of the stone wall this time. Our intention was to make

line, w

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intl Raat aap emis

SR NE PPM A er phe Re ere ct eee

So SPEIRS

pereny

cep Heres eRe

First BatTTAation. 229

a short detour and get on both sides of the enemy’s wall and
attack them on the flank.

_The men were thoroughly aroused and had no idea of
giving up the job until they had driven the enemy from its
position. At this juncture orders came to desist from making
a further attack, as troops were being sent to the rear of the
town to intercept the retreat of the enemy. About this time
Major Fulton, with the two other companies, came up and
joined the regiment. The Major with two companies had
been sent out the previous night into another part of the field
and had not got back when the fight began. We were then
ordered to protect Latta’s battery, which was on a hill not far
away. The order was given by General Ewell in person, and
was very emphatic. We were told to go with the battary
wherever it went and not to leave it under any circumstances.
In a short time the battery moved off briskly to and through
the town. We followed at a double-quick. When we
reached the main street, we found it full of the citizens—old
men, ladies and children, who had turned out to feed the Con-
federate soldiers. Some had pitchers of water, others had
plates and trays of bread and chicken and ham and all kinds
of good things to eat. As the writer was passing along, a
very beautiful young girl gave him a glass of water, at the
same time a fine looking old gentleman seized hint by the
arm, saying come in here, opening a door. I was led
up to a side board and commanded to take something
While I was “taking something” in came the good lady of
the house with fried chicken and bread. I had no time
to stop and eat, but taking my hands full of the good things
I put out after that battery. We followed it all that
day. Some times we were in sight of it and some times not.
On reaching Bunker Hill, twelve miles below Winchester on
the road to Martinsburg, we decided to halt for the night and
give the stragglers time to come up. These continued to
come in for two or three hours and it was noticed that most
of them had something that was not water in their canteens.
We were on the road again, next morning, as soon as it was
light and soon overtook the battery and marched into Mar-
tinsburg with the battery and Ashby’s Cavalry, about 10

 
 

 

 

 

 

230 Norru Carortina Troops, 1861-65.

a.m. Ina little more than twenty-four hours we had fought
a severe battle and marched twenty-two miles in pursuit of
the enemy. The Twenty-first went into the fight with about
300 men, the Major and two large companies being absent.
Of these 104 were killed or wounded. Colonel Kirkland
was severely wounded early in the fight; Lieutenant-Colonel
Pepper had wounds from which he died in a few days; Cap-
tains Hedgecock and Ligon were killed in the charge on the
stone wall. While we, with Latta’s Battery and Ashby’s
Cavalry, were in hot pursuit of General Banks, we supposed
that the balance of the brigade was coming on, but more
leisurely. Finding, however, that it did not come up, we re-
ported to Colonel Turner Ashby, the ranking officer present
and who a day or two afterwards was promoted to Brigadier-
General. Colonel Ashby said he had not expected any in-
fantry, but directed us to go into camp and await further or-
ders. Next day he informed us that he had received a dis-
patch from General Trimble inquiring if we were at Mar-
tinsburg and stating that it had not been intended that we
should follow the battery there, but only that we should stay
by it during the balance of the fight at Winchester. We,
however, understood and obeyed the order of General Ewell
literally and were well repaid for our hard march. We
found Martinsburg full of sutler’s stores that had been hastily
abandoned. The railroad depot was also crowded with
choice commissary supplies and hundreds of boxes of nice
things that had been sent out to the Federal officers and sol-
diers by their friends at home. Every soldier that wanted a
box took one. One of them opened his box in the presence of
the writer. It contained a dozen bottles of claret, at which
he was much disappointed. After the battle at Winchester
the two companies that composed the first battalion were de-
tached from the Twenty-first and became a separate com-
mand. We remained at Martinsburg five or six days and
then rejoined the brigade near Winchester. On reaching
Strasburg, twelve miles southwest of Winchester, we left the
turnpike and took a road leading in a northwest direction.
After marching about two miles we encountered the head of
Fremont’s column. Fremont, with 25,000 men, was coming

Frrst BArrALion. 931:

down from northwest Virginia to intercept and capture Jack-
son with his little army of 14,000 men. Jackson, however,
as was his custom, got to the right place first. The Con-
federates were quickly formed into line of battle and after a
little skirmishing and a big demonstration, were quietly with-
drawn and reformed in line on the high ridge just west of
Strasburg, where we remained until after dark. As soon as
it was fully dark we quietly withdrew and made a rapid
march in the direction of Woodstock. We marched until 2
a. m. that night. After that we proceeded up the Valley at
our leisure and were not molested by the enemy until after
we left the pike and were on the road to Port Republic.
Next morning after leaving the pike the enemy’s cavalry at-
tacked our rear which was in charge of General Turner
Ashby. The attack was quickly repulsed and some prisoners
captured. The writer saw the prisoners a few minutes after
their capture. Among them was a large fine looking officer
of the rank of Colonel and in full Federal uniform. This
officer proved to be Perey Wyndham, an Englishman and sol-
dier of fortune, who commanded a brigade of Fremont’s Cav-
alry. After repulsing the attack General Ashby pursued the
attacking force and made an attack upon it, after it had been
reinforced by infantry. In this attack he was killed. His
death was a serious loss to Jackson’s command. He was not
only a gallant and enterprising officer, but also an exceed-
ingly attractive man. The writer had been under his com-
mand a short time at Martinsburg and had seen considerable
of him.

The next day was Sunday, a bright, balmy, pure day.
About the middle of the afternoon we halted and went into
camp near a place called Cross Keys, which was only a cross
roads and a small church building or school house, about one
and a half miles from Port Republic. All were glad to have
a little rest.

CROSS KEYS.

The next day was 8 June. Everything was very quiet in
camp, during the morning; no marching orders were read
and the general impression was that we were to have a whole

 
 

 

 

232 Nortu Carontina Troops, 1861-65.

day’s rest. This impression did not last long. General
Trimble ordered the battalion to go back, on the road by
which we came, about a mile, and take possession of a skirt
of woods between two fields, on the right of the road, and
to hold the same until he came up with the balance of the bri-
gade. The order was promptly executed and as soon as the
brigade was in sight, the battalion, deployed as skirmishers,
was advanced across the field in front. The field was-in
wheat just headed out. The enemy soon made their ap-
pearance in force. The skirmishers fell back to the brigade,
which was quietly lying behind a rail fence, which ran along
the edge of the field in front. Soon the enemy came up
briskly, in line of battle, with no skirmishers in advance.
When they were within sixty or seventy yards of the fence
the brigade rose up, fired and then charged. The enemy
broke and fled precipitately to a wood beyond the field, leav-
ing, however, some 200 dead and wounded. The brigade
after pursuing a short distance returned to its first position.
The field in front was only about a third of a mile wide and
we could plainly see the maneuvers of the enemy, and that
heavy reinforcements were coming up. Soon they formed
another line of battle and began to advance across the field.
Our orders were to remain perfectly quiet, withholding our
fire until they were within short range and then let them have
it. Unfortunately, however, one man in the Fifteenth Ala-
bama could not resist the temptation to shoot and fired be-
fore they had advanced fifty yards and then the whole of the
regiment fired. The enemy hastily fell back into the woods
and did not again attempt to advance. Later in the day we
attacked them simultaneously in front and on their left flank
and drove them back a mile or more. This ended the fight
on our right wing. When the fight ended the whole field
of battle was in our possession and the enemy had been driven
back fully a mile and a half.

That night the battalion was posted in the woods where the
fight began. The moon shone brightly and I walked out
where some of the enemy’s dead and wounded were still
lying. As I walked along the wounded would speak to me.
T could not understand what they said. Finally one of them

First Barration. 233

in broken English said they were asking me to have them re-
moved to the hospital. They were all Germans and I learned
that some of them had been in America only a few weeks.
In a short time the ambulances came up and removed the
poor fellows who were paying dearly for the greenbacks, for
which only, they were fighting.

PORT REPUBLIC.

Early next morning we crossed the river at Port Republic,
the battalion bringing up the rear and being the last to cross
the bridge. Two or three hundred yards before reaching the
bridge we passed a straw stack, when each man was required
to take up a bunch of straw and drop the same on the bridge.
After the battalion had crossed the straw was fired and in a
few minutes the whole bridge was in flames. After the
bridge had been fired a single Confederate cavalryman came
up to cross. Seeing the bridge was on fire, he attempted to
swim his horse across the river, which was flush and the cur-
rent strong. In the middle of the river the horse became
confused and both horse and rider disappeared under the
water and were seen no more. While this was going on, the
hard fought and bloody battle of Port Republic was being
fought—about two miles below the village. During the
night General Jackson, leaving General Trimble, with his
brigade, to face Fremont and retard his advance, had moved
the greater part of his forces to the south side of the river and
early in the morning met and defeated General Shields, whose
forces, it was said, amounted to about 12,000. The battle
was, for a short time, stubborn and very bloody—but was
over before Trimble’s Brigade arrived on the ground, and
Shields was in full retreat.

After this we encamped on the Shenandoah, near Weir’s
Cave, and had a much needed rest of about two weeks. Our
next move was southeastward across the Blue Ridge, through
Charlottesville and Gordonsville and on towards Richmond.

BATTLES AROUND RICHMOND.

In about six days we arrived at Ashland, some sixteen dr
eighteen miles from Richmond. Next day the seven days’

 
 

 

 

 

 

234 Nortu Carortwna Troops, 1861-’65.

fight commenced. That night we lay not far in the rear of
McClellan’s right wing. We were near enough to hear the
report of small arms. The battalion did picket duty that
night. Next day we soon fell in with the divisions of D. H.
and A. P. Hill, and when it was known that we were Jack-
son’s troops from the Valley, were greeted with shouts of ap-
plause.. All the roads were full of marching troops. very
now and then a shout would be heard in front or rear, and
pass along the line in our direction. The men would imme-
diately say that Jackson, or more frequently, “Old Jack,” as
they familiarly and affectionately called him, was coming.
In a few minutes General Jackson and his staff would pass.
Jackson’s Corps marched in the rear that day and of course
our progress was slow. About the middle of the afternoon
we heard firing not very far in our front. General Trimble
took his brigade, by a short cut, through some fields, and in a
short time we were on the field of the first battle of Gaines’
Mill or Cold Harbor. Trimble’s Brigade was composed of
the Fifteenth Alabama, Sixteenth Mississippi, Twenty-first
Georgia, Twenty-first North Carolina Regiments and the
First North Carolina Battalion. In this battle the Georgia
and Alabama Regiments were soon engaged. The Mississip-
pians and North Carolinians were held in reserve until near
the close of the fight. Shortly before sundown, an officer
rode up to General Trimble, who was sitting on his horse
near where I was and said, “General Trimble, General Lee
says the enemy have been driven on both flanks, but still
holds his position in that woods,” pointing towards a piece of
wood-land about a quarter of a mile distant. “He directs
you to drive them from it.” We were ordered to charge as
soon as we came in sight of the enemy. On reaching the
woods we first went down a steep hill, crossed a branch and
then up a steep hill. When we got to the top of the hill we
saw the enemy about 100 yards in front, but there was an-
other branch between us and them. We immediately raised
the rebel yell and charged. The enemy fired as soon as we
came in sight, stood their ground and fired again before we
got to them. When we were within a few yards of them
they gave way. In this charge a few men in the battalion

First Batra.ion. 235

were wounded, but none killed. Doubtless if we had stopped
to fire when we came in sight of the enemy, the casualties on
our side would have been much greater. Just in the rear of
the captured position were hundreds of standing tents. In
one of these tents Lieutenant-Colonel Fulton, of the Twenty-
first North Carolina, found a wounded Federal Lieutenant
who, upon inquiry, turned out to be a member of a Pennsylva-
nia Regiment and a distant relative of his. Next day Gen-
eral Jackson with his corps marched eastward to a point on
the Richmond & Yorktown Railroad, to intercept the enemy
in case he should attempt to retreat by that route. Nothing
of special interest occurred until about the middle of the af-
ternoon, when suddenly we heard a tremendous noise up the
road, which sounded like the near approach of a great storm
and instantly a train came rushing down the road at a fearful
speed and pitched into a small creek where a bridge had been
destroyed, accompanied with an explosion that almost
knocked men from the saddle a half mile away. The enemy
had loaded a train, containing a number of box cars, with
powder, shells and other ammunition, and turned loose the
engine with a high head of steam on. Nobody on our side
was hurt. That night we crossed the Chickahominy on one
of McClellan’s bridges, and joined in the pursuit. The bat-
talion was at Malvern Hill and under a heavy artillery fire,
but not closely engaged. It was also at Harrison’s landing
and with the Twenty-first North Carolina occupied the skir-
mish line nearly two days.

CEDAR MOUNTAIN AND SECOND MANASSAS.

After the seven days’ fight was over the battalion remained
in the vicinity of Richmond three or four days and was then,
with the rest of the brigade, hurried back to Gordonsville to
protect that place from a raid. We encamped near Gor-
donsville several weeks. The next fight was that of Cedar
Mountain, in which the battalion participated. It was also
in Jackson’s raid on Manassas Junction and in all the hard
fighting done by Jackson’s troops in the second battle of
Manassas. The battalion suffered heavily in the latter fight.

 
 

 

 

 

236 Norto Carortina Troops, 1861-’65.

Captain Wilson, of Company A, was severely wounded;
Lieutenant Owen, of Company B, was killed. Eight or nine
others were killed and quite a number wounded. The bat-
talion was also at the capture of Harper’s Ferry, and the
battle of Sharpsburg, sometimes called Antietam.

FREDERICKSBURG.

The battalion remained in northern Virginia until the mid-
dle of November and then moved down to Fredericksburg in
time for the battle of 18 December, 1862. In the beginning
of that battle our position was in the second line, near Hamil-
ton’s Crossing, on the railroad. We were directly in the rear
of one of our batteries which was hotly engaged with the en-
emy, the enemy’s shot and shell passing over us, at first fif-
teen or twenty feet above our heads. Their aim was soon
lowered and we were compelled to lie flat on the ground to
avoid being hit. One solid shot passed between the writer
and the man lying next to him, and the Adjutant of the
Twenty-first, who was lying a few feet away, was instantly
killed by a solid shot striking the ground directly under him.
Under such circumstances the order to advance was a welcome
one. The enemy had broken our first line in our front. We
soon drove them back and advanced some distance beyond the
railroad. This position being much exposed we fell back
to the railroad cut, in which we remained during the night.
Many of our dead foes, and among them a General Jackson
who that day commanded a brigade of Pennsylvanians, called
Buck Tails, because each man wore a wisp of a buck’s tail in
his cap, were lying near us and some of our men who had

worn out their shoes in the march from the Valley took the op-

portunity to get a new supply. In this fight the battalion had

some wounded, but none killed. After the fight was over
and General Burnside had got back to the north side of the
river, the battalion with the rest of the brigade went into win-
ter quarters on the Rappahannock, sixteen miles below Fred-
ericksburg. At this time our rations were small in quantity
and poor in quality. Poor beef, corn meal, and flour, and not
enough of that, constituted the bill of fare. There were thou-
sands of ducks on the river, almost every day, and it was

aint Nasi aes ts eS

peepee hh CR RTS

ae

First BattaLion. 237

agreed that Captain Adams, Adjutant-General of the brigade,
and the writer should make an effort to bag some of them. We
made the effort and the result was, got ourselves bagged. We
borrowed a double-barreled shot gun from a man living near
our camp and went ducking. The river at that point, Port
Royal, is about 500 yards wide and was picketed on the south
side by Confederates and on the north by Federal cavalry.
The pickets did not molest each other nor any one out on the
river.
CAPTURED.

While we were out a heavy wind storm came up from
the south, blowing directly across the river, and in spite of
all we could do, boat and duck hunters were blown over to
the north side and picked up by the Yankee pickets: We
were treated very well, however, by our captors, and were
sent up to General Burnside and thence to Washington City
to spend the winter in the old Capitol prison. We were
exchanged and got back to the Confederacy in time for the
next fight, the battle of Chancellorsville. During this fight
the battalion was in Early’s Division and was engaged more
or less on the skirmish line or in line of battle, from Thurs-
day morning until the next Monday morning, when the last
of the enemy, not killed or captured, succeeded in getting
back to the north side of the Rappahannock. In the Sunday
evening fight, Early’s Division charged and drove the enemy
from a strong position. General Hoke was severely wounded
and his brigade suffered severely, especially in officers. In
the battalion a number of men were wounded, but not killed
outright.

GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.

The next move was that which culminated in the battle of
Gettysburg. General Ewell had assumed command of his
corps, and, though he had lost a leg at Second Manassas
could still mount and ride a horse quite well. At the be
ginning of the campaign the battalion was detached from
Hoke’s Brigade—then commanded by Colonel Isaac E.
Avery, of the Sixth North Carolina, and ordered to report
directly to General Ewell.

 
 

238 NortH Caroiina Troops, 1861-65.

The march into and through Pennsylvania was delightful,
at least until the time when the corps left Carlisle. The
country was magnificent and full of all needed supplies, ex-
cept certain articles which our soldiers especially needed,
such as hats, shoes, etc. These articles had been shipped
away or concealed so that we did not find them. The writer
was Military Governor of Carlisle for nearly two days and
the only thing that he got for governing and taking care of the
city during that time was one glass of beer. When the corps
left Carlisle the battalion had orders to wait until all the
other Confederates were out of the city and then bring up the
rear. We left just before daybreak and as we were on the
point of marching, several hundred Federal prisoners were
turned over to us by our cavalry. The prisoners were Penn-
sylvania militia that had been called out to repel our inva-
sion. What to do with them was the question. I had no
idea of being incumbered with such a large lot of inoffensive
people. The late Colonel D. M. Carter, then a member of
the military court of Ewell’s Corps, who was with me, con-
cluded that the best thing to do was to parole them and let
them go home. After some trouble we got them into a long
line, single file, and requiring every man to hold up his right
hand, administered to them, en masse an oath that they would
not take up any arms against the Confederacy again until
they had been regularly exchanged. They evidently took
the oath willingly. The streets of Carlisle were macada-
mized and consequently were full of small pebbles and stones.
The moon was shining brightly and I observed that the pris-
oners moved about very gingerly, but did not know the cause
until happening to look down I saw that the last one of them
was barefooted. The scene was extremely ludicrous. The
battalion had nothing to do with the matter. The prisoners
were just as we received them. Possibly they exchanged
their shoes for tobacco, as was sometimes done down in Vir-
ginia, or possibly their captors may have taken their shoes
from them as a punishment for sending out of our reach all
the shoes that should have been in the stores. From Carlisle
we marched in the direction of Gettysburg and when near
that place the battalion was ordered by General Ewell, to

First Barrarion, 239

Cashtown, a small village some three miles from Gettysburg.
to guard his train and protect it from Federal cavalry. Next
day the train was moved to the right and to a point immedi-
ately in the rear of Longstreet’s Corps. On the morning of
3 July, hearing that there was Federal cavalry a short dis-
tance in our rear, Colonel D. M. Carter and the writer rode
back a mile or two to reconnoiter. We found that the ecav-
alry had been in the vicinity, but were gone. Returning, and
Just as we reached the top of a high hill and about a mls and
a half in rear of our army, the artillery fire of that day
opened. In a few minutes a large number of guns were at
work. It was reported that about 140 guns on each side were
firing at the same time. The scene was grand as well as ter-
rible and was far beyond anything that I had witnessed be-
fore, though I was at Malvern Hill and most of the other great
battles in Virginia. We sat on our horses for some time and
witnessed the terrible conflict. Afterwards, when the in-
fantry got to work, we went up into the immediate rear of
the fight, where the wounded were being collected. It had

then begun to rain and for most of the wounded there was no
shelter.

THE RETREAT FROM GETTYSBURG.

Next morning, 4 July, General Ewell ordered the battalion
to escort his train back to Williamsport, on the Potomac, and
sent a company of Alabamians, commanded by a Lieutenant
and containing about thirty men, to reinforce it. The Ala-
bamians were placed in front, and the battalion brought up
the rear. The train contained more than a hundred wagons
and ambulances, and when strung out on the road extended
over several miles. Our route, after passing through a valley
for several miles, led up a mountain side by a narrow rough
road to the Gettysburg and Hagerstown turnpike. Soon
after we started an exceedingly heavy rain fell which ren-

dered travel slow and difficult.

At the junction of our road with the pike a considerable
force of our cavalry had been previously stationed, ‘as an at-
tack on that point by the enemy’s cavalry was apprehended.
During the afternoon we occasionally heard a few shots on

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

240 Norra Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

top of the mountain, and as night approached the bes a
came frequent. We also learned from couriers W : cam
down the mountain that a heavy force of F ederal es ry a
threatening that position. With the battalion were a ea
Federal prisoners, and also forty or fifty Confederates un :
arrest for various minor offences during the campaign. .
addition to these were four Confederates under sir ¥
death for desertion, and were under a separate guard. 0
before night I released and armed all the pic penene
oners except the four under sentence, and ordered t et a
fall in with the battalion, telling them if they Hee pon
that night I would report the same in their behalf. ~
nightfall the firing on top of the mountain greatly sig se
Taking the battalion and the men who had just been _ —
from arrest, I proceeded up the mountain, halting ae ~ ;
as I passed, to the assistance of our friends at the we fi
our road with the pike. Before reaching the point t ee ying
became very heavy for a few minutes and then one tn
was followed by the huzzas of the enemy. By ae we set
the position had been captured by them and that Lil wou :
break into that part of the train that had passed tha ee
We went ahead as fast as we could and as we came ee -_ :
the enemy had placed a cannon in the road by Hoy we & i
approaching and were firing grape shot down the byes — td
few minutes. Fortunately, the road made a s sak . :
about 100 yards from the gun and the shot did not sweep oi
road beyond that point. After a sharp engagement we op
tured the position together with fifteen or twenty eres
Among the prisoners was an elderly gentleman son Pi
ell, who was army correspondent of the New ee : eed
We also captured the colored servant of Genera ilp jon
and three of the general’s saddle horses. The an P
turned and carried off a few of our wagons and ar seer
and doubtless, but for our timely arrival and — ‘ —_
have destroyed a large part of the train. The Con porte :
that I had released and armed a few hours ig e “
well and a number of them, who belonged to in cavalry,
mounted themselves on horses captured that nig t. ee
A very remarkable thing occurred next morning 1n re

pr atone oeannerre atte

sleheeenbamennsse cerns

First BaTra.ion. 241

the train. While the battalion was engaged in the fight,
some Confederate cavalry that arrived at the point of attack
at the same time as the battalion, stampeded and rushing
down the mountain in great disorder completely dispersed the
guards in charge of the prisoners in rear of the train. It
was a very dark and rainy night. They were in a dense
woods. It was impossible to recognize any one and no at-
tempt was made to collect the prisoners until next morning.
After daylight three of the Confederate soldiers that were
_ under sentence of death, reported to the officer of the guard
and all the Federal prisoners were found near by. Of course
after that the three Confederates were pardoned,
We remained on the north side of the Potomac, near Wil-

' liamsport, about a week and then returned to Virginia with

the rest of the army. A few weeks thereafter the battalion
was sent back to its old brigade, again commanded by General
R. F. Hoke, who had recovered from the wound received in
the battle of Chancellorsville.

IN NORTH CAROLINA,

Nothing of special interest occurred in Virginia in the
fall of 1863. In February, 1864, the battalion was in the
New Bern expedition under General Pickett. In an attempt
to capture the bridge across Batchelor’s creek, near New
Bern, by a detail of twenty men under Captain John A.
Cooper, now a resident of Statesville, N. ©., three men were
killed outright on the bridge and a number severely wounded.
Among the killed was Henry N. Welsh, who deserves special
notice. He was a native of Davidson county and one of the
original members of Company B. When he volunteered he
was a delicate looking young man and it was not thought that
he would be able to stand the service long. After an attack
of fever the first summer he enjoyed good health and was
conspicuous for the fidelity and promptness with which he
discharged all his duties. When a detail was called for, on
service considered especially dangerous, he was the first or
among the first to step out. He had been in the service from
first Manassas to this time, February, 1864, and had never
had a furlough, but under the furlough system of the Army

16

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

242 Norra Caro.tina TROOPS, 1861-65.

of Northern Virginia was then entitled to one, but had de-
ferred taking it until this expedition was over. He was shot
in the head and instantly killed on the bridge across Bachel-
or’s creek. We sent the lifeless body of this youngest child
and darling home to loving parents. His noble and gallant
spirit had received a furlough for all eternity.

The battalion remained in North Carolina the balance of
the winter and spring of 1864, and was in the expedition un-
der General Hoke, which captured Plymouth, N. C.

In January, 1864, the writer was appointed, by Governor
Vance, Lieutenant-Colonel of the Sixty-seventh Regiment,
North Carolina State Troops, which position he assumed in
February after the New Bern expedition. He is, conse
quently, unable to give a detailed account of the services of
the battalion after that date.

PETERSBURG.

The battalion returned to Virginia and participated in the
defense of Petersburg, being attached to General Robert D.
Johnston’s Brigade, Early’s Division, 96 Official Records .
Union and Confederate Armies, pp- 1180 and 1270. It sur-
rendered at Appomattox with that division, the battalion
being then commanded by Lieutenant R. W. Woodruff. 95
Oficial Records Union and Confederate Armies, p. 1270.
In one of the last engagements near Petersburg, Captain
R. E. Wilson lost a leg; Lieutenant C. A. Shultz lost an arm
and Lieutenant W. L. Masten was killed.

During the last six months of the war Captain John A.
Cooper served on the staff of General R. F. Hoke.

I learn from a statement sent me by Mr. T. B. Douthit, of
Salem, who was one of the original members of Company B,
and served through the entire war, that in that company
eleven men were killed outright in battle, eighteen were
severely wounded, some of them entirely disabled for further
service, and seventeen died of disease. I have no informa-
tion of the exact number of casualties in Company A, but
presume that they were about the same as in the other com-

pany.
Rurus W. WHARTON.

Wasuinoton, N. C.,
9 April, 1901.
SECOND BATTALION,

Wharton J. Green, Lieut.-Colonel. 2. Frank Patterson, Surgeon.

3.

H. T. Bahnson, Hospital Steward.

SECOND BATTALION.

By WHARTON J. GREEN, Lizvtrenant-CoLonk..

In the first days of April, 1861, the telegraph left no room
for doubt that the United States Government was resolved to
try to revictual Fort Sumpter then beleaguered by the young
Government just springing into being.

Each fully realized that this meant war. The next train
carried the writer to Charleston as a would-be volunteer
gunner, anxious to see the beginning of what he deemed the
inevitable struggle and indeed no wise loth to see it begin.
In this he was disappointed, as orders had just been issued
forbidding any additional recruits into the batteries. He
heard, however, the opening gun of the mighty drama to fol-
low, and a day later the final one which preceded the surren-
der of this almost impregnable fortress, as subsequent events
proved it to be, when beseiged and besiegers were reversed.
It was a dramatic sight replete with patriotic enthusiasm,
even as witnessed from the city Battery. A thrilling one
when “the old flag” was hauled down in token of evacuation
and “the new one” run up. With hundreds of others our lit-
tle boat was just below the walls when it was done, an explo-
sion of cartridges killing three of the garrison while saluting
the first.

A few days later my company, that is the one in which I
was an enrolled private, was in camp at the State Capital.
The very first I think to go into the camp of instruction there
was the “Warren Guards,” Captain Ben. Wade, certainly
one of the first three. After a short space of preliminary
drill it was assigned to the Twelfth Regiment, Colonel Sol.

Norr.—There were two other Second Battalions, one of Junior Reserves,
commanded by Major J. H. Anderson which was merged into the Sev-
enty-First Regiment and the other of Senior Keserves, hereinafter num-
bered T wenty-Second Battalion.—Eb.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

244 Norro CaroLina TROOPS, 1861-65.

Williams, which organized at Garysburg and was ordered
first to Richmond, thence to Norfolk.

While in camp there Ex-Governor Wise, then a Brigadier-
General, sent me unsolicited on my part, authority to raise a
regiment and join his command, known as the Wise Legion.
Governor John W. Ellis gave me an order for some six hun-
dred Enfield rifles, the only ones at the State’s disposal. Un-
fortunately, however, before all my companies could reach
the camp of formation and requisition be made for the guns,
this glorious son of North Carolina had breathed his last, and
his successor revoked the order and gave the guns to another.
The Legislature thereupon voted fifty thousand dollars to
arm and equip my command. Ordinarily such a sum would
have far more than sufficed, but in those days weapons of ap-
proved pattern were above money and above price, simply
because they were not to be had. Luckily my command was
composed of the right sort of men, and not over fastidious as
to outfit. Though cheated of our ‘““Enfields,” to the front we
would go with squirrel substitutes and double barrel shot guns
of divers calibre. Every man was afraid that he could not get
a hand before the game would be ended. And so these honest
workmen took the best tools that they could get, and there was
no grumbling. We all expected better after our first fair field
and an honest fight. Fortunately our uncouth armament
was supplemented by some 350 old flint lock muskets which
Governor Letcher, of Virginia, generously turned over to us,
because his folks would not touch such tools. After being
percussioned by the Government, they made very respectable
killing implements, especially when each double barrel man
carried beside a two foot carving knife of the heft of a meat
axe in lieu of bayonet.

WILMINGTON.

On 12 December, 1861, was ordered to Wilmington and re-
ported to General Joseph R. Anderson, commanding the De-
partment of North Carolina. By him was assigned to the
duty of guarding the coast above and below Masonboro
Sound, some seven miles to the east of that city. We con-
tinued in the discharge of that duty until 30 January, 1862,

Seconp BaTTALIon. 245

when I was ordered by General Cooper, Adjutant and Inspec-
tor General, to proceed at once to Roanoke Island, then threat-
ened by the Federal force under General Burnside: At this
time the Second North Carolina Battalion consisted of the
following eight companies, averaging about eighty-five men to
the company. ‘The two other companies necessary to a regi-
ment, had not reported. :

(Owing to the loss of my papers when captured, necessity
frequently compels the usesof proximates. )

FIELD AND STAFF.

Wuarton J. Green, Lieutenant-Colonel, commanding.
Marcus Erwin, Major.
Dr. Frank Parterson, Surgeon.
Dr. Samvuet Youne, Assistant Surgeon.
—. —. McNorr, Adjutant.
Captain A. H. Saurorp, Quartermast i
ie z arte fer and Com
Rev. H. E. Brooks, Chaplain. ee
Company A—Madison County, N. C.—Captain, 8. F
Allen; Lieutenants, Van Brown, Condell.
p seal B-—Stokes County, N. C.—Captain, Milton
t o H F cs . 2 .
a 3 ieutenants, J. B. Tucker, N. G. Smith, Edwin
;, a C—Mecklenburg, County, Va.—Captain, R. ©
verby; Lieutenants, B. P. Williamson, He a
R. Williamson. el ahaa
Company D—Pike County i
unty, Ga—Captain, Edward
Smith; Lieutenants, W. H. McCl bes i
ge ‘ue, R. M. Julian, David T.
Company E.—Meriwether Cow i
; g 1e Jounty, Ga.—Captain, D
Bose; Lieutenants, J. J. Tucker, W. J. Hudson, J : N. tie
Company F—Randolph County, N. C.—Captain, T. W.
Andrews; Lieutenants, John M. Hancock, Z. J. Williams.
oe G—Forsyth County, N. C.—Captain, W. i
wes er; Lieutenants, J. S. Swain, H. C. Wheeler, R. Gor-
Company H—Surry Cowr y i
Surry County, N. C.—Captain, D. M.
Cooper ; Lieutenants, L. J. Norman, J. Sayars, J. Goxten,
As has been said above, the order from the War Depart-
ment to proceed to Roanoke Island (the only one under which

 
246 NortuH Caroitina Troops, 1861-65.

I could venture to move), reached me on the evening of 30
January. Some ten or twelve days anterior thereto, however,
the following order was received from General Wise to the

same effect:
Norrotr, Va., 15 January, 1862.

Ineutenant-Colonel W. J. Green, Commanding, Etc. :
Srr:—You will as early as practicable, move your whole
force from Wilmington, N. C., to Norfolk, Va., and there re-
port to General Huger for transportation to Roanoke Island.
Bring with your men all the outfit which you can procure at
Wilmington, and make requisition at Norfolk for deficien-
cies. Prompt movement is necessary, as the enemy are near

in large force.
Henry A. WIsz,

Brigadier-General.

I waited at once on General Anderson and asked for per-
mission to start the next day. This he peremptorily refused,
threatening arrest if the attempt was made. “You are un-
der my command,” he said, “by order of General Cooper, and
no less authority is going to take you away from here.”

He, however, consented that Major Erwin might to to
Richmond and lay the matter before the Secretary of War
for final arbitrament. The Major carried request from me
to obey General Wise’s order, and protest against it from
General Anderson.

After the interval stated, and after General Wise had writ-
ten the Secretary of War under date of 26 January, ‘“‘Please
order the forces of my Legion under Colonel Green, at Wil-
mington, N. C., * * * to be forwarded to me,” the de-
sired permission (order) arrived.

Within the shortest possible time that transportation could
be obtained, about thirty-six hours after receipt of order, we
went on our way to destination. On reaching Norfolk, was
again detained two or three days, needlessly, awaiting water
transportation, starting on 5 February.

ROANOKE ISLAND.

The sequel is sufficiently set forth in my report of oper-
ations of the next three days ensuing, of date of 18 February,

Seconp BarTrTaLion. 247

herewith reproduced from Ojficial Records, Vol. 9, Series 1,
to which should be added that this command was the only
one under arms outside of the water batteries at the time of
the surrender.

Am thus explicit in details concerning this first great dis-
aster to the Confederate cause in order to refute the unjust
insinuations of General Wise that I was needlessly dilatory
in starting from Wilmington in obedience to his orders. In
plain words that those issued direct from the War Office were
not subordinate to his. The absurdity of the assumption is
not deserving of comment. If any were needed, it is sup-
plied in the report of the Congressional Investigating Corn-
mittee. General Wise’s absence from the island, and pres-
ence on the mainland during the entire fighting, should have
made him more cautious in his reflections, not only in this
case, but as to almost every other regimental commander there
present. It grieves to say as much of one who had presump-
tively done a favor. A brilliant talker, a fiery orator, a
pungent writer, and withal a patriot, all this he was, but like
some other political generals, a very indifferent soldier.

Querulous with superiors, captious to equals, insolent to
subordinates, and opinionated in the superlative degree,
he was totally unfitted for command at a most important point
and at a most critical juncture. Had this not been said in
effect before the Investigating Committee relative to the fall
of Roanoke Island, and in refutal of the baseless aspersion
above referred to, it probably would not here appear. No
less is due to my gallant command as well as to myself in the
proposed embodiment of historic regimental sketches of the
various commands of our State. Immediately after ex-
change the Second Battalion was upon my application trans-
ferred to the brigade of that superb soldier, Junius Daniel,
which after his death at Spottsylvania, was commanded by
his worthy successor, General Bryan Grimes.

Recurring to report alluded to, let it be premised that the
Second Battalion was most needlessly included in the list of
prisoners that day. After the fall back of the troops engaged
and the resolve to surrender, an official order to re-embark and
strike for the mainland would have saved every man in it.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

248 Norra CaRroLina Troops, 1861-’65.

Report of Lieutenant-Colonel Wharton J. Green, Second
North Carolina Battalion:

On Boarp Steamer 8. R. SpavuLpine,
Orr RoanoxeE Isuanp, N. C.,
February 18, 1862.

Srr:—I herewith submit a report of the skirmish in which
my battalion (Second North Carolina) was engaged on Sat-
urday, the 8th instant:

In obedience to orders from Adjutant-General Cooper, re-
ceived on the evening of 30 January, I struck camp in the
vicinity of Wilmington on the morning of the 1st instant, and
proceeded hither with all possible dispatch. Owing to the
want of transports, we were detained two days and upward
in Norfolk, leaving that place on Wednesday, the 5th instant,
in tow of the canal tug boat White.

On Friday when about thirty miles distant from the
Island, continued discharges of artillery informed us of the
progress of a fight between the F ederal fleet and Confederate
batteries. Being entirely ignorant of the topography of the
Island, and not knowing where or to whom to report, I left
our transports about twenty miles hence and came on in the
steamer for information. Having obtained which, I re
turned to my men and crowded them on the smallest number
of transports that would contain them, and then started.
The night was very dark and stormy, with the wind against
us, consequently our progress was slow.

After beating about until midnight our pilot declared that
he had lost his reckoning, and as we had only a fathom and a

half of water, thought it safer to wait for daylight.

About 2 a. m. Saturday, a number of Confederate gunboats
passed us from the direction of the island, one of them run-
ning into the schooner Beauregard (one of our transports)
and seriously injuring her. In reply to our challenge and
statement of our condition, all the answer we could get was
that one of the boats was the Beaufort, the other the
Had they stopped in their flight long enough to exchange
pilots with us, or even to give ours the necessary instructions
as to his course, my battalion would have reached the island
in time to have participated in the entire action.

Seconp BarTatLion. 249

Failing to do so, it was 10 a. m. when we reached the island
and 12 o’clock before the men, arms and ammunition could
be got on shore, owing to their having to be-taken on lighters.
Having distributed all of my ammunition, I started for the
scene of action, but soon met scores of stragglers, who re-
ported everything lost and the Confederate forces entirely
dispersed.

Notwithstanding these discouraging reports, my men kept
in good spirits and pressed on with animation. On reach-
ing your camp, and having the worst reports confirmed, I
called upon you for orders, and was told to proceed to a point
some mile or two distant, under the guidance of Major Wil-
liamson, and take position.

After proceeding about half a mile we came suddenly upon
a Federal regiment, which I have since learned was the Twen-
ty-tirst Massachusetts. The two advanced companies of the
respective commands were about seventy-five paces apart, I
being some twenty paces in advance of mine. I gave the
command, ‘“‘By company into line,” when the officer in com-
mand of the Fedéral regiment threw up his hand and eried
out: “Stop, stop, Colonel; don’t fire; you are mistaken !”
Believing it to be a trick, I repeated my command. There-
upon the Federal officer gave the command, “Fire.” My
advanced companies returned the fire, firing at will after the
first volley. Finding that there was some confusion, and not
knowing the ground, I soon became satisfied that I could not
form my men in line of battle to any advantage on the ground
that they then oceupied, so I ordered them to fall back a short
distance and form behind the log houses occupied by Colonel
Jordan’s Regiment as quarters. This they did in good order.
The Federals fell back immediately after. Immediately
after forming behind the houses, Lieutenant-Colonel Fowle,
of the Thirty-first North Carolina, passed by with a white
flag, and stated that a surrender had been determined upon.

My loss was three men killed and five wounded, two of
whom have since died. I am happy to be able to report fa-
vorably of the action of both officers and men. The enemy’s
loss, as I learned from themselves, was between twenty and

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

250 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

thirty. I marched my entire command, with very few ex-
ceptions, in good order back to your camp..
I am sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Wuarton J. GREEN,

Lieutenant-Colonel Second North Carolina Battalion.

To Colonel H. M. Shaw.

In my report to Colonel Shaw should have been stated
the fact that I strenuously protested against surrender
without a further effort to resume our original lines, pledg-
ing my command to hold the enemy’s advance in check a rea-
sonable time if he would come to our assistance with the
other troops. This I certainly understood him to promise to
do. A mistaken sense of courtesy or delicacy to the officer in
immediate command to whom report was submitted, forbade
its insertion at the time. Sure I am that the survivors of the
gallant gentlemen who were present at that interview, and
there were many, will vouch to the accuracy of the statement.
The Second North Carolina Battalion was in unbroken line
of battle with the enemy advancing in full force, but hoping
reinforcements, when the white flag of surrender passed.
In reply to my expressed purpose to double quick it back
to the transports with an eye to escape, the answer came,
“This island and all upon it has been surrendered. You will
make the attempt on your peril of breach of terms.”

A little incident of juvenile heroism surpassing that of
“the boy on the burning deck,” may not be out of place.
Whilst awaiting the enemy in force, a little lad scarcely mid-
way in his teens, walked down the front of the line, his right
arm dangling at his side but still clutching his trusty double-
barrel with his left.

“Colonel,” he said, “they have broken my arm. Can I go
to the rear and let Dr. Patterson look after it?”

There was no more perturbation in his voice than if he had
been asking or answering a question on parade. There was
incipient hero there, and would that I knew him to-day. Vil
stake my life that that boy has never proved recreant to past
manhood duty, or gone back on early promise then made.

Srconp BATTALION. 251

A few days after the surrender, we were transferred to the
steamer S. R. Spaulding with Fort Warren as objective
point. But through the efforts of General Burnside, who
impressed us then with his courtesy and soldierly treatment,
as he did those who knew him after the war, imprisonment
was changed into parole. Fortunately for the Confederacy
later on, his reach of requisite for the chief command to
which he was assigned against the greatest soldier of his age,
fell something short. But better far than the reputation of
a second-class commander, he bore “the grand old name of
gentleman.” The writer is thus pleased to acknowledge
more than one civility received at his hands, including an ex-
change of body servants, his and mine, the first being then
confined at Richmond. Mine, Guilford Christmas, was with
me before and during the war and has been with me ever
since, a faithful servant and a true friend, once exchanged as
said, and later escaping after a second capture. Had not
racial interdict precluded his enlistment, the Confederacy
would have had few more devoted servants, for his heart was
in it.

The disparity of force in this, the second great battle of
the war, was too great to admit of hope for the weaker after
the other side had secured a foothold. Colonel Shaw gives
his entire available force exclusive of those in the water bat-
teries at 1,434, rank and file, previous to the arrival of my
own and Major Fry’s commands. Loss 23 killed, 58
wounded and 62 missing. General Burnside puts his, not
counting the gunboats, at 12,829, loss 264. To make the dis-
parity the greater they were commanded by educated soldiers
like Burnside, Foster, Parke and Reno. That inequality
was a little too much so, even in those early days, when to
paraphrase Harry of England, some did “think upon one
pair of Southern legs did march five Yankees.”

Later on, and after better acquaintance, few objected to

having the carrying capacity of those locomotors reduced to
three or even two blue coats.

Eight or ten to one, was out of all reason. On 21 Febru-
ary the battalion was paroled at Elizabeth City. We were

 
sree ee eereeeinr meinen eee eet ee ee

 

 

 

 

 

252 Norto Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

exchanged on 18 August, 1862, and ordered to rendezvous at
Drewry’s Bluff.

DANIEL’S BRIGADE.

Whilst in camp there and attached to Colonel (later Gen-
eral) Daniel’s Brigade, a petition was set afoot looking to a
reorganization. Although opposed to it on principle as cal-
culated to introduce politics into camp, and although from
the peculiar constitution of this command, it could have been
avoided, nevertheless when it became obvious that such was
the desire of a number of the officers, no obstruction was inter-
posed on my part. In the reorganization 25 September, I
was superceded as commanding officer by Captain W. H.
Wheeler, who, however, resigned a few days thereafter, where-
upon Captain Charles E. Shober, of the Forty-fifth Regi-
ment, was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and Captain H. L. An-

drews Major, later promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, and ~

killed at Gettysburg. A. W. Green was appointed Adjutant,
and Captain D. M. Cooper, A. Q. M. Company C was soon
thereafter transferred to a Virginia command. At the time
the Second Battalion was attached to this superb brigade, it
was composed of the Thirty-second, Forty-third, Forty-fifth
and Fifty-third Regiments, which continued intact until the
end of the war.

Shortly after, about 1 January, 1863, the brigade was or-
dered to Goldsboro, N. C., in anticipation of a forward move
by the enemy. I went there at once to volunteer, but was
told by General Daniel that I would be enrolled on his staff
as a supernumerary or volunteer aide, until something in the
line should turn up. Thence shortly after, the brigade was
ordered to Kinston where it remained until 17 May, 1863,
when it was moved upon the Rappahannock.

EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

Whilst in camp at Kinston we were, by General D. H.
Hill’s orders, moved down the right side of the Neuse, Pet-
tigrew’s Brigade keeping abreast on the other with the object
in view of taking New Bern by surprise. Daniel’s advance
after reaching a point contiguous to that place was subject to
‘gun signal from the co-operating column upon capture of

1pm SNES Ssh can RTP nie rete

Seconp BATTALION. 253

the gunboats on that side of the river. These, however, got
up steam in time to prevent capture, and so the attempt fell
through.

General Hill next attempted the capture of Washington,
which was represented as being short of provisions and sup-
plies. <A battery, Fort Hill, was planted below the town to
prevent relief by the gunboats. Whilst here Generals Hill,
Daniel, Robertson and myself rode over to the fort to take in
the situation. The gunboats were anchored some two or
three miles off, just out of reach of our pop-guns and had
kept up an incessant fusillade on the garrison for a day or two
previous without doing any harm. Before, however, we
had been in there fifteen minutes, I was knocked down by a
ten pound piece of shell.

BACK TO VIRGINIA.

Soon after this the brigade was ordered to Virginia, and
on arrival was assigned to Major-General R. E. Rodes’ Divis-
ion comprising the following other brigades, viz.: Ramseur’s
North Carolina, Iverson’s North Carolina, and Doles’
Georgia, and no better division was there in any army. Most
fortunate were we in brigade and divisional commanders.
Both Rodes and Daniel were born soldiers, and both died on
the field of battle in glorious discharge of duty. The divis-
ion was in Ewell’s Corps. On Daniel’s death Bryan Grimes

became his worthy successor and later on the successor of the
lamented Rodes.

About the first of June, 1863, our division, Rodes’, broke
camp at Hamilton Crossing, a few miles from Freder-
icksburg, and started, whither few knew, but many surmised.

At Brandy Station 9 June, 1863, we became aware that a
fight was going on in front. Were hastily formed and moved
forward to the point, upon nearing which General Lee in per-
son met General Daniel and told him that he was to keep his
command concealed under the brow of a hill except upon
emergency, as it was a cavalry fight and he did not wish the
enemy to learn that he was on the move. Shortly after met:
the corpse of my old Colonel, Sol. Williams, being brought
out on horseback by his brother-in-law, Lieutenant Pegram.

 
 

 

254 Norto Carortina Troops, 1861-’65.

He was shot through the forehead, and Pegram told us that
General B. F. Davis had just been killed on the other side
by the self same wound. He and I were classmates and
close friends at West Point, and yet his death reached me
without a pang of regret, for he was fighting under the wrong
flag, being a Mississippian.

Gallant Sol. Williams had only been married a week or
two to the daughter of Captain Pegram, who won lasting
honor in the Confederate States Navy. Singular coinci-
dence her cousin and another old classmate of mine, General
John Pegram, was killed in front of Petersburg after the
same brief nuptials. He married the beautiful and brilliant
Hettie Cary, of Baltimore.

General J. E. B. Stuart (another classmate) repulsed the
enemy that day after a hard day’s fight, although he had been
taken by surprise in the morning. He, too, was killed later
on in front of Richmond. Here let it be remarked by way
of parenthesis, that nine out of twelve of that glorious class
(that of 1850) who espoused our side were killed in battle, all
with one exception, wearing the insignia of General, Stuart,
Pender, Gracie, Pegram, Deshler, Villipique, Mercer, Ran-
dall and one other whose name now escapes me. Was there
ever a nobler holocaust of young heroes on the altar of patri-
otism, each thirty or thereabouts? Generals Stephen D.
Lee and Custis Lee are the sole survivors, as far as I am able

to ascertain.

ON THE MAROH FOR PENNSYLVANIA.

From Brandy the division moved on towards the Potomac,
passing through Front Royal, Winchester and Berryville.
At the last place came near capturing Brute Milroy and his
entire force, but with the coward’s instinct he saved his vile
neck by precipitate flight. He was one of the three who
were made infamously immortal by Confederate executive
mandate that they were not to be accorded the rights of pris-
oners of war if captured. Beast Butler and Turchin, the
barbarian, were the two others. Let the triumvirate of gold
laced felons stand pilloried where they were put, in the scorn
of all true soldiers through all time to come, to teach would-

Seconp Barra ion. 255

be imitators that wars must henceforth be conducted by gen-

‘erous and humane rules instead of barbaric. Moving on

through Martinsburg we forded the river at Williamsport
and camped a couple of days at Hagerstown, Md. There
Lieutenant-Colonel Shober resigned and on the promotion of
Major Andrews, Captain Jno. M. Hancock, of Company F.
became Major. Thence on to Greencastle, Pa., where there
was another halt for a day. ‘Thence to Carlisle where we
took possession of the Government barracks.

The next day (Sunday) the flag pole which had been cut

down by the enemy, was replaced and the “Stars and Bars”
wafted to the breeze.

GETTYSBURG.

30 June made an early start and a forced march to Heidel-
berg, eleven miles short of Gettysburg. The next morning
bright and early started again. Had proceeded but a short
distance when the opening guns of that momentous conflict
fell upon the ear. On arrival were deployed in line of battle
in a skirt of woods. The enemy at once began to shell us.
General Daniel ordered the brigade to lie down until ready to
advance. While he and I were standing just in front of the
Second Battalion holding our horses, a shell exploded in a
few feet of the left killing and wounding nine men. Proba-
bly no one missile occasioned more loss to life during the war.
A little later the men were ordered to rise and advance. The
enemy were some five or six hundred yards in front, and re-
sults showed had set a most deadly trap for us. When half
way between our starting point and their line, were ordered
to lie down whilst our guns in the rear played on their ranks.
Then rose and charged to the brink of the deep cut of the rail-
road, beyond which at some hundred paces the enemy were
drawn up in line.

The men in their ardor slid down the almost precipitous
bank and attempted to scale the opposite, but to no effect. An
enfilading battery to our right then opened sweeping “the
eut”’ with terrible effect. Suggesting to Colonel Brabble, the
senior officer, to face to the left and clear the gap, I scram-
bled to the top and got one shot at the advancing foe with a

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

256 Norra Cakotina Troops, 1861-65.

musket taken from a sick boy at the start, with whom my

horse was left. Believe it was with effect, as it caused a ~

pause in the line behind and delayed a down pouring fire
until we got out of that horrible hole. As soon as:it was done
the men who had behaved like veterans so far, became tempor-
arily demoralized. Then it was that the soldier loomed up
and plucked the flower safety out of the nettle danger, Junius
Daniel is the man referred to.

In his stentorian tones audible in command a quarter of a
mile or more away, he ordered the men to halt and reform on
him. This they did without regard to company or regimen-
tal formation almost to a man, advanced at once and inflicted
a loss on the enemy, from all accounts greater than that which
they had just sustained. A sublime picture of heroism that,
on the part of commander and command. Lieutenant-Colo-
nel Andrews was killed and Major Hancock wounded while
gallantly leading their men and during the remainder of the
actions at Gettysburg the battalion was commanded by Cap-
tain Van Brown, of Company H.

Just then I was knocked down by a wound in the head and
had to go back to the field hospital. Here the scene was sick-
ening in the extreme. By sundown, hundreds of wounded
had arrived, and the horrid work of amputation was going
briskly on. Here I pause to pay brief tribute to an unpre-
tentious hero who did his duty as grandly as any other on
that bloody field although his only weapons were scalpel, saw
and bandage. Though Daniel’s Brigade had the largest
wounded list of any other at Gettysburg, the surgical staff
was something short that day. But there was one who was
a host in himself. For three days and nights with coat off
and sleeves rolled up, I do not think Dr. Frank Patterson,
my old surgeon, then brigade surgeon, relaxed in his bloody
work of mercy half an hour ata time. If he closed his eyes
in sleep during that dread ordeal, it eseaped my observation,
although in thirty feet and full view of the operating table.

“The Glorious Fourth” was a fateful day, not only for
that glorious army, but for the cause, for far away Vicksburg,
the key of the Mississippi, had fallen.

The retreat began in regular order on that day. Lieutenant

Ra a neve Bek Oe oe te ne Nay ee TROT ER EE TE Oat

ecg iets acco Bea neha illness oo

more agenten oo eatiee pteygcte saare er

Seconp BaTraLIon. 257

Wm. R. Bond, of General Daniel’s staff, now of Scotland
Neck, likewise wounded, and myself, were assigned to a one-
horse wagon driven by Guilford. The wounded train was
tacked on to a part of the ordnance. That night having to
pass through a long defile, it was subjected to an annoying
fire from above, Kilpatrick’s Division having ridden ahead
and taken position on each bank of the road. This doughty
hero should have been cashiered for not capturing that entire
train, for it was only guarded by two squadrons of cavalry.
As it was, he only took some thirty or forty ambulances and
ordnance wagons.

CAPTURED.

Shortly after getting through the deep cut of the road our
little mounted escort broke and went to the head of the train.
An ordnance wagon loaded with old guns, took off one of our
rear wheels in trying to pass, and before Bond and I could
pick ourselves up, a dozen revolvers were bearing on us. It
was then that volubility told. Guilford with a flow of words
unparalleled in his speech before or since convinced the gen-
tlemen on horseback that, “we surrender, we are prisoners,
for God’s sake don’t shoot.”’ Believing that the entire ord-
nance train was lost and all lost with it, it is within bounds
to say that his impromptu eloquence elicited but scant thanks
from either of the two “prisoners.”

Thence were carried to the hospital at Frederick; from
there to Fort McHenry, thence to Fort Delaware for a while
and from there to Johnson’s Island in Lake Erie, which con-
tinued to be the residence of most of the officers until near
the surrender. My cartel was, I believe, the last one ante-
cedent thereto. Many projects for wholesale escape had been
formed during our imprisonment, but were always frustrated
by some secret spy or cowardly informer.

But to return to the Second North Carolina Battalion at
Gettysburg. It fell short of a full regiment, and yet it is
doubtful whether any full regiment in that matchless army”
sustained the loss in killed and wounded that it did. One
hundred and fifty-three is authenticated record. Perhaps

17

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

258 Nort Caronina Troops, 1861-65.

it is better to give an excerpt from a letter received from
H. A. London:

«“%# * * The Second Battalion at Gettysburg had more
men killed and wounded than any full regiment in Pickett’s
Division. Its killed was twenty-nine (including its com-
mander, Lieutenant-Colonel Andrews), and wounded 124.
The Fifty-seventh Virginia regiment had 26 killed and 95
‘wounded, which was the heaviest mortality of any of Pickett’s
regiments. Major James Iredell, of the Fifty-third, who
took command at Orange Court House (Major Hancock
having been captured at Gettysburg), was killed at Spottsyl-
vania, where the battalion was nearly all captured, killed or
wounded. I do not think any field officer commanded the
battalion after Iredell’s death. It remained with Daniel’s
Brigade until the end, but I do not know its number at Ap-
pomattox—a mere handful, however. It was a noble band
and shared fully in all the glory of Daniel’s (afterwards
Grimes’) Brigade. * * *

Yours truly,
“H, A. Lonpon.”

ADDENDA.

The following addenda is from the pen of a gallant soldier
of the same brigade, Sergeant Cyrus B. Watson, of the Forty-
fifth North Carolina, now one of the most distinguished law-
yers of our State. He says:

“From September, 1862, the date given by Colonel Green
when the Second North Carolina Battalion became a part of
Daniel’s Brigade till 9 April, 1865, it fought along side of my
regiment, the Forty-fifth.

“Four companies of the battalion were from the counties
of Randolph, Forsyth, Stokes and Surry, and the men com-
posing them had many acquaintances in our regiment, from
which there existed a friendly feeling between the men of the
two commands. After the battle of Gettysburg, this senti-
ment grew stronger, from the fact that the two commands
were together in the dreadful conflict in and about the rail-
road cut that cost both so many lives.

Rae RANMA AC asin inc abn

ir eo ie ne a eT

sii i aereczi

ithe arse

Srconp BATTALION. 259

WILDERNESS.

“Again on 10 May, 1864, the Forty-fifth Regiment felt the
touch of the Second Battalion, while holding the line to the
left of the break caused by the crushing of Doles’ Brigade by
the massed forces of the enemy. In each of these engage-
ments the battalion lost a commander.

“On the latter occasion the companies on the right of the
battalion were doubled back on those of the left, and in this
position fought almost hand-to-hand with the enemy until
nearly annihilated.

“The morning after this conflict, the dead of the Maine
Regiment which led the assault on the Second Battalion and
the Forty-fifth Regiment were scattered thickly and indis-
criminately over the field.

“This Second Battalion had a number of commanders be-
side the two noble men, Andrews and Iredell, who lost their
lives, and these changes had the effect to some extent of inter-
fering with discipline. General Daniel would some times
call it “my little mob,” but its fighting and staying qualities
were never questioned. No regiment of the brigade ever
complained that it lagged in a charge or faltered in the line.

“TI personally knew many of its officers and men. Most of
them who survived the war have since passed away. The
officers living as far as I can recall are O. F. Robinson, A. Q.
M., of Farmington, N. C.; Captain W. H. Wheeler, of Win-
ston, N. C., and Lieutenant Dempsey S. Brown, of Company
G (written “Boon” in the Roster), now living in Missouri.

“And I am reminded just here that one evening just before
Christmas, 1862, two young lieutenants of the battalion in-
vited me over to their camp to help devour a roasted wild ( ?)
turkey that “some of the boys” had found the night before
perched upon an old loom in an out house in the neighbor-
hood the night before. It was argued that the old gobbler
had no pass and was subject to arrest.

“T have said that the battalion was not noted for its disci-
pline, and this is true, but it is no less true that no body of
men belonging to the army of General Lee sustained a bet-
ter reputation for heroic devotion to duty in the hour of bat-
tle than the Second North Carolina Battalion.”

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

260 Norra Caroiina Troops, 1861-65. -

This is high praise from a high source. The career of
the battalion is largely told in the histories in this work
of the Thirty-second, Forty-third, Forty-fifth and Fifty-third
North Carolina Regiments which were in the same brigade
and in the sketch of the “Daniel-Grimes” Brigade by Captain
W. L. London, A. A. G. The handful of the battalion left

surrendered with the brigade on that bright Sunday morning

at Appomattox.
. Wuarton J. GREEN.

FaygTrevitie, N. C.,
9 April, 1901.

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;

THIRD BATTALION.

(LIGHT ARTILLERY. )

By JOHN W. MOORE, Maysor.

This command went into camp near Raleigh in Febru-
ary, 1862, and was mustered into service on the 27th of that
month. General McClellan soon after that began the trans-
fer of the great army that had for months previously been
held for the defense of Washington and commenced his
movement for the capture of Richmond by way of the penin-
sula, which lies between the James and York rivers. The
batatlion while yet awaiting its guns and horses, was or-
dered to the Confederate Capital, to take part in its defense.
The field and staff officers at that time and with small change
until the end of the war consisted of —

Joun W. Moors, of Hertford county, Major.
Aveustus M. Moors, of Chowan, Adjutant.
Henry G. Traver, of Hertford, Quartermaster.
W. A. B. Norcum, of Chowan, Assistant Surgeon.
Exum B. Crarx, Sergeant Major.

Ouiver T. Gitrzert, Commissary Sergeant.
J. F. Juricu, Chief Bugler.

There were in the battalion three batteries. Company A
was recruited in Northampton county. Andrew J. Ellis,
Captain; W. J. Rogers, First Lieutenant; J. N. Ramsey,
First Lieutenant; and John M. Webb, Second Lieutenant.

Company B was formed of men enlisted mostly in Chowan
and Tyrrell counties. Its officers were William Badham,
Captain, of Chowan; First Lieutenant, Nelson McCleese,

Norre.—There was another Third Battalion (Reserves) commanded by
Major Hooks which was merged into the Seventy-Eighth Regiment,
(Eighth Reserves) and later another Third Battalion, also Reserves,
which was commanded by Maj. J. T. Littlejohn and whose services are
told herein under the heading ‘‘Twenty-Third Battalion.”—Ep.

 
 

 

 

 

 

262 NortH Caroitina Troops, 1861-65.

Tyrrell; First Lieutenant, John M. Jones, Chowan; Sec-
ond Lieutenant, David J. Gaskins, Chowan.

Company C consisted of men who chiefly were reared and
enlisted in Hertford. Its officers were then, Julian G.
Moore, Captain; John M. Sutton, First Lieutenant; Alfred
M. Darden, First Lieutenant; John R. Powell, Second Lieu-
tenant. Lieutenants Sutton and Powell were Bertie men.

AROUND RICHMOND.

The battalion having been sent to the front before getting
its equipment of light artillery when General McClellan drew
near Richmond with his immense army the command was
ordered from the camp of instruction and did its first ser-
vice by occupying Battery No. 7. This was an extensive
earthwork which was near the York River Railroad, and
commanded the highway leading from Mechanicsville, which
was only six miles away and was the nearest point of ap-
proach made by the United States Army. There General
McClellan had strongly protected the right flank of his forces
and several bloody conflicts occurred before the seven days’
of battle resulted in the defeat and withdrawal of the Fed-
eral forces.

The Third Battalion remained near Richmond for some
time afterwards and in September, 1862, was ordered to pro-
ceed to the Valley of Virginia and report to General R. E.

Lee. The battle of Sharpsburg had just been fought and

we met the Army of Northern Virginia in its cantonments
around Martinsburg. Having reported to Brigadier-Gen-
eral Pendleton, Chief of Artillery, the Third Battalion was
received into his corps and served therein until early in
December when General Burnside began his famous race for
the capture of Fredericksburg. We were in camp at Culpep-
per Court House one dreary winter evening when an orderly
brought orders for our instant departure for Fredericksburg.
The discomforts and haste of that movement exceeded any-
thing of the kind we saw during war. After pressing on for
two miserable days through the terrible roads crossing South-
western Mountains and reaching a point fifteen miles from
Fredericksburg, orders came for the battalion to proceed to a

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Tuirp BATTALION. 263

railroad bridge some miles south of Fredericksburg, where
defenses had been constructed for the security of the bridge.
We were sorely disappointed in not being permitted to take
part in the great battle fought a few days later, so near us,
but it was all important that no raiding party of the enemy
should be allowed to burn the bridge over which nearly all
the supplies for General Lee’s army had then to pass. We
remained at the bridge until Burnside’s defeat and in a few
days were ordered to the defense of our own State.

IN NORTH CAROLINA.

When the Third Battalion had reached Wilmington, that
is the main body of the men, we had more than a week of
waiting apparently before us, before our horses could reach
us by the long march overland from Richmond, Va. But on
Sunday morning after our arrival, General Whiting notified
Major Moore that his horses had arrived at Goldsboro and
that enough of them were in such condition that one of his
batteries could be properly horsed. He was ordered, there-
fore, to take the men and guns of one battery and to reach
Kinston as soon as possible and report to General French.
Two days before General Foster had left New Bern with
twenty thousand Federal troops and had been steadily driving
back the Confederate forces, but was as yet unable to cross
from the south side of Neuse river.

MOSELY HALL, N. C.

By reason of a defective engine, we were nearly all day
making the run to Mosely Hall, where we found General
French and our battery horses. Troops from Virginia and
other points were pouring in and the enemy was reported close
at hand across the river. Just before night, by General
French’s order, Lieutenant Nelson McCleese was sent with
the right section of Badham’s battery to the defense of the
bridge at White Hall, on Neuse river. These two guns were
supported by the Eleventh Regiment, the Thirty-first, Colonel
Evans’ Sixty-third (Fifth Cavalry), and Colonel Ferebee’s
Fifty-ninth (Fourth Cavalry) Regiment. At an early hour
Monday morning Foster drove in the Confederate picket

 
 

 

 

 

 

264 Nort Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

across the river and attempted, by a tremendous infantry and
artillery fire, to so drive off the men on our side, that he could
pontoon and cross the river. More than a dozen pieces of
artillery were brought to bear upon the point where Lieu-
tenant McCleese and his men were so bravely holding their
ground. From early in the morning until well past midnight
this unequal struggle went on. McCleese lost but two men
and two horses, but his right gun was, after being struck re-
peatedly, finally disabled by a shell that broke the axle and
struck down five of his cannoneers.. After such creditable
service, Lieutenant McCleese was relieved by Lieutenant J.
G. Moore, who brought a fresh section into action. The en-
emy, however, soon ceased firing and moved for another
bridge a few miles higher up the stream. At that place on
the next day Lieutenant John M. Jones, with the centre sec-
tion of Battery B, did also most effective service.

It is proper to say here that the battalion at this time con-
tained only two batteries. It was found so difficult in the
fall of 1862 to procure enough cavalry and artillery horses
that many artillery and cavalry companies were induced to
change themselves into infantry. Then, too, many four-gun
batteries were by orders of the Secretary of War, formed into
large six-gun batteries by uniting the men of both companies
and allowing them to elect officers for the new command thus
formed. When the order for distributing inchoate com-
mands reached Major Moore in Camp Lee, near Richmond,
in 1862, the Third Battalion contained five companies. There
were in addition to the three already mentioned, two others,
commanded by Captains Thomas Capehart and Solomon
White. The latter of these two gave up its artillery organ-
ization and joined a regiment of infantry.

Batteries A and D were combined under the command of
Captain Ellis, while Company © was added to Battery B un-
der Captain Badham and Captain Julian G. Moore became
First Lieutenant in the same until in March, 1863, by another
order from Richmond, Company C was reorganized under the
officers as mentioned above.

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Turtrp BATTALION.

WILMINGTON.

After the battle of Goldsboro, the Third Battalion was or-
dered to reunite by Company B marching across the country
to rejoin the other half of the command at Wilmington.
During the whole year of 1863, the enemy left the Cape Fear
region unassailed, so there were only the ordinary incidents of
a life in camp so far as the Third Battalion was concerned.
About 1 November, 1863, General Whiting relieved Colonel
George Jackson of his command at Kenansville, to assume
charge of the intrenched camp then being constructed above
Fort Fisher. Major J. W. Moore, with Battery A, under
Captain Ellis, went to his new post of duty and found a little
army embracing all three branches of military service repre-
sented. ‘Two squadrons of cavalry were kept on outpost
duty and a battalion of heavy artillery doing infantry duty
were camped in close proximity to Battery A., This force
was kept for the security of the Wilmington & Weldon Rail-
road; and also to secure Froelich’s sword factory at Kenans-
ville, that had been burned by a raiding party some time be-
fore and was then making sabres for the Confederate Gov-
ernment.

At the same time Battery ©, under Captain J. G. Moore,
was assigned duty at Fort Caswell, while Battery B, under
Captain William Badham, was assigned for duty on Smith’s
Island or Bald Head. The new year of 1864 was inaugu-
rated by an important military movement in North Caro-
lina.

NEW BERN.

General George Pickett was sent by. General Lee with
five brigades of his veteran troops, against the United States
forces then holding the city of New Bern. Brigadier-Gen-
eral Martin, with two regiments of infantry, three squadrons
of South Carolina Cavalry and two batteries of Light Artil-
lery was sent by way of Smith’s Mills across White Oak
river, to cut railroad connections from Morehead City. The
Third North Carolina Battalion was represented in the move-
ment by Battery A, under the immediate command of Cap-
tain A. J. Ellis. He and his command did noble service in

 
 

 

266 Norra CAROLINA Troops, 1861-’65.

the battle at Newport barracks. The enemy with a force
about equal to that of General Martin, was driven from its
positions on both sides of the road, and besides considerable
loss in killed and wounded left about two hundred prison-
ers. The same battery had by its splendid practice against
a block house earlier in the day so dismayed the garrison that
it was captured without loss to the assailants, who came charg-
ing upon it across an open plain.

CHARGE BY ARTILLERY.

Adjutant (since Judge) Aug. M. Moore contributes the
following incident:

“When Pickett was sent to attack New Bern in the winter
of 1864, a small detachment of about 1,500 men, infantry,
cavalry and artillery under General Martin was sent to cap-
ture Morehead, and the large army supplies collected at that
point. Pickett failed to do anything, and in a few days with-
drew his forces, but the expedition under Martin was par-
tially successful, and had it not been for the withdrawal of
Pickett’s forces, we would in a few hours have captured More-
head.

After two sharp skirmishes, the entire force of Martin,
Seventeenth North Carolina, Forty-second North Carolina,
Ellis’ Battery A of Moore’s Battalion, and about 250 men un-
der Lieutenant-Colonel R. J. Jeffords, Fifth South Carolina
cavalry, engaged the enemy in the afternoon about two miles
from Newport. The enemy, as well as our infantry, ‘was on
each side of the straight road leading to Newport, near the
town, and to the left and rear of the enemy was their fort, a
strong earthwork, mounting several guns.

The writer was sitting on his horse on and near the left
of the road, watching the effect of shells firing from a small
brass field piece over the heads of the Seventeenth North
Carolina, as that gallant regiment was advancing and engag-
ing the enemy. Occasionally a shell came screaming from
a rifled field piece-of the enemy, stationed about two thou-
sand yards down the road and in full view of Ellis and oth-
ers of us. For a little while it seemed as if the enemy was
to have all that fun to themselves, when a sudden and sharp

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TuirD BATTALION. 267

command from Captain Ellis attracted my attention and,
looking around, I saw him straighten himself in his saddle,
and with his gun dash down the narrow road towards the en-
emy. Every once in a while he would wheel into position,
his lead horses sometimes falling in the deep and wide ditch,
go into battery, fire a few well-directed shots, and then he was
again leading his gun at a gallop, only to go into battery
and again fire.

We were warm personal friends, and anxious to know
what had become of him and his gallant men, the writer
dashed down the road to learn what he could. So rapid had
been Ellis’ charge with his artillery, that two of his seven men
were wounded along the road by the enemy’s skirmishers.
The gallant officer and men had passed the line of our advanc-
ing troops, and when I found him, the enemy was fleeing, and
Ellis, with the glee of a boy was standing in the road patting
the fine gun he had captured, and laughing with his little gun
crew that followed him in that wild, dashing charge. They
had run the enemy’s cannoneers with their horses from their
gun, and whilst their infantry support had not fled.

I have seen and read of many desperate and gallant acts
during the Civil War, but of none that ever surpassed, if in
fact equalled the one I have attempted to describe.

That was more than thirty-six years ago, and some of the
brave boys “who charged artillery with artillery” have doubt-
less passed away. Captain Ellis, however, is still alive, and
residing at Garysburg, where as an accomplished and success-
ful physician, he has filled a useful life full of gentle acts, and
crowned it with the esteem.and affection of the people of that
section.”

DEFENCE OF WILMINGTON.

After General Pickett’s failure before New Bern, there
were no more movements of importance involving the Third
North Carolina Battalion until about 1 November, 1864.
Major J. W. Moore was ordered to leave his post at Kenans-
ville, in Duplin county, and with Battery A, to report to Brig-
adier-General Louis Hebert, then commanding the defences at
the mouth of Cape Fear river. The battalion was thus once

 
 

 

 

 

 

ee eon

268 Norto Carouina Troops, 1861-’65.

more all assembled in the same locality. Battery A being
posted at Smithville, Company B on Bald Head, and Com-
pany C in Fort Caswell. It had been evident for some time
to Major-General Whiting that a great movement was to be
made for the capture of Wilmington. It was the only post
of importance through which the Confederate Government
could secure foreign supplies. The immense superiority of
the naval forces of the United States had either captured or
blockaded all other Southern ports so that on Wilmington
alone hung the hope of our further continuing the long and
bloody struggle. But as the year of our Lord 1864 drew to
its close, just as the hearts of all Christendom grew glad at
the approach of the Christmas festivities, a great fleet bearing
many thousands of soldiers, appeared in the offing before Fort
Fisher and at daybreak began to bombard that great work,
while hundreds of boats were bearing the soldiers from the
ships to the land between Fisher and the intrenched camp,
four miles above at Sugar Loaf. As we had no troops at the
latter point but a small battalion under Colonel George Jack-
son, very little resistance could be made against the landing.

General Bragg having assumed command, ordered Major
Moore to report to General R. F. Hoke at Sugar Loaf. Bat-
tery B. remained on Bald Head and Company C went to
swell the garrison of Fort Fisher, where the greater part of it
was captured in the second attack 14-15 January, 1865, after
having lost heavily in defending the doomed fort. The re-
mainder of the battery under Lieutenant A. M. Darden, with
the other two batteries, all reported for duty at Fort Ander-
son 10 February, 1865. 99 Official Records Union and Con-
federate Armies, p. 1155.

After the fall of Fisher, Battery A had the honor of cover-
ing the perilous retreat to Wilmington and afterwards had
quite a lively experience in checking the Federal pursuit when
the Southern army was crossing Northeast river at the Her-
mitage. Battery B, under Captain William Badham, on the
fall of Fort Fisher and the abandonment of the lower forts,
did similar service for the troops retreating under General

Hebert.

Lieutenant J. M. Jones, at Old Town, won high mention

Tuirp BATTALION. 269

for the desperate defence he made of his post and only re
tired when further resistance became impossible. It only re-
mains to be told that Battery A once more did glorious service
at the battle of Bentonville, and along with Battery B, and
such part of Battery C as had not been carried from Fort
Fisher as prisoners of war were surrendered at Greensboro by

General J. E. Johnston.
Joun W. Moors.

PowE.isvit.z, N. C.,
26 April, 1901.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

FOURTH BATTALION.

(WRIGHT’S BATTALION.)

By THE EDITOR.

The battalion called the Fourth Battalion during the war
was commanded by Major Clement G. Wright and rendered
efficient service in Eastern North Carolina, mostly near Wil-
mington, the details of which would be of interest, but they
are now almost irrecoverable. Wright’s (Fourth), Nether-
cutt’s (Eighth), and Whitford’s (Eleventh) Battalions and
indeed Evans’ (later Sixty-third Regiment) were all at first
styled Partisan Rangers. In May, 1868, Wright’s Battalion
reported 300 men present for duty. 92 (Serial Vol.) Off.
Rec. Union and Confed. Armies, 1074. August 3, 1863, it
was combined with the Eighth Battalion (Nethercutt’s)
which had rendered stirring service mostly in the New Bern
section. The two battalions with the addition of some inde-
pendent companies formed the Sixty-sixth North Carolina
Regiment, of which A. D. Moore became Colonel and which
was assigned to Martin’s, later Kirkland’s, Brigade. The
history of that regiment is told by its Adjutant, George M.
Rose, in Vol. 3 of this work.

The battalion which is numbered Fourth in Moore’s Ros-
ter, Vol. 4, pp. 241-247, was officially known as the Twelfth
Battalion, under which head its services are narrated fur-
ther on.

There was also a Fourth Battalion (Junior Reserves) com-
manded by Major John M. Reece, and which was in January,
1865, merged into the Seventy-second Regiment (Third
Junior Reserves. )

Pr st cree OD eet t NT

FIFTH BATTALION.

(CAVALRY. )

By VIRGIL 8S. LUSK, Caprarn Company A.

The Fifth North Carolina Battalion of Cavalry was or-
ganized during the winter of 1862 at Jacksboro, Tennessee,
by the election of A. H. Baird, of Madison County, as Major,
who was at that time Captain of a cavalry company, thereto-
fore organized in Madison County, and on outpost duty at
Clinton Tennessee.

The battalion was composed of the following five compa-
nies: Captain V. 8. Lusk’s company, of Madison County,
theretofore Captain Baird’s company ; Captain Hardin’s com-
pany, from Ashe County; Captain English’s company, from
Mitchell County; Captain Gillespie’s company, from Tran-
sylvania County; and Captain Tate’s company, from Burke
County. Captain Jno. B. Nelson, of Marshall, N. C., was
Commissary, Captain Donald McKenzie, of Morganton,
Quartermaster, and L. H. Smith, of Burnsville, was Adju-
tant.

At the time of the organization, all the companies men-
tioned were on outpost duty along the Cumberland Moun-
tains, extending from Cumberland Gap to Huntsville, in
Scott County. While they were in camp south of the Cum-
berland Mountains, it was not unfrequent for them to do
scout duty along the border of Kentucky as far north as Bar-
boursville, Pineville, Whitley and Monticello, and the terri-
tory south of the Cumberland river. At this time this sec-
tion of Kentucky was badly disputed territory. One day it
was occupied by the Federal outpost, and the next day it was
occupied by the Confederate forces. When we wanted a lit-
tle amusement in the way of a fight we would go into the dis-

Nore.—There was another Fifth Battalion (Reserves) in 1864, Beasley’s,
which later was merged into the Seventy-First Regiment (Second Junior
Reserves.) The Fifth Battalion in Moore’s Roster was always known as,
and was officially styled, the Thirteenth Battalion.—Ep.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

272 Norra Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

puted territory and challenge the Federal outpost for a fight,
and generally got what we went after and sometimes more
than we contracted for. In addition to this kind of warfare,
the country was infested with bands of irregular troops known
to the army as “bushwhackers,” and the most dangerous en-
emy with which we were confronted. We had to be con-
stantly on the lookout for this irregular force, and exercising
all the diligence and precaution possible, we were often fired
upon and sometimes lost a brave soldier killed or wounded.

Tt does not require a great degree of personal bravery to
go into battle when one is confronted by an open foe, but to
be constantly expecting to be shot from a thicket or from the
top of every hill one passes, is a condition that tries the nerve
of the bravest soldier. This is the kind of duty the Exfth
Battalion was called upon to do during the winter of 1862- 63
and so continued up to July, 1863, and to give some idea of
the hardships of such service, I will add that while we had a
commissary and quartermaster’s department, we seldom had
a ration of bacon or saw a sack of flour, a blanket or a pair of
shoes, except such as we furnished ourselves. We were often
fifty miles from headquarters in a section of country where it
was impossible to carry army supplies in any other way than
in a haversack and that was not always supplied with the
necessaries of life. Sometimes we had something to eat and
sometimes we did not have anything to eat. Sometimes we
had a shelter over us and then sometimes our shelter was the
blue sky or the lowering clouds. Sometimes we slept under
a blanket and sometimes that blanket was the driven snow.
Many was the time that the command went into winter quar-
ters under an oil cloth in the jamb of the fence with a chunk
for a pillow, and awoke in the morning to find the earth cov-
ered with snow.

Company A (Lusk’s company) was ordered forward from
Knoxville sometime in November, 1862, and from that time
on never saw a tent or had a day’s rest. The entire command
remained on detached duty and was never together under
one commander until some time in June, 1863, on the occa
sion of the Saunder’s raid into East Tennessee, at which time
the several companies were hurriedly called in from outpost

“
ONE ERRAT TERE E er KOCTR S RR RT ESR e 7 eR NR RS  P SE E AE AI E INE SPO

Firtra Barration. 273

duty and joined in the pursuit of the invaders under the com-
mand of Major A. H. Baird. At this time the cavalry force
in the Department of East Tennessee was very light, scat-
tered from Bristol to Chattanooga, principally guarding the
several gaps of the Cumberland Mountains. The enemy was
known to be in force north of the Cumberland river and a
close watch was kept up all along the line.

Company A, of the Fifth Battalion, was stationed at Win-
ter’s Gap and being the only cavalry command between Big
Creek Gap and Kingston, was taxed beyond its capacity in
doing outpost duty along the south of the Cumberland river,
covering a territory extending from Barboursville to Monti-
cello. Being thus scattered, the cavalry force found them-
selves in bad condition to resist a well organized force of the
enemy of several thousand strong, consisting of cavalry,
mounted infantry and artillery. A detachment of Company
A (Lusk’s), Fifth Battalion, was the first to encounter the
enemy at Huntsville, on the south fork of the Cumberland
river. The outposts were called in as rapidly as possible and
couriers dispatched to headquarters at Knoxville, notifying
the General in command of the approach of the enemy by way
of Wortburgh and the Emory river road going in the diree-
tion of Kingston. It was thought then that the object was
the destruction of the railroad bridge at Loudon.

RAID BY THE ENEMY.

Samp at Winter’s Gap was abandoned by the company and
a vigorous pursuit of the raiding column was begun. The
company at that time numbered about one hundred fighting
men. We harrassed the rear and left flank of the enemy dur-
ing the entire night, retarding his progress all that it was
possible to do with the force under my command. It soon

‘became apparent that Knoxville was the objective point of

the enemy’s attack instead of the Loudon Bridge. The

raiding foree forded Clinch river below Clinton, swung

around by Lenoir Station on the East Tennessee and Georgia

Railroad, drew up on the north side of Knoxville and opened

a bombardment of the city. There were no defences to the

city, and the enemy took up a position north of the railroad
18

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

274 Nortu Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

and commenced bombarding the city at close range. The
other companies of the Fifth North Carolina Battalion had
joined Company A and together with the First Louisiana
Regiment under Colonel Scott, attacked and drove off the
enemy before much damage was inflicted by the bombard-
ment: meanwhile, a detachment of the enemy had been sent
forward to destroy the railroad bridge across the Holston
river at Strawberry Plains. The enemy then commenced a
rapid retreat towards Cumberland Mountains, when a run-
ning tight was kept up during the entire day. It was evi-
dent that the raiding column was making for Big Creek Gap
with the hope to reach Kentucky by way of Pine Mountain
road. During-the day several bloody encounters took place
in which the Fifth Battalion participated, notably a fight
that took place in the vicinity of Maynardsville. The enemy
was sorely pressed and it looked like surrender was about the
only thing possible for them to do. It was certain that they
could not hold out if daylight continued, and in order to kill
time they took up a strong position at the end of a long lane,
commanding the only approach to the stronghold, and awaited
the approach of the Confederates. A detachment of the
Fifth Battalion led by Major Baird, and a similar detach-
ment from the First Louisiana under Captain Scott, charged
and drove the enemy from their selected position. In this
charge the brave Captain Scott, of the First Louisiana, was
killed, while Major Baird’s horse was killed under him. The
writer did not see the gallant charge, being detailed with his
company to support a battery in another part of the field, but
those who did witness it spoke of it in the highest terms.
Night was coming on and the enemy was making heroic ef-
forts to reach Cumberland Mountains. Clinch Mountain
had been crossed and the enemy driven across Clinch river.
Orders were issued to press forward with all possible speed
and use extra exertions to overtake the enemy before night—
with the enemy it was night, the Cumberland Mountains or
certain capture. Company A, of the Fifth North Carolina
Battalion, was ordered to the front and commanded to charge
the enemy. The order was obeyed and the charge was suc
cessful. The enemy was routed, scattered in every direction

seb rhein cro rte onl nnn abet Se Na eR a a ee

Frrra Barracion. 275

and abandoned a battery of artillery, horses, guns, blankets
and everything else that retarded their escape across Powell’s
river to the trackless wilds of the Cumberland Mountains.
We followed them next morning across the mountains, but
they had made good their escape, and we only found here and
there an abandoned horse or a straggling soldier.

The raiding force having been driven across the Cumber-
land Mountains into Kentucky, we returned to Powell’s Val-
ley and went into camp near Big Creek Gap to recuperate our
jaded horses and rest the exhausted men. This, I think, was
the first time the battalion had all been together in camp
during the organization. This much-needed rest was, how-
ever, of short duration. The battalion was destined to par-
ticipate soon in more serious and bloody warfare than it had
been engaged in during the whole of its military career.

Just at this time General Morgan had invaded Indiana
and Ohio, and it very soon developed that the result would
probably be the capture of his entire force unless something
was done to relieve him of the embarrassing position by which
he was surrounded. What I am about to state on this subject
is information derived from Colonel Scott. Seeing the posi-
tion of General Morgan in Ohio, it was determined to organ-
ize a movement from East Tennessee for his relief, and to
that end a cavalry force from Chattanooga, another force
from the Cumberland Gap section and a third force from
Bristol were to be pushed forward into Kentucky with all
possible speed to the relief of Morgan, unite the three columns
at Lexington, and if necessary to relieve General Morgan, to
make a descent upon Cincinnati. The Fifth North Carolina
Battalion was brigaded with the First Louisiana, Tenth Con-
federate (Alabama) and the Fifth Tennessee, all under the
command of Colonel Scott, of the First Louisiana Cavalry.
Unfortunately, Major A. H. Baird was stricken down with
a very severe attack of typhoid fever and was unable to be
moved, much less accompany the battalion on a long and
onerous expedition, and had to be left in the hospital at Fin-
castle.

INTO KENTUCKY.

The battalion was placed under command of Captain Lusk,

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

276 Norra Carortina Troops, 1861-’65.

Captain of Company A. After the column started and had
gotten well on its mission towards Lexington, news of the
eapture of General Morgan’s command was received at head-
quarters and couriers sent to recall the expedition. The
courier sent with the dispatch for Scott’s Brigade never
reached his destination, being either killed or captured by the
“bushwhackers.” In perfect ignorance of the capture of
Morgan’s command in Ohio, we pressed on towards Lexing-
ton with all possible speed. The columns from upper and
lower East Tennessee being recalled, left the central column
without any support whatever. We encountered a force of
the enemy at Richmond, Kentucky, strongly posted on the
road south of the town. A sharp and spirited engagement
ensued lasting from early in the morning until noon, in which
the whole brigade was engaged. The enemy was finally
routed, many being captured and killed. The Fifth Bat-
talion was actively engaged in this battle, maintaining an 1m-
portant position on the left flank of our line and finally par-
ticipating in the charge that routed the enemy from their
strong position and drove them through the town and across
the Kentucky river. Without halting to take needed rest or
reckon the casualties of battle, we pushed on in the direction
of Lexington, frequently coming in collision with detach-
ments of the enemy, expecting every hour to hear from the
Chattanooga column at the common rendezvous. J ust before
reaching the city we observed a great cloud of rising dust,
such as is generally produced by a moving squadron of cav-
alry, and thought full surely it was the expected column, and
every moment looked for the arrival of a courier with a dis-
patch announcing the approach of the expected reinforce-
ments. Just at this time we were fired upon by a detachment
of the enemy’s outposts. Shots were exchanged, and the
horse of the vedette killed and himself captured. We after-
wards found in the soldier’s pocket a Cincinnati newspaper
containing a full account of the capture of General Morgan
and his command. This was the first information we had

received of the surrender of Morgan, but this was not the

worst news we received from the captured vedette. We were
told by him that we were confronted by 12,000 Federal

Firta Batration. 277

eavalry and mounted infantry, and in proof of his statement
he pointed to the great cloud of rising dust plainly visible on
the horizon off to our left flank. This was a condition not to

. be envied; our force did not exceed 1,500 all told—tired men

and jaded horses; two hundred miles from our lines in an
enemy’s country, confronted by a force many times as strong
as our own and a force of unknown proportions lurking in our
rear ready to assail us at the first opportunity, with the cer-
tain knowledge that no succor was available, the strrounding
prospects were anything but pleasing. To engage such a
force in open conflict was like sheer nonsense, and would cer-
tainly have resulted in the annihilation of the entire com-
mand, then and there. True, we might have enriched the
world’s history by a display of heroic splendor commensurate
with that of Leonidas and his invincible band of three hun-
dred Spartans who facing Xerxes’ army of a million of Per-
sian soldiers, yielded up their lives in the narrow pass of
Thermopylex rather than retreat, or by emulating the charge
of the “Light Brigade” that rode down into the “Valley of
Death” at Balaklava. The result would have been the same.
Leonidas’ display at Thermopylz has enriched the pages of
the world’s history with an act of unparalleled heroism and
bravery, and still the Persian army invaded Greece. The
world of modern chivalry applauds the bravery of the “Six
Hundred” who boldly rode “into the jaws of death” at Bala-
klava, and yet the Crimean war did not end a day sooner.
That little band of tired and hungry Confederate soldiers
drawn up in line of battle along the Lexington and Winches-
ter pike possessed all the courage and bravery necessary to
have made that “dark and bloody ground” as memorable in
the history of the world as that of Thermopyle or Balaklava.
They had the courage to do and die—they were Confederate
soldiers. Discretion is said to be the better part of valor,
and it seemed to prevail on this occasion. To risk a battle
with a force ten times the strength of our own would have
been inexcusable folly. We might have hurled our tired and
exhausted squadron of 1,500 famished soldiers and jaded
horses against the cohorts of the enemy, but it would have
been to us what the sunken road of Ohain was to the French

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

278 Nort Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

cuirassiers at Waterloo—a burial ground. While we might
have covered ourselves with glory, still the cause for which we
fonght would not have been advanced in the least. Observa-
tions of military men of modern education is that one live sol-
dier is worth a whole battalion of dead ones.

“For he that fights and runs away
May turn and fight another day ;
But he that is in battle slain

Will never rise to fight again.”’

RETREAT.

We knew the struggle must come sooner or later; that the
enemy flushed with victory and outnumbering us ten to one,
would not suffer us to retreat unmolested. Our horses had
subsisted on little more than green fodder for three days,
while the men had had nothing to eat but green corn snatched
from the stalks and hastily roasted. Night was coming on
and we hoped during that time to find some sheltered position
where the jaded horses and tired soldiers might find the much
needed rest and refreshment. Retreat was inevitable, if in
fact, it were possible.

The Fifth Battalion under command of Captain Lusk, was
ordered to the rear to cover the retreat, and the head of the
column turned in direction of Winchester. Before reach-
ing Winchester, the advance of the enemy was firing on the
rear guard, while the main force was plainly visible pressing
forward with great vigor and in force. We passed through
the town under a sharp fire from the enemy just as night set
tled down. A fight was inevitable. The Fifth Battalion
and the Tenth Confederate were thrown across the country
road east of the town and took up a position on top of a hill,
the North Carolinians holding the right of the line and the
Tenth Confederate the left, with orders to check the advance
of the enemy.

Tn front of the Fifth Battalion was a cultivated field from
which the rye had recently been cut and stood thick in large
shocks on the ground. The men had been dismounted and
ordéred to take shelter behind these rye shocks which offered
a kind of breastworks. We did not have long to wait. The
enemy very soon appeared in the field below our position and

Fiera Batra.ion. 279

opened a vigorous fire, which was returned all along our line.
By this time it was very dark and impossible to locate the en-
emy except by the flash of their guns, or to ascertain how nu-
merous the force was in front of us. The enemy was doing
a vast amount of shooting, but owing to the fact that our
horses were beyond the top of the hill and the men protected
behind the rye shocks, very little, if any damage, was being
done. Owing to the darkness, it was impossible to ascertain
the effects of our resistance. The fighting was kept up into
the night and the enemy made no attempt to force our posi-
tion from the front, but we discovered a flank movement on
our right which we were unable to check. This forced us to
abandon our position in the rye field and fall back on the road
in the direction of Irvine. The night was intensely dark and
to add hardships and discomfort to the already almost insuf-
ferable condition, a heavy rainstorm set in and continued
throughout the entire night. Owing to the darkness and
storm it was for a time supposed that the eneray would be
content to remain under shelter in Winchester until morning.
The expectation was not realized. Notwithstanding the in-
tense darkness of the night and the steady downpour of rain,
the enemy pressed vigorously on our rear guard, keeping up
a desultory fire all night long. Owing to the darkness, it was
impossible to preserve anything like a military organization
of the forces composing the rear guard; one could not know
who was before or behind; when to advance or when to fall
back; whether your file leader was an officer or a private;
whether you were firing on a friend or a foe, or whether the
shot intended for the enemy might not kill a friend. There
was a general mix-up of commands——friends and foes, Fed-
erals and Confederates. Occasionally forces got so badly
mixed that it was impossible to tell of a certainty whether one
was with his own command or whether he was with the Yan-
kees. ;

Notwithstanding the seriousness of the situation, some
amusing incidents oceurred which might have been funny
under more favorable circumstances, one of which will gerve
to illustrate the situation. The enemy had just fired a vol-
ley, seemingly at close range. A soldier at my side railed

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

280 Nort Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

out an oath to quit such foolishness; that they were shooting
their own men. ‘‘What command is this?’ he inquired, and
being informed that it was the Fifth North Carolina Battal-
ion of cavalry, exclaimed: ‘By -———, boys, I’m in the
wrong command,” broke ranks and sped away. As he dashed
away he left a pressing invitation to return the visit. Those
of us who lived through the scenes of that awful night will
never live long enough to blot it from their memory. The
raging storm, the blackness of the night, the crashing thunder,
the flashing lightning, the drenching rain, the roaring artil-
lery, the bursting shells and the constant rattle of the enemy’s
small arms, the heroic efforts of the brave, tired, famished
and drenched soldiers to beat back the aggressive enemy, will
never pass from the memory of those who lived through it all.
The horses of many of the soldiers had either been killed or
disabled, while many others had given out by sheer exhaus-
tion, and the brave riders, nothing daunting; were with the
column trudging along the muddy road on foot always in line
to face the enemy. The slain were left where they fell, while
those of the wounded who could ride were mounted, and
those who could not were thrust into a stuffy ambulance and
sent forward, some to die, and others to fall into the hands
of the enemy. This was war—cruel, heartless, relentless
war, that crushes all love of humanity and sympathy out of
the hearts of men. War, that mad game the world so loves
to play. Daylight dawned upon us somewhere on the road
midway between Winchester and Irvine after an all-night’s
fight, without a morsel to eat, either for man or beast, as wet
as a driving storm could make us, not a dry thread on us, and
confronted by an enemy seemingly as vigilant as they were
the preceding night. I had notified the Colonel command-
ing that I must have reinforcements, that my command had
been fighting all night, and was so exhausted that it was im-
possible for them to hold the enemy in check mneh longer.
In response I received as reinforcements a detachment of the
Fifth Tennessee and two pieces of artillery with orders to
hold the enemy in check at all hazards. I subsequently as-
certained that during the night the enemy had succeeded in
throwing a force in our rear south of the Kentucky river in

Fiero Battalion. 281

the hope of cutting off our retreat at Irvine. This force had
to be disposed of before the main force of the enemy reached
that point. This force was successfully attacked and de-
feated, losing eighty prisoners, a battery and many horses.
The Fifth Battalion was not in this engagement, being other-
wise engaged with the enemy on the main road leading to
Winchester. We had taken up a position on a hill close to a
church, while the battery was stationed on another hill in
our rear and on the opposite bank of a creek with high banks.
The ereek or river or whatever it might be called, was swollen
and out of banks. The stream was crossed by a wooden
bridge, floored with loose planks. Our position seemingly
was impregnable. Our line was formed along the top of a
hill behind a rail fence, which the soldiers had torn down and
constructed into hasty breastworks. The horses had been re-
moved to a sheltered position on the other side of the creek.
The enemy soon attacked us both with artillery and mus-
ketry. Our battery replied while our men behind the rail
pile greeted them with a well directed volley from their rifles.
The fight lasted from early in the morning until the middle
of the forenoon, when we were ordered to fall back to avoid a
flank movement by the enemy on our left. We tore up the
plank on the bridge and threw it into the stream and fell back
on the main road in the direction of Irvine.

BATTLE NEAR IRVINE.

The topography of the country lying between the place
where we had the last fight at the creek and Irvine is uneven,
rough and mountainous. North of Irvine (just how far is
not known) a range of mountains run at right angles to the
main road along which we were falling back. The main road
followed a narrow valley for quite a distance with cleared
fields on both sides of the road extending up on the sides of
the mountains. This valley culminated at a low gap in the
mountain through which the main road passes to Irvine,
flanked by a high mountain on both sides of the gap. The
valley is also flanked by high mountains on both sides. While
there were cleared fields on both sides of the valley, extending
well up on the sides of the mountains, a lane fence constructed

 
 

 

 

oettiemeariinieeie ae -

282 Nort Caroiina Troops, 1861-65.

with heavy rails and staked and ridered extended for a consid-'
erable distance north from the low gap. The Tenth Confed-
erate had been ordered to the front and its place supplied by
the Fifth Tennessee, and with the exchange of forces ordered
to hold this low gap. The Fifth North Carolina was posted
on the right and the Tennesseeans on the left. A short dis-
tance north of the apex of the gap and on the right of the road
a deep ravine or hollow extended down the mountain to the
lane, and inside of the high fence. This ravine afforded an
excellent protection for the men and horses. The fence was
torn down and the battalion filed: into the mouth of the ravine,
dismounted and took position along the top of the elevatiou
in front. The Tennesseeans were not so well protected, how-
ever, but owing to obstructions in their front, the position was

_thought to be almost impregnable insomuch as the high moun-

tains on our flanks made it impossible for the enemy to force
us back by a flank movement, as they had been doing all the
preceding night and morning. By the time we got well into
position the enemy was in sight down the valley. This was
the first time we had had an opportunity to see the enemy in
force. From our elevated position we could see for some con-
siderable distance down the valley. It was a scene not to be
forgotten especially by that little handful of half starved and
bedraggled Confederate soldiers posted along the top of that
hill awaiting the coming struggle. The storm of the night
had passed and the bright sun shed its loving rays upon friend
and foe. The enemy had discovered our position and like a
gathering storm wheeled into line. To the soldier the evolu-
tion was a premonition of the coming struggle, a precursor of
battle; to the scholar, it was a suggestion of the hosts of Sen-
nacherib “Like the leaves of the forest when the summer is
green.”

Soon a battery of artillery got into position and opened a
vigorous shelling on our position, directed principally against
the ‘position occupied by the Fifth Tennessee on the left of
our line. The cannonading continued for an hour or more,
and so far as doing any damage to us might have continued
until the close of the war—our position was bomb-proof. This
fact the enemy soon discovered and made preparations for

FirraH BaAtrtration. 283

another and more aggressive attack: Our artillery had been
sent to the front to assist in clearing the pass at Irvine, and

- up to this time we had not fired a shot, not being in rifle

range. The enemy’s battery ceased firing and a heavy cav-
alry force was thrown forward and commenced a rapid move-
ment up the valley. It was clear they were making prepara-
tions to charge our position. The enormous squadrons be-
ganarapid move. Then was witnessed a fearful sight. All
this vast host of cavalry with sabers drawn that flashed in the
early sunlight of the morning like shafts of light on the pol-
ished sky, banners waving, bugles sounding that well known
note that has sent dismay into the ranks since men learned the
art of war, there was no mistaking the meaning of the move-
ment. It was clear to every one that the little handful of
Confederates could not withstand the mighty onset of that
vast host. But what was to be done? We had been ordered
to hold this position, and every one who has served as a sol-
dier knows what this meant. I tried to take in the awful sit-
uation. To stand still was certain death or capture. There
are times in battle when the soul hardens a man, even to
change the soldier into a statue and all his flesh becomes as
granite. This condition seemed to have come to the men who
stood along that hill-top with their rifles firmly grasped await-
ing the onslaught. Not a murmur fell from a single lip; not
a hand trembled, and not a cheek blanched. There were no
weak souls or cowards there. Not a man flinched from the
pending suicide. The road was full far as we could see.
The cleared fields on both sides of the lane fence were
crowded with the enemy’s cavalry pressing forward. When
in range each man rose up and discharged his rifle full in the
face of the charging squadron. On they came unchecked by
the effort of the brave men in front. In front of the North
Carolinians was an abrupt rise on the surface running down
to the main road. This obstruction forced a right oblique
movement into the main road at the terminus of the ravine.

DEFEAT AND DISASTER.

Our line was broken and the position of the Tennesseeans
on the left of the road was completely enveloped by the enemy.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

284 Norta Carortina Troops, 1861-’65.

If we had ever had an idea of abandoning our position this
movement made it utterly impossible. The road at the
mouth of the ravine was closed by a compact mass of the en-
emy, on our right was a high mountain, while the open space
to our left and the road to our rear was all in the possession
of the enemy in great force. The situation presented three
possibilities—surrender, stand up and be shot down by an
enfilading fire, or cut our way through the mass of the enemy
in our rear. It may have been foolhardy, but we chose the
latter. Only a moment and every trooper was in the saddle.
I shall never forget to the day of my death the scene of that
moment. Each soldier seemed to be impressed with the mo-
mentousness of the task before him and rose to the sublimity
of a hero. Owing to the narrowness of the gorge, it was im-
possible to charge in line of battle, and the column was formed
by left wheel into column of fours. Forward! Trot!! Gal-
lop!!! Charge!!!! Down that narrow gorge dashed the
Fifth North Carolina Battalion of Cavalry, riding at full
speed to attack an enemy ten to one, riding right into the jaws
of death. We had to pass out of the mouth of the gorge
through that broken down fence. On dashed the squadron
over loose stones in the bottom of the gorge, the clash and
clang of the empty scabbards, the mighty force behind that
forced forward the front ranks. The head of the column
struck the broken gap in the fence and scattered the heavy
rails right and left like a great projectile impelled by some
mighty force. The head of the column struck the left flank
of the enemy. It was a sudden plunge into a vortex of
gleaming sabres and glittering carbines; a hand-to-hand
struggle; a scene never to be forgotten when this fiery mass
of living valor rolled upon the unyielding foe; rider and
horse, friend and foe went down together like stubble before
a consuming fire. I never knew how many of the battalion
were killed and captured in this unequal contest. I know
that the company (A) that I commanded went into the fight
with 110 strong, and only 13 answered at roll-call the follow-
ing night. I was mounted on a thoroughbred Kentucky horse,
said to have been the horse ridden by General Zollicoffer at
the battle of Fishing Creek. He was a horse of wonderful

Fiera eee oe mone Rinne Pare oem IMA Rp ee DEORE TR RETR ET REE THESE IT POEM

mee

Firra Batra.ion. 285

strength, speed and intelligence. The report of firearms and
the smell of gunpowder made him furious. How to avoid cap-
ture was the absorbing question. I knew that unless they
could overcome the power of my horse they could not get me;
and I left him free to take care of himself. Men and horses
went down before him as if struck by an avalanche. I have
often wondered why I was not killed nor my horse. The
forces were so mixed that firearms could not be used without
danger of killing friend instead of foe is the only solution.
I reached the main top of the hill and as I turned down on
the other side, a horse had been shot and fallen across the
road, and just as my horse made an effort to leap over the
prostrate horse, it made an effort to rise and tripped my horse.
We both went down into the soft mud together. Just then
Lieutenant Keebler came up and seeing my condition, ex-
claimed, “My God! Captain Lusk is killed.” But I was not,
though it looked very much like it. I pulled myself out of
the mud, assisted by horse to rise, remounted amid a shower
of minie balls and rode away solitary and alone to rejoin the
command at Irvine.

This disaster annihilated for the time the entire rear guard.
I do not know just how far it was from the battle ground to
the Kentucky river, but I do know that from the place where
my horse fell in the road to just before reaching the river I
never saw a single soldier except the ones who were shooting
atme. Just before reaching the river I was met by a detach-
ment of the First Louisiana Regiment, together with a num-
ber of soldiers from other commands, posted in the road north
of the river. Having met no resistance since the fight at the
Gap of the mountain, the enemy was recklessly pressing for-
ward, deeming it unnecessary to respect the small detachment
stationed in the road and never halting a moment to ascer-
tain whether it was convenient for us to move out of the way
or whether it was more prudent for them to return, but
charged pell-mell right in among us. The forces engaged
were small, but the fighting was desperate. A thought of
this fight in after years always brings with it a reflection of
sadness. I never during the whole war with cool deliberation
shot one of my fellow men. If I ever killed a man during

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

286 Norta Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

the war I am ignorant of the fact. On this occasion, how-
ever, I came nearer doing so than at any time during my
whole experience as a soldier. One of the enemy, a cavalry-
man, with deliberate aim, had just shot down right by my
side one of the Louisiana cavalry. I saw the blood gush from
his mouth. He fell forward on his horse and with a groan
fell to the ground. Some how the sight so affected me
that I lost sight of the fact that the same man was in close
proximity with a deadly revolver in his hand bent on a mis-
sion of death to others. I raised my eyes to look right into
the muzzle of a gleaming pistol barrel. His horse plunged
forward and he missed his intended victim. I was next at
the score with a Colt’s navy. If the poor man is not dead he
certainly is a pensioner on account of wounds received in bat-
tle. I have always regretted this episode in my war expe-
rience, but I console my feelings when I reflect that he had
made it necessary for one of us to conclude our military op-
erations for a time at least. It was a fight to the death.
Those of the enemy who were left alive discovered their mis-
take and beat a quick retreat to the main body of the enemy.
By the time we got across the river close by, the enemy fairly
swarmed on the opposite bank. The enemy was on one side of
the river and we were on the other. We had a battery of four
guns, two howitzers and two rifle pieces, captured from the en-
emy in Powell’s Valley. Our battery took up a position on an
eminence south of the town, while the enemy occupied a posi-
tion on the north of the river. An artillery duel was kept
up until the middle of the afternoon, the enemy occupying
one bank of the river and our force occupying the other bank.
Our force was finally withdrawn in order to avoid a flanking
column on our right and fell back in the direction of Lancas-
ter. We saw no more of the enemy until about midnight,
when we were again attacked in force, and a fight kept up all
the remainder of the night. The next morning about sun
up, it became necessary to check the enemy and a stand was
made at a place somewhere between Lancaster and Mt. Ver-
non, Ky.
CAPTURED.

Just at what place the fight took place, or what was the

Frrru Batraion. 287

final result of the fight, I never knew. I had rallied
the remnant of the Fifth North Carolina Battalion, which
together with detachments from other commands, constituted
the rear guard. Just at daylight the rear guard was charged
by an overwhelming force of the enemy and my horse shot
dead under me. In the fall one of my feet was pinned down
and before I was able to extricate myself, I was surrounded
and captured. Here my connection with the Fifth Battalion
ceased. I was never with the command afterwards, as I re-
mained in prison until the close of the war, during which
time (two years) I was imprisoned in six common jails and
one penitentiary. The principal part of the imprisonment,
however, was on Johnson’s Island, in Lake Erie, off San-
dusky, Ohio. The incidents connected with the two years
of imprisonment during the war would form an interesting
chapter in this narrative, but as I am dealing with the history
of the Fifth North Carolina Battalion of Cavalry, the narra-
tive must stop here so far as I am concerned.*

ESCAPE OF FIFTEEN MEN.

From C. T. Garrett, of Hot Springs, N. C., First Lieuten-
ant of Company A, who took command of the battalion as
senior officer after my capture in Kentucky, and remained
with the battalion until after the consolidation, I have learned
the following facts connected with the history of the remnant
of the battalion that survived the Kentucky expedition. Pre-
ceding the fight at Mt. Vernon, and subsequent to the capture
of Captain Lusk, Lieutenant Garrett rallied the survivors of
the battalion, amounting in all to fifteen men, and was as-
signed to the command of the rear guard, as the senior officer
of the battalion. The enemy fairly swarmed in all direc-
tions. Every converging road seemed to be held by a strong
force of the enemy. Driven back on one road, they would
appear in force on the flank. ‘Thus the fight was kept up for
some time against a greatly superior force, until finally a
strong force of the enemy succeeded in getting between Lieu-

*Colonel John S. Scott’s interesting report will be found in 34 Off.
Rec Union and Confed. Armies 839—842 wherein he names Captain
Virgil S. Lusk among those he thanks for ‘‘most gallant conduct.”—Ep,

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

288 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

tenant Garrett and the main column of the Confederates, thus
severing the rear guard completely from the main command.
Not being of sufficient force to cut their way through the
enemy’s lines, they were forced to withdraw to the side of a
steep mountain to escape capture. An effort was made to
flank the enemy and make their way to the command, then
engaged with the enemy in what appeared to be a bloody bat-
tle somewhere in the vicinity of Crab Orchard. This effort
was found to be impossible, as the whole country was overrun
with the enemy in all directions. Our forces were driven
back in the direction of Rockeastle river, and all hope of re-
gaining the command was, therefore, made impossible. A hur-
ried counsel was held. One of two alternatives was inevita-
ble: either surrender or fight their way back to our lines along
the Cumberland Mountain, fifty miles away and through an
enemy’s country. Viewed.in any light the situation was a
desperate one. Between them and the brigade was the whole
force of the enemy, while between them and the Cumberland
Mountains was a foe more dangerous than an army with ban-
ners—that irregular force known to the army as “bushwhack-
ers”—always on the alert, and doubly so on this occasion.
Tt was known that the brigade had passed through this sec-
tion only a few days previous, and the whole country was
aroused and on the lookout for our return. This section of
Kentucky was intensely union in sentiment, and nearly every
man in it was either a regular soldier, or a self-constituted
soldier, ready for battle at a minute’s notice. They were
thoroughly organized, and while they were not always a com-
pact organization in a body, the discharge of a gun, the blast
of a horn, or the flash of a rocket in the sky at night, would
bring together a military force, armed with the deadly Ken-
tucky rifle, ten times the strength of the little band grouped
on the mountain side discussing what was best to be done.
While they talked in whispers they saw the enemy hurrying
by along the country road, in the valley below, “and swiftly
forming in the ranks of war,” while in the distance could be
heard the boom of the cannon as the battle raged on the dis-
tant plain. When the vote was taken not a single voice was
heard for surrender, but all were unanimous in the resolve

Frrru Batra ion. 289

to fight their way to our lines south of the Cumberland Moun-
tains. With this resolve firmly fixed in their minds they
started on their perilous journey. Famished soldiers, and
broken down horses, their retreat was necessarily slow—slow
because they were physically unable to make it rapid; slow
because the safety of the detachment made it necessary to ex-
amine every defile and turn in the road to make sure it did
not conceal a deadly enemy. Learning that the crossing of
the Cumberland river was guarded by the enemy, the detach-
ment effected a crossing below the town of Barboursville, and
after three days ceaseless toil and constant vigils, the detail
ment reached our lines at Big Creek Gap. Just one week
previous the same men had marched through this narrow de-
file with buoyant hopes and animated expectations. Now be-
hold the return; starved and emaciated soldiers, with torn
and soiled uniforms, hatless, coatless, and blanketless. Some
of the detachment were mounted on impoverished horses that
limped along the mountain defile, with flopping ears and
drooping head, while others were so famished that they were
unable to carry the tired soldier on their festering backs, and
were allowed to stagger along as best they could, panting be-
neath the scorching rays of a July sun, while the hiner
owner trudged along the weary way footsore and tired. Such
was the return of the Fifth North Carolina Battalion of Cav-
alry, fifteen strong, all told, which one week previous had
marched out over the same roads with five full companies, as
fine looking a body of soldiers as could be found in any cont.
mand of the army. Thus terminated one of the hardest, and
for the numbers engaged, one of the bloodiest canipaipns of
the war. I never knew how many we lost in this campaign.
I read an account in a Cincinnati paper which purported to
give an account of the several engagements, and that fixed the
killed and captured at seven hundred. TI do not intend to
convey the idea that fifteen men were all that was left of the
battalion after the return of the brigade from Kentucky. It
is presumed that some of the men clung to the main force, and
in this way returned to their several companies; while share

ae in the hospital or on detail, while still others, were

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

290 Norra Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

absent on leave and detached service. Judging from the de-
pleted ranks of Company A, it will be safe to say, that less
than fifty men of the battalion returned from the expedi-
tion. The battalion halted at Big Creek Gap only long
enough to feed and rest their tired and starving horses, and
refresh the men with something to sustain the inner man, to
which they had been strangers for the last full week, then
pushed on rapidly as possible and reported to General Pegram
at Maryville, south of Tennessee river, and was ordered toe
Concord to recuperate. The recuperation was of short dura-
tion. It was apparent at this time that the enemy was pre-
paring a forward movement into East Tennessee, as well as
all along the front, bordering the Kentucky line, and it be-
came necessary to utilize all the cavalry force at the com-
mand of the army to watch the movements of the enemy
along the Cumberland river and the eastern Cumberland
Mountain range. The fragment of the Fifth Battalion
slightly increased by this time in numerical strength, under
Lieutenant Garrett was ordered to the front to do outpost
duty along the border of Kentucky; to watch the enemy in
that vicinity, and keep the General in command of the De-
partment of East Tennessee posted as to their movement.

The Battalion did not have long to wait.
JACKSBORO.

The enemy threw a strong force across the Cumberland
Mountain at Big Creek Gap. The battalion hastened across
the mountain and intercepted the enemy at Jacksboro, and
together with the Tenth Confederate Regiment and a Ten-
nessee Regiment attacked the enemy on the road between
Jacksboro and Clinton. A sharp engagement ensued. The en-
emy greatly outnumbered the Confederate forces, and the lat-
ter fell back in the direction of Kingston. The Federal forces
crossed Clinch river above Clinton and went in the direction
of Knoxville, while the Confederates erossed the Clinch be-
low Clinton and fell back on Kingston, where a junction was
formed with the remainder of the brigade, which continued
to fall back on the East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad.
This movement brought on a fight, which was kept up until

i
|
t
;
:

aise eee roe

FirrH Batra.ion. 291

the brigade crossed the Tennessee river at Loudon and de
stroyed the bridge at that place. The Confederates were on
one side of the river and the Federals were posted on the other
side. A fine opportunity was afforded for an artillery duel
ACTrOss the river which lasted for several hours. The Fifth
Battalion was under fire during the entire cannonading. Here
Major Baird, who had been down with a severe attack of
typhoid fever, appeared and took command of the battalion

which continued to fall back in the direction of Chicka-
mauga. A stand was made at Pea Ridge, and a fierce fight
took place between Scott’s Brigade and a brigade of the ee
emy’s mounted infantry, which lasted all the afternoon and
into the night, when the enemy retreated in confusion. The

Fifth Battalion partici i i
pated in this battl i
great courage and bravery. ee es

ORGANIZATION OF SIXTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.

Here a must take leave of the Fifth North Carolina Bat-
talion of Cavalry, as it goes off the roster as a separate organ-
ization in the military service of the Confederate Ann
being merged into the Sixth Regiment of Cavalry on 8 ie
gust, 1863, by the consolidation of the Fifth Battalion with
Lieutenant-Colonel Folk’s Seventh Battalion. I was not con-
tent to leave the reputation of the brave officers énd private
soldiers who fought by my side during the trying scenes of
that bloody struggle and shared with me the hardshi s of th ,
campaigns of the late war, to the pen of any one a k :
not “ gots deeds and heroic bearing of the men mente
ing the Fifth Battalion of Cavalry. ee
fifth North Carolina (Sixth Orlin). a Th ‘Secten
participated in the great battle of Chickamauga slide the
command of Colonel Folk, and bore themselves with be va
ing bravery and soldierly bearing through the thickest f the
battle. After that battle the regiment was dispatched ‘e ths

assistance of General Longstreet in hi ; ;
Knoxville. ngstreet in his campaign against

PHILADELPHIA, TENN.

At Philadelphia, Tenn., a blood
I Sy y encounter took
between the Sixty-fifth and the enemy’s forces under ee

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

292 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

mand of General Wolford. Lieutenant Garrett, in command
of what used to be Company A of the Fifth Battalion, with a
detachment from other companies composing the old Fifth
Battalion, was sent forward to locate the enemy, supposed to
be posted on a different road than that along which the main
column was marching. It was soon discovered that the en-
emy was posted on the main route in front of the Confederate
forces. The Confederates immediately charged and routed
the enemy which made an effort to escape by ie other road,
and in so doing got between Lieutenant Garrett s detachment
and the Confederate column. Upon discovering the situa-
tion the little detachment turned upon the enemy when :
bloody fight ensued in which many were killed and wounde

on both sides. In this fight Lieutenant Garrett s horse was
killed and himself captured. He remained in prison on
Johnson’s Island until the close of the war. What was left
of the old Fifth Battalion followed the Sixt y-fifth Regiment
into Eastern North Carolina, where they remained until dis:
banded at the close of the war. In concluding this narrative
of the battalion it is a source of regret that T am not able to
award to each officer and private soldier his full meed of
merit, but I will say that no braver band of soldiers ever be-
strode a steed or drew a saber on any battlefield in any cause,
than those who fought in the Fifth North Carolina Battalion

of Cavalry. Virer. 8. Lusk.

AsnEvittez, N. C.,
26 April, 1901.

Aspro 2 ENON PRN Y RETR IIA BALIN RH TET MORI

pRSee Tet

SIXTH BATTALION.

(ARMORY GUARDS. )

By M. P. TAYLOR, Major.

The Sixth Battalion or “Armory Guard,” was stationed
at the Fayetteville arsenal and armory during the war be-
tween the States. It consisted of seven companies.

THE ARSENAL.

It may be well to give a brief sketch of the Fayetteville
arsenal and armory as a matter of historical record, touching
the construction of the various buildings, as there is not a
vestige of them left, having been totally destroyed by General
Sherman on his famous march through the Carolinas. The
Fayetteville arsenal and armory were located on what is

known as “Haymount,” which overlooks the historic old city

of Fayetteville. They were constructed by the United States
Government previous to the war, under the immediate super-
vision of Mr. William Bell as architect, but in charge of vari-
ous army officers of high distinction as commandants of the
post. It was one of the loveliest spots anywhere in the South,
and was very often visited by strangers from various States
and greatly admired. Conspicuous octagonal high brick and
stone towers were located at the four corners of the enclosure,
while symmetrical walls and massive iron railing and heavy
iron gates surrounded the premises. Handsome two-story
brick and stone buildings for officers’ quarters and the accom-
modation of the troops adorned the front and sides, while
in the centre, rear and both sides were large, commodious
buildings used for the storing of small arms, fixed ammuni-
tion, commissary and quartermaster supplies. In the centre

Norg.—This Battalion though numbered ‘‘Sixth’’ in Moore’s Roster was
never thus officially designated, but was styled the “Armory Guards.”
There was a Battalion officially designated as the Sizth Battalion which
was increased and became the Sixtieth Regiment. There was another

Sixth Battalion (Reserves) which became part of the Seventieth Reg-
iment —Ep.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

294 Norru Carotina Troops, 1861-665.

of the enclosure were the gun carriage and machine shops—
the former with Mr. T. S. Barrett as superintendent, who had
served the United States Government formerly at “Old Point
Comfort” for a number of years before the war, while in the
rear part of this enclosure was a large rifle factory, contain-
ing all of the rifle works brought from Harper’ 8 Ferry, bee
ginia, and handsome frame dwellings for various officers
quarters. With the exception of these last, all the build-
ings were constructed of brick, trimmed with stone. Mr.
Bell continued during the entire war as architect of all build-
ings, and was a Scotchman of national reputation.

Some one hundred yards from the rifle factory, were two
large brick magazines for storage of powder and fixed ammu-
nition.

Captain J. A. J. Bradford, U. S. A., was in command at
the opening of hostilities. He resigned from the United
States Army and was made Colonel of the Tenth North Car-
olina Regiment (First Artillery). In 1863, I think it was,
he was taken desperately ill and died, and was buried with

military honors by the battalion in the rear of the arsenal
buildings at his particular request. I had the honor of com-

manding the escort.

ITS SURRENDER.

There was stationed at the post, under command of Lieu-
tenant J. A. DeLagnel, a company of United States artillery,
who held the post up to the day, when by order of Governor
John W. Ellis, General Walter Draughon in command of the
State militia was ordered to take possession of the arsenal.
General Draughon gathered his forces, consisting of the Fay-
etteville Independent Light Infantry company, under com-
mand of Major Wright Huske; the LaFayette Light In-
fantry, under command of Captain Joseph B. Starr, and ap
ganized other companies from “Cross Creek,” “Flea Hill,
“Rockfish” and “Quewhif_le” districts, representing branches
of the artillery, cavalry and infantry service, numbering in
all about 500 men. General Draughon ascended the hill and
halted his command just outside of the arsenal enclosure, and
made a formal demand for the surrender of this property 10

Srxra Barration. 295

the name of His Excellency John W. Ellis, Governor of the
State.

Lieutenant DeLagnel accompanied General Draughon
where he could make an inspection of his command, when the
following conversation took place between himself and the
famous old “Captain Bulla:” Lieutenant DeLagnel halted
in front of Captain Bulla’s command and remarked to the
Captain that he seemed to have arms but no ammunition,
whereupon Captain Bulla ran his hands in both pockets of
his pants, pulling out buckshot and powder horns and exhib-
ited them to him. Said Lieutenant DeLagnel: ‘Are these
all the men you have to capture my battery and the arsenal ?”
“No,” said Captain Bulla, “the woods is full of them.”

Lieutenant DeLagnel having satisfied himself that any ef-
fort on his part of resistance would be fruitless, surrendered
without the firing of a gun, except the salute by his battery
on hauling down the United States flag. Lieutenant De-
Lagnel with his command, marched out of the enclosure with
their small arms and equipments, and the State troops
marched in and took possession. The State troops were kept
on guard until the Confederate States’ forces cook charge.

Lieutenant DeLagnel took the steamer for Wilmington and
shipped by vessel for New York, where he gave up his com-
mand and resigned his United States commission. Return-
ing South he joined the Confederate Army, and was one
of the most distinguished and gallant officers in the service.
He was severely wounded, I think, at the battle of “Rich
Mountain,” in Virginia, and for two days and nights re-
mained in the woods within the enemy’s lines for fear of
being taken a prisoner and without any attention of a surgeon
to look after his wound, and it was in mid-winter, which
caused him great suffering.

Major John C. Booth was placed in command of the arse-
nal. He was also an old United States Army man, and thor-
oughly versed in ordnance duties, and was selected for the
position on that account. The task of organizing, enlarging
the buildings and adding an armory of construction, was a
gigantic undertaking. Captain Booth worked incessantly,
never considering that every day his bodily strength was

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

296 Norra CaroLina Troops, 1861-’65.

growing weaker, until he was forced to take his bed, and in a
few short months he died. He was buried with military hon-
ors by the battalion. He was an officer of marked ability, a
splendid executive officer, and was universally loved by the
entire armory force. He was promoted to the rank of Major
during his illness. On his death Captain Charles P. Bolles
assumed command until Lieutenant-Colonel J. A. DeLagnel
was placed in command, which was, I think, about three
weeks, and who only remained at the post about six months,
when he returned to the field again in Virginia. He was re-
lieved at the arsenal by Lieutenant-Colonel F. L. Childs, who
continued in command until the close of the war.

SIXTH BATTALION ARMORY GUARDS.

The companies composing this command were the ordnance
corps of fifty men and three artificers, Joseph D. Gurley,
Neill L. Monroe and Alexander McDonald. Thomas Ste
vens, an old United States army Sergeant, was appointed by
Major Booth as Ordnance Sergeant and Commissary and
Quartermaster Sergeant of the post.

The special duty of the Ordnance Corps was to perform
guard duty. It was Company A, of the battalion. Captain,
Charles P. Bolles; First Lieutenant, Samuel A. Ashe.

Company B—Captain, Armand L. DeRosset; First Lieu-
tenant, David J. Ray; Second Lieutenant, Malcolm N. Mon-
roe; Junior Second Lieutenant, John T. Ritter.

This command was organized and drilled at this post, and
constituted a part of this battalion until they were ordered to
report at Wilmington to Major-General Whiting. Captain
DeRosset left Fayetteville with 118 rank and file.

Company C-—Captain, George W. Decker; First Lieuten-
ant, Charles R. Banks; Second Lieutenant, Charles E. Rob-
erts; Junior Second Lieutenant, Alonzo Garrison. Rank
and file, 60 men.

Company D—Captain, William P. Wemyss; First Lieu-
tenant, James F. Woodward; Second Lieutenant, Samuel J.
Walton; Junior Second Lieutenant, Malcom McInnis. Rank

and file, 73 men.

SrxtH BatTAa Lion. 297

Company E—Captain, Martin VanBuren Talley; First
Lieutenant, Robert F. Epps; Second Lieutenant, William T.
Battley; Junior Second Lieutenant, James A. Ahearn. Rank
and file, 61 men.

Company F, Cavatry—Captain, James W. Strange;
First Lieutenant, R. H. Holliday; Second Lieutenant, Chris-
topher C. McMurray. Rank and file, 69 men.

This command only remained for a few months, and was
transferred to more active service, doing duty in Eastern
North Carolina from Weldon to Wilmington. Captain
Strange had commanded Company D, Nineteenth North Car-
olina Regiment (Second Cavalry).

Company G—Captain, James D. Buie; First Lieutenant,
Lauchlin W. Currie; Second Lieutenant, George W. Gates.
Rank and file, 61 men.

Francis L. Childs was Lieutenant-Colonel of the battalion,
and Matthew P. Taylor Major.

The total rank and file of this battalion was 509 men.

The battalion was as well drilled and as thoroughly disci-
plined as any command in the Confederate service.

When General Butler made his famous attack on Fort
Fisher and attempted to land his troops, all work at the arse-
nal and armory was suspended and this entire command was
sent to report to Major-General Whiting. The command
remained several days near Fort Fisher, and finding General
Butler had abandoned his purpose, this command was ordered
back to Fayetteville and work again resumed in the various
departments. The large majority of this battalion had been
in many a hard-fought battle with Lee and Jackson, but being
skilled artisans and mechanics of a high order, they were de-
tailed from their commands for this most important duty at
the arsenal and armory, but they were always ready to obey
the summons to the field.

The Confederate Government moved the Harper’s Ferry
machinery from the rifle factory there to the Fayetteville ar-
senal and armory, together with thirty-five men with their
families, with Mr. Phillip Burkhart as master armorer.
The services of these skilled workmen were highly appre-

 
 

 

 

 

298 Nort Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

ciated, as the work turned out by them was greatly needed by
the troops in the field. About 500 splendid rifles were turned
out monthly, with any amount of small arms ammunition and
numbers of heavy-size gun carriages for sea coast defenses
and many light artillery gun carriages and caissons.

As this is a matter of history, as I understand it, it will not
be amiss to give the names of these pioneers from Harper’s
Ferry who left their homes and followed the Southern flag
and cast their lot with the Southern cause. They were
patriots worthy of their names, and a roll of them should be
preserved. There were six Englismen whose names I have
been unable to get who also deserve especial mention at my
hands for similar service.

HARPER'S FERRY MEN.

James Merrick, John Hewett, Otho Hewett, Wm. Martin,
Wm. Copeland, Phillip Schayman, Wm. Nicholson, Tollect
Duke, Louis Keyser, Joe Keyser, John Schilling, John Price,
Timothy Harrington, Phillip Burkhart, Joe Burkhart, Mc-
Cloud Lewis, Jesse Graham, John Cord, Levi Decker, Thos.
Boswell, Joe Boswell, V. Talley, J. E. P. Daingerfield, Jacob
Sponcellor, Richard Clowe, Hamson Clowe, John Claspy,
Wm. Hewitt, Geo. W. Decker, Adam Brown, Jeremiah Fuss,
Geo. Fuss, Allan Fuss, Hiram Herrington, Herbert Herring-
ton, Frank Herrington, Orrie Herrington, Phillip Burkhart,
Jr. , George Burkhart, Archibald Kitzmiller, John H. Clowe,
W. H. Clowe, Rees H. Butler, Jas. Clasby, Geo. Clasby,
Benj. Price, Balden Johnson.

Sergeant Stephens deserves special mention at my hands.
He was an old United States Sergeant, and joined the South-
ern Army at great peril. He was one of the most methodical
and accurate accountants I ever knew—wrote a beautiful
hand writing, was never sick or lost a day during the four
years he was in our service.

When Lieutenant-Colonel DeLagnel was returned to the
field the command of the arsenal and armory devolved upon
me for about two months, until the arrival of Major F. L.
Childs.

Captain Bolles had been employed on the coast survey by

SixtH BaTTaLion. 299

the United States Government for many years previous to
the war, and was a man of marked ability. Since the close of
hostilities he has been employed by the United States Gov-
ernment in the Bureau of Hydrography at Washington, D. C.
Lieutenant Samuel A. Ashe was the assistant to Lieutenant-
Colonel Childs in the laboratory and had particular supervis-
ion of the magazines, testing powders and making fireworks
and ammunition. Dr. Benjamin Robinson was Surgeon
of post; T. J. Robinson, was appointed superintendent
of laboratory by reason of his long experience in that branch
of business in Washington, D. C. Captain J. E. P. Dain-
gerfield was made military storekeeper and paymaster by
Major Booth because of long experience at the arsenal and
armory at Harper’s Ferry.

Thomas ©. DeRosset acted as secretary in Colonel Child’s
office, Mr. Robert Johnson was chief clerk, and E. P. Powers
assistant to Johnson. In the military storekeeper’s office
was William J. Woodward, who was placed in the ordnance
department by Major Booth and General J. Gorgas, Chief
of the Ordnance Bureau at Richmond, and he was one of the
most efficient officers at the post. On the approach of Gen-
eral Sherman’s army, all work was, of course, suspended, and
the entire command after removing all the machinery possi-
ble, together with the large amount of supplies, were ordered
to camp at the Gulf in Moore County, and remained there
until the surrender at Greensboro, and were included in Gen-
eral Johnston’s surrender.

HISTORY OF THE ARSENAL.

Since writing the above, I have received some very valua-
ble suggestions relative to the “Old Arsenal” before the war,
and very cheerfully give them, that my report may be full
and complete in regard to this grand old place. My sketch
above written was gathered from the best information T could
obtain from those resident at Fayetteville previous to the war.

The ante bellum commandants should be in the following
order: Captain Bradford was the first commandant. The
building of the arsenal was begun in 1835 under his com-
mand. He was many years in command, and was succeeded

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

300 Norra Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

by Captain A. B. Dyer about 1853, who remained until about
1857. Captain Bradford was then returned, and, after a
brief stay, was succeeded by Captain Chas. P. Kingsbury.
Captain Kingsbury remained perhaps half a year, and was
sueceeded by Major T. T. S. Laidley, who remained until a
short time before the outbreak of the war, when Captain
Bradford was again restored ; and, the place being turned into
a military post, a company of artillery was added under com-
mand of Brevet Major Samuel Anderson, J. A. DeLagnel
being First Lieutenant.

Dyer, Kingsbury and Laidley remained on Northern side,
though Dyer and Laidley were Virginians, Kingsbury was a
Northern man by birth, though appointed as from North
Carolina. Dyer became Major-General and Chief of Ord-
nance of the United States Army during the war. Kings-
bury was Brigadier-General and Chief of General McClellan’s
Staff when McClellan had supreme command. Laidley be-
came Colonel of Ordnance, and missed becoming the head of
the department by a turn of favoritism.

On the Southern side Anderson became Chief of Artil-
lery on General Huger’s Staff, and afterwards Chief of
General R. H. Anderson’s Staff. DeLagnel, who was a ver-
itable hero, after the exciting and somewhat romantic career
already alluded to, became ~Assistant Chief of Ordnance of
the Confederacy under General J. Gorgas. DeLagnel was
the son of a San Domingo refugee, a gentleman (perhaps a
soldier) of high position, who came to this country with Col-
onel DeRussy, who settled in Louisiana. Mrs. DeLagnel
was of Petersburg, Va. Bradford, Dyer, Kingsbury and
Laidley,were men of a high order of ability and of high stand-
ing as professional soldiers. They were officers of the Ord-
nance Department, which ranked next to the Engineer De-
partment, and were therefore necessarily men who had stood
near the head, if not at the head of their classes at West

Point.
Marruew P. Taytor.

Fayerreviie, N. C.,
26 April, 1901.

SEVENTH BATTALION.

(CAVALRY. )

By THE EDITOR.

Captain George N. Folk, after serving a year as Captain
of Company D, Ninth North Carolina Regiment, resigned 9
May, 1862. On reaching home he immediately raised a bat-
talion of six companies of which he was made Lieutenant-Col-
onel, and which was officially styled the Seventh Battalion.
In the fall of 1862 it was sent to East Tennessee and was ac-
tively engaged in the duties of a cavalry command of that
much perturbed section. Many incidents of its career can not
now be recalled. On 20 November, it reported 486 present.
Vol. 30 (Serial) Off. Rec. Union and Confed. Armies, 412.
In December, 1862, it was on service in Carter County, Tenn.
In July, 1863, it was on the raid into Kentucky, Vol. 34, p.
830. The Spring of 1863 it was moving about in East Ten-
nessee and in April was reported “on scouting and outpost
duty” attached to Colonel John S. Scott’s Brigade. (Serial)
Vol. 35, p. 793, and in July was in Pegram’s Brigade, same
Vol., p. 946. On 3 August, 1863, this battalion was com-
bined with the Fifth Battalion commanded by Major A. H.
Baird. The regiment thus formed became the Sixty-fifth
North Carolina (Sixth Cavalry) of which Folk became Col-
onel and Baird Lieutenant-Colonel. The history of that reg-
iment is given in Vol. 3 of this work. The account. of the
Fifth Battalion wp to the date of its consolidation is printed
in this volume and it is to be regretted that some one of the
command could not do the same for the Seventh Battalion.

There was another Seventh Battalion (Reserves) com-
manded by Major W. Foster French, which was later merged
into the Seventy-second North Carolina. The battalion
numbered Seventh in Moore’s Roster was not so styled during
the war, and was doubtless part of Mallett’s (or Hahr’s) Bat-
talion, herein styled Nineteenth Battalion.

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EIGHTH BATTALION.

(NETHERCUTT’S PARTISAN RANGERS. )

By THE EDITOR.

This battalion began as a company of Partisan Rangers
under Captain Jno. H. Nethercutt 9 Off. Rec. Union and
Confed. Armies, 473, but was soon increased to a battalion.
Its commander, Major John H. Nethercutt, was a blunt, but
brave and enterprising officer, and his command rendered
service principally in the New Bern section. If all the
stirring incidents of its career could be told it would be a
most interesting narrative. On 20 April, 1863, it was in a
hot skirmish at Sandy Ridge, 26 (Serial) -Vol. 255. On 27
May he had 500 men, same Vol., 1074.

In August, 1863, this battalion was combined with the
Fourth (Wright’s) Battalion and some independent compa-
nies and formed the Sixty-sixth North Carolina Regiment,
of which Major Nethereutt was made Lieutenant-Colonel.
The regiment was assigned to Martin’s, afterwards Kirk-
land’s, Brigade, and its story, told by Adjutant George M.
Rose, appears in Vol. 3 of this work. On the death of Colo-
nel A. D. Moore, in front of Petersburg, Nethercutt became
Colonel and 15 March, 1865, was assigned to the command
of the brigade of Junior Reserves which he held at Benton-
ville and up to the surrender of Johnston’s army. Colonel
Nethercutt was assassinated at his home in Jones County
after the war while sitting at supper with his family by some
traitor who wished to avenge punishment received during the
war. He was a most gallant, capable officer.

There was another Kighth Battalion (Reserves) command-
ed by Major J. B. Ellington, which in January, 1865, was
merged into the Seventy-second North Carolina (Third Jun-
ior Reserves. )

The battalion given as the Highth in Moore’s Roster (Vol.
4, pp. 359-372) was officially known during the war as the
Tenth Battalion and as such its history is herein given.

 
 

NINTH BATTALION.

FRONT OF WILMINGTON N.C., (FIRST HEAVY ARTILLERY. )
in February,1865. zi

—— Union
LMINGTON PEGE MONS By T. A. McNEILL, Serceanr Company D.

1] ee

Shortly after the outbreak of the war in 1861, the Legis-
lature of North Carolina, co-operating with the Confederate
Government in defending the entrance to the Cape Fear river
and the harbor of Wilmington, passed an act authorizing the
formation of a battalion of heavy artillery, to be composed of
three companies, to man the defences then being and after-
wards that might be, constructed for the protection of the
coast and shores close to the Cape Fear bar at either the Fort
Caswell or New Inlet entrance.

One of the companies was raised by Captain, afterwards
Major Alexander McRae, of Wilmington, composed largely
of men from New Hanover, Columbus, Bladen and Robeson
counties; and its officers, at its organization, were Alexander
McRae, Captain; W. H. Brown, —. —. Ryan, A. S. Harts-
field, and afterwards John A. Gilchrist, John J. Bright and
R. P. Allen, Lieutenants. This became Company ©. The
second company was organized by Captain Charles D, Ellis,
and its members were mainly from Brunswick, Duplin and
other counties near New Hanover. _ Its officers were Charles
D. Ellis, Captain, who resigned 2 October, 1862, and Jacob
W. Taylor, promoted to be Captain in the same month, with
Z. Ellis, B. C. Bourden and Henry C. Evans, Lieutenants,
and was Company B. The other company was raised by
Captain Robert G. Rankin, of Wilmington, was recruited
mainly in New Hanover, Duplin, Cumberland and Robeson

Nore.—This Battalion was known officially as the First’ Battalion
Heavy Artillery. It is here numbered as the Ninth merely as a conven-
ience. There was a battalion which was officially known as the Ninth
(Reserves), commanded by Major D. T. Millard but when the other bat-
talions of Juniors were organized into regiments it became the First
Battalion of Reserves whose story is told herein under the head of
“Twentieth Battalion.’’

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

804 Norra Caroitina Troops, 1861-’65.

Counties. On its organization Robert G. Rankin, of Wil-
mington, was Captain, and E. S. Martin, G. W. Kidder, Wm.
Harris, David G. Robeson and A. J. Galloway were Lieuten-

ants, and in the battalion it was Company A.

The three companies were at first attached to other com-
mands, particularly the Thirty-sixth and Fortieth Regiments
(First and Second Artillery), from about April or May,
1862, and served at Wilmington or its vicinity, especially
Captain Rankin’s company. McRae’s company was from
May or April, 1862, at Fort Fisher, and Captain Ellis’ com-
mand was on duty about Smithville, and to the south of Fort
Caswell and in that vicinity from the time of its enrollment
in the spring of 1862, until some time in 1863, being under
the immediate command of Colonel John D. Taylor, Thirty-
sixth North Carolina, at Fort Campbell. Captain McRae’s
command while on duty at Fort Fisher, was attached to the
Thirty-sixth Regiment under Colonel Lamb, and engaged
there in ordinary garrison duty, instructed in infantry tac-
tics, but specially exercised in the heavy artillery manual. It
often participated in artillery duels with the blockading
squadron lying off the fort, and also often engaged in excit-
ing combats with the enemy in their efforts to intercept the
daring blockade runners bringing in great cargoes of artillery,
small arms, ammunition, provisions, and all manner of war-
like stores, seeking the cover of the guns of the fort to enter
the Cape Fear river through New Inlet.

‘A similar service was being performed at the same time
by Captain Ellis’ command at Fort Campbell, on the beach
below Fort Caswell, commanding the entrance to the western
bar. Captain McRae’s company was on duty in Wilmington
at its organization ; afterwards was sent to Fort Anderson and
remained in garrison there for some time, being drilled and
carefully exercised in the artillery manual. The government
early saw the importance of strengthening to the utmost the
approaches to the Cape Fear river by way of New Inlet and
the main bar at Fort Caswell, and in 1862 Colonel William
Lamb was put in command at Fort Fisher. This fort at that
time consisted of new and hastily constructed earth works,

unfitted in size and depth to resist powerful artillery, and

Ninto Barration. 805

this officer ordered Captain McRae’s command along with
several others, to Fort Fisher. From that den until De-
cember, 1863, under Lamb’s intelligent supervision, the com-
pany, with others, was engaged in garrison duty, drilling
mainly in the heavy artillery manual, constructing maga-
zines, bomb-proofs, traverses, curtains, casemates and in
every way aiding their efficient commander, until Fort Fisher
was almost entirely rebuilt. Powerful batteries, traverses,
palisades, covered ways and gun chambers were erected many
of these latter mounting rifled guns of English paltors, and
of great calibre, with Columbiads from the Confederate gun
works. ‘T'hese took the place of what a few months before
were straggling redoubts connected by inefficient curtains, and
mounting guns of old pattern and small calibre, many of
them mounted on ship carriages. It may be here said that it
is difficult to realize the full value of the services rendered
the Confederacy by Colonel William Lamb and the handful
of artillerists under his command in keeping open, one might
almost say, the last breathing hole of the South, after the
fall of New Orleans and the closing of the Southern
and Gulf ports by the rigid blockade of the United States
Navy. The amount of military stores, clothing, arms, artil-
lery, medicines, and often purely domestic supplies, that came
through New Inlet and over the Caswell bar into the be-
leaguered Confederacy was simply immense, and how far this
aided the doubtful struggle we may not fully know, nor to
what extent it helped the people to clothe themselves and the
troops, can not be estimated.

Under orders from General Whiting, then in command of
the Cape Fear Department, detachments from Rankin’s, Me-
Rae’s and Taylor’s companies proceeded to Smithville, N.C,
the men leaving the old companies of their own volition, and
there organized Company D, with James L. McCormick, Cap-
tain; H. C. Evans, John T. Rankin and T. M. Argo, Lieu-
tenants. The new company at once went on duty at Smith-
ville, detachments from it manning the guns at Reeve’s Point,
an earthwork on the south side of Cape Fear, opposite New
Inlet, and also swelling the garrison at Fort Anderson, some
miles higher up on the same side of the river. Company B,

20

 
 

306 Norra Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

Captain Brown, remained at Fort Fisher until late in 1864,
when it was ordered to Fort Caswell, then under Colonel
Jones, where Rankin’s company was then also on duty.

In 1863, the three companies were organized into a battal-
ion, with Alexander McRae Major, the companies being
known as Companies A, B, C and D, the last one commanded
by James L. McCormick, being formed after McRae was ap-
pointed Major, and were mustered regularly into the Con-
federate service, and known thereafter as the ‘First Battalion
of Heavy Artillery.”

This, with the Thirty-sixth and Fortieth North Carolina
Regiments, and attached companies, formed Hebert’s Bri-
gade. The officers of the battalion were Alexander McRae,
of Wilmington, Major; William Calder, Adjutant; Asa A.

- Hartsfield, Quartermaster, and R. B. Jewett, Sergeant-
Major.

Company C, at this time commanded by Captain John W.
Taylor, was stationed at Fort Campbell, being detached and
acting with the Thirty-sixth North Carolina Regiment under

Yolonel John D. Taylor, and remained on garrison duty
there until the fall of Fort Fisher in January, 1865, doing all
the while ordinary guard and picket duty, and engaged in fre-
quent combats with the enemy off the fort.

FIRST ATTACK ON FORT FISHER.

On the morning of 24 December, 1864, the huge Federal
fleet composed of iron-clads, the new Tronsides and a large
number of frigates and gun boats, accompanied by transports,
was seen in crescent-shaped order of battle off Fort Fisher,
and soon thereafter orders came directing Captain Jas. L. Mc-
Cormick to move Company D, First Battalion Heavy Artil-
lery, to Fort Fisher. Boarding the transport at Fort Cas-
well wharf and taking on other troops at Smithville, the men
landed late in the afternoon of the same day at Craig’s Land-
ing, about one mile above Fort Fisher. There they were
formed and marched towards the fort, then being heavily
bombarded, till within a few hundred yards of the works and
under fire, the command was ordered under cover of a sand
bank till nightfall. They then entered the works and at once

Ninta Barrarion, 307

were put on guard and picket duty, mounting guns and re-
placing carriages dismounted or destroyed during the day.

: eae | on the morning of 25 December, Bowles’ and Rol-
lins’ Batteries on the sea’ face of the fort or curtain extending
towards Battery Buchanan, at the extreme point on the river
which, with the “Mound Battery,” and others guarded the
entrance to New Inlet bar, were manned by Company D
On the resumption of Porter’s attack this day the guns wore
served well and steadily, with coolness and precision by the
detachments under the terrific fire to which they wont sub-
jected, the enemy, under the rain of shot and shell desiring
to take soundings of the bar and run the batteries to gain the
river if possible. Late in the evening, while the pieces were
being served, the company was ordered to the left, to repel an
attack of infantry advanced on the fort by General Butler, in
command of the land forces, and took position in the palit
sading in the marsh to the right of Shepherd’s Battery, and
opened upon the enemy’s sharpshooters till they retired. Af-
terwards, with two other companies under Major Reilly, they
marched to the Point as infantry to resist a supposed lending
of the enemy, but no landing had been made. The loss of
the company was slight, only a few-of the men being danger-
ously wounded in this action, and none killed. The men
were complimented by Colonel Lamb for their coolness and
gallantry under fire, and Lieutenant Rankin was specially
mentioned for gallantry. General Whiting, who in the midst
of the hottest fire passed the guns, spoke words of commenda-
tion to the detachments. In a few days the company was or-
dered into garrison at Fort Caswell. Fort Fisher was erected
to prevent the United States navy from passing the New In-
let into the river. It was built on a sand spit, or peninsula,
so to speak, lying between the ocean beach on the east side,
and Cape Fear river on the west, the shape of the land being
triangular, and at the inlet between Bald Head or Smith’s
Island and the Point, it was narrow, Battery Buchanan being
located at the extremity. Some distance to the east was the
noted “Mound Battery,” nearer the New Inlet bar, and above
this were redoubts and curtain, extending up to, and itself
forming a part of, the main fort, and facing the sea. From

 
 

 

808 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

the Point to the land face of the fort was a mile and a half,
and along this curtain were placed the channel batteries, pro-
tected by traverses, with the necessary bomb-proofs, maga-
zines, etc. The land face of the work extended from the ter-
minus of this sea face west and across the spit or peninsula,
nearly to the river. A sallyport was located at the west end
of the land face, into which from above, a road led into the
fort, there being a slough and bridge near the entrance. From
this sally-port to the river was a breast work, protected by a
palisade, the stakes pierced for infantry fire, sand bags also
being used along this extension. The main land face and
angle at the sea face and for some distance towards Bowles’
Battery, was a powerful earthwork, about sixty feet at the
base and some twenty feet or more wide at the elevation, with
chambers for guns at the proper intervals, protected by im-
mense traverses, with magazines and bomb-proofs, the fort
and batteries having forty-four guns, and two mortars, the
best the Confederacy could afford, some of late English pat-
tern. General Grant, disappointed at the failure of Decem-

ber, now sent General Terry with about 8,500 men, supported
by a formidable fleet with more than 600 heavy guns under
Admiral Porter, to reduce this place and both appeared near
Fort Fisher about 11 or 12 January, 1865.

SECOND ATTACK ON FORT FISHER.

On this being known Company D, of the first battalion,
then in garrison at Fort Caswell, was ordered to Fisher on 13
January, the bombardment beginning on that day. At once
boarding the transport it landed near Battery Buchanan after
dark that night and was ordered by Colonel Lamb to move at
once to the land face to meet an expected assault. It double-
quicked to its position near the west end of the land face, but
the enemy did not then approach.

On the 14th, men of this company under a heavy fire,
manned guns on the land face, unflinching amid the accurate
aim of the monitors and iron-clads. The 15-inch shells
landed often on the guns, knocking off trunnions, breaking
off great pieces of the Columbiad muzzles, wrecking gun car-
riages, and often bespattering the walls of the gun chambers

Ninto Barration. 309

with the blood and brains of the men of the detachments, yet
the gunners coolly adjusted the degrees. The men ohoyed
every order till in turn relieved, often mounting the parapet
amid a storm of exploding shells when necessary to sponge a
gun, the flannel bursting into flame as soon as out of the muz-
zle, and continuing in this way the contest throughout the
day. At night one-half of the picket ordered on the beach on
the land face was composed of men of this company. Ad-
vancing until the enemy’s pickets were discovered they
fought by the light of the enemy’s guns on the line sitet near
midnight, when they were drawn in close to the fort.

On the morning of 15 January, the attack was renewed
with unabated fury and daylight, as near as the writer re-
calls, showed only two guns on the land face in condition for
service, and one of these was manned by detachments from
Company D, and the other by a detachment from the navy.
A line of rifle pits having now been established by the enemy
within range, the men at the guns were shot as they attempted
to serve them, but this fire was returned from the parapets
with effect.

With the exception of some detachments at the guns, which
participated gallantly in the repulse of the naval brigade in
the assault on the land face, Company D was stationed on this
day at a sallyport about midway the land face of the fort,
until between 1 and 2 o’elock p. m., when Colonel Lamb or-
dered the company to the extreme left, with instructions to
keep cover as well as possible under the fort until the enemy,
now apparently massing for an assault, should approach
within the range of musketry, and then, rushing to the pali-
sades, man them and contest their nearer approach. In-
stantly the company cleared the gallery and bomb-proof, the
fleet at this time turning their whole fire on the land face to
cover the assault and drive the men to shelter, Captain Mc-
Cormick moving at the base of the works. All the land face
now looked as if wrapped in flame and smoke—the screaming,
exploding shells tearing the earthwork, making holes in the
traverses, and in all the history of war it is doubtful if a more
infernal fire ever fell upon a fort. The company reaching
the sallyport at the extreme end of the work next the river,

 

 
 

310 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

halted under cover, when in a few minutes there was a sudden
cessation of the fire, and on the instant the vidette reported
the advance of the enemy’s column. The men of this com-
pany rushed to the palisades, and a section of a battery at the
sallyport at once opened fire on the enemy, and a destructive
fire was kept up by the battery and Company D on the enemy
now within a short distance of the slough, and this was kept
up until the enemy veered, or could not be seen from the pali-
sades at all. In this time, after a few rounds from the bat-
tery, the detachments, two or three in succession, were all
shot down at their guns, apparently by sharpshooters, and the
pieces were not after this served. In a very short time the
enemy again showed himself in our front. This time the
column advanced to the right of this company’s position, un-
der a heavy fire poured on it from the palisades between
the sallyport and the river’s edge, moving as if to effect a
lodgment on the fort to the right of the position held by
Company D, but to some extent exposed to its fire now being
delivered in volleys. In the midst of this fire, it was found
that the enemy were inside the palisades, to the right of Com-
pany D, and then a desperate struggle succeeded almost hand-
to-hand, some of Company D to the left of the sallyport club-
bing their muskets and fighting with the width of the palisade
only between them and the enemy. But to the right of the
sallyport and on that angle of the fort, the enemy in this as-
sault got possession of the exterior slope, a lodgment was ef-
fected, the parapet gained, and the men were surrounded. A
large number of the company were taken at the palisade, a
few retreated down the lines of the fort, others to slight en-
trenchments near the river at right angles to the land face,
and there fought and held possession until overpowered.
Those who retreated joined the other commands in resisting
the enemy from the traverses to the west of the middle sally-
port, the enemy’s line now enveloping the land face on both
sides. At length the enemy reached a traverse defended by
detachments of Company D, which had been left serving the
guns when the company went to the left. Here these men
made a deadly struggle with the foe for the traverses, the
enemy and they firing into each other’s faces at a few paces

Ninto Barration. 311

distance. Our men yielded the traverse only when all or
nearly so, were killed or disabled. Some of the men joined
Colonel Lamb, who conducted the charge on the enemy shortly
afterwards, and were close to that gallant officer when he was
shot down, and continued to resist until the works were occu-
pied.

In the assault on the palisading on the extreme left ex-
tending from left angle of the fort to the river’s edge, Com-
pany D, together with the section of a light battery, repelled
the enemy, their line on the second rush apparently obliquing
to the right of this position, moving over the Wilming-
ton road, and from a redoubt above the fort. General Whit-
ing in referring to the assault in a dispatch after the battle
and while a prisoner, said: ‘A portion of the troops on the
left had also repelled the first rush to the left of the works.”
This Company D, of the First Heavy Artillery Battalion,
carried into the action seventy to seventy-five men, and in the
three days’ fight lost forty men in killed and wounded, and
those left were taken prisoners. It is not here intended in
any way to say that other commands in this action did not act
as gallantly in this terrible fight, but only to state the facts in
connection with the part borne in it by one of the companies
of the First Battalion. After the fall of Fisher all the pris-
oners were sent North, the works at Bald Head, Fort Cas-
well and Fort Campbell were blown up or abandoned, and
Companies A, B and C, together with some men from Com-
pany D, who were not captured because on detached duty at
other points, were placed under command of Colonel John
D. Taylor, of the Thirty-sixth North Carolina. At Fort
Anderson, or in that vicinity, they participated in the defence
of that place and of other places on the west side of the Cape
Fear river, when pressed by the enemy, now advancing from
Smithville. At Town Creek Lieutenant John T. Rankin, in
charge of a light battery, greatly distinguished himself, fight-
ing his guns until shot down and his section and men sur-
rounded and captured by the enemy.

SOUTH WEST CREEK AND BENTONVILLE.

The battalion was on duty on the retreat from Anderson,
and after the evacuation of Wilmington in February, marched

 
 

 

$12 Norra Carona Troops, 1861-65.

with the army to Kinston, N. C., being attached to Hagood’s
Brigade after the fall of Fort Fisher. At the battle of
“Southwest Creek” (or “Wise’s Fork”), below Kinston, 8-10
March, 1865, the battalion was engaged slightly with a por-
tion of Schofield’s Corps, suffering some loss. It was in the
retreat to Smithfield and thence marched to Bentonville. In
that battle 19-21 March, the battalion was on the extreme
right of Hagood’s Brigade, which formed the left of John-
ston’s Army. In the assault on the enemy’s works Sunday
evening, 19 March, the battalion captured the first line of
the enemy’s works in their front, their supports getting to
the work but falling back. The supports consisted of Ha-
good’s and Colquitt’s Brigades, but the battalion held the
works taken for about an hour. The troops on the right and
left falling back, the battalion then retired.

In this charge Colonel John D. Taylor was wounded, Cap-
tain Rankin mortally wounded, Captain Taylor killed, all
the Lieutenants except Allen wounded, and the command was
now brought off in charge of Lieutenant J. A. Gilchrist, him-
self wounded, the command falling back under fire. In this
last desperate charge in the last battle of Johnston’s army, in
the last battle on North Carolina soil, Lieutenant-Colonel
John D. Taylor carried the First Battalion in 257 strong,
and it lost on the field in killed and wounded 152 men, or 57
per cent. of its strength.

IN REAR OF SHERMAN.

On the second day after the action, and in the night, the
position of the battalion was flanked, and it was moved for-
ward to the left, and the works held until Wednesday mor::-
ing after the battle. The battalion was then attached to
Whitford’s command and ordered to Tarboro. The com-
mand remained there about a week. From there it was or-
dered to a point on the railroad below Weldon, checking an
advance of the enemy in that quarter. From there it was
ordered to Elizabethtown, in Bladen County, for outpost duty
on the upper Cape Fear, when the surrender of General John-
ston was reported. It was one of the organizations that was
never formally surrendered, and upon the receipt of this news

Ninto Barration. 313

the commanding officer disbanded the battalion and the men
were sent to their homes with their arms. Major McRae and
Adjutant William Calder went to Wilmington, and were
paroled in May, 1865.

The above is an imperfect narrative of this command. It
was not on the fields of carnage and glory in Virginia, it was
not at Gettysburg nor at Chancellorsville, nor in the deadly
tangles of the Wilderness; but in garrison services which
stayed the Confederacy, in coolness when it stood for battle,
in courage when it met the enemy’s onset, and in gallantry
when it stormed his works and forced his lines, its members
may claim a place well up in the record of North Carolina
in the “heroic period,” as men who equaled in valor their com-
rades of any other arm, in faithful service to the State and in
loyal devotion to the South.

T. A. MoNer1.

Lumberton, N. C.,
2 May, 1901.

pee esse re ee ieee

 
 

 

 

 
TENTH BATTALION.

(SECOND BATTALION HEAVY ARTILLERY. )

By WOODBURY WHEELER,* Caprarn Company D.

This sketch is written in pursuance of the following letter,
a copy of which I learn was sent to all the historians, about
100 in number, selected for these volumes:

Ratezieu, N. <1, 19 November, 1894.

Captain Woodbury Wheeler,
My Comrade:

At the last meeting of the Confederate Veterans’ Associa-
tion, I was appointed a committee to secure one soldier from
each regiment and battalion to write a brief history of his
command with a view to publication by the State. I have
selected you for your command, and respectfully, but earn-
estly request that you acept the duty thus imposed on you at
the instance of your surviving comrades. The length and
tenor of the sketch is left to your judgment; but an average
of thirty pages for each regiment, will give us four volumes
of 750 pages each of very valuable matter which in a few
years would otherwise be lost to the world. You are very
busy, and that is one reason you are selected. Only busy
men have the energy and the talent to do work. You have
doubtless forgotten much, but you can get access to the Official
Records Union and Confederate Armies, published by the
United States Government, and Moore’s Roster, printed by

TENTH BATTALION. our State. You can also refresh your memory by correspond-
: oe ee ence with those of your command who are fortunately still
living. Your record as a soldier satisfies me you will not de-

SSP ONE ic RE ae eR MNT ARE a z

 

*The author of this sketch was a son of the late Jno. H. Wheeler, author
of a history of North Carolina. His MSS. of Reminiscencies of Eminent
North Carolinians were printed by this son after the death of the author.
Born in Lincoln, N. C., the writer of this sketch, at the age of 19, en-
tered the service of North Carolina and served four years. He died like
several others, who are authors of sketches herein, pending the delay of
the Legislature to authorize the publication of these volumes.—Ep

 
 

 

316 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

cline this post of duty. Send me the manuscript if possible
by 1 March, next.

I respectfully request that you write the history of the
North Carolina Battalion in which you served in the war.

Please acknowledge your acceptance of this assignment to
duty, the last which the Confederate soldiers can ask of you,
that I may enter your name on the list to be filed with the
Veterans’ Association. Believe me to be, with highest re-

rard and esteem Fraternally yours
? ?
W ALTER CLaRK.

The above courteous request of Comrade Walter Clark to
prepare this sketch would be equivalent to an order from
headquarters that must be obeyed. Moore in his “Roster”
of North Carolina troops, who served in the armies of the
Confederacy, calls this the Eighth Battalion, (IV, 359) and
gave our number to the battalion of men detailed as artisans
(395) ; how the error occurred in the War Department Rec-
ords, he does not explain. But from the foundation of the
battalion, in May, 1865, it was always known and mustered
as the “Tenth Battalion of North Carolina Artillery.”

The engineer officers of the Confederate Army were prob-
ably as fine a body of experts as ever existed; whenever they
projected lines of defence around any important point we
might rest assured that these had been planned and completed
according to the most approved system. At the entrances
of the Cape Fear river and also around the City of Wilming-
ton, every point was made as impregnable as possible. When
these entrenchments were finished several artillery regiments
were formed for the special garrison of the same; as Presi-
dent Davis remarked, he had sent his most skillful officers to
the defence of the place—referring then more especially to
that knightly soldier, General W. H. C. Whiting, who died
21 January, 1865, from wounds received at the second attack
upon Fort Fisher.

To this necessity of creating a force for the defence of
Wilmington does the Tenth Battalion owe its formation. In
February, 1862, we find the first enlistments were made for
the battalion, and on 13 May of that year, the Major (Wil-

Trento BATTALION. 317

ton L. Young, of Wake County), was commissioned to com-
mand the three companies then comprising the organization.
Subsequently, in April, 1863, Company D was formed and
Woodbury Wheeler made its Captain. Captain Wheeler had
served during the first six months of the war as Adjutant of
the Sixteenth Regiment, under General Robert E. Lee, in the
campaign around Cheat Mountain, Virginia. The men were
nearly all from the Western counties of our State. The
duties of this battalion at that time were important, but not
brilliant; in the summer season they were ordered out of the
city either to the forts at the mouth of the Cape Fear or to
the “Sound,” to prevent any inroads from that direction.

A DARING DEED.

It was whilst the battalion was stationed at Fort Caswell
that a raid was made by the enemy, from their fleet to the
headquarters of our General at Smithville, which for daring
could hardly be surpassed. Following the channel, which
was necessarily left open to admit our English friends, in
their blockade-running steamers, these raiders, commanded
by the same Lieutenant Wm. B. Cushing, who afterwards
destroyed the ironclad “Albemarle,” with equal intrepidity,
came within pistol shot of our sentries; passed batteries that
could have hurled tons of shot and shell upon them, and land-
ing at the Smithville wharf, went immediately to General
Hebert’s quarters. He fortunately was at Wilmington on that
night; but when his chief of staff raised the window to find
out the cause of the commotion on the porch, the front end of
a revolver was thrust in his face with a demand for his sur-
render. The result of this raid was the capture of that
officer only. The alarm was promptly given, all the batteries
opened fire on the channel-way—dark as Erebus although it
was. Cushing fled to his gunboat, lying in as near ‘as she
could to the fort, and then putting on a full head of steam,
turned his vessel seaward. In his great haste he ran into
another gunboat, the “Peterhoff,” and she sank in less than
ten minutes.

The next day one of the fleet came in near the fort again,
but its white flag at the peak was not observed. Our Whit-

[oS aS =e

SS

 
 

318 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

worth gun was unlimbered and made ready for action; the
command to fire was on the lips of the Lieutenant in charge,
when the vessel stopped and turned her broadside towards the
fort, and not until then was the flag of truce at her masthead
spread out by the breeze so we could see it. A small boat
came ashore for the captured officer’s personal effects and
brought a note of adieu from him to his late comrades. We
never saw him again.

Since the war the writer has been told ky Federal officers
who were on the fleet that lay off Fort Caswell, doing block-
ade duty, that our “Whitworth” would shoot clear through
their vessels when they came in range. One of its projectiles
cut the throat of a quartermaster as clean as if done by a
razor, the shot doing no other damage.

They said Lieutenant Cushing frequently spent days in
ambush on the banks of the Cape Fear and would often cap-
ture our army couriers passing from Wilmington to Smith-
ville; he would compel them to exchange clothes with one of
his men, whom he would send into Smithville after dark, on
horseback, to get the correspondence ready to be returned to
Wilmington.

The old line officers on the fleet looked with contempt on
all such raids as guerrilla warfare and frowned upon such as
eccentricities of Cushing.

The spirit of this brave young officer chafed under the re-
straints enforced by a return to peace, and he ended his days
within the walls of “St. Elizabeth,” the United States hospi-
tal for the insane of the army and navy, near Washington
City, a raving maniac. War’s dread alarm alone had charms
for him.

The Whitworth gun mentioned was a terror to the enemy ;
its range was immense, its accuracy that of a sharpshooter.
The blockading fleet was by it compelled to keep so far from
the fort that the English steamers easily made the port. Our
great war governor, Zebulon B. Vance, appreciated the im-
portance and necessity of using these English-built steamers
to supply his brave troops with the sinews of war, as well as
subsistence.

Trento Batra ion, 319

BLOCKADE RUNNING.

It had been the policy of President Davis to put an em-
bargo on cotton and thus make the great powers of Europe
raise the Federal blockade to obtain a supply of this great
product of the South; so the inland cities of the South had
about this time great rows of cotton bales, making cumber-
some curb-lines for their streets, awaiting this raising of the
blockade of the enemy. The Governor of North Carolina did
not believe in this policy and determined to supply his men
with what they needed as soldiers, and by exchanging cotton
for meat and bread so help them and their families. One
of the largest vessels which ran the blockade at this point was
purchased by our State, and she was christened the “Ad-
Vance.” By her many cargoes of the priceless necessities of
life were brought to Wilmington, and the North Carolina
troops heaped blessings on their Governor’s name for this evi-
dence of his care and tender regard.

The “Sumter,” the great Admiral Semmes’ first ship, once
came into this port and brought on that trip two “Blakeley”
guns, of such great size, that they were stood on their end in
the forward part of the vessel and around their muzzles some
of the larger ropes of the ship were wound. These guns were
put on the battery at Charleston, an interior line, and al-
though costing many thousands of dollars, never had the op-
portunity of firing a shot at the enemy.

In the winter the lines of entrenchment around the City
of Wilmington were picketed by this battalion; so long were
these lines, the duty was most arduous. During the winter
the battalion also became the provost guard of the city. Wil-
mington was the last port held by the Confederacy, and the
fleet of English blockade runners on the river front became
very numerous, with them came many Northern spies. The
city was patrolled constantly, every “suspect” was hunted
down and brought in with a file of soldiers at his back, and
the rough element, male and female, adventurers of every
class, were kept in subjection as far as possible. The duties
of a provost-guard whilst most necessary are nevertheless irk-
some.

 
 

 

320 NortH Cakonina Troops, 1861-’65.

ORDERED SOUTH.

The battalion, however, had work enough from December
1864, to the end of the war to satisfy the most ambitious sol-
dier, and during the next five months there was hardly a day
“which they could call their own.” General Sherman had
“cut loose’ from his base of supplies. The plan to divert his
raid across Georgia was frustrated by the repulse of Hood’s
army at Franklin, Tenn., and Federal forces moved across
the State of Georgia with comparatively little opposition.
So soon as Savannah was found to be the “objective point”
of Sherman’s march, its defence was assigned to Lieutenant-
General W. J. Hardee, a most gallant officer of world-wide
reputation, and this battalion was put into the trenches
around that city. The writer was in hospital suffering from
rheumatism, when the command left Wilmington. The
lines of entrenchment around Wilmington which the com-
mand had picketed for so many days and nights and guarded
so zealously, were to be left by them to other hands to de-
fend when assaulted by the enemy. The writer came with

the command to Augusta, Georgia, and there all soldiers
who had already seen service at the front, but were now
doing “post duty,” once more volunteered to return to the
field and defend the State. The enthusiasm was intense and
the writer, although in hospital, reported for such duty as he

might be able to perform.

SAVANNAH.

The Tenth Battalion went into Savannah just as Sherman
appeared before that city, and here for nearly twenty days it
was almost continuously under fire.

The army commanded by General Sherman was well nigh
invincible, rude and truculent though it seemed at times, but
made up as it was of the brawn and muscle of the great North-
west, it became a “scourge of God,” a dire punishment to the
South.

For days and days of that cold December (1864) Sher-
man’s men would form in skirmish line, on the edge of the
woods, and move across the “opening” right up to the range
of our canister and grape shot before they could be driven

 

TENTH Barra.ion, 3821

back to cover. During the weeks of siege, our General found
out that the coil was being tightened around his devoted com-
mand. Fighting for “home.and fatherland,” his small force
was doing all that could be done to save the lovely city en-
trusted to them, and yet we all began to think that before the
winter closed we would be in prison at Fort Delaware or on
Johnson Island; still we stood to our guns and did our duty.

A DANGEROUS CONSPIRACY.

Inside of these lines there was an infantry battalion whose
officers were some of our best young men, noble in heart and
in spirit, cadets of some of the oldest families in the Caro-
linas, but the rank and file were made up of men who had
been captured by our armies in various battles. These we
called “galvanized Yankees.” True they were nearly all
foreigners, mostly Irishmen, who cared for neither side es-
pecially, but had been first regularly enlisted in the Federal
army. If captured, they knew they would be tried for de-
sertion, for they now “wore the gray.” Amongst them was
a young Sergeant, a native of Delaware, he came with the bat-
talion, thus made up. They soon “‘took in the situation,”
and almost felt like the rope was around their necks. Who
could blame them for their desire to escape such a fate ?

One night a gigantic Irish Corporal in this command, be-
cause he had become so devoted to one of the Confederate of-
ficers over him, revealed a plot which had been formed to
spike the guns of our main battery, kill or capture the officers
near by and go over into Sherman’s lines. The young Dela-
ware Sergeant was the originator of the plot. Several regi-
ments from another portion of our line surrounded this un-
happy band and their guns were speedily taken from them.
A drum-head court-martial was held, and in less than an hour
our young Delaware Sergeant and six others, at the hour of
midnight, were duly executed by sentence of this court; the
residue of the command was passed through our lines to the
rear. Our General was tried after the war under orders of
the War Department at Washington for the execution of
these conspirators, but of course he was acquitted.

21

is Se TARE aR ap tsi sai oer ocr et

 
322 Nortu Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

EVACUATION.

The end of the siege came at last; one evening, long into
the dark, we shelled the woods in front of our batteries, and
kept the enemy from having any fires at all, but when our
headquarter’s band finally struck up “Dixie,” they all yelled
at us, “Played out! Played out!’ For some cause or other
they did not return our fire on that night at all, and it was
about 11 o’clock when we silently marched down the City
road, lined by the great live oak trees, with their long festoons
of waving moss and vines which swung backward and for-
ward, in the pale moonlight, and seemed to be ghosts of our
departed hopes. We passed through the city and just as the
clocks in the steeples struck “one!” our command had reached
the centre of the dikes in the rice fields, which border the Car-
olina side of the Savannah river.

No pursuit of us was attempted. The enemy was perfectly
willing to “play quits” after weeks of constant duelling.

At our first halt the Georgia troops being ‘““Home Guards”
insisted that they should be returned to their State. And as
a legitimate operation of the doctrine of State’s rights, they
were returned. This forced General Hardee to uncover
Charleston and that great citadel fell.

Then came the campaign of the Carolinas, under the com-
mand of General Jos. E. Johnston. It was on 19-21 March,
1865, that there occurred the three days’ contest at Benton-
ville, which for fierceness and vigor might be well honored
with the title of one of the greatest battles of the war. It
was the last fought in the eastern portion of the Confederacy.

General Johnston finding that the wings of Sherman’s
army were widely separated, precipitated his whole command
on the Federal corps commanded by General Slocum at Aver-
asboro 16 March, and gave that distinguished officer a pretty
thorough scare; with about 14,000 men, he captured three
guns, many prisoners and drove the enemy back several miles.
He certainly taught the commander of that wing that our shot
and shell were not yet all gone; but the other portion of Sher-
man’s army coming up, we fell back to Bentonville where for
three days with less than 20,000 men, we held at bay Sher-
man’s united command of near 70,000 men.

 

 

TentH Barraion. 323

THE RETREAT.

The retreat across our own native State next followed
igs only hope we had was to make a junction with General
Lee’s army and make a combined assault on either one of the
armies of the enemy. That hope was not realized, and so ak
1 May, 1865, at Greensboro, N. C., the writer was dul
paroled with the battalion and became once more a HE Phd

+}

“fn accordance with the terms of the Mili i
entered into on 26 April, 1865, between puoi hdr ae,
Johnston, commanding the Confederate army, and Ma iors
General W. T. Sherman, commanding the United cane
Army in North Carolina, and he was permitted to return to
his home, not to be disturbed by the United States authorities
so long as he observed this obligation and obeyed the laws in
force where he may reside.” This parole is signed by T. B
Roy, A. A. General, ©. 8. A., Commissioner, and Wm Aa
suff, Brev. Brigadier-General and A. I. Gs ets Saeed

Commissioner.

Woopsury WuHeeter.
Wasuineton, D. C.,

26 Apri, 1898,

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

ADDITIONAL SKETCH TENTH BATTALION.

By FG: FRAZIER, First Lieutenant Company A.

The Tenth Battalion, after its organization, was encamped
some three months at Salisbury in the early part of 1862.
Company A was mostly from Randolph County. The writer
of this sketch, was first a member of Company I, Tenth North
Carolina (First Artillery), and was in the battles around
Kinston and Goldsboro, at the time of General Foster’s raid
on the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad in 1862. The North
Carolina troops at that juncture had nearly all been sent to aid
General Lee in Virginia, who was hourly expecting an attack
by Burnside at Fredericksburg. The same time was selected
by General Foster to make his attack in the eastern part of
the State that Burnside made his assault on Lee’s forces.
His force numbered some 20,000 men and 36 pieces of artil-
lery. All day the 12 December Colonel Pool, commanding
six companies of the Sixty-first Regiment, Bunting’s Battery,
and Starr’s, fought and held them in check between Southwest
creek and the Kinston bridge across the Neuse river, assisted
late in the evening by a part of General Evans’ Brigade. On
15 December, General Evans’ Brigade, with Mallett’s Battal-
ion and the troops engaged the day before, formed a semi-cir-
cle around the bridge on the south side of the Neuse and held
them back until 1 p. m., when a great part of the ammunition
being exhausted and no prospect of any more reinforcements,
our forces attempted to recross the bridge and burn it, partial
arrangements having been made for that purpose, but the en-
emy got near the bridge before our troops could get over. Only
a part being over when it was set on fire, some men ran
through the fire, some fell in the river and some six hundred
were captured. Two guns of our battery were lost at the
bridge. Our forces fell back to the rear of town, to Washing-
ton’s Hill. The Federals next morning recrossed the river
and marched up the river on the south side. The 15th they

 

 
326 Nortu Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

fought the Eleventh Regiment at White Hall across the river,
the bridge being burned down. The 16th they fought our
forces on the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad south of Golds-
boro and south of the Neuse river, burning the railroad
bridge. At the same time a part of their forces fought Bunt-
ing’s Battery and the Forty-fourth Regiment, Major Sted-
man commanding, across the river at Spring Bank. Bunt-
ing’s Battery in the three days’ fighting, lost nineteen men
killed and wounded; at the writer’s gun, of six cannoneers,
one was killed and two badly wounded; three horses out of
four at the gun shot—no men captured. General Foster
paroled all his prisoners. He was formerly Superintendent
of the Fentress copper mine in Guilford County, N. C.

In February, 1863, the writer was transferred to the En-
gineer Corps with rank of Lieutenant, soon thereafter was
elected Lieutenant in Company A, Tenth Battalion (Second
Heavy Artillery), and reported for duty in April, 1863, at
Wilmington.

Malarial fever prevailed around the city; yellow fever in
1862. Company A buried twenty-nine of her men at and
near Wilmington. When a cavalry regiment of Federals
from New Bern made a raid on the Wilmington & Weldon
Railroad, burning the depot at Burgaw, the Tenth Battalion
pursued down below Richlands—heavy artillery pursuing
cavalry—the cavalry came in on the “home stretch” by all
odds ahead.

The battalion was at Fort Caswell some months in 1863.
While there the ‘“‘Ad-Vance,” State blockade runner,
grounded on the bar, off the fort one and a half miles. The
writer, Sergeant Harris and fifteen men were sent aboard
to keep the Federal gun boats off; a storm coming up
we were not relieved for three days. The steamer was
loaded down with stores for our North Carolina soldiers; we
did not know for some time whether we were going to Hart’s
Island or “Davy Jones’ locker.” While out there a blockade
runner passed by and entered the Cape Fear at 10 a. m. Gov-
ernor Vance presented the writer with a suit of English grey,
a small fortune at that time.

There being yellow fever in Bermuda, in the fall of 1864,

 

Trento Barration. 827

Company A was detailed to do quarantine duty at Fort An-
derson; all blockade runners having yellow fever on them
were unloaded there; the officers had to go aboard and ex-
amine their manifest. No soldier was allowed to leave the
fort on furlough during this time.

In November, 1864, the battalion, with half of the Fortieth
Regiment (Third Artillery), was ordered to Augusta, Ga.,
which Sherman was then threatening on his march from At-
lanta to Savannah. We remained only: a few days; he did
not come nearer than Millen. The Confederate powder mill
was being torn up and moved to Columbia, 8. C. The writer
was placed in command of Battery No. 4, near the mill.
Then the battalion was moved to Charleston, thence to Savan-
nah and up the Central Railroad forty-five miles towards
Macon, was engaged with Sherman’s advance at Jenks’
bridge, had a few men wounded and the writer and twenty-
‘four men captured ; part of Company A was placed two miles
out to watch the Ogeechee river, fearing the Federals would
cross on pontoons to our rear, and were not ordered in until
the rest of the command had gotten on the train and moved
back to Savannah; was at Fort McAlister soon after it fell.

There mines had been made and powder placed which did
execution when the fort was charged. Was then sent with
other prisoners to Hilton Head, there was confined two
months with 160 Confederate officers on “retaliation”—one
pint of corn meal a day and some pickles, no meat, no fire in
the buildings, meal old and bitter, bran and bugs in it. One-
third of the officers could not walk when moved north to Fort
Delaware.

Little has been said about that “retaliation,” but it will
never be forgotten by those who suffered at Hilton Head.

This battalion kept to the rear for two years, faithfully
obeyed all orders, guarded millions of dollars worth of stores
for the army at the front, and with sleepless vigilance watched
and kept the enemy back at the mouth of the Cape Fear
(when for a long time it was the only port a blockade runner
could enter) so rations and munitions of war could be brought
in for Lee’s brave men. No better guards were in our army ;
nothing was taken or lost, though often short of rations and

 
 

328 Norta Caro.tina Troops, 1861-’65.

clothes themselves, and when placed in front of Sherman’s
victorious army in Georgia, they fought and moved back stub-
bornly at Jenks’ bridge, Savannah, through South Carolina to
middle North Carolina, doing their whole duty, and when the
whole army could see the cause was lost, ready to do their
duty as well-drilled soldiers, regardless of results, they went
into the last battle, 19-21 March, 1865, at Bentonville, with
the same dash and rebel yell as Stonewall Jackson’s and Jeb
Stuart’s men, flushed with victory, did in 1862. Company A
was paroled at Bush Hill, N. C., 2 May, 1865, each man and
each officer being paid $1.25 in silver for faithful service for
three years.
F. C. Frazimr.

Trinrry, N. C.
26 April, 1901.

ADDITIONAL SKETCH TENTH BATTALION.

(SECOND BATTALION HEAVY ARTILLERY. )

By C. S. POWELL, Apsuranr.

The Tenth North Carolina Battalion was known as Heavy
Artillery, and were drilled and skilled in the use of both
artillery and small arms. ‘The officers, non-commissioned
officers, and many privates, could name the nomenclature of
a Columbiad or Whitworth from knob to tompion, could cut
fuses for blank or point blank range, understood the uses of
the quadrant and sextant, and drilled with muskets until the
index finger of the right hand crooked like a hawk claw while
the barbette carriages on the parapets, and the mounted field
pieces were as play things for them to handle. While they
did not see so much carnage and bloodshed as many others in
the main armies, their services were nevertheless dangerous,
arduous, necessary and important and helped to make the
record of the grandest army that ever mustered on this earth.

This battalion was organized some time in 1862 at Wil-
mington, N. C., and consisted of four companies, A, B, C and
D, and was commanded by Major Wilton L. Young, of Wake
County, with T. W. Bickett, of Union County, Adjutant;
Simpson Russ, of New Orleans, La., Surgeon; W. G. Toomer,
Mobile, Ala., Quartermaster; B. S. Traywick, of Union
County, Sergeant-Major; T. G. Cureton, of Union County,
Ordnance Sergeant.

Company A was commanded by Captain H. J. Harriss, of
Randolph County; 8. A. Young of Wake County, F. C. Fra-
zier (the best gunner in the army), and N. L. MeCoin, of
Randolph County, being the Lieutenants.

Company B by Captain H. M. Barnes, of Harnett County ;
W. L. Hockaday of Harnett, Y. J. Lawhorn and C. S. Pow-
ell of Johnston, Lieutenants.

Nors.--This battalion was officially known always as the Tenth Battal-
ion. It is erroneously given in Moore’s Roster, Vol. 4, pp. 359-372 as
the Eighth Battalion.—Ep.

 
 

 

 

330 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

Company C by Captain C. M. T. McCauley, of Union
County; J. A. Grady, T. W. Bickett and 8S. S. McCauley, of
Union County, Lieutenants.

Company D by Captain Woodbury Wheeler, of Lincoln ;
E. B. Goelet, of Wayne County; J. M. Terrell and Calvin
Dickinson (county not known) Lieutenants.

There were over one hundred men in each company, and
about all the mechanics, carpenters and skilled workmen in
these companies were almost continually on detailed, de-
tached extra work without extra pay.

This was substantially the formation of the battalion when
I joined it in 1863. There were subsequent changes, among
which was the promotion of Adjutant Bickett to Assistant
Surgeon in some North Carolina Regiment; C. S. Powell to
Adjutant; B. S. Traywick to Assistant Surgeon; D. A.
Young to Sergeant-Major, and many minor changes among
the non-commissioned officers and privates. This battalion
operated mostly in and around the city of Wilmington, at the
forts below, and on the Cape Fear river at the inlets.

WILMINGTON AND VICINITY.

A semi-circle of three or more miles around the city was
entrenched and protected by skilfully erected dams across
water courses, entrenchments and traverses in the intervals
and high places, surmounted by heavy ordnance. In the city
itself, on the bluffs cn the river, were batteries of ten-inch
Columbiads and magazines stored with ordnance supplies.
Along the river front were immense sheds with government
supplies stored for shipment to the various armies in the field.
These guns, magazines, dams, government stores and line of
entrenchments were constantly guarded, day and night, with
a new guard every day, commanded by a mounted commis-
sioned officer of the day whose duty was to inspect every point
twice in twenty-four hours and make written report of the
same to headquarters on being relieved. This arduous duty
coupled with the exposure to the malarial swamps of the
ponds made by the dams, and marshy borders of the river,
the yellow fever, the smallpox scourge of 1862-63, the
sand flies, mosquitoes and bad water was about as serious and

 

TENTH Barra Lion. 331

mortal as shrieking shells and the inquisitive minie balls.
This duty lasted two long years and many noble men went
down to rise no more till resurrection day. We had one little
picnic excursion up to Kenansville, Duplin County, to inter-
cept a Yankee raid from somewhere on the coast. They did
not come, and the boys got fat on good country grub sent to
camp by the blessed ladies of the town and country. I turned
a plumb fool about then and went back there after the war
and fooled one of them off home with me and she is sitting in
eight feet of me now.

Ten days ended our picnic and our same beat was filled
again until one other little outing of a couple of weeks to the
sound, eight miles off, to- protect some salt works that was
being annoyed by the Yankee gunboats. A few shots from a
Whitworth gun stood them off and they gave no more trouble.
The fall of 1864 we were sent to the forts on the river below
Wilmington. A short time at Fort Anderson, which was
mostly a quarantine station for incoming vessels, and then to
Fort Caswell and later to Campbell.

It may be of interest to some to say that Wilmington is on
the Cape Fear river, thirty miles from its entrance into the
ocean, which was then through two outlets or channels. Fort
Fisher guarded one and Caswell the other, with Campbell
two miles down the beach on the right flank. These forts
were manned by heavy guns and commanded the inlets, and
were the principal defences for the city.

The inlets were besieged by a number of Yankee gun boats
forming a semi-circle four or five miles out at sea. Their
object was to prevent vessels passing in or out, but many,
called blockade runners (not the moonshine, hillside fellows),
did do so, bringing valuable stores of clothing, rations, muni-
tions of war and medical supplies as well as an occasional
calico dress for the ladies Sunday wear, ete., and so on, on
their return carrying out cotton which was sold at fabulous
prices. The ships could pass only on dark nights, and signal
lights at the forts, to point out the bar, were kept constantly
burning.

Our great and noble Governor Vance caused one of these
vessels, the Ad-Vance, to be bought and operated by the

 
 

332 NortH Caro.ina Troops, 1861-’65.

State. She made many successful and valuable trips for Con-
federate and North Carolina soldiers, but was finally cap-
tured. A well equipped Whitworth gun of tremendous range
and great accuracy of shot, patrolled the beach from Campbell
to Lockwood’s Folly, some twenty miles below, and was a ter-
ror to the gun boats if they ventured too near. Its sudden
appearance from behind a sand hill would instantly make
them show their heels. This gun was operated with as much
promptness and speed as our modern city fire engines.

BLOCKADE RUNNING.

One of these blockade runners, the steamship Spunkie, in
coming in, got among the gunboats and her officers got so rat-
tled that they ran her ashore right under fort Campbell, after
the danger had all been passed. The Captain and every man
deserted the ship and came ashore. Instantly Lieutenants
Dickinson, Goelet, Terrell and Powell took a boat and boarded
her through the rough waves several feet high, green as we
were, but young and vigorous with a desire for excitement and
adventure and without orders or any particular object in
view. We found everything good to eat and drink—rum,
brandy, champagne, canned goods, cheese, “shore ’nuff cof-
fee,” tropical fruits, cigars and many more good things. We
had a royal time for three hours, then Colonel Jones, com-
mander of the post, had his say next. But we cared little.
The vessel soon went to pieces and the cargo was greatly dam-
aged. Many wrecks were long after to be seen on the coast
from the same cause.

While at Fort Campbell a detail of five men, with a row
boat was sent out to supply the post with oysters that
abounded in the sound near by. This crew deserted and
rowed out to the gun boats and the next night a squad of Yan-
kees came through the channel in a row boat and went to
Smithville (now Southport), two miles in rear of Fort Cas-
well, evidently piloted by one of the deserters, to the General’s
headquarters and quietly took the Adjutant-General out of

bed to the gun boats. A flag of truce next day explained all.
The General happened to be off.

 

 

TENTH BaTraLion. 350

A NICE FIRE-DOG.

This boat crew used a 42-pound shell for an anchor while
gathering oysters, and left it at their boat landing. Think-
ing it would make a nice fire-dog (it being apparently empty)
I put it in my fireplace and in about six hours she went to
pieces. It knocked the chimney down, turned a six-foot table
legs upwards, opened what windows were shut and closed
those already open, see-sawed the doors until they would
neither open or shut, knocked brick dust into Reuben Stu-
art’s, my Orderly’s hand, and turned me heels upward flat of
my back in the sand in a dazed condition. The long roll was
sounded, the parapets were instantly manned and when called
upon to explain, I felt like the boy that fell out of the hind
part of the cart. That thing had the right name.

IN GEORGIA,

In November, 1864, news reached that region that some-
thing had “broke loose in Georgia.” We bid those old Bar-
bette carriages and Columbiads, so grimly pointing at those
old black hulks on the ocean, good-bye. Same at dear old
Wilmington. We did not have a band, but the boys sang as
they boarded the train “The Girl I Left Behind Me,” and
in due time we landed at Augusta, Ga., and at once com-
menced entrenching on the western suburbs, but were soon or-
dered to Savannah as Sherman and his bummers were steer-
ing, stealing and burning on a line for that city. We went
via Charleston, S. C., and somewhere between there and Sa-
vannah, either at Coosawhatchie, Salkehatchie, Pocotaligo,
Honey Hill (or some other hill), we were taken off the train
and in about twenty minutes beat the stuffing out of a small
force of Yankees (negroes, I think), that had landed and were
approaching the railroad. They re-embarked and were soon in
the dim distance. Our casualties were slight and theirs un-
known. They were surprised and awfully frightened. This
being our first cartridge biting, I saw a few “Goo-Goo” eyes

our boys.
Oe bal ieaval at Savannah we were sent up the Central
Railroad to the 45-mile post, and there deployed as skirmish-
ers across the railroad and the county road leading to the

 
 

334 NortruH Caroitina Troops, 1861-65.

Ogeechee river bridge, made temporary rifle pits and in two
days, the dark, blue lines showed up and the business pro-
ceeded. We were soon brushed away by a line of battle, not,
however, until that said crooked finger got in some work.
What their loss was we never knew. We lost several, among
them Sergeant-Major Daniel Young, a brother of the Major.
Captain McCauley was in command of the skirmishers and
afterwards remarked that according to tactics he took posi-
tion eighty paces in rear and got behind a big stump (as the
tactics said cover when convenient), when the firing com-
menced he looked out on one side and zip! came a ball; pretty
soon he looked on the other side and zip! came another, as
the firing increased he thought he would look over and see
what the boys were doing and he thinks there came three or
four baskets full of bullets all around and over him. About
that time he saw the boys coming back right lively and not
desiring to go contrary to the tactics, maintained his distance
pretty well. The Yanks did not push fast, but just came
gradually and moved us a little every day clear back to near
Savannah, which was nicely entrenched on an old canal.
Here commenced a siege which was kept up for several days,
and a head could not show above the works without danger.
The boys soon got used to it and were soon old veterans. We
were here brigaded with the Fiftieth North Carolina Regi-
ment, a part of the Thirty-sixth or Fortieth (they also were
heavy artillery from Wilmington), some Georgia Reserves
and the Seventh Regiment North Carolina Senior Reserves
(or Seventy-seventh North Carolina), and commanded by
Colonel Wash. Hardy, of the Sixtieth North Carolina, who
had been (I think) captured in some of the up Georgia battles
and exchanged. We all learned to love him for his bravery
and kind-heartedness. He always called us his “people.” He
appointed on his staff Lieutenants W. H. Borden and J. W.
Edmonson, of the Fiftieth Regiment, and occasionally I had
the honor of so serving. I do not think he knew what fear
was.

This organization was maintained, practically, to the sur-
render at Greensboro. Some changes were made at the re-

 

 

Trento BAtrTrAaLion. 335

organization of the army by Johnston, at or near Smithfield,
N. €.

THROUGH SOUTH CAROLINA.

About 22 December, 1864, Savannah was, in the night time,
quietly evacuated undisturbed. ,We crossed Savannah river
on a long, shaky pontoon bridge that felt dangerous, and I
think some unruly horses and cannon went overboard. The
next morning found us among the great rice fields of South
Carolina on our retreat, to be followed by the withering and
devastating tramp of Sherman and his bummers and robbing
camp followers. The courses of his three corps could be dis-
tinguished by the columns of dark smoke from burning dwell-
ings and other property by day and weird lights from the
same by night. The glorious Palmetto State was in the coils
of the Python. Her citizens were insulted and outraged and
their homes destroyed. Her beautiful capital, Columbia, the
pride of the State, was laid in ashes and its charred remains
and silent chimneys left to mark the destroyer’s vengeance.
This is war, and Sherman said war was hell and it was such,
with him. There was little fighting on this mighty retreat.
When Johnston made a stand, Sherman just came up, sat
down with part of his army and just simply outstretched us
on one side or the other and we had to fall back or be sur-
rounded.

At Salkehatchie bridge 8 February, 1865, we were so
closely pressed that we failed to set fire to the kindling to burn
it. A hot fire was kept up by the Yankees and General Mc-
Laws asked for two volunteers from the Tenth Battalion to
burn the bridge. Sergeant J. E. Harriss, of Company A, and
Private H. M. Underwood, of Company D, promptly stepped
out and said “Here we are.” The General gave them orders,
and at the same time ordered a battery to “shell the woods.”
These men walked as straight to that bridge and fired it, as
they would to a dinner table. On their return they were
cheered and General McLaws complimented them and pre-
sented them with a thirty days’ furlough with transportation
attached, on the spot. They went home and returned in time
for the battle of Bentonville where both were wounded in my

 

ARSE ANTRAL PIR RIN*

a mepemenns

 
 

336 Norto Carormina Troops, 1861-65.

presence. This retreat was through a swampy region and
our thinly clad and almost barefooted men suffered untold
misery from wading and cold. We slowly retreated across
the State of South Carolina and not until we reached Averas-
boro, N. ©., did we have much skirmishing and no pitched
battle. At many plantations on the route peanuts by the cot-
ton basketful were placed for us along by the side of the road
by order of the ladies up at the “big house.”

AVERASBORO AND BENTONVILLE.

At Averasboro 16 March, 1865, the fight was short and hot.
We did not fool with them long and they did not try to keep
us from going on. At Bentonville in the three days’ fight,
19-21 March, we got pretty badly mixed. We got after the
Yankees and they just fired and fell back; we chased them on
Sunday evening until after dark. I think we went in twenty
feet of one of their lines, when they suddenly fired a volley,
broke and ran. If the fire had been well directed not a man
of us could have escaped. The sheet of fire was blinding.
Many were wounded and a few killed on our side. There
was a mighty rattling of canteens and tin cups in those woods
when the enemy fell back in haste. This battalion had
thirty-eight men killed and wounded, every officer in the bat-
talion was wounded save Captain Barnes and myself. I car-
ried a spade in this fight and held it right in front of my
“eracker box.” After two days in the trenches amidst con-
stant picket firing and occasionally a shelling frolic, we again,
unmolested, evacuated, falling back in the direction of Smith-
field and Sherman going to Goldsboro, neither troubling the
other, one going up Neuse river, the other down. After two
weeks’ rest at or near Smithfield and a reorganization of the
army, we were again in trim for fighting or retreating, which
last we did up to near Greensboro, when on 26 April, the end
came. We were paroled 2 May, 1865, each man being paid
$1.25 in silver.

I have met many of these old comrades at our annual re-
unions since, and some times I think we get our war stories a
little mixed and rather shaky. Now in conclusion, I desire
to say to the survivors of this battalion, that this imperfect

 

TENTH BATraLion. 337

sketch has been written by request and on short notice. I
know it is not a complete record, but I have had only my own
personal recéllections and “Moore’s Roster of North Carolina
Troops’ ’ to draw from. Not a single member of the battal-
ion has been consulted since I undertook this task, but I have
given it my best consideration after a lapse of thirty-six years
or an ordinary life time. I may and most likely have, left
out much that should appear, but nothing has been over-
drawn. ;

If I have failed to give due credit in any shape to any mem-
ber, it was an unintentional oversight. Every member was
my friend and I had naught but the highest regard for them
-. those we buried by the wayside as well as those living to-

ay.

C. S. Powstt.

SmiTHFIELp, N. C.,
26 April, 1901.

 
 

ELEVENTH BATTALION.

(WHITFORD’S BATTALION. )

By THE EDITOR.

The origin of this battalion was a company of Heavy Ar-
tillery raised for the defence of New Bern. After its fall,
this company and three others (Mayo’s, Leecraft’s and Her-
ring’s) in like predicament, were organized into a tempor-
ary battalion under Captain John N. Whitford 17 March,
1862, 9 Off. Rec. Union and Confed. Armies, 448. He soon
raised a permanent battalion and General Pettigrew 17
March, 1863, complimented the men and especially their
commander as “a gallant and efficient officer.” Vol. 26, p.
194. In May, 1863, he was at Coward’s Bridge’ with 400
men, same Vol., p. 1074. The battalion was commanded by
him as Major, and did efficient and daring service in scouting
and in driving back predatory expeditions of the enemy. In
48 (Serial) Vol. Off. Rec. Union and Confed. Armies, Gen-
eral Peck reports that on 25 November, 1863, his men had
surprised two of Whitford’s companies, capturing 52 men
(killing some) and 100 horse and arms, etc., but we do not
know how true this was, but in Vol. 49, at p. 856, it is re-
ported Confederate authority as a loss of “twenty men cap-
tured at Haddock’s Mills, near Greenville.” In 1863 the
battalion was recruited to six companies, of which Major
Whitford became Lieutenant-Colonel, and was at Kinston
December, 1863, with 627 present, 49 (Serial) Vol. of same
work, p. 906. On 18 January, 1864, it was raised to a full
regiment, the Sixty-seventh, of which he was made Colonel
and whose history has already been told in Vol. 3 of this

work.
338

TWELFTH BATTALION.

(CAVALRY. )

By THE EDITOR.

This battalion is given in Moore’s Roster, Vol. 4, pp. 241-
247, as the Fourth Battalion, but it was always styled offici-
ally the Twelfth Battalion. It consisted of three companies
of cavalry, two from Northampton and one from Bertie and
Hertford. It was raised for duty in the peninsula between
the Roanoke and the Chowan and its service consisted mostly
of picketing on the Chowan. All three companies had been
raised m 1862 and had been serving as independent compa-
nies.

On 3 May, 1863, they were organized into a battalion by
electing

Samvet J. Wurr.er, Major.

Wittiam A. Pueu was appointed Adjutant.

Company A—WNorthampton—Captain, H. E. Hoggard:
First Lieutenant, James V. Sauls; Second Lieutenants G.
W. Joyner and William Vann. : ae

Company B—Bertie and Hertford—Captains, Joseph O
— Peis D. Ward; First Lieutenant, Ges: D. Ward;
Second Lieutenants, Davi j
a SO Tore

Company C—Northampton—Captain, E. A. Martin;

First Lieutenant, J. B. Boon; Second Lieutenants, Jesse T.
Britton and James D. Odom.

The battalion come in collision with the enemy 2 Jul
1863, on their advance to Boon’s Mills and thev report me
captures from the battalion, 44 (Serial Vol.) Off. Rec. Union
and Confed. Armies, 892. It was sent to Kinston, but was
ordered to Garysburg early in J anuary, 1864, 60 (Serial)
Vol. Off. Rec. Union and Confed. Armies, 1088. It con-
tinued the duty of picketing the Chowan with occasional skir-

 
 

 

340 Nortn Caroiina Troops, 1861-65.

mishes with the enemy until 11 July, 1864, at which date by
orders from Richmond Companies A and B were transferred
to the Fifty-ninth North Carolina (Fourth Cavalry), and
Company C to the Sixteenth North Carolina Battalion which
was afterwards the Seventy-fifth North Carolina Regiment.
82 (Serial Vol.) Off. Ree. Union and Confed. Armies, 763,
thus terminating the existence of the Twelfth Battalion.

sacha pie a aaa

ARS Sin male aah teed

 
 

THIKTEENTH BATTALION.

(STARR’S BATTALION OF ARTILLERY. )

By J. H. MYROVER, First Lizvrenant Company B.

The Thirteenth Battalion was organized 1 December, 1863.
It was composed of six batteries of light artillery, 7. e.:

Company A—Cumberland, Richmond and Perquimans—
Captain, Lewis H. Webb.

Company B—Cumberland-—Captain, Joseph B. Starr.

Company C—New Hanover—Captain, Jas. D. Cumming.

Company D—Beaufort—Captain, Z. T. Adams,

Company K—Orange—Captain, Wm. Cameron.

Company F-—Craven, Beaufort, Wake—Captain, Alex.
C. Latham.

Josrpu B. Starr, of Company B, was elected Lieutenant-
Colonel. He had been Captain of Company F, “Bethel”
Regiment, and in September, 1861, had been promoted to be
its Lieutenant-Colonel. ;

Captain Cotumsus L. Cuestnurt, of Sampson, was ap-
pointed A. Q. M.

Jno. C. Moziey, Surgeon.

G. A. Nicotiasson, Assistant Surgeon.

The companies composing the battalion had each been
raised nearly two years before, serving in different assign-
ments to duty, and in fact the battalion, as a whole, at no
time served together. In Moore’s Roster, Vol. 4, pp. 248-
268, this command is styled the Fifth Battalion, but that was
(as the note thereto states) merely for convenience, for it was
always known, and styled officially, the Thirteenth Battalion.

Owing to the detached services of the several companies,
I am able to give details of Company B only.

 

THIRTEENTH BATTALION—STARR'S. COMPANY B.
1. J. B. Starr, Lieut.-Colonel. 4. Halcott P. Jones, Ist Lieut., Co. E.

2, Lewis H. Webb, Captain, Co. A 5, TT. C. Fuller, 1st Lieut., Co. B ay “vy was . me Vv e vet
3 JD. Cumming, Captain, Co. C. 6: Sot Eheaee Ocr'tie, Bergmann : Oe. it This battery was formed on Company F (the LaFayette

£ BE e e Light Infantry) of the First North Carolina Volunteers (the
Bethel Regiment) as a nucleus, which had returned to its

 
 

842 NortH CaroLina Troops, 1861-’665.

home in Fayetteville after six months service on the Penin-
sula at Yorktown. The work of enlistment began almost im-
mediately, and it was made up of members of that company
with the addition of sturdy farmers from Robeson, Cumber-
land and Harnett.

In January, 1862, the following officers were chosen: Jos.
B. Starr, Captain; Thomas C. Fuller, First Lieutenant;
John Whitmore, Second Lieutenant, and Benjamin Rush,
Junior Second Lieutenant. The roll of non-commissioned
officers and privates will be found in Vol. 4, Moore’s Roster,
pp. 252, 255.

On account of the difficulty experienced by the Confeder-
ate authorities at Richmond in fitting out the companies of
light artillery with field pieces, Starr’s Artillery was ordered
to Fort Fisher for its first service, and on 21 January, 1862,
took the steamer for Wilmington. There the men were
equipped in uniforms and other furnishings for camp life,
arriving at Fort Fisher on the day following, where Captain
Starr reported for duty to Major John J. Hedrick, command-
ing the post. oats

At this post, afterwards so celebrated in the stirring events
of the Civil War, Starr’s Battery faithfully performed the
duties devolving upon it in manning the heavy guns of the
fort, guarding the shore batteries, mounting guard, etc.,
through the remainder of the winter, the spring and part of
summer. It was while here that T. R. Wardell, then acting
as Sergeant-Major of the post, mysteriously disappeared one
night during a very heavy storm. The fact that Wardell
was a Northern man by birth, and that he had been for some
time despondent of the success of the Southern cause, availed
to give circulation to the report that he had deserted, and
found means to reach the blockading vessels of the Federal
fleet lying off the coast. But no credence was given to this
nefarious rumor by his comrades in arms; and information
from his family after the war disproved this theory, and the
mystery of his fate remains unsolved.

“Tn those days there was little to enliven the monotony of
camp life at Fort Fisher save the lazy turn of some leviathian
Union gun-boat forming the blockading squadron, and then a

THIRTEENTH BATTALION. 343.

puff of smoke, with a hurtling, shrieking shell over the casé-
mates. ‘This would call the men to the guns, and the fire
would be returned. But this was heavy artillery play of a
harmless kind, which caused not a head to “duck” or a pulse
to take an extra beat.

An event later on put it into the power of a part of Starr’s
Fattery to show their mettle as soldiers and their skill as
marksmen. “The Modern Greece” (whose skeleton hulk,
inbedded in the sands, can still be seen to-day) a blockader,
superbly furnished in stores of a varied and extensive kind,
making up a costly cargo of medicines, fine liquors, shoes,
elething, ete., finding herself hard run by her Yankee foes,
while attempting to make the port of Wilmington, was
beiched under shelter of the guns of Fort Fisher, and the
greater part of her valuable freight was landed by boats.

-n the “Modern Greece” was a battery of Whitworth guns,
sujerb breech-loading, rifled steel pieces, carrying a long con-
ica ball, and endowed with a reach and precision of fire in
acton little short of marvelous. Two of these guns were as-
simed to Starr’s Battery, were mounted, and sent, under
charge of a Sergeant, to Fort Caswell at the mouth of the
rivr—a little bunch of fosse, rampart and casemate, badly
served with old time siege pieces, which the Federal block-
adng cordon daily insulted with its superior armament.

During the night masked batteries were skilfully prepared,
an¢ by sunrise the detachments were ready for work with
ther Whitworth guns. All that day and the next there was
anintensely exciting duel between the sea and land forces,
the latter spitting forth its terrible volley of conical projec-
tils from two clumps of bushes. Again and again the block-
adws shifted their position—only to find it apparently impos-
sille to get beyond that deadly range. Northern papers,
coning into the hands of the men a few days afterwards, gave
thm a gratifying triumph in the information that the Whit-
weth guns had wrought havoc-—the Miantanomah having
ben so badly crippled as to require towing out of the line of
fir, while another gun-boat was struck no less than three
tines.

The next most exciting incident in the féw months of ser-

 

 

EMILE IG LAEABEES NT BTA IE eA

 
 

 

344 Norru Caroitina Troops, 1861-’65.

vice at Fort Fisher, was the animated chase of a Confeder-
ate blockade-runner by the ever vigilant ships of the enemy.
The vessel, commanded by the late Captain John N. Maf-
fitt, was saved only by the skill and bravery of this famous
commander, and a detail from Starr’s Battery was sent off ix
boats to aid in taking off part of the cargo, that Captain Maf
fitt might proceed up the river.

About this time Colonel Wm. Lamb, now of Norfolk, suz-
ceeded Lieutenant-Colonel John J. Hedrick in the commard
of Fort Fisher, and a short time afterwards Starr’s company
went into camp outside the walls of Fort Fisher, a short dis-
tance up the beach.

Throughout the whole of the late summer and early fell
of 1862, the yellow fever raged with unabated violence in tie
city of Wilmington ; so that when, in September, orders were
received by Captain Starr to report immediately with lis
command to the commanding officer at Kinston, N. C., it was
necessary to make a detour of the plague-stricken city, ad
to march overland to North East, a station on the Wilmiig-
ton & Weldon Railroad, to take the train for Kinston.

But the men made the long march through oppressive lat
and heavy sands with cheerfulness, nay, alacrity. They wire
going into active light artillery service for which they Ind
enlisted, and their zeal was intense. And here the historan
deems it but just to say that while Starr’s Light Artillery vas
condemned to service throughout the war to the eastern pirt
of North Carolina, it over and over asked to be transfered
to the sphere of action in Virginia. It rests content wth
having done its duty where its country called for the exerese
of its self-denial and patriotism.

At Kinston the company found a battery of six-poundes,
with a full complement of excellent horses, and went into
eamp, taking quarters in what was known as “The Old Ca-
tle,” a huge ruinous, half dismantled building in the southen
part of the town. ee

On 17 Deeember, 1862, took place the battle of Neue
river bridge, a short distance below Goldsboro, General G. V.
Smith commanding the Confederate forces. About sunrie
the enemy were reported by scouts to be advancing in heaw

a a SR sR naw

ae

THIRTEENTH BATrALIon. 345

foree from the direction of Kinston on the county road, and
Colonel Marshall, of the Fifty-second Regiment, North Car-
olina Infantry, was ordered by General Clingman to proceed
with his command to the railroad bridge, and hold it at all
hazards. linmediately on taking position this regiment was
attacked by the enemy in such heavy force, by two simul-
taneously approaching columns, that our left was hurled
back and doubled up on itself, while the Federal infantry
rushed on, and applied the torch to the railroad bridge. The
Fifty-second Regiment was then moved rapidly up the bank
of the river in the direction of the county bridge, half a mile
above, where Starr’s Battery was in line a short distance from
the county road. Just before reaching this point the gallant
Fifty-second, which had fought so bravely, was fired into by a
company of the Fifty-first North Carolina Infantry, who
mistook their comrades for the enemy.

The Union troops, having effected the destruction of the
railroad bridge, fell back to a position on a commanding hill
on the east side of the railroad, about 600 yards above the
bridge. This position, during the afternoon, was assailed
by General Clingman with a column of the Fifty-first and
Fifty-second Regiments, under the immediate command of
Colonel Marshall, while those in reserve in the skirt of woods
were subjected to a galling artillery fire from a Federal bat-
tery of four guns.

At about 4 o’clock General Clingman ordered two pieces of
Starr’s Battery to proceed on the right, supported by Colonel
Shaw’s Eighth Regiment, down the county road, and attack
the enemy in flank, while Colonel Marshall was instructed to
advance at a charge on the enemy’s right as soon as Starr’s
artillery should open fire. In the meantime, the enemy’s ar-
tillery on the hill had been reinforced by four other guns,
making in all eight pieces, which raked the road along which
our section of the battery was advancing, making the fire so
heavy that the gun under the immediate command of Lieu-
tenant Rush did not advance, that officer halting it some dis-
tance from the scene of action.

In the meantime, General Evans, of South Carolina, had
ridden up on the left of our line; and, seeing that part of

 

 

 
 

 

346 NortH CAroLtina Troops, 1861-’65.

Clingman’s Brigade which had been halted in the skirts of
the woods, resting on their arms, ordered an immediate
charge, notwithstanding the explanation given to him of Gen-
eral Clingman’s plan of attack; and, as he was the ranking of-
ficer, the command was obeyed with disastrous results to the
brigade. While the infantry was attacking on the left Lieu-
tenant Thos. C. Fuller brought one piece of Starr’s Battery
into position just where the county road crosses the Wil-
mington & Weldon Railroad, and went into action under
the heavy fire of the enemy’s eight guns. The fight at this
point was short but bloody. Andrew Weir was killed at the
piece by a ball through the head, and his comrade, Linebery,
stepped over his dead body and took his place. Sergeant
Myrover received a sealp wound from a piece of shell, Cor-
poral McLean, and Privates D. J. Harrell, W. H. Pearce and
McLauchlin were wounded; indeed, so great were the casu-
alties in this engagement to the small detachment about this
one devoted piece of artillery, that Lieutenant Fuller himself
served the gun, bringing ammunition, cutting fuse, ete.

At sunset the fight was over, the enemy’s fire slackened, and
finally ceased, but Colonel Shaw’s Eighth Regiment and
Lieutenant Iuller’s piece of artillery held the position until
a late heur in the night, when orders were given to fall back
to the county bridge. During this time General Thos. L.
Clingman passed down the line, and warmly complimented
Lieutenant Fuller and his men for the excellent work which
they had performed, in sustaining a fight against odds so
tremendous. On the approach of Lieutenant Rush, who
had by this time come up—the reception accorded to him by
the General was very different.

GUM SWAMP.

In May, 1863, couriers brought the news to Kinston that
a large force of the enemy was approaching by the road at
Wise’s Fork, and the Confederates, under General D. H.
Hill, with General Robert Ransom second in command, took
a position on the borders of Gum Swamp, eleven miles below
Kinston. A piece of Starr’s Battery, with a detachment,
commanded by Lieutenant Whitmore, was placed in position
on the right center of the line, supported by a part of the Fif-

THIRTEENTH BATTALION. 347

ty-sixth North Carolina Regiment of infantry and other
troops. :

During the previous night either through the treachery of
disaffected citizens living in the neighborhood, or through the
vigilance of the scouts in making the discovery, the enemy
found a way through a part of the swamp, up to that time
deemed impassable, and a volley of musketry poured into
their ranks gave to the Confederates the first startling intima-
tion that they were surrounded—trapped in a veritable cul
de sac.

This unfortunate affair, which may charitably be placed
among the accidents of the war, cost the life, among others,
of the gallant Jarvis B. Lutterloh, of the Fifty-sixth, and the
capture, together with a part of the infantry, of Lieutenant
Whitmore and the artillery detachment under his command.
The men were exchanged in a few days, but the officer never
returned. It must be remembered that Lieutenant Whitmore
was a non-commissioned officer of the Union forces which
surrendered with the arsenal at Fayetteville in April, 1861,
under Major Bradford and Lieutenant D’Lagnel; that, con-
cealing himself in the suburbs of the city, he failed to depart
with his command, and enlisted in the Confederate Army.
He was of course, recognized immediately after his capture at
Gum Swamp, and he stood before his captors guilty of a most
serious offence. He could doubtless make peace, and save
himself from grave punishment, only by recantation, and the
historian must deal leniently with him, in consideration of
the critical peril in which he stood. He was a man of lim-
ited intelligence, but a superb drill master, a machine who
knew naught but obedience to the orders of a superior of-
ficer—a Dugald Dalgetty on a reduced seale.

Lieutenant Whitmore’s military apostaey—when some
time made it certain that it could be considered naught
else—left a vacancy among the commissioned officers which
was filled by the election of Sergeant G. B. Atkins to the po-
sition of Second Lieutenant, whose merits were to make
themselves felt with his continuance in office.

The election of Lieutenant Thos. C. Fuller to the Confed-
erate Congress in 1863 was followed by the appointment of

 

 

 
 

348 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

Orderly Sergeant J. H. Myrover to the position of Second
Lieutenant. Mr. Fuller quit the service and the field te
enter upon that public career which his matchless abilities
rendered a succession of brilliant triumphs nearly up to the
close of his life a few days ago, as judge of the Court of
Claims. He was a good private soldier and a still better of-
ficer. He loved danger for danger’s sake; he was the friend
and confidant of his men, while he enforced discipline; and,
though the soldiers crowded about the ballot box to vote his
political preferment eagerly, they bade him farewell from
the mess table and the tent with sorrow.

The company bore an honorable and conspicuous part in
the several engagements around Kinston, up to the final aban-
donment of that position by our forces. In the second fight
at that place, where the battery held the left of the line, and
aided in successfully repelling repeated charges of the enemy,
two Parrott guns had been placed in the hands of the com-
pany, which so badly crushed the shells that many of our own
men, in their advance upon the enemy, were wounded by the
broken pieces of the flying missiles. In this battle the Napo-
leon field piece served by Sergeant Hall and his detachment
wrought fearful execution on thesenemy, as was admitted in
their subsequent reports.

For some time in the summer of 1863 the battery was sta-
tioned at Fort Hamilton, in Martin County. It will thus
be seen that its field of duty extended from Goldsboro east-
ward of the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad, and embraced
a large area of territory. In truth, though the sorely pressed
Confederate government could spare but a handful of men
for Eastern North Carolina, its retention was of prime im-
portance to us, for it was one of the granaries whence were
drawn the supplies for the Southern armies. Quartermas-
ters J. B. Smith, John McRae and Charles R. Arey pene-
trated away into Hyde and other extreme eastern counties
with their wagons, bringing away great quantities of corn and
forage, and on every expedition they were imminently ex-
posed to incursions of the enemy as well as to the treachery of
the ““Buffaloes.”” On 27 November the battery reported 137
present, 49 Off. Rec. Union and Oonfed. Armies, 851.

THIRTEENTH BATTALION. 349

On 1 December, 1863, Captain Joseph B. Starr was pro-
moted to the Lieutenant-Coloneley of the Thirteenth Bat-
talion, North Carolina Troops (Light Artillery), and the

.command of the company devolved on Lieutenant Benj. Rush

as the senior commissioned officer. The affection of the men
led them to feel no little gratification at the well-merited
honor tendered to Captain Starr, but this feeling filled their
hearts, also, with genuine grief at his departure as their com-
manding officer. Generous in heart, devoted to the welfare
of those who had so long served with him, concealing under
an occasionally brusque manner warm sympathies, endowed
with unflinching courage and inflexible firmness, his soldiers
trusted him implicitly and loved him cordially.

The vacancy on the commissioned staff of the battery was
filled by the election of Sergeant J. D. McLean to the Second
Lieutenancy, a gallant soldier of irreproachable standing
among his comrades, ever faithful to his duties both in the
camp and on the field.

At Greenville, in the winter of 1863, Colonel Roger Moore,
commanding the post with a small force of cavalry and Starr’s
Battery, was informed that the enemy, consisting of a squad-
ron of cavalry, had made a‘ reconnoissance from Washington.
At 7 o’clock at night 30 December, he sent one company of
cavalry and a piece of artillery from Starr’s Battery, under
command of Lieutenant Myrover, down the Washington road
to find the enemy—which they did, marching into a cleverly
planned ambuscade where the road led through a swamp, and
was fringed by dense undergrowth. The surprise was com-
plete, a heavy volley from the cavalry carbines of the enemy
apprising us of the trap into which we had walked. The Con-
federates, utterly bewildered, ignorant of the size of the force
pouring its fire into them, retreated, and the gun—though
Private John H. Dobbin even then made great efforts to fire
it—fell into the hands of the enemy, together with a great
part of the detachment, among whom were Cannoneers Dou-
glass Sandford, J. A. Brown, Garvin Wightman, James and
Tsaac Dodd, the brave Southern soldier now in the Home at
Raleigh. The Federal account of this event will be found in

48 Off. Rec. Union and Confed. Armes, 495.

 
sca icipineeninmare ee

 

 

350 NortH CARroLina Troops, 1861~’65.

Starr’s Battery took part in the investment of Washington,
N. C., under command of General D. H. Hill, and, after the
evacuation of that place by the Federals, formed part of its
garrison, with Lieutenant-Colonel John O. Vanhook, of the
Fiftieth Regiment, commanding the post. During that time
a disastrous fire, which broke out about midday, destroyed
nearly one-half of the beautiful town.

For the last year of its service Starr’s Battery (Company
B) was under the admirable command of Captain G. B. At-
kins—for part of the time before he received his captain’s
commission, Captain Benj. Rush was suspended of his com-
mand, kept under arrest in camp, and finally deprived of his
commission. The vacancy thus caused in the commissioned
staff was filled by the promotion of Sergeant Isaac Jessup to
the Second Lieutenancy. In September, 1864, the battery
was at Wilmington. 88 Off. Rec. Union and Confed. Armies,
1225.

At the last battle of Kinston, 8 March, 1865, one part of
the battery was stationed on the banks of the Neuse river be-
low the town, while the other held a position southwest of the
place, across the river, on the brow of the hill, where the brunt
of the Federal attack was made in overwhelming force. Here
Private George Gee was killed, and his body was borne from
the field, on the ammunition chest of the gun, in the arms of
Sergeant Jessup. Gee was one of “the bravest of the brave.”

The Federals poured into Kinston on the very heels of the
retreating Confederates, and in a few moments fires were
burning in the streets in the destruction of cotton and other

government stores. ‘T’he forces holding the left of our line,
including part of Starr’s Battery, under command of Colonel
Stephen D. Pool, retreated to Goldsboro, destroying the
bridges behind them as they advanced.

BENTONVILLE.

On 17 March, 1865, the battery reached Smithfield, N. C.,
as part of Hoke’s Division, and on the 18th that command
formed a junction with that part of General Joseph E. John-
ston’s army under General Hardee, which was marching
from Fayetteville. Sherman was moving from the latter

THIRTEENTH BATTALION. 3851

place towards Goldsboro in two sections of his numerous and
finely appointed army, the columns about a day’s march apart,
and General Johnston’s plan was to attack Sherman’s left
wing, separated from the right. On the 19th Hoke’s Divis-
ion reached Bentonville, Johnston County, and took position
on the left of a large and deserted old plantation, heavily
wooded on each side, through which one main road ran, and
along which the division was stationed, with a part of Lieu-
tenant-General Hardee’s Corps. Starr’s Light Artillery,
after remaining in column in the road for some time—during
which the gallant John Murphy was struck down by one of
the enemy’s shells, and one arm torn to pieces, he afterwards
dying in hospital—took the right center of the line on the
edge of the field, supported on the right by Colonel John W.
Hinsdale’s Junior Reserves, the whole Junior Brigade being
under command of Colonel J. H. Nethereutt. The battery
was commanded by Captain George B. Atkins, as brave a sol-
dier as ever entered the Confederate service, who, although
in fearfully bad health and always racked by physical suf-
fering, was ever at his post of duty. This officer, finding a
wooden house in front of a North Carolina Regiment
serving as a shelter for the enemy’s sharpshooters, dislodged
them by a few well-directed shots from two Napoleons, and
they were seen hurrying out from the building, amid the
cheers of the Confederates. During the afternoon of the
19th the enemy repeatedly charged our line, where it was held
by Hoke’s Division, but was as often repulsed, though the
never ceasing artillery fire was causing many casualties in
our ranks.

On the morning of the 20th, couriers brought the news that
the two wings of the Federal army had been united, and that
the left, once driven back, was coming up heavily reinforced,
on Hoke’s Division. This necessitated a change of position,
and that officer reformed his line, parallel to the county road,
to which he had before heen aligned at right angles. From
11:80 to 4:00 o’cloek the whole united columns of Sherman
made attack after attack upon this part of the line, composed
of 6,200 men, with only such intrenchments as could be
thrown up with the bayonet, but were driven back with seri-

De ee eee

 
 

Se ener —— T_T =

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352 Norts Caroxina Troops, 1861-’65.

ous loss. Throughout the 21st the skirmishing was very
heavy, and late in the afternoon a large force of the Federal
Seventeenth Army Corps, by a superhuman effort, broke
through our line on the extreme left, and hurled it back in
dire confusion. The moment was critical; the loss of the
bridge over the creek in our rear would deprive Johnston’s
army of its only line of retreat. A section of Starr’s Battery,
under command of Lieutenant J. D. McLean, was rushed
from the right of the line to the scene of the contest, and, sup-
ported by General Wade Hampton with the force of cavalry
and infantry massed to strengthen the threatened point, gal-
loped to a position on the field. The enemy’s stubborn effort
was foiled, and one division of the Seventeenth Union Corps
especially suffered heavily.

In the battle of Bentonville the Confederate losses were
nearly 2,400, while those of the enemy could not have been
less than 5,000. General Wade Hampton has said of this en-
gagement that, as it was almost the last, it was one of the
most remarkable of the Civil War, and that its conception and
conduet by General Joseph E. Johnston was a masterly stroke
of military genius—where less than 15,000 men under three
commands successfully held the field against 60,000 of the
finest equipped troops in the world.

From the 22d of March Starr’s Battery remained in camp
near Smithfield for some days, during which there was a
general review of the troops, and a notable event of camp life
was a visit, 6 April, from Governor Vance, with one of his
wonderful speeches to the veteran soldiers.

Starr’s Battery marched from Bentonville, via Raleigh, in
the hospital of which John Murphy died, arrived at Haw
River on 18 April, and thence proceeded to a point near old
Centre Meeting House in Randolph County. While in camp
Lieutenant-General Hardee’s Quartermaster-General divided
equally among the Confederate soldiers there assembled a
quantity of silver sent from Greensboro, which gave to each
one, officers and men alike, $1.25. At that time the battery
was attached to Hoke’s Division in a temporary battalion
commanded by Major Basil C. Manly. 100 Off. Rec. Union

and Confed. Armies, 7388.

THIRTEENTH BATTALION, 353

On 26 April, General Joseph E. Johnston formally sur-
rendered to Sherman and on the 29th the officers and men of
Starr’s Battery, mournfully leaving guns and caissons in
park, betook themselves to their desolated and impoverished
homes, most of thein taking the route over the old Western
Plank Road to Fayetteville, and carrying with them many an
old war-horse, afterwards condemned to ignoble toil at the

plough in the corn and cotton fields of Cumberland and Robe-
son counties.

COMPANY D.

Was raised originally in Beaufort County by Rev. Charles
P. Jones, who became Captain. After a few months service
the battery was reorganized 21 April, 1862, by electing Z. T.
Adams, Captain; C. H. Latham and Samuel H. Forbes,
First Lieutenants; Jos. B. Bryan and Geo. W. Bryan, See-
ond Lieutenants.

The battery was at Tarboro in March, 1862, and thencefor-
ward served in Eastern North Carolina, taking part in the
various expeditions against Washington and New Bern and
aiding to repel the raids made by the enemy in return. In
July, 1863, it was ordered to Wilmington and served in that
vicinity. On 26 June, 1864, it was permanently assigned to
Starr’s Battalion and in September, 1864, it was at Kinston.
88 Off. Rec. Union and Confed. Armies, S224.

The company was at Batteries Purdie and Bolles
near Fort Fisher in the first attack 24 and 25 December,
1864. In the second attack by General Terry 15 January,
1865, most of the company and all their guns and horses
were captured at the fall of Fisher. The few men left were
attached to Hagood’s Brigade and fought as artillerymen
at Bentonville and surrendered with Johnston’s army.

COMPANY E.

This company was raised in Orange County, in the early
Spring of 1862. William Cameron was Captain; James F.
Cain and Alex. M. Kirkland, First Lieutenants; Henry Dick-

23

SPRUE GTE ARS RARE PO WPA REMNANT

 
 

 

354 Nort Carouina Troops, 1861-65.

son and John Malone, Second Lieutenants. The battery
was ordered to Eastern North Carolina and for a while garri-
soned Fort Branch near Hamilton. In April, 1863, the bat-
tery reorganized with Henry Dickson, Captain; Halcott P.
Jones and John C. Webb, First Lieutenants, and F. L. Dam-
eron, Second Lieutenant. On 27 November, 1863, it re-
ported 126 present for duty, being then at Kinston. It ren-
dered service continuously in Eastern North Carolina and
Christmas day, 1864, aided at Poplar Point to drive back
the enemy’s fleet, who were endeavoring to ascend the Roanoke
river. The battery was supported, in that fight, by the Sev-
entieth North Carolina Regiment (First Junior Reserves).

COMPANY F.

Was raised in 1862 principally in Craven and Wake with
some men from Beaufort and other counties. Its Captains
were successively Alexander C. Latham, of Craven, 1 Sep-
tember, 1862; John R. Potts, of Beaufort, promoted from

First Lieutenant 16 September, 1863, and Henry G. Flan-
ner, of New Hanover, originally Second Lieutenant.

The First Lieutenants were successively Jno. R. Potts
(promoted to Captain) and John M. Perry, of Beaufort
County; Henry G. Flanner, of New Hanover, and Geo. W.
Bryan, of Craven. The Second Lieutenants were in succes-
sion Henry G. Flanner, Martin L. Stephenson, of Lenoir
County ; Bennett Flanner, of Richmond County, and James
A. Collins. A section under the last named officer served in
the winter of 1863-’64, and spring of 1864, attached to Mac-
Rae’s (Eighteenth) Battalion in Western North Carolina.

This battery was ordered to Virginia in 1862, and served
continuously, with above exception, in Lee’s Army. In Oc-
tober, 1864, it was in Haskell’s temporary battalion of artil-
lery attached to the First Corps and served on the lines
around Petersburg with great credit and was surrendered at

Appomattox 9 April, 1865.
J. H. Myrover.

Fayerrevitiz, N. C.,
26 April, 1901.

ADDITIONAL SKETCH THIRTEENTH
BATTALION--COMPANY A.

By CAPTAIN LEWIS H. WEBB.

This company was raised in Richmond County and was
organized in April, 1862, by the election of Lewis H. Webb
Captain ; Malcolm D. McNeill and Thomas W. Moody First
Lieutenants, and H. R. Horne, of Cumberland, Second Lieu-
tenant, who later became Junior First Lieutenant.

The State being unable to equip a battery of Light Artil-
lery, the company was ordered to Richmond for equipment
and left 7 May, 1862, with 83 men and 4 officers. It reached
that city 11 May, such being the slowness of communication
in those days for Rockingham was not then on a railroad.

On 15 May a Battalion was formed of four artillery com-
panies, ours being Company D, and though nearly one-half
of the personnel was from this State, it was styled the
Twelfth Virginia Battalion and Francis J. Boggs, of that
State was made Major. Geo. H. Gregory, of Martin County
and Thos. G. Skinner, of Hertford, were Lieutenants in ae
of the other companies, and some forty of the men in that
company alone were from North Carolina.

On 25 May we were moved to Battery No. 7 near Mechan-
iesville, and assigned to duty at the siege guns already
mounted and were put to work mounting others. Here we
were during the battle of Seven Pines in hearing and almost
in sight of the firing. Measles soon after broke out from
which we had 40 men down at one time and lost 13 by death.
We were without any medical officer or any medicine except
that bought with our own means, and but for the skill and at-
tention of Lieutenant H. R. Horne, the sick men would have
fared badly indeed.

Soon an order came to disband ours, together with several
other artillery companies and transfer the men to infantrv.
The officers of our company went to the Secretary of War to

 

eA RODH ERRE CH EE SURE arty eNO
 

356 NortH Carouina Troops, 1861-’65.

protest against this breach of faith, but found our men had
been before us, whose pleading was so effective that eventu-
ally the order was rescinded. When Stonewall Jackson,
coming down from the Valley, struck the enemy on the flank,
the Captain and Lieutenant Horne were ordered to report,
with part of the company, at Crenshaw’s battery, on Charles
City road and by a rapid march of twenty miles reached it
about sunset. The next morning we marched with that bat-
tery in rear of the attacking column towards Malvern Hill,
though not in the fight, and the next day were in pursuit of
the enemy to Harrison’s Landing, where McClellan took
refuge under the guns of ‘his fleet.

In the Spring of 1861, when Governor Ellis took posses-
sion, by means of the Cumberland militia, of the Fayette-
ville arsenal, he found there a complete field battery of 12-
pound howitzers. These were given to Company A, Tenth
North Carolina Regiment (First Artillery), commanded by
Captain Stephen D. Ramseur, and on his promotion by Cap-
tain Basil C. Manly. After the “Seven Days” battles that
company having received one of the many batteries captured,
their old guns which had been turned in to the Ordnance de-
partment were given to us and we were at last equipped on
20 September and furnished with horses. We were soon
after transferred to the Twentieth Virginia Battalion of
Heavy Artillery and an order was later procured changing us
into infantry to be attached to a regiment being raised for an
aspiring young Virginian who wished to be made Colonel. An
energetic protest by Captain Webb caused him to be placed
in arrest, and the other officers of the company were forbid-
den to communicate any complaints to the War Department,
but a note sent by a negro servant to Hon. Thomas S. Ashe,
member of Congress from our district, brought that gentle-
man and some of his colleagues to our camp to investigate
with the result that Captain Webb was promptly released
from arrest and the battery ordered to report to Lieutenant-
Colonel Chas. E. Lightfoot, commanding Field Artillery at
Seven Pines, below Richmond.

Major Boggs returned and assumed command of our com-

pany and one other and early in November we were ordered

 

THIRTEENTH BaTTALIon. 357

to report to General Pettigrew near Petersburg, later the
company went to Ivor Station, on the Blackwater, with the
Forty-second North Carolina, thence to South Quay, re-
porting to Colonel P. F. Faison, of the Fifty-sixth North
Carolina. Here we remained six months on outpost duty,
guarding the several crossings of the river against raiding
and foraging parties which were frequently sent out from

_ Suffolk and accompanying expeditions from our side sent out

by General Roger A. Pryor, who commanded that line, for
purposes of reconnoitering and procuring supplies. In one
of these a section of the battery under Lieutenant Horne was
engaged for several hours at Kelly’s Farm. We were with
General Longstreet in his siege of Suffolk.

In June, 1863, we were ordered back to Petersburg and
saw arduous service under General D. H. Hill, commanding
defences of Richmond during the Gettysburg campaign,
marching back and forth to Hanover Junction, and the Chick-
ahominy and up and down the Pamunkey, York and James
rivers, being continually on the move to meet threatened at-
tacks of the enemy. On 3 October at Fort Clifton, near the
mouth of Appomattox river our horses were taken from us
and turned over to the artillery of General Longstreet, who
was on the move to Chattanooga.

Soon after we were supplied with horses that had endured
much service, but which we grazed and restored. The North
Carolinians in the other company in the battalion procured
in November, 1863 a transfer to our battery, 39 men from the
Albemarle country thus coming to us, among them Lieuten-
ant Thomas G. Skinner, who resigned his commission and
came to us as a private that he might stay with his men.
Soon after the Thirteenth North Carolina Battalion was or-
ganized, of which this battery was made Company A.

On 1 January, 1864, we were ordered to Weldon and
thence in a few days to Fort Fisher, and were assigned to Bat-
teries Gatling and Anderson 6 or 8 miles from the fort. Here
we remained on coast guard duty and protecting blockade
runners till 12 May, when we were sent to Masonboro, where
the enemy was threatening a second destruction of the State
salt works. On 15 May having taken our position before

 
 

358 Nortu Carotina Troops, 1861~’65.

day and being hidden by the low growing coast vegetation we
opened fire at daylight with two 3-inch rifled guns upon one
of the blockaders lying as near in as it was safe, disabling
her so she signalled for a consort some miles away who com-
ing in towed her out of range. A week later the same vessel
was fired on from Fort Fisher and sunk.

On 23 May, ordered to Northeast ( railroad) bridge. Leav-
ing Lieutenant McNeill with one section there, Captain Webb
with the other, proceeded next day to Bannerman’s bridge and
thence on the Holly Shelter road where, being joined by a
company of cavalry, we advanced to a position at a bridge
over Shaking Creek to repel a threatened raid from New
Bern. In a few days were ordered (5 J une) to Weldon, men
and guns going by rail and horses under Lieutenant Horne by
country roads, reaching Weldon 12 June. Here we were
kept on outpost to protect the extreme right of Lee’s army
for ten months, our own line being on the north side of the
Roanoke from Gaston to Halifax.

On 31 January, 1865, Colonel John H. Anderson, with
the Seventy-first North Carolina (Second Junior Reserves),
and Millard’s Battalion of Juniors, a squadron of cavalry
from the Nineteenth North Carolina (Second Cavalry), and
our battery were ordered to Coleraine on the Chowan to drive
back a force which the enemy had landed, but on oar arrival
after a rapid march found the enemy had re-embarked and
gone down the river.

We returned to Weldon, thence the battery went to Golds-
boro, only to be speedily sent back to the Blackwater, thence
in a few days back to Weldon.

On 4 March ordered to march by country road to Golds-
boro, but had only gotten twelve miles when an order brought
by courier caused us to return to Weldon, thence by rail to
the Blackwater, thence back to Weldon.

On 31 March one section was sent to Tarboro, Captain
Webb being in command of post at Weldon, and on 2 April
that section returned and without disembarking went down
the Seaboard Railroad with the Sixty-seventh North Caro-
lina. The enemy retired again and Colonel Jno. N. Whit-
ford on the return of our troops was himself riding in the

 

 

THIRTEENTH BATTALION. 359

cab of the locomotive, when just after passing Seaboard he
discovered several hundred men up the track. He had hardly
time to stop the train when he found the track was being torn
up by a party of the enemy’s cavalry.

Hastily disembarking the infantry, among whom half our
men took their places armed with Enfield rifles, he ordered
the train back to Seaboard to disembark the artillery, guns
and horses, the infantry at once attacking the enemy who
after a few moments’ hot firing, mounted their horses and
sought safety in flight. The artillery now coming up, we
pursued the enemy to Jackson, where we found that they had
distanced us going in the direction of Murfreesboro. Colo-
nel Whitford then took position near Jackson, covering both
Halifax and Weldon.

But the end was now rapidly approaching. Fort Fisher
had fallen in January and the enemy occupied Wilmington,
closing our only outlet to the world. Johnston was now about
to commence his last retreat and on 7 April directed the troops
withdrawn from the north side of the Roanoke. On night of
13 April, General L. S. Baker evacuated Weldon, destroying
the bridges there and at Gaston and we started over the coun-
try roads to join General Johnston at Raleigh. At Ridge-
way we found the track filled with cars which had been with-
drawn from both ends of the road, including those with our
own stores of provisions and ammunition and here first
learned of the evacuation of Petersburg and the surrender of
General Lee, and also of the battle of Bentonville, in which
two batteries of our battalion had been engaged, that Sher-
man had occupied Raleigh while Johnston had fallen back to-
wards Greensboro, and that a large cavalry force from Grant’s
army was. moving on our right, threatening to get in the rear
of Johnston.

Being thus surrounded on all sides, General Baker called a
council of war of all the officers, and in view of the impossi-
bility of our reaching Johnston it was decided to disband, but
a small force of volunteers, mounted on cavalry, wagon and ar-
tillery horses, would try to pass around Sherman’s left and
reach Johnston. On the eall for volunteers more stepped
forward than we could supply with horses, but finally seventy-

 
aM Ey eer

Sr Stace

 

 

360 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861~’65.

five were selected who were transformed into cavalry. Dis-
mounting and spiking our guns and taking three days’ ra-
tions, we started under General Baker’s lead. Twenty of
these men were from our company. For two days we wan-
dered up and down Neuse river seeking a passage, all fords
being guarded by Sherman’s cavalry pickets.

On the evening of the second day being then in 14 miles
of Raleigh, we found our supplies exhausted, and there being
no chance to get through to Johnston who, besides, we were
reliably told had surrendered, after a council of war we sent
in a flag of truce and our surrender was formally accepted,
General Baker being directed by General Sherman to surren-
der our arms and parole the men and officers,

General Baker issued a commendatory address to the bat-
tery, which together with the names of those of the battery
then present are printed (from data furnished by the writer)
in the article in this volume, “The Last Fifteen Days of
Baker’s Command,” by James M. Mullen, who was a mem-
ber of the battery and hence need not be repeated here.

Lewis H. Wess.

Franky, Va.,
20 April, 1901.

ADDITIONAL SKETCH THIKTEENTH
BATTALION--COMPANY C.

By CAPTAIN JAMES D. CUMMING.

This company was organized in February, 1861, with John
J. Hedrick Captain, James M. Stevenson and Dugald La-
mont as First Lieutenants, James D. Cumming and James
B. Huggins Second Lieutenants.. When Governor Ellis, in
1861, ordered the militia to seize the forts at the mouth of
the Cape Fear river, this company, under orders of Colonel
Cantwell, occupied Fort Johnston, at Smithville, N. C., thus
being among the first troops to place hostile foot on the United
States possessions in North Carolina. After serving at
Forts Johnson and Caswell until December, 1861, the com-
pany was ordered to Federal Point and assisted in the con-
struction of Fort Fisher, N. ©. Remained in the fort until
April, 1862. The company then reorganized and re-enlisted
for the war with James D. Cumming as Captain, John W.
Galloway and J. M. Rowe First Lieutenants, and S. H. Ev-

~ eritt and later A. D. Brown Second Lieutenants. A battery

of field artillery was assigned to it and the company was
equipped for field service. After remaining in the camp of
instruction until November, 1862, it was ordered to Eastern
North Carolina where it remained until the Spring of 1863.
During this time the battery had varied service, participating
in the several raids and movements against New Bern and
Washington, N. C., under Generals Hoke, D. H. Hill and
Pettigrew. Was in the engagement at Blount’s Creek and
the battery was mentioned by General Pettigrew in General
Orders. When the assault on New Bern was arranged this
battery was selected to lead the artillery.

FIRST SECTION SENT TO VIRGINIA.

In May, 1864, a section of the battery was ordered to Pe-
tersburg, Va., and assigned to Moseley’s Battalion of Artillery,
joining the forces that bottled up Butler at Bermuda Hun-

 
 

 

 

362 Nortu Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

dreds; was in the engagements at Ware Bottom Church and
Clay’s Farm. Here under a heavy fire a 32-pound shell fell
among a detachment of the men at one of our guns. Private
Jas. P. Pierce, with great presence of mind, picked up the
shell with its burning fuse and threw it over the entrench-
ment. The next day General Beauregard in General Orders,
complimented “Private Jas. P. Pierce, of Cumming’s Bat-
tery, for his bravery and coolness,” commending his example
to the army. When Grant crossed the James river the com-
mand was ordered to Petersburg, Va., and was actively en-
gaged 16, 17 and 18 June on the Jerusalem Plank Road; was
then moved to the trenches around Petersburg, occupying the
salient on the Norfolk Railroad, and supported by General
Gracie, of Alabama. The battery was daily and nightly un-
der heavy fire by artillery and mortars and was actively en-
gaged in the battle of the Crater 30 July, 1864. In Septem-
ber, 1864, the company was ordered to the north side of the
Appomattox, enfilading the enemy’s line up to the Hare
house and was under heavy fire about every day and night.
The battery continued in service until the evacuation of Pe-
tersburg, sharing in the privations and fighting from Dea-
tonsville and Sailor’s Creek to Appomattox Court House;
was not engaged at the surrender of Lee for want of ammuni-
tion. At that time it formed a part of Blount’s Battalion.

THE SECOND SECTION.

The second section of the battery under Lieutenant Rowe,
continued in North Carolina where it was engaged in the bat-
tle below Kinston, 8 March, 1865. Lieutenant Rowe was
killed; was also engaged at the battle of Bentonville, N. C.,

19-21 March, in Starr’s Battalion. This section was in John- |

ston’s retreat, surrendering at Greensboro, N. C.

The battery was thus in constant service from April, 1861,
to the surrender at Appomattox Court House, losing a num-
ber of men in battle and by disease, one hundred and fifty
men having enlisted in the entire company.

Jas. D. Cummine.

New Yor« Crry,
26 April, 1901.

 

FOURTEENTH BATTALION.

(HENRY'S BATTALION. )

By 8. V. PICKENS, Apsuranr.

This battalion which grew out of Woodfin’s Battalion, was
itself cventually increased and merged into the Seventy-
ninth North Carolina Regiment (Eighth Cavalry.) The
history of both these battalions has been given in the history
of that regiment ante and need not be repeated here.

S. V. Pioxens.

HENDERSONVILLE, N. C.,
30 May, 1901.
363

 
 

 

 
 

FIFTEENTH BATTALION.

. J. M. Wynns, Lieut.-Colonel.
. Baldy Ashburn Capehart, Captain, A. Q. M.

 

FIFTEENTH BATTALION.

(WYNNS’ BATTALION CAVALRY. )

By JAMES M. WYNNS, Lieurenant-CoLoneE..

This battalion of cavalry was organized in July, 1863. It
was originally intended to comprise six companies, but from
the pressing needs of that section two companies at Wilming-
ton never joined us. After the lapse of so many years I
can only give a partial list of the officers, as follows:

J. M. Wrwns, Lieutenant-Colonel, commissioned 22 July,
1863; formerly Captain Company C, Second North Caro-
lina Cavalry.

Lieutenant J. W. Perry, Adjutant.

Captain B. A. Caprnarr, A. Q. M.

Starky SHarp, Surgeon.

Captains—J. G. Holliday, M. M. Wise, J. T. Beaman,
—. —. Evans, —. —. Taylor.

Lisutenants—J. F. Branch, H. J. Jenkins, A. J. Cobb,
J. A. Allen.

This battalion and the Sixty-eighth Regiment of infantry
were organized for the purpose of protecting Eastern North
Carolina, and first went into camp of instruction at Murfrees-
boro, thence to Weldon, where it remained in active service
during the fall and winter of 1863, taking part in the raids
made by troops under General M. W. Ransom on South Mills
and other points in Eastern North Carolina in the territory
held by the enemy, bringing out much needed provisions, and
inflicting more or less injury on the enemy. On one of our
raids we pursued the enemy to very near Deep Creek, on the
Dismal Swamp canal, in a most exciting chase of six miles.
Our horses being jaded, the enemy outstripped us, and we
only made a few prisoners We killed and wounded quite a
number, most of whom were left in the swamp. Our casual-
ties were small, and the commissary stores brought out on

 
 

 

366 NortH CARoLina Troops, 1861~-’65.

that occasion amply compensated for the trouble and expo-
sure.

Owing to the pressing demand for troops in Virginia, the
command was transferred to the Blackwater line with head-
quarters near Franklin. Extracts from a letter received
from Captain B. A Capehart, A. Q. M., will be of interest
and at the same time give a vivid account of the operations
of the command and its arduous duties.

“I have no dates. The operations of the command after

being ordered to Virginia, were confined to the Blackwater
line. I well remember the sharply contested engagements
and the uniform courage and determined spirit with which
our officers and men disputed the enemy’s advance in force.
I think it was Dodge’s New York cavalry, supported by sev-
eral pieces of artillery, which gave us such a tussle when you,
with a handful of men held them in check from 11 a. m. till
about nightfall—the moon giving full light. So determined
were they, that dividing their forces, a part (and I dare say
the best) went up through the pocosin and constructed a raft
upon which they crossed; again divided, part following the
water line to the left of our trenches, our men pouring it into
them. When to our surprise the other division charged down
on our rear, nothing was left us to do but get to our horses as
best we could and fall back, they in hot pursuit, after which
they got possession of the ferry boat over which we had such
a tug in the first of the engagement. After getting their
horses across the Blackwater, we were pressed to the Notto-
way Bridge on the Seaboard & Roanoke Railroad, where we
succeeded in checking them. That kind of warfare was car-
ried on during the fall and winter of 1864-65, our duty being
to hold the enemy in check and prevent their crossing the
Blackwater, and protect those bringing provisions from the
territory across the river within the enemy’s lines.

On the morning the enemy made their last attack upon us
at South Quay, I was ordered to Raleigh on business for the
command, and from my friend, Colonel W. F. Martin, of the
Seventeenth North Carolina, then in command at Weldon,,
obtained permission to stop at my home for a day with my
family, which I did, reaching there the next morning, 2

FIFTEENTH BaATTALion. 367

April, 1865, about half an hour before my oldest son was
born, and by the way about the very hour President Davis
was summoned to retire from the church at which he was wor-
shipping that day in Richmond.

TRADING WITH BUTLER.

There was one transaction with which we were connected,
and which was most humiliating to me, and to which I have
yet scarcely felt reconciled. You remember receiving orders
from General R. EF. Lee to allow a steamer giving certain sig-
nals to pass the pickets and proceed up the river unmolested
and by the way you had a similar experience early in the war
on the coast between New Bern and Wilmington, when in
command of a squadron of theSecond North Carolina Cavalry.
I refer to the landing of the Yankee steamer about 400 yards
below Nottoway Bridge, on the Seaboard & Roanoke Railroad
with a cargo of hospital supplies for which she was to receive
in return cotton. Being the Quartermaster, it devolved on
me to discharge and reload the craft, my first duty on board-
ing the steamer was to look after the credentials, and I was
shown by the Captain papers of agreement signed by Gen-
eral Lee’s Adjutant-General, Walter H. Taylor, and General
Benjamin F. Butler. This is a bit of war history, but little
known. I dare say most or all of it is fresh in your memory.
One circumstance connected with it I remember. I had
charged the Captain not to give liquor to the guard I had
placed there to protect the steamer, which he promised, but
did not fulfill, for during my absence he filled their canteens
and giving the men a barrel of shell oysters to eat, they were
soon in an irresponsible condition, and quarrelled. One man,
Joe Askew by name, struck another man( Davis) with his
canteen, whereupon Davis caught up Askew’s own carbine and
fired, shooting him through the body, the ball going through
another trooper’s arm above the elbow, White. In conse-
quence of this, Davis ran away, Askew died and White was
disabled, a loss to us out of our command of three of its best
men. It was dreadful in the extreme to be reduced to the
condition of want in everything but courage and valor, but
to feel that we had to look to and traffic with our enemy to

 
 

 

368 NortH CaRobina Troops, 1861-65.

relieve our poor suffering troops in hospitals as well as their
own men (our prisoners) caused a feeling generally expressed
that being reduced to this extreme, it was time the war should
stop.
The services of the battalion were hardly appreciated, ex-
cept perhaps by General Lee, who would not allow it to be
moved, knowing the important work it was accomplishing in
protecting, as it did, the many passes, particularly South
Quay, thereby enabling our people to bring out from our
eastern counties such supplies as could be spared from our
non-combatants within the enemy’s lines.

In our engagements we lost but few comparatively, having
breastworks to protect us most of the time, but we never failed
to punish our opponents with some severity. Their casual-
ties would be reported to us by citizens living on the opposite
side of the Blackwater. No braver or better officers were in
our army than Adjutant J. W. Perry, Captain J. G. Hol-
liday, Lieutenant Branch, to say nothing of yourself and
other officers, commissioned and non-commissioned,

The operations of the other part of the command were con-
fined to that territory east of us, the Meherrin river and down
the Chowan as far as Colerain and even farther. I was with
them less of the time, but always found them on the alert and
prompt to communicate any advance of the enemy by land or
water.

As before stated, I was on my way to Raleigh on the morn-
ing of 1 April, 1865, and learned the enemy had advanced
and were making a determined attempt to eross at South
Quay, and it was at that time and place as brave and gallant
a soldier as ever wielded saber (Joe Watford) fell on the
banks of the Blackwater, his comrades, pressed as they were,
endeavored to place him in the saddle, but “No,” he said, “T
am done for; save yourselyes’”—then died.

Do you remember young Wood, as daring and handsome a
boy as ever wore the gray, how he dropped back to be the last
to cross Lenow’s Bridge, when we, so pressed by the enemy,
tore it up, and wheeling in his saddle as the enemy reached it,
being thereby checked for the time, he took deliberate aim and
unseated his man. In fact, the battalion was a gallant set of

 

FIFTEENTH BATTALION. 3869

men and deserve more than a mere mention. I hope you
will bestir yourself and write what you know, and if these
paragraphs serve to refresh your memory, I shall have dis-
charged a pleasant duty.

There is one fact, that from the fall of 1864 till General
Lee surrendered, the enemy never got nearer Weldon than to
press us to Nottoway Bridge and fall back the same day, nor
did they get into the country west of the Chowan until the
struggle between the armies of the States was in its last
throes. You know we never surrendered, but were pressing
on to join Johnston. After hearing of General Lee’s surren-
der, then learning of the surrender of the latter when at
Ridgeway, we sadly wended our way through the desolate re-

gion to our homes.
B. A. Caprnart.”

To what has been thus said by Captain Capehart, I can
add but little. The battalion was raised to protect North
Eastern North Carolina from the enemy’s raids and as he
has stated, we did it—to the very best. When the end came
we took no parole, but went home and took our guns and

horses with us.
James M. Wywnws.

Morrreesgoro, N. C.,
30 May, 1901.

 
 

 

 

SIXTEENTH BATTALION.

(CAVALRY.)

By JOHN T. KENNEDY, Cotonet.

This battalion was formed in 1864 of the five North Caro-
lina companies which till then had served in the Seventh
Confederate (Cavalry) Regiment. By General Orders from
Richmond 11 July, 1864, there was added to this battalion
the three companies from this State in the Sixty-second
Georgia and Company C from the Twelfth North Carolina
Battalion, and the command was therein styled the Sixteenth
Batalion, the writer being its Lieutenant-Colonel command-
ing. It turned out, however, that the authorities had over-
looked the fact that the North Carolina company which had
been carried by the writer into the Sixty-second Georgia had
been recruited largely and had been made into two companies
commanded by J. A. Richardson and Geo. Dees. Adding
this additional company the Sixteenth Battalion was really
a regiment, which was soon recognized as the Seventy-fifth
North Carolina Regiment, the writer was made its Colonel,
Jno. B. Edelin Lieutenant-Colonel, and F. G. Pitts, Major.
In the pressure and hurry of events it was, however, still car-
ried in the official reports up to the surrender as the Sixteenth
Battalion. But under its proper title of the Seventy-fifth
North Carolina Regiment (Seventh Cavalry) its story has

been already told ante and need not be repeated here.
J. T. Kennepy.

Goxpssoro, N. C.,
9 April, 1901.

 

SEVENTEENTH BATTALION.

(AVERY'S BATTALION. )

By A. C, AVERY, Masor.

When Longstreet’s Corps moved North, and reunited with
Lee’s Army in the midst of the battle of the Wilderness, the
whole of East Tennessee was immediately occupied by the
Federal army, and North Carolina would have been invaded
by a separate army, had our Western railroad been built, and
possibly, if the high mountains on our Western border had
been traversed by such turnpikes as had then been-constructed
across the mountains in Virginia. After Longstreet went
North, most of the troops that were left to guard the frontier
of the State were posted from a point almost due west from
Asheville to the southwestern border of the State. The coun-
try north of Madison County was patrolled at most by a com-
pany of cavalry, and picketed by small squads of that com-
pany. Major Harvey Bingham had two full companies in
camp in Watauga and Captain Price, who had been dis-
charged from the First Cavalry, commanded a small, but ac-
tive company in Ashe County. These troops rendered effi-
cient service by driving back small predatory bands, who
were continually coming into the State from upper East Ten-
nessee. The approaches covered by the borders of Mitchell
and Yancey were comparatively unguarded.

General R. B. Vance had been in command of the district
composing Western North Carolina; but had been captured
while making a raid into Cocke County, Tennessee. Colonel
J. B. Palmer, who had been detached from his regiment, the
Fifty-eighth North Carolina, then in the Army of Tennessee,
at his own request, for the purpose, succeeded General Vance
as commander of the district.

Colonel George W. Kirk, who, afterwards acquired an un-
enviable celebrity by his connection with the Holden-Kirk

Nore.—This Battalion consisted of two companies of Infantry (A. and
C.) and one of Cavalry Co. B, Captain Miller.—Ep.

 
 

372 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

war, and who had been allowed by the Federal Government
to organize a regiment, composed for the most part of North
Carolina deserters, in June, 1864, led an incursion across this
unguarded portion of our frontier and surrounded a conscript
camp at Berry’s Mill Pond, six miles below Morganton, just
above what was then the terminus of the Western North Car-
olina Railroad. He surprised and captured at that place
over one hundred of the Junior Reserves, who had been gath-
ered there to be organized into a battalion. While the militia
and citizens who did not belong to the Home Guards were
gathering on the day of the capture at Morganton, 28 June,
one of Kirk’s scouts was shot but a half mile from Morganton
by R.C. Pearson, a leading citizen of the town. On the second
day thereafter a small squad of mounted men fired into the
van of Kirk’s command at the foot of the Brown Mountain,
but he eluded them and reached the Winding Stairs, a nar-
row path near the top of Jonas Ridge, where he posted a
strong detachment, while his prisoners were being moved on
into East Tennessee. Here he was attacked by a body of
men, composed of a few regular soldiers on furlough and sev-
eral hundred militia, hurriedly gathered together from the
counties of Burke, Caldwell, Catawba and Rowan, the whole
body being under the command of Colonel H. A. Brown, of
the First North Carolina Regiment, who had just recovered
from a wound and turned out of his way to his command at
Salisbury to help his neighbors. In the attempt to take this
narrow path, Hon. W. W. Avery was mortally wounded and
Calvin Houk and a number of others were seriously injured.

The excitement caused by this invasion induced the War
Department at Richmond to order General Martin to estab-
lish headquarters at Morganton and assume command of the
District of Western North Carolina. The writer, who was
serving on the staff of Lieutenant-General Hood at the Chat-
tahoochee river, first secured a leave of absence by the kind-
ness of General Hood, and was then transferred to the De-
partment of North Carolina in consequence of the death of all
of his older brothers and the desperate illness of his father,
and ordered to report to General Martin as Adjutant-General
of the district. In the fall of the same year, when the writer

 

SEVENTEENTH BaTration. 373

was about to resign, and General Martin was contemplating
the removal of his headquarters to Asheville, the General in-
sisted that a number of local companies then formed and
being formed, should be organized first into a battalion and
then into a regiment, and obtained authority from the War
Department for the writer to organize a regiment of moun-
taineers to protect the northwestern frontier of the State.

Major Gordon, in his history of the organization of troops
(North Carolina Regiments, Vol. 1, page 22), accounts for
the organization of the battalion and the proposition to en-
large it into a regiment as follows:

“The War Department, at the suggestion of General Mar-
tin, who commanded this district at the close of the war, sus-
pended the conscript law, and there were no more runaways.
Major A. C. Avery was also authorized to raise a regiment for
local service. Some progress was made in recruiting several
companies for this regiment, but the Major was captured dur-
ing Stoneman’s raid. The regiment was never organized,
and, as far as known, the Major did not get his Colonel’s com-
mission. This was the last effort made to raise troops in the
State before the war closed.”

Accordingly, in February, 1865, Captain John Carson’s
company (Company A, of Avery’s Battalion) ; Captain Nel-
son A. Miller’s company (Company B), of Caldwell Coun-
ty, and Captain W. L. Twitty’s company (Company ©),
from Rutherford, were ordered to assemble at Morganton,
where they were furnished with arms, ammunition and equip-
ments, which Governor Vance had shipped at the request of
the writer from the State arsenal at Raleigh. At the same
time the Governor had forwarded a sufficient number of im-
proved arms to supply the companies of Major Bingham in
Watauga, and a few weeks later, the battalion composed of
these three companies was ordered to go to Watauga County
and provide Bingham’s companies with the arms and muni-
tions shipped for them. It was a part of the plan to organize
Price’s company, another company in Mitchell, still another
in Madison, and a second company in Rutherford County, out
of the body of young men just reaching the age for service
and those persons exempt from service, some of them having

 
 

374 NortH Carouina Troops, 1861-65.

been discharged on account of wounds and others not being
liable because they were State officers, but all of whom were
wi/ing to do duty in defense of their State and their own im-
mediate homes.

In fact many officers and soldiers of the battalion had ren-
dered efficient service in the armies in the field and had re-
signed or been discharged because of disability caused by
wounds. Captain John Carson had been a First Lieutenant
in Company D, of the Sixth Regiment, and was lamed by a
wound received at Sharpsburg. He had partially recovered
and had become anxious to serve the cause again somewhere
and in some capacity. He was but a type of the older men
who belonged to these companies. The boys, who had passed
beyond parental control because of their liability under the
17 year conscript act, were the very best material for making
good soldiers. Had the war lasted another year they would
have been better known.

While Avery’s Battalion was en route for Watauga, and
before it reached there, a detachment from Franklin’s Divis-
ion of the Federal army, which had been sent from upper
East Tennessee, had surprised Bingham’s camp and captured
all of his men, who did not at the time happen to be at their
homes. While the battalion was camped in Watauga, infor-
mation was received of a proposed incursion from Tennessee
into the upper part of Burke County, and after sending a de-
tachment direct to Mitchell County, the battalion was moved
through the upper part of Burke and went to that county.
The invaders were a small predatory band, some of whom
were overtaken by the men sent in pursuit and a portion of
their booty was recaptured. About this time Franklin’s
whole Corps moved up to Bristol and Major-General Stone-
man, with a Division of splendidly equipped cavalry, passed
up the Watauga river near Valle Crucis, along the turnpike
by Blowing Rock, burned the cotton mill at Patterson, passed
down through Taylorsville and then moved north towards
Virginia. Meantime Kirk with two regiments of deserters
had established an outpost of Franklin’s command on the
turnpike at Blowing Rock. Avery’s battalion was moved
back across the mountains. It had from its organization up

_

SEVENTEENTH BATTALION. 375

to that time been able to protect the upper mountain counties
from constant robberies and had driven out of the State and
into the Federal Army some organized bands of raiders. But
in the face of a division of Federal soldiers, with outposts oc-
cupied by regiments, the battalion was withdrawn to the foot
of the mountains. Kirk sent out but one raiding party from
Blowing Rock. That party had gone but a short distance
below the head of Johns river when they found that a squad
(Miller’s Cavalry) of Avery’s Battalion could beat them at
their own game of bushwhacking.

Meantime, after receiving information as to the number
and disposition of Kirk’s men at Blowing Rock, and after
reading a dispatch from General Lee to General Martin, in
which the former expressed the opinion that Stoneman’s raid-
ers would return to upper East Tennessee by way of the lead
mines, in Smith County, Virginia, the writer boarded the
train for Salisbury with the purpose of pressing an applica-
tion previously made to have a battalion detached from the
garrison at Salisbury and moved up on the train at night to
aid his battalion in a proposed night attack upon Kirk’s camp
at Blowing Rock. When he reached Salisbury, he found that
General Bradley Johnson had gone to Greensboro, and Gen-
eral Gardner, in command there, was preparing to meet an
attack from Stoneman’s Division, which had crossed the
Yadkin at the Shallow Ford and was then moving on Salis-
bury. The result was that the writer was captured with
Colonel Stone of the Second Mississippi (since three times
Governor of his State) and seven or eight hundred other of-
ficers and men, and was marched by Taylorsville, Lenoir and
Blowing Rock under guard.

Meantime, upon the return of Stoneman’s Division, Mil-
ler’s company, a portion of whom were mounted men, met the
vanguard of the division near the Caldwell line and skir-
mished with them till they reached the town of Lenoir. They
narrowly escaped capture in the town itself by riding up to
the top of Hibriten. A portion of Stoneman’s command
was sent across the mountain to deliver the prisoners to Col-
onel Kirk, but most of his division moved to the west in two
bodies, one by way of Beattie’s Ford and Lincolnton to Ruth-

 
376 Nortn Carouina Troops, 1861-’65.

erfordton, and thence across the Blue Ridge ; the other by way
of Lenoir and Morganton to Swanannoa Gap.

Major-General McGowan, of the Confederate Army, hap-
pened to be at Morganton about this time. The citizens had
obtained, through Governor Vance, a small field piece and
had erected some breastworks and placed this piece so as to
command the crossing of the river at the Rocky Ford, on the
road from Lenoir to Morganton. Lieutenant George West,
previously Aide-de-Camp on the staff of General D. H. Hill,
had hurriedly organized and drilled a squad of young men
who had charge of this gun. Captain Twitty’s company of
Avery’s Battalion, removed from the western part of Burke
County, when Stoneman’s command approached Morganton
and occupied some rifle pits along the bank of the river near
Rocky Ford. The home guard, under Colonel T. George
Walton, were posted higher up the hill, and were supporting
the field piece. This field piece, with the help of the in-
fantry under General McGowan, chiefly that of Twitty’s
sharpshooters, prevented Stoneman’s men from crossing at

that point for several hours. Captain Twitty finding that:

the Federals were going up the river, took a squad and went
up to Fleming’s Ford. When information was received that
Stoneman had sent men to a ford still farther up, all of the
soldiers on the river retreated and evaded capture. T witty’s
men fought with the coolness and courage of veterans in this,
their only skirmish, with trained troops. A portion of Car-
son’s company watched from the hills and mountains the ad-
vance of Stoneman to Swanannoa Gap, and pounced down
upon detached squads of Federals, where they saw that they
would not be outnumbered.

In May, 1865, the whole mountain and Piedmont country
was infested with robbers claiming to have been enlisted in
the Federal army and it became absolutely necessary for the
boldest among the returned soldiers of the Confederate Army
to organize and strike terror into these bands of marauders. A
party of desperate robbers were pursued by a number of Ex-
Confederate soldiers, and took refuge in a sort of block house
in Wilkes County, which was called Fort Hamby. In a
charge upon this house, when it was captured Second Lieu-

SEVENTEENTH BATTALION. 377

tenant Henly, of Miller’s company, was killed. There
was not a more daring man in any army. The storming of
Fort Hamby 14 May, 1865, is the subject of an interesting
article by Hon. R. Z. Linney in this volume. The men who
fought and fell there imperiled their lives for the protection
of their friends and families and moreover incurred the risk
of being punished by the Yankees, at the instance of their

irregular soldiers, who were in sympathy with such robbers.
A. ©. Avzry.

Moreanton, N. C.,
30 May, 1901.

 
EIGHTEENTH BATTALION.

(MACRAE'S BATTALION. )

By MAJOR J. C. MACRAE.

In the summer and fall of 1863, the condition of affairs in
the mountains of Western North Carolina became so disor-
dered by reason of the withdrawal of most of the men who
were loyal to the Confederacy for service in the two great
armies of Northern Virginia and of the West, that it was nec- —
essary for the government to organize the military district of
Western North Carolina, under Brigadier-General R. B.
Vance, and to send General Hoke with several of his regi-
ments to Wilkes and adjoining counties.

The troops at the disposal of General Vance, on the other
side of the Ridge, being insufficient to protect the people in
that section, in November, 1863, this battalion, composed of
picked men and experienced officers, then known as Mac-
Rae’s Battalion, was mustered in for temporary service by
General Hoke at Morganton.

It was composed of three companies of infantry, one com-
manded by Captain Thomas H. Haughton, then of Chatham ;
another by Captain John W. Mallett, then of Cumberland,
and the third by Captain Alex. McMillan, of Ashe. To this
command was attached a section of artillery under Lieutenant
Collins, Company F, Starr’s Battalion and two companies
of cavalry, one commanded by Captain A. B. Hill, of Hali-
fax, who soon resigned and was succeeded by Captain John
S. Hines, of Raleigh; and the other by Captain Hugh L.
Cole, of New Bern. Having no access to the rolls, I am un-
able to give the names of the other officers of these companies,
except Lieutenants Robb, of Tredell; Hal. Fetter, of Orange,
and John Hanks, of Chatham, of the infantry. Captain
Albert M. Noble, of New Bern, was Commissary and Quar-

termaster. :
Being apprised of a threatened attack upon Asheville by a

 
 

380 Norto CaroLina Troops, 1861~’65.

 

EIGHTEENTH BATTALION. 381

notorious bushwhacker and partisan leader named George W.
Kirk, who afterwards became more notorious as Colonel of
Governor Holden’s First North Carolina Regiment in the
Klu-Klux campaign, this command proceeded by a forced

The whole battalion with a part of the Sixty-second, com-
manded by Lieutenant-Colonel Clayton, operated on Big
Laurel and Shelton Laurel in Madison County, to the top of
the Bald and back to Warm Springs and Marshall.

 

march to Asheville and reported for duty to General Vance,
and the threatened attack upon Asheville being averted,
went on down the French Broad to Marshall and Paint Rock,
where it remained in bivouac for some time patrolling that
section and making occasional excursions into East Tennessee
for the protection of the people.

Later in the winter, headquarters were established at Ashe-
ville, from which point the different companies, or detach-

ments of them, were sent to such points from Yancey to Clay,
as required their service.

Once, some companies of this battalion relieved a company
of the Sixty-fourth which was on the island in the French
Broad near Marshall, surrounded by sharpshooting bush-
whackers, and drove off the bushwhackers. i

Captain Mallett operated for a time in Henderson an
Polk, and Captain Cole and afterwards Captain Hines were
stationed on the French Broad above Brevard near what
is now Toxaway and the beautiful Sapphire country ; and fs
the way, when Captain Hines was withdrawn from Transyl-

vania, many of the loyal people left their homes, where they
om ravag' der.
were no longer safe from ravage and mur
The whole command passed through Haywood, Jackson
and Macon to Franklin, and Captain Fines’ Company; find-
ing the road blocked by great stones, near Monday’s, crossed
>

the “Chunky Gal’ Mountains by a trail and went into Clay
e i ent some time on
General Vance made a brilliant movement with a portion County, that now peaceful Utopia, and spen

é f inappropriate one
of this battalion and other troops, crossed the Great Smoky Shooting Creek, whose name was not an inapprop
and dropped down into Tennessee in the neighborhood of then. er hieve-
; . ia orious achieve
Dandridge capturing a large wagon train which belonged The service, while it afforded . ‘tes pa cea
to the Federal army operating near Knoxville—but unfortu- ment, was arduous and oo jek pte wi and while: the
nately, before he could get out of the country with the train, fulness, quickness of pita that hi d com "kind which ad-
he was set upon by a large force of the enemy’s cavalry, and danger was not erent wap. 8 tay vein an exthodial ome
was himself captured with most of his command. mitted of no direct and eh aak OE sg ipso ta laying
Colonel John B. Palmer, of the Fifty-eighth North Car- emy, the bullet of the — #2 ar to have died upon the
olina, and Palmer’s Legion, succeeded to the command of the : low some gallant fellow who was worthy
district, the troops under him consisting of parts of the Sixty- field of battle. serine adventures and. brave aldover
second and Sixty-fourth North Carolina, a battery of artil- There were many stirring hose history ought to have bers
lery from Charleston, 8. C., Lieutenant-Colonel J. L. Henry’s turesome acts by ria e anti sag wiialk T Gate ene
Cavalry (Fourteenth) Battalion and several companies of better preserved, but the eee : a2 ent upon the Blue Ridge
Thomas’ Legion of Cherokee Indians. tirely, of the details a pega e tes efn im the Balsam,
From the nature of the service these commands were placed and along the — 0 P “he A bade gee passed away like
at all important points in that section, and moved from place over the Oullowhee x Confederate soldier.
to place as occasion might require. the other dreams of the young

i i ‘ i i 7 d to do good service in protecting
Captain Haughton was for a time at Indian Grave Gap, in : This ie . nee Gate ieuy fiom marauding
3 hora
the Uneka Mountains. the people who

No general engagement between the whole force and the
enemy ever occurred, but there were frequent encounters be-
tween detached companies and parties of bushwhackers who

infested the mountains, the largest organized body of them
being Kirk’s command.

 

 

 
 

 

382 NortH CARoLina Troops, 1861~’65.

attacks of bushwhackers and deserters from both Confederate
and Federal armies who then found hiding places in the
mountains, but some of whose names may not now be un-
known to the pension rolls of the United States,

But the overpowering necessities of the Army of Northern
Virginia in the Spring of 1864 recalled all who could be
spared and many more, from the defence of the homes of
these western counties. This battalion was called to Ral-
eigh and disbanded, its officers and men were sent to Virginia
and absorbed into its fighting, struggling, suffering, but
never despairing army, and shared its sad, but glorious, fate.

T was assigned to duty on the staff of General L. §. Baker,
and followed him in Georgia and South Carolina and in the
eastern district of North Carolina and Southern Virginia to
the end of the war.

Searcely had this battalion reached Raleigh before Colonel
Kirk swept through the passes which they had guarded and
fell upon the conscript camp at Morganton, commanded by
Major Jesse R. McLean, capturing 28 June, 1864, over one
hundred Junior Reserves and carrying those who were not
killed on the way to the prison in Ohio.

It was in the hasty pursuit of Kirk by the citizens of Burke
and the attempt to rescue the prisoners that the lamented
Waighstill W. Avery lost his life.

It very soon became necessary at all hazards to replace this
command with other troops for the protection of the lives and
property of the good people of Western North Carolina.

Jas. O. MacRaz.

Cuapret Hii, N. C.,
12 October, 1901.

NINETEENTH BATTALION.

(MALLETT’s OR HAHR’S BATTALION. )

By THE EDITOR.

This was a battalion of “Light Duty” men, five companies,
commanded by Major F. J. Hahr, a gallant Swede who had
been disabled by wounds. L. L. Prather was Adjutant. It
was originally styled Mallett’s Battalion. The rolls of the
command have been lost, or if in existence, are among the
other captured Confederate rolls in the Record and Pension
Bureau at Washington and not accessible until an act of Con-
gress is passed for their publication. It is probable (but not
certain) that the rolls of the five companies published in
Moore’s Roster, Vol. 4, pp. 284-292, are those of Hahr’s Bat-
talion. Mallett’s Battalion was reported present in the Kin-
ston-Mosely Hall engagements 13-17 December, 1862, under
General N. G. Evans, 207 strong, 26 (Serial) Vol. Off. Ree.
Union and Confed. Armies, 118, 807.

They were used at first as a camp and provost guard at
Raleigh, but on 1 June, 1864, they were at Weldon and re-
ported 349 present. 108 Off. Rec. Union and Confed.
Armies, 988. es

On 28 October, Hahr’s Battalion was sent to Wilmington
and remained there or in that vicinity till after both attacks
on Fort Fisher (25 December, 1864, and 15 January, 1865.)
On 31 January it was still in Wilmington brigaded with the
Seventy-eighth North Carolina under Colonel George Jack-
son, 96 Off. Rec. Union and Confed. Armies, 1187. What
was left of these two commands were at Bentonville where
they fought as “Jackson’s Brigade” and the remnant surren-
dered with Johnston’s army.

383

 
 

 

TWENTIETH BATTALION.

(MILLARD’S BATTALION OF JUNIOR RESERVES. )

By E. R. HAMPTON, Hosprray Srewarp.

One who writes history ought to be familiar with all the
facts necessary to give a complete narration of such events, in
their various details, so that by methodical arrangement one
harmonious and consistent whole may result. In attempting
to write a sketch of the First Battalion of North Carolina.
Junior Reserves,* and the part it took in the Civil War, I am
forced to admit, in the beginning that I am not thus fully
equipped for the undertaking. But in the absence of some
one better qualitied to do justice to the memory of the brave
- young men that composed it, I have consented to undertake
this patriotic and, I may say sacred duty. In an humble way
[ hope to contribute something to rescne and preserve from
obseurity and oblivion the memory of my comrades. I shall
give the organization of our battalion, and recite, as far as
in my power lies, the part it took in the great struggle be-
tween the States of the North and the South, in the latter part
of the conflict. I will narrate such facts as I can from my
own knowledge and from whatever other information I have
been able to collect.

Major John W. Moore, in compiling his “Roster of North
Carolina Troops in the War Between the States,” fails to as-
sign it a place in his work as an organization, but the compa-
nies composing the battalion have been improperly placed by
him as composing a part of the Seventieth Regiment. The
Field and Staff officers which he gives of that regiment on
page 293, Vol. 4, of his Roster, never had any command over
the five companies that follow from pages 294 to 303, but

*The First Battalion was the one commanded by Major C. W. Broad-
foot which was merged into the First Regiment of Reserves. When the
other battalions were organized into Regiments this which had been the

Ninth Battalion of Reserves became the First.--Ep.

25

 

 
gee AAPA NACI ASRAEDL eet  escacrna

ht Rate a hel ot

 

 

386 Nortn Caroiina Troops, 1861~’65.

those five companies in fact constituted the First Battalion
(originally the Ninth) of Junior Reserves. Evidently,
Major Moore in getting up his work had to deal with a great
deal of confusion, as is shown in this particular instance, and
which accounts for the note he appends in which, after giving
what he supposed to be the first five companies of the Seven-
tieth Regiment, he says: ‘The rolls of the remaining com-
panies of this regiment have not yet been found, but I am in
hopes of yet receiving them in which event they will be in-
serted further on in this volume.”

ORGANIZATION,

The First Battalion, composed of young men or boys be-
tween the ages of 17 and 18 years, was organized into com-
panies at Camp Clingman in the town of Asheville, at a point
now in the heart of the city of Asheville, near the present resi-
dence of the Hon. Thomas D. Johnston, on Grove street, in
May and June, 1864. At first the battalion was composed of
only three companies.

Company A—Buncombe and McDowell—Captain, Chas.
M. Hall; First Lieutenant, J. J. Culberson; Second Lieuten-
ants, N. N. Sumner and B. F. Young.

Company B—Rutherford, Polk and Henderson—G@aptain,
J. L. Eaves; First Lieutenant, G. W. Suttle; Second Lieu-
tenants, S. T. Blanton and I. M. Gross.

Company C—Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, M acon, Polk
and Rutherford—Captain, William P. Lane; First Lieuten-
ants, S. E. Smith, A. J. Liner, A. C. Webb and T. R. Gray.

Dr. D. T. Millard, of Asheville, was elected Major 27
June, 1864; Lieutenant Thos. E. Brown, of Abingdon, Va.,
was appointed Adjutant; Alonzo Rankin, of Asheville, Ser-
geant-Major; and Samuel D. Burgin, of Swanannoa, Bun-
combe County, was appointed Commissary Sergeant. After-
wards, at Wilmington, the writer was appointed Hospital
Steward.

After the organization of the first three companies into a
battalion at Asheville, it remained there in camp of instruc-
tion, and on police and guard duty as a part of Colonel Pal-

 

 

TWENTIETH BaTrAaLion. 387

mer’s command until the latter part of the summer of 1864,
when it was ordered and moved to Camp Vance, near Mor-
ganton, where it remained for several weeks on garrison duty.
Just previous to its going to Camp Vance a portion of Kirk’s
command had made a raid on that camp 28 June and cap-
tured the small garrison stationed there and had carried them
away prisoners, back through the mountains into East Ten-
nessee. 77 Off. Rec. Union and Confed. Armies, 284, 239, a
very full account. Part of the company of Captain Conrad,
afterwards of Company E, which was in camp there, was cap-
tured. The remnant which escaped capture afterwards made
up a part of Company E. Captain Conrad was himself
among the captured, but by some good fortune escaped from
his captors and afterwards had the Davie County boys added
to the remnant of his company, which escaped from Camp
Vance and on a reorganization at Salisbury, he was again
elected Captain and was attached to the battalion as Company
E. After the Bentonville fight Captain Conrad resigned
and returned to his home in Yadkin County and was twice
captured by General Stoneman’s command, but succeeded in
again making his escape in both instances.

SALISBURY—-TWO COMPANIES ADDED.

From Oamp Vance we were sent to Salisbury, 4 October,
1864, to perform guard duty over the Federal prisoners who
were in the Confederate prison at that place, and were en-
camped a few hundred yards east of the Federal cemetery.

At that place 17 October we were joined by Company D,
commanded by Captain J. A. Stephenson, composed of boys
from the counties of Alexander, Ashe, and Wilkes. The
First Lieutenant was E. F. Prather, Second Lieutenants W.
C. York and G. W. Wilcox; and, as already stated, we were
also joined by Company E, commanded by Captain S. F.
Conrad, composed of boys from the counties of Davie, Surry
and Yadkin. The First Lieutenant was James B. Douthit,
of Davie, (killed at South West Creek) ; Second Lieutenants,
G. W. Sain, of Davie, and Edwin C. Lineberry, of Yadkin.

The battalion remained on duty at Salisbury as a part
of the prison guard until about the last of October, when it

.
.
!

no ACARI ONE NERE

 
 

 

388 Nortu Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

was ordered to Wilmington and went into quarters at Camp
Lamb. We were on no active duty, except drill, for a
few weeks while at this place and had a comparatively easy
time, except that bread stuff at one time got very scarce in the
Commissary Department and for several days our rations
consisted of one pound of rice and a half pound of Nassau
bacon brought into Wilmington by the blockade runners.
It was only a month or six weeks after our arrival at Camp
Lamb until the boys entered upon their active and earnest sol-
dier life in the field, which continued until the end of the war
and during which period they received their “baptism of
fire” with that heroic fortitude and patient endurance that

has ever characterized the sturdy, gallant and intrepid moun-
tain boys of the “Old North State.”

BELFIELD, VA.

On 8 December we received marching orders to a more ac-
tive field of duty. We were put aboard a freight train and
hurried off to Belfield, Va., to meet and help drive back a
force of the enemy under command of General Warren, that
was approaching the North Carolina border from the direc-
tion of Stoney Creek and Petersburg for the purpose of de-
stroying the Petersburg and Weldon Railroad and cutting off
that line of communication with Petersburg and Richmond.
By some accident our train was partially derailed at Wilson,
N. C., and our progress toward Belfield was delayed for some
hours. We were after this delay got back on the track again
and proceeded on toward Belfield, arriving at Hicksford on
the south side of Hicks’ Run opposite the town of Belfield,
about noon on the 9th. When we reached Hick’s Run our
train crossed slowly over the bridge into Belfield, but the
approaching line of the enemy’s skirmishers and sharpshoot-
ers made it necessary to back the train to the south side
of the creek at Hicksford, where we were ordered to dis-
embark and take up our position along the south bank of the
stream on the left of the railroad line, and immediately set to
work to throw up a line of trenches. The enemy’s skirmish
line, still advancing, soon put us in range of their fire, which
continued almost incessantly the entire afternoon and until

 

 

TWENTIETH BATTALION. 389

late in the night. We were somewhat protected by a battery
which from an elevation a short distance in our rear, opened
fire over our heads upon the enemy’s skirmish line, holding
them in check until our trenches were so far completed as to
afford shelter from their fire. On our left and joining to
our battalion was a battalion of Louisiana Zouaves, and on
our right and on the opposite side of the railroad from us was
a regiment of Junior Reserves. It was a raw, rainy day and
in the afternoon turned into a heavy, disagreeable sleet.
Being in range of the enemy’s fire made it necessary for the
boys to keep pretty close in their fresh dug trenches during
the afternoon and the greater part of the night, without much
fire; with only a very scant supply of blankets and rations, it
rendered their experiences ever memorable in the minds of
our boys who watched and waited in the rain and sleet, on
that dreary December night.

The enemy succeeded in reaching and burning the depot
and a considerable portion of the town of Belfield that after-
noon and night, having torn up and destroyed the railroad
track as, they advanced, by burning the rails on piles of cross
ties and twisting them around trees and telegraph poles inte
almost every conceivable shape. After accomplishing this,
their skirmishers withdrew and with their main force en-
camped about five miles north of that place toward Peters-
burg.

Although relieved from the danger of being struck by the
enemy’s bullets by their withdrawal, the terrible weather
allowed the boys little or no sleep that night. The casual-
ties among our boys were few that afternoon. Sylvester
Peirson, of Company A, fell mortally wounded by the pre-
mature explosion of a shell thrown over our heads from our
own battery, and died that night, and George McCormick, of
the same company, was wounded in the arm; Corporal Leon-
ard and a private of Company E, were slightly wounded.
There were no others killed or wounded in the battalion that
I remember.

Early on the morning of the 10th we were started out on
the march in pursuit of the enemy along the line of railroad
which they had laid in ruins the day before. A part of Gen-

 
 

 

 

390 Norru Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

eral Wade Hampton’s command came in from our left, among
them the Ninth North Carolina, Regiment (First Cavalry),
and passed by our line, crossed Hicks’ Run and began the ad-
vance. Our battalion, the Louisiana Zouaves and other com-
mands took up the line of march through the mud and sleet,
following after the retreating enemy about ten or twelve
miles. General Warren’s forces having succeeded in destroy-
ing the railroad for the time being, as far down as Belfield
and being met there with such resistance as to render further
advance difficult, if not impossible, were now hurrying back
to the shelter of the main body of the Federals in the neigh-
borhood of Stoney Creek. About seven miles north of Bel-
field a part of General Hill’s Corps came in upon the left in
advance of us, and a sharp engagement took place for a few
minutes. The enemy was soon in full retreat back to their
stronghold and we went into camp for the night. The expe-
riences of that day were indelibly impressed upon my mind
as one of the bitterest of my life, and never to be forgotten.
Because of very badly inflamed heels, caused by trying to
wear a pair of coarse, stubborn new shoes, drawn from the
quartermaster’s store just before leaving Wilmington, I was
unable to wear them on this march and found it more endura-
ble to march all day through the sleet and mud barefoot,
with the shoes thrown across my shoulders, than to attempt
to do so.
RETURN TO NORTH CAROLINA.

Next morning, the 11th, we were ordered back to Bel-
field and we returned to that place, going to our old camp at
the trenches which we had occupied on the 9th and morning of
the 10th. By this time the weather had somewhat moderated.
Here we got the first rations since leaving Wilmington.
Owing to the great haste with which we had been carried
away from there our supply was very meagre, so much so
that we were practically without rations for nearly three days.
It was a great relief to our hungry, chilled and worn out boys
to get where they could get a little rest and rations once more.
After resting a few hours and getting our dinner we again
boarded our train and that evening went down to Weldon and

TWENTIETH BATTALION. 391

encamped there for the night. An accident occurred that
night which resulted in the wounding of two men, both of
Company A. A stack of guns, which had been hurriedly
and carelessly stacked, fell down, by which one of them was
discharged and shot Dobson, of McDowell, through the knee,
from which he died, and Matthews, of the same county, was
painfully, but not dangerously, wounded in the leg. Next
morning, 12 December, we again boarded our train and re-
turned to our old quarters at Camp Lamb. We had done no
hard fighting but we had been exposed to the enemy’s fire for
the first time. We had gained some knowledge of soldier’s
life. We had endured fearful exposure in wind and rain and
sleet in want of blankets and food. We had from the 8th to
the 12th travelled over 400 miles by rail and spent two days
marching and a day in the trenches. This gave us our first
real insight into the life of a soldier.

FIRST ATTACK ON FORT FISITER.

Active soldier life had now begun and our rest at our old
quarters at Camp Lamb was destined to be of short duration.
On account of exposure encountered in the Belfield campaign,
some of the boys were taken sick. I was of that number and
was sent to the hospital in Wilmington. About 20 December
the battalion was ordered to break camp and move down to
Masonboro Sound, near Fort Fisher. It went into camp
there about two miles from the fort and remained there a few
days, until the attack on the fort began on the 24th, when
General Butler’s fleet appeared and opened the bombardment.
The boys were ordered out of camp and after patroling and
watching along the coast for the enemy to land, until late in
the night, went into the fort.

The next morning, Sunday (which was Christmas day),
the bombardment was renewed by the enemy’s fleet and kept
up all day. In the afternoon the enemy effected a landing.
The boys were then ordered out of the fort to the front to as-
sist in repelling any attack upon it or the field guns. They
took their position in front of the rifle pits. Some of the field
artillerymen for some reason left their guns, and by command
of Major Reilly, Lieutenant Liner, of Company C, with a por-

 
 

 

392 Norru Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

tion of his company, undertook to man the guns, which they
did very successfully and did good service. In about an hour
the coast was cleared, the enemy returning to their vessels, ex-
cept a captain and a few men who had been captured by the
boys. The battalion remained under arms in a cold rain all
night. The enemy after that night abandoned the attack on
the fort and drew out to sea: Adjutant Brown was wounded
in this engagement and was never with the command any
more. Private Chapman, of Company A, and Private Carri-
gan, of Company D, were wounded.

COLERAINE.

The enemy having abandoned their attack and withdrawn
from before Fort Fisher, the battalion returned to Camp
Lamb on the 27th, where they had another short respite from
active service. It lasted but a short time, however. The en-
emy had possession of New Bern and were threatening to
overrun all of Eastern North Carolina. Along in January,
1865, they had entered Albemarle Sound and had gone up
Chowan river with one or more gun boats and a small force
had effected a landing at Coleraine. The battalion was again
ordered to leave Camp Lamb, for the last time, and were sent
by train to Halifax. It was a cold, uncomfortable trip. For
want of room inside the cars some of the boys were compelled
to ride on top the train and it was so cold that one of the boys
froze and fell off the car on the trip. Arriving at Halifax
we were placed with the Seventy-first Regiment (Second
Juniors) and some other troops, under Colonel John H. An-
derson, of that regiment and marched down the Roanoke and
across the country to Coleraine, encountering flooded streams
and other obstacles, to meet the enemy at that point. They
did. not hold their ground to give our boys the glory of an en-
gagement with them, but at our approach they went back
aboard their gun boats and evacuated the place.

From Coleraine the battalion returned to Goldsboro and
took up camp there for a few weeks. On or about 12 and 13
January, while in camp at Goldsboro all the boys in the bat-
talion over 18 years of age were transferred to regular Con-
federate regiments to fill up their depleted ranks.

TWENTIETH BATTALION, 393

BATTLE OF SOUTH WEST CREEK.

A short time after this the enemy coming out from New
Bern was advancing toward Kinston. The battalion was
ordered away from Goldsboro to move to Kinston and was
attached to General Hoke’s Division. A few miles below
Kinston General Hoke’s force met and engaged the enemy,
whom they repulsed. Some 1,500 or more of the Federal
forces were taken prisoners. In this fight, 8-9 March, the
battalion was actively engaged and sustained considerable loss
in killed and wounded. While supporting General Hoke’s
left wing a portion of the enemy’s force advanced upon and
engaged our boys. In thé morning we held a position on the
south side of the railroad, but in the afternoon were ordered
to change position to the north side, crossing very near where
the enemy were advancing. As soon as we crossed over the
enemy attacked our boys, to which they promptly responded
and a sharp engagement followed. Here for the first time,
the boys were ordered to make a charge, which they did ef-
fectively, and drove the enemy back. Companies © and E
were particularly exposed by being in the road without any
shelter, and suffered considerable loss in wounded; Captain
Lane, of Company ©, was shot through the breast and seri-
ously wounded; Lieutenant Liner, of Company C, received
two slight flesh wounds; Lieutenant Douthit (who is named
in Major Moore’s “Roster” as Lieutenant Danthel), and
Lieutenant Lineberry, of Company E, were both mortally
wounded. This company, E, had nine men wounded in this
engagement. Corporal W. R. Hill, of Company D, was
killed and several others of that company wounded. The
other companies had some of their men wounded, but I am
not able now to give names and number. Major Millard,
being absent from the battalion since leaving Wilmington,
Captain Hall, a brave and courageous officer was in com-

mand.
BENTONVILLE.

After the engagement at Kinston, the battalion was as-
signed to the brigade of Junior Reserves, which already em-
braced the Seventieth, Seventy-first and Seventy-second Reg-

 
 

 

 

Nortu Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

iments (First, Second and Third J uniors), commanded by
Colonel J. H. Nethercutt. This brigade belonged to Hoke’s
Division, and met the enemy next at Bentonville 19-21 March,
1865. A portion of General Johnston’s army was there con-
fronting the advancing columns of Sherman’s army approach-
ing from the south. At this engagement the battalion took
part and while not engaged in the hottest of the conflict it was
exposed both to the artillery and musketry fire of the enemy
at frequent intervals for three days and sustained some losses.
There were quite a number of the boys wounded at this en-

gagement, but I am unable to give the names of any except
Private Carter, of Company E.

THE RETREAT.

After the Bentonville engagement the Battalion made no
other history except in common with the retreating forces of
General Joseph E. Johnston before the victorious columns
of Sherman’s invading army. The fortunes of the Confeder-
acy were rapidly yielding to the force of overwhelming num-
bers and the want of army supplies. This great leader, sec-
ond only to Lee, with his army must soon capitulate to an
army of invaders of far superior strength. The fate of that
army was shared by the First Battalion of Junior Reserves.
Tt moved with the brigade and that wing of our army from
Bentonville on through Smithfield, Raleigh, Durham and
other intervening points until the final surrender 26 April
near Greensboro, then, along with their fathers and older
brothers, scar-worn veterans that had contested the Federal
advance from Chickamauga to Greensboro, the boys laid down
their arms on the grave of the “Lost Cause” to return to their
homes and enter again the paths of civil life. Each officer
and man in the army was paid $1.25 in silver. The Junior
Brigade received their paroles 2 May, 1865, at Bush Hill, be-
tween High Point and Trinity College, in Randolph County.

This ends the real history of the First Battalion of North
Carolina Junior Reserves and its services in the Civil War
of thirty-six years ago. There are many incidents and mat-
ters of detail which went to make up our army life that would
no doubt, be interesting to individual members, to have re-

 

TWENTIETH BATTALION. 395

corded in history; want of information renders it impossible
to go into them. I have given the history of the organization
and its services with some of the incidents and results attend-
ing its military career in the best manner I am able with the
means at my command, which I feel sure is substantially cor-
rect in outline if not literally correct in detail.

Tt will not be improper for me to say here, that while I
have been engaged in writing this sketch that I have been
greatly aided in my work by Captain S. F. Conrad, of Com-
pany E, and Lieutenant Joseph Liner, of Company C. Also
Sergeant A. H. Matheson, of Company D, and Mr. E. E.
Smith, of Settle, N. C., who married the sister of Lieutenant
Lineberry, who fell at Kinston, all of whom have fur-
nished me much valuable data by which I have been enabled
to write up the movements of the battalion after my connec-
tion with it ceased. Without their aid my work must have
been very incomplete. I regret very much that I have not
been able to get any assistance or information from any mem-
ber of Company B, although I made considerable effort to
do so.

Before closing this sketch I think it will not be improper
for me to call attention to some inaccuracies in Major Moore’s
“Roster” which appear to my own personal knowledge or by
information from others who know the facts. The fourth
volume of his work contains many errors in names and rank of
men and officers in the companies composing our battalion. It
is not my purpose to introduce myself as his critic because I
have no doubt but his work is as perfect as he was able to
make it with the material accessible to him, and taken as a
whole he has given the State a valuable work. I think it
quite likely the company rolls were often very badly or imper-
fectly kept, either from want of proper qualification, or neg-
lect, of company officers whose duty it was to attend to them.
This, taken in connection with the confusion that existed at
the close of the war, the loss of valuable records, ete., will ac-
count for the fact that his work is not and could not be abso-
lutely correct. I will correct a few mistakes that T am aware
of, Viz. :

In Company A, J. M. Greenlee was First, or Orderly Ser-

 
 

 

 

396 Nort Oarorina Troops, 1861-65.

geant, and not J. E. Dobson. J. Y. Hemphill, of McDowell
County, was Second Sergeant. Dobson was wounded at
Weldon 11 December, 1864, and died from the effects of his
wound, as already stated.

In Company B, the name of the Captain was J. L. Eaves,
and not J. L. Evans, as given in the “Roster.”

In Company C, the name of the Second Lieutenant was A.
J. or Joseph Liner, and not “Lines,” as printed in ‘Roster.”

In Company D, the name of the Second Sergeant is A. H.
Matheson, and not “A. H. Wilkerson,” as printed in “Ros-
ter.” °

In Company E, the name of Captain Conrad is “8. F.” in-
stead of “F. S.” The name of the First Lieutenant is James
B. Douthit (mortally wounded at Kinston), and not “James
B. Danthel.”

There are undoubtedly many mistakes among the names of
privates and non-commissioned officers on the “Roster” that
perhaps can never be corrected.

In conelusion I desire to say that in looking back over a
period of thirty-six years since the boys laid down their arms
at Greensboro and saw their last service in that brave, but
overpowered army of the strangled Confederacy, I am re
minded how swiftly time has flown and that while we were
of the youngest of those who entered the military service of
the “Lost Cause,” the survivors are now men who have long
since crossed the meridian mark of life. Many of them have
gone to their final reward. Others have sought homes in
distant States. More than the third of a century has passed
since they were last together in a common cause. The mel-
lowing influences of time has done much to allay the surging
billows of bitterness and strife that surrounded their earlier
years and they remain only in the retrospect of the past. Let
us hope that our children may never see such fratricidal strife
in their day and that in the “great beyond” we may meet our
old comrades and realize the full fruition of hope in a grand
reunion in the land of eternal joy and peace.

E. R. Hamperon.

Bryson Ciry, N. C.,
26 Aprit, 1901.

 

TWENTY-FIRST BATTALION.

(ERWIN’S SENIOR RESERVE BATTALION. )

By THE EDITOR.

This Battalion was organized at Asheville in July, 1864,
and was composed of Senior Reserves from the counties of
Polk, Rutherford, McDowell, Henderson and Transylvania.
It elected as Major, L. P. Erwin, who had been Captain of
Company G, Sixteenth North Carolina Regiment, and had
been disabled by wounds at Fredericksburg 13 December,
1862, having been previously wounded at Mechanicsville, but
who now patriotically returned to aid his State in this hour
of direst need. He has in the last few days died at his resi-
dence in Rutherfordton. On 1 September, 1864, the battal-
ion then in Asheville reported 200 men present. On 1 Novem-
ber General Holmes telegraphed General Bragg that he had
sent him Millard’s Battalion (Juniors), Erwin’s Battalion
(Seniors), Shober’s Regiment, Seventy-seventh (Seventh
Seniors), and thirteen other companies of Seniors. If, as is
probable, Erwin’s Battalion went to Wilmington, one com-
pany probably remained at Asheville, for 18 December, 1864,
General Martin reports 43 men of Erwin’s Battalion at that
point, 89 Off. Records Union and Confed. Armies, 1279,
and 10 March, 1865, there were 88 reported present, at that
point, Vol. 103 of above work at page 1048.

397

 
 

 

TWENTY-SECOND BATTALION.

(HILL'S SENIOR RESERVES, )

By THE EDITOR.

The Senior Reserves were organized into five regiments
and three battalions. The regiments were the Seventy-third,
Seventy-fourth, Seventy-sixth, Seventy-seventh and Seventy-
eighth North Carolina (Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and
Eighth Reserves), whose career has been already narrated as
far as is now obtainable, in this volume. . The battalions
were First Battalion of Seniors, commanded by Major L. P.
Erwin, just given, the Second Battalion of Seniors com-
manded by Major A. A. Hill, and the Third Battalion of
Seniors commanded by Major J. T. Littlejohn. The Second
Battalion of Senior Reserves consisted of the Senior Reserves
from Catawba and adjacent counties, and organized by elect-
ing A. A. Hill, Major. He was a disabled officer from Lee’s
army who had been on light duty as enrolling officer for Alex-
ander County.

The services of this battalion were doubtless useful in
guarding bridges, arresting deserters and possibly it may
have rendered some service in guarding prisoners at Salis-
bury. It is only incidentally mentioned in General Holmes’
Order and Letter Books.

TWENTY-THIRD BATTALION.

(LITTLEJOHN’S BATTALION, SENIORS. )

By THE EDITOR.

This was the Third Battalion of Seniors. There was an-
other battalion called the Third Battalion of Reserves which
was commanded by Major Boaz F. Hooks. That battalion,
160 strong, was reported 1 June, 1864 (108 Off. Rec. Union
and Confed, Armies, 988), as being then on duty guarding
the Neuse river bridge just south of Goldsboro, which had
once been burnt by the enemy. That battalion, however,
was consolidated with other companies into the Seventy-eighth
Regiment (Highth Reserves) and after serving with it in
both assaults on Fort Fisher, formed part of Jackson’s Bri-
gade at Bentonville 19-21 March, 1865.

The present Third Battalion was’ composed of Senior Re-
serves from Granville and adjoining counties. It was or-
ganized in Raleigh about August, 1864, by electing James T.
Littlejohn, of Oxford, Major. Lieutenant William Daniel,
of Company C, was made Adjutant. It was composed of
fonr companies commanded respectively by Captain J. W.
Perry, Company A; Captain E. J. Blackley, Captain J. M.
Gardner, and Captain T. J. Crews. Lieutenant A. Bobbitt
is also incidentally mentioned. It was ordered to Raleigh
(apparently having been furloughed) on 21 October, and was
sent to Wilmington with Hahr’s Battalion and saw several
months service there, probably under command of Colonel]
George Jackson. On 17 March Captain J. W. Perry, of
Company A, then in command of the battalion, was investi-
gated and reprimanded for giving some of his men furloughs

without higher authority.

 
 

 

 

TWENTY-FOURTH BATTALION.

(RENCHER’S BATTALION. )

By THE EDITOR.

The men “on detail” in North Carolina were reported by
General Holmes to be 3,117 in number. In November, 1864,
he was ordered by the Richmond authorities to organize them
into regiments. They doubtless embraced all those on details
of any kind frem 17 to 50 years of age. These were organ-
ized into three regiments, Highty-first, Eighty-second and
Kighty-+third North Carolina (First, Second and Third Reg-
iments of Detailed Men) commanded by Colonels W. J. Hoke
(or L. M. MeCorkle), Colonel A. G. Brenizer and Colonel
Bouchelle and one battalion commanded by Lieutenant Wm.
C. Rencher, a disabled officer who was enrolling officer at Fay-
etteville where, upon the organization of the battalion, he
was elected Major. Soon after its organization it was as-
signed to the division commanded by General H. R. Jackson,
of Georgia, and aided to cover the removal of the Confederate
war material from the Fayetteville arsenal and the burning
of the bridge at that place, for efficiency in the discharge of
which duty the command was complimented by General Jack-
son. The order books of General Holmes show that the bat-
talion was ordered to Raleigh, but the nature of its services
thereafter are not known. The three regiments of “De-
tailed Men” were brigaded under Colonel W. J. Hoke
and were marched to confront Sherman, when it was thought
he was heading for Charlotte. One company of the Eighty-
second was captured by Stoneman at Salisbury, and was kept
in prison at Camp Chase, Ohio, for three months after the
war as is related by Colonel A. G. Brenizer in his history of

that regiment.

TWENTY-FIFTH BATTALION.

(BINGHAM’S BATTALION. )

By THE EDITOR.

This was a battalion of three companies which was organ-
ized in the winter of 186465 in Watauga and adjacent
counties for their protection from Kirk and similar charac-
ters. Harvey H. Bingham was elected Major. As men-
tioned by Judge Avery in his history of Avery’s Battalion
(Seventeenth Battalion ante) Bingham and his battalion
were captured by a force sent out from Franklin’s Division,
then at Bristol, Va., in February or March, 1865.

UNATTACHED COMPANIES.

By THE EDITOR.

Gradually unattached companies were absorbed by neigh-
boring battalions and regiments, but many companies re-
mained wnattached to the very last. We have no means of
ascertaining exactly how many. On 10 June, 1864, the fol-
lowing are mentioned: Two companies State cavalry, two of
infantry and Captain Jno. W. Galloway’s Coast Guard, 69
Off. Rec. Union and Confed. Armies, 892, 893. Spencer's
and Pitts’ unattached companies were reported at Plymouth
September, 1864. 88 Off. Rec. Union and Confed. Armies,
1226. Two such companies commanded by Captains H. P.
Allen and E. D. Sneed were ordered to Wilmington 28 Octo-
ber, 1864, 89 Off. Rec. Union and Confed. Armies, 1181.

26 401

 
 

 

402 Nort Caroxina Troops, 1861-65.

In same work, (Serial Vol.) 96, p. 1186, Captain J. Daw-
son’s and Captain Jno. B. Griswold’s companies (both Sen-
ior Reserves) are reported at Goldsboro and on the next page
Captain Croom’s company at Kinston and Captain McDou-
gald’s and a company of Coast Guard at Wilmington. From
same publication we know Captain Foy’s and Captain Bass’
company were both unattached. This is sixteen unattached
companies (if none of these are counted twice) and there
were certainly several others, for on 11 October, 1864, the
official reports show that there was then twelve unattached
companies from this State in the Confederate service. This
was exclusive of the unattached companies in State service.
129 Off. Rec. Union and Confed. Armies, 722. On 19 No-
vember, 1864, the Adjutant-General’s office of North Caro-
lina reported 13 unattached companies. These being those
in Confederate service, the unattached companies in State
service could hardly have been fewer than seven, making a
total of twenty companies, or two regiments.

Captain Spencer was captured in Hyde County, 60 Off.
Rec. Union and Confed. Armies, 154. In the history of the
Sixty-eighth Regiment its author regards Swindell’s and
Spencer’s companies as the eleventh and twelfth companies
of that regiment, Vol. 3 of this work, p. 723, but they were
probably unattached companies. These unattached compa-
nies were doubtless all very full, being mostly on home ser-
vice. Foy’s reported 100 present.

Among many patriotic companies serving temporarily on
an emergency as volunteers and of whom no official record
was kept may be mentioned the Clarendon Guards, of Fay-
etteville, composed of the best people of Fayetteville, not sub-
ject to military service, who volunteered for an emergency in
1862, and served for a month at Fort Fisher with Dr. T. D.
Haigh as Captain, without pay and supported mostly by their
own commissary. ‘Their patriotism was a brilliant instance
of the spirit of our people and should be recorded here.
There were doubtless other like companies elsewhere which
volunteered in emergencies, though not subject to duty.

NORTH CAROLINIANS IN OTHER
COMMANDS.

By THE EDITOR.

In Governor Vance’s address before the Southern Histori-
cal Society at White Sulphur Springs 18 August, 1875, he
stated that the records of the Adjutant General’s office showed
“troops from North Carolina serving in regiments of other
States not borne on our rolls,” 3,103.

Of these companies, we can now trace a company from
Halifax and Northampton whose officers were Captain Lit-
tleberry W. Mason, later Richard E. Mosely, and Lieuten-
ants Junius C. Simmons, later Matthew M. Greene First
Lieutenant, and Wm. F. Baugh and James M. Perkins, Sec-
ond Lieutenants. The roll of this company is given in Vol.
4, Moore’s Roster, pp. 432-435. This company was attached
to the Twelfth Virginia Regiment, Colonel Weisiger, in
Wise’s Brigade.

Moore’s Roster, pp. 435-438, mentions two companies,
Captain Wm. B. Clement from Davie, and Captain H. E.
Hinton from Northampton, which served in the Tenth Vir-
ginia Battalion (Cavalry). Another North Carolina com-
pany served in the Sixty-first Virginia Regiment. Besides
we know that there were North Carolina companies serving
in other regiments or battalions, raised in Virginia, East
Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina. In Captain Webb’s
history of Company A, Thirteenth North Carolina Battalion,
he tells of his and another company from this State which
served in Bogg’s Virginia Battalion of artillery, and the ef-
fort to transfer them to a Virginia regiment of infantry.
The number 3,103 given by Governor Vance from the records
of the Adjutant-General’s office would indicate probably about
thirty companies, equal to three regiments.

In Captain Denson’s history of the “Engineer Corps” in
this work, he gives account of a North Carolina company be-
longing to the First Regiment Confederate States Engineers.

Another North Carolina company was Company F, in the

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

404 NortH Caroiina Troops, 1861-’65.

Naval Battalion commanded by Commodore J. R. Tucker.
D. G. Conn, now residing in Raleigh, was First Sergeant.
While a member of Company L, Fifteenth North Carolina,
he received five wounds, all at Malvern Hill. There was
another North Carolina company in the same battalion of
which —. —. Watts, of Mecklenburg County, was Orderly
Sergeant. The officers of these companies were navy officers
who had no ships to command. This battalion in the spring
of 1865 was at Drewry’s Bluff and it took an honorable part
in the battle of Harper’s Farm (or Green Plains) under Gen-
eral Custis Lee, 6 April, 1865. These two companies were
taken prisoners there and carried to Point Lookout. They
were paroled at Newport News 19 June, 1865.

Moore’s Roster, Vol. 4, p. 443-449, gives a very imper-
fect list of the North Carolinians who enlisted in the navy
proper. Among the officers in the navy from this State were
Captain J. W. Cooke, of the Albemarle ; Commodore W. F.
Lynch, Captain J. N. Maffitt, Captain Jas. I. Waddell, of
the Shenandoah; Commodore W. T. Muse, of the North
Carolina, Lieutenants W. H. Kerr, W. T. Murphy, Thomas
L. Moore and Richard Battle, Master. The services of these
and other naval officers from this State are treated in other
articles in this work.

On the other hand, in the Sixty-fourth North Carolina,
there were two companies from Tennessee, and in the Twen-
ty-fifth North Carolina one company from Georgia and
South Carolina. But these were exceptional cases. In the
Revolutionary war we know the South Carolina commands of
Sumpter, Williams and others were almost entirely composed
of North Carolinians, though our sister State got credit for
them. So in 1861-65, aspiring men raising regiments near
the border in the adjoining States, largely recruited in this
State. Even as to commands raised by this State, Governor
Vance’s letter books show his repeated complaints that so
many of our regiments, and ofttimes our brigades, were com-
manded by men from other States. North Carolina has
always been singularly unassertive and over modest as to the
merits and capacity of her own sons, so much so that one of
her defamers has called her the “Boeotia of the South.”

 
 

 

 

 

‘ MusTERED Out.”

‘** MusTEeRED In.”

a
i=
&
o
&
i)
ee
2)
°
E
B

H. J. Walker and L. J. Walker, Co. B., Thirteenth Regiment.

THE TWO BROTHERS.

By CAPTAIN DAVID G. MAXWELL, Co. H, Tuarrry-Firru Ree-
IMENT, NortH CARroLina TROOPS.

The fortune of war was never more strikingly portrayed
perhaps than by the two pictures opposite, entitled “Before
and After,” of two brothers, soldier boys of Mecklenburg
County, who enlisted in Company B, Thirteenth North Car-
olina Regiment, in April, 1861. The first picture of the
boys, L. J. and H. J. Walker, of Mecklenburg County, in
their Confederate uniforms, and with left hands clasped, was
taken in 1861 a short while after enlistment. The second
picture was taken some time after the war, the brothers in
the same position as the first with left hands clasped, but the
left leg of each does not appear in the picture. The leg of
one brother was buried at Gettysburg, Pa., and that of the
other at Hagerstown, Md. L. J. Walker, the younger brother,
was wounded 1 July, 1863, he being the fifth color-bearer to
be shot down in the charge on Cemetery Hill at Gettysburg.
His leg was amputated at the field hospital by Dr. John H.
McAden, of Charlotte. He was afterwards taken prisoner
and sent to David’s Island, N. Y. H. J. Walker, the elder
brother, participated in the three days’ engagement at Get-
tysburg, coming out unhurt, but on the retreat, 13 July, while
on skirmish line near Hagerstown, Md., he was wounded in
the left leg, conveyed to the field hospital and his leg ampu-
tated by the late Dr. Campbell, of Statesville. Young Wal-
ker was put in an ambulance and taken to Martinsburg, Va.,
and a few days thereafter was taken prisoner and sent to
Johnson’s Island, Ohio, and remained there until April,
1864.

The brothers were poor boys and reared on the farm. They
are now in affluent circumstances, and are honored citizens of
Charlotte. Dr. H. J. Walker, the elder, studied medicine
after the war, and now enjoys a good practice and owns two

 

 
 

 

 

406 Nortu CaRo.ina Troops, 1861~’65.

drug stores, one at Huntersville and one in Dilworth, a resi-
dence suburb of Charlotte. L. J. Walker, the youl er
brother, and who appears on the left in each picture, is pels
a retired merchant. No two better citizens than Dr. Jack
= — bia can be found in North Carolina or in any
other State. Mecklenb i
Sonam saint Ri urg is proud of them and North Car-
An amusing, though pathetic, incident is related of the
two brothers. When they returned, battle-scarred, from the
tented field, L. J. Walker found the sweetheart when he had
left behind, four years before, still true, and waiting to be
claimed by her lover. The day for the wedding was set and
all preparations made. But on that eventful day, and only
a few hours before the ceremony was to take place, the pros-
pective bridegroom met with an accident which seeuned like
the unfriendly dealing of fate. He slipped and in some way
broke his cork leg. Deprived of this very useful member, the
young man found that he could not possibly “stand tp" for
the ceremony, and was therefore in quite a dilemma. At

this important juncture, his brother, Dr. H. J. Walker, went
forward and saved the day by offering to loan his leg ‘to his
brother. The proffered leg was gladly accepted and found to
fit perfectly. This is perhaps the only case on record in

which one man has been married while standing on the leg of
another.

Davin G. Maxwett.
Cuanrtorte, N. C.,

9 Aprin, 1901.

THE CONSCKIPT BUREAU.

By THE EDITOR.

This is a large subject dnd was undertaken by the late Pu-
laski Cowper, who was a most efficient officer (First Lieuten-
ant) on the headquarter’s staff of that department, and than
whom no one could have written a more interesting and valu-
able article. His illness and lamented death prevented his
execution of the work and now there is no one available.

The officers of the Bureau are given in Moore’s Roster,
Vol. 4, pp. 452-455, and their names need not be repeated
here. There was an inspector for each of the Congressional
Districts and a sub-enrolling officer in each county. These
officials were, as a rule, officers who had been in service and
assigned to light duty in consequence of wounds or other dis-
ability thus incurred.

Major Peter Mallett, of Fayetteville, was at the head of
the Bureau in North Carolina,. with a very efficient staff. In
January, 1863, Colonel T. P. August, from another State,
was assigned to that post, but upon the vigorous protest cf
Governor Vance, he was promptly removed.

The first conscript act, 21 April, 1862, embraced all able-
bodied men, not exempted by the act, between the ages of 18
and 35. Those above the age of 35 already in the army were
discharged and substitutes were allowed. Later this last
provision was repealed and those who had put in substitutes
were called on to serve while the age limit was extended to 45
years. By act of Congress 16 March, 1864, those between
the ages of 17 and 18, and between 45 and 50 were called into
service, as Junior and Senior Reserves respectively.

On the passage of the successive conscript acts, many vol-
untarily went into the army so as to select the companies in
which they wished to serve, the number of such being reported
in October, 1864, as 21,608. These were in addition to the
original volunteers of some 71,000 men and 3,103 from this
State serving in commands from other States. The Con-

 
 

408 NortH Caroiina Troops, 1861-’65.

script Bureau reported 18,585 forwarded by its agency up
to that time, which by 9 F ebruary, 1865, was 21,347.

The senior and junior reserves, the detailed men (3,117)
and those who went to the army without reporting and the ad-
ditions after October, 1864, make North Carolina’s total 127,-
000, as stated in Major Gordon’s article in Vol. 1 of this
work, p. 19, exclusive of nine reginfents of Home Guards who
were of use in arresting deserters, keeping the peace and
guarding bridges, with some service in the field.

The 21,347 conseripts gathered up and sent to the army up
to February, 1865, represent only a part of the work of this
department, whose duty was also to gather up and send back
furloughed men who had overstaid their leaves and to arrest
and return deserters. This evil became so great that from
time to time regiments were sent home to assist in the work
and finally it overeame all bounds and together with the
break down in the finances of the Confederacy was the cause
of its overthrow.

Mr. Cowper stated to the writer that there were ten large
bound volumes containing the names and records of desert-
ers from this State and that since the war all these volumes
had mysteriously disappeared. One volume only has been
recovered. It perhaps speaks well rather than otherwise for
human nature that there should be a wish to destroy such
records. In like manner just after the Revolution, a list
was adopted by the Legislature of North Carolina of those
tories whose names should be preserved as enemies of their
country and copies were sent to the other States, but this list
has not only been removed from our archives, but the copies
have disappeared from the archives of all our sister States.

Those who are curious to look up the workings of the Con-
script Bureau can find much data in the latter volumes of the
“Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” but
nothing will supply the information which would have been
given, and which would have been admirably told, by Lieu- .
tenant Pulaski Cowper had disease and death staid their re-
lentless hands for a season.

The Conscript Bureau was an indispensable agency and in
the main an efficient one, though of course never a popular one.

 
 

pipiens = here ee

1,

ENGINEER CORPS.

Thad Coleman, Captain, and Lt.Col. 2. OC. B. Denson, 2d Lieut., Co. A.
60th Regt. after 25th March, 1865. 3. J. ©. Winder, Major.
4. Samuel A, Ashe, Ist Lieut.

THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS AND
ENGINEER TROOPS.

By C. B. DENSON, Srconp Lievrenant Company A, SECOND
Enainegrs, C. §. A.

The earthworks constructed by the Confederate or State
authorities, in the early periods of the war, were built with
patriotic celerity at many points by such troops as were near-
est to the threatened localities, under the direction of the few
engineer officers resident in the South, who had resigned from
the United States Army, or such other skilled engineers as
might be available. In many cases artillery officers ordered
to command, strove to supply the needs of the hour, and the
infantry graduates of West Point, and of the advanced mili-
tary schools were also pressed into service.

So vast was the area and so numerous the demands, that
civil engineers were made military assistant engineers, while
the labor was obtained from such men as had been brought up
in industrial pursuits and gathered together to assist and
direct the negroes enrolled from the various counties, for the
labor required in heavy excavation and embankments in the
larger fortifications.

Many meritorious engineer officers were developed from
the hardy civil engineers who had been engaged in building
the railroads, water works, and similar internal improve-
ments. They learned rapidly in the field the principles of
Vauban’s great art, and brought into play the originality of
the American mind, which so quickly adapts the available
means to provide for the end to be attained.

From necessity, in some States, the defenses of the coast
and the rivers were hastily arranged in the best manner avail-
able, by the State authorities, and subsequently turned over
to the officers placed in charge by the Confederate Govern-
ment at Richmond, according to the importance of the posi-

 
 

 

 

 

410 Nortu Carorina Troops, 1861~’65.

tion, the immediate need of the hour, and the availability of
officers to meet the demand.

It may be said that the great wants of the navy and the
army of the Confederate States were of an opposite charac-
ter. The navy had a fine corps of brave and skilled officers,
unexcelled in the world, but they were almost without ships;
or ports, in the absence of ships. The army had control of
many natural positions of defence, but had very few en-
gineers to improve them, and these were hampered by the
lack of skilled artisans and labor to construct; of ordnance
for works of sufficient strength to meet military require-
ments; and of troops to man the same.

It was more difficult to learn the delicate and responsible
duties than in any other arm of the service. An engineer
officer might be called upon to lay off earth works, build a
bridge, repair roads for artillery, map the territory, construct
magazines, or casemates, scoop out a mine, put together a
pontoon, make and set a torpedo. All these were done, in
the department of North Carolina, and also the obstruction
of harbors and rivers, and the building of torpedo-boats, and
laying of electric, then called “galvanic” sub-terra shells.

The history of this service throughout the war for South-
ern Independence will probably never be written. It cannot
be readily followed like the events in the life of a regiment or
a brigade, nor does it present the dramatic scenes of the
charge of the infantry, or the onset of the cavalry. Indeed,
so little of the pomp of war attends the quiet and steady per-
formance of the indispensable work of the engineers, that
few seem to be aware of their existence; few apparently know
the name of the distinguished General at the head of that
service, who was a native of North Carolina (Major-General
J. F. Gilmer), and never in any painting or sculpture, is
there any emblematic representation like that of the artillery,
cavalry, infantry and navy, to remind the observer that the
military art was in the ranks with Southern valor. And this
in a State upon whose soil was constructed the greatest for-
tress in the Southern Confederacy, the Malakoff of America.

But there was one man, who had himself been the chief
engineer of Scott, the commanding general of the Mexican

Corps oF ENGINEERS. 411

war, who was deeply concerned in developing that arm of the
service, and the writer need not remind you that he was Rob-
ert E. Lee. Nor was General Jackson behind him in appre-
ciation; he who was the best topographical engineer of the
Army of the Valley, unless we except his alter ego in this re-
spect, Major Jed. Hotchkiss, his faithful engineer.

The first services were performed by the officers resigning
from the old army, and military assistant engineers, who only
had rank by courtesy. The Engineer Corps contained of-
ficers who served on the staff of generals for work of emer-
gency in the field, directly with the troops, and others who
were employed, with the respective details under their com-
mand in topographical work, or fortification, ete., and re
ported for orders, maintenance and equipment to the En-
gineer Bureau of the War Department, at Richmond.

Topographical work was indispensable, for no accurate
map existed, except of such outlines as the Coast Survey had
made on the exterior of the bay and ocean coasts. It is well
known that the enemy possessed much better maps of the
peninsula between the Chesapeake and the James at the time
of the Seven Days Battles, than the Confederate authorities,
a fact which had its influence in the failure to reap the results
of victory gained at such bloody cost. No one now doubts
that there should have been no Malvern Hill.

Military maps must be absolutely accurate, in all essential
features. The roads must show exact length and direction,
and all possible branches and by-ways—cleared and wooded
land separately, and location of every house, fence, ford, hill
and valley; the depth of rivers, nature of swamps, character
of soil, everything, in fact, necessary to form a correct judg-
ment of the problem of moving troops, and the use of natural
advantages for protecting the men and giving greatest effect
to artillery or other arms.

So important was such information in General Lee’s opin-
ion, that after the battle of Chancellorsville had occurred and
Hooker had been driven across the Rappahannock, by an
army greatly inferior in numbers, the Confederate com-
mander, as if foreseeing that Spottsylvania, the North Anna,
ete., were again to be some day the battle ground, asked of

 
 

412 Nort Carorina Troops, 1861~’65.

the Engineer Department a minute and complete map of the
whole territory, from the Rapidan southward. This was ex-
ecuted with the transit, and the main lines chained. Indeed
the engineers advanced across the Rappahannock, to the line
of the Occoquan and near Alexandria, and were pursued by
naval and marine forces on the Potomac. But a fairly good
map was obtained of the roads, redoubts, ete., constructed by
the enemy beyond the river,

When General Grant began his assaults by the left flank
toward Richmond in 1864, every foot of ground had been
studied by Lee, and the troops shifted with masterly pre-
cision, met every attack by the shortest route, and on the ex-
act spot required. Grant sacrificed as many men as equaled
Lee’s entire army.

It was perceived by the War Department at Richmond that
the gathering of skilled men to supervise labor, and to exe-
cute the details under the direction of officers temporarily or-
dered for the erection or strengthening of works at various
points, only to be seattered at the completion, and brought to-
gether with difficulty at some other point, was a wasteful pro-
cess, only permissible as a temporary expedient.

In addition, therefore, to the Engineer Corps, it was de-
termined to organize two regiments of Engineer Troops, of
ten companies each. The officers were appointed by the
President, and the nucleus of each company was to be ob-
tained by detailing fifty men from each division or two men
from each regiment, as far as possible from the same State,
within a given district. The companies were to be organ-

ized as a body of regulars. Commanding officers were re-
quested to select only skilled men of approved record, in
knowledge and conduct. The ranks were filled by volunteers
reaching military age, or otherwise, to a minimum of one
hundred men. Two new men were allowed in lieu of one
veteran. As it was anticipated that these regiments would
constitute a part of the regular army of the Confederate
States, after the attainment of independence, and the disso-
lution of the provisional army, the appointments were much
appreciated, of commissions therein.

Military graduates and military assistant engineers, then

 

Corps oF ENGINEERS. 413

in service, and a few officers of the corps proper and staff of-
ficers in other departments who resigned higher rank, to enter
the permanent Engineer Troops, were made the commis-
sioned officers of the line. All appointments were made as in
the case of regulars. No elections were permitted. Com-
missioned officers were selected by presidential appointment.
From the nature of the service, the company was the unit,
and the Captain appointed the non-commissioned officers.
The First Regiment was assigned to the Army of Northern
Virginia. The Second Regiment belonged to the South and
West, along the Atlantic coast, and in the Army of the West.
Company A of this regiment was formed chiefly of North
Carolinians and assigned to North Carolina. In addition
to the details from regiments in Lee’s army of North Caro-
lina troops, the ranks were filled by enlistments at Wilming-
ton. ;
Congress authorized these regiments 20 March, 1863.
General Lee at first opposed the removal of the companies
from their several divisions to regimental headquarters, and
in fact, the second regiment served in separate companies
ghout the war.
ee deletes of North Carolina in 1861 consisted of the
forts Macon and Caswell, the former built for the defence of
Beaufort, by the United States, and the latter, at the a
of the Cape Fear, and the improvised earthworks constructe
by the companies of heavy artillery volunteers, under the
class of officers heretofore referred to. Several officers were
commissioned by the State for this special duty, as S. L.
Fremont, Colonel of Artillery and Engineers ; Major
J. Hedrick, Major Jas. D. Radcliffe, Captain John C =
der, Lieutenant Samuel A. Ashe, Lieutenant-Colonel Fred.
hi nd others.
: stb to say of those in charge of the weienept
works early in the war, that they were required to sit
bricks without straw. The men were unskilled, the works
in most cases too large for the force available to man them,
yet too weak in profile, for want of time, labor and means;

: : Se on
sometimes unsupplied with ordnance in time, and agai

mounting only the smooth twenty-fours and thirty-twos saved
Sas

 
 

 

414 Nort Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

from the Gosport Navy Yard before its evacuation 10 May,
1862. For even these, it was difficult to obtain ammunition.

Colonel Fremont was an officer who had resigned some
time before the war from the United States Army, and had
won reputation as an architect and railroad engineer; Major
Hedrick was a brave and skillful artillery commander, and
with Major Radcliffe, who had a military training, and was
superintendent of a military academy in Wilmington, and
Captain John C. Winder, who had been a skilled engineer
employed on the Croton acqueduct, but resigned at the out-
break of the war to return to his native south, were all in-
dustriously at work on the southeastern coast.

Brigadier-General R. C. Gatling, a native of North Caro-
lina, a graduate of West Point in 1832, had been a veteran
of the Florida and Mexican wars, wounded and _ breveted
Major for gallantry. Upon resigning and returning to his
State, and appointed Colonel in the Confederate States
Army, he was made Adjutant-General by North Carolina,
and was assigned 1 July, 1861, to the coast defence, with the
charge of the general engineering, being promoted to Briga-
dier-General in August, 1861.

Perceiving the troops enrolled and armed, to be called at
once to Virginia, he made repeated calls for sufficient forces
to man the hasty works thrown up at important points in the
East, but without success. Hatteras was taken 29 August,
1861, and Roanoke Island and New Bern fell in February
and March following. His statement in his final report, in
expressing his disappointment, reads thus:

“We failed to make timely efforts to maintain the ascend-
ency on Pamlico Sound, and thus admitted Burnside’s fleet
without a contest. We failed to put a proper force on Roan-
oke Island, and thus lost the key to our interior coast, and
we failed to furnish General Branch with a reasonable force,
and thus lost the important town of New Bern. What I
claim is, that these failures do not by right rest with me.”

Relieved from duty during severe illness after the fall of
New Bern, and being advanced in years (born 1808) he re-

signed in September, 1862, but served afterward as Adjutant
and Inspector-General of North Carolina.

 

 

Corps oF ENGINEERS. 415

On 4 October, 1862, an important change occurred at Rich-
mond in the assignment to duty of Lieutenant-Colonel (after-
wards General) Jeremy Francis Gilmer (a native of Guil-
ford County, N. C.), as Chief of the Engineer Bureau. Gen-
eral Gilmer had graduated at West Point in 1839 with
high honors, becoming Lieutenant of Engineers and subse-
quently Assistant Professor of Engineering in the Academy.
In the Mexican war he was Chief Engineer of the Army of
the West in New Mexico. He resigned 29 June, 1861, at
San Francisco, where he was in charge of the defences of the
Bay. Made Lieutenant-Colonel of Engineers in the Confed-
erate States Army, he was Chief Engineer of General A. S.
Johnston, and severely wounded at Shiloh. Was promoted,
made Chief Engineer’ of the Department of Northern Vir-
ginia, and then became Chief of Engineer Bureau. In 1863
he became Major-General, serving as second in command at
Charleston and Atlanta, but resumed control of the Engineer
Bureau, serving until the close of the war.

Under his orders, 9 October, 1862, Colonel Walter Gwynn
(formerly of West Point, and afterward civil engineer of
distinction), was assigned to examine and defend the Neuse,
Tar, Roanoke and Chowan by obstructing their channels and
placing batteries, to command the obstructions. The Bureau
desired works at a point on the Neuse as low as Kinston, on
the Tar at Greenville, and the Roanoke at or near Hamilton.

Assistance was afforded by Captain C. R. Collins’ En-
gineer Corps at Caswell, and Lieutenant W. G. Bender re-
porting directly to Colonel Gwynn, and by others.

The authorities of the adjacent counties were asked for
labor, and funds provided by the War Department, and by
8 November, works were in progress, near Hamilton, in the
vicinity of Tarboro, and at Kinston, and such advancement
made that the Ordnance Department was asked for artillery
to supply the works. In January following, works were in
progress five miles above Greenville.

But it was afterward reported of these, as of previous
earthworks in this State, that they were too ambitious in
outline, requiring too many men for their proper defence,
while this extended work, resembling, on the Roanoke, an en-

 
 

 

 

416 NortH CAROLINA Troops, 186165.

trenched camp, was not of sufficient strength of profile for
success in the event of persistent attack.

On the Neuse Colonel Gwynn asked for the means of com-
pleting a work requiring 10,000 men and 34 guns. But he
was instructed by the Chief of the Bureau that a fort with
strong land and water fronts, which one regiment could gar-
rison in full, was all that could be undertaken, so many were
the positions necessary to be cared for.

Half of ten thousand men, supplied with ammunition, in
Fort Fisher, would have changed the face of history.

Two points, Rainbow Bend on the Roanoke, and White-
hall on the Neuse, were to be especially provided with de-
fences to protect the building of gun-boats. The brilliant
eareer of the Albemarle, designed for the northeastern waters,
which was completed and commanded by Captain Cooke, of
the Confederate States Navy, is well known.

The great fortress at Fort Fisher, which was the result of
years of labor by successive forces, but chiefly the outcome of
the skill and energy of Colonel William Lamb, under the gen-
eral direction of General Whiting, was first begun by volun-
teer troops, largely the companies afterwards forming the
Eighteenth North Carolina, with Major John J. Hedrick,
and especially with the valuable engineering service of Cap-
tain John C. Winder, aided by Lieutenant S. A. Ashe. Of
this accomplished, but modest officer, Colonel S. L. Fremont,
Chief of Artillery and Engineers of the District of the Cape
Fear, under date of 1 October, 1861, when Captain Winder
was relieved to become Major and Assistant Adjutant-Gen-
eral with General J. G. Martin, wrote as follows:

“Captain Winder has been from the first occupation of the
public works by North Carolina, in the service of the Cape
Fear coast and river, where his efficiency has been testified to
by all observers. * * He has had the immediate charge
of laying out the batteries on the coast * * and the en-
tire charge of the construction of Fort Fisher has been con-
fided to him, until the guns on the water front were mounted.
He laid out the casemate water battery at that place.”

He built works at Camp Wyatt, on Zeke’s Island, and at
other points. He was the son of General Winder, of the

 

Corrs or ENGINEERS. 417

Confederate service, and a member of the distinguished fam-
ily of the name, represented in the old army from its earliest
history.

Major Winder remained in the State service throughout
1862, performing much duty as an engineer in addition to
his labors as Assistant Adjutant-General. In November of
that year, he was ordered to construct batteries near Hill’s
Ferry, on the Roanoke. Changes at headquarters in Raleigh
induced his acceptance of an appointment as military assist-
ant engineer under the Confederate States, in May, 1863,
and he was subsequently made Captain of Company A, En-
gineer Troops, assigned to North Carolina, which will be
hereafter more fully referred to.

The writer deeply regrets the fragmentary nature of a
sketch of the patriotism and accomplished officers who gave
their indefatigable efforts to the defence of North Carolina,
including those in the Engineer Corps, and from the Artillery
and the Navy or Marine Corps, whose scientific training was
available for this work. But in the course of forty years
they have nearly all passed away, the majority having
already at that time reached maturity of life in their profes-
sion. In many cases no publication remains that even en-
rolls their names.

Among these should be named Captain Wm. H. James,
Engineer Corps, Chief Engineer at Wilmington. He had
been a civil engineer of the United States Navy, and was
attached to the Navy Yard at Pensacola at the breaking
out of the war. He was a Northerner by birth, but married
in the South, and was true to her cause. His specialty was
that of a dock engineer, and as additional officers assumed
duty, he was much confined to headquarters in Wilmington,
having the control of the thousands of negroes impressed into
the service from the several counties to perform the heavy
excavations and embankment in building the great fortifica-
tions erected upon the original lighter lines. One slave in
five was taken from each plantation, with the consent of the
Governor, but none where the number was smaller than five.

Extensive quartermaster and commissary service was es-
pecially required for these laborers, who numbered five thou-

27

 
 

 

418 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

sand at one time. Shops were maintained for necessary iron
and wood work, supply of entrenching tools, ete.

Lieutenant John Kent Brown, Lieutenant Wm. A. Oben-
chain, Captain Liernur (formerly of the regular army of the
Netherlands,) Lieutenant Parks (this gifted officer was
killed at the battle of Fort Anderson, on the Cape Fear, be-
low Wilmington), were all of the Engineer Corps. Cap-
tain Wm. H. Northrop commanded the Petteway, supply
steamer in the engineer service, and was in the retreat on the
west side of the river. Major Young, Captain Andrews and
Captain Sweetman, of the artillery, were on engineer service,
as were also Lieutenant-Colonel Gwathmey, Major Forest
and Captain Meade, of the navy. All these were connected
with the District of the Cape Fear for a shorter or longer
period.

To Captain C. R. Collins, Engineer Corps, was assigned
the duty of strengthening Fort Caswell, in October, 1862.

Captain Thaddeus Coleman, of the Engineers, serving with
General D. H. Hill when the latter was in command of the
Department of North Carolina, was requested to be assigned
to the works at Kinston by General Daniel, to extend the
same, and in May, 1863, General Martin reports of the works
laid out by Coleman around Greenville, that while not fully
what successful defence required, “I thought them the best
the ground would permit.”

On 17 November, 1862, General W. H. ©. Whiting ar-
rived in Wilmington, after his brilliant service in command
of a division of the Army of Northern Virginia, previous to
which he had advised plans of defence for Wilmington on
the ground in the Spring of 1861.

Wilmington was the most important port of the Confed-
eracy for the receipt of supplies and munitions of war, and
an officer recognized in both armies as without a superior as
an engineer was sent to its command. He was already
familiar with its topography, having entered the army with
the highest record ever made by any graduate at West Point,
and had risen to the grade of Major of Engineers, having
served before the war in charge of the improvements of the
harbor and river of the Cape Fear. He had been with Jos.

Corrs or ENGINEERS. 419

E. Johnston as Chief Engineer at Harper’s Ferry and Man-
assas ; had planned the defences of Charleston, and now made
a careful examination at Wilmington, reporting as follows
to General Cooper, Adjutant-General Confederate States
Army, 15 January, 1863: “Found partial line of earth-
works, well constructed, but weak in profile, one and a half
miles long on the east and south of the city, mounting twelve
guns, old 24’s and 32’s. There were three batteries below
the upper jetty lights, and two at imperfect obstructions at
Mount Tirza. Battery St. Philip (afterwards called Fort
Anderson), fourteen miles from the city, was well con-
structed, but without proper traverses.

“On Confederate Point, to protect New Inlet, had been
constructed the earthwork known as Fort Fisher. Here the
skill, ingenuity and perseverance of successively Major John
J. Hedrick, of the artillery, (Captain John ©. Winder, Artil-
lery and Engineers, accidentally omitted), Major R. K.
Meade, Engineers (for a short time), and especially of Colo-
nel Wm. Lamb, now commanding, and his men, have been sig-
nally displayed. The fort is a strong seacoast work, partly
easemated and partly barbette. It would not, however, be
tenable for any length of time against a formidable land at-
tack.”

* * * * * * * * & *

“The advanced batteries nearest the bar previously ar-
ranged had, for some unknown reason, been leveled.” * * “T
have to give my warmest praise to the manner in which of-
ficers and men have labored day and night. Colonel Lamb,
Lieutenant-Colonel Gwathmey of the navy, Major Forrest
of the navy (until his illness), Major Young and Captain
Andrews, and Captain James and Lieutenant Obenchain of
the Engineers, have been indefatigable, with their excellent
commands, in strengthening the defences. Their value, in-
complete as they still are (necessarily for want of time, im-
plements and material), niust shortly be tested. If they
succeed, their officers and men should have great praise; if
they fail, it is not their fault.”

The “advanced batteries” referred to were batteries Rad-

eliffe and Campbell, on Oak Island, south of Caswell. The

 
 

420 NortTH CAROLINA Troops, 1861-’65.

former of these commanded the bar with a flanking fire, and
was held by the Confederate Grays in May and June, 1861,
under the writer as Captain Commanding. This company
had been drilled both as infantry and artillery, and subse-
quently became Company E, Twentieth North Carolina. -A
crude picture (page 121, Vol. 2 of these records), shows a por-
tion of the command in camp at Franklin Military Institute
a few days after organization in April, 1861. Many had
been cadets there several years, under Captain C. B. Den-
son, one of the principals and the commandant. Among its
cadets were such officers of high merit as Colonel John Ash-
ford, Colonel Jesse P. Williams, Captains Stephen Cowley,
(killed at the battle of Franklin as Inspector-General of
Bate’s Division), Owen L. Chesnutt, C. B. Monk (killed in
battle), A. B. Hicks, Lieutenants A. D. Hicks, Jos. B. Oli-
ver, and many others.

One fact deserves record here which is believed to be
unique, in regard to this command which was employed in
completing the defensive work of which it was the garrison.

There is probably no other instance North or South, of
the complete equipment of a company by the direct contribu-
tions of its members and their patriotic friends. Formed 20
April, but regularly organized 27 April, in a few days it had
every article supplied to regulars in the old army. Yet it
was formed at the Institute, in the woods, with no village
nearer than Kenansville, eighteen miles distant, Mt. Olive
being but a railroad station three miles away. Nothing
whatever was furnished by the State of North Carolina, or
the Confederate States, except the flint-lock muskets of the
military school. Supplied with tents (made by the patriotic
ladies), uniforms complete, two suits each, both dress and
fatigue, also made by them, knapsacks, canteens, cap, pouch
and belts, camp equipage, including mess chests and medical
stores with boxes of extra shoes, blankets, officers swords and
with three days cooked provisions, and a parting gift of a silk
Confederate flag from the noble women, the command repaired
to the mouth of the river, where attack was daily expected.
These articles had been purchased or made in Richmond,
Norfolk and Wilmington for cash contributed by the com-

 

Corrs or ENGINEERS. 491

pany and its friends. Help was not expected or asked from
the State authorities, and pay for service never entered the
mind of any one of that band, of whom but twenty-seven now
remain, who were members at any time in the four years.

General J. R. Anderson ordered the levelling of the bst-
tery, it is believed, because of the fear that if carried by a land-
ing force, it could be used against Caswell. He was an ex-
cellent infantry officer, but this did not accord with the judg-
ment of an engineer, like Whiting, as noted in the extract re-
ferred to.

It is also due to the fine soldiers which were afterwards
organized into the Fortieth North Carolina Troops, but then
separate artillery companies, to record their arduous labors
in the building, not only of Fort Fisher with its curtains and
connecting batteries, and the works on Smith’s Island, com-
monly called Bald Head, and Fort Pender, Fort Holmes, ete.
These are mentioned in the history of this regiment, Vol. 2,
p. 755, of these records, by Sergeant T. C. Davis.

In April, 1861, before his orders to Virginia, Major W.
H. C. Whiting having established headquarters at Wilming-
ton whither he had repaired from Charleston after the suc-
cessful bombardment of Sumter, appointed Mr. Samuel A.
Ashe, who had been a student at Annapolis, as a Lieutenant
and assigned him to duty at Fort Caswell, under Captain
F. L. Childs, Chief of Artillery and Ordnance. Upon the
organization of the North Carolina forces, the Board of War
sent Mr. Ashe a commission as First Lieutenant in the Corps
of Engineers, Artillery and Ordnance, and he continued his
duties with Captain John C. Winder, and Captain Childs.
Captain Winder had been sent to Fort Caswell by Governor
Ellis as soon as it was seized, and Captain Childs, a zealous
and efficient officer of the old army, had hurried from Charles-
ton, with Major Whiting, to render service on the Cape Fear.

{xcept ten days detached service in June, to move the rifle
machinery from Harper’s Ferry to Fayetteville, Lieutenant
Ashe served with Captain Winder until he fell ill with fever,
recovering in September. In the meantime, the State had
turned over its forces to the Confederate Government, with-
out making provision for its engineer officers, and their com-

 

 
 

422 NortH Carottina Troops, 1861-’65.

missions had been annulled. The situation was anomalous.
There was no Confederate General or other officer in com-
mand.

Colonel S. L. Fremont, who had held a commission in the
Engineer Corps, under some arrangement, continued in
charge. There were no other persons to perform the neces-
sary duties these gentlemen had been assigned to, and so they
continued at work, in the emergency, without commissions,
without pay, and having rank only by courtesy.

Captain Winder planned the first defences, in conference
with Colonel Fremont, who devised means for constructing
the first casemate on Federal Point—built of palmetto logs
cut on Smith’s Island, and sand-bags, and strengthened with’
railroad iron. Lieutenant Ashe equipped the batteries, and
superintended the rifling of old smooth-bore guns with ma-
chinery designed by Messrs. Easons, of Charleston.

Captain Winder’s plan of defence for Federal Point con-
sisted in a strong fort at the Point; a redoubt at the head of
the sound, and an intermediate one, with a heavy covered-way
striking from the head of the Sound to Fort Fisher, and
commanding the beach. Captain R. Kidder Meade arrived
and completed the unfinished casemate, Captain Winder
being at work elsewhere.

General J. R. Anderson arrived from Richmond with a
number of young Virginians for staff duty, and as the Fed-
eral expedition, supposed to be preparing for attack at Wil-
mington passed down to Pocotaligo, Lieutenant Ashe begged
leave to retire, and joined Company I, Eighteenth North
Carolina, at Pocotaligo. Shortly after, he was appointed
Lieutenant of Artillery in the regular army of the Confed-
erate States, and remained therein during the war, except
when serving as Assistant Adjutant-General of Pender’s Bri-
gade, during the first Maryland campaign.

It is quite true that the defences were immensely strength-
ened by the labors of years, chiefly under Colonel Lamb, until
the original works seem by comparison altogether inadequate,
but it should not be forgotten that no such fleet as finally at-
tacked Fisher, existed, with its monitors and iron-clads, in the
early days of the war. Undefended, it would certainly have

 

Corps or ENGINEERS. 493

been occupied, and with Wilmington gone and railroad com-
munications cut, it is easy to perceive that the war could not
have been waged with success. As it was, time was gained,
and the object attained.

When everything had to be erected, without implements,
without resources, these patriotic officers, without pay, or
rank, remained where the guns of the enemy were daily ex-
pected, enduring privations and hardships, and laboring with
unremitting devotion for the public welfare. Their work
was of incalculable value, and should never be forgotten.

What Fort Fisher became after the labor of years, and its
admirable record of service, is told by the graphic pen of its
distinguished defender, Colonel William Lamb, in the his-
tory of the Thirty-sixth Regiment in the second volume of
these records.

As Major of Artillery, C. S. A., Colonel Lamb was on duty
at Fort St. Philip (afterwards Anderson), when he was
elected Colonel of the Thirty-sixth, and relieved Major
Hedrick at Fisher 4 July, 1862. With wonderful energy
and tenacity he rendered the fort finally one of the wonders
of the engineering art, impregnable against naval attack
alone, and only to be taken by a combination of the greatest
fleet ever gathered up to that period in warfare, and a land
force five times its garrison, and after the assailants had lost
nearly as many as the entire Confederate garrison, and not
a shot was left to continue the defence.

As the second volume may not be in the hands of the read-
er, it may be permitted to add in the words of its supervising
genius, what the fort had become when assailed on Christmas
eve of 1864. Hesays: “At this time Fort Fisher extended
across the peninsula 682 yards, a continuous work, mounting
twenty heavy guns and having two mortars and four pieces of
light artillery, and a sea face of 1,898 yards in length, con-
sisting of batteries connected by a heavy curtain and ending
in the Mound battery sixty feet high, mounting twenty-four
guns, including one 170-pound Blakely rifle gun, and one
130-pound ‘Armstrong rifle gun. At the extreme end of the
point at the entrance to the Cape Fear river was Battery
Buchanan, a naval command with four heavy guns.”

 

 
 

 

424 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

The same sketch relates the mortal wound, and death while
a prisoner, of Major-General W. H. C. Whiting, who volun-
teered in the defence of this work, and fell gallantly leading
in hand-to-hand combat.

Fisher was provided with sub-terra shells which would
have destroyed Butler’s command had he advanced to attack
with his troops, but when the second expedition occurred 15
January, the wires had been cut by the rain of shells of enor-
mous size, which ploughed up the whole surface, as the fire
was directed by signal. More than ten thousand fell in forty-
eight hours.

Captain Kerrigan was sent for this special work, the tor-

pedo service being a division of the engineer force.

General Gabriel J. Rains began this organization, which
was placed in charge of the engineer troops, and they were
used with success at Charleston, Mobile and Savannah. The
automatic sub-terra explosive shell was an invention of Gen-
eral Rains, as was his machine for manufacturing gun-caps.
He was a North Carolinian, born in Craven County, a gradu-
ate of West Point in 1807, and was over 50 years old when
the war broke out. Wounded in the Seminole war, he was
also a veteran of the Mexican war. He was a Colonel in the
Army of the Confederate States, and promoted to General in
appreciation of his valued service. Nearly 1,300 of these
shells buried near the lines of Richmond doubtless aided in
keeping the enemy away during the siege of Petersburg. But
the war closed as he was bringing his devices to perfection.

Topographical work in North Carolina was done in part
by engineers attached to the staff of the generals commanding
districts, and in some eases by officers ordered for this special
service by the Engineer Bureau.

Among these was that experienced engineer, Captain John
S. Grant, from the staff of General Lee. The writer served
with him as Assistant Military Engineer, in the Southeastern
District, along the White Oak and including the Angola Bay
and Holly Shelter regions and the coast. This was for use
in preparing for offensive or defensive operations between
New Bern and Wilmington. Captain Grant had been an en-
gineer officer of the British army, and the author of impor-

Corps or ENGINEERS. . 425

tant works. Much of the territory referred to equalled or ex-
ceeded in difficulty the Wilderness of Spottsylvania, which it
was also the fortune of the writer to survey with Captain B.
L. Blackford, whose corps was ordered finally to Wilmington,
and encamped at Wrightsville Sound, in the autumn of 1863.
Among those who joined it there were Messrs. A. Paul Repi-
ton and T. R. Purnell (now judge of the United States Dis-
trict Court in North Carolina. )

The Chief Engineer of the Army of the South, as it was
called, under General Jos. E. Johnston, in North Carolina,
was Colonel John Clark, and with him was Lieutenant James
A. Tennent, of Asheville, N. C., who had served in the South
Carolina infantry and afterward as Assistant Engineer in the
Topographical Corps on the coast.

Captain J. F. Lanneau (Professor Applied Mathematics
at Wake Forest) is another citizen of the State who rendered
valuable service. He had been Captain in Hampton’s Le-
gion, and later was commissioned as Lieutenant of Engineers,
being promoted to Captain. He served under Whiting, and
Lee, and was finally Chief Engineer of Hampton’s Corps.

COMPANY A, SECOND ENGINEER TROOPS.

This was the only body of engineer troops organized in
North Carolina. Captain John C. Winder, then a military
assistant engineer, was commissioned as Captain, in recogni-
tion of much meritorious service 12 August, 1863, and later
the following were appointed by the President as Lieuten-
ants in this organization of the regular army: Francis
Hawks, as First Lieutenant; Bruce Gwynn and C. B. Den-
son, as Second Lieutenants.

Francis Hawks, a son of Dr. Hawks, the famous divine
and historian, was a native of New Bern, and had been edu-
cated as an engineer and engaged in staff duty.

Lieutenant Gwynn was a son of Colonel Walter Gwynn,
and was a brave and impetuous officer, who was detailed from
the company for special duty at Fort Fisher shortly before the
battle, and made prisoner there, and confined in a northern

prison ‘until the end of the war.
Lieutenant Denson had organized Company E, Twentieth

 
 

426 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

North Carolina, in April, 1861, and having been trained in
a military school (Virginia Collegiate Institute) and com-
mandant of cadets, was a strict disciplinarian, and was not
re-elected at the reorganization in 1862, being absent serving
as president of a general court-martial. Upon the personal
suggestion of General Lee, he was assigned to staff duty by Ad-
Jutant-General J. G. Martin, and subsequently was appointed
military assistant engineer, and served on topographical duty
with Captain J. S. Grant in Eastern North Carolina and Cap-
tain B. L. Blackford on the Rapidan, Rappahannock, Poto-
mac, North Anna, ete. Transferred by the Engineer Depart-
ment to topographical service on the Cape Fear, at the request
of Captain Winder, he was commissioned as Second Lieuten-
ant of Company A, Second Engineer Troops and took com-
mand of the company in camp at Wrightsville, the other of-
ficers being on detailed service.

The duties of the company were severe, and covered much
territory. They included the oversight and progress of many
works, including seven batteries on the river, from Sugar Loaf
to the city, , the redoubts near Wilmington, dams, military
bridges and military roads up the coast; also the work shops,
the “Army Navy Yard,” as the establishment for building
torpedo-boats was called; (these were never fully completed,
awaiting machinery which failed to arrive) ; the preparation
of maps and plans, and the construction of pontoons. The
latter were fortunately finished in time for the retreat of the
forces.

So constantly were the engineer officers in the saddle for
this varied service, that they were furnished with two horses
each, by the department.

The company was composed of many veteran troops, de-
tailed, of the highest efficiency, besides others who had vol-
unteered. There were, however, a few inefficient and ill-
disciplined men, transferred in violation of the spirit of the
order, and probably to dispose of them. Lieutenant Denson
drilled the company as infantry, and in skirmish drill, but it
was necessary to detail Sergeants and Corporals Frequently

with small parties to provide for the many demands upon this
single company.

Corps or ENGINEERS. 427

As the war proceeded, the necessity for adopting every
means of the military art to spare the diminishing number of
troops forced itself upon those in command. General Lee
availed himself of every engineering device throughout the
long and bloody campaign down to Cold Harbor and Peters-
burg. He fully anticipated Grant’s desperate efforts, as
shown by his correspondence with Colonel A. L. Rives, in
charge of the Engineer Bureau while General Gilmer was
in the South, and said: “JI shall want all the assistance I can
get.” He asked that besides his First Engineers, C. S. A.
(ten companies under Colonel T. M. R. Talcott), that six
companies of pioneers be added, and a force of engineer of-
ficers for the general staff, with a Brigadier-General of En-
gineers, suggesting General M. L. Smith, or Colonel W. H.
Stevens, or General G. W. Custis Lee. He writes: “It is
necessary that the Engineer Corps of this army be reorgan-
ized and increased commensurate with the wants of the ser-
vice. The engineer officers of the army have done well, but
their numbers are inadequate to the duties.”

This was true; the responsibility was great, the service
continuous and often severe, and promotion scarcely existed.

The enemy moved up the Cape Fear river in February, his
main attack developing on the west side, but with overpower-
ing numbers upon both. General R. F. Hoke having fallen
back from Sugar Loaf, the engineer troops joined his immedi-
ate command, and threw up a temporary line five and a half
miles long aeross the peninsula, terminating on the right flank
at Battery Campbell, and an unfinished work, then in charge
of Lieutenant Denson, who added also a water battery for one
naval gun, screened from observation, and served by a fine
crew of naval officers and men from the Chickamauga or Tal-
lahassee, then in port shut up after Fisher fell. The fire
here was effective, and although the fleet of thirteen gun-
boats and a monitor, took part in the engagement, they did
not attempt to run by, and take either command in the rear,
but contented themselves with heavy shelling, the most of
the projectiles passing over our heads.

Several days skirmishing progressed with an occasional
demonstration against our temporary lines which were a

 
 

 

428 North Caroptna Troops, 1861-’65.

mere show of defence, except at the stout river batteries.
The noble troops comprising Hoke’s Division at the time
have been described in earlier sketches in these volumes.

After the first day’s fighting, Captain Hawks being ill, ob-
tained sick leave, and was in the hospital at Greensboro the
rest of the campaign. Finally on 22 February, the enemy
having reached the bank of the river opposite Wilmington,
after engagements at Fort Anderson, Town Creek, where
a gallant stand was made by our troops at the bridge, at
Brunswick river and Eagle Island, the evacuation was or-
dered by General Bragg and General Hoke proceeded to exe-
cute it with soldierly care.

Some works were blown up and stores burned under orders,
but the troops never marched with more good order and quiet
courage than when they filed through the city, with a section
of light artillery at the end of each street facing the water
while the masses of blue crowded nearer and nearer the me
posite bank of the river. Every other officer superior in
rank having been disabled, or absent (Captain Winder had
gone to his dying father, General Winder, shortly before this
movement), the engineer train was under the command of
Lieutenant Denson.

The company of infantry reserves detailed to fire the
bridge at the city, did not burn it in time, and the enemy put-
ting out the flames, so rapid was the pursuit, followed the
army to the Northeast river, thirteen miles distant. The
rear guard had frequent encounters, taking up the marzh
again, after driving back the enemy. The railroad bridge
was burned, and the dismounted cavalry held the enemy tn
check until the troops were passed over on the pontoons which
had been built and laid by the engineer troops.

he writer was ordered to cut the pontoon, which was done,
as the enemy reached the bank, with but slight loss to us, and
the bridge swung by a hawser from under the feet of des pur-
suers. The enemy had the advantage of occupying works
built oayiiad to command the road through the renp toward
ped ie while we were unprotected after evacuating and

Lieutenant Denson had been ordered to destroy the pon-

Corps oF ENGINEERS. 429

toon after the crossing of the army, and proceeded to do this,
by knocking out the bottoms of the boats, it being impractica-
ble to burn the water-soaked pine. This was effected under
the plunging fire of the enemy, part of which was armed with
new repeating arms; the engineers were supported by regi-
ments on the right and left of the corduroy road through
which our forces had defiled, and formed line of battle to
sleep upon their arms on the higher ground in the rear. The
firing continued several hours, from twilight until nine or
later, at intervals. But the enemy fired too high, the stream
being not very wide, and our loss was small, their shots pass-
ing over.

General Hoke ordered a reconnoissance to see if Terry’s
troops had pontoons with them for immediate pursuit, and
his gallant aid, Lieutenant George L. Washington, accom-
panied the writer upon the river during their fire, where
having perceived no signs of preparations for launching pon-
toons. we returned to the shore and reported, at headquarters.
The General kindly offered his own horse to the writer for
this expedition, as his had been temporarily lost, his halter
having been cut by a shot while the rider was on foot at the
pontoon.

Long before daylight, the troops were put on the march,
and the woods fired behind. At Burgaw, Captain Winder
rejoined us and the company was detached to march to Eliza-
bethtown, and obstruct the Cape Fear, at that point. Who-
ever has seen that river in a freshet, will understand the futil-
ity of that undertaking, so far as complete obstruction goes;
but we understood that it was deemed important to convey
the impression to Wilmington to prevent the ascent of gun-
boats (for the water was very high), until General Johnston’s
army was safely through Fayetteville.

Much showy work was done of tree cutting, raft-building,
ete., until we learned by private source that the object was
acomplished. Rapidly burning the engineer steamer Flora
McDonald, which had been lying at Elizabethtown, we made
a forced march to Smithfield, appearing to the surprise of all,
and taken by Hampton’s Artillery for the enemy at one time.

Captain Winder was detailed at headquarters and Lieu-

 
 

 

430 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861~’65.

tenant Denson given the charge of the erection of the works
near Smithfield, with the company. As laborers on these
works, several hundred “galvanized Yankees,” as they were
ealled in camp, were also sent to the writer. They had been
prisoners from the Union army confined at Salisbury and had
then taken the oath and enlisted under the Confederacy. But
they were not trusted with arms, were uniformed in a very
bright butternut colored cottonade and furnished with in-
trenching tools.

But the works were only fairly begun when the menacing
attitude of Sherman, reinforced ‘by Foster at Goldsboro, and
the activity of Grant at Petersburg demanded precautions in
Johnston’s rear. Every bridge on the Neuse had been car-
ried away by the repeated freshets. The company was or-
dered to Milburnie to build a substantial bridge upon cribs
filled with stone for the passage of Johnston’s artillery and
trains. This work was pushed night and day, and when
nearly finished was left with the command under temporary
charge of Captain Sweetman, an artillery officer who had
some experience in engineering, while, under special order
by General Johnston, Captain Winder and Lieutenant Den-
son alone made rapid military reconnoissances of the terri-
tory of the Tar river sixteen hours daily in the saddle, learn-
ing the fords, roads, ete. Their orders also included a route
to the Roanoke, with Gaston on the right flank. This indi-
cates preparations for a junction between Lee and Johnston.
But at this moment, the army was put in full retreat, the
bridge being finished on Sunday, 9 April, when the head of
the‘column was only seven miles distant.

Here General J. E. Johnston informed Captain Winder
that General Bragg had been ordered to the southwest, with
his staff, and that he claimed Company A, Second Engineers,
as part of his department, and as escort. Captain Winder
was promoted to Major (deserved years before) and placed
upon his personal staff by General Johnston, and Lieutenant
Denson ordered to command the company, and take the en-
gineer train, including 300 slaves from the Cape Fear, with
tools, ete., to accompany Bragg.

At Morrisville, after the first day’s march from Milburnie,

Corps oF ENGINEERS. 431

we learned the surrender of Lee at Appomattox, but the men
of Company A remained faithful to duty. General Bragg
had a numerous staff and many accessions were made of of-
ficers and stragglers moving south who refused to surrender
in Virginia, but no other organized command. The writer
having charge of the escort, without commissary service, sup-
plied the troops, under orders, from the county tithing sta-
tions, moving by Pittsboro, Carthage, Troy, Albemarle,
Monroe, and finally into South Carolina, where a battery of
artillery, and a portion of Lipseomb’s Second South Carolina
(cavalry) joined us in camp southeast of Chester. Captain
Hawks had rejoined from the hospital, while on the march,
but was not called upon for duty.

Here orders were read on dress parade, creating General
Bragg Commander-in-Chief of a department, from the south-
ern line of North Carolina to the Gulf. But General J. E.
Johnston having surrendered 26 April, a final order was
read, thanking the troops for their fidelity in remaining by
the colors to the last, and instructing us to return to our res-
pective States, and acquaint the senior Confederate officer
residing within the same, with our address, and “await or-
ders from the War Department.”

This was the last order to a company of North Carolina
troops during the war east of Asheville, and the next morn-
ing we disbanded, most of the negroes and remaining men
leaving for the east, after crossing the Catawba river. The
writer reached home horseback, at Pittsboro, 7 May.

Unfortunately he has access to no roll of the men whose
superb endurance, courage and fidelity deserve lasting com-
memoration. The non-commissioned officers often had the

. responsibility of Captains, on detached duty, and were of a

high order. Sergeants Hardison, Leggett and Basket are re-
membered only, of these. All believed they were on the way
to the Trans-Mississippi for the prolongation of the war.
There was no attachment to Bragg whatever, as there had
been to Whiting—but the sense of duty was paramount, as
long as a shred of hope remained. In this, it may be said,
that they were true Tar Heels.

This sketch has somewhat been lengthened, because the

 

 
 

 

 

 

432 NortH Carouina Troops, 1861-’65.

writer is aware of no publication since the war, which con-
tains many of the facts herein embodied, and he is the only
survivor of the officers of the Engineer Troops from North
Carolina.

C. B. Denson.

Ratezien, N. C.,
5 December, 1901.

 

 

BRIGADE HISTORIES.

 

 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

| BRIGADIER |
| GENERALS |

FROM

NORTH CAROLINA

COMMISSIONED
BY THE

| | CONFEDERATE STATES §

(oy

ws

Canc GEN.W? MacRAE
Se

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BKIGADE OKGANIZATION.

By WALTER CLARK, Lieurenant-CotonEt, SEVENTIETH REGIMENT
Norta Caroiina TRoops.

In the first year of the war the troops from different States
were indiscriminately brigaded together. In 1862 the policy
was adopted of making the brigades, as far as possible, of
troops from the same State.

IN THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA.

Some few North Carolina regiments remained in mixed
brigades till 1864, when they were finally transferred to
North Carolina brigades. There was in that army thirteen
brigades exclusively from this State, eleven being infantry
and two cavalry brigades.

They were, giving the names of the successive Brigadiers
of each, as follows:

1. The Anprrson-Ramsrur-Cox Brigade, consisting of
the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fourteenth and Thirtieth
Regiments. The First and Third, however, served in Geo.
H. Steuart’s Brigade till a large part of them were captured
at the salient 12 May, 1864, when the remnant was trans-
ferred to this brigade.

2. The Brancn-Lane-Barry Brigade, consisting of the
Seventh, Eighteenth, Twenty-eighth, Thirty-third and Thir-
ty-seventh Regiments. General Barry commanded the bri-
gade only a few days while General Lane was absent
wounded.

3. Crineman’s Brigade, consisting of the Eighth, Thirty-
first, Fifty-first and Sixty-first Regiments. The Eighth was
temporarily attached to Ransom’s Brigade at the capture of
Plymouth 20 April, 1864.

4, Cooxr’s Brigade, consisting of the Fifteenth, Twenty-
seventh, Forty-sixth, Forty-eighth and Fifty-fifth Regiments.
The Fifty-fifth served in Davis’ Mississippi Brigade and
was not transferred to Cooke’s till 1864.

 
 

436 NortH Caroiina Troops, 1861-’65.

5. The Danret-Grives Brigade consisted of the Thirty-
second, Forty-third, Forty-fifth and Fifty-third Regiments,
and Second Battalion (eight companies). The Fiftieth Reg-
iment belonged to this brigade from June, 1862, to July,
1863, when it was transferred to the Martin-Kirkland Bri-
gade. The Forty-third was temporarily detached and served
with Hoke’s Brigade at capture of Plymouth, 20 April, 1864.

6. The Gariann-Iverson-J onnston-Toon Brigade, con-
sisting of the Fifth, Twelfth, Twentieth and Twenty-third
Regiments and First Battalion. This battalion long served
in Hoke’s Brigade, but was transferred to this in 1864. The
Thirteenth was originally in this brigade, but was trans-
ferred to Pender’s Brigade October, 1862. General Toon
served only a few months in summer of 1864, while General
Johnston was home wounded.

7. The Hoxe-Gonwin-Lewis Brigade, consisting of the
Sixth, Twenty-first, Fifty-fourth and Fifty-seventh Regi-
ments. The First Battalion served in this brigade till 1864,
when it was transferred to the Johnston-Toon Brigade above.

8. The Marrry-Kirxianp Brigade, consisting of the Sev-
enteenth, Forty-second, Fiftieth and Sixty-sixth Regiments.
When the brigade was ordered to Virginia in 1864, the Fif-
tieth did not go with it and did not serve with it again till
after the battle of Bentonville.

9. The Prnper-Scatzs Brigade, consisting of the Thir-
teenth, Sixteenth, Twenty-second, Thirty-fourth and Thirty-
eighth Regiments. The Thirteenth was transferred to this
brigade from Iverson’s in October, 1862.

10. The Perrigrrw-Kirxranp-MacRar Brigade, consist-
ing of the Eleventh, Twenty-sixth, Forty-fourth, Forty-sev-
enth and Fifty-second Regiments.

11. Ransom’s Brigade, consisting of the Twenty-fourth,
Twenty-fifth, Thirty-fifth, Forty-ninth and Fifty-sixth Regi-
ments. The Twenty-sixth, which was originally in this bri-
gade, was transferred in August, 1862, to Pettigrew’s Bri-
gade and in February, 1863, the Fifty-sixth was added to
this brigade.

CAVALRY BRIGADES.

12. The Gorpon-Barrinerer Brigade, consisting of the

BRIGADE ORGANIZATION. 437

Ninth, Nineteenth, Forty-first and Sixty-third Regiments
(First, Second, Third and Fifth Cavalry). The Fifty-
ninth (Fourth Cavalry) was also originally in this brigade,
but was transferred in 1864 to Dearing’s and later to Rob-
erts’ Brigade.

18. Roserts’ Brigade, consisting of the Fifty-ninth and
Seventy-fifth Regiments (Fourth and Seventh Cavalry).
The latter regiment was at first a battalion of nine companies
styled Sixteenth Battalion, and retained that designation in
official reports though raised by the addition of another com-
pany in 1864 to a regiment, with a Colonel.

From above it will be seen that adding the “Bethel” Reg-
iment, which was not in any of the above brigades having
served only six months, and the Sixty-ninth and Eightieth
(Thomas’ Legion), which in 1864, served in the Valley of
Virginia in Smith’s Brigade, North Carolina had fifty-nine
regiments and two battalions (equal to another regiment) in
the Army of Northern Virginia, besides seven batteries of
artillery, Manly, Latham, Reilly, Graham, Cumming, Webb
and Moore.

During the battles around Richmond, 1862, Anderson’s
and Garland’s North Carolina Brigades were in D. H. Hill’s
Division; Branch’s and Pender’s Brigades in A. P. Hill’s
Division; Ransom’s and Walker’s Brigades in Huger’s Di-
vision; Daniel’s Brigade in Holmes’ Division. The other
North Carolina regiments were at that time in mixed bri-
gades with regiments from other States.

Several of above brigades served from time to time in
North Carolina and Clingman’s and Cooke’s were in Charles-
ton and Savannah in 1863.

In the Valley campaign of 1864, North Carolina was rep-
resented by Cox’s and Grimes’ Brigades in Rodes’ Division,
by Godwin’s and Johnston’s Brigades in Early’s Division,
and Sixty-ninth and Eightieth Regiments in Smith’s Bri-
gade.

In the winter of 1864-5 the North Carolina brigades
were thus assigned:

First Corps (Jongstreet), none.

Second Corps (Ewell’s), Cox’s and Grimes’ Brigades in

 
438 Nortu Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

Ramseur’s Division (later Grimes’) and Johnston’s and
Lewis’ Brigades in Early’s Division.

Third Corps (A. P. Hill), Cooke’s and MacRae’s Brigades
in Heth’s Division, and Lane’s and Scales’ in Wilcox’s Divis-
ion.

Anderson's Corps. In Bushrod Johnson’s Division was
Ransom’s Brigade, and in Hoke’s Division, Clingman’s and
Kirkland’s Brigades.

Hampton's Cavalry Corps. Barringer and Dearing
(later Roberts’) Brigades, were in W. H. F. Lee’s Division.

On 22 December, 1864, Hoke’s Division was sent to Wil-
mington and became a part of Johnston’s army just prior to
Bentonville, and surrendered with that army. The Junior
Reserves’ Brigade was attached about 1 March to Hoke’s
Division.

Webb’s Battery and the Sixty-ninth and Eightieth were
also sent back to North Carolina, so that at Appomattox this
State had only forty-nine regiments, two battalions and six
batteries, or rather what was left of them.

IN THE ARMY OF THE WEST.

Though North Carolina had nine regiments in that army,
there was no North Carolina brigade. It is due to this fact
‘ probably that North Carolina had only one general officer ap-
pointed from that army, Brigadier-General R. B. Vance, who
was soon afterwards captured.

At Chickamauga, the Twenty-ninth was in Ector’s Bri-
gade, Walker’s Division, D. H. Hill’s Corps. Soon after the
Thirty-ninth was transferred to the same brigade and they
served together (with three Arkansas Regiments) in that
brigade the balance of the war. Before Chickamauga this
regiment was in Raines’ Brigade, being with him at Mur-
freesboro 31 December, 1862, when he was killed.

The Thirty-ninth was in MecNair’s Brigade, Johnson’s
Division, Buckner’s Corps. Not long after, it was trans-
ferred, as just stated, to Ector’s Brigade. In the Kentucky
campaign of 1862 (Perryville) this regiment was in Raines’
Brigade, and at Murfreesboro in Walthall’s Brigade.

BRIGADE ORGANIZATION. 439

The Fifty-eighth was in Kelly’s Brigade, Preston’s Divis-
ion, Buckner’s Corps.

The Sixtieth was in Stovall’s Brigade, Breckinridge’s
Division, D. H. Hill’s Corps. Later the Fifty-eighth and
Sixtieth were both transferred to Reynolds’ Brigade, Steven-
son’s Division, Hood’s Corps.

The Sixty-fifth (Sixth Cavalry) was in Davidson’s Bri-
gade, Pegram’s Division, Forrest’s Corps. Later it was in
Harrison’s Brigade, Hume’s Division. In June, 1864, the
Sixty-fifth was sent to Eastern North Carolina, where it
served the balance of the war. It was assigned to Dearing’s
Brigade and ordered to Virginia, but never went.

The Sixty-second and Sixty-fourth were captured, except
a fragment, at Cumberland Gap, 9 September, 1863, being
then commanded by General Frazer. They had previously
been in Gracie’s Brigade in East Tennessee.

The Sixty-ninth and Eightieth (Walker’s Battalion till in-
creased) were in Thomas’ Legion serving in Eastern Tennes-
see till April, 1864, when they served the Valley of Vir-
ginia in Smith’s Brigade in Wharton’s Division. In the
Spring of 1865, these two regiments, the fragments of the
Sixty-second and Sixty-fourth, and Seventy-ninth (to which
the Fourteenth Battalion had been increased) were in West-

ern North Carolina in command of Colonel Jno. B. Palmer,
of the Fifty-eighth.

IN NORTH CAROLINA,

At Wilmington, General Louis Hebert’s Brigade was com-
posed of the Tenth, Thirty-sixth and Fortieth Regiments
(First, Second and Third Artillery), the Third, Tenth and
Thirteenth Artillery Battalions, and the First Heavy Artil-
lery Battalion, saving the six batteries belonging to above
which were in Virginia as above stated, and a few batteries
at Fort Branch on the Roanoke and around Kinston.

The Junior Reserves Brigade was composed of the Seven-
tieth, Seventy-first and Seventy-second (First, Second and
Third Junior Reserves) and Millard’s Battalion. Early in
March, 1865, it became part of Hoke’s Division, which was
then attached to Johnston’s army at Smithfield.

 
440 NortH CaroLina Troops, 1861-65.

The Seventy-third, Seventy-fourth and Seventy-sixth were
brigaded and commanded by Colonel Jno. F. Hoke. They
were Senior Reserves.

In the Spring of 1865, the three regiments of detailed
men, Eighty-first, Eighty-second and Eighty-third, were
brigaded under command of Colonel W. J. Hoke. They did
not see very much service, but a few of them who were cap-
tured were at Camp Chase, Ohio, for three months after the
war.

The Sixty-seventh and Sixty-eighth were in Eastern North
Carolina mostly and were, together with detachments from
other commands, under General Leventhorpe and General
Baker at different times.

There was a temporary brigade of the Seventy-eighth
(Senior Reserves) with some Junior Reserves at Wilming-
ton November, 1864, to January, 1865, commanded by Col-
onel Jno. K. Connally, of the Fifty-fifth. The Juniors being
taken out, Burr’s Regiment of Home Guards and some de-
tachments added, the brigade was then commanded by Colo-
nel George Jackson till after the battle of Bentonville.

TEMPORARY BRIGADES.

Another temporary brigade (from November, 1864, to
April, 1865) was composed of the Fiftieth, Seventy-seventh
(Senior Reserves) and Tenth Battalion, which under com-
mand of Colonel Wash. Hardy, of the Sixtieth, defended
Savannah in the siege, retreated skirmishing before Sher-
man, through South Carolina, and fought him at Averasboro
and Bentonville, after which last battle the brigade was dis-
solved, the Fiftieth going back to Kirkland’s brigade.

IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE WAR.

In 1861 and the early part of 1862, i. e., during the first
year of the war, the North Carolina troops were, many of
them, unbrigaded, and others assigned for the moment, with
frequent changes of commanders and transfers. Without
tracing these out, as the details will be found in the histories
in this work of the respective regiments, it may be stated that
the most permanent of these assignments were:

BRIGADE ORGANIZATION. 441

Thirteenth and Fourteenth in Colston’s, later Pemberton’s
Brigade, at Suffolk and the Fifteenth’ in Howell Cobbs.

Twenty-first and First Battalion in Crittenden’s, later
Trimble’s Brigade. These last were the only North Caro-
lina troops in Stonewall Jackson’s famous “Valley Cam-
paign” in the Spring of 1862.

The Twelfth was in Mahone’s Brigade at Norfolk. This
transferred and added to the Fifth, Twentieth, Twenty-third,
which were in Early’s Brigade made Garland’s Brigade.

The Sixth was in Whiting’s Brigade. Later the Sixth, Fif-
ty-fourth and Fifty-seventh were Law’s Brigade, which by
taking out the regiments from other States and transferring
to it the Twenty-first and First Battalion from Trimble’s
Brigade, after Fredericksburg (in December, 1862), formed
Hoke’s Brigade.

The First and Third were in Ripley’s, later Geo. H. Steu-
art’s Brigade, and were not transferred to a North Carolina
Brigade (Cox’s) till after 12 May, 1864, and not till after
this was the Fifty-fifth transferred from Davis’ (Missis-
sippi) Brigade to Cooke’s Brigade.

The North Carolina cavalry regiments were not brigaded
together till 1863, and hence we had no Cavalry General
from this State, till then. Robert Ransom, Colonel of the
Ninth (First Cavalry), had been made a Brigadier-General,
but was given an infantry brigade.

AT THE SURRENDER.

At Appomattox 9 April, 1865, the North Carolina Bri-
gades surrendered as follows. 95 Off. Rec. Union and Con-
fed. Armies, 1277, 1278.

Officers. Men.
Cox’s Brigade, Grimes’ Division, Brigadier-Gen-

eral Cox 521
Grimes’ Brigade, Grimes’ Division, Colonel

Cowand 496
Johnston’s Brigade, Early’s Division, Colonel

Lewis’ Brigade, Early’s Division, Captain
John Beard

 
 

 

 

 

 

442 NortH Caroitina Troops, 1861-’65.

Cooke’s Brigade, Heth’s Division, Brigadier-
General Cooke

MacRae’s Brigade, Heth’s Division, Brigadier-
General MacRae

Lane’s Brigade, Wilcox’s Division, Brigadier-
General Lane

Seales’ Brigade, Wilcox’s Division, Colonel J.

Ransom’s Brigade, Johnson’s Division,, Brig-
dier-General M. W. Ransom
Barringer’s Brigade, W. H. F. Lee’s Division. . 21
Roberts’ Brigade, W. H. F. Lee’s Division,
Brigadier-General Roberts 88
Major-General Grimes and Staff 5
Manly’s, Flanner’s, Ramsey’s, Williams’, Cum-
ming’s and Miller’s Batteries, about 250

Total at Appomattox.............2..000- 474 .4,660

In Joseph E. Johnston’s army 26 April, 1865, was surren-
dered Clingman’s, Kirkland’s and Nethercutt’s (Junior Re-
serves ) Brigades, all in Hoke’s Division, the Fifty-eighth
and Sixtieth in Brantley’s Brigade, D. H. Hill’s eigen,
and several batteries of artillery.

The Twenty-ninth and Thirty-ninth Regiments were sur-
rendered at Mobile, Ala., 4 May, 1865, in Ector’s Brigade,
commanded by Colonel David Coleeaan.

The Sixty-second, Sixty-fourth, Sixty-ninth, Seventy-
ninth and E: ightieth (Palmer’s Brigade), were surrendered
by General J. G. Martin at Waynesville, N. C., 10 May,
1865.

The remainder of North Carolina regiments and battal-
ions surrendered at sundry times, or simply went home with-
out that oo after Johnston’s surrender.

Ratzieu, N. C., V4
13 December, 1901.
 

 

ANDERSON-RAMSEUR-COX BRIGADE.

A. K. Simonton, Major, 4th Regiment.
Claudius 8. Alexander, Captain, Co. C., 4th Regiment.
. Francis D. Cariton, 1st Lieut., Co. A., 4th Regiment.

. James B. Stinson, 4th Regiment, Courier for Gens. Anderson, Rams: nd Grim
. Bryan W. Cobb, Captain, Co. H., 2d Regiment. : oe Thre re

Pictures of Gens. Anderson, Ramseur and Cox in Groups of Generals, Vols. L., II. and IV.)

THE ANDERSON-RAMSEUK-COX
BRIGADE.

By BRIGADIER-GENERAL WILLIAM R. COX.

In the preparation of this sketch, which I have been called
on to furnish on short notice, my responsibilities are very
much lightened by the regimental histories of this brigade.

A regularly organized and well disciplined army is a
machine, an autocracy, regulated and governed by master
spirits. It is not for subordinates to reason why, but to obey:
to lead a forlorn hope, to do or to die as commanded.

The leaders in the Confederate Army, while in the main
graduates of West Point and great soldiers, were not necesaa-
rily martinets. Yet there was little of social intercourse be-
tween officers in the service, and more especially is this true,
as between old army officers and those promoted from civil
life. Probably it was as well that restrictions should prevail
against too frequent visits among the officers in the field..
One effect, however, of these restrictions was to give too free
currency to camp rumors, ‘creations of active brains, as to
what this or that General said to this or that officer or
thought of this or that officer or command, and these rumors
too often reached the ear of correspondents as veritable facts
and found lodgment in popular histories of the war.

Personally speaking, General Lee was a splendid speci-
men of man and soldier, reserved and even impassive; for
when Governor Vance visited our army and delivered one of
his most irresistible addresses, it elicited from the General
only the semblance of a smile. His soldiers were devoted to
him and always ready to follow his leadership, still they
could not cheer him. There was something so stately
about him, it seemed a breach of propriety to attempt it.
Brave and fearless himself he required these qualifications
should be possessed by those under his command. Careful

 
444 Nort Caroxtina Troops, 1861-’65.

and guarded in his commendations, his usual recognition of
conspicuous acts of gallantry was, simply to pass by the com-
mand which attracted his attention, and return the salutation
of the gratified troops. As a commander he was never harsh
or unjust, but on the contrary often forbearing in his pun-
ishments. In many respects Jackson was his antipode;
though outwardly awkward and ungainly, he impressed those
serving under him as being the very incarnation of war.

When anticipating a battle he would occasionally pass
through his troops, as they rested by the road side, at full
speed with hat in hand while they cheered him to the echo,
for they believed he would soon lead them in a pursuit of the
enemy.

Both he and D. H. Hill recklessly exposed themselves in
battle, and seemed to bear charmed lives, and acted as if they
looked upon even reckless bravery as a duty rather than a
thing to be commended. A striking incident of this charac-
ter was recently recalled to my attention by Captain O. N. Al-
len, of the Thirtieth North Carolina Regiment, who himself
lost an arm in our service. Hill’s Division at the battle of
Cold Harbor, while lying in line, was subjected to terrible ar-
tillery fire, and occasionally shells would plough through the
ranks, killing men as they lay in line. Bondurant’s Missis-
sippi Battery attempted to reply, but his men and horses were
literally cut to pieces. The brave Captain came to Hill and
said he could do no more. At this moment the General
observed that his men were greatly annoyed by the fire from
a battery. As if thinking aloud he said: “I wish I knew
whose battery that is; if mine the fuse is too short and it
should be stopped.” A Major commanding the sharpshooters
indignant at finding no one else to volunteer, promptly re-
plied, “T will ascertain,” when he remarked: “I wish you
would.” Promptly springing upon his horse, this officer
rode at full speed through the furious fire of concentrated
batteries, and then stopping for a moment in a ravine, a shell
buried itself beside his horse and exploding, literally covered
horse and rider with mud. The battery proved to belong to
Colquitt’s Georgia Brigade and was silenced. Though this
officer was brought in frequent contact with Hill during the

Tur ANDERSON-RAMSEUR-Cox BRIGADE. 445

time he commanded the division, he never thanked him nor

alluded to the matter afterwards.
I mention these characteristics of these General Officers

from the fact the brigade for quite a time served under them.

In an army of the magnitude of that of Northern Vir-
ginia, where there was often more than fifty different bri-
gades, the officer was fortunate who could attract the eye of
our Great Commander, for any singularly meritorious
achievement.

After the battle of Williamsburg, Anderson was promoted
and given a brigade composed of the Second, Fourth, Four-
teenth and Thirtieth Regiments. A graduate of West Point,
he was commissioned Lieutenant and had seen service in the
old army, before the crisis of 1861. When it was seen that
war between the States was inevitable, he promptly surren-
dered his commission and offered his sword to his native
State. Physically, he was a splendid specimen of young
manhood; six feet in height, broad-shouldered, erect and
thoughtful, and endowed with a commanding and well modu-
lated voice.

His promotion was secured under the most flattering cir-
cumstances. At the battle of Williamsburg, Anderson (then
Colonel of the Fourth North Carolina) seized the flag of the
Forty-seventh Georgia Regiment, and, dashing forward amid
storms of shot and shell, his men were aroused with enthusi-
asm, and cheering followed while they fell thick and fast,
but .their impetuosity was irresistible and they halted not
until Anderson had planted the colors on the stoutly defended
breastworks of the enemy. President Davis witnessed this
charge and at once promoted him to a Brigadiership. The
superb discipline and training of his men may be ascertained
from the fact, that out of the 520 rank and file carried into
action, 462 were killed or wounded, and of his twenty-seven
commissioned officers, all save one were killed or wounded.

The Regiments of the Brigade appreciated the compliment
and congratulated themselves on their good fortune in secur-
ing as their commander an officer so accomplished and coura-
geous as “Anderson” had shown himself to be. Singularly
pure, natural and unostentatious, he early impressed his

 
446 NortH Caronina Troops, 1861-’65.

strong personality upon the members of his brigade. While
his devoted wife, modestly and without ostentation, embraced
every opportunity to be near him. ‘The bravest are the ten-
derest.”’ :

While Major I was assigned to the command of the sharp-
shooters, and when Anderson received his commission, I was
near him and much impressed with his manner of receiving
it. Anderson, dismounted, was standing when General C. 8.
Winder, of Maryland, elegantly mounted and faultlessly
dressed, even to his unsoiled gauntlets, rode up to congratulate
him on his promotion. Anderson, dressed in an old soiled
fatigue suit, greeted him in his usually quiet and dignified
manner. Soon after his departure, Hon. George W. Ran-
dolph, Secretary of War, as an especial mark of distinction,
brought him on the battle field his commission, which he re-
ceived in the quiet and manly manner with which he greeted
his old comrade Winder. This was but a short while before
the beginning of the seven days battles around Richmond.

From the beginning of this series of battles—from Mechan-
iesville to Malvern Hill, from which McClellan, after the
loss of prisoners, war material and destroying supplies,
hastily retreated to the protection of his gun-boats at Harri-
son’s Landing, the brigade bore a prominent and conspicuous
part. Anderson was vigilant, strategic and prepared to
strike the enemy where and when his blows were most oppor-
tune.

After McClellan’s escape we took a day for a much needed
rest and then Lee moved to the neighborhood of Malvern
Hill and made a careful reconnoissance. Besides the pro-
tection of the river and gun-boats in his rear, McClellan’s
army was found drawn up on a commanding hill, strongly
protected by his batteries of artillery. Nevertheless Lee de-
termined to attack his left. His first line was composed of
the divisions of Magruder, D, H. Hill (in which was An-
derson’s Brigade), and Jackson. We advanced under cover
of the woods near the base of the hill late in the afternoon
and began the battle, which continued until 10 o’elock at
night. Owing to a misunderstanding, or failure to execute
orders by part of Lee’s command, the attack miscarried and

THe ANDERSON-RAMSEUR Cox BRIGADE. 447

McClellan escaped to the cover of the gun-boats and further
pursuit was abandoned. In this engagement, the brigade ac-
tively participated and suffered severely; and Anderson re-
ceived a painful, but not dangerous wound. After further
reconnoitering and manceuvering without discovering an as-
sailable point, we returned to our camp. In the mean-
time McClellan was rectiving heavy reinforcements, but
when it became evident he would not renew his effort
to capture Richmond, Lee determined to assume the offen-
sive and moved his army northward, accompanied by
Anderson’s Brigade. This brigade being a part of the troops
assigned to watch McDowell, who still oceupied Freder-
icksburg, it took no part in the second battle of Man-
assas, and hence was engaged in no other battle of importance
until it reached Boonsboro, Maryland. Here, with the other
brigades of D. H. Hill’s Division, these troops in a severe
and bloody engagement held in check nearly half of McClel-
lan’s army until nightfall, for it was not the policy of Lee to
bring on a general engagement while his army was divided.
Considering the number of our troops engaged, together with
the object sought to be, accomplished, and the stubborn and
unyielding character of our resistance, this was really one of
the most remarkable feats of the war. The Federal army
having been discouraged and severely punished in recent en-
gagements, did not resume its aggressive movements until late
on the morning of the 16th, and then they appeared before
Sharpsburg late in the afternoon where, with some prelim-
inary skirmishing, the operations of the day were closed.
During the night, both armies lay on their arms, conscious
that the ensuing day would witness the most formidable bat-
tle that had yet occurred on this Continent. The battle be-
gan by an attack on our left, which was followed by massing a
heavy force which broke our line. This, on our part, was
met by MeLaws’ and Walker’s Divisions, and the brigades of
Rodes and Anderson, of Hill’s Division. The enemy was
repulsed, and retired behind the crest of the, hill from which
an irregular fire was continually kept us. By some mistake or
miscarriage of orders, Rodes’ Brigade was at this juncture
withdrawn from the division to another part of the field.

 
448 NortH Caroiina Troops, 1861-65.

The enemy quickly perceived and availed itself of this mis-
take, passed through the gap, and concentrated its attack upon
Anderson’s Brigade; where, after a heroic effort and sacri-
fices, the line was broken, Anderson was wounded, and the
command was compelled to retire. From the wound here re-
ceived, after lingering in much suffering, Anderson. yielded
up his life for the cause and the State he had so patriotically
served. After his death, Colonel Bryan Grimes, of the
Fourth North Carolina Regiment, was placed in charge of
the Brigade; but he had no opportunity to distinguish
himself in battle with the brigade before he was relieved by
Ramseur, who was placed in charge the ensuing Febru-
ary. During the time Grimes was its commander, we were
engaged chiefly in reinforcing its ranks, in drilling, and
preparing for the great events which were to follow. It is
true we took part in the very important and successful
battle of Fredericksburg (13 December) but being placed on
the right to support the cavalry and artillery, while eager and
anxious to participate in the great battle then going on, we
suffered but few casualties. For the brunt of the bat-
tle, the great slaughter inflicted on the Federals took place
near the town opposite Marye’s Heights, when Burn-
side crushed and demoralized, was glad to take cover of the
darkness of the night to withdraw his shattered army across
the river, beyond our reach.

In my sketch of the life and services of General S. D. Ram-
seur, I gave so full and comprehensive an account of the ser-
vices and operations of this brigade while under command of
this distinguished and accomplished officer, that it is unneces-
sary to prolong this sketch by repeating the recitals therein
given. More especially as this address has been given very
general circulation through the “Southern Historical
Papers” published at Richmond, and in that valuable and
important publication, edited by W. J. Peele, Esq., of Ral-
eigh, entitled “Lives of Distinguished North Carolinians.”
Suffice it to say that this brigade, while under the command
of Ramseur, suffered no abatement of its efficiency, but on
the contrary, attained its highest standard of usefulness and
its greatest distinction.

Tue ANpDERSON-RAMSEUR-Cox BRIGADE. 449

When Early advanced upon Washington in 1864, this bri-
gade, which was in the front, made a nearer approach to the
Federal Capital and suffered greater losses during the time it
was in action than any other similar command of his army.
The remains of my men who there fell have been collected
together by the patriotic women of that neighborhood, and
with the remains of other Confederate soldiers, have found
sepulture there, for they are now cared for in the beautiful
cemetery near Silver Springs.

When Lientenant-General R. S. Ewell was in command of
the corps in which were Rodes’ Division and Ramseur’s Bri-
gade, he sent his Aide-de-Camp, Campbell Brown, to me with
the following message: ‘‘That General Rodes had promised
him that on the first vacancy he would recommend me for a
Brigadier-Generalship.”” This message was a surprise, as I
was looking for the promotion of another. I therefore begged
Captain Brown to convey to the General my high apprecia-
tion of the compliment, and to say I was perfectly content
to leave the question of promotion to the authorities at Rich-
mond.

Soon thereafter, I called upon General Junius Daniel, a
grand soldier and ardent North Carolinian, and acquainted
him with the occurrence. He promptly replied, “You are
wrong. It is an unusual compliment, and you should show
your appreciation by giving him your co-operation. I will
cheerfully recommend you for promotion, and Ramseur will
do likewise; for I have heard him say so.” Thereupon I
forwarded my application through the usual channels to the
Secretary of War. After that series of engagements which
led up to our glorious achievements at Spottsylvania Court
House, when Ramseur was made Major-General, I was
given command of his brigade, together with such parts of
the First and Third North Carolina Regiments as escaped
capture with Edward Johnson’s Division. These regiments
were indeed among the best in our service, and now for the
first time were incorporated into a regular North Carolina
Brigade, under a North Carolina commander. And during
the time they served under me, I bear willing testimony to
their bravery and their intelligence and patriotic services in

29

 
450 Nort CaroLina Troops, 1861-’65.

the cause of the South. The Second Regiment had been
brigaded with them early in the war.

On leaving the Valley of Virginia, the greater part of
Early’s command under Gordon proceeded at once to Peters-
burg and were placed behind the intrenchments erected for
the protection of that town. Soon my brigade was detached
from the division for important and special duty north of the
Appomattox, with orders to “make all reports and forward all
matter directly to General Lee’s headquarters”; a signal act
of confidence, as only steady troops were trusted to guard the
several miles of river front, on which we were stationed, from
any advance of the enemy in this direction.

The corps of sharpshooters who were under the command
of the brave and fearless Colonel H. A. Brown, of the Third
North Carolina Regiment, did not accompany me, and it may
be here stated that this body of sharpshooters were really
about the size of an ordinary regiment, and in their assault
upon Hare’s Hill 25 March, 1865, which soon after occurred,
were first to penetrate the enemy’s lines and make important
captures. When Lee decided to assault and break Grant’s
lines in front of the Hill, he endeavored to concentrate all his
available forces at this centre. A courier was sent to me
with orders to move at once to the point of intended assault.
This courier lost his way during the night, which loss of time,
together with the concentration of my troops, delayed my
movements until early dawn. Not apprised of the contem-
plated movement, my first intimation of the conflict was
given by the booming of artillery and the sharp, quick re-
ports of the small arms. Leaving my brigade moving with
a quick step, I put spurs to my horse and sought General Lee.
As I dashed across the Appomattox bridge into the town I
was surprised to find so many Federal soldiers coming down
the street and, for the moment, my impression was they had
broken through our lines. But I quickly discovered they
were disarmed and our prisoners. Keeping on, I found Gen-
eral Lee standing alone in old Blandford Cemetery, looking
thoughtfully on at the battle, whose tide had begun to turn
against us; for the Federals recovering from their surprise,
with reserves already in the rear, soon concentrated, and with

Tue ANDEeRSON-RAMSEUR-Cox BRIGADE. 451

overwhelming numbers repulsed us. Inquiring what.I was
to do, the General, calm and seemingly unmoved, quietly
directed me to hurry up the brigade, take it into the covered
way leading up to our intrenchments, and cover the retreat.
Hastening back to join the brigade, I moved it through the
covered way, deployed my troops along the line, and protected
the retreat of the army, which was rapidly falling back.
Soon everything except picket firing was again quiet. The
opposing lines were then not exceeding two hundred yards
apart. Between these lines lay the dead and wounded, who
had suffered in this contest. A white flag was now raised on
the Federal breastworks, which was responded to on our
side, and an agreement for a truce was made in order to
remove those who had suffered, who lay in great numbers over
the space of the conflict. In this interval, General M. W.
Ransom and myself entered the intervening space, and were
soon joined by a few Federal officers, who promptly said:
“Gentlemen, won’t you have some commissary ?”’ for they
knew full well this article was a scarce commodity on our
side. We promptly accepted the proffered hospitality. As
they unbraced their flasks and handed them to us, a Federal
officer, struck with the novelty of our surroundings, remarked
“TIsn’t this strange? A few hours ago we were endeavoring
to kill each other; now we are engaged in exchanging hospi-
talities and in friendly conversation.” And thus was illus-
trated that between the brave men of these two armies who
had so long and desperately contended for the mastery, there
was no personal animosity, no enmity, and no reserve. Of
one race, of one country, reared under the same institutions,
each man fought heroically for the right, as he saw it, and
accorded to his enemy equal sincerity and patriotism. Yet
let us not forget that there were ever in the rear on either side
malingerers and black flag advocates, who “did not care how
many of their wives kin were sacrificed, provided they were
permitted to remain out of the reach of danger.”

This assault upon the enemy’s lines having miscarried, it
became necessary to strengthen the lines with additional
troops. I was consequently recalled and placed on the right
of Grimes’ Division, where skirmishing and picket firing was

 
 

 

 

452 Norra CaroLina Troops, 1861-’65.

kept up day and night and two-thirds of my troops were on
constant duty.

From June until March, with a force of forty-five thou-
sand men, Lee with masterly skill and courage had main-
tained a line of thirty-five miles extent, against Grant, who
had three times that number, provided with abundant sup-
plies, clothing, provisions, forage for horses and medicines,
and with a railroad line traversing his entire defences, while
we, with brave and resolute hearts, determined and fearless,
though deprived of many of the necessaries of life, never at
any moment thought of yielding to our formidable adver-
saries. Indeed, had Lee been reinforced with even twenty
thousand men, I am confident in the belief that he would have
driven Grant, as he had his predecessor McClellan, not only
from his front, but cut off his line of supplies, and made his
campaign a failure. When spring returned, it became appar-
ent that mere human endurance could not much longer defend
the beleaguered Confederate Capital, and that therefore its
evacuation was near at hand. Lee at once began to quietly
remove his surplus material to Amelia Court House and
make ready for withdrawing our army, but his purposes
were not properly seconded by the civil authority. While
making these preparations, Grant was concentrating his
forces to complete the investment of his line. Sheridan’s
well equipped and well mounted cavalry were called in from
the Valley, while Sherman was marching through Georgia,
menacing the Carolinas, our bases of supplies. Lee was not
idle. His purposes were well considered. His object was,
in the event of abandoning our lines, to retreat to the hills
of the Blue Ridge and protract the war until honorable terms
of surrender could be exacted. On the first of April Sheri-
dan supported by two corps of infantry, advanced upon our
lines at Five Forks, where, after a severe engagement, he was
repulsed and driven back. In this engagement my command
was near at hand to render any support to our cavalry which
the emergency might demand.

The attack of the Federals was renewed the ensuing day,
and as it was successful, our lines were drawn back towards
Petersburg. I was occupying the right of the division when

a eee ee

Tur ANDERSON-RAMSEUR-Cox BRIGADE. 453

the advance of the Federals was arrested after Wilcox’s Di-
vision gave way, by the fire of the batteries of Forts Gregg
and Alexander, in which guns of my line participated. It
was now apparent that the contest was to be continued on our
part only to enable us to evacuate our lines, and commence
our retreat under the cover of night.. For the enemy, just
before daylight, drove in our pickets on the left of Grimes’
Division, rushed in, and leaped over our breastworks, where
Grimes assaulted them with a determination and resolute
courage which would accept no defeat. He fought from
traverse to traverse for hours together, until the cowed Fed-
erals who were left upon the line sought protection under
cover of our works where they were severely punished. In
the meantime, Colonel Henry Peyton, Inspector-General of
Lee’s staff, came and told me that General Lee directed that
I should hold my line at all ventures; for while I was cover-
ing a mile of our breastworks with my men ten feet apart,
this line was well protected with siege guns, and fire from my
pickets, so that the enemy were kept at a respectful distance.
Still there was a long unoccupied traverse on my right, run-
ning diagonally to my line. At this moment, I discovered
an engineer corps composed of 350 negroes, under the com-
mand of a Colonel, who were used for strengthening our
works. I requested Colonel Peyton to place this corps un-
der my command, which he did. Using them as dummies,
I extended them on this unoccupied line, and as only their
heads were exposed, the enemy naturally supposed they were
there to meet any assault that might be made. This ruse
accomplished the object that I had in view, and I presume it
may be safely said it is the only time during the war when ne-
groes were employed in aiding us to fight our battles.
General Lee, in his report to President Davis, in describ-
ing our retreat from Petersburg to Appomattox, among other
things, said: ‘Arriving at Amelia Court House on the
morning of the 4th, and not finding the supplies ordered to
be placed there, nearly twenty-four hours were lost in endeav-
oring to collect in the country, subsistence for men and
horses. This delay was fatal, and could not be retrieved.
The troops, wearied by continued fighting for several days

 
 

454 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

and nights, obtained neither rest nor refreshments, and
moving on the 5th on the Richmond & Danville Railroad, we
found at Jetersville the enemy’s cavalry, and learned of the
approaching infantry, and the general advance of his army
towards Burkeville. This deprived us of the use of the rail-
road, and rendered it impracticable to procure from Danville
the supplies ordered to meet us at this point of our march.
Nothing could be procured from the adjacent country, and
our route was therefore changed to Farmville, where supplies
were ordered to meet us. This change threw the troops over
the road pursued by the artillery and wagon trains, which
were muddy, cut into ruts, and occupying the line of mareh
impeded and embarrassed our movements. After succes-
sive attacks, Anderson’s and Ewell’s Corps were captured or
dispersed.”

During the day, Gordon’s Corps, embracing Grimes’ Divis-,
ion, together with Fitz Lee’s cavalry, bore the brunt of the
assault of the enemy, checked his advance, delayed the ad-
vance from Amelia Springs, guarded the wagon trains, re-
sisted combined assaults and ultimately repulsed them. In
this retreat, the Division was conspicuous for its steadiness,
its courage, its resolute resistance to all assaults from the
victorious and exultant foe, who though often punished for
temerity, continued to renew their attacks.

Grimes’ Division was in the rear of the Corps, when Ord’s
Division began its attack at daylight, and made stubborn re-
sistance to the repeated assaults which were made throughout
the day. Our retreat was conducted in the following man-
ner. One brigade would be formed across the line of re-
treat, while another brigade was formed in its rear. The
front brigade resisted attack as long as it could safely do so
without capture, when it fell back and retired behind the
troops in its rear. In the latter part of the day, we hurried
forward our wagon trains and such artillery as was not en-
gaged, and the greater part of our troops, for the enemy was
massing heavily in our rear and upon our flanks. About 5
o'clock p. m., Evans’ Georgians were resisting the enemy in
the front, while my brigade was placed across the road less
than a mile from Sailor’s Creek, which crossed the line of our

 
 

Tue ANDERSON-RAMSEUR-Cox BRIGADE. 455

retreat.. The Georgians fell back through my brigade, whose
flanks were protected on either side by thick woods, while
Lewis’ Brigade was still further to the rear. The enemy
appearing in my front, its advance was stubbornly resisted
until it became necessary for me to retire. Instead of fall-
ing back down the road upon which the artillery was occa-
sionally playing and demoralizing our retreating army, I
faced the brigade to the left, marched them in column through
the protection of the woods, and thus preserved its organiza-
tion. The enemy still advancing, soon encountered Lewis’
Brigade, the last organized command between them and
Sailor’s Creek, when this brigade, after offering a brave, reso-
lute and determined resistance, was overwhelmed and dis-
persed. In the meantime, our trains had reached Sailor’s
Creek, a low, muddy stream with high embankments on either
side. Our exhausted teams were unable to move forward, but
were stalled in the middle of the line of retreat of our de-
moralized army, while the enemy triumphant and exultant,
advanced in such numbers and impetuosity as to throw our
army into confusion and place it beyond the control of its
officers. It was at this juncture that my brigade emerged
from the cover of the woods, reached the banks of the stream,
and in column moved rapidly towards the scene of the disas-
ter. The condition of affairs at this point is so vividly and
graphically described by Governor Vance in an address he
delivered and published in “The Land We Love,” then edited
by that indomitable soldier, General D. H. Hill, that I ven-
ture to present the following extract as a description of the
situation, rather than seek to portray it myself. He said:
“During the retreat from Petersburg to that memorable
spot which witnessed the final scenes of that once splendid
army of Northern Virginia, when everything was in the ut-
most confusion, the soldiers struggling hopelessly along, thou-
sands deliberately leaving for their homes, and the demorali-
zation increasing every moment, and the flushed and swarm-

ing enemy pursuing them closely, a stand was made to save
Some artillery was

 

ANDERSON-RAMSEUR-COX BRIGADE. the trains upon which all depended.

; nha i Go, i, 4h ; a ae ‘ ;
1 + Kaed at Witheser, Bune isan, 7. Wr A. Snith, Private Co dit hee placed in ape and pomuier pag ie - — - "
2. C. W. Ri bark, Sergeant, Co. C, Ist Regt. 8. Alexander Crews, t., Co. G, egt. 4 sta Vv e stragglers, mixe
3. William Croom, Private, Co. C, ist Regt. 9. Walter 8. Turner, Private, Co. F., 30th Regt., commanding knoll, sent his staff to rally gg
4. James M. Hobson, 2d Lt., Co. E, 2d Regt. Orderly for Col. F. M. Parker.
5. Thomas Cowan, Ist Lt., Co. B, 3d Regt.

ww wounded, Sharpsburg, 17 Sept..

1 i

 
aca Mbit

I
:
‘
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iv
:

GME.

 

 

 

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-

 
 

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.

 
 

460 Norru Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

‘The command then devolved on W. T. Ennett, Major of
the same regiment, a physician by profession, highly ac-
complished, a brave soldier and a warm friend. He led his
command in the last charge at Appomattox.

Upon my promotion to the command of the brigade, W. 8S.
Stallings sueceeded to the Coloneley of the Second Regi-
ment. He was ardent in his temperament, an excellent sol-
dier and much beloved by his men. In the brief and severe
engagement at Snicker’s Gap, while in the fore-front of bat-
tle, he was mortally wounded and yielded up his life to the
cause he loved so well.

John P. Cobb, Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second, was pro-
moted to the Coloneley of the regiment. He was cool, fear-
less, intrepid and where the battle was thickest you might
expect to find him. In the battle of Winchester, he had one
of his feet torn off by a cannon ball, but so enthused was he
with the intrepidity of his men that he hopped about on his
remaining foot and cheered them forward.

Now, the command passed to Major James T. Scales,
whose coolness and philosophical bravery was ever noticeable
and exercised great influence over his men, whom he likewise
led in the last charge at Appomattox.

Following the promotion of Grimes, Lieutenant-Colonel
James A. Wood succeeded to the command of the veteran
Fourth Regiment and in camp and field showed himself to
be eminently qualified for the position. He was attractive in
person, refined and scholarly, faithful in the observance of
every duty he gave promise of great future usefulness both
as a soldier and a citizen. But like Stallings, he was mor-
tally wounded at Snicker’s Gap and his spirit passed through
the morning gates while “our needs were the rarest.”

Lieutenant-Colonel E. A. Osborne was next in rank, and
the command of the regiment devolved upon him. Osborne’s
polar star was duty, and though quiet and undemonstrative,
he never forgot what was due to himself, to officers, or men.
His constitution was greatly shattered by severe wounds pre-
viously received in battle, which would have caused one less
courageous and zealous to have retired from the service. A
single instance of the courage and resourcefulness of this

 

REE AE hei epi hilt om

Tue Anprrson-RamMsrevur-Cox Briagapr. 461

officer under the most trying circumstances will illustrate the
character of Osborne. While shot down and left upon the
battle field, he observed an armed, prowling Yankee ap-
proaching. Drawing his gun he ordered him to surrender,
which the Yankee did, when Osborne, by the assistance of his
prisoner, was enabled to reach his friends. Further com-
ment is unnecessary.

Major J. F. Stancill, who several times commanded the
regiment, was a brave and faithful officer, who bore the scars
of many wounds.

R. T. Bennett, Colonel of the Fourteenth Regiment, was
of imposing presence, strong individuality, and an able com-
mander. His voice was clear and sonorous and there was no
mistaking or disobeying his commands. When I was
placed in command of the brigade, he was suffering from an
unhealed wound, yet he promptly returned to duty. In the
battle of Winchester, after having two horses shot under him,
he on foot pressed so far to the front, when the brigade was
changing its position to one of more effectiveness and the
movement was so rapidly executed that he, with a few others
on the right were taken prisoners.

Lieutenant-Colonel W. A. Johnston, who was then on

’ wounded furlough, subsequently returned and took charge of

the command. He was a fine specimen of man and soldier,
brave, dashing and impetuous. In the battles around Peters-
burg, seeing the sharpshooters in front of the works sorely
pressed by the enemy, he ordered his regiment over the breast-
works and rushed to their assistance, where I found him gal-
lantly contending on equal terms. He likewise was with his
command at Appomattox.

F. M. Parker, the courteous and refined Colonel of the
Thirtieth Regiment, was a brave, cool, and excellent officer
and ever observant of his duties to the cause and to his com-
mand. He was severely wounded in nearly every important
engagement in which he participated, which so impaired his
health that, to the general regret of all, he was compelled to
resign. :

Thereupon, Lieutenant-Colonel W. W. Sellers was pro-
moted to the Coloneley. An officer, singularly quiet, and un-

 
PLN ea ighie Re tied nice wa

i

oc ee ee ed,

 

462 NortH Caroitina Troops, 1861-65.

assuming yet brave and fearless, he had not occupied the
position a great while before he was mortally wounded
at Kelly’s Ford and slept “an iron sleep—slain fighting for
his country.”

Major Moore, of Edgecombe County, the next in rank,
was absent on wounded furlough. So severe was his wound
it was doubtful whether he would ever be able to join his com-
mand, but he did so before the wound was closed and before
he received his promotion was shot through the body, while
unnecessarily exposing himself, and instantly killed. He
was an officer singularly attractive in person and manner and
greatly beloved and admired by his friends.

Before and after the death of Major Moore, the regiment
was under the command of Captain J. OC. McMillan. His
promotion had been marred by the want of that one essential
of a commanding officer, “discipline,” yet he was otherwise
faithful and diligent in the discharge of his duties. While
issuing an order to the regiment some three days before the
surrender, he was shot through the body, and with the blood
gushing from his nose and mouth, he turned and inquired of
one whether the wound was fatal. He was placed in an am-
bulance, taken to the rear, and his wound dressed and in this
condition remained with the army to the last.

The foregoing record of casualties among the field officers
alone in the closing days of the war is a far more eloquent
eulogy than mere ‘words can express, of the devotion, the zeal
and undaunted fortitude of this brigade, which General Lee
declared was among the first of its rank in the service.

THE STAF F—RAMSEUR’S BRIGADE.

Seaton Gatzs, Major and A. A. G.

Cates Ricnmonp, First Lieutenant and Aide-de-Camp.
W. C. Covenrnovr, Captain and A. I. G.

S. H. Cormman, First Lieutenant and Ordnance Officer.
J. W. Wizson, Major and Brigade Q. M.

B. D. Witt1aMs, Major and Brigade Q. M.

H. M. Miter, Major and Commissary.

G. W. Briees, Brigade Surgeon.

Tur AnprErson-RamsEeur-Cox Brigapr. 463

COX'S BRIGADE.

Seaton Garzs, Major and A. A. G.

J.S. Barrie, First Lieutenant and A. D. CG.
W. C. Covenrnonvr, Captain and A. I. G.
Joun B. Brown, Captain and A. I. G.

J. Jones, Captain and A. A. G.

S. H. Coreman, First Lieutenant and Ordnance Officer.
B. D. Wiritas, Major and Brigade Q. M.
W. T. Farrcroru, Captain and A. Q. M.

H. M. Mitirr, Major and C. S.

G. W. Brieas, Brigade Surgeon.

Grorcr L. Krrsy, Brigade Surgeon.

Major Gales was a man of varied accomplishments. He
entered the service as Assistant Adjutant-General at the for-
mation of the brigade and served with Anderson, Ramseur
and myself until captured at the battle of Fisher’s Hill. Be-
fore entering the service, he had an established reputation
as a speaker and writer. As an officer of the brigade, I ever
found him true and loyal to his commander.

Lieutenant Richmond, on the motion of General Ramseur,
was transferred to the division staff.

W. C. Coughenour near the close of the war was transferred
to Dearing’s Brigade, afterwards Roberts’ Brigade, as As-
sistant Inspector-General.

Gales, Richmond and Battle, during every engagement of
their service, were kept on the firing line bearing commands
from point to point as the battles progressed and proved them-
selves true and gallant soldiers.

Joughenour and Brown, while not required to be thus ex-
posed, frequently volunteered for such duties and proved
themselves efficient and fearless. ;

Drs. Briggs and Kirby were not only excellent surgeons,
but in camp and hospital were excellent physicians, careful
and attentive to the needs of the men.

I must not omit to mention the couriers of this brigade,
who were connected with it from its organization. James
A. Stinson, a mere youth of 20, when shot down upon the bat-
tle field, signaled with his message for some one to take it to

 
Fe ee

y
bi
i

 

 

464 Nort Caronina Troops, 1861-65.

the commanding officer. J. B. Beggarly carried ammuni-
tion to the line in the horse-shoe at Chancellorsville, where it
looked as if no one could live who was not behind the works.

To every member of my staff I return thanks for merited
services upon the field and in camp, for in their respective
positions they fully discharged every duty enjoined upon
them.

W. R. Cox.

Peneto, N. C.,
13 December, 1901.
 

 

 

 

BRANCH-LANE BRIGADE.

Reuben P. Campbell, Colonel, 7th Regiment.

J. MeLeod Turner, Lieut.-Colonel, 7th Regiment.
Wm. Lee Davidson, Lieut.-Colonel, 7th Regiment.
Wesley M. Campbell, Surgeon, 7th Regiment. —
Pinckney C. Carlton, Captain, Co. A., 7th Regiment.
F. D. Stockton, Adjutant, 7th Regiment

 

THE BRANCH-LANE BRIGADE.

By BRIGADIER-GENERAL JAMES H. LANE.

This brigade was organized at Kinston and left the State
for Virginia as a North Carolina Brigade, under General L.
O’B. Branch. It was composed of the Seventh, Eighteenth,
Twenty-eighth, Thirty-third and Thirty-seventh North Caro-
lina regiments, and there was no change in its composition
throughout the war. It was known as “Branch’s Brigade”
till after General Branch’s death at Sharpsburg 17 Septem-
ber, 1862, and then as “Lane’s Brigade” from the writer’s
promotion shortly thereafter to Brigadier-General, till 9
April, 1865. After reaching the Old Dominion, it was or-
dered over the mountains ostensibly to reinforce Jackson, but
it did not cross the Blue Ridge. It was marched backwards
and forwards between the foot of the mountains and a little
town called Criglersville to deceive the enemy whose signal
station was in full view, and whose flag was kept constantly
waving during the day. It was then suddenly ordered back to
Gordonsville, from which point it was moved rapidly by rail
to Hanover Court House. Shortly afterwards it made a gal-
lant fight at Slash Church and Kinney’s Farm against an
overwhelming force of infantry, artillery and cavalry under
Fitz John Porter, and was handsomely complimented by Gen-
eral Lee in a written communication which was read on
parade. It was then assigned to A. P. Hill’s Light Division.

Tt was the first brigade of Lee’s Army to cross the Chicka-
hominy, which it did near “Half Link,” and sweeping down
its eastern bank, it cleared the way for the division to cross at
Meadow Bridge. The official reports tell how nobly it
fought and how terribly it suffered in those memorable seven
days fights around Richmond.

At Cedar Run it was the first brigade of Hill’s Division to
go into action, and it there gallantly repulsed the enemy’s
infantry and cavalry, and restored Jackson’s disordered left.

30

 
Bites

 

 

 

 

 

24 er
“AGB6 "Norau Caroiina Troops, 1861-’65.

At\Manassas Jumetion, in rear of Pope’s Army, it chased,
‘with. rebel, yells, Taylor’s New Jersey Brigade, after it had
"been broken by the artillery and made many amusing
«captures.in the-swamps of Bull Run.
ro Ge extreme left at Manassas Plains, it and MeGowan’s
splendid-South Carolinians fought repeatedly over the opie
-ground, while Jackson anxiously awaited the arrival of Long-
Toh as one of the brigades that met the enemy at Ox Hill,
sand. fought them successfully in a pouring rain. _
— this brigade that scaled at midnight the cliffs of os
‘Shenandoah and lay concealed in the woods on the left an
rrear of the enemy on Bolivar Heights, ready and poeh to
‘charge; but Harper’s Ferry having soon surrendered (14 208
:gust).under our concentrated artillery fire, it had no opportu
‘nity to do:so. ee
Tt ake in that noted rapid march of the Light Aen
‘from “Harper’s Ferry to Sharpsburg, where it arrived in the
afternoon of that long, hard-fought day of battle, Just in
.time to help hurl back the fresh troops of the enemy - gs
ithe ight of Lee’s grand, but hard-pressed army. ere 2
-was that the peerless Branch gave up his life in defense :
ithe cause he loved so well, and Lane was called upon to take
veommand of his heroes upon the battlefield.
Tt was one of the three brigades that formed the rear guard
“of ‘the Army of Northern Virginia when Lee retired oa
‘Sharpsburg and recrossed the Potomac. There sabe? we
ting the enemy, it held its ground until every wagon and am
'bulance had safely crossed—its own litter corps hauling an
:ambulance of brave wounded Georgians across that setae
iver, as the driver and others had mounted the mules an

ve deserted them.
ot se this brigade that chased the finely dressed Pennsyl-
vania Corn Exchange Regiment over the banks of the rag
near Shepherdstown, and under a heavy artillery aa hn
the opposite side of the river, made the Potomac red wi
Yankee blood at the old dam just above the ford.

It was also this brigade that fought so stubbornly on the
right at Fredericksburg, driving back two lines of battle after

he eirercremenhaetan iterating a

Sm mn ate tems tae yea mina arp ear prince er Sh Wat men eo a ao

“ere manana prceen an

+e tpetnniona

Un hee olin ti nla pe enn emi,

Tue Brancu-Lanr Briqape. 467

a large force of the enemy had penetrated that unfortunate
opening left between Archer and itself, turned its right, and
caught its intended support with their arms stacked.

It was this North Carolina brigade that was ordered to
the front to make a night attack in that matchless flank move-
ment of Jackson at Chanceellorsville, but the attack was aban-
doned on account of the wounding of Jackson and Hill. This
brigade and Pender’s braves constituted the front line that
terrible night until after 12 o’clock, and it was Lane’s men
that repulsed Sickle’s formidable midnight attack on the
right.

This brigade was charged by some of the heroes of the rear
with being unduly excited on that occasion, because the Eigh-
teenth, under a misapprehension caused by the darkness, had
fired upon its friends; and yet it stood its ground under three
terrific and prolonged artillery fires which doubtless made
those self-constituted critics of the rear quake; and it gal-
lantly repulsed that formidable attack of Sickles, taking from
him the colors of the Third Maine Regiment and a number
of prisoners—officers and men. It was this censured bri-
gade that carried the enemy’s works next morning in a direct
assault, but was forced to retire because its intended support
broke under the tremendous fire, in the teeth of which Lane’s
men had so intrepidly advanced.

At Chancellorsville this brigade lost nearly one-third of
its strength in killed and wounded, and of its thirteen field
officers carried into action, all were shot down—killed or
wounded—except the gallant young Barry. Here the noble
and fearless Purdie, of the Eighteenth, the gentle, but cour-
ageous and dashing Hill, of the old Seventh, the heroic boy
Captain, Johnnie Young, of the same regiment, Captain
Kerr, Lieutenants € ‘ampbell, Bolick, Emack, Weaver, Bou-
chelle, Babb, Callais, Ragin and other noble spirits lost their
lives in the gallant discharge of their duties, as did also Gen-

eral Lane’s boy brother, J. Rooker Lane, who was acting aide
at the time.

In the first day’s fight at Gettysburg, Lane’s brigade was
ordered from the centre of Hill’s line, put on the right and

charged with the responsible duty of protecting that flank of

 
 

 

 

 

 

Oo IQR
468 Norrnu Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

the army. In the second day’s fight, its skirmishers under
that daring young Major, Brown, of the Thirty-seventh, elic-
ited by their dauntless bearing a written compliment from
General Ewell, who was in command of other troops. Next
day it was on the extreme left of the Pickett-Pettigrew
charge, and though flanked by a large force, it retired in order
and reformed in rear of the artillery by order of the battle-
scarred and experienced Trimble. How many of the bri-
gades in that bloody charge reformed as close and stood ready
to repulse the expected counter-charge :
A northern military writer informs General Lane that his
brigade has never had justice done it for its valiant part in
that great battle. :
After boldly confronting the enemy at Hagerstown while
the Potomac was “on a tear” in its rear, it withdrew in a rain
and after a weary night’s march, was ordered to act as rear
guard to that portion of the army which crossed the Potomac
on the pontoon bridge at Falling Waters. There it stood
alone, with the spirited young Crowell, of the Twenty-eighth,
in charge of the skirmish line unerringly picking off every
man that dared show himself too close, until every other com-
mand had crossed safely ; then it retired to the Virginia shore
in perfect order, and General Heth, in honor of such unusual
fortitude and success, doffed his hat to these veterans as they

proudly marched by him in columns of fours. Next day:

when Heth greeted Lane in the rain, while on the march, he
told him it was an unexpected pleasure, as he feared when he
ordered him to cover the rear that his whole command would
be killed, wounded or captured. ie

It was the guns of this brigade as it went into action in the
Wilderness, late in the afternoon of 5 May, 1864, that caused
Colonel Venable to remark to Colonel Palmer: “Thank God !
I will go back and tell General Lee that Lane has just gone
in and will hold his ground until other troops arrive to-night.
The brigade not only held its ground, but drove the enemy
some distance.

It was this brigade that left the works, formed a new line
and piled the Yankees in front of it at Spottsylvania een
House, early on the morning of 12 May, after they ha

Tur Brancu-Lane Brieapr. 469

broken through Johnson’s front. Its gallantry on that occa-
sion caused a London correspondent to write to his paper that
“Lane’s North Carolina veterans stopped the tide of Federal
victory as it came surging to the right.” Later, it was this
brigade that General Lee selected to cross the works and strike
Burnside’s Corps in flank, in which assault it captured be-
tween 300 and 400 prisoners, three flags and a battery of six
guns, but was unable to bring off the latter, as they were
without horses and could not be dragged through the woods.
General Lee acknowledged the receipt of the flags in a com-
plimentary note, written on the battlefield, which was read
to the command by the Brigadier in person, and was received
with the wildest rebel yells. Still later in the day it was
that splendid body of tried men—the sharpshooters of Lane’s
Brigade—under the dashing and accomplished Nicholson,
who were “requested” by General Lee, through their Briga-
dier, to make an important reconnoissance for him in front
of Spottsylvania Court House, though they had been fighting
all day, and there were fresh troops at hand.

At Jericho Ford this brigade advanced as far as, if not far-
ther than, any other troops and held its ground until relieved
that night.

At the second Cold Harbor it behaved as it did at the first.
Here General Lane was severely wounded—it was feared at
the time mortally—and had to be borne from the field.

Around Petersburg it was not kept in the trenches, but as
“flying infantry” or “foot cavalry,” under Colonels Barry
and Speer, it behaved with its accustomed bravery in the
fights at Riddel’s Shop, Petersburg, Gravel Hill and Fussell’s
Mill.

Under General Connor it was one of the three North Caro-
lina brigades that handled Hancock so roughtly in his en-
trenched position at Reams Station, after the failure of the
first attack by other troops. It was this fight that caused
General Lee to write that handsome letter to Governor Vance

about the gallantry of Cooke’s, MacRae’s and Lane’s Brigades,

Note.—On 3 August, 1864, Colonel Barry was made a (temporary )

Brigadier General but was soon after wounded, and after General Lane’s
return became again Colonel of his regiment.—Ep.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

470 Nort Carormna Troops, 1861-'65.

and also caused that grand old chieftain to tell General gee
when he rejoined his command just before the battle of Jones
Farm, that those three brigades, by their gallantry at Reams
Station, had placed not only North Carolina, but the whole
Confederacy, under a debt of gratitude which could never be
repaid.

In the Jones’ Farm fight this brigade oceupied the right,
soon routed the enemy in its front and on its right flank, and
captured a large number of prisoners.

It was in the Pegram House fight the next day that the
modest, but daring young Wooten, with his sharpshooters,
dashed into the enemy’s works, which were being shelled by
Brander’s Artillery, and returned with more prisoners than
he had men in his command. It was around that beleaguered
city—Petersburg—that the sharpshooters of this brigade be-
came still more famous and Wooten’s name was made so
familiar on the enemy’s skirmish line by his frequent and
most unexpected “pop calls.” It was Wooten’s brilliant Davis
House surprise that elicited congratulatory letters from his
Corps, Division and Brigade commanders, all of which were
embodied in a general order and read on parade.

It was this North Carolina brigade that, after its attenua-
ted line on the right at Petersburg had been broken by Grant
in the spring of 1865, stubbornly fought the enemy from be-
hind the winter quarters in real Indian style, as it slowly fell
back towards the interior lines, some of the men being ordered
to Battery or Fort Gregg, and others to the dam near Battery
45. It was chiefly the brave men of this brigade who were in
Battery Gregg, assisted by supernumerary artillerists, that
made the stubborn defense of that little earthwork one of the
most brilliant events of the war. It was from this battery
that James W. Atkinson, Color Bearer of the Thirty-third,
made his wonderful escape, after the parapet was crowded
with the enemy and some of them firing down on our men, 4
feat that was eagerly watched by both armies. Once or twice
he turned and waved his colors defiantly while the men
wildly cheered as he entered the inner line in safety.

After the fall of Fort Gregg and the enemy had reached the
river above and were enfilading the inner line, the brigade

THe Brancn-Laxe Biraave:. 471

‘was ordered to close to the right. The inner line had numer--
ous high traverses and it was a fiery ordeal.to all when they~
had to run around so many of them. Tt was of vital import-
ance to hold the inner line until night that the army might
withdraw under its cover across the only bridge left it over:
the Appomattox. Major Hale, the Adjutant-General,
mounted one of those high traverses and stood there until. the-
whole brigade had passed, cheering the men as they gallantly
moved to the right, and thus kept the enemy from entering
the inner line. Exposed as he was for such a length of time
and to such a heavy fire, his escape was miraculous.. A mon-
ument has been erected in Savannah to Sergeant J asper, and
counties and towns named for him, but his leaping the walls.
of Fort Sullivan and rescuing the fallen flag was as inferior:
to Major Hale’s act as the hotness of the fire and the length:
of exposure in Jasper’s case were less.

From Petersburg to Appomattox this brigade of brave and!
starving North Carolinians fought by day and marched by
night without a murmur; and when at Appomattox it was
ordered back from the front and told that General Lee had’
surrendered, officers and men burst into tears, and some were
heard to remark most feelingly: “And have we endured all
this for nothing ?”’

In a letter from a Northern military historian asking Gen-
eral Lane for information about the battle of Chancellors-
ville, he closes with the following playful, but gratifying
words: “If Lane’s Brigade had remained at home many
New England regiments would have been happier. It is ad-
mitted here that Lane’s boys were a bad, quarrelsome set of
fellows, and too fond of a fight altogether.”

General Lee’s complimentary letters and note about the
battles at Slash Church and Kinney’s Farm and Reams Sta-
tion, and the capture of the flags at Spottsylvania Court
House have been published in the Southern Historical Soci-
ety Papers; also General Trimble’s admiration of the con-
duct of this brigade at Gettysburg. Copies of the congratu-
latory letters to Major Wooten are on file in the War Records
Office in Washington. Most of the official reports relating
to this brigade have been published in the “Southern Histori-

 
 

472 Norru Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

cal Society Papers’ and in the “Official Records of the Union
and Confederate Armies,’ a voluminous work published by
the United States Government.

Roster of the Field and Staff of the Brigade and also of
the Field and Staff of all the regiments composing it, from its
organization to its surrender at Appomattox Court House:

Brieapier GEnErrats—L. O’B. Branch, James H. Lane,
John D. Barry (temporary).
Arprs—W. A. Blount, Oscar Lane, J. Rooker Lane, (act-

ing), Everard B. Meade.
Assistant Apgutanr Grnerats—W. E. Cannaday,

Francis T. Hawks, George B. Johnston, Edward J. Hale, -

Jr.
Assistant Inspector Generat—Ed. A. T. Nicholson.
Orpnance Orricer—James A. Bryan.
QuarTERMASTERS—Joseph A. Engelhard, Geo. S. Thomp-
son, A. D. Cazaux (acting), E. W. Herndon.
Commissaries—Daniel T. Carraway, Thomas Hall Mc-
Koy.
Surerons—James A. Miller, Robert Gibbon, Ed. G. Hig-
ginbotham, Wesley M. Campbell, George E. Trescot.

SEVENTH NORTH CAROLINA REGIMENT.

Cotonets—Reuben P. Campbell, Ed. Graham Haywood,
Wm. Lee Davidson.

LieuTenant-Cotonets—Ed. Graham Haywood, Junius
L. Hill, Wm. Lee Davidson, J. McLeod Turner.

Masors—Edward D. Hall, Junius L. Hill, Robert 8.
Young, Robert B. McRae, Wm. Lee Davidson, J. McLeod
Turner, James G. Harris.

Apsutants—J. P. Cunningham, John E. Brown, Frank
D. Stockton, Ives Smedes, John M. Pearson.

QuarTerMasters—William A. Eliason, John Hughes.

Commissartes—William H. Sanford, Thomas Hall Mc-
Koy.

Surceon—Wesley M. Campbell.

Assistant Surerons—William Ed. White, Alfred W.
Wiseman, J. R. Fraley.

Cuapitarn—M. M. Marshall.

Tne Brancu-Lane Brie@ane. 473

EIGHTEENTH NORTH CAROLINA REGIMENT.

Cotonets—James D. Radcliffe, Robert H. Cowan, Thos.
J. Purdie, John D. Barry.

Lizvrenant-Cotonets—O. P. Meares, Thomas J. Pur-
die, Forney George, John W. McGill.

Masors—George Tait, Forney George, R. M. DeVane,
John D. Barry, Thomas J. Wooten.

Apsutants—Charles D. Myers, Samuel B. Watters, Wil-
liam H. McLaurin.

QuarTERMasTtER—A. D. Cazaux.

Commissaries—Duncan MeNeill, Robert Tait.

Surcrons—James A. Miller, John Tazwell Tyler, Thos.
B. Lane.

Assistant Surezons—Charles Lesesne, William Brower,
Alexander Gordon, Simpson Russ.

CuapLtain—Colin Shaw.

TWENTY-EIGHTH NORTH CAROLINA REGIMENT.

Cotonrts—James H. Lane, Sam. D. Lowe.

Lirutenant-CoLtonrets—Thomas L. Lowe, Sam. D. Lowe,
William D. Barringer, William H. A. Speer.

Masors—Richard E. Reeves, Sam. D. Lowe, William J.
Montgomery, William D. Barringer, William H. A. Speer,
Samuel N. Stowe.

Apgutants—Dunean A. McRae, Romulus S. Folger.

QuartEeRMasters—George S. Thompson, Durant A. Par-
ker.

Commissary—Nicholas Gibbon.
Surerons—Robert Gibbon, W. W. Gaither.

Assistant Surerons—F. N. Luckey, R. G. Barham,
Thomas B. Lane, N. L. Mayo.

Cuapiarns—Osear J. Brent, F. Milton Kennedy, D. S.
Henkel.

THIRTY-THIRD NORTH CAROLINA REGIMENT.

Cotonets—L. O’B. Branch, Clark M. Avery, Robert V.
Cowan.

LizuTenant-CoLtonrts—Clark M. Avery, Robert F.
Hoke, Robert V. Cowan, Joseph H. Saunders.

 
 

 

 

 

 

474 Nortru Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

Masors—Robert F. Hoke, W. Gaston Lewis, Robert V.

Cowan, Thomas W. Mayhew, Joseph H. Saunders, James
A. Weston.

Apsutants—John M. Poteat, Spier Whitaker, Jr.

QuarTERMASTERS—Joseph A. Englehard, John M. Poteat,
John R. Sudderth.

Commnissarres—J. A. Gibson, Robert A. Hauser.

Surcrons—R. B. Baker, J. H. Shaffner, Ed. G. Higgin-
botham.

Assistant Surezons—J. H. Shaffner, John A. Vigal, J.
L. McLean.

Cuapitain—T. J. Eatmon.

THIRTY-SEVENTH NORTH CAROLINA REGIMENT.

Cotonets—Charles C. Lee, William M. Barbour.

Lirvutenant-Cotonets—William M. Barbour, John B.
Ashcraft, William G. Morris.

Masors—John G. Bryan, Charles M. Hickerson, William
R. Rankin, John B. Ashcraft, William G. Morris, O. N.

Brown, Jackson L. Bost.
Apsutants—William T. Nicholson, David W. Oates.
QuarTERMASTERS—Robert M. Oates, Miles P. Pegram.
Commissarres—Herbert DeLambert Stowe, Miles P. Pe-
gram.
Surcrons—James Hickerson, George E. Trescot.

Assistant Surcrons—J. W. Tracy, J. B. Alexander, G.
B. Moffitt, Daniel McL. Graham.

Cuapitain—aA. L. Stough.

CORPS OF SHARPSHOOTERS OF ‘LANE’S BRIGADE.

The Corps of Sharpshooters of Lane’s Brigade was organ-
ized after it went into winter quarters at Liberty Mills, Or-
ange County, Virginia, in 1863. Picked officers and men
were detailed from the regiments in proportion to their re-
spective strength and put in charge of Captain John G. Knox,
of the Seventh, who was a cool, brave and popular officer, and
a splendid tactician. They were excused from all camp and
picket duties, and thoroughly drilled in their special duties.

When the following campaign opened, this corps was as fine
a body of soldiers as the world ever saw.

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.
2.
3.
4,

BRANCH-LANE BRIGADE,

James H. Lane, Brigadier-General.
Lawrence O'B. Branch, Brigadier-General.
John D. Barry, Brigadier-General,

E. J. Hale, Major.

Tue Brancu-Lane Bricapr. 475

In the Wilderness, on 5 May, 1864, the brigade was as-
signed a position on the left of the road near the home of a
Mr. Tuning, and the corps was pushed far to the front. Soon
afterwards the brigade was ordered to form at right angles
to its original position for the purpose of sweeping the woods
in front of another command. The corps returned at a
double-quick and deployed while the brigade was taking its
new position. The enemy opened, and the corps dashed for-
ward, poured a destructive fire into them, killed a large num-
ber and captured one hundred and forty-seven, including
eight commissioned officers. :

When the brigade was ordered to the right of the plank
road that afternoon, where our troops were hard pressed, the
corps fought on the extreme right, where Captain V. V. Rich-
ardson, a gallant officer and second in rank, was severely
wounded. The fight continued until after dark in the woods,
through the dense undergrowth. The contending lines were
close to each other and when the enemy attempted to turn our
right, Knox was captured, and he was succeeded by the ac-
complished and gallant Captain William T. Nicholson, of
the Thirty-seventh.

On 12 May, at Spottsylvania Court House, in front of the
salient on the left of the Fredericksburg road, this corps be-
haved with conspicuous gallantry in the presence of General
Lee. That afternoon, after the brigade had attacked Burn-
side’s Corps in flank, General Lee sent for General Lane, told
him he had witnessed their gallant behavior and the cheer-
fulness with which they had borne the hardships of the day,
and he did not have the heart to order them forward again ;
and yet, he wished them to make an important reconnoissance
for him on the Fredericksburg road. When assured that they
would cheerfully do whatever he wished, he replied: “Tell
them I request it and do not order it.” When Nicholson re-
ported for instructions, General Lee repeated his caution to
him to let his men know that he would not send them unless
they were willing to go. It was an inspiring sight when
those brave fellows marched past their beloved chieftain.
Every cap was waved, and cheer followed cheer. General
Lee, superbly mounted, gracefully bared his head and uttered

 
J

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

476 Nortru Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

not a word, while the troops in the works joined in the cheer-
ing as those tired and hungry heroes went to the front.

On 18 May, while General Early, temporarily in com-
mand of A. P. Hill’s Corps, and Generals Wilcox and Lane
and a number of staff officers were standing near the brick
kiln, the enemy honored the group with a short, but rapid ar-
tillery fire, under which Nicholson was severely wounded.
Major Thomas J. Wooten, of the Eighteenth, was then or-
dered to take charge of the corps and he continued in com-
mand until the surrender at Appomattox Court House.
Young, cool and brave, but modest as a girl, he was a worthy
successor of Knox and Nicholson.

This corps rendered splendid service from Spottsylvania
Court House to Petersburg. Its first brilliant exploit near
the ‘““Cockade City” was the surprise and capture of the en-
emy’s videttes and reserve, without the loss of a man. The
following will tell how it was appreciated :

Heapquartrers Lann’s Brigane,
September 9, 1864.
General Orders No. 21.

The following communications are published to the bri-
gade, not only as an act due the distinguished merit of their
gallant recipient, but with the hope that it may encourage
officers and men to emulate this noble example:

Heapquarters T'urrp Army Corps,
September 7, 1864.

GrneEraL:—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
the report of Major T. J. Wooten, commanding the skirmish-
ers of Lane’s Brigade, containing an account of his surprise
of the enemy’s videttes at the Davis House and attendant cap-
ture. The Lieutenant-General commanding desires that you
will congratulate Major Wooten for his handsome success,
and to assure him that he highly appreciates the activity, abil-
ity and gallantry which he has displayed in his present re-
sponsible position.

Very respectfully your obedient servant,

W. N. Srarxe.

tine cance hm PR AA PRINS RR: isa ft Te NR ETNA A Depa hele em pe erties orac AN inbe elRe R

eat cle dake em

Tur Brancu-Lane Bricave. 477

Heapquarters Witcox’s Lieut Division,

September 7, 1864.
Masor:—The Major-General commanding desires me to
express his gratification in transmitting the enclosed letter
from Major Starke, A. A. G., Third Army Corps, conveying
the congratulations of Lieutenant-General Hill to you upon
your handsome capture of the enemy’s videttes at the Davis
House, and also to acknowledge his own appreciation, not
only of this affair, but of the valuable service rendered by
you and the gallant officers and men under your command,

during the arduous campaign of the last four months.
I am, Major, very respectfully,
Tos. A. Enerenarp.

Heapquarters Lann’s Brigape.
Major T. J. Wooten, Commanding Sharpshooters :

Masor:—The Brigadier commanding feels a proud pleas-
ure in transmitting to you the congratulatory notes of Lieu-
tenant General Hill and Major-General Wilcox. And while
he adds to these well-earned compliments his own hearty con-
gratulations upon the brilliant accomplishment of your well
conceived purpose, he rejoices that you have furnished him
this fitting opportunity formally to thank you and your gal-

lant command for the steady performance of every duty—

whether of dangerous enterprises or laborious watching—
which has distinguished your action since the campaign be-
gan. With respect, your obedient servant,
E. J. Hatz, Jr., A. A. G.
By command of Brigadier-General J. H. Lane.
E. J. Harz, Jr., A. A. G.

Major Wooten was never more happy than when engaged in
his “Seine Hauling,” as it was called by the brigade. He
would steal up to the enemy’s skirmish line—sometimes
crawling until within easy running distance—then dash for-
ward, halt on the line of pits, and just as the rear of his com-
mand passed him, he would order both ranks to face outward
and wheel; and they coming back in single ranks and at a
run, would capture everything before them and not fire a

 
ia aa dai
isaac deta a

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

478 Norrn Carorimva Troops, 1861-65.

gun. In all of his dashes, he never lost a man—killed,
wounded or captured. The Yanks often called to our pickets
to know “when is your Major “Hooten” coming this way
again ?”

The morning of 30 September, 1864, troops were ordered
from the right of Petersburg to support those engaged on the
north side of the James, leaving the works at the Pegram
House to be defended by a weak skirmish line of dismounted
cavalry. The order was countermanded soon after we had
crossed the Appomattox, and we were moved back, as our right
was threatened in force. That afternoon the brigade was or-
dered to the right of the road leading to the Jones House;
and, as the enemy were driving the cavalry rapidly, Wooten
came up at a double-quick, deployed, pushed rapidly to the
front, opened fire, and the blue-coated prisoners came stream-
ing to the rear. The whole affair was witnessed by a group
of general officers, one of whom declared it was the handsom-
est thing of the kind he had seen during the war.

Next day when Brander had thrown the enemy into con-
fusion at the Pegram House by his well-directed artillery
fire, Wooten dashed into the works, and brought back more
prisoners than he had men in his command.

After Gordon’s attack on Fort Stedman, 25 March, 1865,
the enemy swept the whole Confederate skirmish line from
Hatcher’s Run to Lieutenant Run. General Wilcox was sick
at the time and Lane was in command of his division. Next
morning General Lee sent for Lane to know if he had re-estab-
lished his part of the line, and when told that he had with the
exception of a hill, from which the enemy could fire into his
winter quarters, General Lee asked if he could take the hill,
and he replied: “TI will have it to-night if you say so.” When
Lane and Wooten were examining the ground that beautiful
Sunday morning, one of the men called out: “Look yonder,
fellows; that means fighting, and somebody is going to get
hurt.” The attack was made by the sharpshooters of the
whole division under Wooten, and the hill was carried with-
out the loss of a man.

During that winter, General Lane received a note from
General Wilcox, asking if he could “catch a Yankee” that

Si cite RR TH AOR

2 secrete ee A as AAU pele nef poe gi ne anes IRE HT

oye sit tien a Rein go oa pea a earner ee

Tue Brancu-Lane Bricapr. 479

night for General Lee, as some of the enemy were moving and
he could not get the desired information through his scouts.
Wooten was sent for and the note handed him. After sitting
a while with his head between his hands, he looked up with
a bright face, and said: “I can get him.” Early next morn-
ing, followed by a crowd of laughing, ragged rebels, he
marched seven prisoners to headquarters, and with a merry
good morning, reported: “I couldn’t get that promised Yan-
kee for General Lee, but I caught seven Dutchmen.” They
were sent at once to division headquarters with a note from
the Brigadier, giving the credit of the capture to Wooten,
and stating that if General Lee could make anything out of
their “foreign gibberish,” it was more than he could.

After our line had been broken by Grant in the Spring of
1865, and the brigade driven from the works, this corps very
materially helped to retake the same works as far as the Jones’
Farm road, where it was confronted by two lines of battle
and a heavy skirmish line. To escape death or capture, the
brigade was ordered back to Battery Gregg and Howard’s
Dam, near Battery 45.

In the retreat to Appomattox Court House, this corps was
kept very busy, and it was often engaged, when not a shot
was fired by any of the regiments.

James H. Lane.
Avusurn, ALA.,

9 April, 1901.

 
 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Es

2

ee

3.

CLINGMAN’S BRIGADE.

. L. Clingman, Brigadier-General. _ : :
Wilk 8. Buig wy: Captain, Acting Assistant Adjutant General,

Brigade. : :
Hal. H. Puryear, 1st Lt., Aid-de-camp on General Clingman’s staff.

Clingman’s

CLINGMAN’S BRIGADE.

By CAPTAIN W. H. S. BURGWYYN, A. A. G.

Believing his paramount allegiance was to his State, when
North Carolina seceded from the Union—20 May, 1861—
Senator Thomas Lanier Clingman left his seat in the United
States Senate and*tendered his services to his State as a sol-
dier to defend his country from invasion, and was Volunteer
Aide to General Johnston at the first battle of Manassas 21
July, 1861. This was his first experience in war.

He was then 49 years of age and had borne an honoratle
and prominent part in his State’s civil history. A first
honor graduate (1832) of the State University, he was a
member (1835) of its House of Commons; thence, he was ad-
vanced to the State Senate of which he was a conspicuous
member for years. Elected to the United States Congress in
1843 as a Whig, he continued to represent his district in Con-
gress as an adherent of that political party until 1852, when
he gave his support to the Democratic Presidential nominee
(General Pierce) and was again elected to Congress, and this
time as a candidate on the Democratic ticket. Appointed in
1858 by the Governor to fill an unexpired term in the United
States Senate, which appointment was ratified by the ensu-
ing Legislature, in 1860 he was re-elected United States Sen-
ator, and at the special session of the Senate 5 March, 1861,
he was sworn in for a six year’s term. Both in the House
of Representatives and in the Senate of the United States, he
had attained conspicuous prominence by his ability, acumen
and fearlessness in debate, his learning and scholarly attain-

ments.
In August following, he was elected Colonel of the Twen-

ty-fifth Regiment North Carolina Troops, infantry, a regi-
ment composed of companies organized in the counties of
Buncombe, Cherokee, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson and
Transylvania, counties in the western part of the State, which

he had represented in Congress.

31

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

482 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

Company G, of the regiment, had so many Se —
teers in it as made it essentially a Georgia een A
Captain was William S. Grady, of Georgia, bs oe e
the late lamented orator and Southern journalist, Henry W.

irady, of Atlanta.

Se, tx until after the battle of New ecg Ge a
1862) that Colonel Clingman was poe Caw 1
General, his commission bearing date 17 May, eter pee

The regiments then and subsequently — & ~
mand, and to remain under his command during : 1€ mit
tire war—for General Clingman never received further m r
motion and always was on duty with his brigade i nba
on furlough from the wound received in eta sy a
as follows: Eighth, Thirty-first, Fifty-first and a :
North Carolina Troops, infantry: The brigade fn ” :
constituted as follows: Captain Edward White, a a
Adjutant-General; Captain Frederick Blake, pinged
spector-General; Major Alfred M. Erwin, — al
Maior —. —. Gage, Commissary; Lieutenant L : : svn sh
an “English gentleman, hens Officer, and Lieute

3. Puryear, Aide-de-Camp.
e ee 1864, Captain Wm. A. S. ra Wake eae
Company H, Thirty-fifth North Carolina ee 4 en :
Brigade, was assigned to duty on the briga e a Z ce
different times acted as Assistant Adjutant and oi
Inspector-General. A brief reference to the ae eae : os
their commanders is all that the space allowed for this s

ill permit. :
ie Eighth Regiment was organized in Bisci pases a
1861, at Camp Macon, near Warrenton, N. ©., eae 5
Henry M. Shaw, of Currituck County, was elected Co : :
This was a most excellent selection. Colonel ineres ree
physician by- profession, but had twice represented his a
trict in the United States Congress, was an eloquent spe a
and effective debater on the hustings, oe a ai ue gene
ing influence in his community. e an
dale made prisoners at the capture of Roanoke ue
General Burnside 10 February, 1862, and it was ee
the exchange of officers and men of the regiment and the re

Lieutenant-Colonel.

Ciineman’s Brigapr. 483

assembling of the command at Cam

in September, 1862, that the regiment was assigned to Cling-

man’s Brigade. The Companies of this regiment were vol-
unteers chiefly from the counties of

Cumberland, Currituck, Franklin, Granville, New Hanover,
Pasquotank, Pitt, Rowan and Warren.

The Thirty-first Regiment elected John V.

ven County, as Colonel, commissioned in September, 1861.
Colonel Jordan with many of his regiment, were captured at
the fall of Roanoke Island, and after their exchange, the reg-
iment was assigned to Clingman’s Brigade. The men of this
regiment came from the counties of Anson, Craven, Edge-
combe, Harnett, Hertford, Orange, Robeson and Wake. The

late Governor Daniel G. Fowle was its Lieutenant-Colonel,

and captured at Roanoke Island, but after his
resigned to accept the
State.

The Fifty-first Regiment was organized in April, 1862, by
the election of Captain John L. Cantwell, of Company G,
from New Hanover County, as Colonel. This officer re-
signed, and so did his successor, Colonel Wm. A. Allen, from
Duplin County, and in July, 1863

3, the gallant young Major
Hector McKeithan, from Cumber]

to the Coloneley

p Mangum, near Raleigh,
Alamance, Cabarrus,

Jordan, of Cra-

exchange he
position of Adjutant-General of the

and County, was promoted

and continued in command until the end.
The companies of the regiment were recruited

tirely from the counties of Cumberland
over, Robeson and Sampson.

The Sixty-first Regiment was organized in the summer of
1862

2, and Colonel James D. Radcliffe, formerly Colonel of
the Eighteenth North Carolina Troops, was elected Colonel.

Colonel Radcliffe resigned in October, 1864, and w
ceeded by Lieutenant-Colonel Wm. 8. DeVane, from Samp-

son County. On the promotion of Lieutenant-Colonel De-
Vane, Major Edward Mallett, from Craven County, became

Lieutenant-Colonel Mallett was one of
the best and bravest officers in the brigade. He was killed at
the battle of Bentonville, 19 March, 1865, the last battle in

North Carolina before General Johnston surrendered to Gen-
eral Sherman on 26 April, 1865. The men of this regiment

almost en-
» Duplin, New Han-

as suc-

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tae car aera ananaaraliandati

 

484 Norra Carorina TROOPS, 1861-65.

came from the counties of Alleghany, Beaufort, Chatham,
Craven, Greene, New Hanover and Sampson.

FIRST MILITARY SERVICE.

ormed its first service as a brigade in
lov =

ring the months of October and Nov we"

i N. CG. From there it was ordere

The brigade perf
doing picket duty du
ber, 1862, below Kinston,
to Wilmington, N. C.

in honor of the comman¢ Be? wee
December it was ordered to Goldsboro, N. C., to oppose

an active rt S$ g t : e 3 t r Fe to apture
f=
ct ; pa in repuls ing he enemy 8 a te mp c

f 3 7 . *,?
at Judge Thos. O. Fuller, m writing of the part

1 ‘i in this fight, says:
<en by Clingman’s Brigade in g
eel aie in December, 1862, attempted to cpa |
Goldsboro, I commanded a section of sear s renee! La
ith Cli 2s Brigade. There could not be a -
ted with Clingman’s Brig aa’ a
friar in the hour of fiercest battle than was Clingman 0

that occasion.

‘He rode up and

, and stationed at Camp Whiting, —
anding General of the department. in

down the line on horseback, apinene
without fear, giving bis commends’ paral and Unga
i ? The brigade rept
= ee Foster’s attacking columns, and the latter's
army retreated to New Bern.
SERVICE AT CHARLESTON, 8. C.
ade was transferred to Charles-

i time
ton and pitched its tents on James Island. During = ep:
of its encampment on James Island, there he ape oe

an the malaria emanating
ness, and many deaths from “ae eat ag
f the locality. In May
swamps and marshes 0 " sang
I i leasant surroundings
brief respite from these unp ee
i ilmington. In the large oak
turn of the brigade to Wi oe
i t twelve miles from the city,
ear old Topsail Sound, abou :
cau found an ideal location for a camp, and to tone
name distinguished in the annals of the Cape Fear sec

”?

5 ‘station w Ted “Camp Ashe.
he State, the station was ca } ; :
‘But this respite was of short duration, and in July th

In February, 1863, the brig

i APR CARRERA eT NB Ra RE

ee e 5 mike

an cal

Sic hea eg AE ARTISAN I

Criineman’s Brigape. 485

brigade was ordered back to Charleston to take part in the de-
fense of that important seaport. The enemy had gained a
footing on Morris Island, and was preparing to attack Bat-
tery Wagner, the strong earthwork the Confederates had
erected to defend the entrance to the harbor of Charleston.

On the night of 18 July, 1863, the enemy made a bold as-
sault on the work and were signally repulsed with great loss
to the attacking forces, principally among the negro troops
who were put in the advance. The enemy now settled down
to a regular siege of the place, which lasted fifty-eight days.
The approaches were in parallels, each parallel bringing the
besiegers nearer to the battery. Five parallels were thus con-
structed, the last one approached within about one hundred
yards of the Confederate works. On the night of 6 Septem-
ber, 1863, the Confederate troops quietly and undisturbed,
evacuated the fort and retired to Sullivan’s Island.

The services of the brigade in this defense of Battery Wag-
ner were of the most trying and dangerous character. Says
a member of the brigade, Historian Ludwig, of the Eighth
Regiment: “The men were at all times exposed to the en-
emy’s fire, both from the land and from the sea. An attack
had to be prepared for at any instant, either night or day.

“It was no place for rest. The men had to keep under
cover of the battery or in pits near by dug in the sand hills
along the beach. There was no place for cooking. All the
rations had to be prepared elsewhere and carried there. The
water too, was bad. Under such circumstances, it was nec-
essary to relieve the men and officers about once every seven
or eight days.” It must not be supposed the enemy were left
undisturbed while they were making things so uncomforta-
ble for the Confederates. It was no easy task the Federal
troops were ealled upon to perform. Hundreds and thou-
sands succumbed to the climate and the fire of their oppo-
nents. There was organized in Clingman’s Brigade a corps
of sharpshooters armed with the Whitworth (globe sighted)
rifle, the first ever used in our army and imported from Eng-
land. The service of this Corps was so effective under Lieu-
tenant Dugger, of Company F, of the Eighth Regiment, and

the other officers commanding this corps, that the enemy were

 
}
¢

Pd

SE: ea

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

486 Nortu Carorina TRoops, 1861-65.

seldom permitted to show their heads above the ground =
the parallels they were digging. It was a veritable targe
practice between sharpshooters every day, and any Pneres
careless exposure on either side meant work for the ambu-
orps.
sey Island having been abandoned, the brigade was as-
signed to duty on Sullivan’s Island, where it remained nia
ployed in strengthening its fortifications until 30 —
1863, when it was ordered, first to Kinston, N. C., and t .
to Petersburg, Va., where it arrived about 14 December, an
established its camp about two miles from the city, et nee
vond what afterwards became celebrated as “Hare’s Hill
Fort Stedman).

ae January, ae Captain Wm. H. S. Burgwyn, Com-
pany H, Thirty-fifth Regiment, Ransom’s Brigade, was an
signed to duty as Assistant Adjutant-General on Clingman’s
staff.

EXPEDITION TO CAPTURE NEW BERN.

On 29 January, 1864, the brigade left its confortable
winter quarters at Petersburg to unite. in the ig aR
under Major-General George E. Pickett, commanding : 6
department, to capture New Bern, N. C. ae troops “if
tailed for this work consisted of Corse’s, Hoke s, Ransom’s,
Barton’s, and Clingman’s Brigades, with artillery and me
alry. Disembarking from the cars at Kinston, the brigade
under forced marches, proceeded in the direction of New
Bern and bivouacked on the night of 31 January Rene i
enemy’s pickets guarding the crossing over Bachelor’s creek,
about ten miles from New Bern. Before daybreak next
morning the brigade resumed its march, and while halted in
the road awaiting the forcing of the passage over the ere
across the creek, some two hundred yards distant, defende
by a block house strongly garrisoned, Colonel Shaw, ge
Eighth Regiment, who was sitting on his horse at the hea °
his regiment in company with General Clingman and his
staff, was hit in the head by a bullet fired from those contest-
ing the passage of the creck and instantly killed.

‘The death of Colonel Shaw was an irreparable loss to his

SRL min eaten A ae sti

re rameraiy meat thts ie etaghgaten

a aa alma

ti

Ciineman’s BRIGADE. 487

regiment. He was regarded by his brother officers with the
highest esteem, and as the one best qualified for promotion
to the command of the brigade, should a vacancy occur. To
perpetuate the memory of this gallant officer, Major-General
Whiting, then commanding the Department of the Cape
Fear, headquarters at Wilmington, on 9 March, 1864, issued
a General Order (No. 29) directing that “Hereafter the bat-
tery on Oak Island, between Caswell and Campbell, will be
known as ‘Battery Shaw,’ in honor of the late Colonel Henry
M. Shaw.”

The passage of the creek having been forced, the brigade
was put in advance and hurried in the direction of New Bern
to intercept the troops of the enemy stationed on the railroad
where it crossed the creek. We arrived at a double-quick at
the juncture of the road we were on and the railroad leading
to New Bern, just in time to see the train go by loaded with
soldiers with an iron-clad car attached to the rear on which
was mounted a heavy piece of ordnance which fired at us as
the train sped past. We intercepted and captured several
hundred of those retreating on foot down the railroad. The
same afternoon, the brigade was moved around to the right
and made a demonstration against the town and dispersed
a.cavalry command sent out to attack us.

On the night of our arrival before New Bern, Colonel
Wood, of President Davis’ staff, in command of some boats,
gallantly attacked a gun-boat (the Underwriter) in the Neuse,
boarded and burnt her right under the guns defending the
town.

While halted here in line of battle, the enemy’s artillery
opened on us, and a shell exploding near where General
Clingman was standing, he was hit by several shrapnel balls
and a piece of shell, but only bruised. The town now in-
vested, General Pickett, undecided whether to assault the
formidable works defending the place—part of his forces on
the opposite side of Trent river, who were to capture the line

of communications leading from New Bern to Morehead
City, and thus intercept the enemy’s retreat, not having suc-
ceeded—-ealled a council of war. Clingman’s voice was for
making a demand for unconditional surrender, and in default

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

488 Norra Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

of an affirmative answer, he was for an immediate assault.
He was overruled. The troops lay on their arms all night
and the next day, and in the night time quietly withdrew and
we ingloriously retraced our steps to Kinston. Within the
next few days the brigade returned to its winter quarters at
Petersburg.

Shortly after our return, the Eighth and Sixty-first Regi-
ments were detached to picket the country along the Black-
water. In his report of the part taken by his brigade in this
expedition against New Bern, General Clingman says: “It
gives me pleasure to be able to state that though exposed on
flank and front to artillery fire, threatened constantly with
attack by the enemy’s cavalry and infantry, the troops under
my command performed the movements ordered with as
much coolness and precision as I ever saw them on drill.”

In the latter part of March, 1864, the Eighth was tempor-

arily assigned to General M. W. Ransom’s Brigade in the
ev roo] (] :

expedition against Suffolk, in which expedition General Ran-
som succeeded in capturing the town and large quantities of
provisions.

About the middle of April, General Clingman was or-
dered to make his headquarters at Ivor Station, on the rail-
road between Petersburg and Suffolk. While here, the
Eighth Regiment was again temporarily detached and formed
part of General Hoke’s troops detailed for the expedition
against Plymouth, in North Carolina. In this brilliant vic-
tory, the Eighth Regiment attached to Ransom’s Brigade, did
its full duty and bore a distinguished part.

Under the command of the gallant Lieutenant-Colonel
John R. Murchison, an officer soon to fall at the head of his
regiment leading it in a charge at Cold Harbor (1 June,
1864), this regiment, in the early dawn of 20 April, was in
line of battle forming part of Ransom’s command which was
to assault the town. As the signal rocket went up, the order
to charge was given, and the Eighth Regiment, in front of
one of the forts, rushed upon the works, leaped into the ditch
surrounding the fortifications and attempted to seale the
walls.

Driven out of the ditch by hand grenades the enemy threw

eee or nas

Peete ees a ee ee

 
 

 

 

 

 

OSBORNE'S

OUTCH GAP

Crineman’s BriGape. 489

down upon them from the walls above, the men swung around
to the right and tried to force the palisades. These were
loop-holed, and as the enemy inside would withdraw their
guns to reload, the Confederates outside would thrust their
guns in and in this way get an aim on the enemy. The gate
in the rear of the fort was now burst open and the men rush-
ing inside, the enemy surrendered. Historian Ludwig, of
the regiment, from whom the above account is chiefly taken,
(p. 400, Vol. 1 of this work) places the loss of the regiment at
154 in killed and wounded; about one-third of those engaged.

About 12 M., 3 May, 1864, General Clingman at Ivor Sta-
tion, received a telegram from General Pickett ordering him
to return immediately to Petersburg. The brigade reached
Petersburg the same night. Next morning, 5 May, General
Clingman with the Fifty-first Regiment, and Captain Owens’
Battery of artillery, marched out to meet the enemy who were
reported advancing from Bermuda Hundreds. About 5 p.
m. he was reinforced by part of Hagood’s Brigade, which
took position at Fort Walthall, on the railroad between Pe-
tersburg and Richmond. - Here a sharp engagement was had
with the enemy. During the night General Bushrod John-
son’s Brigade arrived, and next morning, 6 May, the enemy
attacked with heavy force and drove the Confederates from
their position protecting the railroad, and we retired to Swift
Creek, about three miles. On the 7th, General Clingman
was ordered to return to Petersburg to meet the advance of
the enemy approaching on the City Point road. On 9 May
General Clingman, with his own and Hoke’s Brigades and
Sturdivant’s artillery, made a reconnoissance on the City
Point road for about two and a half miles, at which point
they met the enemy’s picket lines and halted, and later re-
turned to our intrenchment. About 10 a. m. on the 10th
General Clingman was ordered to report with his brigade on
the Richmond Turnpike to General Hoke (Robert F.). Here
we joined General Hoke during the night, and became a part
of Hoke’s Division, from which Clingman’s Brigade was
never separated during the remainder of the war.

BATTLE OF DREWRY'S BLUFF.
Hoke’s Division now took position in the outer line of

 
 

Ciineman’s Brigape. 491

490 Nortu Caroiina Troops, 1861-65.

bardment of Fort Sumter. Captain Ramsay fired the sec-
ond cannon that was aimed at the fort in the bombardment.

About 8 p. m. on the night of 15 May, orders came from
General Beauregard to be ready to attack early next morning.
At the given signal the brigade mounted its works, crossed
the ditch in front, formed on the opposite side under a hot
fire from the enemy directly in front, and advanced. So im-
petuous was the charge that we penetrated far into the en-
emy’s lines and unsupported were fired upon on either flank
hy the enemy now in our rear. . The brigade held its ground
however, and General Butler was soon thereafter seen with-
drawing from the field and we followed him in pursuit to his
entrenched camp at Bermuda Hundreds.

breastworks around Drewry’s Bluff on the right of General
Bushrod Johnson’s command. In the afternoon of 12 May
General Matt. W. Ransom, who had been ordered to the ex-
treme right of the breastworks with his brigade, was sud-
denly attacked from the rear by the enemy who had gotten
on his right flank under cover of the woods, and his men were
compelled to jump over on the opposite side of the works and
fight from that side. They made a most brave fight against
overpowering numbers. Here Captain Cicero Durham,
known in the brigade as the “fighting Quartermaster of
the Forty-ninth Regiment,” who had recently been put in
command of Ransom’s sharpshooters, was mortally wounded,
and Lieutenant Waverly Johnson, of General Ransom’s staff,
painfully shot. On 13, 14 and 15 May, Clingman’s Brigade
had some sharp skirmishing with the enemy who gradually s she i

forced our lines back, until finally Hoke’s Division occupied “ail but ‘the Editor has Rest a n0ten 9 Stree ee
the inner line of entrenchments around Drewry’s Bluff, with a - Aiea! 2 ve sey Ot AYER ee Bary ernon she
glide ot winks anne aeO pera sree a atts my ic ay after the battle. It is evident the account was never intended to be
dug in the ground. On the night of 13 May, General Beaure-
gard arrived and assumed command, bringing with him Col-
quitt’s Georgia Brigade and Colonel Baker’s cavalry regiment
(Forty-first North Carolina). The service of those in the

 

 

[Nore.—The above concise account of the part taken by Clingman’s
Brigade in this battle is probably sufficient from an historical point of

read by others than the writer’s immediate family; but as illustrative of
the conduct of thousands of our enthusiastic young Confederate soldiers
on just such occasions, and as showing how battles were fought and won
in those days, the Editor gives it just as it was written more than thirty-
seven years ago:

‘* About daybreak General Robert Ransom, on our extreme left, opened

 

 

picket lines at this time was very dangerous and trying.
The pickets could only be relieved at night, as the enemy’s
advance lines of sharpshooters were so close any one appear-
ing over our works was the target for a hundred rifles.

Captain T. J. Jarvis, of Company B, Eighth Regiment,
since Governor, United States Senator and United States
Minister to Brazil, while on duty on this picket line, received
a wound in the right arm, necessitating a resection of part of
the bone from which he has never fully recovered.

Captain Junius N. Ramsay, of Company I, also of the
Eighth Regiment, mounting the breastworks to get a better
view of the enemy, was painfully wounded, necessitating a
lengthy absence from service in the field. This officer and
Color-bearer Thos. L. Emry, of the Twelfth North Carolina
Regiment, were among the first soldiers to volunteer from
North Carolina. They joined the South Carolina Volun-
teers under General Beauregard and took part in the bom-

the fight with his division, and succeeded in driving the enemy before
him, capturing many prisoners and some artillery. General Bushrod
Johnson then engaged the enemy, drivingthem before him till he reached
the lines we evacuated on the morning of the 13th. General Hoke then
attacked with our (Clingman’s) and General Corse’s Brigades at about 9
am. At the word ‘‘Charge,”’ our two regiments. the Fifty-first_ and
Thirty-first—the Eighth and Sixty-first being temporarily detached—in
concert with Corse’s Brigade, but which, shortly after the charge com-
menced, faced to the right to meet the enemy on their flank, sprang upon
the parapet and with a yell started for the enemy. As soon as the word
‘‘Charge’’ was given. I sprang upon the parapet, waved my hat and
yelled with all my might. As soon as I could cross the ditch in front I
ran ahead of the regiment, waved my hat and called on the men to fol-
low, and nobly did they come on, though the enemy’s sharpshooters fired
as fast as they could pull trigger from rifles that shot seven times in suc-
cession (Spencer rifles). Though the line was considerably disorganized
in crossing the ditch and in going through the thick underbrush, not a
man faltered. About three hundred yards from our works, fearing the
enemy's fire and the bad ground before us might throw the men into
confusion, there appearing some hesitation in the advance, I seized the
colors of the Fifty-first Regiment and called on the men to follow Run-
ning in advance about 200 yards, we came to the enemy’s first line

sted by squads in pits. As we rushed upon one of these pits occupied

y four men and an officer, I fell exhausted, which probably saved my

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

492 Norra Carona Troops, 1861-’65.

COLD HARBOR.

We remained facingGeneral Butler’s army which was *‘hot-
tled up” in Bermuda Hundreds, our pickets daily subject to
the fire of the enemy’s sharpshooters and the gun-boats in the
river, but meeting with few casualties, until the night of 30
May, 1864, when the division hurriedly left for Richmond ;
and next afternoon was in a severe fight near Cold Harbor in
which Captain Edward White, Assistant Adjutant-General of
the brigade, was painfully wounded by a piece of shell. Early
next morning we began to entrench the best we could, using
our bayonets, tin cups and hands. There was more or less
fighting all day in our front, when about 5 p. m. the brigade,
intent on defending its lines from an attack from the front,
were surprised by seeing a large force of the enemy emerge
from the woods in our rear in line of battle preparing for a
charge.

‘Ag was afterwards ascertained, the troops on our immedi-
ate left had been ordered to another part of the field and none
had been sent to take their places. The enemy perceiving
this, had hurried a division of infantry through this unde-
fended part of our lines and formed to take us in the rear.

life, as the men fired as I fell. one ball passing through the brim of my
hat. Rising with a shout, I rushed past the pits, and the Yankees sur-
rendered incrowds. I had then just time to hand the colors to the color-
bearer, when I fell down almost fainting, and a severe fit of vomiting
seized me; but by the time the regiment had gotten somewhat into line,
this passed off and seeing a piece of artillery about 250 yards distant firing
at us, I again seized the colors and called on the men to charge the bat-
tery. With a yell that must have caused the Yankees to quake, we
started, passed by the gun and kept on at full speed to charge the enemy’s
main line of battle about 450 yards off, posted behind rifle pits. Giving
the colors to the color-bearer. I ran in advance, took off my hat, waved
it over my head, cheering as loud as I could, which was not very loud,
as I was now as hoarse asa raven. The first to reach the works I fell
down again exhausted, but rising up as the men commenced to mount
the works, I climbed over and we started after the flying enemy. But
now, not only in our immediate front, but on both flanks the enemy
were in tremendous odds, and opened fire on us. With the enemy 1n
front and on both flanks and no supports, we fell back. first to the last
works we charged. and then tothe next, and finally to the line of the
enemy we first struck in the charge, and there reformed. é
About 5 p. m., we started in pursuit with General Bushrod Johnson's
Brigade and halted for the night close up to the enemy, who were In
the woods south of the Half-way House. The Fifty-first regiment lost
about 119, and the Thirty first about 70, in this charge and during the
day’s fighting. Next day the brigade pursued Butler’s army to Bermuda

Hundreds.’’—Ep. }

Curmveman’s BrIGapDE. 493

The Eighth Regiment on the extreme left of the brigade was
the first attacked. It made a gallant fight, its commander,
the brave Lieutenant-Colonel John R. Murchison, losing his
life leading his regiment in a counter-charge. For a time
there was much confusion; but to hesitate was to be beaten,
and General Clingman, dispatching Captain Blake for rein-
forcements, but without waiting for instructions, ordered the
men out of the rifle pits, formed them in line of battle, faced
to the rear, and with the Twenty-seventh Georgia Regiment
of Colquitt’s Brigade, which had come to our assistance, gave
the order to charge the advancing foe, who by this time were
in easy range of us and had opened fire. As one man the
line rushed to meet the enemy. The contest was brief, but
bloody. The enemy, flushed with apparent victory, made a
stubborn resistance, but were finally driven back, our lines
re-established and what might have been a disaster affecting
the very safety of the army, resulted in a brilliant victory for
the Confederates and in heavy loss to the Federals. Our
own casualties were large. Captain Burgwyn, who on the
wounding of Captain White, had been assigned to duty as As-
sistant Adjutant-General of the brigade, was badly wounded
in the charge, as was Captain Blake, the Assistant Inspector-
General. The Eighth and Fifty-first Regiments sustained
the heaviest losses. The Eighth regiment, the first attacked,
having to force its way out, was badly eut up; the Fifty-first
Regiment, while gallantly charging under its brave Colonel
McKethan, lost many of its best and bravest, but that im-
portant position was saved to the army. On 2 and 3 June,
Hoke’s Division held its lines at Cold Harbor against Gen-
eral Grant’s desperate assaults to carry the position.

HOKE'S DIVISION.

Assigned to Hoke’s Division, Clingman’s Brigade, helped
to win the victory of Drewry’s Bluff. Transferred to the
northern bank of the James, it aided to save the day at Cold
Harbor. Hurried again to the southern side of the James,
it reached the works defending Petersburg just in time to as-
sist in saving the city on the memorable attack 17 June, 1864.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

494 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE PETERSBURG 16, 17 AND 18 suNzE, 1864.

So dispirited and demoralized became the Army of the
Potomac by their defeats and the fearful slaughter sustained,
its commander abandoned further attempt to capture Rich-
mond from the north side of the James, and on the night of
15 June began the transfer of his army across that river in a
second attempt to capture Petersburg by surprise.

Hoke’s Division was detached to meet this move and early
on the morning of 16 June reached Petersburg. The follow-
ing account of the important service rendered by Clingman’s
Brigade in this defense of Petersburg is thus given by a mem-
ber of the brigade staff, the young and Gallant Aide-de-Camp,
Captain Hal. S. Puryear:

“We reached Petersburg early in the morning and went
at once into line just where we had spent the winter in quar-
ters (Hare’s Hill), and were attacked by Grant’s columns
on our old camping ground. There were no troops there—
at the first attack—except Hoke’s. We were on the right,
and the entire attack was on our position, no other part of the
division being engaged. On the next day Wise’s Brigade
was put into position on our right. On the afternoon of that
day Grant renewed his attack in stronger force. The charge
was made in four or more lines of battle, each after the first
line being fifteen or twenty paces in rear of the preceding.
Wise’s Brigade abandoned its position in a panic, without
firing a gun, leaving the works on our right undefended.
Our men were at once ordered to give the enemy a volley to
the right oblique. The effect was terrific, and the second fire
sent them back and in confusion. This charge was repeated
in quick succession several or more times, with the result in
each instance as in the first, and accomplished in exactly the
same way.

“Night now came on. Then the enemy, under cover of
the darkness, got possession of our abandoned works and be-
gan to give us an enfilade fire down the line. We gave them
in return a lively response. I was then ordered by General
Clingman to go down the line and detail every third man
and form them in front of that portion of our works in pos-
session of the enemy. This I did, and thus we sustained the

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
CLINGMAN’S BriGapE. 495

unequal fight until Ransom’s Brigade came up and retook the
lost position. Very early next morning, I went on orders
to General Hoke’s headquarters. On my way I met a news-
boy with an early edition of a Petersburg paper. I got one
and saw in it this paragraph:

‘Hoke’s Division stood last night like a rock wall and
saved the city. They may be overrun, but no power on earth
ean drive them from a position.’

On reaching the division headquarters, I showed the paper
to General Hoke, and he remarked, ‘They should have said
Clingman’s Brigade, for no other troops of my command
were engaged.’ This was literally true, for on that occasion
our brigade unaided, until Ransom’s gallant brigade came to
our assistance in the night, held Grant’s army in check and
saved the city of Petersburg. When the mine was sprung
30 July, 1864, the Eighth and Sixty-first Regiments were
detached from their positions in the trenches and participated
in the charge by which our lost works were retaken. We
were next engaged in the attack on Grant’s lines near the
Lead Works (19 August, 1864), when we brought off the
field three times as many prisoners as we had men in the
fight.”

General Clingman here received a painful wound in
the leg, from which he never sufficiently recovered to take ac-
tive command of his brigade in the field, though he was with
his command in Johnston’s retreat before Sherman through

Raleigh, and at the surrender of Johnston’s army at Greens-
1. (A Gregory, Captain, Co. D, 8th Regt. 2. Isaac J. Moore, Private, Co. G, 61st Regt.

boro 26 April, 1865.
Wounded at Plymouth, 1864. cea the trenches at Petersburg, 28 ASSAULT ON FORT HARRISON.

5d Fee Epa. ENG Cee ae Stee eee The brigade occupied the trenches in the lines protecting
Petersburg until 29 September, when it was ordered to Chaf-
fin’s Farm to retake Fort Harrison, captured the previous
day by General Butler’s troops.

Clingman’s Brigade was selected to lead the assault, sup-
ported by Colquitt’s Georgia Brigade of the division. The
troops were formed for the assault in a-ravine some two hun-
dred yards from the fort. The enemy had diligently strength-
ened its defences since the day before and, in anticipation of
the attack, had massed his troops in several ranks deep, and

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLINGMAN’S BRIGADE.

 

 

 

 
 

 

496 Nortu CaAro.tina Troops, 1861-’65.

they were armed with the Spencer repeating rifles. Real-
izing how great would be the loss of his men in such a charge,
General Hoke importuned General Lee, who was directing
the movement in person, not to order it to be made; but to
select a new line of defence on ground equally as favorable
and which his nen were then holding. General Lee’s reply
was that he would first reduce the enemy’s works by his artil-
lery before the assault should be made, and create a diversion
by an attack on the enemy’s flank simultaneously with Hoke’s
advance. In answer to the question where would the ar-
tillery he placed, the point was designated by the General of
Artillery. Said General Hoke: “I had rather you would
not fire a shot from your guns, sir! You will demoralize my
men more by your shells falling short and bursting among
my men, than you will inflict damage on the enemy. If you
will bring your guns up to my line and charge with my troops
you may do some good, but not otherwise.”

“But,” said the Artillery General, “my horses will all get
killed.” ‘Yes,’ says General Hoke, ‘and my men are going
to be killed. Are your horses of more value than the lives of
my soldiers?’ The Artillerist had his way. He cannon-
aded the enemy; the ground shook with the mighty coneus-
sion; the smoke enveloped the field, the enemy retreated un-
der the protection of his earth works. At the given signal,
Clingman’s Brigade rushed for the works. As one man the
enemy flashed his defiance from a thousand guns; the flank
attack miscarried ; the supports failed to come up; the charg-
ing line melted away; the fort was reached but no farther.
As many as were able, in the darkness of the night got back
to our lines. The wounded and captured were taken to north-
ern hospitals and northern prisons. The dead were buried
under the flag of truce, but the artillery horses were saved.

The brigade felt the losses sustained in this assault the
balance of the war. It could never afterwards reeruit up
its depleted ranks. About a third of those in the charge were
either killed, wounded or captured. The wounded were
probably all captured, as towards night the enemy sent over
the works a body of men who captured all those lying on the
ground wounded or unable to get hack to our lines. A few

CLINGMAN’sS BRIGADE. A497

of those unhurt favored by their location and the darkness,
made their escape, but many were too close up to the works
to get away and were taken prisoners as above stated.
Among the wounded and captured were Captain Wm, H.
S. Burgwyn and First Lieutenant L. Banks Holt, command-

-ing Company I, Eighth Regiment. Lieutenant Holt was

shot through the thigh and the bone fractured, entailing a
long and painful recovery. He was confined at Point Look-
out and Fort Delaware prisons until released in June, 1865.

Hector McKethan, the young, chivalrous and daring Col-
onel of the Fifty-first, was in command of the Brigade, and
as long as he lived never could speak of this day without quiv-
ering lips and moistened eye when he described the fearful
slaughter of his brave men in so hopeless an undertaking.
The writer well remembers Colonel McKethan’s anxious so-
licitude for the result of the assault as he lay on the ground
awaiting the signal to charge. It was the first occasion on
which Colonel McKethan commanded the brigade in a fight
and he was supremely anxious the men should acquit them-
selves creditably in the trying ordeal. He never tired in
his encomiums upon the officers and men for their gallant con-
duct on this occasion. The supports utterly failed to come
to his assistance.

THE FALL OF. FORT FISHER.

From the disastrous attempt to capture Fort Harrison,
until 22 December, 1864, Hoke’s Division-did duty defend-
ing the lines protecting Richmond north of the James river.
On that day the division was ordered to Wilmington, N. C.,
and taking the cars at Richmond we reached Wilmington
about the 28th of the month. 5

Going into quarters at Camp Whiting, on 12 January,
1865, we were ordered to Sugar Loaf Battery, about four
miles from Fort Fisher, and proceeded to fortify.

In the assault on Fort Fisher 15 January, 1865, the divis-
ion made a demonstration in the direction of the fort, but ac-
complished but little. After the fall of Fort Fisher, the
Confederate forces remained confronting the enemy until 18
February, 1865, when they fell back towards Wilmington

32

 

 

 

 
498 Norto Carorina Troops, 1861-65. :
CLINGMAN’s BRIGADE. 499

and on the night of the 20th evacuated that city. Cling-
man’s Brigade did noble service in protecting the rear of our
retreating forces. “The men seemed to appreciate the im-
portance of the duty they were called upon to perform.”

brigades of Hoke’s Division, who had won enduring renown
in the Army of Northern Virginia. Here also were assem-
bled those regiments of Junior Reserves, who under Colonels
Hinsdale, Anderson, Broadfoot and Walter Clark emulated

 

 

 

After a few days rest at Northeast river, the brigade was or-
dered below Kinston to oppose the enemy’s advance from
New Bern. On 8, 9 and 10 March, there was fighting, at
times severe, and quite a number of the command were killed
and wounded, but the enemy in overwhelming numbers now
confronted the small Confederate force and the latter had to
fall back, first to Goldsboro, thence to Smithfield and on 17
March united with the remnants of the Western army under
General J. E. Johnston just before the battle of Bentonville
(19-21 March, 1865). This battle was one of the most
hotly contested fights of the war, entirely creditable to the
Confederate arms and Clingman’s Brigade in this, its last
battle, sustained its honorable record. In the death of Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Edward Mallett, commanding the Sixty-first
Regiment, the brigade lost one of its most meritorious of-
ficers, who had won his promotion by years of honorable ser-
vice.

After the battle of Bentonville, General Johnston retired
his army to Smithfield, where he remained confronting Gen-
eral Sherman for some three weeks. While here General
Johnston held a review 6 April, at which many ladies and
civilians from Raleigh, including Governor Vance and of-
ficers of the State and Confederate Government were pres-
ent. The army presented a fine appearance and the men
were in excellent spirits. There were in this army remnants
of commands who under Albert Sidney Johnston won the
first day’s battle of Shiloh, and nearly annihilated Grant’s
army. Men who under Bragg, had won the battles of Mur-
freesboro and Chickamauga, and under Johnston had con-
fronted Sherman from Dalton to Atlanta; and men who un-
der Hood, had been in the disastrous battle of Franklin; who
had sustained all the horrors of a siege at Vicksburg; who
had followed Forest and Wheeler and Hampton and had suc-
cessfully defended Fort Sumter for four years against the
combined land and sea forces of the United States, and the

the heroism of their veteran comrades, and who on the bat-
tlefields of Kinston and Bentonville had shown they were of
the same metal as their sires and deserving of imperishable
record in the history of their country.

It was a splendid body of American soldiers ; survivors of
a hundred battlefields; and as they marched proudly in re-
view before their General, they were conscious of duty nobly
done and nerved for any further service that might be re-
quired of them in defence of their country. General Cling-
man visited his brigade while in camp at Smithfield, and

though on crutches, asked of General Johnsto

n the honor of
commanding the rear guard.

This was denied him, as he
was physically unable to perform such duty, and he ad-
dressed the Southern commander as follows:

: “Sir, much has been said about dying in the last ditch.
You have left with you here thirty thousand of as brave
men as the sun ever shone upon. Let us take our stand here
and fight the two armies of Grant and Sherman to the end
and thus show to the world how far we can s
mopylee of the Greeks.”

This brave, patriotic man of extraordinary mental endow-
ments, great learning, boundless ambition: 1
goal of his life when he resigned his se
Senate to take up arms in defense

urpass the Ther-

; who gave up the
at in the United States

nat of his State, after serving
faithfully in the army for four years ,

). 8, was allowed to retire to
Be oe aT er nae
private life, and, except a brief service in the Constitutional

Convention of 1875, never again filled public office in his
State.

The last shot had been fired, the last charge h
the last rifle pit had been dug; nev
2 be heard in fierce combat and exulting triumph. The lit-
tle army under Joseph E. Johnston sadly took up its retreat
through the once proud Capital of North Carolina. Now all
was wrapped in gloom, uncertainty and dread. As day fol-
lowed day, disaster succeeded disaster.

ad been made:
er more was the rebel vell

First, the news of Gen-

 
 

 

 

 

500 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

eral Lee’s surrender at Appomattox (9 April, 1865) ; then,
of the assassination of President Lincoln (14 April) ; then, of
the repudiation by the new President—a Southern man by
birth, education and residence—of the statesman-like terms
of capitulation agreed to by Generals Johnston and Sherman ;
and at last, the surrender of his army by General Johnston ;
and on 26 April, 1865, was ended the greatest of modern
wars, in which more than half a million of men lost their
lives in battle, or by wounds and disease, and eight billions
of property were sacrificed.
Wo. H. S. Burewyn.

We pon, N. C.,
26 April, 1901.
COOKE’S BRIGADE.

By CAPTAIN JAMES A. GRAHAM, Twenty-SeventH REGIMENT,
Norta Caroiina TROOPs.

 

In order to give a correct history of this brigade, it is nec-
essary to begin at a period prior to the time when the brigade
was given this name and to refer to the movements of J. G.
Walker’s brigade, which comprised—along with the regi-
ments from other States—most of the North Carolina regi-
ments that afterwards formed this brigade.

In June, 1862, the 'Twenty-seventh North Carolina In-
fantry, Colonel John R. Cooke, found itself at Drewry’s
Bluff, Va., and in a brigade, commanded by General J. G.
Walker, and composed of the following regiments:

 

 

 

Twenty-seventh North Carolina, Colonel John R. Cooke.
Forty-sixth North Carolina, Colonel E. D. Hall.
Forty-eighth North Carolina, Colonel R. C. Hill.
Thirtieth Virginia, Colonel —. —. Bouldin (I think).
Third Arkansas, Colonel Van. H. Manning.

Second Georgia Battalion, Major —. —. Ross.

 

 

 

In the seven days battle around Richmond, we were in the
division commanded by Major-General T. H. Holmes and
held as a part of the reserves; though on the evening of the
battle of Frazier’s Farm we were on the river road and sub-
jected to a heavy shelling from seven gun-boats and thirty-
four pieces of artillery, while we waited for Huger’s com-
mand to join us in order that we might break through the en-
emy’s lines or turn their rear.

I recollect, distinctly, hearing General Holmes say to the
courier who came to him and reported that Huger was at
White Oak Swamp, some three miles off: “Go back and
tell General Huger that he is entirely too late. He should
have been here three hours ago.” That night, with canteens

and everything that could rattle muffled, we had to slip out,
COOKE’S BRIGADE.

1, Joel Jackson Denmark, 2d'Lt., Co. A, 27th 4. J. M. Walker, Ist Lt., Co. C, 48th Regt. as the enemy were in heavy force, having landed 10,000 fresh

Regt. Killed at Bristoe Station, Va. 5. Jas. M. Ragland, Private, Co. E, 46th Regt. 7 i i

2. John Thomas Rhodes, Ist Sergt., Co. B, 27th 6. Jno. H. Ra land, Private Co. Eth ioe, troops who had moved up right in our front.
* : ram W. et . G, 2

3. W. R. Parker, Private, Co. A, 27th Rest. Regt; ” re

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

502 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

The next day this brigade was in reserve at the battle of
Malvern Hill, and lay just behind the attacking line, receiv-
ing the shot and shell that passed over them. We then re-

turned to camp at Drewry’s Bluff.
About 7 July, 1862, our brigade was moved to Merchant

Hope Church, below Petersburg, and on the morning of 11
and 12 July the Twenty-seventh North Carolina and the

Second Georgia Battalion, under the command of Colonel
Cooke, were secreted on the bank of James river, at Fort
Powhatan, and fired on the transports and other vessels pass-
ing up the river to McClellan’s camp at Harrison’s Landing.
Each day, as soon as the gun-boats would run down and be-
gin shelling, we would retire to our camp, some five miles
from the river. After two days of this, McClellan threw a
strong force over to our side of the river and we retired to
Petersburg.

We rested near Petersburg, Va., until, in the latter part
of July or the first part of August, we formed a part of the
support of the artillery that shelled McClellan’s camp at Har-
rison’s Landing. 26 August, 1862, we left Petersburg and
a day or two after were at Rapidan Station, Va.

1 September, 1862, (this brigade having been put in a
division with Robert Ransom’s North Carolina Brigade and
Brigadier-General J. G. Walker, our, Brigadier, given com-
mand of the division), we started on the Maryland campaign
as the rear guard of Lee’s army. Upon Walker’s assuming
command of the division, Colonel Van H. Manning, of the
Third Arkansas (a native North Carolinian, having been
born in Martin County), beeame commander of the brigade.
We took little part in the operations in Northern Virginia
until 12 September, 1862, when the Twenty-seventh North
Carolina and Thirtieth Virginia captured Loudon Heights
at Harper’s Ferry, and the Forty-sixth North Carolina took,
and held, the road around the foot of the mountain along
the Potomac. At the capture of Harper’s Ferry the Forty-
eighth North Carolina held a position on the side of the moun-
tain, just over the town.

After the surrender of Harper’s Ferry, we were moved
rapidly by way of Charlestown, Halltown, and Shepherds-

CooKk’s BRIGADE. 503

town, to Sharpsburg, Maryland, arriving there on the after-
noon of 16 September, 1862.

17 September, 1862, shortly after daylight, we found our-
selves on the extreme right of the Confederate lines. About.
8:30 o’clock we were ordered double-quick to the left center.

When we reached a point near the Dunkard Church, the
Twenty-seventh North Carolina (Colonel Cooke), and the
Third Arkansas (Captain Reedy, commanding), were or-
dered “by the right flank, double-quick,” and sent immedi-
ately into the fight, while the other regiments of our brigade
and Ransom’s Brigade moved further to the left.

This gave Cooke a little command—two regiments—and
they fought all the balance of the day under him.

History tells how well these two regiments performed their
duty. Lee, Jackson and Longstreet, all mention them, and
their action that day was what made John R. Cooke a Briga-
dier. They held their line for two hours without a cartridge.

After Sharpsburg we moved by easy stages via Martins-
burg, Winchester, ete., to Culpepper, Va.

In November, 1862, General Walker was promoted to
Major-General and ordered to the Trans-Mississippi Depart-
ment. Upon the promotion of Walker, Cooke (though the
junior Colonel of the brigade), was made Brigadier-General
on account of the action of his command at Sharpsburg.
General Robert Ransom succeeded General Walker in com-
mand of the Division.

General Walker had as his staff Lieutenant —. —. Galt,
A. D. C.; Major E. M. Braxton, Quartermaster: Major John
S. Hays, Commissary ; Lieutenant —. —. Wright, Ordnance
Officer, and an Adjutant-General whose name I cannot recall.

When Colonel Manning became commander of the brigade
he appointed his Adjutant, H. A. Butler (who was a native
“Tar Heel,” having been born in Granville County, N. C.)
as Adjutant-General. Walker took with him only his Ad-
jutant-General and Aide-de-Camp. So, Cooke found him-
self with a staff, not of his own selection, and not one of
whom came from a North Carolina regiment. The only
appointment left for him was that of Aide-de-Camp. This
he gave to Hugh Patton, of Virginia, a personal friend.

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

504 NortH Caroxina Troops, 1861-’65.

Shortly before Cooke was made Brigadier, there was a gen-
eral change in the brigades in the Army of Northern Vir-
ginia, and the regiments were brigaded by States. At this
time the Thirtieth Virginia was sent to Corse’s Brigade;
the Third Arkansas—the only regiment from that State in
the Army of Northern Virginia—to Hood’s Texas Brigade,
and the Second Georgia Battalion to Wright’s Georgia Bri-
gade. The Fifteenth North Carolina, Colonel Wm. Mc-
Rae, was transferred from Cobb’s Brigade to Cooke’s. Thus
Cooke’s North Carolina Brigade was now composed of the
Fifteenth North Carolina, Colonel Wm. McRae; Twenty-
seventh North Carolina, Colonel John A. Gilmer, Jr. ; Forty-
sixth North Carolina, Colonel E. D. Hall; Forty-eighth
North Carolina, Colonel R. C. Hill.

In November, 1862, we moved to Fredericksburg, Va.
About the middle of December, 1862, Lieutenant Wright,
having been elected a member of Congress from Georgia, re-
signed his position as Ordnance Officer of the brigade.
Cooke appointed Lieutenant J. A. Graham, of Company G,
Twenty-seventh North Carolina, to the place, and on his de-
clining it, appointed Lieutenant B. G. Graham, of Company
B, Twenty-seventh North Carolina, as Acting Ordnance Of-
ficer. This brigade took an active part in the battle of Fred-
ericksburg 13 December, 1862, the Twenty-seventh and For-
ty-sixth North Carolina being behind the rock wall at the
foot of Marye’s Heights, and the Fifteenth and Forty-eighth
on the top of the hill just above the wall. :

General Cooke, while with his two front regiments (Twen-
ty-seventh and Forty-sixth North Carolina), at the rock wall,
at the foot of Marye’s Heights, was severely wounded by a
bullet just over the left eye. At the time he was wounded,
Cooke was talking with General Cobb, of Georgia, who was
killed a moment after Cooke fell. Everybody admits that
Cobb’s Brigade was at the: rock wall and that General Cobb
was killed there. Yet Longstreet and others try to put
Cooke’s Brigade among the reserves during this memorable
battle.

How could that be, when Cooke was wounded while talk-
ing with Cobb; Colonel Gilmer, Twenty-seventh North Car-

CookEr’s BRIGADE. 505

olina, wounded, and Lieutenant S. P. Weir, Forty-sixth
North Carolina, killed, at the rock wall?

After the wounding of Cooke, Colonel E. D. Hall, of the
Forty-sixth North Carolina, commanded the Brigade until
Cooke was able to return to duty, about February, 1863.

3 January, 1863, we were ordered south, and passing
through Virginia and North Carolina without any incidents
worthy of note, reached Charleston, S. C., 22 February,
1863. It was intended for this brigade to go to Morris’
Island, but when we reached Charleston, it was found that
Cooke outranked the officer at that point, and it was not de-
sired to displace him. So, after remaining one day at
Charleston, we were ordered to Pocataligo, 8. C., and became
a part of General W. S. Walker’s command, and spent about
two months at Pocataligo and Coosawhatchie. 26 April
1863, we left Coosawhatchie, S. C., and after short stops at
Wilmington, N. C., Magnolia and Goldsboro, we reached
Kinston, N. C. While here we assisted in driving back the
enemy who had attacked and almost overpowered Ransom’s
Brigade at Gum Swamp.

Early in June, 1863, we were ordered double-quick to
Richmond and destined to form a part of Heth’s Division in
the Gettysburg campaign. On arriving at Richmond, we
were, however, at the request of General Elzy, retained there
and assigned to his command.

During the summer of 1863, we were kept on the move
around Richmond and Fredericksburg and the points be-
tween them and had several little “affairs” with the enemy,
but no regular battle. In September, 1863, we were reas-
signed to Heth’s Division, and 8 October, 1863, started in
the pursuit of Pope.

14 October, 1863, we struck the enemy at Bristoe Station,
near Manassas, Va., and although Cooke protested against
the advance and informed A. P. Hill, our Lieutenant-Gen-
eral, that the enemy in front far outnumbered him and that
he was flanked on the right by a heavy force, yet our brigade
was sent in for slaughter by a peremptory order from Hill.

In less than thirty minutes we had lost 700 men and of-
ficers out of about 1,400 carried in.

 
 

 

 

506 NortH Caroxina Troops, 1861-65.

Kirkland’s North Carolina Brigade, on our left, the only
other troops sent in with us, lost 560 in the same charge.

There were two whole divisions of A. P. Hill’s Corps just
in our rear, and yet not a single company or regiment was
sent to our aid.

Cooke was severely wounded in this battle and Colonel E.
D. Hall, Forty-sixth North Carolina, became commander of
the brigade.

In the latter part of November, 1863, we were moved to
Mine Run, Va., and took part in all the movements at that
place, though our loss was but slight. About 3 December,
1863, we returned to our picketing along the Rapidan and
Robertson rivers.

About December, 1863, or January, 1864, after we had
moved back to Rapidan Station, Va., Colonel Hall resigned
and Colonel Wm. McRae (Fifteenth North Carolina) be-
came commander of the brigade. Colonel McRae appointed
Lieutenant B. T. Hart, of the Fifteenth North Carolina, as
Acting Inspector-General. We had not had so far as I recol-
lect, an Inspector-General prior to this time, though other
brigades had.

Early in 1864 Lieutenant R. Walker Anderson was as-
signed to this brigade as Ordnance Officer. He was a North
Carolinian and had been A. D. ©. on the staff of his brother,
General George B. Anderson.

About the first of February, 1864, we were relieved from
picket duty along the Rapidan and went into winter quar-
ters near Orange Court House, Va. Onur stay there was but
short, for 7 February we were ordered to Olark’s Mountain,
on the Rapidan, to meet a reported advance of the enemy.
This advance was not made and, after spending a day and
night on this errand, we returned to our cosy winter quarters.

We were not allowed a long rest, however, for on 4 March,
1864, we, with the rest of A. P. Hill’s Corps, were ordered,
in haste, to Madison Court House to intercept a column of
the enemy who had moved in that direction.

The weather was terribly cold and that may have helped
in changing the ideas of the enemy, for, on reaching Madison
Court House we found that they had turned back and were

CooKEr’s BRIGADE. 507

again on the other side of Robertson river, and we returned
to our quarters.

Cooke, having recovered from his wound, returned to duty
about the middle of April, 1864.

23 April, 1864, he appointed Lieutenant J. A. Graham,
Company G, Twenty-seventh North Carolina, Captain and,
Inspector-General of the brigade.

This appointment was not confirmed, as the authorities at
Richmond on 28 May, 1864, issued an order that “no Inspec-
tor-General would be allowed to Brigades.” Yet, at this
very time, every brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia
had an Inspector-General, except Cooke’s North Carolina.
On 4 May, 1864, our rest was broken and we started on the
memorable campaign of 1864.

On 5 May, 1864, Cooke’s Brigade, being the leading bri-
gade of our Corps, struck the Federal army at the intersec-
tion of the Plank road, along which we were moving, and the
Brock road, by which they were passing—and the battle of
the Wilderness began. In the fight of this afternoon, our
loss was severe, being 1,080 out of about 1,800 carried in.
Among our killed was Lieutenant R. W. Anderson, Brigade
Ordnance Officer. That night our lines were withdrawn, or
moved back, about a mile, or a mile and a half. On the
morning of 6 May, Grant attacked us in force and had broken
the troops on both sides of us, when Longstreet’s Corps ar-
rived and saved the day.

From this time to the end of the summer this brigade was
engaged taking part in most of the principal battles and in
many small affairs and skirmishes.

I regret that I am unable to give a list of all of our engage-
ments during this campaign, as I was wounded at the Wilder-
ness, 5 May, and have been unable to get a list of all the fights
in which the brigade took part. (Even the Official Records
of the Union and Confederate Armies give very meagre ac-
counts of the operations on either side during that summer. )
There was no time for officers to make up official reports of
battles. I know, however, that Cooke’s Brigade was engaged
at Spottsylvania Court House, Tottapotamy river, Pole
Green Church, Second Cold Harbor, Weldon Railroad (or

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

508 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

Yellow Tavern) and Reams Station, and many other engage-
ments of greater or less importance, and that it was never
driven by the enemy from any position it had taken during
this whole campaign. And further, that while its losses, in
killed and wounded were exceedingly heavy, yet it lost only
thirty-five captured during this whole campaign and not a
single one captured from its line of battle, all of those cap-
tured being either on picket or scouting duty. Its action at
Reams Station, Va., 25 August, 1864, was highly compli-
mented by General Lee in his official dispatch.

About the end of August it found itself in the trenches in
front of Petersburg.

On 30 September, 1864, it left the trenches and assisted in
an attack on the enemy near Fort McRae, on the right of
Petersburg. From that time on its position was near the
right of Lee’s line of battle, generally on the extreme right.
So that by the end of October—which was generally consid-
ered the end of this campaign—it had reached Hatcher’s

Run, seven miles from Petersburg. Here we spent the win-
ter of 1864-65.

Upon the death of Lieutenant R. W. Anderson, Lieuten-
ant W. N. Mebane, of Rockingham County, N. C., (since

Judge of the Superior Court), had been appointed Ordnance
Officer of the brigade.

Some time in the summer or early fall of 1864—I cannot
give the date—the Fifty-fifth North Carolina, Colonel J. K.
Connally, which had been in Davis’ Mississippi Brigade, was
attached to our brigade and remained with us during the bal-
ance of the war.

The opening of the campaign of 1865 for this brigade was
5 February, 1865, when another brigade from our left, was
moved to our position and we, going a mile or a mile and a
half up our lines to the left, passed to the front, with Arch-
er’s Tennessee and Virginia Brigade and Cook’s Georgia
Brigade, and attacked the enemy just in.front of the position
from which we had been moved.

That night we returned to our original place; but, the next
morning were moved again to the front of our line and held
the left bank of Hatcher’s Run to prevent the Federals from

Cookr’s BRIGADE. 509

crossing and flanking Pegram, who was attacking them on the
right bank of the creek.

After this we were allowed quiet for a while and were ac-
tively engaged in strengthening our breastworks and building
new ones, until 24 March, 1865. That night we were or-
dered, in a hurry, to Petersburg, and on the morning of 25
March, acted as a part of the reserve of Gordon’s command
which made the attack on the Federal works on Hare’s Hill.
When Gordon was repulsed and had returned to his breast-
works, we were hurried back to our place at Hatcher’s Run.
In the meantime the Federals had captured our picket line
(which had been left in charge of our disabled men), as well
as the picket lines of two other brigades, on our left. Within
an hour after our return, we recaptured our picket line, but
the enemy kept those on our left. For a day or two we had a
little rest and, after that, we were kept busy replying to the
enemy and dodging their shells and sharpshooters, though we
had no regular engagement.

Before day on the morning of 1 April, a detachment from
this brigade, with the Second Mississippi Battalion, attacked
the Federal picket line in our front and captured and held, a
small part of it for a while; but, as day broke, we were com-
pelled to fall back. On the night of 1 April, we were moved
across the creek (Hatcher’s Run), into Fort Euliss and, as
day broke, 2 April, the storm opened again.

The lines were broken between us and Petersburg and
about 8 or 9 o’clock that part of Lee’s army on the side of
the creek farthest from Petersburg began its retreat. The
enemy followed, and we had a sharp engagement at Suther-
land’s Tavern, on the Southside Railroad, that. day. Cooke
was the ranking officer in the four brigades thus cut off. Still
retreating and endeavoring to find Lee’s main army, we had a
sharp skirmish “affair” at Deep creek, on Monday, 3 April.
Tuesday morning, 4 April, we rejoined Lee and continued
the retreat, acting a part of the time as the rear guard.

We were under heavy fire near Farmville, Va., and Thurs-
day, 6 February, the Twenty-seventh and Forty-sixth North
Carolina Regiments were sent to attempt to drive off a bri-
gade of Sherman’s cavalry which was burning our wagon

 
 

 

510 Nortu CaroLina Troops, 1861~’65.

train. As the two regiments numbered only 97 men we did
not accomplish very much.

The end was drawing near and we continued on without
molestation, to Appomattox Court House. There, at the
command of the immortal Lee, we laid down our arms.

In the foregoing I have endeavored to give an account of
the movements of Cooke’s North Carolina Brigade, some-
what in detail. ;

I have refrained from trying to give a full description
of any of its battles, as they are described in the historical
sketches of the different regiments composing the brigade.

In concluding this history, I deem it proper to refer to one
circumstance to show how the “Tar Heels” were treated by
the authorities at Richmond and, also, to show what General
Lee thought of Cooke’s Brigade.

In July, 1864, General Cooke again applied for an Inspec-
tor-General for his brigade and recommended his appointee
of April, 1864, stating that said officer, while acting in this
position, had been severely wounded at the battle of the Wil-
derness, and was not now and probably never would again
be, able for active duty on foot.

Cooke’s application was approved by General Harry Heth,
our Major-General, and A. P. Hill, our Lieutenant-General,
and endorsed by General Lee. “The brigades are so small
that they hardly need Inspectors-General, but as every
brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia has an Inspector-
General, except Cooke’s, respectfully forwarded approved.”

Under date of 24 July, 1864, this application was returned
endorsed by the War Department, “Disapproved. No in-
spectors will be allowed to brigades.”

(This application, with its endorsements, was given to me
by General Cooke in September, 1864.)

Within a week after the above noted endorsement of 24
July, 1864—and, as I now recollect, on 26 July, 1864—a
Mr. Balfour, of Mississippi, was appointed Captain and In-
spector-General and assigned to Cooke’s North Carolina Bri-
gade. Balfour, having been granted a furlough at the time
of his appointment, did not report to General Cooke until
some time in September, when Cooke informed him that he

CookKe’s BRIGADE. §i4

had no place for him and no need for him. He did not come
back.

After this second refusal of his choice of an Inspector-
General, Cooke would not allow his Adjutant-General to
make the Inspector-General’s reports.

This called forth from General Chilton, Lee’s Inspector-
General, a personal letter to Cooke in which he urged Cooke
to have inspection reports made. Chilton stated that, if it
was not done, proceedings would have to be taken against
Cooke. Of course, this meant court-martial, and he stated
further, that he (Chilton) knew that General Lee would dis-
like very much to be compelled to take such proceedings, for
he knew the fact to be, that General Lee looked upon him
(Cooke) as “the Brigadier and his brigade as the brigade of
his army.” (This letter was shown to me by General Cooke
on 14 or 15 October, 1864.)

General Cooke did not receive a military education, but
was a civil engineer and in 1858 was appointed a Second
Lieutenant in the United States Army. About June, 1861,
while stationed_in Arizona or New Mexico, he learned of the
secession of his father’s native State—Virginia. He imme-
diately tendered his resignation and started for the Confeder-
acy. After many trials, he arrived at Richmond, Va., and
offered his services to the Confederate States.

He was appointed Quartermaster and assigned to the staff
of General T. H. Holmes. Shortly thereafter, he was elected
Captain of a Battery of Light Artillery, raised at Fredericks-
burg, Va., and soon after he was made Major and Chief of
Artillery on the staff of General Holmes.

16 April, 1862, he was elected Colonel of the Twenty-sev-
enth North Carolina, and from that time his name is con-
nected with the history of the North Carolina troops.

He was always firm in the enforcement of his orders, yet
not a martinet. On duty, he required that he be recognized,
officially, and his orders obeyed. Off duty, he was as kind
and pleasant a companion as I ever met. He was always
kind to his men and looked after their welfare.

I very well recollect that in September, 1862, while Colo-
nel of the Twenty-seventh North Carolina, near Leesburg,

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

512 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

Va., he rode all night with Captain Morrill, our regimental
Commissary, hunting for something for his men to eat and
the next morning we had good rations, while the other regi-
ments had but little. There are several other incidents of
this kind that I could mention, but it is not necessary. Suf-
fice it to say that his kind and considerate care of his men
caused him to be loved by all of them and they were always
ready to follow him. He never pushed his command for-
ward. He always. led 1.

Though not a North Carolinian, yet he was proud of the
Old North State and her troops. I have often heard him
speak of it.

I have stated above that his staff were not North Caroli-
nians. Yet they were all true believers in the Old North
State.

Even our Quartermaster, Major Braxton—one of the most
quiet and sedate gentlemen that I ever knew—could not con-
tain himself when, in 1864, he heard a young officer speak
disparagingly of the North Carolina troops; but sprang from
his chair, with the remark, “You don’t know what you are
talking about! North Carolina has more troops in Lee’s
army than any other State, and they are the best troops that
Lee has.”

General Cooke was a Missourian by birth, but his nearly
four years of service in command of North Carolina troops,
whose dangers and hardships he shared entitles him to be
recorded as a North Carolina General. There was also a
Cook’s Georgia Brigade, commanded by General Philip
Cook. This is sometimes confounded with Cooke’s North
Carolina Brigade.

James A. GRAHAM.

Wasurneron, D. C.,
9 April, 1901.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

GRIMES’S BRIGADE.

1. Wm. Edw. Stitt, Captain, Co. B, 43d 3. George F. Boyd, 2d Lt., Co. A, 45th

i Sh: Ihoot- Regt. :
peg fr i pa sea 4. A. A. Springs, Private, Co. B, 53d

2. Lewis G. Grady, Private, Co. A, 43d Regt.
Regt.

 

 

THE DANIEL-GRIMES BRIGADE.

By CAPTAIN WILLIAM L. LONDON, A. A. G.

This Brigade was organized in the Summer of 1862, and
was composed of the Thirty-second, Forty-third, Forty-fifth
and Fifty-third Regiments, North Carolina Troops, and Sec-
ond North Carolina Battalion. Junius Daniel was commis-
sioned Brigadier-General 1 September, 1862, and was as-
signed to its command. His staff was composed of the fol-
lowing:

Captain W. M. Hammonp, A. A. G.
Masor James Epmunnson, A. Q. M.
Masor R. C. Banerr, A. OC. 8S.
Linutrenant W. R. Bonn, Aide.
Wuarton J. Green, Volunteer Aide.

In the Spring of 1863 T. McG. Smith acted as Inspector-
General. In the Summer of 1863, after the Gettysburg fight,
Captain W. L. London, Company I, Thirty-second Regiment,
was detailed as Inspector-General and was commissioned
A. A. G., and assigned to this brigade after Captain W.
M. Hammond resigned. Captain John L. Frensley, A. Q.
M., Thirty-second Regiment, acted as A. Q. M. to the bhri-
gade after Major James Edmundson resigned in 1864,
Lieutenant Robt. E. Ballard, Company K, Thirty-second
Regiment, acted as Aide after Lieutenant W. R. Bond was
captured, in July, 1863, until death of General Junius
Daniel.

, General Junius Daniel was born in Halifax County, N. C.,
27 June, 1828, graduated at West Point in 1846, and re-
mained in the service of United*States until 1857 when he
became a planter in Louisiana. At the outbreak of the war,
in 1861, though offered position in Louisiana, he promptly
offered his services to Governor Ellis. He was elected Colo-
nel of the Fourteenth North Carolina, which was a twelve
months regiment; he was soon afterwards elected Colonel of

33

 

 

 
 

 

514 Nortuo Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

both the Forty-third and Forty-fifth North Carolina ae
ments, which had enlisted for the war, and apenle e
Coloneley of the Forty-fifth, both of which regiments see
a part of this brigade. When promoted to ae eige
eral 1 September, 1862, he immediately took sete
this brigade, which was stationed around Drewry’s : ,
Va. He wasa good organizer and a strict disciplinarian, hy
always looked after the wants and comfort of his men. : :
brigade was considered one of the best in the division, whic
vas the celebrated Rodes’ Division.

hee was ordered to North Carolina under General
D. H. Hill, in December, 1862. It took an active part .
the campaign against New Bern and W ashington, N. re

was highly complimented by General Dy He Balin ey
1863, it was ordered back to Virginia and became a part ©:

Rodes’ Division, Ewell’s Corps. Soon after its arrival Gen-
eral Lee commenced his move into Maryland and Pennsylva-
nia and in this memorable campaign this brigade made a
noble record and the discipline of General Daniel showed
itself both on the march and in battle; so much so, that at

Tue Danret-Grimes BRIGADE. 515

gade was fighting, more or less, every day until 10 May, 1864,
at Spottsvlvania, when this brigade lost very heavily, par-
ticularly the Thirty-second Regiment and Second Battalion.
That gallant and splendid officer, Colonel Brabble, was killed ;
also Major Iredell, of the Fifty-third, commanding Second
Battalion. On 12 May the enemy again took the lines on
the right and it was then, while acting with great valor, that

the gallant General Junius Daniel received his death wound,
from which he died the next day.

Colonel Bryan Grimes was then placed in command of the

brigade and was commissioned Brigadier-General 19 May,
1864. General Grimes was born in Pitt County, N. ©., 2

November, 1828, and graduated at the University of North

Carolina in 1848. He was elected to the State Convention,
known as the Secession Convention, in 1861, and resigned his
seat after the ordinance of secession was passed and offered
his services to Governor Ellis, who appointed him Major of
the Fourth Regiment, State Troops; afterwards he became
Colonel of this splendid Regiment, which position he held

Carlisle, Pa., General Ewell complimented them very sae
and presented them with the only regular Confederate flag
that was in the corps (all the other flags were. battle flags)
and the Thirty-second Regiment carried that flag in the hint
tle of Gettysburg. This brigade went into the first day’s
fight at Gettysburg about 2 o’clock and lost over 600 men that
afternoon and in this campaign lost almost half of its men.
General Daniel’s conduct in this fight won for him the high-
est praise, both from his men and superior officers. On the
retreat, he was placed in command of the rear guard and by
his good management and skill kept the enemy from making
, effective attack.
fe gO back into Virginia, this brigade was not in

when assigned to command of this brigade. The first fight
this brigade had after Colonel Grimes took command, was on
19 May, 1864, and he handled the brigade so well and the
brigade did such good service that General Rodes stated he
had saved Ewell’s Corps and his commission as Brigadier-
General bears that date. About middle of June, 1864, this
brigade with balance of Early’s Corps, were ordered to
Tynchburg, Va., to meet the F ederal General Hunter, which
they did and soon drove him entirely out of Virginia, al-
thongh he had a much larger force than General Early. Ther

the brigade was turned towards Staunton and, after a forced
march down the Valley,

the Potomac and threaten
brigade took part in almo

 

 

 

capturing Harper’s Ferry; crossed

ed Washington City, D. ©. This

any great battle until 5 May, 1864, at the Wilderness, when,
owing to General Daniel’s skill and promptness in throwing
in his brigade at the right moment, he saved the day when
others were falling back, and still history gives this credit to
higher officers when the move was made by him alone, and

Iodes’ Division was in.
Corps at the battle of Wi
General Rode
federate army.

st all the fights and skirmishes that

In the campaign made by Early’s
nchester, our division commander,
8, was killed, one of the best officers of the Con-

In this fight this brigade bore the brunt of

 

the battle and G.

higher officers knew nothing of it until it was over. The bri- great gallantry;
5

eneral Grimes distinguished himself by his
three of his staff officers were severely

 
 

 

 

 

 

516 Norra Carouina Troops, 1861-’65.

wounded: Captain W. L. London, A. A. G.; Lieutenant W.
S. Barnes, Aide, and Captain W. E. Stitt (who was acting on
his staff) and who was commander of sharpshooters. On 19
October, 1864, General Ramseur (one of North Carolina’s
best officers), who commanded this division after Rodes’
death, was killed, and General Grimes was placed in com-
mand of the division and commissioned Major-General 15
February, 1865, and commanded this division until General
Lee surrendered.

Colonel D. G. Cowand, of the Thirty-second Regiment,
was then placed in command of the brigade, which he com-
manded until the surrender. Colonel Cowand enlisted in
May, 1861; was appointed Second Sergeant of his company
at the organization of the regiment; was made Major; after-
wards became Colonel. He was a brave and good officer, and
was very much liked by his officers and men. ‘This brigade
participated in all the fights and hard marches in Early’s
Valley campaign and in the latter part of December, 1864,
was ordered to the vicinity of Petersburg, Va. This division
lost more men in the campaign of 1864 than they started that
year with. This brigade oceupied a position in the trenches
in front of Petersburg during February and March, 1865;
participated in the battle of Hare’s Hill 25 March,
1865, and suffered very severely. No one who has ever
tried the trenches, can imagine what this brigade went
through during that Spring, up to their knees in mud and
water ; not half enough to eat; cold and wet; very often fight-
ing; until General Lee evacuated the trenches and fell back
towards Appomattox this brigade bringing up the rear most
of the time and checking the enemy whenever they advanced
too near. On the morning of Lee’s surrender this brigade,
with others, was ordered to drive the enemy from our front,
which they gallantly did, capturing a battery and driving the
enemy before them when the sad news came to fall back, that
General Lee had surrendered and the gallant Tar Heels un-
der General W. R. Cox fired the last volley.

Captain W. M. Hammond, of Anson County, was ap-
pointed by General Daniel A. A. G. and Chief of Staff in
September, 1862, as soon as the brigade was organized, and a

Tue Dantet-Grimes BRIGADE. 517

splendid officer he made, attentive to duty and always to the
front when there was any fighting going on. He enlisted as
a private in the Fourteenth Regiment and was promoted to
Lieutenant and then to Captain and A. A. G. He resigned
his position in the Fall of 1863. He is now a lawyer in
Georgia. After Captain Hammond resigned Captain W. L
London, who had been acting as Assistant Tnspector-General,
was commissioned as A. A. G. and assigned to this biivade:
W. L. London was born in Pittsboro, N. C., 1838 siilinted
in Chatham Rifles, the first company that volunteered from
his county ; was elected Third Lieutenant, and when the
regiment was formed, he was promoted to First Lieutenant
and at the reorganization of his company he was made Ca :
tain, his company having been transferred from the Fifteenth
Regiment to the Thirty-second Regiment. Captain London
was severely wounded at Malvern Hill in 1862; was again
wounded at Gettysburg, 1863, and again at Winchcstée 1864
While at home wounded he married Miss Carrie Hawditon
on 14 November, 1864. He returned to his ols and
remained with the brigade until the surrender. Since the
war, _ has been honored by his comrades and made com-
ena ae ange North Carolina Brigade, United Con-
Richard C. Badger was born at Raleigh 8 August, 1839;
graduated at University of North Carolina in 1859 ‘audited
law under Judge Pearson and was licensed to prdetioa law
. 1860; the same year he was elected County Attorney for
W ake County. In the Spring of 1861, he was very active in
getting up the Raleigh Rifles and was Sergeant of said com-
pany, which company became a part of the Fourteenth Reg-
iment. When General Daniel was promoted, he appminted
Sergeant Badger Major and Brigade Cound and he
made a good one, for if any of the brigades had anything to
eat, Badger had his share for his brigade. He vecieued on
account of his father’s health in the Winter of 1864 and
accepted a position given him by the Legislature While
a soldier, he did his duty manfully in wee siaiehiod Hi
died in Raleigh 22 April, 1882. ae ;
Major James Edmundson was appointed Assistant Quar-

 
 

 

 

 

 

518 NortH Caroiina Troops, 1861-65.

termaster at the organization of the brigade and remained
with the brigade until 1864, when he resigned. He was a
fine officer and the Quartermaster Department was always
managed well, and General Daniel had less trouble with his
wagon train than most of our Generals. After Major Ed-
mundson resigned, Captain J. L. Frensley, Quartermaster of
the Thirty-second Regiment, acted as Quartermaster until
Lee surrendered.

Lieutenant W. R. Bond was born August, 1839, in Hali-
fax County. He enlisted in the Second Regiment Volun-
teers, which became the Twelfth Regiment 20 May, 1861, as
a private. In February, 1862, he was promoted to Second
Lieutenant, Forty-third Regiment, and as soon as General
Daniel took charge of the brigade he made Lieutenant W. R.
Bond his Aide-de-Camp, which position he held until he was
severely wounded at Gettysburg, and captured on the retreat
with a part of the wagon train and carried to Northern prison.
Lieutenant Bond was very popular with the brigade, as he
was always courteous and polite, as well as a very gallant sol-
dier. Since the war he has made a name for himself by his
history of the Pickett-Pettigrew charge at Gettysburg. After
his capture, General Daniel appointed Lieutenant R. E. Bal
lard, of Company K, Thirty-second Regiment, as his Aide.
Lieutenant Ballard was born in Franklin County, and en-
listed as a private 20 May, 1861. His company became a
part of the Fifteenth Regiment and was afterwards trans-
ferred to the Thirty-second Regiment. He was promoted in
May, 1862, to Lieutenant in his company at the reorganiza-
tion, and was known in the regiment for his bravery, so Gen-
eral Daniel appointed him to his staff, which position he held
with great honor until General Daniel was killed. Lieuten-
ant Ballard was very near General Daniel when he was shot
and remained with him until he died and earried his body
home. General Daniel’s death ended Lieutenant Ballard’s
duties as a staff officer and he returned to his company.

When General Grimes took charge of the brigade he ap-
pointed W. S. Barnes as his Aide. Barnes enlisted 20 June,
1861, as a private; was made Corporal in his company, F,

Fourth Regiment; was afterwards Sergeant Major of that

Tue Daniet-Grimes BRIGADE. 519

Regiment. Nis bravery attracted General Grimes’ atten-
tion and-he made him his Aide. The Army of Northern
Virginia had not a better or braver soldier. Lieutenant
Barnes was severely wounded at Winchester, September 1863
and at Hare’s Hill in 1865, and did not return to the brigade
again, but has recovered since and is still one of North Caro-
lina’s best citizens.

Wharton J. Green was Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second
Battalion and captured at Roanoke Island. After his re-
turn he was without a command and did good service to Gen-
eral Daniel as Volunteer Aide. He was wounded at Fort
Hill, near Washington, N. C., in the Spring of 1863, but
went with the brigade back to Virginia ; was severely wounded
during the first day’s fight at Gettysburg, and was captured
on the retreat and sent to Northern prison, where he re-
mained until the close of the war. Since the close of the war
he has represented his district in Congress.

The writer regrets that he does not know of other members
of staff who served as Ordnance Officer, Surgeon and others
but he does not think that he ought to close without mention:
ing the two courier boys who served with the brigade a part of
General Daniel’s and all of General Grimes’ term. Two
more deserving, brave couriers no brigade had during the
war, than Sherwood Badger and Thomas P. Devereux, of
Raleigh, N.C. Both were mere boys, but were as cool ‘ind
brave im every danger as any soldier, and never hesitated in
carrying a message into the hottest fight, so much so that the

writer had to speak to them several times about

exposin
themselves so much.* 2 .

Wiu1am L. Lonpon.
Prrrsgoro, N. C.,

1901.

ey : ’ >
Captain London’s delicacy has made him refrain from mentioning his

brother, Henry A. London wh i
i A. © was also courier to G i
iz meg a soldier as ever wore the gray. Since the Gertie ie
Stees sd and editor, and one of the most prominent men in the
» and now represents Chatham County in the State Senate.—Ep

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i.
2.
3.

JOHNSTON-TOON BRIGADE.

R. D. Johnston, Brigadier-General.
Thos. F. Toon, Brigadier-General. ;
Captain E. A. T. Nicholson, Inspector-General.

THE GARLAND-IVERSON-JOHN-
STON BRIGADE.

By FIRST-LIEUTENANT JAMES F. JOHNSTON, A. D. C.

This brigade was organized in June, 1862, just before the
Seven Days Battles around Richmond, and was composed of
the Fifth, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Twentieth and Twenty-third
North Carolina Regiments, and Brigadier-General Samuel
Garland, of Virginia, was placed in command. The Staff
were :

Capraty Woon, of Virginia, A. A. G., and after Malvern
Hill, Carrain D. P. Hatsey, of Virginia.

Licurenanr Roserr Earty, of Virginia, Aide.

Lreurenanr Hownipay, of Virginia, Ordnance Officer.

Masor W. M. Paynz, of Virginia, Brigade Quartermas-
ter. .

Masor A. B. Gartanp, of Arkansas, Brigade Commissary.

Masor R. I. Hicxs, of North Carolina, Surgeon.

The brigade followed the fortunes of the Army of North-
ern Virginia in the first Maryland campaign, participating
in the battles of South Mountain, Sharpsburg and others.
At South Mountain 14 September, 1862, when its com-
mander, the gallant Gordon, fell, it met the charge of Reno’s
Division and it was in its front General Reno was killed. The
compiler of the Federal records at Washington has informed
me that the Twenty-third Regiment of this brigade bayonet-
ted quite a number of Reno’s Division before it was over-
whelmed and drawn back.

Upon the death of General Garland, the command of the
brigade devolved on Colonel D. K. McRae, of the Fifth North

Carolina Regiment, by seniority, and he was in command at

The author of this sketch since Governor of Alabama was a most gal-
lant officer.—Ep.

 

 

 
tee

cee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

522 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

Sharpsburg, until both he and Colonel Iverson went to the
hospital on account of injuries. Then Lieutenant-Colonel -
Johnston assumed command of the brigade and fought under
General Tige Anderson, of Georgia, until night. The next
night the army was withdrawn to the Virginia side of the
river. Colonel Iverson, of the Twentieth Regiment, was pro-
moted to Brigadier-General and assumed command of the bri-
gade. There was no change in the staff. In October, 1862, the
Thirteenth Regiment was transferred to Pender’s Brigade.
The brigade was with General Stonewall Jackson 2 May,
1863, when he executed the flank movement turning the right
of General Hooker and securing a glorious victory for the
Confederates.

It was in the charge that captured the enemy’s breastworks
on the bloody field of Chancellorsville and fought till dark-
ness came, side by side with Pender’s Brigade. It was part
of the Army of Northern Virginia in the second invasion of
Maryland and participated in all the engagements. At the
battle of Gettysburg on the first day, by some mischance, it
was thrown single-handed against a division of the enemy be-
hind a rock wall in a railroad cut where, without faltering, it
charged almost to the very wall. Its dead were so thick and
in so exact a line that one could have walked from one end
of the line to the other and never taken the foot off dead men.

Immediately after the battle of Gettysburg, Brigadier-
General Iverson was transferred to the Western Army and
Lieutenant-Colonel Robert D. Johnston, of the Twenty-third
North Carolina Regiment, was promoted to be Brigadier-
General 1 September, 1863.

During the winter following the brigade was stationed at
and near Hanover Junction to cover Richmond from cav-
alry raids, and successfully discharged that duty. It re-
joined the division to which it was then assigned, commanded
by General Early, at the Wilderness on 6 April, and with
Gordon’s Brigade, assisted to drive in the right of the Fed-
eral army, capturing some 2,000 prisoners, including General
Lyman, of New York. At Spottsylvania Court House it re-
captured on 10 May, 1864, the lines from which Rodes’ old
brigade had been driven. It was here that General Lee, who

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
THE GaRLAnD-IvEeRson—Jounston BrieapE. 523

was in plain view, and within 100 yards of the enemy, saw
the charge of this brigade and complimented it highly. On
al Lee wrote the Secretary of War compliment-
“Twentieth North Carolina under Colonel Toon,”
who had driven back the enemy who had found a temporary
lodgment in our works and captured the enemy’s flag. The
Secretary of War sent the flag to Governor Vance, with a
copy of General Lee’s letter, by Hon. Josiah Turner, then
member ot Congress. The brigade recaptured 12 May a part
of the line in the bloody angle that Ed. Johnson’s Division
had been driven from, and its commander, General R. D.
Johnston was wounded as he sprang upon the contested
breastworks,
Colonel T. F. Toon, of the Twentieth Regiment, was made
a temporary Brigadier-General 31 May, 1864, and com-
manded the brigade until General J ohnston was able to return
in August following.
The brigade participated in all the engagements of that
year of the Army of Northern Virginia until sent first to
Lynchburg and then to the Vailey of Virginia under General
Early. In the meantime Early had been made Lieutenant-
General and Ramseur was promoted to (temporary) Major-
General and assigned to the command of this division.
At Winchester 19 September, 1864, the battle in which the
lamented Rodes was killed, the brigade covered the retreat of
General Early, repeatedly repulsing the assaults of Sheri-
dan’s cavalry and preserving its organization and discipline,
though surrounded by demoralization. Halsey was suc-
ceeded as Adjutant-General of the brigade by E.
olson, who was a most capable and courageous officer; E.
Hayne Davis was Inspector-General and J. F orney Johnston
was A. D. C., and Captain J. S. Northington Brigade Quar-
termaster. A. M. Benton, of Duplin, and John A. Sher-
boronic gan ie ni bynes Laws, Private, Co. E, 23d rill, of Catawba, were couriers. At Hare’s Hill on 25
1. A.M. Luria, 2d Lt Co. 1.23d Rest. 5 Regt. Died of wounds sone 2 March, 1865, General J ohnston was disabled, Captain Nich-
2 Wilietew Willborn, Private, Co. I, 23d Regt. 5. Jno. R. O'Briant, Private, Co. E, 23 olson was killed, Davis lost his arm and Lieutenant Johnston,
who had been promoted to the Captaincy of Company A
Twelfth North Carolina, was wounded. i

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Killed at Gettysbure. | snes, Private, Co. A, ist Batt. Sharpshooters.

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

524 Nortu Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

Carolina Battalion became a part of the brigade in the win-
ter of 1863-64, and rendered splendid service.

Upon the return from the Valley, the division was com-
manded by Pegram, and was placed in Anderson’s Corps,
commanded by Major-General John B. Gordon. It was sta-
tioned to cover the right flank of Lee’s army some eight or ten
miles southeast of Petersburg. In February the Federals at-
tempted to turn the flank and the battle of Hatcher’s Run was
fought. This brigade held three divisions of the enemy in
check, being deployed as skirmishers until Mahone’s Divis-
ion could reach them, being distant several miles and, then it
renewed the assault with Mahone and drove the enemy from
the field. Major-General Pegram was killed here in the field.

The brigade surrendered at Appomattox. It was then
commanded by Colonel Jno. W. Lea, of the Fifth Regiment,
and was in the charge driving the enemy before them shortly
before the news of the surrender reached them. It numbers
at the surrender were reduced to 30 officers and 433 men. 95
Off. Rec. Union and Confed. Armes, 1277.

Jas F. Jonnsron.

BirMInGHAM, ALA.,
13 December, 1901.

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

HOKE-LEWIS BRIGADE,

i t.
i Co. B, 6th Regt. 4. Nathan Lunsford, Private, Co. B, 6th Reg
2. Tie teen ak re Oe B, 6th Regt. 5. James D. Tilley, Private, Co. B, 6th Regt.

$ i ) l, Co. B, 6th Regt. 6. A. H. Martin, Capt., Co. G, 54th Regt.
re tha 2 WE Stoner, Private, Co. A, 54th Regt,

 

 

 

 

 

THE HOKE-GODWIN--LEWIS
BRIGADE.

By MAJOR JAMES F. BEALL, Twenty-First N. C. Troops.

Colonel Robert F. Hoke took charge of Trimble’s Brigade
a short while before the battle of Fredericksburg (13 Decem-
ber, 1862). That brigade was composed of the following
Regiments: Twenty-first Georgia, Twelfth Georgia, Twen-
ty-first North Carolina, Fifteenth Alabama.

The brigade was engaged in the battle of Fredericksburg
13 December, 1862, Colonel Hoke commanding. Just after
this fight he was promoted to Brigadier-General, and was as-
signed to a North Carolina brigade composed of the Sixth,
Twenty-first, Fifty-seventh and Fifty-fourth North Caro-
lina Regiments and First North Carolina Battalion. The
First Battalion was transferred to General R. D. Johnston’s
Brigade in 1864. This brigade was engaged in the battle of
Chancellorsville, General Hoke commanding, James Adams,
Acting Adjutant-General. General Hoke was severely
wounded in this battle. The command of the brigade then
devolved upon Colonel Isaac E. Avery, of the Sixth, who
commanded the brigade in the battles of Winchester, Martins-
burg and Charlestown, Va., and the battle of Gettysburg,
where this gallant officer was killed while leading a success-
ful charge on the enemy’s works at Cemetery Hill.

The brigade was again engaged in the battles of Plymouth
20 April, 1864; New Bern same month; Drewry’s Bluff and
Cold Harbor in summer of 1864. At PlymouthGeneral Hoke
was promoted to Major-General. Again the brigade was en-
gaged at the battle of Lynchburg. After this Colonel A. C.
Godwin, of the Fifty-seventh, who had just returned from
prison, was put in command of the brigade and promoted to
Brigadier-General 5 August, 1864. He fell while gallantly
leading his men in the battle of Winchester 19 September.
A detachment took part in the battle of Monoeacy 9 July,

 
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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MARTIN-KIRKLAND BRIGADE.

James G. Martin, Brigadier-General, also Adjutant-General of North Carolina.

5 i i A. A. G. . :
: nae See Cie ana Q. M., 17th Regiment, Acting Brigade Q. M.

. L, D. Starke, Captain and Acting Inspector-General.

THE MARTIN-KIRKLAND BRIGADE.

By CAPTAIN CHARLES G. ELLIOTT,* A. A. G.

In the fall of 1863, Brigadier-General James G. Martin,
commanding the District of North Carolina, with headquar-
ters at Kinston, was by the Secretary of War directed tc or-
ganize a brigade from the troops in his district and assume
the command for service in the field. This was composed of
the Seventeenth North Carolina Troops, Colonel William F.
Martin; the Forty-second North Carolina Troops, Colonel
John E. Brown; the Fiftieth North Carolina Troops, Colo-
nel George Wortham, and Sixty-sixth North Carolina Troops,
Colonel A, Duncan Moore.

The brigade staff consisted of Captain Charles G. Elliott,
Assistant Adiutant-General ; Major A. Gordon, Quartermas-
ter, succeeded by Captain John S. Dancy, Assistant Quarter-
master; Major James DeMille, Commissary, succeeded by
Captain Imcien D. Starke, Assistant Commissary ; Lieuten-
ant Theodore Hassell, Ordnance Officer ; Lieutenant William

B. Shepard, Jr., Aide-de-Camp ; Surgeon, Dr. Virginius Har-
rison.

EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

Soon afterwards ordered to Wilmington in the department
commanded by Major-General W. H. ©. Whiting, the bri-

*Since this admirable sketch of his brigade was written Capt. Elliot has
died at Healing Springs, Va., 14 August, 1901. He was born at Elizabeth
City 18 March, 1840. At the outbreak of the war he at once joined the
army. Captured at Roanoke Island, on being exchanged he was appoint-
ed Adjutant-General of Martin’s brigade which post he filled under suc-
cessive commanders till the close of the war, conspicuous in all its battles
and never absent from duty a single day from sickness or any other cause.
There was no better officer of his rank in the Confederate Army. On
many occasions he was practically in command of the brigade. He com-
manded the entire confidence and esteem of both officers and men. A
most gallant, capable officer and courteous gentleman, to know him was
tolovehim. The writer wishes to put on record not only his acknowl-
edgment of this admirable sketch but his indebtedness to Capt. Elliott

for valuable assistance in getting the histories of the several regiments
of his brigade written.—Ep.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

528 NortH Caro.ina Troops, 1861-65.

gade was placed in camp near the city and for several months
went through a rigid course of instruction and discipline from
“squad drill” to “evolutions of the line” and became as well
drilled as a corps of regulars, and as well clothed and equip-
ped as a Confederate brigade could be. No enemy appeared
in front of Wilmington, but when General George E. Pickett
was sent with his division to Kinston and ordered to attack
and recapture New Bern—on 2 February, 1864—\General
Martin was sent from Wilmington on an expedition to cut
the Atlantic & North Carolina Railroad and destroy the
bridge at a village called Shepperdsville, now known as New-
port, a few miles west of Morehead City. General Pickett’s
demonstration was feeble and completely failed, but Martin
successfully accomplished the task assigned to him after a
very long and fatiguing, but energetic march, most skilfully
concealed from the enemy, and a spirited battle with the
forces protecting the railroad bridge. His force consisted of
two regiments of his brigade, the Seventeenth and Fortx-sec-
ond, a squadron of cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel Jeffords, and
a battery of artillery, Captain Paris. Finding White Oak
river bridge destroyed, General Martin’s Commissary, Cap-
tain Starke, acted as engineer and quickly constructed with
pine trees a sort of dam over the stream, without nails—over
which the command passed going and returning. The enemy
was surprised, vigorously attacked, driven out of his forts and
block houses, abandoned his quarters and lost cannon, arms
and a large quantity of supplies and many prisoners. The
bridge was burned. But as Pickett had' failed, Martin was
compelled to return to Wilmington.

When the Confederates from Lee’s army under General
Robert F. Hoke assaulted and captured Plymouth, N. C., af-
ter a bloody engagement (with the valuable aid of the iron-
elad ram Albemarle, which was built at Edwards’ Ferry on
Roanoke river under contract with the Confederate States
Navy Department by Lieutenant Gilbert Elliott, of the Sev-
enteenth North Carolina Troops, detached), Martin’s Bri-
gade was ordered to relieve Hoke’s command, which made an-
other demonstration against New Bern without material re-

sults.

 

THe Martin-KiRKLAND BRIGADE.

PETERSBURG.

Soon after this all available forces in the Carolinas and
at South Atlantic posts were concentrated at Petersburg
and south of the James to resist Butler’s army. Martin’s
Brigade (except the Fiftieth Regiment which was left in
North Carolina) reached Petersburg and reported to Major-
General W. H. C. Whiting on 14 May, 1864. The com-
manding general Beauregard, was then fighting Butler’s army
near Drewry’s Bluff. Having driven the enemy towards the
river Beauregard planned a great general battle to “bottle him
up’’—and directed Whiting to co-operate. General Whiting’s
infantry consisted of the brigades of Martin and Wise. He
had the valuable assistance of Major-General D. H. Hill,
then without a command, and Brigadier-General Roger A.
Pryor was serving with him as a mounted scout. As some
of General Whiting’s staff officers were left in Wilmington
and General Martin had a full staff, he directed me to offer
my services to General Whiting, and I rode with him part of
the day when his unfortunate failure occurred. Butler’s
army having seized the main road between Richmond and
Petersburg, General Beauregard sent a staff officer by a long
detour through Chesterfield County to ride with a battle order
to Whiting. TI saw General Whiting have the order and
heard him read it It plainly ordered him to advance from
his position, which was then across Swift Creek, on the morn-
ing of 17 May and “move rapidly forward in the direction of
the heaviest firing”—along the Petersburg & Richmond road
and towards Port Walthall Junction—the point where a road
crosses the former and leads to James river. Had this junc-
tion been seized Butler’s army would have been cut off. But
General Whiting would not advance after forming his line of
battle, because he did not hear heavy firing. There must
have been a condition of the atmosphere to prevent it, for the
sound of the firing was not heavy. From this General Whit-
ing claimed that Beauregard had ceased to fight and feared
that he would endanger Petersburg and expose his own right
flank—if he moved forward. General Pryor told him he had
been seven miles down the Appomattox and there was no en-

34

 
 

 

 

530 NortH Caroxina Troops, 1861-’65.

emy to flank him. General Hill, General Martin and Gen-
eral Wise urged him to go forward, but he-would not give the
order. There was but a feeble skirmish line of cavalry in our
front. The history of the great battle shows that Butler’s
army retreated by the very road that Whiting could easily
have reached and held. General Whiting the next day ad-
mitted his blunder—was relieved of the command and re-
turned to his post at Wilmington. A few days afterwards
this brigade and Wise’s were placed under the command of
General D. H. Hill and on 20 May, anniversary of the day on
our battle flags, Martin’s Brigade was formed on the right
of Beauregard’s line of battle, with Wise in reserve. After
a heavy artillery duel of an hour the charge began from the
left, and as the rebel yell came up the line like a tornado,
under its inspiration Martin ordered his brigade to forward,
guide center, charge !—the Seventeenth on the right, the For-
ty-second on the left and the Sixty-sixth in the center.

The General, with Captain L. D. Starke and myself, moved
immediately behind the Sixty-sixth, all on foot, the line with
great enthusiasm charging through a field of small grain into
a pine thicket where the enemy was strongly entrenched, and
supported by his artillery. During the charge General Mar-
tin ordered me to tell Colonel Moore, of the Sixty-sixth, that
nis regiment was advancing too rapidly ahead of the right
and left, and to preserve the alignment. When I gave the
order to Colonel Moore he seized his colors, planted the staff
upon the ground, and lifted his sword in the air above his
head, the well known signal, and his command halted, dressed
on the colors until the regiments on the right and left came
upon the same line, then, with a start, all three sprang for-
ward and rushed upon the enemy’s ranks. The foe retreated,
and our men held the line, subjected to a severe artillery fire.
Lieutenant-Colonel John C. Lamb, of Williamston, N. (., of
the Seventeenth North Carolina, sprang on the breastworks,
cheering his men, and fell mortally wounded—a most gallant,
able and efficient officer cut off in the flower of his youth. He
fell with the shouts of victory from his beloved men resound-
ing in his ears. Observing the enemy moving to our right,
General Martin directed me to go to General Hill and ask for

 

THE Martin-KirKLAND BRIGADE. 531

troops upon our right flank. Going to the rear, on this er-
rand, I met General Hill coming up with Wise’s Brigade, de-
ivered my message, and received his order to direct that bri-
gade to the line at the point of junction with our own, which
I did. Our men converted the enemy’s works into our own
defensive line, Butler being then bottled up at Bermuda Hun-
dreds. We called this action of 20 May the battle of How-
lett’s House, as a Mrs. Howlett lived on the grounds.

ASSIGNED TO HOKE'S DIVISION.

In a few days a new division was organized under Major-
General Robert F. Hoke, of North Carolina, promoted for his
gallant capture of Plymouth and hard fighting under Beaure-
gard at Drewry’s Bluff, and for his great merit, the division
being Martin’s North Carolina, Clingman’s North Carolina,
Colquitt’s Georgia and Hagood’s South Carolina Brigades of
Infantry, with Reid’s Battalion of artillery. General Hoke
hesitated about commanding General Martin, an old soldier,
who, as Adjutant-General of North Carolina, had commis-
sioned Hoke as a Lieutenant, but Martin insisted that he
should include his brigade in the new division and it so re-
mained until the close of the war.

The personal bravery of General Martin in the charge at
Howlett’s was so conspicuous, and his bearing so cool and in-
spiring, that his men after the battle carried him around on
their shoulders, shouting: “Three cheers for Old Onc
Wing,” he having left one arm on the field of Cherubuseo, in
Mexico. Although this disturbed his dignity, it was very
gratifying to the General, for his strict and severe discipline
had not made the men very affectionate towards him, From
this time on he was the object of their admiration, and so was
Captain Starke, who acted with great coolness and courage on
the field, and also, as Commissary, always fed them as well as
he possibly could. ‘aptain Starke, in addition to his duties
as Commissary, acted also as Assistant Inspector, and in
every battle accompanied General Martin, and conveyed his
orders with coolness and gallantry.

From this point Hoke’s Division marched to Cold Harbor
to re-enforce Lee, arriving at Turkey Ridge and taking posi-

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

532 Norto Caroiina Troops, 1861-’65.

tion on the right of the line, under fire, on the evening of 2
June; Martin’s Brigade on the extreme right, the Seventeenth
on the left, Forty-second in center, and Sixty-sixth on the
right of the grand army, all digging for dear life, and by next
morning completing a fair line of entrenchments.

Breekinridge’s Division coming up, one of his brigades,
Echols’, was put on the right of the Sixty-sixth and Finne-
gan’s in reserve. Artillery from A. P. Hill’s Corps snp-
ported our line, firing over our heads. Among these was
Major Charles R. Grandy’s Battery, Norfolk Light Artillery
Blues.

COLD HARBOR.

Just at dawn, on 8 June, the enemy’s line advanced.
Echols’ Virginia Brigade, on our right, broke and ran away,
General Martin sent me to Colonel Moore with an order to
protect his flank by retiring his right wing to the rear. The
Sixty-sixth nobly held its ground and fired hotly upon the en-
emy in front and on the right. Finnegan’s Florida men
came gallantly to the front and recaptured the trenches from
which Echols’ men had ingloriously fled. Then the fierce
battle raged of which so much has been written. General
Martin cheered his men, and their enthusiasm was great.
Mostly armed with smooth-bore muskets, they poured an in-
cessant fusillade of buck and ball into the brave lines that
charged and re-charged, and fell, many of them, on our works.
The slaughter was terrific. I did not see one man on our
side falter. It was a great victory from the start, but deeply
saddened by the death of Colonel A. D. Moore, of the Sixty-
sixth, killed by a sharpshooter after the charge—a noble, bril-
liant, gallant young officer.

A few days afterwards, meeting a Federal surgeon under
flag of truce while burying the dead in front of Martin’s Bri-
gade, he told me that his command, Corcoran’s Irish Legion,
from New York, had but twelve men who had escaped death
or wounds in that charge, our buck-shot peppering nearly all
of them. No men or officers ever made a braver charge than
did these Federals on 3 June. But the flame of continuous
fire from Martin’s Brigade was too much for them or any

THE Marrin-KirRKLAND BRIGADE. 533

men to overcome, and our line would not yield an inch. My
position in the center and on a ridge gave me a splendid view
ot the grand encounter, and I could see the battle far down
to the left. Never will the inspiring sight be effaced from
my memory. For about ten days we remained in these
trenches, enduring and exchanging the sharpshooting com-
bat, strengthening the works in every way possible, as Gen-
eral Lee fully believed Grant would assault him again at this
same point. It was very uncomfortable and beginning to be
quite warm and dusty, and good water was scarce. But Gen-
eral Lee caused full rations of onions to be issued, causing
the men to cheer as if they had gained another victory.
While occupying the trenches at Cold Harbor, our head-
quarters being in a ditch a few feet from the line, General
Martin had a visit from a General Smith, an engineer officer
serving with the Commander-in-Chief, General R. E. Lee.
Old army soldiers, they greeted each other familiarly as
“Smith” and “Martin.” In my presence General Smith
said: ‘‘Martin, I come to you with a message from General
Lee, who desires me to say that he regrets that his duties pre-
vent his calling on you in person to say that he is glad to hear
you have come to his army. He directs me to come, not
through your Major-Gencral, but directly to you, to say that
he is deeply concerned about this point in the line occupied by
your brigade, which he considers the key to his position. He
believes that Grant is massing his army in your front, pre-
paring to make an attack to carry this point if possible. TI
am ordered to place eighteen-inch siege-guns in your works
and strengthen them in every way possible, and you must as-
sist me in doing so. And further, as yours is comparatively
a new brigade, not having seen much hard field service, he de-
sires you to candidly let him know whether you can rely upon
your men in case of such a powerful assault. Tf not, he will
relieve your command and send here another, veteran troops,
as he wishes to take no risk whatever at this point.”

I well remember General Martin’s very earnest reply:
“Smith, say to General Lee, with my compliments, that my
men are soldiers, and he has no brigade in his army that will
hold this place any longer than they will. I know them and

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

534 Norto Carona Troops, 1861-65.

do not fear their giving way. But, tell him further that, in
my judgment, he is mistaken. Grant is withdrawing his
army from our front and going to City Point, and General
Lee should at once return Hoke’s Division to General Beau-
regard for the defense of Petersburg. Grant is going to at-
tack Richmond from the rear, as the Army of the Potomac
should have done long ago.”

General Smith replied: ‘No, Martin, our information is
different, and General Lee expects another attack right here.”
So our command went to work to strengthen the line and place
abatis in front of it and prepare for the attack, which never
came. History records that Beauregard was urging the War
Department to send him Hoke’s Division at that very time,
and also begging General Lee for the same, as he looked for
Grant to attack Petersburg. But we remained there several
days until the enemy disappeared from our front and then
after some hesitation, doubt and delay, we were suddenly hur-
ried to Petersburg.

If Hancock had not been disabled by wounds from com-
manding his corps he would have occupied Petersburg before
Hoke could reach Beauregard. But fortunately for our side
Major-General Smith commanded Grant’s advance and the
small band under Wise, Ferebee, Graham and others, herot-
cally held the enemy at bay until our arrival. Our division
crossed the James on a pontoon bridge near Drewry’s Bluff,
and my brigade took the shortest cut, through fields and dusty
roads, and reaching the Appomattox, crossed the bridge after
midnight and moved out on the City Point road. Bushrod
Johnson’s Division had also been ordered there, but when we
marched out there was not a Confederate line between the city
and the Federal army. I walked with General Hoke down
a ditch to within a few yards of the Federal pickets and saw
no Confederates. Our men could not be formed in line for
the immediate night attack ordered by General Beauregard,
but fell asleep upon the ground from sheer exhaustion. By
early dawn they were aroused to meet the fierce onslaughts of
Grant’s army, so graphically described by General Beaure-
gard in an article entitled, “Four Days of Battle at Peters-
burg—June 15, 16, 17 and 18, 1864.”

 

 

 
THe Martin-KIRKLAND BRIGADE. 535

PETERSBURG 15-18 gunn, 1864.

In these great defensive battles General Martin and his
brigade displayed a courage, fortitude, endurance and disci-
pline unsurpassed by any. They held every position as-
signed them and fought with great coolness and enthusiasm,
and when Beauregard retired to his new line they marched
in perfect order, and after a few days occupied the salient
in front of Hare’s house, called by the enemy Fort Stead-
man—our salient being called Colquitt’s, as his brigade held
it jointly with ours. Before the siege had progressed very
far General Martin showed physical weakness under the
severe strain and exposure and was relieved of command and
assigned to command the District of Western North Carolina
with headquarters at Asheville. Later he applied to the Sec-
retary of War through me for my transfer to his staff at Ashe-
ville. But I decided to remain with the brigade and share
its fortunes for good or ill. Malarial fever, diarrhea, scurvy
and other diseases, hard guard duty every night for every man
and casualties from shot and:shell, soon thinned the ranks of
our brigade, although Colquitt shared our hardships, reliev-
ing us three days in each week. This life in the trenches was
awful—beyond description. The lines were nearer together
there than elsewhere, and the sharp-shooters never ceased

.firing, while the mortar shells rained down upon us incessant-
ly day and night. Finally at the “headquarters” of the bri-
gade—a hole in our embankment—I was left the only staff
officer, and the brigade was commanded by one of the Junior
Captains of the Seventeenth Regiment, Captain Geo. B. Dan-
iel, of Granville County, N. C., all the field officers being
“hors du combat.” 1 sent for Major-General Hoke and told
him the hazardous situation, and he sent to command us Col-
onel Zachary, of the Twenty-seventh Georgia, of Colquitt’s
Cees ee Brigade, an amiable and very brave officer, with whom my re-
William W. Kirkland, Brigadier General. bs

. Johnson, Major, 17th Regiment, Acting Inspector-General. lations were very pleasant. TI was feeble from exposure. but
Thasdore fawelt “Litt. Co. es 17th Regiment, Acting Ordnance Officer. y pleas Pp ’

C. W. Grandy, Major, Quartermaster. did not leave the men for a single day.’ How I survived all
. H. Stoddard, 1st Lieut., and A. D. C. to General Kirkland. : : :
. this I do not know.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GENERAL KIRKLAND ASSIGNED.
In August General W. W. Kirkland, a North Carolinian,

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

536 NortaH Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

was permanently placed in command of the brigade, re-
lieving Colonel Zachary. Kirkland had commanded a bri-
gade in Heth’s Division, but was disabled by a wound at
Bristoe Station, and General William McRae took his place
as Brigadier. When Kirkland got well he came to us.
He made no change in the staff, except to bring an Aide-
de-Camp, Lieutenant Albert Stoddard, of Savannah, a rela-
tive of Kirkland’s wife, who was a niece of Lieutenant-Gen-
eral W. J. Hardee. He was very courteous and agreeable at
all times, and he became greatly attached to his brigade.

NORTH OF. THE JAMES.

In September our division was relieved from guarding the
hard lines they had held, and moved out of the trenches.
During the fall and winter of 1864 we were attached to Long-
street’s Corps in the works on the north side of the James near
Chafin’s Bluff. There we built winter quarters and had
some rest. QOlingman’s Brigade and Colquitt’s were in the
attack on Fort Harrison made by General Lee to recover that

strong position, without success, but we were not engaged.
We marched under Longstreet around Grant’s right flank on
the Darbytown and Charles City roads and had some fight-
ing, but not very severe.

General Lee gave orders that the earthworks should be
strengthened and the camp carefully policed. He rode along
the line almost daily. One day he halted on our line and
sent for General Kirkland. I rode up with the latter to meet
our chief. He asked Kirkland for some couriers and sent
for the other Generals of the corps. When they came he
pointed to cur camp and works and said: ‘Gentlemen, this
is the only brigade that has obeyed my instructions. J wish
you to make your camp and line conform to this one. Gen-
eral Kirkland, I am glad to see the condition of your com-
mand.” Kirkland, flushed with pride, thanked General Lee
for the compliment to his brigade, but added that its high
state of efficiency was due to its former commander, General
Martin, and he had only tried to maintain the command as he
found it. A manly statement from a gallant soldier! Gen-
eral Lee replied: ‘General Martin is one to whom North

 

THe Marrin-KirKLAND BRIGADE. 537

Carolina owes a debt she will never pay.” I told this to
General Martin after the war, and the old General said he
would like to have that saying recorded. It was said in my
hearing, and made me proud also. General Lee was fond of
General Martin, but I believe President Davis was not, owing
to a difference in the old army.

During its eight months’ service in Virginia, this brigade,
under Martin and xirkland, in the armies of Beauregard
and Lee, was as effective, as brave, laborious and faithful as
any brigade in the army, and its losses from casualties and
disease were very heavy. Almost continuously under fire,
it never failed in attack, and was never driven from its posi-
tion by the enemy. This testimony is cheerfully given by
one who was never absent a single day from its front line,
having never been disabled by wound or sickness, and is proud
to have shared all its hardships, exposure and dangers.

Our division commanders were Whiting, D. H. Hill and
Hoke; corps commanders, Lieutenant-Generals R. H. An-
derson and Longstreet.

General D. H. Hill impressed me as a zealous, unselfish
patriot and great soldier, who knew not fear and shrank from
no duty. His Christian faith was unbounded. He could
always be found at the most dangerous place in the line, doing
what he could to encourage and also protect the men.

Hoke, as a division commander, was the peer of any in the
army. Conspicuous for his bravery, coolness and good judg-
ment, the youngest Major-General in the army, his rapid pro-
motion from the grade of lieutenant was due alone to his gal-
lant and meritorious conduct and fitness to command.

Hoke had many able officers and men under him who have
been distinguished in public life since the war. Jarvis, of
Clingman’s Brigade; Colquitt, of Georgia, and Hagood, of
South Carolina, were Governors of their respective States at
the same time. One of his gallant young staff officers, Cap-
tain S. B. Alexander (taken from the Forty-second North
Carolina Troops), has honorably represented his county in the
Legislature and his district in Congress, and at the same ses-
sion of the latter Lieutenant W. A. B. Branch, one of Hoke’s
aides, son of the hero L. O’B. Branch, was his colleague.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

538 NortH CARoLIna Troops, 1861-65.

Lieutenant A. Leazar, of the F orty-second North Carolina
Troops, and Adjutant George M. Rose, of the Fiftieth North
Carolina Troops, were both Speakers of the General Assem-
bly of North Carolina.

Captain Lucien D. Starke, our faithful Commissary, dis-
tinguished for gallantry in battle while acting also as Inspec-
tor-General, removed to Norfolk after the war and engaged in
the practice of law. He soon became one of the leaders of
the people, represented the city in the General Assembly of
Virginia, took a high stand in his profession and enjoys the
highest esteem and confidence of a large circle of friends and
clients in both States.

To the field officers of the regiments was largely due the
efficiency of Martin’s Brigade. Colonel William F. Martin,
Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas H. Sharpe, Lieutenant-Colonel
John C. Lamb, and Major Lucius J. Johnson, of the Seven-
teenth, Colonel John E. Brown, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles
W. Bradshaw and Major T. J. Brown, of the Forty-second ;
Colonel A. D. Moore, Colonel John H. Nethereutt, Lieuten-
ant-Colonel Clement. G. Wright and Major David S. Davis,
of the Sixty-sixth were each and all brave, intelligent, faith-
ful and true under all cireumstances, Nearly all of these are
now “resting from their labors.”

RETURN TO NORTH CAROLINA.

During the fall and winter of 1864 Longstreet’s Corps,
composed of the divisions of Field, Kershaw and Hoke, de-
fended the lines on the north side of James river confronted
by General B. F. Butler’s “Army of the James.”

Late in December Butler’s army was sent on its expedi-
tion against Fort Fisher, N. C., and Hoke’s Division was or-
dered to proceed to Wilmington to meet Butler. Kirkland’s
Brigade, the Seventeenth, Forty-second and  Sixty-sixth
North Carolina Troops, was moved first to Richmond. Hav-
ing been recruited in winter quarters, the command made a
fine appearance marching through the streets of the capital,
with three brass bands and three drum and fife corps, its
steady step and fine bearing eliciting cheers from the people.
Officers and men felt the thrill which comes to the young sol-

 

THe Marrin-KIRKLAND BRIGADE. 539

dier’s heart from “the pomp and circumstance of war” and
the approving smiles of woman. The troops were very en-
thusiastic when told they were going to defend the soil of
their native State.

As the railroad from Petersburg to Weldon was closed to
us our only route was via Danville, Greensboro and Raleigh.

Leaving Richmond by the Richmond & Danville Railroad,
Kirkland’s Brigade reached Wilmington, N. C., after a long
and fatiguing ride on the cars in extremely cold weather, and
Kirkland marched at once with the two regiments which ar-
rived first, viz: the Seventeenth, under Lieutenant-Colonel
Thomas Sharpe, and Forty-second, under Colonel Brown, for
Sugar Loaf, a point a few miles above Fort Fisher. Our
horses and wagons had not come, so all of the mounted officers
were on foot (as an Irishman would say). On-the march at
night we heard a loud explosion and saw a great light towards
the ocean, which we thought was the bursting of a magazine
on one of the Federal ships, and the men gave three cheers.
But we afterwards learned it was the explosion of Butler’s
famous “Powder Boat,” which he thought would scare the
poor rebels away.

FIRST BOMBARDMENT OF FORT FISHER.

In the morning we halted at Sugar Loaf. The fleet had
been bombarding Fort Fisher, but the enemy had not landed.

The Confederate forces under Bragg, outside of Fort
Fisher, consisted of a small body of Senior Reserves, aged
from 45 to 50, and some little cavalry. It was pitiful to see
some of those gray-haired patriots dead in the woods, killed
by shells from the fleet. Among those who carried a musket
there was Mr. William Pettigrew, brother of the heroic Gen-
eral—since a venerable minister of the Gospel.

Kirkland placed one company from the Forty-second, un-
der Captain Koontz, in Battery Gatlin, a small fort on the sea
beach at the southern end of Masonboro Sound, and held the
rest. of his command on the road covered by the, thick woods
and dense undergrowth.

I had found a pony at an abandoned farm house and
mounted him, so as to convey orders, but he was new to the

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

540 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861~’65.

business and did not like my spurs. Kirkland ordered me to
ride down to the beach to see if there were any signs of land-
ing troops from the transports. I did so, and saw the ships
extending as far as I could see down the beach, but no indica-
tion of landing. Returning, I reported this to the General,
but in a few minutes a soldier came running up, almost
breathless, and told us that the enemy had lowered his boats
on the side opposite the shore, pulled rapidly to the land and
captured Captain Koontz and his company, but few escaping.
We rode down through the woods and found a large force on
the beach and more coming, while the woods around us were
filled with shrieking shells. General Kirkland promptly
ordered his small command forward to the edge of the woods
which skirted the shore and deployed both regiments as skir-
mishers. By his direction I rode down the line and told the
men to keep up the fire upon the enemy and cheer as much as
they could, but if they were hard pressed to fall back from
pine to pine in the direction of Wilmington, and not let the
enemy cut us off.

General Butler’s forces, being thus very promptly checked,
began at once to throw up breastworks on the sand shore. As
they consisted of at least six times our numbers we could not
have prevented their adyance. But General Butler greatly
exaggerated our force, and I have always believed that his ex-
amination of Captain Koontz had something to do with his
false impression. As it was these two regiments held his
army at bay (or at occan perhaps I should say) the entire day,
which was Christmas, 1864. By pushing our line close to
his we escaped much injury from the ships’ guns, their shells
passing over our heads. We had the help of Southerland’s
battery of artillery ( Company I, Tenth North Carolina) and
Lipseomh’s South Carolina Cavalry. During the night the
troops began to come in from our division. But a reconnois-
sance the next morning showed that General Butler had taken
advantage of the darkness, re-embarked his army and aban-
doned his expedition.

The navy had bombarded Fort Fisher for two days, but
inflicted slight loss. Kirkland’s bold and spirited defense

must have convinced Butler that we had a large force, as .

 

 

THe Martin-KirnKLAND BRIGADE. 541

Koontz had told him that Longstreet was there with his three
divisions—Hoke, Field and Kershaw.

The fact is that we did not have 2,000 men of all arms to
oppose him, and no infantry except two regiments of
Kirkland’s Brigade. Why Butler was considered fit to be
a General I don’t know, unless his tyranny and oppression of
non-combatants qualified him for “crushing out the rebel-
lion.”

CAPTURE OF FORT FISHER.

Soon after this battle General Bragg, the Department Com-
mander, ordered Hoke’s Division to Wilmington—not expect-
ing a renewal of the attack on Fort Fisher. We marched,
with colors flying and bands playing, into the city and were
enthusiastically received by the people as their victorious de-
fenders. General Bragg reviewed the division and made
preparations for a new campaign—for the capture of New
Bern, N. C. This was kept a secret, but it came to my
knowledge. Our brigade had orders to prepare three days’
rations, and all got ready for a march—destination unknown.
But during the very night previous to this intended movement
we were suddenly ordered to move to the wharf and take boats
down the river to Sugar Loaf, Kirkland’s Brigade again in
the advance, as the enemy had reappeared in front of Fort
Fisher, the army this time being commanded by an able Fed-
eral soldier, General Terry. When we reached Sugar Loaf
we found that Terry had landed his forces without opposi-
tion, and we began skirmishing with them at once. But the
enemy had intrenched his line from the ocean across the nar-
row peninsula to the Cape Fear river, between Sugar T.oaf
and Fort Fisher. We threw up a line in his front, Sugar
Loaf being our base, but were enfiladed by the tire from the
enemy’s fleet.

Terry’s command consisted of two divisions. One of our
brigades (Hagood’s South Carolina) was detached to the
south side of the river to assist Fort Caswell. During the
action Colquitt’s was sent too late to reinforce the garrison of
Fort Fisher, leaving Hoke the two brigades of Kirkland and
Clingman, with some artillery and Lipscomb’s cavalry regi-

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

542 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

ment, which were confronted by Paine’s Division of colored
.troops and Abbott’s white brigade behind intrenchments and
protected by the great Federal fleet to rake the intervening
space with shot and shell, grape and canister, while Terry
with the white forces stormed Fort Fisher. Bragg moved
Hoke’s two brigades forward to attack. We easily drove in
the enemy’s skirmish line, occupied their rifle pits, and our
skirmishers were making their main line keep their heads
down behind the intrenchments. When we all expected the
order to charge a courier came to Hoke from Bragg ordering
him to withdraw to Sugar Loaf. My recollection is that we
confidently expected to run over the troops in cur front and
drive them in confusion upon Terry’s attacking column. But
we obeyed orders and fell back to the line at Sugar Loaf,
about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, and there we laid down,
shelled by the ships, and heard the musketry fire at Fisher
until its brave garrison was overcome at 11 o’clock that night.
The rockets from the fort said, “Come and help us,” but we
were not moved ; and sad was the sight when the rockets from
the ships and display of colored lights and blowing of whistles
announced the surrender of the fort. I felt that all had not
been done to save it.

General Bragg has been severely censured in the official
reports of Whiting and Lamb and by their friends for not
moving Hoke forward. He said he did not think that Hoke’s
small force could succeed with the fleet on their flank; and
General Hoke since the war has told me that he concurred

with Bragg. The impartial reader of history must decide. -

A Federal Colonel, after the surrender at Greensboro, told
me he thought if Hoke had advanced Terry would have been
beaten. TI believe our charge would have been successful, be-
cause the troops in front were blacks.

In a few days Terry advanced, and we slowly fell back to
Wilmington, Kirkland’s Brigade fighting this titae as the
rear-guard, skirmishing behind the pines. The retreat
through the city was gloomy indeed, for we had many streng
personal friends among its kind and hospitable peuple. Stil]
forming the rear guard of the infantry column, our brigade
crossed North East river on a pontoon bridge very near the

 

THe Martin-Kirkbanp BRIGADE. 543

railroad bride, which was burned. I was directed with two
companies of the Seventeenth North Carolina to prevent the
enemy from crossing by the railroad bridge, to cover the with-
drawal of all our cavalry over the pontoon. At this point we
had a spirited affair with the enemy from opposite sides of
the river, but he was not allowed to cross until our forces
were all safely over on our side, when we quietly rejoined our
column on the march to Goldsboro. I remember Lieutenant
Wilson G. Lamb, with one of the companies of the Seven-
teenth, as displaying coolness and conspicuous bravery. In-
deed, the entire command at the burning bridge was efficient
and brave. Our campaign in the barren turpentine peninsula
was very uncomfortable. Food was scarce, and we all got
smutted by lightwood fires.

In fighting Terry’s troops we encountered the first eneuy
armed with repeating rifles, one of his regiments (I believe
the Tenth Connecticut) having Spencer seven-shooters.

SOUTH WEST CREEK.

Soon after reaching Goldsboro we were moved to Kinston,

and General Bragg was reinforced by troops from Hood’s
army, now commanded by General D. -H. Hill.

The enemy came out from New Bern under General Cox,
and Bragg advanced to meet him at or near Wise’s Fork.
Hoke’s Division was put in motion in the night, Kirkland’s
Brigade this time leading, and by a long detour through woods
and swamps completely turned the enemy’s right and ad-
vanced upon his rear.

About uoon on 8 March, 1865, Hoke formed his division
in line for attack, Kirkland’s Brigade on the right, and there
was no sign that the enemy knew we were in the dense swamp
or pocosin behind him. Hoke summmoned all his Brigadicrs
to the extreme right for consultation, and these with their
staff officers made a party of about twenty mounted officers.
The General concluded to extend his line still further to the
right, and, thinking we were not discovered by the enemy,
moved by the right flank—all these horsemen in front, with
no skirmish line out, but followed by Colonel John N. Whit-
ford’s Sixty-seventh North Carolina. Suddenly while the

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

544 NortH Carorina Troops, 186]-’65.

men were knee-deep in water a Federal regiment rose up out
of the bushes and fired into the head of our column. They
had discovered us just in time to throw this one regiment for-
ward. Some of our cavalry in search of buttermilk had
strayed off and aroused the foe. But it was too late. This
sudden check to Hoke and his Generals was startling, and
here the Major-General displayed his genius. He did not or-
der his division “Forward into line!” but raised his hat and
shouted to those around him, ‘Make all the men cheer!”
Shout and cheer they did like a tornado among the pines and
rushed with great spirit upon the enemy. Hoke thus pre-
vented either his own troops or the enemy from seeing that
he was for the moment himself surprised. But this unex-
pected fire in the rear completely demoralized the forces of
General Cox at this point. They fled before us in confusion,
leaving several hundred prisoners and a battery of light ar-
tillery in our hands, besides their camp and many small
arms. Our line was reformed after the pursuit and the divis-
ion resumed its position on the right of Bragg’s army, highly
elated at the success of the day. Kirkland’s Brigade was in
front in this assault.

The next day, 9 March, Bragg attempted a flank movement
around the enemy’s right, D. H. Hill’s command in advance,
but fcund intrenchments and resumed his former position.
Again, on the 10th, he moved Hoke around by our right flank
to attack the enemy in rear, Kirkland’s Brigade in front.
After much marching through the swamps and pocosins and
dense pine forests Hoke decided to attack. The enemy
showed a very strong skirmish line, which stubbornly resisted
Kirkland’s battalion of sharpshooters commanded by Major
Robinson, of the Sixty-sixth, who fought them bravely. On
my reporting to Kirkland that Robinson could not drive back
the enemy’s skirmishers General Hoke ordered Kirkland to
support them with his entire brigade and we formed line with
the Forty-second on the right, Sixty-sixth center and Seven-
teenth on the left, and moved forward. I rode with the Sev-
enteenth, and Major L. J. Johnson, Inspector, with the Forty-
second, Kirkland with Lieutenant Stoddard in rear of the
center. As we advanced to the front the guide, named

 

THe Martin-KirKLANpD BRIGADE. 545

Wooten, passed me going to the rear, and said: “Captain,
your brigade has not gone far enough to the right, and Hoke
is doing wrong to attack here.” Hoke says he told Kirkland
to feel the enemy, but not to attack breastworks. But the bri-
gade made a charge through the woods, which were very thick,
with great spirit and drove the skirmishers before them. We
encountered a brisk fire of musketry and artillery. As I
heard a battery to our right and rear I changed the direction
of the Seventeenth, and told them if they would push on they
would turn and capture that battery. They sprang forward
with a cheer. I was riding on their extreme left and remem-
ber Captain Daniel and Lieutenant Wilson G. Lamb waving
their swords and urging on the men. All the field officers of
the regiments were on foot except Colonel Nethereutt. As
soon as our line emerged from the woods we ran up against a
very strongly intrenched line of the enemy, obstructed by trees
they had cut down, and supported by artillery. They poured
a hot fire into us and we made our men lie down. _[ told the
Seventeenth, Lieutenant-Colonel Sharpe, to hold their posi-
tion and I would go to General Kirkland and get reinforce-
ments from our division. I then rode to Kirkland and told
him we had struck a strong line of works. He replied: “Go
back and hold our line and I will go to Hoke for help.” Dur-
ing this time the Forty-second had broken its lines and rap-
idly fallen back, leaving Major L. J. Johnson, our Inspector,
a prisoner. Colonel Nethereutt tried to force his regiment
over the works, and I learned that he rode his horse right up
among the obstructions. But the Sixty-sixth followed the
Forty-second ; then Colonel Sharpe withdrew the Seventeenth,
which fell back in good order, shouting defiance to the foe and
daring them to come out of those woods. The enemy mean-
time threw out a regiment on our left, which was unprotected.
So when I returned to the front, instead of finding friends, I
rode into the advance skirmish line of the enemy, as the woods
were very thick. Four of them halted me and inquired who
IT was. The shells and bullets were still falling fast around
us and my captors were dodging and did not make me dis-
mount. TI took advantage of this, told them to put down their
guns and go with me or we would all be killed. They fool-

35

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

546 NortH Caro.ina Troops, 1861~’65.

ishly did this and we started towards the rear, or away from
danger, as we thought. Suddenly we came upon a Federal
regiment in line of battle. My captors made signals not to
shoot and seemed delighted to find friends. I turned my
mare and ran off in the opposite direction, both spurs in her
flanks. A volley from their skirmishers passed me without
harm and I made excellent time through briers and thickets
and over a very wide ditch, and most happily emerged into an
open field directly in front of Colquitt’s Georgia Brigade.
They met me with cheers and laughter, seeing how I was run-
ning, and I rejoined my brigade, which had been rallied and
reformed into line. Our troops were withdrawn by Hoke
and fell back to Kinston. Lieutenant Stoddard was cap-
tured, with some men from the Sixty-sixth, and some of our
wounded also became prisoners. Our loss was quite’ heavy,
but the spirit of the brigade was not broken.

T have heard that Hoke censured Kirkland for making the
disastrous charge on the 10th, but did not hear of it at the
time. If Wooten spoke the truth Hoke should have heeded
his advice and moved further to the right. Then we should
have turned the enemy and had a complete victory. Kirk-
land did not know of the existence of the strong breastworks
when he charged his men through the woods. I am sure I
did not until we came within a very short distance of them.
It may be true that Kirkland should have moved slowly until
he ascertained the true situation and then reported it to Hoke.
I have never seen Lieutenant Stoddard nor Major Johnson
since. Our courier was also captured riding my black horse,
which I had loaned him that day—a brave and dashing fel-
low, George Tonnoftski, now living in Raleigh.

Major Johnson was taken North, grew worse and worse
with consumption, and died soon after his release, at his home
near Woodville, Perquimans County, N. ©. His conduct
in that fight of the 10th was most daring and knightly.
Mounted on a large gray, he was last seen with hat in hand
trying to lead the Forty-second over the works. Johnson
was a fine lawyer, Christian gentleman, thorough soldier and
unselfish patriot.

The day was rather a disastrous one for our brigade staff.

 

Tur Martin-KirKianp Brigape. 547

A few days before our gallant and noble Ordnance Officer,
Lieutenant Theodore Hassell, was killed in an artillery duel
between the two armies on the 6th or 7th. First Lieutenant
George W. Grimes, of Company G, Seventeenth North Caro-
lina Troops, one of the best officers in our command, was
severely wounded and captured, and still carries the bullet in
his body, suffering great pain therefrom.

BENTONVILLE. ,

The enemy moved up from New Bern, Terry’s command
came up from Wilmington, and Sherman’s great army was
coming via Fayetteville. Bragg, with all the odds and ends,
and Hoke’s and Hill’s commands, joined General J oseph E.
Johnston at Smithfield, under whom the remnants of our
Southern armies were being concentrated. Soon after this
followed the great battle of Bentonville, in which General
Johnston displayed his great ability and his soldiers une-
qualed valor, fortitude and heroism. The history of this bat-
tle must always be interesting to the student of our war—
showing how the Southerners fought when under the most
adverse circumstances and when the Cause was almost en-
tirely lost. General Johnston’s narrative and an article pub-
lished in the Century war papers by General Wade Hampton
descriptive of this battle will repay perusal. Kirkland’s Bri-
gade is especially mentioned with high praise.

The army bivouacked the night before the battle, 18 March,
1865, without fires, on the wet ground, to prevent the enemy
from learning the movement. The next morning Colquitt,
Clingman and Hagood were placed in the line under Bragg,
with the brigade of North Carolina Junior Reserves on the
extreme left and Kirkland’s Brigade in reserve, a short dis-
tance behind the Juniors. Soon the battle began with the
fierce onslaught under Hardee and D. H. Hill on the right,
driving the enemy before them. But the Federals assailed
our left with vigor and General Johnston ordered Kirkland’s
Brigade to relieve the Juniors on the front line. Our entire
division held its ground and repulsed the enemy, but unfor-
tunately General Bragg became uneasy and called upon John-
ston for help, and McLaw’s command was withdrawn from

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCALES'S BRIGADE.

1. Champ T. N. Davis, Colonel, 16th Regt. 4. Robert Patton Dickerson, 2d Lt., Co. C, 34th
Killed at Seven Pines, May 31, 1862. Regt.

2. J. S. McElroy, Colonel, 16th Regt. 5. M. O. Dickerson, Captain, Co. C, 34th Regt.

3. James Justice, Sergeant, Co. G, 16th Regt. 6. Joshua A. Yount, Ist Lt., Co. F, 38th Regt.

 

 

THE PENDEK--SCALES BRIGADE.

By T. L. RAWLEY, First Lizvrenant Company K, anp Actine
ADJUTANT THIRTEENTH Reemment, N. C. Troops.

On 3 June, 1862, just after the battle of Seven Pines, Col-
onel W. D. Pender, of the Sixth North Carolina Regiment,
was commissioned Brigadier-General and placed in command
of the brigade composed of the Sixteenth North Carolina Reg-
iment, Colonel John S. McElroy ; Twenty-second North Car-
olina Regiment, Colonel James Connor; Thirty-fourth North
Carolina Regiment, Colonel R. H. Riddick; Thirty-eighth
North Carolina Regiment, Colonel W. J. Hoke.

The following were Staff officers from time to time:

Assistant Adjutant-General, Captains S. A. Ashe, Graham
Daves, —. —. Riddick; Lieutenant Shepard, A. D. ©.;
Major H. L. Biscoe, Brigade Commissary; Major N. E.
Seales, Brigade Quartermaster (promoted from A. Q. M.
Sixth North Carolina Regiment 11 J une, 1862); Dr. W. A.
Holt, Brigade Surgeon.

General Pender’s was the Sixth Brigade of General A. P.
Hill’s “Light Division” and participated in the Seven Days’
Fight at Mechanicsville, where on 26 June Colonel James
Connor was wounded; Gaines’ Mill, where Colonel Riddick
was severely wounded on 27 June; Cold Harbor, Frazier’s
Farm and Malvern Hill, driving the enemy under the shel-
ter of their gun-boats at Harrison’s Landing, but with great
loss to the brigade, both of officers and men.

About the last of July, A. P. Hill’s Division was placed
in Jackson’s Corps and ordered to the Valley of Virginia and
on 9 August struck General Banks’ right flank at Cedar
Mountain, where, with the other gallant brigades of Hill’s
Division, they drove back the enemy with great loss. On
26 August Pender’s Brigade participated in a splendid vic-
tory over the enemy near Manassas, Jackson’s Corps of about
15,000 men holding Pope’s entire army in check. On 28
Angust the second battle of Manassas began, which lasted for

 
 

 

 

 

552 NortH CARoLina Troops, 1861-65.

three days, resulting in a complete rout of the enemy, caus-

ing General Pope to move his “Headquarters in the Saddle”
many miles nearer Alexandria. During this battle Captain
S. A. Ashe, Assistant Adjutant-General, was captured.

On 1 September the brigade engaged the enemy at Ox Hill,
where Colonel R. H. Riddick, the gallant commander of the
Sixteenth Regiment, was killed, and after a desperate strug-
gle, we succeeded in driving him back, and on the 15th the
brigade assisted in the capture of Harper’s Ferry, with about
11,000 prisoners and 70 pieces of artillery. The brigade
was present at the battle of Sharpsburg 17 September, after
which it recrossed the Potomac, and on the 20th, with Arch-
er’s Brigade, drove a large body of the enemy into the river at
Shepherdstown, with a loss to them of some 3,000 killed,
wounded and drowned. Soon after this the Thirteenth
North Carolina Regiment, commanded by Colonel A. M.
Seales, petitioned General Lee to be transferred to this bri-
gade, now commanded by General Pender, who had been the
first Colonel of that regiment. Previous to this time, the
regiment was in Garland’s Brigade and participated in all the
hard fought battles above enumerated, sustaining heavy
losses of officers and men.

Pender’s Brigade, now composed of the Thirteenth, Six-
teenth, Twenty-second, Thirty-fourth and T hirty-eighth Reg-
linents of North Carolina Troops, A. P. Hill’s Division,
crossed the Blue Ridge Mountain and, on 13 December, met
Burnside’s army at Fredericksburg, where a desperate bat-
tle was fought, the enemy being driven across the river with
great loss in killed, wounded and imprisoned. General Pen-
der was wounded in this battle and Lieutenant Sheppard, A.
1. C., was killed, and for a short time the command of the
brigade devolved on Colonel A. M. Scales, of the Thirteenth.

The brigade remained in winter quarters near Fredericks-
burg until 2 May, 1863, when it began the march to Chancel-
lorsville to meet “Fighting Joe Hooker,” who had strongly

entrenched his army there. Here the immortal “Stonewall”
Jackson with his staff, having gone too near the enemy’s line
on his return in the darkness of the night, received from his
own men by a fearful mistake, the wounds from which he

 

THe Prenper-Scates BRIGADE. 553

died within a few days. By this, not only did General
Lee lose his “Right Arm,” but the Confederacy one
of the greatest generals the world has ever seen. This bri-
gade participated in those fearful onslaughts which resulted
in a complete rout of the enemy, forcing him back across the
Rappahannock river, and eliciting from General Pender the
commendation that “I can truly say that my brigade fought
with unsurpassed courage and determination.” The brigade
lost about 700 in killed and wounded in this battle, among
the latter being General Pender and Colonel Seales.

On 13 June Colonel A. M. Scales was made Brigadier-
General of this brigade (General Pender having been pro-
moted to Major-General) with these changes in the Staff:

Captain L. H. Hunt, A. A. G. (transferred from Captain
Jompany C, Thirteenth Regiment; Captain S. S. Kirkland,
A. A. G.; Lieutenant A. D. Montgomery, A. D. C. (pro-
moted from private Company H, Thirteenth Regiment) ;
Captain E. D. Scales, Assistant Brigade Commissary (pro-
moted from private Company H, Thirteenth Regiment) ;
Major A. H. Galloway, Q. M. (promoted from Captain Com-
pany F, Forty-fifth Regiment, 4 July, 1863); Captain G. F.
Bason, Ordnance Officer; Dr. J. H. McAden, Surgeon (pro-
moted from Surgeon of Thirteenth Regiment 13 June, 1863).

Soon after this Lee’s army crossed the Potomae river and
Pender’s Division arrived at Gettysburg on the afternoon of
1 July, and formed line of battle, with Scales’ Brigade on
the extreme left of the division, resting on the Chambersburg
Pike, from which point a desperate charge was made, driving
the enemy back to those “ramparts of death” that thus be-
eame historic. In this charge the brigade lost some 400
killed and wounded, among the latter being Colonel Seales,
Captain Riddick and General Pender, from the effects of
which General Pender died on 18 July. The brigade was
engaged in the fight during the three days and on 3 July, in
that mad charge across the “Crimson Plain” had nearly
every officer killed or disabled, but sueceeded in penetrating
the enemy’s lines, where a large number were killed.

On the night of 4 July the army fell back, afterwards re-
crossing the Potomae and engaged in the battle of Bristoe

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

554 NortH CaRo.ina Troops, 1861-’65.

Station 14 October and numerous skirmishes, then went into
winter quarters, late in the fall, at Orange Court House, where
it remained until May, 1864. While here, to break the monot-
ony of camp life, we had the grandest. “Gander Pulling” ever
recorded, at which there were some forty to fifty thousand
men present. Dr. J. H. McAden, Brigade Surgeon, who
was left to care for our wounded at Gettysburg, having been
exchanged as a prisoner of war, was the successful knight,
carrying the Gander’s head off as surely, if not as deftly, as
he had the arms and legs of many a wounded soldier.

On 5 May, 1864, under Major-General Cadmus M. Wil
cox, who had succeeded General Pender, the Brigade struck
Grant’s army in the Wilderness, where one of the most ter-
rifie battles of the war was fought. This was the beginning
of the “fight-it-out-on-this-line-if-it-takes-all-summer” cam-
paign which extended on through the bloody fields of Spott-
sylvania, Hanover Junction, Cold Harbor to Petersburg.

About the last of August the brigade participated in the
battle of Reams Station, on the P. & W. Railroad, capturing
a large number of prisoners and several pieces of artillery.
The winter was spent in the trenches around Petersburg and
in doing picket duty and meeting the enemy’s raids along the
right of our lines, until 2 April, when our lines were broken
and our army fell back in the direction of Appomattox Court
House. During the retreat, as well as during the previous
winter, the brigade lost many brave officers and men in killed,
wounded and captured, as the battle had raged almost with-
out ceasing for the past eleven months.

On Sunday morning, 9 April, as Scales’ Brigade (com-
manded by Colonel J. H. Hyman, of the Thirteenth Regi-
ment, General Seales being at home sick) marched to the sup-
port of General Cox, who had engaged the enemy just east
and north of the Court House, the command “cease firing”
passed along both lines of battle. Scales’ Brigade surren-
dered more than 700 as brave officers and men as ever faced
an enemy or yielded to overwhelming numbers.

T. L. Rawrey.

Winston, N. C.,
13 December, 1901.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

PETTIGREW-KIRKLAND-MacRAE BRIGADE.

1. [J. J. Pettigrew, Brigadier-General.
2. §Wm. MacRae, Brigadier-General.
3. Captain Louis G. Young, A. A. G.
4. Captain N. Colin Hughes, A. A. G.

W. W. Kirkland, Brigadier-General. (Picture in Martin-Kirkland Brigade.)

THE PETTIGREW--AIRKLAND--
MACRAE BRIGADE.

By CAPTAIN LOUIS G. YOUNG, A. A. G.

When General Pettigrew was wounded and taken prisoner
at the battle of Seven Pines, near Richmond, Virginia, 1
July, 1862, General W. D. Pender was made Provisional
Brigadier, and placed in charge of his brigade. This was a
mixed command of three infantry regiments from North
Carolina, one from Virginia, one from Georgia, a battalion
from Arkansas and a battery of artillery from Maryland.
In the reorganization of the army by States which followed,
Pettigrew’s Brigade lost its identity, and a new brigade with
the three North Carolina regiments as a nucleus went to Pen-
der, now made a regular Brigadier. After two months im-
prisonment, General Pettigrew was returned to the Confed-
eracy, and as soon as he had sufficiently recovered his health,
he was given a new brigade, and it is of this that I undertake
to give a brief account. General Pender took General Pet-
tigrew’s staff just as he found it, and I remained with him
until after the battle of Cedar Run, 9 August, 1862, when I
received an order from the War Department to report to Gen-
eral Pettigrew. I found him at Petersburg, Va., in com-
mand of his new brigade, which consisted of the Eleventh
North Carolina, Colonel Collett Leventhorpe; the Twenty-
sixth North Carolina, Colonel H. K. Burgwyn; the Forty-
fourth North Carolina, Colonel Thos. C. Singletary; the
Forty-seventh North Carolina, Colonel G. H. Faribault; the
Fifty-second North Carolina, Colonel J. K. Marshall.

Of the origin of this brigade Major Geo. P. Collins writes:
“‘Adjutant-General James G. Martin, of North Carolina, or-
ganized a brigade consisting of the Eleventh, Seventeenth,
Forty-fourth, Forty-seventh and Fifty-second North Carolina
Volunteers, took them down about Kinston, N. ©., was or-

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

556 NortH Carolina Troops, 1861-65.

dered to Richmond, Va., during the seven days battles,
reached Virginia too late for those fights, went into camp
near Proctor’s Station midway between Petersburg and Rich-
mond and near Drewry’s Bluff. General Martin returned to
North Carolina to wind up his office of State Adjutant-Gen-
eral. He took with him the Seventeenth North Carolina,
commanded by his brother, Colonel Wm. F. Martin. This
regiment was replaced by the Twenty-sixth North Carolina,
transferred from Robert Ransom’s Brigade. General Petti-
grew took command of it at Petersburg, Va., in August,
1862.”

The regiments were well 6fficered and contained as good
material as ever goes to make the soldier. In organizing his
staff, General Pettigrew offered me the position of Assistant
Adjutant-General, but asked me not to accept it, for its duties
would interfere with our constant intercourse. We were
bosom friends. I, therefore, remained his Aide-de-Camp as
long as he lived. After several temporary appointments to
the office of Assistant Adjutant-General, among them that of
Captain L. D. Starke, of Norfolk, the organization of the
staff was completed as follows:

Captain N. Colin Hughes, A. A. G., New Bern, N. C.;
Captain Louis G. Young, A. D .C., Charleston, S. C.; Lieu-
tenant Wm. Blount Shepard, Volunteer Aide, Edenton, N.
C.; Captain Campbell T. Iredell, of Company C. Forty-
seventh North Carolina Regiment, Acting Ordnance Officer ;
Major Geo. P. Collins, Quartermaster, Scuppernong, N. C.;
Major Wm. J. Baker, Commissary, Elizabeth City, N. C.

Later there were added to the staff while in North Caro-
lina: Captain W. W. McCreery, Inspector-General, Rich-
mond, Va.; Lieutenant Walter H. Robertson, Virginia, Ord-
nance Officer.

Captain George White, Colonel Thomas Galloway and
Captain Starke Sutton were at different times and for short
periods, Volunteer Aides.

At first the brigade was oceupied in drilling and in build-
ing field works around Petersburg. In the master hand of
its accomplished General, it soon became a thoroughly well
drilled and disciplined command.

Tue PrerrigRew-KirKLAND-MaACRar BRIGADE. 557

The object of keeping troops in North Carolina was to con-
fine the Federal army to its holdings on the coast, so that the
resources of this abundant country might be garnered for the
use of our armies. Thus occupied, we were during the win-
ter of 1862-63 engaged in several expeditions against the
enemy, the most stirring of which was an attack on New Bern
and the besieging of Washington, N. ©. The orders under
which we were acting, forbade any enterprise in the accom-
plishment of which many lives would be lost. The troops
were in keeping for the coming campaign in Virginia—not
to be frittered away in attacks upon fortified towns—but, it
was thought that New Bern might be surprised and taken and
Pettigrew’s Brigade was sent to Capture Fort Anderson, on
the west side of the Neuse, if it could be done with little loss.
The fort could have been easily taken, and a few hundred of
the enemy captured, but finding that this could only be done
by exposing his command to greater loss than the result would
justify, General Pettigrew withdrew from before New Bern.
General D. H. Hill, in command of the department, then or-
dered the siege of Washington, N. C. This was conducted
by Pettigrew, and for some weeks the Federals were confined
to the city, and the neighboring country kept free from their
ravages. Here occurred one of the most brilliant little af-
fairs. Foster, the General in command of the Federals, or-
dered from New Bern its entire garrison to take us in the
rear. These troops, under General Spinola, consisting of many
regiments of infantry and ten pieces of artillery, were met
at Blount’s Creek by the Eleventh North Carolina, an addi-
tional company of infantry, and three field pieces of artil-
lery in position. These not only checked the advance of the
enemy, but so thoroughly defeated him that as was stated
in an eccentric and complimentary order by General Hill,
“When we thought the engagement scarcely begun, the enemy
was so beaten that he went back over the ten miles by which
*he had come, entting down the woods behind him, and making
such an entanglement that neither a dog or a sneaking
exempt could crawl through.” Marvelous as this may ap-
pear, we lost only one man, and he was in the rear when he
was struck by a fragment of a shell. The field of operation

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

558 NortH Carona Troops, 1861~’65.

of the brigade during the winter extended from Petersburg,
Va., to Magnolia, N. C., on the Wilmington & Weldon Rail-
road, and aiforded opportunities for drill, inspections,
marches, the construction of field works, ete., which were
availed of to bring the command into a state of efficiency not
surpassed by any. The discipline of these Winter months
in North Carolina was never wholly lost. It prepared the
command for the bloody fields of Virginia and Pennsylvania,
and served to gain for it the deathless fame which it acquired.

The Spring campaign opened in Virginia with the battle
of Chancellorsville, and General Hill received an order from
General Lee to send him with all haste the brigade nearest to
the railroad. Pettigrew’s Brigade was in line of battle pre-
pared to meet an incursion of the enemy from the coast
directed against Goldsboro, but as it answered the require-
ments of the order, it was withdrawn and put in march for
the nearest railroad station. Arriving at Richmond, the bri-
gade was detained to assist in the defence of the city against
Stoneman’s raid of 10,000 cavalry, and then was sent to Han-
over Junction. After the battle of Chancellorsville General
Lee concentrated his army at F redericksburg, preparatory to
his march into Pennsylvania and organized it into three
corps. Pettigrew’s Brigade was assigned to Heth’s Division,
A. P. Hill’s Corps, which was left for a time to watch Hooker
while the two other corps started for Pennsylvania, where we
joined them later.

The Forty-fourth Regiment, Colonel Singletary, was left
in Virginia to assist in guarding Richmond, so the brigade
had not its full strength, but the ranks of the four other regi-
ments were full and presented a superb appearance with its
distinguished commander at its head. Its valor, its achieve-
ments, its great losses at Gettysburg, have given it undying
fame and are told by me in the article on that battle pub-
lished in this volume. The bloody ordeal through which

it passed on 1 and 3 July, 1863, was terrible, but it prepared «

it for its subsequent career, which has added lustre to the
name of the State. The brigade had suffered more than any
other in Lee’s army, but a greater loss was in store for it. Its
General, of whose genius it was proud, in whom it had un-

Tue Perrigrew-KirKLANp-MAcRar BriegapE. 559

bounded confidence, whose presence was an inspiration, and
whom every man in the brigade loved with devotion, was mor-
tally wounded on the retreat from Pennsylvania, at Falling
Waters, on 14 July, 1863.

As many incorrect accounts of the manner in which Gen-
eral Pettigrew received his mortal wound have been pub-
lished, it is well to recite here how it happened. It has been
frequently reported and generally believed that the brigade
was surprised when asleep. This is not true. The com-
mand, which consisted of Pettigrew’s and Archer’s Brigades,
were up in line, under arms and ready to repel any attack,
but General Heth made the fatal error of mistaking the en-
emy’s cavalry for ours and ordered our men not to fire on it.
It happened in this wise: Hill’s Corps arriving at about one
mile from Falling Waters, was halted and ordered to rest
until the artillery and the wagon train had crossed the Poto-
mac. The men, worn out by the hardships of the night, lay
down and went to ‘sleep as they were told to do. General
Heth believed that the rear of the corps was picketed by our
cavalry, and would not order it done from his command.
There was but one picket out, and that was placed by order
of General Pettigrew to protect his left. When the trains
which had long been delayed, had passed, General Heth came
to General Pettigrew and put him in charge of the rear guard.
He was ordered to wait until the rest of the corps had crossed
the river, then to retire with his command and join the army
on the Virginia side. While he was giving his instructions,
I perceived a body of cavalry a considerable distance away,
apparently deploying. I called this to the attention of the
two Generals, and the question was asked, “Are they our cav-
alry, or that of the enemy?’ General Heth thought they
were ours, but said that should they prove to be the enemy, we
could easily drive them off. General Pettigrew, without an
instant’s delay, hastened me off to get his command under
arms, and to draw in the picket on our left. When I returned
from accomplishing this, I found General Pettigrew and Gen-
eral Heth mounted, and watching the cavalry to which I have
referred. Just then emerged from a wood some hundred
yards off a squadron of cavalry (about fifty), which was ap-

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

560 NortH Carouina Troops, 1861-65.

proaching by twos at an easy hand-gallop. They carried a
flag easly discernible as that of the United States. Our
men were in line of battle—the extreme right protected by a
small field work without a gun in it—and the order to fire was
given, but General Heth, in peremptory tones, called out,
“No, don’t fire.” General Pettigrew then calmly told the
uien to be ready, and they stood so, waiting the order to fire,
which was never repeated. Only a few shots were fired by
some of our men who could not restrain themselves, and the
enemy met with no effective resistance until they had ridden
around our right and attacked us in the rear, when our men
came about face and fired a volley into them. There ensued
then a hand-to-hand fight, in the course of which one of the
troopers, separated from his command, was deliberately
firing at us whenever he could do so without risk of hitting
his own men. As he was doing effective work, General Pet-
tigrew, who had been thrown from his horse, which reared
when the volley was fired almost in its face, called to the men
near him to shoot this trooper, but they were busy with those
in their midst, so the General drew a small pistol from his
breast (being lame in right arm and left hand he could not
use a heavy weapon), he walked quietly towards the man to
shoot him, but his opponent fired first, and the General fell
mortally wounded. A shot from one of our men then
brought down the horse of the trooper, who rising up, sought
shelter behind a barn near by, and continued his shooting.
He was soon after killed. The fight was of short duration
and the squadron destroyed, some killed, some wounded,
some captured, a few escaping. They came up under a mis-
apprehension, thinking to receive the surrender of a few
stragglers, but when they found their mistake they made a
brave fight.

Our loss in numbers was very small, but the loss of Gen-
eral Pettigrew to the army and to the country was irrepara-
ble. General Heth came to me at night and said that he had
lost nearly his entire division, but that the loss of the one
man (Pettigrew) was greater than all else. He realized with
great grief the mistake he had made. His explanation was
that he believed that our rear was covered by our cavalry;

 

 
THE PerrigRew-KIRKLAND-MACRAE BRIGADE, 561

that he thought the Federal flag to which I had called his
attention had been captured and was displayed in a spirit of
I aggadocio, and that he determined to have the officer in
charge court-martialed for this imprudent and unmilitary act.

I fain would stop here to tell of the pathetic death of the
illustrious commander of the brigade which occurred at the
dawn of day on 17 July, 1863. When he waked out of sleep,
he said: “It is time to be going,” and went. Then the spirit
soared up beyond the skies to answer ‘“Adsum” to the roll-
eall of the grand army of the “Great Captain,” who had
ealled it for promotion in the realms of light. In his pocket
were these pathetic lines by Prentice:

 

 

 

A NAME IN THE SAND.

Alone I walked the ocean strand,

A pearly shell was in my hand;

I stopped and wrote upon the sand
My name, the year, the day ;

As onward from the spot I passed,

One lingering look behind I cast, —

A wave came rolling high and fast
And washed my lines away.

And so, methought, ’twill quickly be
With every mark on earth from me:
A wave of dark oblivion’s sea

Will sweep across the place
Where I have trod the sandy shore
Oftime, and been, to be no more,
Of me, my day, the name I bore,

To leave no track or trace.

 

 

 

 

And yet, with Him who counts the sands,
And holds the waters in His hands
FORTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT. i I knowa lasting record stands,

i, eph J. Davis, Captain, Co.G,47th 2. Marmaduke W. Norfleet, 2d Lt., Co. C, / . P
nee 47th Regt. Wounded at Gettysburg. Inscribed against my name,

3. John Wesley Bradford, Private, Co. G, 47th Regt.

 

Of all this mortal part has wrought,

Of all this thinking soul has thought,

And from these fleeting moments caught,
For glory or for shame.

 

 

My belief is that the influence of such a man as General
Pettigrew upon the hearts, minds and character of those
placed in his charge was so penetrating and enduring that
the subsequent success of this brigade is greatly due to the

36

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

562 Nort Caro.ina Troops, 1861-’65.

fact that the men to the very end, when the four hundred
and forty-two of MacRae’s Brigade were surrendered at Ap-
pomattox, felt that they were still Pettigrew’s men.*

The brigade now fell successively to Major J. T. J ones, of
the Twenty-sixth; Lieutenant-Colonel W. J. Martin, of the
Eleventh, and Colonel Thomas C. Singletary, of the Forty-
fourth North Carolina, until early in September, when Gen-
eral W. W. Kirkland was placed in command. Changes in
the staff were: Captain Louis G. Young, A. A. G., Charles-
ton, S. C.; Lieutenant Albert H. Stoddard, A. D. C., Sa-
vannah, Ga. ; Captain Fred Nash, Ordnance Officer, Twenty-
seventh North Carolina.

The Army of Northern Virginia retired slowly before the
“Army of the Potomac, and there was no fighting of import-
ance until early in October, 1863, when General Lee assumed
the offensive; but Meade would not stand, and retreated to-
wards Washington, D. C. Lee followed and on the 14th,
overtook him at Bristoe Station, where an ill-judged attack
was made by A. P. Hill against the Federal Third Corps,
supported by the Second. In this rash enterprise, Kirk-
land’s Brigade played a conspicuous part and behaved with
great gallantry. It charged and dislodged the enemy from
his shelter behind a railroad entrenchment, but outnumbered
and flanked the position could not be held, and Meade es-
caped. The brigade lost in this affair 270 killed and
wounded, and some prisoners. General A. P, Hill, in his
eagerness to prevent Meade’s escape, imprudently ordered
the charge. In this charge, General Kirkland was so severely
wounded that he was obliged to relinquish the command of
the brigade for several months.

General Lee now withdrew to his former lines and win-
tered on the Rapidan. While the army was here General
Kirkland returned to the command.

* J. Johnston Pettigrew has the reputation of being the most
brilliant student and ablest man ever graduated at the University of
North Carolina. He took the highest honors in a class of exceptional
ability (1847). By a singular coincidence there sat side by side, in al-

habetical order, the following: Pettigrew, John Pool (afterwards U.
g Senator), M. W. Ransom (also U.S. Senator), A. M. Scales (Gov-
ernor), and Thos. E. Skinner the distinguished Baptist divine. Dr. E.
Burke Haywood was also in this class.—Ep.

 
 

 

FIFTY-FIFTH

1. Thos. H. Speed, Ist Sergt., Co. I, 55th Regt.
2. Geo. Spencer West, Private, Co. K, 55th Regt.
3. W. O. West, Private, Co. K, 55th Regt.

REGIMENT.

4, okert F. Sanford, Private, Co. K, 55th
egt.
5. Thos. H. Sanford, Private, Co. K, 55th Regt.

6. William G. Green, Private, Co. K, 55th Regt.

THE PErrrigRew-KirKLAND-MAcRAE Brigapre. 563

The Spring campaign opened on 4 May, when Grant
crossed the Rapidan. General Lee met him on the 5th in
the Wilderness, and was immediately attacked. Ewell’s and
Hill’s Corps received the attack, and Kirkland’s Brigade
with the rest of Heth’s Division, fought the enemy during
the entire day, sometimes repelling their assaults, sometimes
charging them. The troops engaged on the 5th were ordered
to rest where night found them, for Longstreet would be up
in time to take their place. But Longstreet was not up in
time. At dawn on the 6th, the sleeping troops were aroused
by the sound of three cannon shots from the enemy’s side.
It was their signal to advance; and to meet them, the corps
that had fought all the day before was hurried into position.
General Kirkland was ordered to the extreme right and the
brigade went into its place under fire. On the left was
Davis’ Mississippi Brigade; but in the darkness of the hour
and the wood, it disappeared, and I was sent to look for it.
JI went to the front and within a very short distance rode
up to an advancing line of battle, was shot through the right
arm and my horse killed. 1, however, escaped and reached
General Kirkland in time to tell him of his isolated posi-
tion. He tried to stem the torrent bearing down on us, but
the pressure was too great, and the brigade gave way when
the enemy. were in a few yards of it. Longstreet now arriv-
ing, his command took the front and our brigade became part
of the supporting column.

From the Wilderness to Spottsylvania and thence to Pe-
tersburg, Kirkland’s Brigade took its part in the hard fight-
ing and did it well.

At Cold Harbor, General Kirkland was again severely
wounded and the brigade was commanded by Colonel Fari-
bault, of the Forty-seventh, until Colonel William MacRae,
of the Fifteenth Regiment, N. ©. T., was assigned to the com-
mand. Later he was promoted to Brigadier-General.

General MacKae joined the brigade just as it was moving
out of camp on the border of Petersburg to escort a wagon
train, which was starting for Stoney Creek, on the Wilming-
ton & Weldon Railroad, to bring in supplies. By the indul-
gence of the Colonel commanding, the men were permitted to

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

564 - Norta Caroiina Troops, 1861-65.

ride in the wagons. The quick manner in which General
MacRae had them out, and his stringent’ regulations for the
march furnished on the first day of his coming into command
of the brigade, the opportunity of establishing his control.
Officers and men felt that laxity of discipline was at an end,
and to the consequent grumbling in camp by a few, succeeded
an absolute faith in the commander. His exact discipline
prepared them for the trying ordeal through which they were
to pass from new to the end.

The only change in the staff was the substitution of Lieu-
tenant Joseph E. Porter, A. D. C., for Lieutenant Stoddard,
who went with General Kirkland to his new command; and
later, when Captain Nash was made Assistant Adjutant-
General to Walker’s Virginia Brigade, Captain Alexander
T. Cunningham was appointed Ordnance Officer.

For some reason the brigade was detached from Heth’s
Division, and it was for a long time under the command of
General Mahone, who did not spare it. If there was any
hard work or hard fighting to be done, MacRae’s Brigade was
appointed to the task. For example: Because of the try-
ing character of the service in the trenches in and near the
Crater, where the works of the two armies were very close to
each other, and a ceaseless fire day and night was kept up, it
was usual to retain the troops in them only three days at a
time. We were in them eight days consecutively, and were
then marched out to join in an attack on Warren’s fortifica-
tions on the Weldon Railroad, which commencing early on 21
Angust, lasted for us all day; for after driving in the pickets
and advance line of the enemy, the brigade found itself alone
in front of the works, too weak to go on and too near to re-
treat. We were compelled to wait under fire, for night to
conceal our withdrawal. The command behaved splendidly.

Seven brigades had attacked on the flank and failed, yet
we were put in to do the impossible in front. This seemed
to make no impression on the men, who rushed for the works
and would have gone there, probably to their destruetion, had
they not been checked. The brigade was then marched with
the corps to Reams Station to meet Hancock’s Corps, which
was out on an expedition to tear up the Weldon Railroad.

THE PerrigRew-KIRKLAND-MACRAE BrigaDE. 565

The brigade arrived opposite the station late on the 24th,
and was held in reserve until the afternoon of the 25th, when
the troops making the attack in the morning having failed,
another attacking column was formed. Its composition was
Lane’s Brigade under Conner on the left, Cooke’s on the
right supported by MacRae’s—all North Carolina troops ;
and as this was perhaps the most brilliant of the many affairs
which occurred in the siege of Petersburg, one of which all
has not hitherto been told, and as I believe that General Mac-
Rae contributed more than any other to its success, I give a
minute account of it.

In front of Lane’s Brigade the trees had been cut down in
such a manner as to make a most formidable abatis. Cooke,
concealed in a wood of small pines, had no obstruction be-
tween him and the enemy. MacRae was in the rear and
partly to the right of Cooke. .

General MacRae having reconnoitered the enemy’s ‘posi-
tion, returned to his command, which was in line and ready,
Taking the right himself and assigning to me the left of the
brigade, he instructed me to walk down my portion of the
line, and say to the men, that beyond the wood was an open
field over which they must pass before reaching the enemy ;
that while advancing through the wood they must be quiet,
but when the field was reached, the charge would begin, and
then every man must yell as though he were a division in
himself, dash for the enemy’s works, and not fire until there.

As I looked into the eyes of the men while giving them
these unusual instructions, it was easy to see that the works
would be taken.

MacRae was not to advance until Cooke did. From our
position we could not see when Lane’s, which was the direct-
ing brigade, moved. Cooke could and did see, but did not
join in the movement.

Apprised of the advance of Lane’s Brigade by its “rebel
yell,” MacRae waited a little while on Cooke and then gave
the command “Forward.” The instructions to advance
quietly at first, were forgotten by the men in their eagerness,
and with a “yell” which reached the enemy’s line and sent
their shots into the tops of the trees, the brigade absolutely

 

 

 
 

 

 

566 Norra Carona Troops, 1861-’65.

dashed along, running into Cooke’s command and carrying it
straight along to the enemy’s works, which were taken with
little loss to the two brigades.

With a beam in his bright, blue eyes, General MacRae ex-
plained to me after the battle the cause of his action. As
Colonel of the Fifteenth North Carolina, he had served under
Cooke, and knowing him thoroughly, had divined the reason
why he had postponed his advance. The obstruction in front
of Lane’s Brigade would render its advance slow. There
being nothing to retard Cooke’s, it would outstrip Lane’s and
the enemy’s fire be concentrated on the former. Therefore
Cooke to save his command from this, was for giving Lane a
good start. The thought flashed through General MacRae’s
mind that this had gone far enough, and acting upon this im-
pulse, he relieved Lane’s Brigade, which was suffering fear-
fully, and hastened a brilliant victory for us. The fruits of
this victory, and General Lee’s complimentary letter to Gov-
ernor Vance are given elsewhere in thesé volumes.

Again, at Burgess’ Mill on 27 October, the brigade, de-
tached and under the command of General Mahone, distin-
guished itself by alone driving the enemy from his field guns,
in which feat it ran twice the gauntlet of fire from two
columns of the enemy’s infantry, through which it had to
pass, and one of which it could have destroyed had the sup-
port asked for been given. This engagement entailed heavy
loss on the brigade, but its fiery attack had the result of caus-
ing the enemy to retire under cover of night.

As we were on the extreme right of the army. we were
often in isolated positions of great peril; but there was no
shrinking from danger, and the brigade was engaged in more
fights than it is possible to recall. Whenever Grant extended
his left, we were of the attacking party to try and drive him
back.

I recall an incident which may interest. The brigade on
one occasion, worn and weary from one of its engagements,
was early in the morning going into bivouac on the extreme
right, where it was told to entrench itself. General MacRae
ordered me to lay out the works and make the details to con-
struct them. This I did to the best of my ability, and when

Tue Perrigkew-KirKLAND-MACRAE BRIGADE. 567

the work was fairly under way, the General came to see what
was being done. To my chagrin he condemned and changed
my lines, whereupon I retired. Returning later, my pride
was eased by finding him angry with himself for having
changed my lines, which he generously acknowledged to be
right; and this would have been so had the enemy approached
from the direction he should have done. This apparent mis-
take on the part of the General necessitated additional works,
which, after several days, were scarcely completed when we
were called off to try to drive out the enemy from a redoubt
in course of construction on another part of the line. With-
drawn from this attempt, we were just going into bivouac
again when we were double-quicked to meet the enemy, who
was, as usual, extending his left, Then occurred the unique
incident of two opposing forces running to reach the same
point, the point being in this instance the very works we had
recently built. The brigade reached them first and just in
time to drive back the enemy, who had approached through
an extended open field instead of through a wood in front,
which would have concealed his movement. Thus did it
providentially happen that had the lines been correctly laid
out the works could not have been held by us for five minutes.
As it was the attack was repelled and the extension of Grant’s
left delayed for many days.

The last battle of the brigade in which I was engaged was
that of Hatcher’s Run, on 5 February, 1865. The brigade
had been in so many fights, and had done so much hard work,
that it was ordered by the division and corps commanders
that it be relieved to the extent of “doing no more fighting on
the front lines for a year.” In future its place in battle was
to be in the supporting column. Although the end was too
near for this, and we so understood it, true to this command,
the brigade was placed in rear of the left of our attacking
column to support it.

The effect of the first volley from the enemy was to cause
a stampede in the command in our front, and as soon as it
had broken through our lines, we closed up and the brigade
advanced to the front line. There we remained ready to
join in the attack which was ordered, but the troops on our

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

568 NortH Caroiina Troops, 1861-65.

right were immovable, and we were obliged to remain in
position under a galling fire from artillery and musketry.
General MacRae was absent, and I rode over to General
ooke on the extreme right, which was protected by our
sharpshooters, which had been lent to General Cooke, and I
suggested that as the troops between us would not advance,
we do so, and uniting in front of them, make the charge
which had been ordered; but General Cooke would not con-
sent to move without the rest of the line, and I returned to
the brigade to find it anxious to advance, and disappointed
that it was not permitted to do so.

In my memory is vividly stamped the figure and face of
Major C. M. Stedman, of the Forty-fourth, as he advanced
to meet me, his sword drawn and raised, calling out in loud
tone, “Our men are ready to advance and only await the
command.”” I was very much tempted to give the command,
and have many a time since wished I had.

But, the object of this recital is to show the unconquerable
spirit and pluck of the brigade, and its perfect discipline.
After night, when under orders from General Lee, we were
preparing to withdraw, I received a severe wound which dis-
abled me till after the army surrendered two months later.

The achievements of the brigade from Hatcher’s Run to
Appomattox are told in several regimental accounts. Its
valor, its daring spirit, its discipline, its cheerful endurance
of cold, hunger and every hardship, its faithfulness unto
death from start to finish of its brilliant career, entitle it to
rank with the best troops of any clime, any country, any time.

Pettigrew and MacRae are gone. Kirkland lingers on the
Border Land. Of the Staff, Hughes, a perfect type of ef-
ficiency in the Adjutant-General’s Department, was mortally
wounded on 3 July at Gettysburg and died a few days after
at Martinsburg. The brilliant McCreery was killed on 1
July at Gettysburg. Baker, gentle, good, brave, lovable, has
long since laid his burdens down and been at rest. Those of
us who remain are marching toward the setting sun.

Louis G. Youna.

Savannaun, Ga.,
13 December, 1901.

 
RANSOM’S BRIGADE.

 

 

 

 

By W. H. 8S. BURGWYN, Caprain Company H, Turrty-Firrnu N. C. T.

Ransom’s Brigade was organized early in the Spring of
1862, at Kinston, N. C. Brigadier-General Robert Ran-
som, after the fall of New Bern, was transferred from the
army in Northern Virginia to take charge of certain troops
in North Carolina. From those troops his brigade was
formed, and was composed of the Twenty-fourth North Car-
olina, Colonel William J. Clarke; Twenty-fifth North Caro-
lina, Colonel H. M. Rutledge; Twenty-sixth North Carolina,
Colonel Z. B. Vance; the Thirty-fifth North Carolina, Col-
onel Matt. W. Ransom, and the Forty-ninth North Carolina,
Colonel Stephen D. Ramseur. In August, 1862, the Twen-
ty-sixth Regiment was transferred to Pettigrew’s Brigade,
and in February, 1863, the Fifty-sixth Regiment, Colonel
Paul F. Faison, was assigned to take its place in the brigade,
and as thus constituted the brigade served through the war.

General Ransom’s brigade staff consisted of Captain J. L.
Henry, Adjutant-General; Major Jno. W. Broadnax, Com-
missary ; Major J. F. Simmons, Quartermaster; Lieutenants
W. E. Broadnax and Thomas W. Mason, Aide-de-Camps.
Major Victor Barringer was assigned to the department as
Assistant Adjutant and Inspector General. After the seven
days’ battle around Richmond, Captain Henry was trans-
ferred to another command, and Captain Thomas W. Row-
land was appointed in his place, and Major Barringer was
assigned to other duty. The first service which the brigade
performed was to drive the enemy into close lines at and near

New Bern.

 

 

 

BATTLES AROUND RICHMOND.

In June, 1862, the brigade was moved to Virginia, and
RANSOM’S BRIGADE. bivouacking a short time at Petersburg, joined the army near

1. William R..| Wilson, Surgeon, 24th Regt. 5. George G. Moore, Private, Co. E, 35th Richmond. On 25 June, the day after arriving at Rich-
By eat itaker, Sergt., Co. I, Bethel Regt., egt. : ; .- }
ist Lt., Co. D, 24th Regt. 6. Chas. Mf. Payne, 2d Lt., Co. K, 56th Regt. mond, the brigade was engaged in the first of the series of
3. John William Stovall, Private, Co. H, 24th 7. J. R. B. Walker, Private, Co. B, 56th Regt. a
Regt. : 8. Wm. Edw. Coley, Private, Co. H, 56th
4, —— A. Stanford, Private, Co. H, 24th Regt.
egt.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

570 Norto Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

battles that soon took place and assisted in repelling the as-
saults on our lines by McClellan’s forces on the Williamsburg
road, near the battle ground of Seven Pines. It was there
placed in Huger’s Division. On the morning of the 28th it
took up its march with Huger’s Division, closely followed by
Magruder’s Division, toward White Oak Swamp. The bri-
gade was not seriously engaged until Malvern Hill, 1 July,
1862. On that evening it went into battle and was conspicu-
ous in the charge made by M agruder upon the enemy’s bat-
teries. Its loss in officers and men was very heavy. (See
Magruder’s and Huger’s reports, Official Records Union and
Confederate Armies.)

After the battles around Richmond the brigade joined in
the general movement against McClellan. Late in August
it was sent by way of Orange Court House and Culpepper
Court House to join Lee’s army on the Potomac. Before
leaving Richmond it was put into Walker’s Division, then
composed of Walker’s and Ransom’s Brigades. On the Rap-
idan, and while en route to unite with the Army of Northern
Virginia, Lieutenant Edward -A. Thorne, of the Twenty-

fourth North Carolina, was assigned to duty as Ordnance
Officer of the brigade.

HARPER'S FERRY AND SHARPSBURG.

Walker’s Division did not reach Manassas until two days
after the battle; it then joined the main body of Lee’s army
and with that army the brigade crossed the Potomac river,
near Shepherdstown, and marched rapidly to Frederick City.
On arrival there, the division was selected to form part of
the command to move against Harper’s Ferry, Stonewall
Jackson’s Division and MeLaw’s Division making the three
divisions assigned to capture that important stronghold of
the enemy. The brigade crossed the Potomac at Point of
Rocks and after forced marches night and day, took its
position on Loudon Heights simultaneously with Jackson’s
appearance on Bolivar Heights and McLaws’ on the Mary-
land Heights. It did its part well in the capture of Har-
per’s Ferry, supporting and assisting Jackson’s famous at-
tack. The Brigade left Harper’s Ferry before the surren-

Ransom’s BRIGADE. 571

der was completed and marched rapidly to Shepherdstown,
passing through the captured town, but not halting. It
crossed the Potomac the same day and joined the main body
of Lee’s army, now near Sharpsburg. The next morning,
Wednesday, 17 September, before day, it took its position in
line of battle on the rightof Lee’s army and remained there
some two hours, when it was ordered double-quick to the left
centre of our lines, near the Dunkard Church. Hood’s, Rip-
ley’s and other troops defending their part of the line, after
a grand resistance, were being forced to retire from the field.
Walker’s Division (as previously stated), composed of Wal-
ker’s and Ransom’s Brigades, rushed into the fight, drove back
the enemy who were pursuing Hood and Ripley, and re-estab-
lished our lines to the right and left of the Dunkard Church.
They remained there during the day, repulsed every move-
ment by the enemy upon their part of the line, and at sunset
were moved along the line of battle a half mile to the right.
During the day they were in the part of the army commanded
by General Longstreet and twice visited by Generals Stone-
wall Jackson and J. E. B. Stuart. The larger part of MecClel-
lan’s army was massed in their front and the fire of artillery
and musketry, such as has seldom taken place in the history of
war, was poured upon them until nearly sunset. About 1
o’clock during the day, the brigade charged a battery of the
enemy, which was in sight of them, and silenced its guns for
the day. On the morning of the 18th, it took the same posi-
tion it had held before at the Dunkard Church and remained
there until that night at 12 o’clock, when it joined the gen-
eral movement to cross the Potomac. (See Generals Wal-
ker’s and Ransom’s reports, Official Records). About day-
light on the morning of the 19th, it crossed the Potomac and
camped on its hills; from there it went into bivouae near
Winchester, and reached Fredericksburg with the advance
of Lee’s columns, in December, 1862.

FREDERICKSBURG.

On the morning of 13 December, Ransom’s Brigade was
posted around the base of Marye’s Heights. With Cobb’s
Georgia and Kershaw’s South Carolina Brigades, Ransom’s

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

572 NortH CaroLina Troops, 1861~’65.

Division (Walker had gone to the west and Brigadier-Gen-
eral Robert Ransom was now in command of the division ),
held the left of Lee’s army at Fredericksburg, supporting and
supported by the Washington artillery. By far the heaviest
fighting of the battle, and perhaps the hardest during the
war, took place in defence of this position. The flower of
Burnside’s army was concentrated to earry the Heights, but
it was firmly held by these troops and the great day was won.
The conduct of the brigade on this day was exceptionally
grand.
EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

On 3 January, 1863, the. brigade was ordered to North
Carolina to protect that State from invasions, and for some
months effectually guarded the eastern part of the State.
About the last of May the brigade went to Petersburg, Va.
General Robert Ransom was promoted to Major-General and
sent to Tennessee. Colonel Matt. W. Ransom 13 J une, 1863,
was made Brigadier-General, upon the recommendation of the
officers in the brigade, and assigned to its command. His staff
was constituted as follows: Captain J. C. Pegram, Adjutant-
General ; Captain Sterling H. Gee, Inspector-General ; Major
Broadnax, Commissary ; Major Clay C. Drewry, Quarter-
master; Lieutenants Wm. B. Meares, and Waverly John-
ston, Aides; Lieutenant Louis D. Goodloe, Ordnance Of-
ficer. The brigade then became a part of Hill’s Division.
The division started to go to Lee’s army in Maryland, but
an advance of General Butler from Fortress Monroe detained
the division too long for it to reach Maryland in time. The
movement against Richmond was dissipated. While the
brigade was stationed near Richmond and Petersburg, Col-
onel Spears, of the Union army, made his formidable raid
against Weldon. The brigade was ordered to meet it. A
small part of it under General Ransom’s immediate com-
mand, met Spears’ Brigade near Boon’s Mill, in Northamp-
ton County, on 28 July, 1863, and signally repulsed it.
The railroad line from Petersburg to Wilmington had sev-
eral times been raided and the brigade was stationed at Wel-
don to meet any advance of the enemy at any point between

Ransom’s BRIGADE. 573

Petersburg and Wilmington, which duty was performed so
faithfully that the railroad was not in any peril again.

In the winter of 1863-64, the brigade, mainly for the pur-
pose of obtaining provisions and making General Butler’s
negro troops behave themselves, advanced upon Norfolk, cap-
tured the enemy’s outposts at North West Lock with a num-
ber of prisoners; on the next day drove a brigade of the en-
emy from Suffolk and captured their camp and all their sup-
plies at Barnard’s Mills; then returning to Weldon, was with
General Pickett’s movement against New Bern. It went
from Kinston with General Barton’s Brigade. Barton was
to attack New Bern on the south, but upon reaching the vicin-
ity of Brice’s creek and the Trent river, General Barton very
properly decided not to attempt to cross the river. It was
manifestly impracticable, owing to the formidable defences
of the enemy at that point.

PLYMOUTH.

The brigade returned to-Weldon and about 12 April went
with General Hoke’s Brigade, General Kemper’s Brigade,
Branch’s and Blount’s artillery and the Montgomery (Ala-
bama) Blues, artillery, to attack Plymouth. The Forty-
ninth Regiment was on duty upon the Chowan river, and
the Eighth North Carolina, of Clingman’s Brigade, un-
der the gallant Colonel Murchison, was substituted for it.
General Hoke commanded the expedition. Captain Cooke,
with the iron-clad Albemarle, was sent down the Roanoke river
to join in the fight. The troops reached Plymouth on Sun-
day night, the 17th, threw up some works and sent some shells
into the town. On Monday the place was thoroughly in-
vested. On Monday night General Hoke’s Brigade stormed
and captured Fort Mercer, an outwork about a mile and a
quarter from the town, Ransom’s Brigade making a heavy
demonstration upon the works in the opposite direction. On
the same night, Captain Cooke, with the Albemarle, went
down the river and destroyed the enemy’s gunboats guarding
Plymouth, but was compelled to move down- the river out of
the range of the enemy’s 200-pound guns, which had been
placed in battery on the river bank. On Tuesday night, just

 
 

 

 

 

 

574 NorrH Caronina Troops, 1861~’65.

after dark, Ransom’s Brigade attacked a regiment on picket
posted to defend the crossing of Conaby creek. This force
of the enemy was dispersed, and the brigade then moved
across the creek and took position in line of battle near the
river, extending across an open field to a point a little south
of the town. At early dawn the brigade assaulted the works
areund Plymouth, charging through an open field three
fourths of a mile, and carried the two forts on the eastern
face of the town. The largest fort south of the town, then
known as Fort Wessels, upon reconnoissance was found im-
pregnable. The brigade charged through the town, up the
streets, through the gardens and was resisted at every step
by detachments of soldiers from the windows and doors, for
they had barricaded the streets in all directions. The fort
holding the large guns on the bank of the river Was now cap-
tured, and soon the defences in the upper or western part
of the town were taken. The big guns having been silenced,
the Albemarle was signalled to come up, which it did gal-
lantly. A few mortar shots from the Albemarle were thrown
into the fort and then its surrender demanded, and General
Wessels, after seeing the intrepidity of the forces attacking
him, and realizing his forlorn condition, surrendered the
place. The loss in Ransom’s Brigade was over one hundred
killed, and five hundred wounded. The brigade captured
three thousand prisoners, one hundred pieces of artillery, five
hundred horses, a large number of small arms and a large
quantity of quartermaster and commissary stores,

As an evidence of the appreciation of the State for this
brigade in this action, when the usual resolution of thanks
to General Hoke, the ranking officer, and the officers and men
under his command, was introduced in the General Assem-
bly of North Carolina, Captain David M. Carter, an able
statesman and gallant soldier, then a member of that body,
offered as an amendment, that after the words “General Hoke”’
in the resolution, the words “General Matt. W. Ransom”
should be inserted. The amendment was accepted with ap-
probation by Judge Shepherd, Chairman of the Military
Committee, and unanimously adopted by the House.

 

RAnNsom’s BRIGADE. 575

PETERSBURG.

After this battle, the brigade went with General Hoke’s
command to New Bern, and without any serious engagement
there, was ordered hastily to proceed to Petersburg, which
was then imperiled by Butler’s advance from City Point.
They reached the city of Petersburg on 11 May and with
Beauregard’s army, on the next day, marched to Drewry’s
Bluff. On the 13th, had a sharp fight with the enemy in
which the enemy was repulsed, and the noble Cicero Dur-
ham, who had just been assigned to the command of the
brigade sharpshooters, was mortally wounded. On the 14th
in a short, but hard engagement with the enemy, General
Ransom was seriously wounded, and during the summer and
fall till his return the brigade was commanded by the senior
Colonel for the time being. On the 16th the brigade in
General Robert Ransom’s Division joined in the attack upon
General Butler’s army and routed the enemy in their front.
After the battle of Drewry’s Bluff the brigade was engaged
in the defence of the Bermuda Hundreds line.

About 16 June it was hurried to Petersburg to meet Gen-
eral Grant’s advance upon the city. It held its ground and
repulsed the enemy invariably in all the fights that occurred
on the front lines of Petersburg during that memorable siege.
There was no harder or better fighting during the war than
that which engaged the brigade on those lines and days. There
17 June the gallant Colonel Jones, of the Thirty-fifth Regi-
ment, was killed; there Adjutant-General Pegram fell; there
large numbers of the best soldiers in the army met their fate,
the brigade at that time being under the command of Colonel
Faison, of the Fifty-sixth.

On the morning of the Crater fight, 30 July, the brigade,
commanded by Colonel Lee M. McAfee, oceupied the in-
trenchments near the scene of the explosion, and exhib-
ited a coolness and courage in driving back the enemy and
holding our lines, which were never surpassed. The Pe-
tersburg papers, published on the afternoon after the battle
had been fought, were most pronounced in its praise. The bri-
gade continued all during the summer, fall and winter of
1864, and up to 1 March in 1865, to hold the line of intrench-

 
 

 

 

 

 

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

37

 
 

 

 

 

578 NortH CaroLina Troops, 1861-65.

Senator. Lieutenant Ed. A. Thorne was a most meritorious
officer, never failed to do his full duty. Captain J. ©. Pe-
gram fell in the lines of Petersburg, a noble son of Ad-
miral Pegram, of the Confederate Navy. His accomplish-
ments and qualities as an officer could not have been bet-
ter. Captain Sterling H. Gee had the heart of the whole
Brigade. He was brave, generous and graceful, and lost his
life 1 April, 1865, a few days after his marriage, one of the
last and best victims of those who fell in the war. Captain
Wm. B. Meares, was a true soldier, always devoted, shirked
no responsibility or danger and served through to the end.

General Ransom never failed to acknowledge his great in-
debtedness to Captain Cicero Durham for suggestions and ser-
vices at the battle of Plymouth. He was a Quartermaster
who invariably went into a fight, and was known as the “fight-
ing Quartermaster.” He was as modest as a girl, but brave
as Marshal Ney. He was a Christian, even in the fire of
battle, and always lovable. The last halo upon his brow was
the light of a maiden’s love.

This brigade was drilled and disciplined by General Reb-
ert Ransom, and was commanded during ali the war by him
or his brother Matt. W. Ransom. There was but little for
any officer to do upon taking a command which had been so
well prepared by General Robert Ransom. But his successor
in command, though bred a civilian and until his appointment
by Governor Ellis as Lieutenant-Colonel of the First Regi-
ment of State troops, without any military experience, he at
once displayed high qualities for command and gained the
confidence and affection of his soldiers, from the highest to
the humblest. Not for an instant did General Matt. W. Ran-
som lose this great influence over his soldiers. His bearing
on the field of battle was no less than superb. His presence
was an inspiration to those under his command, and in des-
perate straits, as at Plymouth, when victory hung in the
balance, and it seemed impossible for mortal man to advance
in the face of the withering fire that faced them, it was only
necessary for General Ransom to ride along his lines with un-
covered head and pointing in the direction of the foe, call on
his men to follow him. His soldiers never failed him or he

Ransom’s BRIGADE. 579

them, and wounded and suffering, after four years of service,
he was with his command when it lay down its arms at Ap-
pomattox.

The Brigade always moved as a machine, well regulated in
every part. Its medical staff, O’Hagan, Wilson, Luckey,
Ruffin, Duffie, etc., was eminently qualified for all their
duties. With such officers and such a staff, and men of North
Carolina for its strength, it is not wonderful that the brigade
should have been among the first in Magruder’s great charge
at Malvern Hill. That it should have held the most difficult
and dangerous line at Sharpsburg; that it should have been
conspicuous on Marye’s burning heights; that it should have
stormed Plymouth; have been the first at the capture and
last at the giving up of Fort Stedman. That it should have
borne the last desperate agony of Five Forks and furled its
glorious banner and grounded its muskets at Appomattox.

Upon reading over the Official Records of the Union and
Confederate Armies, I find that this brigade was without ex-
ception called upon for hard service whenever it could be
had, by the commanding officers of the army. Not a word
of reproach from any person ever fell upon it, on the march,
in camp, or on the field of battle.

Wo. H. 8S. Burewyn.

We.poy, N. C.,
9 Apriz, 1901.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE ROBERTS CAVALRY BRIGADE.

By E. J. HOLT, First Lizurenant Company A, SEvENTy-Firra N. ©. T.

Upon the dissolution of Dearing’s Brigade, Colonel Wil-
liam P. Roberts, of the Nineteenth North Carolina (Second
Cavalry), was promoted Brigadier-General 21 February,
1865, and placed in command of a new brigade composed of
the Fifty-ninth and Seventy-fifth North Carolina Regiments
(Fourth and Seventh Cavalry). The latter, however, had
been only recently raised to a regiment and was till the very
last still officially reported as the Sixteenth Battalion. The
brief career of the brigade is effectively told in the Histories
herein of the two regiments composing it—especially in the
appendix to General Roberts’ history of the Nineteenth at
pp. 108-109 of Vol. 2 of this work.

The Staff officers were:

Captain Tueropore S. Garnett, A. A. G.
Caprain Wm. ©. Coucuenovr, Inspector-General.
Linurenant Jas. E. Wess, Ordnance Officer.

Lieutenant W. P. Hotcomss, Aide.
Captain J. B. Braarr, A. Q. M.

In that sketch it is repeated, as is also stated: by me in
the sketch of the Seventy-fifth Regiment, that the last shots
at Appomattox were really fired by this command and not by
Cox’s Brigade of North Carolina Infantry. Beyond con-
troversy, we captured the last guns, four Napoleons.

At Appomattox only 95 members of the Brigade were left
to be surrendered, 5 officers and 88 men.
E. J. Horr.

Smirurietp, N. C.,
9 April, 1901.
 

THE GORDON-BARRINGEK
- BRIGADE.

By JULIAN 8. CARR, Private Company K, Forry-First
Nortu Carouina Troops.

 

 

 

This brigade first organized as the “North Carolina Cav-
alry Brigade” 9 September, 1863, under command of General
Lawrence S. Baker, and then consisted of the Ninth, Nine
teenth, Fifty-ninth and Sixty-third North Carolina Regi-
ments (First, Second, Fourth and Fifth Cavalry.) General
Baker, because of a wound, was soon assigned to special duty.
On 2 June, 1863, General Lee had written to President Davis
his purpose “to brigade the North Carolina Regiments of
Cavalry in his army under Colonel Baker,” Vol. 25, Off. Rec.
Union and Confed. Armies, p. 1088. Colonel Baker was
promoted to Brigadier-General 23 July, 1863.

On 28 September, 1863, James B. Gordon, Colonel of the
Ninth, was commissioned Brigadier-General and took com-
mand of the brigade. Under General Gordon it made
famous its name of “The North Carolina Cavalry Bri-
gade,” and was thus, to the end of the war, widely known
throughout the Army of Northern Virginia and by a very
great many in the Army of the Potomac. Of course, it was
often spoken and written of as Gordon’s and afterwards as
Barringer’s Brigade.

Gordon was a genius of war, a “veritable god of battle.”
He did more than any other one man to make his brigade
what it was, and had he lived his brigade would have placed
his name as high on North Carolina’s “Roll of Honor” as
that of any Confederate, if not higher. At Brook Church,
Virginia, 12 May, 1864, he received a wound which proved
mortal within a week.

CAVALRY REGIMENTS. Near the end of May, 1864, the Forty-first North Carolina

D. D. Ferebee, Colonel, 59th Regt. (4Cav.) 6. Stephen W. Rice, Orderly for Col. C. M. An- Regiment (Third Cavalry) joined the brigade from Eastern

1.
2. Benj. G. Smith, Captain, Co. G, 41st Regt

any Ge : | 06.5, egt. ws, Co. B, 19th Regt. (2 Cav.)! orth Carolina and took the place of the Fifty-ninth (Fourth
3. Wm. H. Smith, Captain, Co. G, 41st Regt. a Regt te sipsonaclisilat co: " , ’
4.
5.

 

 

 

(3 Cav.) a. i
‘ 8. J. A. Ram te, C R
Wm. H. Penny, Private, Co. I, 41st Regt. (2 Gav.) gy Cee on id patie won

(3 Cav.) D
’ . ra 9. John R. Pettit, Private, Co. F, 75th Regt.
Io dayne Berets Co. K, 19th Regt. (7 Cav.) .

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

582 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861~’65.

Cavalry), which latter regiment had been detached from the
brigade in the winter of 1863-’64, and Colonel John A. Baker
of the Third Cavalry, being senior Colonel, assumed com-
mand of the brigade until 30 May, 1864, when Brigadier-
General P. M. B. Young was temporarily commander of the
brigade.

On 4 June, 1864, Lieutenant-Colonel Rufus Barringer,
of the Ninth (First Cavalry), was commissioned Brigadier-
General and assigned to the command of this brigade and
thus continued until 3 April, 1865, when he was captured
near Namozine Church, Virginia, on the retreat to Appo-
mattox. None of its commanders ever did more than Gen-
eral Barringer to maintain the efficiency and reputation of
this brigade. In his capital sketch of the Forty-first (Third
Cavalry), on page 782, Vol. 2, of these histories, Sergeant J.
B. Hill states as an official fact, that this brigade, on 1 March,
1865, numbered “actually more than one-third of the total
cavalry of Lee’s army.” That, of this force, only two officers
and twenty-one men surrendered at Appomattox tells a won-
drous story of the great daring and casualties of its officers
and men in a great crisis. All had learned to meet calamity
fearlessly and to overcome it when possible. I venture the
assertion that this brigade faced and fought and prevented,
by their courage and soldierly sagacity, more dire disaster
on “the retreat” than any other brigade in Lee’s army.

The details of the services of this brigade during two of
the greatest campaigns of any war have been so fully told, es-
pecially in General Barringer’s history of the Ninth North
Carolina and in that of the Sixty-third by Paul B. Means,
that it is useless to recite them here.

The staff officers of the brigade, as far as I can get them
accurately, were: Captain James L. Gaines, Assistant-Ad-
jutant-General; Captain Chiswell W. Dabney, Inspector-
General, and Lieutenant Kerr Craige, Aide to General Gor-
don, and Lieutenant Fred. C. Ford, Aide to General Bar-
ringer.

Jurian 8. Carr.

DuruaM, N. C.,
9 April, 1901.
 

 

THE JUNIOR KESERVES BRIGADE.

Ay
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By FABIUS H. BUSBEE,

Srconp LrevrENANT, Company E, Seventy SEconD REGIMENT,
(THIRD JUNIOR RESERVES. )

 

 

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The mortal blows had been stricken, and the young Confed-
eracy was wounded unto death. Whatever hopeful uncer-
tainties existed at the time, in the clear light of subsequent
events no one can now deny that after July, 1863, the success
of the Southern Cause, humanly speaking, was impossible.
After an heroic but fruitless resistance on 4 July, twenty-
seven thousand men, the flower of the Western army, hemmed
in by unbreakable barriers, were starved into a sullen sur-
render at Vicksburg. The day before, the immortal valor
that consecrated the field of Gettysburg was unavailing to
hold the perilous heights, stormed at such fearful cost, and
the noblest army that ever bore standard into action, fell back,
baffled and crippled. The possibility of final victory was
over. But neither of the contending forces could at the time
realize the far-reaching consequences of these disasters, and
more than once during the year that followed a wide-spread
despondency was prevalent at the North, and deceptive hope

allured us to still greater sacrifices in the South:

“For when our triumph was delayed
And many a heart grew sore afraid,
We still hoped while gleamed the blade

Of noble Robert Lee.”’

y confronted Sherman in
durance, he had

 

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as
A PAROLE FROM JOHNSTON’S ARMY.

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Commissioner,

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RMaN, Commanding the United States Army in North-Carc]

sea e: m
‘ac. simile of parole of Jno. w. Hinsdale, Colonel, 72d Regiment (%¢Junior Reserves).

 

In the Spring of 1864, an arm
the West, whose bravery, leadership and en
every reason to hold in the highest respect. With spirit yet

unbroken the Army of Northern Virginia, smarting under
their losses in 1863, were waiting an opportunity to avenge
the disaster of Gettysburg. How well their confidence was
justified, let the three days of terrible conflict in the Wilder-

day ot A « 7 . a y
« n F

n ntil pi opel ly lea d f m 1 lg mn wn 1 Nil 2G 1 (e) ] 1 ome (0) 0 i
disturbed by the United t iti | ie, 3 3 ] V $0 ¢ a y
States au heri 1es so ong a he ovoserve this bligation © nd obe the

laws.in force where he may reside,

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

584 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861~’65.

ness, the deadly slaughter, thrice repeated, at Cold Harbor,
and the various battlefields of 1864, bear witness.

But we can see clearly now that all the fortitude, all the
bravery of that deadly year were exerted in a hopeless contest
with overmastering fate. As the long winter wore away to
its close, and the spring campaign of 1864 was about to open,
the Congress of the Confederate States was confronted with
appalling difficulties. Compelled to present to the world an
unshaken front, in secret session the President and the Gen-
eral commanding laid before the Congress unvarnished state-
ments of the army. Money, food, clothing, arms, medicines,
supplies of every kind, and above all, men were imperatively
demanded. The insatiate Moloch of war had made his im-
perative requisitions, and they could not be refused.

In obedience to the demands of the hour, the year 1864 was
ushered in by the enactment of certain stringent measures,
which, if carefully considered, were of themselves sufficient
to indicate the inevitable end. In a hopeless effort to stay
the rapid depreciation of the currency, the Treasury notes
then in circulation were called in for redemption, and a new
currency issued at the rate of two dollars for three.

‘‘Coin was so rare that the treasury quaked
If a dollar should drop in the till.”

The writ of habeas corpus, the type and the bulwark of
Anglo-Saxon freedom, was permitted to be suspended at the
will of the President, and the patriot was forced to the alter-
native of being charged with lukewarmness to the cause of
independence, or of being disloyal to the principles of civil
liberty. The taxation and impressment laws were so amended
and enlarged in their operation, that their enforcement was
equivalent to actual confiscation of all materials and supplies
adapted to the exigencies of the armies in the field.

During the progress of the year, the Secretary of the Treas-
ury reported an error in his estimates, and a consequent defi-
ciency of four hundred millions of dollars, and taxes at the
rate of 5 per cent., which had just been collected, were or-
dered to be paid over again.

But the great necessity that overshadowed all, was the need

THE JuNIoR Reserves BRIGADE. 585

of men. There was no Cadmus to pluck from the mouth of
danger the serpent’s teeth, that sown in fertile Theban Val-
ley should spring up an armed soldiery.

Into the Union armies the nations of the earth were pour-
ing their surplus population, tempted by prodigal bounties,
both State and National. The blockaded and beleaguered
South, impoverished, with her scattered population, always
haunted by a brooding fear of a servile insurrection, could
see upon the dark horizon no ray of light. The ranks of
her armies, already depleted by the losses on the field, were
daily thinned by desertion, and every effort to recall the
laggards seemed in vain. With reluctance unfeigned and
deep, but as the only alternative, on 17 February, 1864, the
Confederate Congress passed the new enrollment act, and
‘robbing alike the cradle and the grave” called into the ser-
vice of the Confederacy every man and boy who was able to
bear arms in her defence. Those who had furnished substi-
tutes were no longer protected by their contract of exemption.
Men between the ages of 45 and 50 were ordered to be en-
listed in the Senior Reserves, and boys between the ages of
17 and 18 were mustered into the military service as Junior
Reserves.

Under the terms of the act, before the service should be
made compulsory by conscription, an opportunity was given
to all to volunteer. It is important to recall the condition of
affairs which then existed. By the spring of 1864 all the
nickel-plating of the war had been rubbed off, and its romance
and poetry had taken flight. In 1861, when resplendent uni-
forms, dashing horses, camps overrunning with every luxury,
seemed the usual adjuncts of war, he only was to be pitied
who was left behind, and volunteering seemed a holiday ex-
cursion. In the three years which had passed, even the most
light-hearted boy had been brought face to face with stern re-
alities. The hill-sides of Virginia were filled with shallow
soldier’s sepulchres, and every household mourned its slain.
The hospitals were crowded with the sick and wounded whom
over-worked surgeons, illy supplied with instruments and
medicines, were unable to relieve. Desertion, like an eating
cancer, was poisoning the blood and sapping the spirit of the

 
 

 

 

586 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

army. The duties of the absent fathers had fallen upon the
shoulders of the boys, to whom the mothers looked for food
and protection. There was no longer any doubt as to the
meaning of the word “War.” It was the dread synoym of
privation, hunger, disease, a foreign prison and an unknown
grave.

As some indication of the scarcity of every article of neces-
sity, a glance at the prices prevailing at the time will prove of
interest. In February, 1864, coffee and sugar were unattain-
able luxuries, worth $12.00 a pound; bacon and lard were
$3.50 per pound; meal was $18.00, and sweet potatoes were
$10.00 a bushel. This was early in 1864, and a year later
every price quoted had riiore than doubled.

The pay of a private soldier for a month of exposure and
danger would buy him just one pound of sugar; while the
magnificent monthly compensation of a Lieutenant would
hardly purchase an indifferent pair of shoes.

And let no disciple of an inflated currency delude himself
with the idea that money was so plentiful that we did not
mind high prices. That was a pleasing fiction which was
widely prevalent just after the war, but has little foundation
in fact to support it. The speculator, the trader, and the
gambler were lavishly supplied, but the great mass of sala-
ried, professional and laboring men found it difficult to live.

Such was the condition of affairs when the boys of North
Carolina were called upon to volunteer in her defence. To
their eternal credit be it said that when their State called
upon them to come, they faltered not. And though it was
the very tearing asunder of heartstrings, their mothers bade
them go.

‘The aged sires and matrons grey,

Saw the young warriors haste away,
And deemed it sin to grieve.”

Under the terms of their enlistment the Reserves were en-
rolled for duty within the limits of their respective States,
and were permitted to elect their own company officers. Field

officers were elected by the company officers. With a sagacity
and conservatism hardly to have been expected, their choice

THE JuNIOR Reserves BRIGADE. 587

of officers were most admirable. No appointing power could
have selected from the membership more gallant, faithful and
deserving officers. :

The organization of all the troops destined for detached
duty in the State, Senior and Junior Reserves, wounded sol-
diers, assigned to light duty and detailed men, was entrusted
to Lieutenant-General Holmes, a native North Carolinian,
whose capacity for a work of the kind was unquestionable. As
soon as the companies were formed they were hurried off to
camps of instruction, and as soon as the required number of
companies were gathered together they were organized into
battalions.

The First Battalion was commanded by Major C. W.
Broadfoot, the Second by Major Jno. H. Anderson, the Third
was composed of Senior Reserves, the Fourth elected Major
John M. Reece, the Fifth Major W. F. Beasley, the Sixth
Major Walter Clark, the Seventh Major W. Foster French,
the Eighth Major J. B. Ellington, and the Ninth Major D. T.
Millard. In order to relieve the regular troops who were
then performing guard duty, these battalions were at once
placed upon duty up and down the lines of the important rail-
roads, with especial regard to bridges and the points where
raids were expected. As these battalions were eventually
consolidated into regiments, the first in July, 1864, the sec-
ond in December, 1864, and the third early in January, 1865,
it may be well to give here the final organization.

The first regiment, composed of the First and Sixth Bat-
talions, was organized 4 July, 1864, by electing C. W. Broad-
foot, Colonel; Walter Clark, Lieutenant-Colonel, and N. A.
Gregory, Major.* The second, composed of the Second and
Fifth Battalions, 7 December, 1864, elected Jno. H. Ander-
son Colonel, W. F. Beasley Lieutenant-Colonel, and N. A.

*Subsequently at request of General Holmes who desired his Chief of
Staff, Frank S. Armistead (a West heat Served to be made General
of the Brigade and thought that this could be promptly accomplished if
he were Senior Colonel, these officers afterwards resigned and F. 8. Ar-
mistead was elected Colonel, C. W. Broadfoot, Lieut-Colonel and Walter
Clark, Major, but the expected promotion of Col. Armistead was not real-
ized and this second organization endured tothe end. N. A. Gregory
later became Major of the Second Junior Reserves.—Ep.

 
 

 

 

 

 

588 Norta Carouina Troops, 1861-’65.

Gregory Major. The Third, composed of the Fourth,
Seventh and Eighth Battalions, on 3 January, 1865, elected
John W. Hinsdale Colonel, W. Foster French, Lieutenant-
Colonel, and A. B. Ellington, Major. Another battalion
while being organized in camp of instruction at Morganton,
was attacked by a considerable force of Federal raiders, sur-
rounded and part of it was captured 28 June, 1864, but the
remnant was recruited and formed two companies which were
attached to Millard’s Battalion.

It was the intention of Congress to place as light a burden
upon the Reserves as possible, and President Davis spoke
with keen regret of the unfortunate necessity of “grinding up
the seed corn of the Confederacy.” But it is by no means
sure that it would not have been a wiser policy simply to have
reduced the age of enlistment, and to have mustered the young
recruits into the regiments already in the field. The Re-
serves were supposed to have been detailed for less dangerous
duty, but in other respects they were not so well off. Their
arms, clothing and equipment of every kind, were deficient in
quality and quantity, even as compared with that of the other
troops. All the field officers had seen previous service, but
the men and the great majority of the company officers were
inexperienced in camp life, and it was hard to impress them
with the necessity for rigid sanitary precautions. Besides,
they were stationed during the summer and autumn of 1864,
in the unhealthy portions of the State, and the unacclimated
boys from the Western and Central counties suffered greatly
from disease. An epidemic of measles raged with great
severity and proved in many instances fatal.

And thus without much loss in battle, ordered here and
there as necessity arose, bearing the privations of camp, the
fatigue of forced marches and the weakening of disease, like
the brave lads they were, becoming better disciplined day by
day but many of their best men being sent off to the regu-
lar service as they became 18 years of age, they saw the year
1864, eventful in other fields, wearing to its close. In De
cember the battalions, which afterwards composed the third
regiment, were stationed near Wilmington, and the First and
Second Regiments were in camp on the Roanoke. It was of

THe JuNIoR Reserves BRIGADE. 589

great importance that the railroad and bridges at these strate-
gic points should be well guarded, as they were much ex-
posed to sudden raids. At this time the enemy who were in
the trenches in front of Petersburg, made an effort to cut the
line of railroad between Weldon and Petersburg, and thus cut
off the supplies upon which Lee’s army was dependent for
bread.

The Junior Reserves could not be compelled to cross the
State line, but when the First and Second Regiments were
drawn out in line of battle and the proposition made to them
to volunteer for service in Virginia, not one man declined,
and the four battalions from Wilmington (Fourth, Seventh,
Eighth and Ninth) under Colonel ‘George Jackson, joined
them. With cheers and enthusiasm more characteristic of
the days of .“‘sixty-one” than of the closing scenes of the war,
the boys made haste to go. The shoes recently issued to them
canvass apologies, wretched ghosts of shoes at best, had in
many instances given completely out before the march began,
and repeating the hard experience of their ancestors at Valley
Forge, many of these young heroes marched barefoot into bat-
tle upon the sleet-covered ground. The enemy had destroyed
a part of the railroad, but were met by the Reserves at Bel-
field and driven back, and the threatened danger was averted.
For this service the General Assembly unanimously passed a
resolution tendering to the Junior Reserves for their gallantry
and good conduct, the thanks of the people of North Carolina.

The first regiment was then rapidly marched into Mar-
tin County, and at Poplar Point, under Colonel Leventhorpe,
drove back with the aid of Dickson’s Battery, a threatened at-
tack of the Federal gunboats which had been devastating that
section and threatening the rich grain fields of the Roanoke.

During the same December those battalions which had Te-
turned from Belfield were destined to take part in a more im-
portant battle. For many months the attention of the Fed-
eral commanders had been especially directed to Wilmington
and its defences. The impossibility of maintaining an effec-
tive blockade, and the great service done the Confederacy by
the importation of so many articles indispensable to the vari-

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

590 NortH Caroiina Troops, 1861~’65.

ous Confederate departments, made the capture of that port
the object of the greatest interest.

It is not necessary for me to-day to go fully into the story
of the two attacks upon Fort Fisher, to thresh anew the old
straw, or to review the quarrel between Porter and Butler in
regard to the first attack. The battalions which later were
formed into the Third Regiment of Juniors and Millard’s
Battalion formed a part of the garrison who so bravely with-
stood the onslaught of Weitzel’s troops, and drove them back
to the shelter of the fleet 25 December, 1864. French’s and
Reece’s Battalions at the beginning of the fight were posted
some distance from the fort, at Battery Buchanan. When the
order came to repair to Fort Fisher, they ran the perilous
gauntlet under the fire of the entire fleet. French’s Battalion
manned the land face of the fort, and kept that position
throughout a considerable part of the first. One little fellow,
Private Campbell, of Columbus County, I think, too small to
fire over the parapet, jumped upon a cannon, exposing his
whole body to that deadly hail, and fired until he fell. Dur-
ing the whole battle their coolness and courage were worthy of
veterans. As certain companies were passing along through
the fort to the most dangerous portion of the works, they
passed near General Whiting, the officer in command. Turn-
ing to an officer near him, and taking off his hat, he said:
“These are North Carolina’s pets.” Quick as a flash a little
rascal sang out: ‘“She’s got a d—d bad way of showing it!”

The attack was repulsed, and Butler was driven back,
beaten and disheartened to the shelter of his ships.

But a change of Federal commanders followed, and Gen-
eral Terry, with reinforcements of vessels and soldiers, re-
turned to the attack 14 January, 1865, upon the doomed
fortress. The heroic garrison held out for a time, but at last,
overpowered by the fearful bombardmment and the sheer
force of numbers, Whiting was driven from the fort to the
edge of the water, and Colonel Lamb and his troops were
compelled to surrender. A Northern historian well says:
“One does not know which to admire most the heroism of the
defence or the gallantry of the attack.”

Colonel William Lamb, the gallant commander of the fort

 
Tue Junior Reserves BRIGADE. 591

during the first attack, thus gives his estimate of the conduct
of the Reserves.

“It gives me real pleasure to bear testimony to the gallantry
of the North Carolina Junior Reserves at Fort Fisher when
Porter and Butler were repulsed. The first life sacrificed
there in defence of Carolina homes was that of an heroic boy ;
and another Junior Reserve, who volunteered for a desperate
task, was killed in performing the perilous duty. On that
Christmas day, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, when North
Carolinians won imperishable renown by repelling the most
formidable fleet that ever sailed, two out of every three that
were killed outright were Junior Reserves. No language can
more forcibly describe the bravery and heroism of these boys
than the statement of this fact.”

In these two engagements quite a number of the Junior
Reserves were killed or captured. Lieutenant Hamlin with
great courage and coolness escaped from the enemy, eluded
recapture and brought quite a number of his men safely
within our lines.

Not long after this Sherman’s torchlight procession had en-
tered North Carolina, and thenceforward no one had any oe-
casion to volunteer to leave the State to find a battle ground.
The three regiments and Millard’s Battalion of Junior Re-
serves were united at Kinston into a brigade first under Colo-
nel F. S. Armistead, then under General L. 8. Baker, and
formed one of the regular brigades of Hoke’s Division. From
this time forward they became regular troops, receiving the
same treatment and performing the same duties as the other
brigades. The brigade was commanded at Bentonville and
thence till the surrender by Colonel J. H. Nethercutt, of the
Sixty-sixth North Carolina. Lieutenant-General Hardee
was the Corps commander. Captain B. G. Smith was Bri-
gade Quartermaster. Adjutant A. T. London and Lieuten-
ant E. S. Foster, both of the First Juniors, acted as A. A. G.
and Ordnance Officer of the brigade respectively till 15
March, when Colonel Nethercutt took command and an-
nounced William Calder as A. A. G. and Eugene S. Martin

SUPPLEMENTARY GROUP. as Ordnance Officer.

1. Oliver J. Lehman, Musician, 33d Regt. 3. James R. pag te Li ag Co. D, 70th Regt. At Kinston, we had not long to wait. General Terry’s
iz ees lua Leazar, Hospital Steward, 42d ra em Grane ad tt, Co. B, 70th Regt.

(1st Junior Reserves.)
5. J. A. Beaman, Private, Cos A, 7ist Regt. (2d Junior Reserves.)

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

592 Norru Caroiina Troops, 1861~’65.

Corps was ordered to advance from New Bern to join the
main body of Sherman’s army operating from Fayetteville,
and the Confederates were between the upper and the nether
millstone. The brigade struck Terry’s advancing columns
at South West Creek, just below Kinston, and there was a
sharp conflict, in which the advantage was clearly with the
Confederates. I can well recall the mingled sensations of
elation and anxiety of the young Lieutenant who was officer
of the guard during the long night which followed, and his
bitter disappointment when the morning brought the unwel-
come news that the Federals had been reinforced during the
night, and that the columns of Sherman, advancing from Fay-
etteville, and of Scofield, from Wilmington, were threatening
our rear.

Rapidly evacuating Kinston the Confederate forces were
hurried through Goldsboro and Smithfield and at Averas-
boro checked the advancing enemy.

Three days later, just before the junction of the Union
forces from Wilmington and Fayetteville, General Johnston
gave battle at Bentonville 19-21 March. This was the most
important action fought on North Carolina soil. The scene of
action was a combination of field and thicket near the divid-
ing line between Johnston and Sampson Counties. No one
who witnessed the inspiring sight can ever forget the charge
of S. D. Lee’s Corps, early in the action. With ranks well
aligned, field and staff officers mounted, as upon parade, light
batteries filling the spaces between the brigades, grandly they
swept across the open field, driving the enemy before them.
Later in the day when it became necessary to charge the Fed-
eral divisions entrenched within the almost impenetrable
swamp, and during the two following days to hold against
their assaults the line of hastily formed breastworks, the
Junior Reserves were in the thickest of the fight, and proved
themselves no unworthy comrades of the veterans of the East-
ern and the Western armies. But when the third day closed
the masses of Sherman’s army were outflanking and had
broken through our lines to the left. Slowly and sullenly we
fell back, while Sherman went on to unite his various com-
mands at Goldsboro. While he was replenishing his stores

THe Junior Reserves BRIGADE. 593

and resting his forces there, Johnston’s army was taking a
short breathing spell in camp near Smithfield. When Sher-
man’s hundred thousand soldiers began their last advance, our
little army moved too and in the same direction. We passed
through Raleigh 12 April, 1865, just one day ahead of the
enemy, and there learned of Lee’s surrender. As we went on
by easy marches to High Point, Generals Johnston and Sher-
man entered upon their abortive negotiations for peace at
Durham. When those failed the army was finally surren-
dered 26 April, the soldiers were paroled 2 May and sent
home upon parole and the war was over.

For a quarter of a century the returned Confederate sol-
diers have kept the letter and the spirit of that parole. They
have given no undivided allegiance to their country’s flag.
They are to-day as loyal to its honor and as devoted to the
maintenance of its supremacy as they are faithful to the
memories of the past, and are ready to testify their devo-
tion not with the flowers of word tribute merely, but with the
ripened fruit of loyal deeds.

These regiments of Junior Reserves organized at a late
period of the war, for the most part upon detached duty, and
participating only for a short time in a regular campaign,
cannot vie with the older regiments in the lists of famous
battles inscribed upon their battle flags. Three regiments
and one battalion of boys, with few company officers and no
private above 18 years of age—and yet those who were with
them and of them, who saw their cheerful endurance of every
privation, their behavior in camp, their gallantry upon the
battle field, know that no braver soldiers wore the livery of

gray.
General Hoke, their attached and beloved commander, thus

writes concerning them:

“The question of the courage of the Junior Reserves was
well established by themselves in the battle below Kinston,
and at the battle of Bentonville. At Bentonville, you will

remember, they held a very important part of the battlefield
in opposition to Sherman’s old and tried soldiers, and re-

38

 
 

 

 

594 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

pulsed every charge that was made upon them with very
meagre and rapidly thrown up breast works. Their conduct
in camp, on the march and on the battlefield was everything
that could be expected of them, and I am free to say, was
equal to that of the old soldiers who had passed through four
years of war. On the retreat through Raleigh, where many
passed by their homes, scarcely one of them left their ranks
to bid farewell to their friends, though they knew not where
they were going and what dangers they would encounter.”

It would not be appropriate, even if time permitted, that
I should follow the fortunes of the individual members of the
command after the close of the war. In fact in one respect
it would involve a mortifying confession, for truth compels
me to admit that not a few of them have degenerated into
what Pope calls:

‘*Vile attorneys, now a useless race !”

The earnest and faithful Charles W. Broadfoot of Fayette-
ville; the Christian jurist who now so worthily adorns the
Supreme Court Bench, Judge Walter Clark, of Wake; the
tireless and successful barrister, occupying a position infe-
rior to no member of the profession in the State, John W.
Hinsdale, of Raleigh; the chaste and peerless advocate of the
Chowan, William D. Pruden, of Edenton; the chivalric and
zealous W. Foster French of Robeson, now alas! gone to his
last resting place; the eloquent and courtly Charles Price, of
Rowan; the scholarly and erudite Hugh F. Muray, of Wil-
son dead for some years; the successful lawyer and polished
gentleman, Adjutant Alexander T. London, of Wilmington,
now of Birmingham, Ala.; the lawyer and politician, in the
best sense of the term, Reuben McBrayer, late of Cleveland,
who died in Asheville, are names that suggest themselves. In
the world of business the names are equally numerous: Col-
onel Jno. H. Anderson (now dead), who achieved marked suc-
cess in New York; Colonel W. F. Beasley, so well and widely
known; Major N. A. Gregory, of Oxford, a high type of man-
hood, and a host beside of whom I shall only name a few:

THe Junior Reserves BRIGADE. 595

Such men as Jesse W. Grainger, of Lenoir; Prof. J. M. Ban-
dy, of Trinity College; Dr. LaFayette Foster, of Franklin;
J. J. Laughinghouse, of Pitt; J. S. Peseud, of Raleigh; L.
A. Bristol and H. W. Connelly, of Burke; J. D. Kerr, of Du-
plin; Captain O. C. Wells, of Cleveland; W. H. Overman, of
Salisbury ; Lieutenant Fetzer, of Cabarrus, are men who do
honor to the Junior Reserves in every department of human
activity.

But not to these representative officers, honorable and hon-
ored though they be, do we tender the laurel to-day. When
each recurring spring, with dew and sunshine, breathes upon
the dormant buds and wakes them into tender leaf and fra-
grant blossom, and Southern women, reviving precious memo-
ries, come to pay their never-failing tribute of love to their
dead heroes, their rarest, sweetest flowers will always adorn
the unmarked grave of the Private Soldier. These unlet-
tered lads knew and cared nought about the complex political
problems that could be solved only upon the deadly boards of
war. They only knew that North Carolina had called them
to her defence, and leaving all behind they came, “bearing all
things, believing all things, enduring all things.” They
looked for no personal glory, they shirked no duty, they were

false to no trust.
True, when the long day’s march was over, and under the

sighing pines the tired boys threw themselves supperless upon
the ground to sleep, and thoughts of home and mother came,

unbidden guests, sometimes

‘Something upon the soldier’s cheek washed off the stain of powder.”

But their moistened eyes were hidden by the kindly veil
of night, and the morning’s sun brought brightness in its
train. They were so young, so gallant, and so true. Whether
like young Denmark, with naked, bleeding feet, they were
marching into battle against Grant’s veterans in Virginia, or
fever-stricken in a wayside hospital, are “babbling o’ green
fields” or sinking into the unconscious sleep that presages
death, they kept their courage to the end. Their actions

“Smell sweet and blossom in the dust.”

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

596 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

I want no higher distinction than to be deemed worthy to
do honor to the memories of my dead comrades, when,

‘Without sword or flag, and with soundless tread,
We muster once more our deathless dead,
(ut of each lonely grave.”

“Heroes of unwritten story,” young soldiers of the Con-
federacy, worthy to take their place in history beside the
North Carolinians who bore the Southern Cross up the
deadly slopes of Malvern Hill, or those who fell fighting
within the Federal lines upon the fatal Cemetery Ridge, all
honor to the North Carolina Junior Reserves!

Fasius H. Busszz.

Ratzien, N. C.,
26 April, 1901.
 

 

 

 

CHAPLAIN SERVICE.

Rev. A. D. Betts, Chaplain, 320th
Regiment.

Rev. L. A. Bikle, Chaplain, 20th Regi-
ment.

Rev. A. A. Watson, Chaplain, 2d Regi-

ment.

Rev. A. W. Mangum, Chaplain, 6th
Regiment.

Rev. A. L. Stough, Chaplain, 37th
Regiment.

Rev. William S. Lacy, Chaplain,
47th Regiment.

Rev. R. 8S. Webb, Chaplain, 44th
Regiment.

8.

9.
10.
11.
12,
13.
14,

Rev. George Patterson, Chaplain, 3d
Regiment. (Picture in Vol. I)

Rev. W. A. Wood, Chaplain, 4th Regi-
ment, (Picture in Vol. I.)

Rey. N. B. Cobb, Chaplain, 14th Regi-
ment. (Picture in Vol. I.)
Rev. T. W. Moore, Chaplain, 23d Regi-

ment, (Picture in Vol. II.)

Rev. F. Milton Kennedy, Chaplain,
28th Regiment. (Picture in Vol. IT.)
Rev. John Paris, Chaplain, 54th Regi-

ment. (Picture in Vol. 1II.)
Rev. William Royall, Chaplain, 55th
Regiment. (Picture in Vol. III.)

THE CHAPLAIN SERVICE.

By A. D. BETTS, Cuapriain Tutrtrers REGIMENT.

Many of the people did think and still think the State had
a right to peaceably withdraw from the Union. When Presi-
dent Lincoln, in April, 1861, called on Governor Ellis for
troops to coerce the seceded States, our people felt that they
ought to unitedly resist him and his army. The men offered
themselves by thousands. Wives and mothers encouraged
their husbands and sons to go. Some fathers took their sons
with them and died for what they believed was a just cause in
the sight of God. Some preachers went as private soldiers,
others as officers and others as Chaplains. A number of
preachers freely gave sons. Those who went as Chaplains
seemed glad to endure the hardships and privations of camp
life for the sake of preaching to the brave men, caring for
them when sick or wounded and tenderly burying them when
dead.

A CHAPLAIN’ S WORK—PREACHING IN CAMP.

Generally most of his regiment could attend on Sabbath.
Often the men of other regiments were encouraged by their
officers to do so. In mild, open weather they often preached
to very large crowds morning and night. The hearers stood,
sat, knelt or lounged on the ground and generally gave devout
attention to the sermons. Often the singing was grand. But
while hearing a thousand strong male voices the heart was
sometimes made very tender by missing the voice of sister,
wife or mother. During two or three winters the troops built
chapels, where protracted meetings were held and many souls
converted. But meetings were often held in open air, night
and day, and many turned to God.

PREACHING ON THE MARCH.

When troops halted for rest an hour or two on long days,
they were glad to assemble and lie on the ground and hear

 
 

 

 

598 NortH Carortina Troops, 1861-65.

sermons. Many chaplains and visiting ministers thus had
a chance to preach to brave men a few days or a few hours be-
fore they were killed. Four North Carolina preachers were
visiting the Army of Northern Virginia when it started to
Pennsylvania in June, 1863. The others will be mentioned
later. Dr. Deems, whose oldest son subsequently fell mor-
tally wounded at Gettysburg, moved on with the army for five
days and preached several times. He then turned back to
North Carolina, not knowing that his own son and many
others to whom he had preached were so soon to be cut off.

PRAYER MEETINGS.

When not convenient to assemble the entire regiment, the
Chaplain could often hold a very profitable prayer meeting
with one company and thus bring the men closer to him as
their spiritual guide. Some companies kept up family
prayer at night everywhere.

PERSONAL PASTORAL OVERSIGHT.

An efficient Chaplain would keep an alphabetical roll of
each of the ten companies of his regiment, noting certain facts
as to each man, as, his age, post office, church, converted or un-
converted, ete. During winter the Chaplain could talk with
each Christian and write home to his church. At all seasons
he was ready to write to the homes about the sick, wounded or
dead. A Chaplain was burying some of his own men at Get-
tysburg and found and buried a man from another regiment,
and wrote the fact to his father. Years after the war, the
old father heard that minister was to pass through his part of
the State. He sent his daughter several miles to meet the
preacher and thank him for his kindness. That was a very
tender interview. He was a thousand times paid for his
trouble and 10-cent postage stamp.

A ball passed through a soldier’s chest, and the enemy was
in close, hot pursuit. His Chaplain put him on his horse.
The poor fellow could not guide the horse. No time was to
be lost. The Chaplain leaped up behind the man, held him
on the saddle and made the horse run. Every plunge of the

THE CHAPLAIN SERVICE. 599

horse made the soldier scream with pain. But he caught his
breath and said, “My poor old mother will love you.”

PROCURING BIBLES AND TESTAMENTS FOR SOLDIERS,

This was a very important part of the work of Chaplains.
They gathered up and gave to the North Carolina soldiers
many thousands of the sacred volume. The soldiers were so
glad to get them. Some of those books have a history. One
lies before me as I write, presented by some friend to “Mary
E. Davis” when she was a child. On two fly-leaves we find
these words: ‘Mrs. Mary E. Betts, Chapel Hill, N. C., will
be glad to know if this volume is a blessing to anyone. Give
her the future history of this Bible. December 9, 1863.”
‘Returned to Rev. A. D. Betts, Kenansville, N. C., November
2, 1880, by Captain J. C. McMillan, of Thirtieth North Car-
olina Regiment. Captain M. kept it from December, 1863,
reading it in camp and in prison.” It had been gone nearly
twenty-five years. The owner and giver of it had heard of
its history just before she went to heaven, 5 September, 1879.

PROCURING TRACTS AND CHURCH PAPERS.

The soldiers loved to read. The Baptist, Presbyterian,
Methodist and other church papers were read in camp with
more relish and profit than they had ever been read at home.
Little tracts often put the great truths of the Gospel before
men with saving power.

SCHOOLS FOR SOLDIERS.

Some Chaplains got their Colonels to detail men to teach
others during winter. In this way some men got able to
read their Bibles and write letters to the loved ones at home.
Faithful Chaplains were busy men. The soldiers heard far
more preaching than they would have heard at home. Many
read Bibles, tracts, and papers more than they would have
done at home. Most of them thought more about religion,
prayed more, and felt their need of God more than they would
have done at home. More of our men were saved as soldiers
than would have been saved in ease, quiet and earthly com-
fort at home.

 

 
 

 

 

600 NortH Caroiina Troops, 1861-’65.

CARE OF THE WOUNDED AND THE SICK.

Much of a Chaplain’s best work was just here. Thousands
of North Carolina soldiers will bless God forever for his good-
ness in giving them the attention of kind Chaplains.

NO PLACE FOR SECTARIANS.

Chaplains gladly arranged for men to join whatever church
each preferred. This writer took men into Baptist and Pres-
byterian churches, getting Baptist preachers to immerse can-
didates for that church.

FROM A CHAPLAINS DIARY.

June 29, 1862—Pray in camp. Visit sick camp and con-
duct service. Carry Captain Drake to R. Write Mrs.
Hood and Mrs. Tedder whose husbands had been killed on the
27th.

August 12—Feeble, but visit the sick at Division Hospital ;
13th—Visit sick at , thence to , thence to Winder
Hospital. Lieutenants Davis, Jackson and Johnson, and Pri-
vates Jackson, Jenkins, Hester, Merritt, etc., doing well.
Lieutenant Nicholson not doing very well. Lieutenant Mc-
Leod will hardly live. M. Teachy dying. Peter Stanley
out of his head, imagines himself on Lockwood’s Folly. Says
he has seen his wife and children. Teachy called me “broth-
er,” as usual, though he had recognized no one in some days.

November 6th——Cross river after night. Men wade and
walk one mile to camp. Some without shoes. Bivouae.
Water freezes by my side. Snow begins at 10 a. m. of 7th.
Bad day on bare feet.

Sunday, 9 November—Division moved to Strasburg. Cold
and windy. Barefoot men march in the snow. Bury H.
Y. Kilpatrick at night.

‘Saturday, 15 November—Walk off to study my Bible.
Wash day in our Regiment. Bank of the branch lined
some distance. Men half naked. Some washing pants and
drawers, others shirts. Some picking their clothing. Some
standing half naked, hold their wet clothing to the fire.

February 8, 1863—Preach to a large, attentive congrega-

THE CHAPLAIN SERVICE. 601

tion. Bros. Powers and Thigpen (Sixth Georgia) assist in
communion. Precious season.

Saturday, 16 May—Four converts. Sunday, 17th—Bap-
tize A. and B. May 21st—Revs. Cobb and Stradley, of
North Carolina, come to Second Regiment. May 22d—
Cobb and Stradley preach to Second and Thirtieth Regi-
ments. Several converts. Sunday, 24th—I preach twice.
Baptize J. A. N. Several converts. Bro. Cobb baptizes one
of the Thirtieth and four of the Fourteenth Regiments at 5
p.m. Monday, 25 May—Examine two candidates for the
Missionary Baptist Church. May 28—Twelve penitents
and five converts after sermon by Bro. Howard, of Sampson
County, N. C. May 31st—Bro. Howard and I preach.
Eleven converts in the past four days.

June 1st—Rev. Cobb and Stradley help me to continue.
Fifteen penitents and several converts. June 3d—Thirteen
join church. Two or three converts. Fifteen or eighteen
penitents. On the march to Pennsylvania. Several peni-
tents. Friday night Bro. Cobb examines seven, and I eight
on Saturday for our churches.

Sunday, 7 June—Division passes . Twenty-nine
penitents at evening service. Monday—Dr. D. preached for
Iverson’s Brigade, and I for Daniel’s and receive five into
our Church, Saturday, 20th—Mud! Mud!! Mud!!! Pass
through Carlisle and camp in United States barracks.

Sunday, 18th—Brother Lacy preaches to three North Car-
olina Brigades in the morning, and I in the evening. I bap-
tize five by pouring. Bro. Brooks and I baptize four each by
immersion. A letter of 4 June overtook me 27 June, telling
me of a sick child; 12 July another told me she was well.
Not to hear from home within thirty-nine days was a part of
the pain of war.

August 14—Leave Richmond and carry fifty Testaments,
fifteen Testaments and Psalms, thirteen Bibles, 100 hymn
books, ete., to my regiment, and much to others.

August 21st—Prayer meeting at sunrise. Preach at 7
o'clock. Hear Bro. L. at 11 o’clock. Preach to Second Reg-
iment at 4 p.m. Communion at night in Fourteenth Regi-
ment. Perhaps 120 men commune. I baptize two.

 
 

 

602 Nortu Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

September 4th—The Lord’s work goes on. Ten quiet,
clear conversions at night. Bless God!

September 5th—Furlough in my pocket, but feel it my
duty to remain at work.

Sunday, 6th—Preach to Gordon’s Brigade. In morning
Revs. Howard, Lowrey and I immerse nearly thirty men.

December 31st—Writing and reading till near midnight.
Write to Mary. Keep “watch night.” On my knees at mid-
night. A new year begins! Oh, may it be a good year!
May it bring Peace to my land! May it carry me and my
brother soldiers to our several homes!

January 4, 1864—Snows all day. In snow gathering
boards to cover my church.

January 11th—Get a few poles toward my chapel; 12th,
meet Chaplains at Pisgah. Get poles all cut. 13th—Haul
poles. 14th and 15th—Still on my chapel. 16th—Having
labored with my detail every day, conducted prayer meeting
every night, I feel very much wearied. Sunday, 17th—
Preach in my chapel.

January 26th—Meet Chaplains at Booker’s chapel. About
fifteen there. They report nearly twenty chapels existing in
this army.

Saturday, 7 May—Not much fighting. Spend day nurs-
ing wounded Yankees. Find son of Rev. B. H. Hedger, M.
E. Church (Detroit. Conference), Washington P. O. He is
wounded through left thigh.

June 6—Ride to Richmond and hunt up several wounded
in sundry hospitals, and greatly fatigue myself. 6th—Walk,
walk, walk. Secure Pell’s transfer. Find Burroughs dying.
Visit many wounded. Return to wagons.

Sunday, 14 August—Quiet and preaching. Powers in
morning and I in evening. Prayer meeting at night, Tues-
day, 16th—Preach to Hoke’s Brigade in the morning, and
Johnston’s in afternoon.

Thursday, 18th—Pass through Winchester. See mills,
wheat and barns burned by Federals.

Sunday, 21st—Five killed in my regiment, Pennington,
Williams, Wilkins, Newkirk and Forsythe.

September 19th—-Engage enemy fiercely near Winchester.

THE CHAPLAIN SERVICE. 603

General Rodes killed. We fell back to Strasburg. Get fifty
testaments, ete.

September 22d—Willie’s birthday. Seven years.

Back! Wednesday, 12 October, 1864. Get to Mt. Jack-
son. Find Dr. Triplett’s family in great sorrow. He a pris-
oner, Bro. H. Hardie away and his only child dead. Having
seen Rey. Hardie, of North Carolina, in the Valley some
weeks before, and knowing he had married the daughter of Dr.
Triplett at Mt. Jackson, I called to inquire about him. An
old, fleshy lady met me at the door. ‘Where is Mr. Hardie,
madam?’ “He went away with your troops three weeks ago.
He may be in North Carolina. The Federals arrested my
husband next day and carried him up the valley. They car-
ried him through here, as they went down yesterday, and did
not let him stop. Last night the only child of Mr. Hardie
died.” She then pushed open a door. The young mother
was kneeling by her dead child. Not a person in the house
but the two wives and mothers! I knelt down. God helped
me to pray. As I rose up the young mother stayed on her
knees by the dead child, but reached her hand to me and said:
“To whom am I indebted for this great kindness?” I never
gave my name more gladly. I had to hurry on with the army.
No neighbor could visit them. The streets were full of sol-
diers. Every family had to care for their own home.

November 1st—Solemn day; set apart in memory of Gen-
erals Rodes and Ramseur. I preach in morning and Carson
in afternoon. Killed and died of wounds in Ramseur’s Bri-
gade since we left winter quarters, 305. They left 105
widows and about 300 orphans.

December 31st-—Last day of 1864. Where shall we be the
last day of 1865?

January 1, 1865—Preach four times in cabins in regi-
ment. 15th—Prayer meeting nearly every night. 17th—
meet Chaplains in Tabb Street Presbyterian Church in Pe-

tersburg.
February 8th—“Peace mission” a failure. Feb 10th—

Fast and pray. :
March 5th—Walk nine miles and preach to regiment,

Friday, 10th—Fast and pray. Preach in regiment six times.

 
 

 

 

604 NortH CaroLina Troops, 1861-65.

God help our nation in this our extremity! March 12th—
Preach to my regiment. Prayer at night. March 13th—
Bro. Powers preaches in chapel at night. March 14th—
Bro. Wilson preaches. Bro. Powers and I alternate in our
chapel every day and night.

A SHORT ACCOUNT OF EACH CHAPLAIN AND HIS WORK.

“BETHEL” REGIMENT.
Rev. Edwin A. Yates, of the Methodist Church.

FIRST REGIMENT.

James H. Spainhour, Missionary Baptist, Burke County,
born 14 January, 1865, was promoted from ranks of Com-
pany B, commissioned as Chaplain 16 May, 1861, and died
at Fredericksburg, Va., of typhoid fever, 17 October, 1861.
Thus North Carolina’s first Chaplain finished his great work
in five months. No doubt many fruits of his labors have
followed him. He was a fine scholar and expected to become
a missionary to China.

James K. Howell, Missionary Baptist, Granville County,
commissioned 28 April, 1862; resigned 1 January, 1863, and
has lived to preach the Gospel in his native State ever since.
He resides at Rocky Mount, N. C.

Wm. R. Gwaltney, D. D., Missionary Baptist, born 1835,
commissioned 1 January, 1863. One of the most useful
Chaplains North Carolina soldiers ever had, and is still work-
ing for the good of the children of the dead soldiers as a faith-
ful preacher.

SECOND REGIMENT.

Alfred A. Watson, D. D., Protestant Episcopal, Craven
County, commissioned 21 June, 1861, resigned in 1862.
Preached in Wilmington many years after the war, and was
made bishop of the Diocese of East Carolina in 1874. He
still lives in Wilmington and has the spiritual oversight of
his large field. This regiment had no Chaplain during 1863
and 1864, but was greatly blessed by the presence and labors
of Revs. N. B. Cobb and J. A. Stradley. Dr. Cobb was Su-
perintendent of Army Colportage of the Missionary Baptists

Tue CHAPLAIN SERVICE. 605

of North Carolina. Brother Stradley, Missionary Baptist,
was one of the best missionaries ever sent to the army.

THIRD REGIMENT.

Maurice H. Vaughn, Protestant Episcopal, Pasquotank
County, commissioned 1 February, 1862, served eleven
months. He has since preached in Oxford, Elizabeth City
and Maryland. He is now preaching at Valley Lee, Md.

George Patterson, D. D., Protestant Episcopal, Washing-
ton County, commissioned 30 December, 1862. Was faith-
ful to the last; preached in Wilmington for years after the
war, and afterwards in Memphis, Tenn. He died recently.

FOURTH REGIMENT.

Rev. W. A. Wood, D. D., was born in Rowan County, N.
C., 28 November, 1831. He was commissioned Chaplain of
the Fourth North Carolina Regiment 11 September, 1861.
He served until July, 1864, when he was transferred to the
Eleventh North Carolina Regiment as Chaplain. He died
in Statesville, N. C., 2 August, 1900.

Robert B. Anderson, D. D., Presbyterian, Granville Coun-
ty, born 1833, commissioned October 1863, resigned 30 Au-
gust, 1864, died at Morganton, N. C., 3 December, 1889.
This good man was faithful during the few months he fol-
lowed the soldiers, and was largely useful to the end of his
life.

B. F. Long, D. D., Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
was their last Chaplain in 1864, and ended his useful life 28
February, 1895, at Warrenton, N. C.

Rey. Dr. Rumple, Presbyterian, of Salisbury, N. C., made
several visits to the army and preached many sermons to this
and other regiments. In 1861 a writer says: “There are

four ministers of the Gospel attached to this regiment. Sab-
bath before last a most solemn service was held at Garysburg.

The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was administered to the
Christian professors of the regiment. The services were con-
dueted by Rev. Captain Miller, aided by several other clergy-
men. The thought that it would probably be the last time in
which some would participate in the ordinance, and that be-

 
 

 

 

 

 

606 NortH Caroxtina Troops, 1861-65.

fore another opportunity occurred they might be on the field
of battle, affected every mind, and gave great tenderness to
the meeting.”

FIFTH REGIMENT.

Bennett Smedes, D. D., Protestant Episcopal, commis-
sioned 16 July, 1863, resigned 22 April, 1864. Has filled
for many years his father’s place at the head of St. Mary’s
School, Raleigh, N. C., and has recently died.

SIXTH REGIMENT.

A. W. Mangum, D. D., Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, Orange County, born 1834, died at Chapel Hill, N.
C., 12 May, 1890. When he resigned, 31 October, 1861, he
had preached to men who were to fall on twenty battle fields,
die in hospitals, or languish in Northern prisons. Perhaps
no regiment had greater losses than this. Three of its Colo-
nels and many, many others killed. Dr. Mangum preached
to thousands of Federal prisoners while pastor in Salisbury.
He spent many years in the pastorate and fifteen as a pro-
fessor at Chapel Hill. He is author of article on Salisbury
prison in this volume.

SEVENTH REGIMENT.

M. M. Marshall, D. D., Protestant Episcopal, Chatham
County, commissioned 1 December, 1863. Went at once
to the regiment, near Orange Court House, Va., was taken
sick from exposure and never returned to camp, but was
Chaplain of the hospital at Kittrell Springs until the surren-
der. He afterwards preached in Elizabeth City and Warren-
ton. For more than twenty years he has resided in Raleigh.

EIGHTH REGIMENT.
NINTH REGIMENT.
Rev. J. H. Robbins.
TENTH REGIMENT.
ELEVENTH REGIMENT.

Aristides S. Smith, D. D., Protestant Episcopal, Abingdon,

THE CHAPLAIN SERVICE. 607

Va., born 1809, commissioned 1 August, 1862, died at Wel-
don, N. C., 16 April, 1892.

The Rev. W. A. Wood was transferred to this regiment
from the Fourth in July, 1864.

TWELFTH REGIMENT.

J. H. Robbins, Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Ran-
dolph County, born 1829, commissioned December, 1863,
died at Clinton, N. C., 1869. This good man who spent the
last ten years of his life as a travelling preacher, perhaps did
not do better work in any year than in 1864.

THIRTEENTH REGIMENT,

H. G. Hill, D. D., Presbyterian, served as Chaplain from
April to November, 1862. His earnest ministrations during
the Virginia campaigns of 1862 have been followed by thirty-
three years of most efficient ministry of the Gospel in his na-
tive State. He is now at Floral College, N. C.

W. A. Vann, Missionary Baptist, Hertford County, born
1840, ordained 1863, commissioned January, 1864, died in
Lynchburg, Va., 1864. This young man is most lovingly
remembered by those who heard him during the four months
spent in camp.

FOURTEENTH REGIMENT.

N. B. Cobb, D. D., Missionary Baptist, Wayne County,
commissioned 31 May, 1861; resigned September, 1861.
Preached his first sermon to North Carolina soldiers at Fort
Macon the Sunday after the volunteer company took charge
of the fort. He did a great work for North Carolina troops
as agent of Colportage, and is still one of the most active and

useful mén in his church.

W. ©. Powers, Methodist Episcopal Church, South, born in
South Carolina in 1831; commissioned 22 September, 1861.
As he was at his post till the very last day, he seems to have
served longer than any other Chaplain. None were more
faithful. He has been a leading spirit in the South Carolina
Conference ever since. His bow yet abides in strength.

FIFTEENTH REGIMENT.
Cameron F. McRae, Protestant Episcopal, born in Fay-

 

 
 

 

 

 

608 NortH Caroiina Troops, 1861—’65.

etteville in 1812; commissioned 23 August, 1861; died in
1872. While his service was so short, we may be sure his
heart was still with the soldiers, for his only son, John Bur-
gwyn McRae, was a private in Company B, Thirteenth Bat-
talion North Carolina Troops.

Samuel W. Howerton, Missionary Baptist, Davidson
County; commissioned 31 July, 1862. Some paper pub-
lished the following: ‘Rev. S. W. Howerton, Chaplain of
the Fifteenth North Carolina Regiment, reports seventy hope-
ful conversions and many anxious inquirers in it. Every
company has prayers, nightly, immediately after roll call,
and nearly all attend and are respectful. The officers in
some instances conduct the exercises and lead in prayer.”
His life has been given to the ministry, and he is (or lately
was) living at Roanoke, Va.

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT.

Rev. J. F. Watson.
SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT.

Jesse H. Page, Methodist Protestant, Wake County; com-
missioned in February, 1862, and served through the war.
He served six months as a private in the “Bethel Regiment”
in 1861. He continued to be a useful minister in the Meth-
odist Protestant Church until 1881, when he joined the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, South. Still faithful and efficient,
he now lives at Aberdeen, N. C.

EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT.

Colin Shaw, born in Fayetteville in 1812; graduated at
Chapel Hill in 1836, began to preach in 1841, was appointed
to this Regiment by the State Legislature early in 1861, and
served one year. Became Chaplain of the Fifty-first Regi-
ment 1 January, 1863, and served through the war. (See

Fifty-first Regiment. )
NINETEENTH REGIMENT.
TWENTIETH REGIMENT.

James M. Sprunt, D. D., Presbyterian, Duplin County ;
born in Scotland in 1818. Came to Wilmington in 1839,

THeE CHAPLAIN SERVICE. 609

taught and preached in Duplin until 1861; commissioned
June, 1861, and served through 1862 and 1863. His friends
in the army can never forget him. He walked hundreds and
hundreds of miles. Perhaps no one ever saw him on a horse
or in an ambulance during the war. The devout, scholarly
man preached in his beloved Duplin, to the delight of the
people, till the close of his long and useful life. He died in
Kenansville 6 December, 1884.

LL. A. Bikle, D. D., Lutheran, Cabarrus County ; commis-
sioned 25 January, 1864. He was preaching in General
Lee’s army in November, 1863. He has done good service
in his church as pastor, and as instructor in her schools and
colleges. He is now living at Concord.

TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT.

J. P. Moore, Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Person
County. ‘Roster’ just gives his name and the fact of his
resignation. His service must have been very short. His
whole life was very faithful. He was born in Person County,
joined the North Carolina Conference in 1853, and died in
Halifax County in 1878.

J. J. Hines, Methodist Episcopal Church, South, spent
the last year of the war preaching to the regiments of Hoke’s
Brigade, this being one of them. We have reason to believe
that he was faithful and useful. He lives near Pollocks-

ville, N. C.

TWENTY-SECOND REGIMENT.

A. B. Cox, Alleghany County; commissioned 16 July,
1861; resigned 19 October, 1862. He is remembered as an
active, earnest Chaplain. His friend, Major Graham Daves,
knew him only in service and praises him. Others ought to
have told of his after life.

Frank H. Wood, D. D., Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, served January to December, 1564. He writes:
“About one and a half miles above Barnett’s Ford, on Rapi-
dan river, we built us a chapel of good-sized logs, with two
good chimneys to it, covered it with clap-boards, chinked and
daubed it thoroughly, making it entirely comfortable. In

39

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

610 NortH CARoLiIna Troops, 1861~-’65.

this house were conducted all the services of a regular station,
except that we did not administer the Lord’s Supper. We
had regular preaching, prayer meeting, and Sunday School,
and the Lord of hosts often was with us in much power to save
and bless. Many a time was the shout of triumph heard in
this chapel. The full results of these services will only be
revealed in the eternal world.” After the great battles of
“Wilderness” and ‘‘Spottsylvania,” he says, ‘‘many of the
faces which I looked into while encamped on the Rapidan, I
never looked into any more, and never shall until we all stand
before the judgment in that great day.” Dr. Wood has since
given himself wholly to the work of the ministry, and till re-
cently was a presiding elder in the Western North Carolina
Conference.

W. H. Moore, D. D., Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
was sent by the North Carolina Conference in December,
1864, and did the best of work till the end. He took no com-
mission from the government. His friends met all his ex-
penses. He has been pastor or presiding elder every day
since the war. He now lives in Pittsboro.

TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT.

Theophilus W. Moore, D. D., Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, Person County, served about two years. Dr. Moore
joined the North Carolina Conference in 1853, and went to
California as a missionary; returned and spent some years in
Conference (giving two to the soldiers as above stated) and
then transfered to Florida. He was succeeded by the Rev.
Mr. Berry. :

TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.

Evander MeNair, D. D., Presbyterian, Robeson County,
was chaplain about one year. A preacher of wonderful
power, he did noble work, perhaps his best just before the

seven days of fighting around Richmond in 1862.

Thomas B. Neal, Johnston, 15 October, 1864. The Ros-
ter gives this, but no one can tell who he was. Mistake, per-

haps.

TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.

THE CHAPLAIN SERVICE. 611

TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.

R. H. Marsh, D. D., Missionary Baptist, served the first
three months after the regiment was organized. This schol-
arly, consecrated man preached to many who were to be killed
or receive mortal wounds at New Bern, Malvern Hill, Get-
tysburg, Bristoe Station, ete. Two companies of his regi-
ment were from his native county, Chatham. His home is
in Oxford.

A. N. Wells, Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Gaston
County ; born 15 October, 1830; died 30 March, 1895. Was
a member of the South Carolina Conference some years be-
fore the war, and was an effective preacher from the war till
1874, when he located and spent twenty years as a useful local
preacher. He was Chaplain of this regiment for a short
while before the close of the war. He died at Mt. Holly,
N. C.

TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.

David Fairly, Presbyterian, Manchester, N. C., served
1862 to 1864. Since giving two years to the soldiers he has
given over thirty to the people of North Carolina as an earn-
est, forcible preacher.

TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.

Oscar J. Brent, Methodist Episcopal Church, South; com-
missioned 21 September, 1861; resigned July, 1862; Rock-
ingham County; joined North Carolina Conference in 1855;
died 1883 at Wadesboro, N. ©., having given twenty-eight
years to the ministry. No doubt many of the brave men to
whom he preached in 1861 and 1862 had waited over twenty
years to greet him at the “Beautiful Gate.”

F. Milton Kennedy, D. D., Methodist Episcopal Church,
South; born in South Carolina in 1834, son of a Methodist
minister; entered South Carolina Conference in 1854, mar-
ried to Miss Ledbetter, of Anson County, N. C., in 1860, got
to Regiment 9 January, 1863. He was most efficient to the
end of the war and worked for God and humanity as preacher
or editor, and died at Macon, Ga., in February, 1880. He
was succeeded as Chaplain by Rev. D. S. Henkel.

 
 

 

 

612 Nortu Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT.

Roster says: “G. W. Wilson, Chaplain, commissioned 24
June, 1862, Yancey County.” General R. B. Vance writes:
“Dear Bro.: Rev. G. W. Wilson never was, to my knowledge,
Chaplain of the Twenty-ninth North Carolina Regiment.
My first Chaplain was a Baptist minister from Cherokee
named Chastain. The second was Rev. E. C. Wexler, of
Holston Conference, a fine preacher. For a while we after-
wards had Rev. S. M. Collis, a Baptist. I left the
regiment in June, 1863, and was never with it again. So
I cannot tell who they had after 1863. The regiment went
to Mississippi while I was sick with typhoid fever and had
no knowledge of their movements.”

THIRTIETH REGIMENT.

A. D. Betts, Methodist Episcopal Church, South; com-
missioned 25 October, 1861; served through the war, gave
the rest of his life to the ministry and is now finishing his
forty-fourth year in that work at Bethel, N. C.

THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT.
THIRTY-SECOND REGIMENT.

Joseph W. Murphy, D. D., Protestant Episcopal, native
of Ireland, brought up in North Carolina; served as Chap-
lain of the Forty-third Regiment from March to August,
1862, then transferred to Thirty-second Regiment. Was
with his regiment at Gettysburg, remained there three weeks
to care for the wounded, spent two months in prison at Forts
Norfolk and MacHenry, and in the Fall of 1863 resigned and
settled in Henderson. He now resides at 927 M. St., N. W.

Washington, D. C. How he must have loved the Southern
soldiers !

W. B. Richardson, Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
commissioned December, 1863. Served only a short while,
but saw some souls converted.

John C. Tennent was the Chaplain at Appomattox.
THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT.

T. J. Eatman, Missionary Baptist, Wilson County; en-
listed in Company G, Second Regiment, 24 May, 1861. He

THe CHAPLAIN SERVICE. 613

was discharged September, 1863, to be Chaplain of the
Thirty-third Regiment. He survived the perils and toils of
war and still lives near Wilson.

THIRTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.

A. R. Bennick, South Carolina Conference Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, commissioned 13 January, 1863.
Served only a short while.

THIRTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.

THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.

Luther MacKinnon, D. D., Presbyterian, Richmond Coun-
ty. Served from Spring of 1863 till the surrender. Has
since preached at Laurinburg, Lumberton, Goldsboro, Con-
cord, N. C.; Columbia, S. C. Was Principal of Floral Col-
lege for eighteen months, president of Davidson College three
years, and now lives in Clinton, N. C., in impaired health,
but wondrously sustained by divine grace.

THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.

A. L. Stough, born 1827 on Atlantic ocean (while his par-
ents were coming from Germany); abandoned their faith,
Romanism, in 1849, married Miss Horton, of Chatham Coun-
ty, in 1862, commissioned November, 1861; resigned Octo-
ber, 1862. Continued to labor for the saving of souls and

now lives at Pineville, N. C.

THIRTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.

Julian P. Faison, Missionary Baptist, Duplin County;
commissioned February, 1862; resigned 10 November, 1862;
died at Harrell’s Store 1 July, 1890, having devoted the in-
tervening years to the blessed work of preaching.

W. S. McDiarmid, Missionary Baptist, Robeson County;
commissioned 25 July, 1862. Edited Robesoman, of Lum-
berton, for years, and was drowned in Lumber river.

THIRTY-NINTH REGIMENT.

Allen Ammons, Cherokee County ; commissioned 3 De
cember, 1861. John M. Davidson, Kingston, Ga., writes:

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

614 NorrH Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

“Rev. Ammons was Chaplain for a short time before the re-
organization.” “Rev. Mr. Tally was made Chaplain. His
health was very bad and he was able to do but little work.
He was captured, had a severe spell of fever and was finally
discharged.”

FORTIETH REGIMENT.

FORTY—FIRST REGIMENT.

S. M. Byrd, Virginia, 3 October, 1864.
FORTY-SECOND REGIMENT.

S. J. Hill, son of Rev. Jacob Hill, Iredell County; born
19 April, 1835; joined South Carolina Conference Novem-
ber, 1855. Served as Chaplain by appointment of Confed-
ence during 1864 and 1865, and died in the itinerancy 14
June, 1884, in Sumter County, S. C.

FORTY-THIRD REGIMENT.

Joseph W. Murphy, from March to August, 1862, and
then transferred to Thirty-second Regiment, which see.

Eugene W. Thompson, South Carolina Conference, Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, South, born 1832; entered the min-
istry in 1854, married Miss Lowe, of Lincoln County, N. C.,
in 1858; commissioned October, 1862. Was a devoted Chap-
lain to the end of the struggle, was transferred to North Car-
olina Conference after the war, did superior work, and died
in 1877. How precious his memory !

FORTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.

John H. Tillinghast, Protestant Episcopal, Fayetteville;
commissioned 28 March, 1862; resigned 1863. Has spent
his life in the ministry and is now at Columbia, S. C.

Richard S. Webb, North Carolina Conference, M. E,
Chureh, South, Orange County, commissioned 20 November,
1863. His indefatigable work was from Christmas, 1863,
to the surrender. He says: “At that time (25 December,
1863) the brigade was in winter quarters three miles from
Orange Court House, Va. On application of Bro. Lacy, of
the Forty-seventh Regiment, and myself, the brigade detailed

THE CHAPLAIN SERVICE. 615

fifty men, and in four days we had a log chapel ready for use.
In this we began a meeting of great interest and spiritual
power. I have seen near a hundred penitents on their knees
at a time, begging for mercy. Many of them converted. I
have no means of stating how many. When the Spring cam-
paign opened about 1 May with the battle of Wilderness, I
witnessed a number of triumphant deaths of those converted
during our meetings. My work as a minister of the Gospel
was never more satisfactory than when serving as a Chap-
lain.” This brother began his great life work in 1859, has
won many souls to Christ since he last knelt among the sol-
diers in the trenches around Petersburg, and is still one of
the most useful members of the Western North Carolina Con-
ference. He lives at Greensboro.

FORTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.

E. H. Harding, D. D., Presbyterian, Caswell County;
commissioned 24 September, 1864. Was active and earnest
for the spiritual welfare of the soldiers; has since preached
in Charlotte for many years, and now resides in Farmville,
Virginia.

FORTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.

A. D. Cohen, Missionary Baptist, born in England, 1822.
Was Chaplain of the post of New Bern till 13 March, 1862,
became Chaplain of the Forty-sixth Regiment early in 1862
and served about twelve months. From the camp near Golds-
boro he wrote: “I have more opportunity to do good than
at any other time of my pastoral life. Every tent is the habi-
tation of a family of from six to eight men, each man of
whom feels constrained to pay at least respectful attention to
the kind council and good advice of their Chaplain.” He
then had a wife and five children and now lives at Titusville,
Fla. His parents settled in Savannah, Ga., when he was a
child.

©. C. Dodson, M. E. Church, South, born in Virginia
1832, married Miss Leach, of Randolph, in 1860; commis-
sioned 31 May, 1863; resigned 31 October, 1864; died 1884.
He occupied important positions in the North Carolina Con-

 

 
616 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861~’65.

ference during the twenty years of his ministry. His works
still follow him.

FORTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.

W. S. Lacy, D. D., Presbyterian, Wake County, commis-
sioned 25 August, 1863, son of Drury Lacy, D. D. Promo-
ted from ranks of “Rockbridge Artillery.” “Deeply pious,
fully consecrated to his work, which he showed by his labors
for the benefit of his fellow men, both in the pulpit and out of
it. He conducted a Christian Association and an Educa-
tional Institute for the moral and mental improvement of
his men.” Thus writes his friend Webb, of the Forty-fourth.
The men who were in the Forty-fourth and Forty-seventh
Regiments during the last fifteen months of the war can never
forget these two young preachers and their work. Like
David and Jonathan, their hearts were knit together. God
blessed their labors. Lacy preached many years to one con-
gregation in North Carolina, and was till his recent death, a

prominent worker in the Church of his fathers, pastor of a
chureh in Norfolk, Va.

FORTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.

Frontis H. Johnston, D. D., Presbyterian, born in Con-
stantinople, Turkey, son of the missionary from Rowan
County, N.C. Was Chaplain for three months in 1862 and
now lives and preaches in Elizabeth City,-N. C.

C. Moxley, Lutheran, Mecklenburg County; resigned 9
July ,1863. Some one says he served six or eight months.
I have written to several persons for facts and can get noth-
ing further.

Calvin Plyler, M. E. Church, South, Iredell County; born
1830; entered North Carolina Conference in 1861; com-
missioned 1 September, 1863. He served till the surrender,
and now lives at Salisbury, N. C.

FORTY-NINTIL REGIMENT.

Peter Nicholson, Missionary Baptist, Mecklenburg Coun-
ty, commissioned October, 1862.

Tue CHAPLAIN SERVICE.

FIFTIETH REGIMENT.

R. S. Moran, D. D., M. E. Church, South, is said to have
preached a very little while in this regiment.

Thomas S. Haughton, Protestant Episcopal, Washington
County ; commissioned 26 January, 1862. Preached at Ply-
mouth, Williamston, etc., since the war, and died 28 Novem-

ber, 1894.

FIFTY-FIRST REGIMENT.

J. B. Alford, born in Wayne County, 1813, joined the
North Carolina Conference, M. E. Church, South, 1832,
and died in Randolph County 1883. Date of his commis-
sion is not given. He resigned 1 January, 1863. No doubt
his preaching nerved many an arm and cheered many a
heart for the two years of war and hardship that were yet
to come.

Colin Shaw, Presbyterian, commissioned 1 January, 1863.
Had served one year in the Eighteenth Regiment. A sol-
dier writes of him: “He was an ardent Confederate, a good
” He was

Chaplain, and a brave and most excellent man.
living at Magnolia, N. C., in his 83d year.

FIFTY-SECOND REGIMENT.

J. M. Cline, M. E. Church, South, commissioned 28 May,
1862, and served till near the close of the war. One friend
writes: “At the battle of Gettysburg he behaved in a most
gallant manner. On the first day, just before our line of bat-
tle became hotly engaged, he took quite a number of canteens
and filled with water, slinging them across his shoulder, he
rode into the engagement behind the line, and as a soldier
was shot down, he rode to him, dropped a canteen of water to
him, and then passed on to others in the same way.” Souls
were converted under his ministry. He reported thirty-
four at one time. Again he wrote: “On last Sabbath I ad-
ministered the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper to one hun-
dred or more communicants. God was with us, and we had
a refreshing season from the presence of the Lord. The re-
vival is still progressing.” He was in the South Carolina

 
 

 

618 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

Conference for years. Has since been transferred to Arkan-
sas and lives there.

Frank Sanford, a local Methodist preacher, of Richmond
County, was promoted from the ranks to the Chaplaincy of
the Fifty-seecond Regiment a short while before the surren-
der. He has since died.

FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT.

James H. Colton, Presbyterian, son of Simeon Colton, D.
D., commissioned 28 May, 1862. Served through the war,
preached in different States, and died in Burkesville, Ky.,
1893. “A noble, earnest man, scholarly and consecrated, he
was willing to take the humblest place so he might serve the
Master.” Was born 22 March, 1834, at Amherst, Mass.
At the time of his death, 14 February, 1893, he was presi-
dent of Alexander College, Burkesville, Ky.

FIFTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.

John Paris, D. D., Methodist Protestant, commissioned 11
July, 1862, and followed the regiment everywhere every day

till the end. This holy man was perhaps the oldest Chaplain
we had, having been born in Orange County, N. C., 1 Sep-
tember, 1809. While he walked hundreds and hundreds of
miles to preach to the soldiers, he had a wife and six children
at home that needed his presence and the labor of his hands.
What a holy sacrifice. Having been one of the most efficient
Chaplains, he continued to preach till 6 October, 1883, when
he died at Buffalo Springs, Va.

FIFTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.

William Royal, D. D., Missionary Baptist, served from
Spring of 1862 till Spring of 1863, most of the time in East-
ern North Carolina. “Of those who heard him there survive
veterans who delight to testify to the impressions made upon
their hearts by his simple and sympathetic presentations of
the great truths of the Gospel.” He was born in South Caro-
lina in 1823. He preached, before the war, in South Caro-
lina, Georgia, Florida and North Carolina. Since, in North
Carolina, Texas and Tennessee. The eldest of his five chil-

 

THE CHAPLAIN SERVICE. 619

dren was in the army. Died 3 January, 1893, in Savannah,
Georgia.
FIFTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.

FIFTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.

FIFTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.

J. W. Raby, M. E. Church, South, born Caldwell County,
N. C., 11 May, 1838; joined South Carolina Conference
1860; enlisted in Company I, Twenty-sixth Regiment, 30
November, 1861. Was captured when New Bern fell and
served in ranks till 4 May, 1864, when he was commis-
sioned as Chaplain to the Fifty-eighth Regiment, and served
as such till the surrender. Left North Carolina in 1868,
spent nine years in Kentucky, and the last eighteen in Bal-
linger, Texas, where he still resides, as farmer and preacher.

FIFTY-NINTH REGIMENT.
SIXTIETH REGIMENT.
SIXTY-FIRST REGIMENT.

William B. Jones, Missionary Baptist, Johnston County.
Commissioned 11 March, 1863.

SIXTY-SECOND REGIMENT.

Jacob Massey, M. E. Church, South, Haywood County;
born 1821, served about fourteen months, was captured 9 Sep-
tember, 1863; resigned 24 March, 1864. He moved to Ten-
nessee in 1870, and now lives at Newport, in that State. He
had a wife and seven children when he gave his time to the
soldiers.

SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT.

H. B. Pratt, Presbyterian, Orange County; commissioned
1 February, 1863; resigned 1 December, 1863. Some to
whom he preached in 1863 were killed in 1864. No doubt
he had attentive hearers, for he had forty “Macs” in one com-
pany. Since the war he has been a missionary in the United
States of Colombia, in Brazil, in Mexico and in Cuba.

 
x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nort Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

SIXTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.
W. D. Waugh.

SIXTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.
SIXTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.

SIXTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT,

E. A. Wilson, M. E. Church, South. Having spent sev-
eral years of usefulness before the war as an itinerant and as
a local preacher, he continued to preach, and entered the trav-
eling ministry of the Methodist Protestant Church.

SIXTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.

SIXTY-NINTH REGIMENT.

Hezekiah West, M. E. Church, South, Haywood County;
born 1831; commissioned 22 September, 1862; resigned 26

April, 1863, and moved to Illinois after the war.
SEVENTIETH REGIMENT.
SEVENTY-SECOND REGIMENT.
SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT.
SEVENTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
SEVENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.

SEVENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.

J. D. Buie, M. E. Church, South, Cumberland County,
son of a preacher, was pastor at the Straits in 1862. When
New Bern fell in March, Beaufort was in the possession of
the Federals. He writes: “Major A., commanding in Beau-
fort, sent thirty men to the Straits to arrest me, and sent
handcuffs to put on me. I escaped by sailing up Core Sound
and across Pamlico Sound to Hyde County. Walked to Tar-
boro, 125 miles, and went to Wilson, where I found Captain
J. J. L. making up a company of cavalry. I volunteered 27
April, 1862, and was mustered out with Johnston’s army 26
April, 1865.” He was made Chaplain in August, 1863.
Has been a useful preacher since the war, and is now at Jon-
athan, N. C. He writes: “After the battle of Burgess

THE CHAPLAIN SERVICE. 621

Mills, on 27 October, 1864, I was going over the field looking
after the dead and wounded, and I found a man, one of our
church members, sitting on the ground leaning against a tree,
with his Testament in his hand. He was dead. Died with
his open Testament and found it stained with blood.”

Of the 1,552 men in the Thirteenth Regiment, 358 were
killed or died during the war—a little over 23 per cent.
Husbands, 114. That made 114 widows. The dead fathers
left 249 orphans! North Carolina furnished over 127,000
men. ‘There is evidence that she lost 40,000. If so, taking
the loss of the Thirtieth Regiment as an average, 31 per cent.
of the dead were married, the war made 12,400 widows for
North Carolina, and something near 25,000 children father-
less !

In the Fall of 1861 a farmer who had three sons in one
regiment, shouted to their Chaplain as he passed by: “Take
care of my three boys, brother!” What fearful responsibil-
ity rested on Chaplains! They felt it. Over thirty out of
every hundred to whom they preached at the beginning were
to die before the end of the war! There have been and will
be some glad greetings between Christian soldiers and faith-
ful Chaplains in Heaven.

A. D. Bers.

Brruzt, N. C.,
9 April, 1901.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
TBE MEDICAL: CORFS.

By MAJOR P. E. HINES, Surcron anp Mepicat Drrecror or
GENERAL Hospirats.

The Medical Corps of the North Carolina Troops was or-
ganized by the appointment of Charles E. Johnson, M. De Or
Raleigh, Surgeon-General, by Governor J. W. Ellis 16 May,
1861. Dr. Johnson went on duty immediately, selecting and
recommending Surgeons and Assistant Surgeons for each
regiment as it was organized. He also provided medicines
and surgical instruments, such as could be obtained in the
State. It was decided at first to appoint a Surgeon and two
Assistant Surgeons for each regiment. Soon after the regi-
ments were sent into the Confederate service, the President
and Secretary of War objected to having more than one as-
sistant surgeon for each regiment. The Secretary of War
claimed the right to appoint the medical officers of the regi-
ments, as early as the beginning of June. But Governor
Ellis claimed and exercised the right to appoint them. Dr.
Johnson did everything that could be done to give the troops
the best supply of medicines and instruments to be had in
this and the other States. Later on surgical instruments

MEDICAL STAFF. were manufactured in this State and Virginia.
. Chas. E. Johnson, M. D., Surgeon-General. The druggists of the State did all in their power to help
: Poter lB: Hings, MLD. Surgeon, Bethel Regiment and Medical Director of General furnish the troops with medicine and some of them sold al-
ee re most their whole supply to the State.

As soon as possible a General Hospital for the troops was
established in Raleigh, with Surgeon E. Burke Haywood in
charge. Dr. Johnson established and equipped the First
North Carolina Hospital in Petersburg, Va., in the Fall of
this year, which was opened for patients in October, 1861.
Surgeon P. E. Hines was placed in charge, having been
transferred from the “Bethel” Regiment, and Drs. F. M.
Henderson and H. L. Hines appointed Assistant Surgeons.

Early in 1862, Dr. Johnson organized and opened the

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

624 Norta Caroiina Troops, 1861-’65.

Second North Carolina Hospital in Petersburg with Surgeon
W. C. Warren in charge, and Drs. W. H. Hall and W. A.
Norcom Assistant Surgeons. These hospitals were furnished
with the best of everything that could be obtained and were
for the North Carolina troops. Each hospital could ae-
commodate about two hundred and fifty patients.

When the first hospital was opened, three ladies who, with
others, had volunteered their services, were selected as head
nurses. These ladies were Mrs. Kennedy, of Wilmington;
Miss M. L. Pettigrew, of Raleigh, and Mrs. Beasley, of Ply-
mouth.

Dr. Johnson also established a hospital in Richmond with
Surgeon O. F. Manson in charge, in the Spring of 1862. This
was a hospital, home and supply store, for the troops.

Wayside Hospitals for the reception and care of the sick
and wounded soldiers, on their way home and return to the
army were established in the summer of 1862 at Weldon,
Goldsboro, Tarboro, Raleigh, Salisbury and Charlotte. These
were continued until replaced by General Hospitals in Sep-
tember, 1862, when all of the North Carolina Hospitals in
Virginia and North Carolina, by an agreement between Gov-
ernor Olark and the Secretary of War, were turned over to
the Confederate States, with all the furniture and equipment
of every kind.

Having turned over all the Hospitals and hospital supplies
to the Confederate States, Surgeon-General Johnson resigned
13 September, 1862. While Surgeon-General, Dr. Johnson
with a corps of assistants, visited every battle field in Virginia,
taking with him medicines and supplies of every kind for the
sick and wounded soldiers. He was devoted to the care, the
relief and welfare of the soldiers during his term of office.
He had made the best arrangements in hospitals and out of
them for the care and treatment of the soldiers, better than
had been done by any other State. He resigned because in
his judgment there was nothing more for him to do.

Soon after the inauguration of Governor Vance, Septem-
ber, 1862, he appointed Surgeon Edward Warren Surgeon-
General, and he served until the end of the war, in April,
1865, at the suggestion of Adjutant-General J. G. Martin.

THE Mepicat Corps. 625

Governor Vance in behalf of the State, to obtain medical
and surgical supplies, and clothes, shoes and food for the sol-
diers and such tools and articles as were absolutely needed by
the people, inaugurated a system of running the blockade be-
tween Wilmington and Bermuda. By this arrangement he
was enabled to get the supplies needed for the soldiers and
keep them better clothed and supplied than the soldiers of any
other State; also articles necessary for the cotton and woolen
manufactories to keep them running and hand ecards for the
good women, to enable them to continue their good work of
spinning and weaving cloth for their own families and some
for the soldiers. This was a very great blessing to the sol-
diers, as well as to the citizens of the State.

The Confederate Government had established General Hos-
pitals, one at Wilson, one at Goldsboro and two at Wilming-
ton during the Spring and Summer of 1862. During the Win-
ter of 1862 and 1863 the Confederate Congress passed a law
authorizing the establishment of General Hospital Districts
in each State; each State being a district, and the appoint-
ment of a Medical Director of General Hospitals in each
State.

Surgeon Covey was appointed Medical Director of the hos-
pitals in North Carolina in the Spring of 1863, and had
charge of them until September of the same year, when he
was relieved by Surgeon P. E. Hines, by order of the Sec-
retary of War. When Dr. Covey was relieved, he did not
leave even a memorandum of anything concerning the hospi-
tals, not even the names or where located, or their number.

Surgeon Hines soon ascertained that there were two Gen-
eral Hospitals in Raleigh, Surgeons E. Burke Haywood and
Thomas H. Hill being the Surgeons in charge; one at Wil-
son, Surgeon 8. S. Satchwell in charge; and one at Goldsboro,
Surgeon John F. Hill in charge; two at Wilmington, Sur
geons T. R. Micks and J. C. Walker in charge; a Wayside
Hospital at Weldon, one at Goldsboro, one at Tarboro, Sur-
geon J. W. Jones in charge; one at Salisbury, with Dr. M.
Whitehead in charge, and a hospital in the prison there with
Surgeon J. W. Hall in charge. It was thought that a Gen-
eral Hospital was also being built there, which proved to be

40

 
626 NortH Carouina Troops, 1861-65.

a mistake, although orders were given for its erection and a
Surgeon assigned to superintend the building of it.

This hospital was erected in the Winter and Spring of
1864-’65, with Surgeon J. W. Hall in charge. A General
Hospital was also erected in Charlotte and Surgeon Robert
Gibbon appointed to take charge, and a General Hospital at
Fayetteville, Surgeon B. F. Fessenden in charge. All of
these hospitals continued in operation to the end of the war
except the Wayside Hospital at Goldsboro, which was discon-
tinued in 1864.

In 1864 a large hospital was completed at Raleigh to ac-
eommodate two hundred and fifty patients, and Surgeon E.
Burke Haywood was placed in charge, being transferred from
the Fair Grounds Hospital, and was succeeded by Surgeon
J. W. Tracy.

In 1864 Surgeon T. H. Hill was relieved and Surgeon H.
G. Leigh succeeded him, and Surgeon John F. Hill at Golds-
boro, who relieved Surgeon W. A. Holt.

These Surgeons remained in charge of their respective hos-
pitals to the end of the war; doing good service to the Con-
federacy, in the good care and kind treatment of the sick and
wounded soldiers, doing everything possible to relieve and
restore them to health.

The Surgeon-General S. P. Moore, of the Confederate
States Army, was always kind and liberal to all the hospitals
in North Carolina. With the rations and money furnished
the Surgeons in charge of hospitals and the assistance of the
people of this State and of Governor Vance, every comfort
and convenience, the best diet and medicines were furnished
the sick and wounded that could be obtained. The Hospitals
were kept clean and nice always, with the best bedding to
be had.

The Hospitals were so well conducted, so orderly, neat and
nice and the patients so well and kindly treated, that a de-
cided impression was made on Surgeon Chopin, the Medical
Inspector on General Beauregard’s staff, during his inspec-
tion of them in the Spring of 1865. In his last report, made
to the Surgeon-General, he said they were the best Hospitals
and better conducted than in any other Hospital District in

THe MepicaL Corps. 627

the Confederate States, and that he had inspected them all.

He was so pleased with the Surgeons and Hospitals that he
called upon the Medical Director in April, 1865, in Raleigh
who had never met him before and told him what he had oi
ported to the Surgeon-General about the Hospitals, and said
that he thought it but just and due that the Medical Director
and the Surgeons in charge should be informed as to what he
had reported to the Surgeon-General. It was a pleasure to
us to learn that our work and management should win
great praise from such a competent officer, who did not know
before his inspections even one of the Surgeons on duty.

The Surgeons in charge of Hospitals in this State at the
close of the war were: Surgeons E. Burke Haywood, who
had been in charge of the Gencral Hospital of the State at
Raleigh, then at the Fair Grounds, when it was turned over
to the Confederacy. In 1864 a new Hospital was com-
pleted according to the plans of the Surgeon-General and
named Pettigrew Hospital, Surgeon Haywood was placed in
charge of this Hospital and remained there until the end of
the war, having been in charge of a General Hospital during
the four years of war. Surgeon J. W. Tracey was in charge of
the Fair Grounds Hospital ; Surgeon H. G. Leigh, in charge
of Peace General Hospital; Surgeon S. 8. Satchwell, in
charge of the Hospital at Wilson, which was established ca: the
Spring of 1862, and continued in charge up to April, 1865;
Surgeon W. A. Holt in charge of the Hospital at Goldsboro
having taken charge of it in the Summer of 1864, and .
mained in charge; Surgeons T. R. Micks and J. C. Walker
were in charge of the Hospitals at Wilmington ; Surgeon B. F.
Fessenden, in charge of the Hospital at F ayetteville in 1868,
and remained there; Surgeon J. W. Jones was in charge of
the Hospital at Tarboro in 1863, and remained there; Dr. M.
Whitehead was in charge of the Wayside Hospital at Salis-
bury from 1863 to the end; Surgeon J. W. Hall was in charge
of the General Hospital at Salisbury which was erected under
his supervision. Surgeon R. Gibbon was in charge of the
Hospital at Charlotte, and Surgeon J. G. Broadnax in charge

of the General Hospital at Wake Forest, which was estab-
lished in 1864.

 
 

628 NortuH CaroLina Troops, 1861-65.

The Surgeons and Assistant Surgeons of North Carolina in
the field and in hospitals in other States did excellent service,
wherever they were on duty and were competent for their
positions and served as faithfully and bravely as the soldiers
behind the guns, which is the highest praise that can be be-
stowed; since every one knows of the bravery and fighting
qualities of the North Carolina troops; for whenever General
Lee made a desperate assault upon the enemy’s line or fortifi-
cations and other troops failed to carry the stronghold, he
called on the North Carolina troops to make the charge and
they never failed, him.

I have written the above from memory alone, more than
thirty-six years after the close of the war, and did not have a
single memorandum or report of any kind to refer to.

At this late date, it is impossible to remember everything
and this is the reason why the names of all the assistant sur-
geons on duty in the hospitals are not recorded here.

I have appended from Moore’s Roster of the North Caro-
lina Troops the names of the Surgeons and Assistant Sur-
geons on duty with the regiments, the report of the appoint-
ment of many of them and the date when commissioned and
have made several additions and corrections from the Regi-
mental Histories in these volumes. This is all that could be
done, for there was no possibility of communicating with
them because very many, if not most all of them, “have
crossed over the river and are resting in the shade of the
trees.”

Prrer KE. Hinzs.

Rateiau, N. C.,
13 December, 1862.

LIST OF SURGEONS.

Charles E. Johnson, Surgeon-General, with rank of Colo-
nel North Carolina Troops, commissioned 16 May, 1861;
Wake County; resigned 13 September, 1862.

Edward Warren, Surgeon-General, with rank of Colonel
North Carolina Troops, commissioned 13 September, 1862 ;
Chowan County.

Tuer Mepicat Corps. 629

Peter E. Hines, Surgeon and Medical Director of General
Hospitals in North Carolina, commissioned 16 May, 1861,
Craven County ; promoted from Surgeon of Bethel Regiment.

E. Burke Haywood, Surgeon, commissioned 16 May, 1861,
Wake County ; General Hospital at Raleigh.

S. 8. Satchwell, Surgeon, commissioned 8 October, 1861,
New Hanover County ; Hospital at Wilson.

Thomas R. Micks, Surgeon, commissioned 15 March,
1862, Washington County. Hospital at Fayetteville.

Benjamin F. Fessenden, Surgeon, commissioned 24 March,
1862, Washington County. Hospital at Wilmington.

William C. Warren, Surgeon, commissioned 1 April, 1862,
Chowan County, N. C. Hospital at Petersburg.

Wm. T. Sutton, Surgeon, commissioned 19 May, 1862,
Bertie County; Howard Grove Hospital at Richmond, Va.,
in 1863; Early’s Corps in 1864-65.

Otis F. Manson, Surgeon, commissioned in 1861. Craven
Hospital, in Richmond.

James F. McRee, Surgeon, commissioned 16 May, 1861;
New Hanover County.

W. M. Brown, Surgeon, commissioned 16 May, 1861; New
Hanover County.

J. W. Hall, Surgeon, commissioned 13 December, 1862 ;
New Hanover County.

J. G. Broadnax, Surgeon, commissioned 17 April, 1862;
Rockingham County.

Wm. A. Holt, Surgeon, commissioned 1 August, 1862;
Alamance County.

Eugene Grissom, Surgeon, commissioned 12 February,
1863, Granville County; promoted from Captain of Com-
pany D, Thirteenth Regiment; wounded 25 June, 1862,
near Richmond.

Daniel F. Summey, Surgeon, commissioned 26 February,
1863 ; Buncombe County.
Winfield S. Copeland, Surgeon, commissioned 3 June,
‘aa Northampton County ; Camp of Instruction at Garys-
urg.

Wm. Strudwick, Surgeon, commissioned 4 June, 1861,
Orange County; Fort Macon.

 
630 North Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

Thos. J. Boykin, Surgeon, commissioned 2 August, 1861,
Sampson County; Medical Purveyor at Wilmington in 1863
and 1864.

Henry I. Macon, Surgeon, commissioned 1 February,
1862; Halifax County.

James A. Rogers, Assistant Surgeon, commissioned 3
June, 1861, Northampton County; elected Captain in Fifty-
fourth Regiment ; promoted Major and killed in 1864.

John P. Leach, Assistant Surgeon, commissioned 9 June,
1861.

Wm. S. Moody, Assistant Surgeon, commissioned 3 June,
1861; Northampton County.

A. §. Ashe, Assistant Surgeon, commissioned in 1862;
New Hanover County.

William Little, Assistant Surgeon, commissioned 23 May,
1861; Wake County.

Waightstill Collett, Assistant Surgeon, commissioned 31
August, 1861.

Joshua C. Walker, Assistant Surgeon, commissioned 2
September, 1861; New Hanover County.

Francis M. Henderson, Assistant Surgeon, commissioned
3 October, 1861.

Harvey L. Hines, Assistant Surgeon, commissioned 3 Oc-
tober, 1861.

James M. Abernathy, Assistant Surgeon, commissioned 26
February, 1862.

J. W. Jones, Assistant Surgeon, commissioned 29 March,
1862.

W. A. B. Noreom, Assistant Surgeon, commissioned 16
April, 1862, Chowan County; with Third Battalion and Pe
tersburg Hospital.

Wm. H. Hall, Assistant Surgeon, commissioned 18 April,
1862; New Hanover County.

W. A. Duggan, Assistant Surgeon, commissioned 23 June,
1862.

L. W. Robinson, Assistant Surgeon, commissioned 25

June, 1862. .

Adam Empie Wright, Assistant Surgeon, commissioned 20
July, 1862; New Hanover County. Wilmington Hospital.

THE MEDICAL Corps. 631

Francis Gillam, Assistant Surgeon, commissioned 1 Au-
gust, 1862; Bertie County.

Wm. C. Roberts, Assistant Surgeon, commissioned 1 De-
cember 1862.

John L. Neagle, Assistant Surgeon, commissioned 22 Jan-
uary, 1863.

John W. Bennett, Assistant Surgeon, commissioned 22
January, 1863.

Thomas C. Pugh, Assistant Surgeon, commissioned 5
June, 1862; Martin County.

BETHEL REGIMENT.

Peter E. Hines, Surgeon; commissioned 16 May, 1861;
Craven County; promoted Medical Director of General Hos-
pitals of North Carolina. Joseph H. Baker, Assistant Sur-
geon; commissioned 16 May, 1861; Edgecombe County.
John G. Hardy, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 16 May,
1861; Buncombe County.

FIRST REGIMENT.

H. I. Macon, Surgeon, Halifax County; commissioned 1
February, 1862; transferred and resigned February, 1862.
Charles J. Gee, Surgeon, Halifax County; commissioned 16
May, 1861; resigned December, 1861. Nathaniel M.
Seales, Assistant Surgeon, Wilkes County ; commissioned 16
May, 1861; resigned August, 1862. Lucius C. Coke, As-
sistant Surgeon, Washington County ; commissioned 12 June,
1862; promoted from Second Lieutenant of Company G.

SECOND REGIMENT.

James B. Hughes, Surgeon, commissioned 16 May, 1861;
Craven County. W. H. Courts and Geo. W. Carrington,
Surgeons. George L. Kirby, Assistant Surgeon; commis-
sioned 27 June, 1861; Sampson County; promoted Surgeon
3 March, 1863. L. A. Stith, Assistant Surgeon, Wilson
County; W. H. H. Cobb, Assistant Surgeon, commissioned
6 March, 1863; Wayne County. Stewart Devane, Assist-
ant Surgeon.

 
 

 

 

632 Nort Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

THIRD REGIMENT.

James F. McRee, Surgeon, New Hanover County; com-
missioned 16 May, 1861. Kenneth Black, Assistant Sur-
geon; commissioned 16 May, 1861. Joshua C. Walker,
Assistant Surgeon ; commissioned 2 September, 1861. Thos.
F’. Wood, Assistant Surgeon, New Hanover County; com-
missioned 2 September, 1863.

FOURTH REGIMENT.

J. K. King and J. F. Shaffner, Surgeons; B. S. Thomas
and J. M. Hadley, Assistant Surgeons.

FIFTIT REGIMENT.

James A. McRae, Surgeon, commissioned 16 May, 1861;
Cumberland County. —.—. Wingfield and J.. F. Pearson,
Surgeons. Jno. K. Ruffin, Assistant Surgeon; commission-
ed 16 May, 1861, Alamance County. Orren B. Savage, As-
sistant Surgeon ; commissioned 16 May, 1861; Gates County.
H. W. Williams, Assistant Surgeon.

SIXTH REGIMENT.

A. M. Nesbitt, Surgeon; commissioned 16 May, 1861;
Rowan County. P. A. Holt, Surgeon; commissioned 6 Au-
gust, 1861; Alamance County. John G. Hardy, Surgeon;
commissioned 1 March, 1863; Burke County. Julius A.
Caldwell, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 16 May, 1862;
Rowan County; resigned 18 August, 1862. OC. A. Hender-
son, Assistant Surgeon ; commissioned 16 May, 1861; Rowan
County; resigned in December, 1862. W. A. Collett, As-
sistant Surgeon; commissioned 16 August, 1861; Burke
County ; transferred to Fifty-eighth Regiment as Surgeon in
February, 1862. W. A. Bickers, Assistant Surgeon.

SEVENTH REGIMENT.

Wesley M. Campbell, Surgeon; commissioned 16 Novem-
ber, 1861; Iredell County; Wm. Ed. White, Assistant Sur-
geon; commissioned 6 November, 1861; Mecklenburg Coun-
ty. Alfred W. Wiseman, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned
— February, 1862; Davie County. J. R. Fraley, Assistant
Surgeon; commissioned 17 February, 1863.

THe MepicaL Corps. 633

EIGHTH REGIMENT.

Henry P. Ritter, Surgeon; commissioned 8 May, 1861;
Pasquotank County. A.J. Almond, Assistant Surgeon. J.
J. Baxter, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 8 May, 1861;
Currituck County.

NINTH REGIMENT (FIRST CAVALRY.)

William L. Hilliard, Surgeon; commissioned 16 July,
1861. H. H. Hunter and William A. Blount. Charles J.
O’Hagan, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 16 July, 1861;

Pitt County; promoted to Surgeon Thirty-fifth Regiment.
W. Jones and —. —. Rolfe.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT.

John Wilson, Jr., Surgeon ; commissioned 25 March, 1862;
Caswell County. James P. McCombs, Assistant Surgeon;
commissioned 5 April, 1862; Mecklenburg County.

TWELFTH REGIMENT.

James Johnson, Surgeon; commissioned May, 1861;
Northampton County. James K. Hall, Surgeon; commis-
sioned 29 July, 1861. R. S. F. Peete, Surgeon; commis-
sioned 23 May, 1862; Warren County. Jno. W. Lawson,
Surgeon. R. W. Young, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned
May, 1861; Granville County. S. W. Alston, Assistant
Surgeon ; commissioned May, 1861; Warren County. Ben-
jamin A. Cheek, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 1 J uly,
1861. P. A. Holt, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 1 Au-
gust, 1861. W. V. Marston and George A. Penny.

THIRTEENTH REGIMENT.

D. A. Montgomery, Surgeon ; commissioned 16 May, 1861;
Alamance County; resigned 21 November, 1861. John
Henry McAden, Surgeon; commissioned December, 1861;
Caswell County. W. G. Stephens, Assistant Surgeon, Caswell
County; promoted Surgeon 16 February, 1863. J. H. Mc-
Aden, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 16 May, 1861; pro-
moted Surgeon.

 

 
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NortH Caronina Troops, 1861-’65.

FOURTEENTH REGIMENT.

John William Hutchings, Surgeon; commissioned 10
June, 1861; Hertford County; resigned 25 June, 1862, and
reappointed Surgeon of Fifty-ninth Regiment. J. W. Tra-
cey, Surgeon; commissioned 25 June, 1862; Cleveland
County; promoted from Assistant Surgeon. J. W. Tracey,
Assistant Surgeon ; commissioned 8 August, 1861; Cleveland
County ; promoted 28 June, 1862. R. T. Wingfield, Assist-
ant Surgeon; commissioned 10 June, 1861; Bertie County ;
promoted Inspector of Hospitals in Army of Northern Vir-

ginia. John E. Logan, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 16
November, 1861; Guilford County.

FIFTEENTH REGIMENT.

Benjamin T. Green, Surgeon ; commissioned 1 June, 1861;
Franklin County; promoted from First Lieutenant of Com-
pany E; resigned September, 1861. Samuel W. Langdon,
Surgeon ; commissioned 20 September, 1861; New Hanover
County. Walter B. Mott, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned
1 June, 1861; Iredell County; resigned July, 1862. Wil-
liam V. Bonner, Assistant Surgeon, commissioned 31 July,
1862 ; Iredell County ; promoted from ranks of Company I;
resigned 13 September, 1863, and Donald Williams.

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT.

Columbus Mills, Surgeon; commissioned 17 June, 1861;
Polk County. W. W. Keith, Surgeon. W. D. Whitted, As-
sistant Surgeon; commissioned 17 June, 1861; Henderson
County. J. L. Rucker, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned
26 April, 1862; Rutherford County; resigned 1 July, 1862.
R. R. Murphy, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 4 August,
1862; Polk County.

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT.

Wyatt M. Brown, Surgeon; commissioned 13 August,
1861. Lancaster K. Sannders, Surgeon; commissioned in
1862; promoted from Assistant Surgeon. James Y. Arm-
strong, Assistant Surgeon.

Tue Mepicat Corps. 635

EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT.

James A. Miller and Thos. B. Lane, Surgeons; Charles
Lesesne and Simpson Russ, Assistant Surgeons.

NINETEENTH REGIMENT— (SECOND CAVALRY).

—.—. Smith and W. H. Upshur, Surgeons; R. H. Shields
and I. Anson, Assistant Surgeons.

TWENTIETH REGIMENT.

James A. Bizzell, Surgeon; commissioned 18 June, 1861.
Wm. B. Meares, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 18 June,
1861; New Hanover County. J. D. Purcell, of Sampson
County.

TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT.

Thomas Keen, Surgeon, Rockingham County; resigned.
George A. Foote, Surgeon, Warren County; resigned. W.
T. Sutton, Surgeon. J. E. Douthit, Assistant Surgeon;
resigned, Jacob Thompson, Assistant Surgeon; resigned.

TWENTY-SECOND REGIMENT.

J. K. Hall, Surgeon; commissioned 14 July, 1861; Da-
vidson County ; resigned 19 October, 1862. P. G. Robinson,
Surgeon. B. A. Cheek, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned

24 July, 1861; Warren County.

TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT.

Robert I. Hicks, Surgeon, Granville County. Assistant
Surgeons, T. C. Caldwell, of Mecklenburg, and —. —. Jor-
dan, of Caswell (killed at South Mountain).

TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.

Bedford Brown, Surgeon, Person County; resigned. Wil-
liam R. Wilson, Assistant Surgeon, Granville County; pro-
moted. Charles Duffy, Assistant Surgeon, Onslow County.
Clarence A. Fripp, Assistant Surgeon.

TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.

Surgeons, S. S. Satchwell and F. N. Luckey; Assistant
Surgeons, G. W. Fletcher and B. S. Watkins.

 
 

 

636 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

“TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.

Llewellyn P. Warren and Thomas J. Boykin, Surgeons, of

Sampson; Assistant Surgeons, Daniel M. Shaw, Geo. ©. Un-
derwood, J. Berry and W. D. McLean.

TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
E. Lloyd Howard, Surgeon.

TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.

Robert Gibbon, Surgeon; commissioned 21 September,
1861; Mecklenburg County. W. W. Gaither, F. N. Luckey,
Assistant Surgeons; commissioned 21 September, 1861;
Rowan County; promoted in February, 1863, and trans-
ferred to Twenty-fifth Regiment. F. Cox, Assistant Sur-
geon; commissioned 21 September, 1861. R. G. Barham,
T. B. Lane, and M. L. Mayo, Assistant Surgeons.

TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT.

John Yancey, Surgeon; commissioned 4 October, 1861;
Buncombe County ; resigned May, 1862. William Love, As-
sistant Surgeon; commissioned 5 October, 1861; Haywood
County; resigned in May, 1862.

THIRTIETH REGIMENT.

Henry Joyner, Surgeon; commissioned 1861; Halifax
County; resigned in 1862. Francis M. Garrett, Surgeon;
commissioned 25 August, 1862; Halifax County; resigned
in 1863. G. W. Briggs, Surgeon. Charles Gregory, As-
sistant Surgeon; commissioned 16 November, 1861; Edge-
combe County ; resigned 31 December, 1863.

THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT.

Peter Custis, Surgeon; commissioned 15 October, 1861;
Craven County; transferred to hospital in Wilmington 10
April, 1862. Wm. H. Battle, Surgeon; commissioned 1 Oc-
tober, 1862; Orange County ; transferred to hospital in Wil-
mington. Wm. J. Busbee, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned
11 October, 1861; Wake County; resigned 19 September,
1862. Wm. E. Pool, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 23
May, 1863; Hertford County; promoted from tee f

THE MepicaL Corps. 637

R. Hughes, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 10 September,
1862.

THIRTY-SECOND REGIMENT.

H. F. Butt, Surgeon; commissioned 1861; Pasquotank
County. J. B. Strachan, Surgeon. B. H. Parker, Assist-
ant Surgeon ; commissioned 27 June, 1863 ; Camden County ;
promoted from Adjutant. A. V. Budd, Assistant Surgeon;
commissioned July, 1863; Chatham County.

THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT.

Richard B. Baker, J. F. Shaffner and Edward G. Higgin-
botham, Surgeons. John A. Vigal, Assistant Surgeon.

THIRTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.

John F. Miller, Surgeon. B. B. Williams; Assistant Sur-
geon; commissioned 15 May, 1864.

THIRTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.

James R. Ellis, Surgeon; commissioned 1 December,
1861; Catawba County ; promoted from Captain of Company
A. Charles J. O’Hagan, Surgeon; commissioned 17 June,
1862; Pitt County. Cader G. Cox, Assistant Surgeon.

THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT (SECOND ARTILLERY. )

Spiers Singleton, Surgeon. Powhatan Bledsoe, Assistant
Surgeon.

THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.

James Hickerson, Surgeon; commissioned 20 November,
1861; Wilkes County; resigned 3 January, 1863. J. W.
Tracy, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 20 November,
1861; Cleveland County; transferred to Fourteenth Regi-
ment. J. B. Alexander, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned
— ———-; Mecklenburg County; promoted and resigned
24 May, 1863. D. McL. Graham, Assistant Surgeon; com-
missioned 24 March, 1863; Cumberland County.

THIRTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.

Peter W. Young, Surgeon; commissioned 15 February,

SS iccrawee as nase eda naorsorinens greener tna r oe

 
 

 

 

 

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638 Norta Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

1862; Granville County. Jas. S. DeVane, Assistant Sur-
geon ; commissioned 15 February, 1862; Duplin County; re

signed 17 July, 1862. James H. Harden, Assistant Sur-
geon; commissioned 4 February, 1863; Sampson County.

THIRTY-NINTH REGIMENT.

Alfred A. Hatcher, Surgeon. Lewis Stevens, Assistant
Surgeon.

FORTIETH REGIMENT (THIRD ARTILLERY. )

Thomas Hill, Surgeon; commissioned 10 June, 1862;
Brunswick County. Chas. A. Mitchell, Assistant Surgeon;
commissioned 10 June, 1862; Orange County; transferred.

FORTY-FIRST REGIMENT (THIRD CAVALRY.)

Benjamin M. Walker, Surgeon ; commissioned 1 February,
1863; Washington County. Benj. W. Sparks, Assistant
Surgeon.

FORTY-SECOND REGIMENT.

W. C. Brown, Davie County, Surgeon. Joseph W. Wise-
man, Assistant Surgeon, Davie County. Wm. McCorkle,
Assistant Surgeon. ;

FORTY-THIRD REGIMENT.

Bedford Brown, Jr., Surgeon; commissioned 24 March,
1862; Caswell County; promoted Medical Director on Gen-
eral Smith’s Staff 14 December, 1862. W. T. Brewer, Sur-
geon; commissioned 2 February, 1863; Wilson County ; pro-
moted from Assistant Surgeon. W. T. Brewer, Assistant
Surgeon; commissioned 15 April, 1862; Wilson County ;
promoted from Second Lieutenant of Company ©. Joel
Battle Lewis, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 2 February,
1863 ; Edgecombe County ; promoted from ranks of Fifteenth
Regiment ; resigned January, 1865.

FORTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.

Wm. T. Sutton, Surgeon; commissioned 28 March, 1862;
Bertie County ; transferred to hospital September, 1862. J.
A. Bynum, Surgeon; commissioned August, 1863; Pitt
County; promoted from Assistant Surgeon. Joseph A. By-

Tue Mepicat Corps. 639

num, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 28 March, 1862;
Pitt County; promoted. William J. Green, Assistant Sur-
geon ; commissioned July, 1863; Franklin County.

FORTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.

William J. Courts, Surgeon; commissioned in 1862;
Rockingham County; promoted from Captain of Company
H; resigned August, 1862. John R. Raine, Surgeon ; com-
missioned 16 October, 1862; Rockingham County ; promoted
from Assistant Surgeon; resigned 1 April, 1864. John R.
Raine, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 10 April, 1862;
Rockingham County; promoted from First Lieutenant in
Company G. Anthony B. Johns, Assistant Surgeon ; com-
missioned 16 October, 1862; Rockingham County ; promoted
from Captain of Company H, Thirteenth Regiment; re-
signed 22 March, 1864. B. B. Singleton, Assistant Sur-
geon; commissioned 14 April, 1862. E. A. Leggett, Assist-
ant Surgeon; commissioned 27 December, 1863.

FORTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.

Simon T. Green, Surgeon; commissioned April, 1862.
V. O. Thompson, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 15 April,
1862; Warren County; promoted from Second Lieutenant of
Company ©. —. —. Jenkins, Surgeon.

FORTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.

R. A. Patterson, Surgeon ; commissioned 8 April, 1862 ; Hal-
ifax County; resigned 18 December, 1862; succeeded by
Franklin J. White, Surgeon. J. B. Winstead, Assistant
Surgeon; commissioned 8 April, 1862; Nash County; re-
signed 5 July, 1863. Josiah O. Flower, Assistant Surgeon ;
commissioned 9 August, 1863; Franklin County.

FORTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.

W. D. Lindsey, Surgeon, Davidson County. Wm. T.
Montgomery, Surgeon. Benjamin Cheares, Assistant Sur-
geon; commissioned 17 April, 1862; Union County.

FORTY-NINTH REGIMENT.

John K. Ruffin, Surgeon; commissioned 28 May, 1862;

 
 

 

640 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

Alamance County; resigned 20 May, 1864. OC. Duffy, Jr,
Surgeon. Reginald H. Goode, Assistant Surgeon.

FIFTIETH REGIMENT.

Surgeons, Walter Duffy, of Rutherford; Francis W. Pot-
ter; commissioned 27 February, 1863; New Hanover Coun-
ty; resigned 2 August, 1864. Jno. D. Patton, Assistant
Surgeon.

FIFTY-FIRST REGIMENT.

Samuel B. Morrisey, Surgeon; commissioned 1 May,
1862; Robeson County. James W. McGee, Assistant Sur-
geon; commissioned 1 May, 1862; Duplin County.

FIFTY-SECOND REGIMENT.

James F. Foulkes, Surgeon; commissioned 28 June, 1862;
Cumberland County. W. H. Lilly, Assistant Surgeon; com-
missioned 27 June, 1862; Richmond County.

FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT.

Lauriston H. Hill, Surgeon; commissioned 10 June, 1863;
Stokes County. J. F. Long, Surgeon; commissioned 28
May, 1862; wounded in 1864. J. M. Springs, Assistant
Surgeon ; commissioned 28 May, 1862 ; Mecklenburg County.
Charles Gresham, of Virginia, Assistant Surgeon. L. H.
Hill, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 28 May, 1862.

FIFTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.

E. L. Greenlee, Surgeon. Hugh W. Tate, Assistant Sur-
geon, Burke County; commissioned 8 December, 1862.

FIFTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.

James Smith, Surgeon; Granville County. Benjamin T.
Green, Surgeon; commissioned 21 April, 1863; Franklin
County. Isaac G. Cannady, Assistant Surgeon; commis-
‘ sioned 25 May, 1862; Granville County.

FIFTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.

Surgeons, C. A. Thomas, of Warren; Chas. H. Ladd, of
South Carolina; and M. J. DeRosset, of Wilmington. Cader

Tue Mepicat Corps. 641

G. Cox, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 24 March, 1862;
Onslow County.

FIFTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.

Chas. S. Morton, Surgeon. A. H. Binion, Assistant Sur-
geon.

FIFTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.
W. A. Collett and W. H. Harris, Surgeons. O. M. Lewis,

Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 29 July, 1862. Alonzo

White, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 30 November,
1863; and T. J. Mitchell.

FIFTY-NINTH REGIMENT (FOURTH CAVALRY. )

John W. Hutchings, Surgeon; commissioned 10 J une,
1861, in Fourteenth Regiment; Hertford County; trans-
ferred to Sixty-eighth Regiment. James Mitchie, Surgeon.
Joseph W. Sessoms, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 28
September, 1862; Bertie County ; resigned in 1863. A. E.
Eves, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 1 April, 1863. E.

Barnes, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 1 June, 1862;
Wilson County.

SIXTIETH REGIMENT.

J. M. Stevens, —. —. Mackay, A. L. McKoy and Hamil-
ton Griffin, Surgeons. James L. Straight, Robert Cooper
and Lorenzo White, Assistant Surgeons.

SIXTY-FIRST REGIMENT.

Alexander Rives, Surgeon. William W. Harris, Assist-
ant Surgeon; commissioned 10 October, 1862. Julius O.
Blackney, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 9 February,

1864. Clarence A. Tripp, Assistant Surgeon ; commissioned
6 March, 1862.

SIXTY-SECOND REGIMENT.

Hugh M. Rogers, Surgeon, and G. D. 8. Allen, Assistant
Surgeon ; commissioned 24 July, 1862 ; Haywood County.

SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT (FIFTH CAVALRY.)

T. H. Means, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 8 Octo-
ber, 1862; Mecklenburg County.

41

 
 

NortH Caro.tina Troops, 1861-65.

SIXTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.
J. G. Hardy, Surgeon; commissioned 1 August, 1862.
SIXTY-FIFTH REGIMENT (SIXTH CAVALRY. )

Leonidas F. Sensabaugh, Surgeon. Thomas A. Houston,
Assistant Surgeon.

SIXTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.

J. H. Kinyoun, Surgeon; commissioned 5 June, 1862;

Yadkin County. S. Eves, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned
25 April, 1862. T.S. Fox, Assistant Surgeon.

SIXTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.

Joseph Graham, Surgeon; commissioned 18 January,
1864; Orange County. William H. Morrow, Assistant Sur-
geon; commissioned 22 January, 1863; Orange County.

SIXTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.

John W. Hutchings, Surgeon; commissioned 23 October,
1863; Hertford County; resigned 14 April, 1864. Thomas
M. Nixon, Surgeon; commissioned 7 September, 1864; Per-
quimans County. Jesse C. Shannon, Assistant Surgeon;
commissioned 10 July, 1863; Pasquotank County ; resigned
7 September, 1864. J.T. F. Cummings, Assistant Surgeon;
commissioned 7 September, 1864; Alamance County.

SIXTY-NINTH REGIMENT.

John W. Lawing, Surgeon; commissioned 30 July, 1863;
Mecklenburg County. John C. Love, Assistant Surgeon;
commissioned 19 July, 1862; Jackson County.

SEVENTIETH REGIMENT (FIRST JUNIOR RESERVES ).

G. G. Smith, Surgeon. James C. Jordan, Assistant Sur-
geon. F. R. Gregory, Assistant Surgeon.

SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT (SECOND JUNIOR RESERVES. )
J. P. Jordan, Assistant Surgeon.
SEVENTY-SECOND REGIMENT (THIRD JUNIOR RESERVES. )

E. B. Simpson, Assistant Surgeon. J. S. Robinson, As-
sistant Surgeon .

THe Mepicat Corps.

SEVENTY-THIRD REGIMENT (FouRTH RESERVES. )

J. M. Williams, Surgeon. Daniel W. Perry, Assistant
Surgeon.

SEVENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT OR SEVENTH CAVALRY (FORMERLY
SIXTEENTH BATTALION. )

W. V. Aderhold, Surgeon. A. F. Henry and —. —. Eves,

; Se :
Assistant Surgeons. W. L. Dubose, Assistant Surgeon ; com-
missioned 22 November, 1862; deserted.

SEVENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT (SIXTH RESERVES. )

J. M. Williams, Surgeon. G. H. Cox, Assistant Surgeon.
SEVENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT (EIGHTH RESERVES, )
David Berry, Assistant Surgeon.

SEVENTY-NINTH REGIMENT OR EIGHTH CAVALRY (FORMERLY
FOURTEENTH BATTALION. )

Washington Morris, Surgeon. W. H. Murdock, Assistant
Surgeon.

EIGHTIETH REGIMENT.

Benjamin Mayfield, Surgeon; commissioned 7 F ebruary,

1862. Charles H. Green, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned
18 November, 1863.

FIRST BATTALION.
George M. Hoke, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 1 Feb-
ruary, 1863; deserted. E. G. Greenlee, Assistant Surgeon.
SECOND BATTALION.

R. V. Leach, Surgeon. Samuel Young, Assistant Sur-
geon.

THIRD BATTALION (ART.)

Wm. A. B. Noreum, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 16

April, 1862; Chowan County ; transferred to North Carolina
Hospital at Petersburg, Va.

TENTH BATTALION (ART.)

Simpson Russ, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned 15

March, 1862.

 
 

NortH Carouina Troops, 1861-’65.

3
THIRTEENTH BATTALION (STARR'S ART.)

John C. Mobley, Surgeon; commissioned 4 February,
1864. G. A. Nicollaison, Assistant Surgeon; commissioned

1 November, 1863.

FIFTEENTH BATTALION (WYNNS’ CAV.)

Wn. B. Harrell, Surgeon; commissioned in 1864; Wilson
County; transferred from Army Northern Virginia. Star-

key Sharp, Surgeon.
BRIGADE SURGEONS.

Anderson-Ramseur-Cox Brigade—G. W. Briggs, G. L.
Kirby.

Branch-Lane Brigade—James A. Miller, Robert Gibbon,
Ed. G. Higginbotham, Wesley M. Campbell, George E.

Trescott.
Martin-Kirkland Brigade—Virginius Harrison.
Pender-Scales Brigade—W. A. Holt, J. H. McAden.
Ransom’s Brigade—W. R. Wilson.

‘ Norz.—Doubtless many names are omitted.—Eb.

THE MILITIA.

By JAS. M. GRIZZARD, Carrain ComPANy A, Firrrentu REGIMENT
Norta Carona Mirra.

When the war broke out, the only military organization,
outside a few volunteer companies, was the Militia which on
paper was organized as provided by Chapter 70 of the Re
vised Code, and embraced all white males between the ages
of 18 and 45 years. But, as a matter of fact, by reason of
the “canker of a long peace,” the militia organization had no
actual practical existence. The outbreak of the war, gal-
vanized it into a semi-life and it was used as an organization
for emergencies and to enforce the conscript law until the
latter act had nearly swallowed up the militia rank and file,
leaving only the officers—some 2,650 in number—who were
exempted till the end of the war, to aid in getting up con-
scripts. These, together with the justices of the peace and
other exempts from Confederate service and the men between
45 and 50, became by the act of July, 1863, the Home Guard.

Colonel John L. Cantwell, Thirtieth Regiment North Car-
olina Militia, took possession of Forts Caswell and Johnson,
below Wilmington, 10 January, 1861, and though ordered
then to give them up, he was ordered to again take possession
of the forts on 16 April the same year.

After the fall of Roanoke Island on 8 February, 1862, the
militia in the Northeastern part of the State were ordered out.
The lower Halifax Regiment, Fifteenth North Carolina Mili-
tia, to which I belonged, was commanded by Colonel David
Clark. He ordered us out 9 February, 1862, to aid in blockad-
ing the river. This.he did by felling trees and seizing and
sinking four vessels in the narrowest part of the stream at
Rainbow Bend, near Hamilton, and also at Conine Creek.
He was soon made Brigadier-General of the brigade com-
posed of the two Halifax regiments, and the Warren and

‘Northampton regiments. General Clark was an officer of

executive ability, great energy and zeal in the cause, highly

 
 

646 - Norra Caroxtina Troops, 1861-65.

educated, and one of the largest planters on the Roanoke.
He was father of the editor of this work. Lieutenant
Colonel P. M. Edmonston, a West Pointer, was his chief of
staff, and Major Edward Conigland Brigade Quartermaster.
By special order No. 65, dated 29 March, 1862, from Gen-
eral T. H. Holmes, General Clark was charged with the ex-
ciusive control of the obstruction and defences of the Roanoke
river, and placed in charge of the militia of Bertie, Martin
and Washington counties, in addition to his own brigade, and
authorized to impress wagons, teams and boats, of every de-
scription necessary for his purpose and to arrest spies and
all suspected persons. This was a reiteration of previous
orders to him of 20 February, direct from the Governor and
from General Gatlin.

Early as December, 1861, General Clark, while still Colo-
rel Clark, had been vested with the same authority by General
Martin, Adjutant-General, and had visited both Norfolk and
Raleigh to get ammunition, guns and supplies, and by 8 Jan-
uary had established a line of couriers from Plymouth under
command of Captain W. H. Smith. It was not till 9 Feb-
ruary, the day after the fall of Roanoke Island, that we were
ordered down the river.

After the fall of Roanoke Island the militia were also called
out in the counties north of Albemarle Sound, 14 Off. Ree.
Union and Confed. Armies, 402, and also about and above
Washington. Some 200 or more of the Militia north of the
Sound were under Colonel Ferebee in the action at South
Mills 19 April, 1862. 9 Off. Rec. Union and Confed.
Armies, 3278.

The battle of New Bern, 14 March, 1862, and the hard-
ships of militia service reduced largely the forces under Gen-
eral Clark (who had fallen back to Williamston) by stimu-
lating volunteering. The remainder staid to their post, how-
ever, till General Clark was relieved in the latter part of
April by Colonel Collett Leventhorpe, of the Thirty-fourth
Regiment, who, with his own regiment and the Thirty-eighth,
had been sent to reinforce us in March. Our services must
have been satisfactory, as Governor Clark wrote President
Weldon N. Edwards, of the State Convention, that General

 

Tue Mirirtra. 647

David Clark, “in charge of the defences of Roanoke river,
has been very diligent and energetic in the discharge of his
duty.”

At the battle of New Bern, 14 March, 1862, a regiment of
militia commanded by Colonel H. J. B. Clark, was placed in
the center of the line and at a point where by reason of a re-
entering angle the enemy in advancing on our right necessa-
rily passed the right of the regiment of militia and by a flank
fire enfiladed and broke it. It was due doubtless to the
military inexperience of General Branch that there should
have been such a fault in his line, but it was a want of prac-
tical judgment that his least disciplined troops should have
been thus placed at the most exposed point. The rout of the
militia was immediately followed by that of the Thirty-fifth
regiment on their left (afterwards one of the best regiments
in Lee’s army) as soon as in its turn it was subjected to the
same flank fire and the battle of New Bern was lost.

Colonel H. J. B. Clark gave a very clear account of the
share of his regiment in that engagement, which is printed 9
Off. Rec. Union and Oonfed. Armies, 267. He mentions
two of his companies, the “Athens Guards” and the “Cow
Creek Volunteers,” and says he had four killed and fifteen
wounded, out of 264 present on that part of the line, there
being sixty-five others on other duty on that day. He naively
added that “there are many missing,” which we may well
believe.

Aside from some assistance in enforcing the conscript law
and furnishing information as to those subject thereto (which
assistance the militia officers rendered to the end), the mili-
tia were of little further service. Their rank and file being de-
pleted by the conscript law, the Home Guards, whose age
limit was 50 years, took their place after 7 July, 1863.

Jas. M. Grizzarp.

Haurax, N. C.,
9 February, 1901.

Nors.—This article would probably have been more complete but for
the lamented death of Capt. Grizzard. Since the war he was a member

of the Legislature from Halifax county.

 
)

colle aimee ts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE HOME GUARD.

By THE EDITOR.

After the conscript act had been extended to embrace all
able-bodied men from 18 to 45, only the officers of the militia,
the Justices of the Peace and other State officers were left.
It was necessary to organize some force for the preservation
of order, to arrest deserters, guard bridges and to be ordered
out for emergencies. On 7 July, 1863, was ratified the act
to provide a “Guard for Home Defence,” which became
known as the Home Guards. By its terms all able-bodied
men, between the ages of 18 and 50 and exempt from Con-
federate service, were enrolled and organized, save the very
few exemptions named in the act, which were the Governor,
Judges, members of the General Assembly and Congress,
ministers of the Gospel, Registers of Deeds, Clerks of Court,
and Sheriffs. In this the militia officers served as privates
(except the commanding officer of each regiment and Bri-
gade Generals), unless also chosen officers of the Guard.
Foreigners who had been residents thirty days, were enrolled
as also were those exempt from Confederate service by rea-
son of the “fifteen negro” law, and those permanently dis-
charged therefrom by reason of disability if able to render
any service. Those who had furnished substitutes to exempt
them from Confederate service, were none the less liable to
serve in the Home Guards.

The number of men thus mobilized, after exempting those
allowed by the statute were reported 16 May, 1864, to be
25,098.

As those physically disabled or otherwise exempted
amounted to probably half, there was left for Home Guard
duty, 12,500, of whom 2,650 were militia officers, and nearly
3,000 were magistrates and other civil officers. This force
was organized into a battalion in each county, except in four
counties, which furnished only one company each, and eight
regiments where a county was large enough to furnish a reg-

 
650 NortH Carouina Troops, 1861-’65.

iment, or adjacent. counties preferred to unite in a regiment.
The battalions ranged from two companies to a county up, a
battalion of five or less was commanded by a Major, if over
that number by a Lieutenant-Colonel. The highest num-
bered battalion was 78, as some counties were in the enemy’s
lines, but with several vacant numbers where they had been
combined into regiments. The regiments were as follows:

First Regiment, Colonel W. H. Harrison, Raleigh.

Third Regiment, Colonel J. T. Hambrick, Leasburg.

Third Regiment, Colonel W. Draughan, Fayetteville.

Fourth Regiment, Colonel J. R. Cole, Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. Fau-
cett, Major A. Sumner, Greensboro.

Fifth Regiment, Colonel 8. A. Sharpe, Lieutenant-Colonel G. W.
Sharpe, Statesville.

Sixth Regiment, Colonel T. P. Siler, Franklin.

Seventh Regiment, Colonel J. G. Burr, Major H. C. Leonard, Wil-
mington.

Eighth Regiment, Colonel T. George Walton, Morganton.

Among the battalions were these:

Lieutenant-Colonel S G Worth, Forty-eighth Battalion, Asheboro.

Lieutenant-Colonel 8. D. Byrd, Seventy-second Battalion, Burnsville.

Lieutenant-Colonel A. J. Boyd, Twenty-second Battalion, Wentworth.

Lieutenant-Colonel J. A. Hampton, Sixty-eighth Battalion, Wilkesboro.

Lieutenant-Colonel R. R. [hrie, Fourth Battalion, Pittsboro.

Lieutenant-Colonel C. L. Harris, Sixty-ninth Battalion, Chimney Rock.

Lieutenant-Colonel J. Wimbish, Twenty-third Battalion, Williamsboro.

Lieutenant-Colonel Jesse Hargrove, Fourteenth Battalion, Lexington.

Lieutenant-Colonel T. H. Brem, Sixty-third Battalion, Charlotte.

Lieutenant-Colonel G. C. Moses, First Battalion, Goldsboro.

Lieutenant-Colonel N. B_ Whitfield, Twenty-ninth Battalion, Mosely
Hall.

Lieutenant-Colonel A A. McKoy, Twenty-seventh Battalion, Clinton.

Lieutenant-Colonel K. Murchison, Twenty-fourth Battalion, Lillington

Major John W. Dunham, Eighth Battalion, Wilson.

Major E. R Liles, Eighteenth Battalion, Wadesboro.

Major Clem Dowd, Fifty-ninth Battalion, Carthage.

Major W. A. Allen, Seventh Battalion, Kenansville.

Major W. F. French, Tenth Battalion. Lumberton.

Major O. H. Dockery, Twenty-sixth Battalion. Rockingham.

Major J. C. Gilmer, Twenty-first Battalion, Mt. Airy.

Major W. F. Green, Second Battalion, Franklinton.

Major A. A. Harbin, Third Battalion, Mocksville.

Major J. Masten, Sixty-fourth Battalion, Winston.

Major J. A. Bradshaw, Thirty-seventh Battalion, Salisbury.

 

THE Home Guarp. 651

The other battalions in like manner, the object being
as far as possible, to get as commanding officers men who
had seen regular service in the army.

Two brigades only were formed. One on our Northwest
border commanded by Brigadier-General J. W. McElroy, ap-
pointed by Governor Vance 26 September, 1863, with head-
quarters at Burnsville, whose duty it was to protect against
inroads from East Tennessee, and the other in the East,
commanded by Brigadier-General Collett Leventhorpe. In
February, 1865, he was made a Brigadier-General by the
Confederate Government, at the request of the Governor.
These two were the only Home Guard Brigadier-Generals.

The services of these Home Guards were arduous and al-
most continuous and their value has never been fully appre-
ciated. They preserved public order, guarded bridges and the
prisoners at Salisbury, arrested deserters and kept down the
depredations of those who in organized bands made inroads
upon defenseless neighborhoods. For weeks at a time, the
Home Guards from other counties were ordered into Wilkes,
Randolph and other counties. Two large (unprinted) volumes
are filled with the correspondence and orders of the Governor
in regard to the Home Guards, transmitted through Adjutant-
General R. C. Gatlin. He reported that in four months’
time the Home Guard had returned to the army 1,289 de-
serters and recusant conseripts, and this work was going on
nearly two years, in which time with some aid from regular
troops, over 9,000 deserters and recusant conscripts were
sent to the army.

This correspondence shows, among other orders from the
Governor, directions to turn out to resist raiders and prevent
their burning bridges, to catch deserters from Lee’s army as
they should cross Roanoke river, sending the Home Guards
into other counties as well as their own to catch deserters, to
arrest and send to Raleigh Confederate soldiers who had
treated the families of deserters badly, to restore property
taken from deserters, to take care that arms issued to Home
Guards should be guarded so as not to fall into the hands of
deserters, sending a regiment to Salisbury December, 1864,
that the Senior Reserves there might go home to sow wheat,

 
 

652 NortH Caroitina Troops, 1861-’65.

detailing 100 men to guard public stores in Greensboro, de-
clining (almost invariably) applications for exemption, ete.

The Home Guard consisted of two classes, those who were
drilled at stated periods and who were to go wherever or-
dered, and a smaller number as mail carriers, millers, public
contractors and the like, who were not required to be drilled
and who were only ordered out when their county was in-
vaded. The “detailed men” were not in the “Home Guards”
but were subject to Confederate service and were detailed as
artisans and on other special duty. They numbered over
3,100 in this State, and were organized into the Eighty-first,
Eighty-second and Eighty-third Regiments, and one Battal-
ion as already stated in this volume.

When the Conscript Act extended the Confederate limit
by taking those between 45 and 50 years into the Senior Re-
serves, it took out of the Home Guards about 6,500 men,
leaving only the 5,500 militia officers and magistrates and
other civil officers as coroners, constables and possibly 500
overseers of “fifteen negroes,” mail contractors and the like.
This so reduced the Home Guards that when ordered out the
Governor consolidated them into temporary regiments. They
were divided into first, second and third class, to serve suc-
cessive tours of duty of about thirty days each. The first
class east of Morganton were ordered to Goldsboro in Sep-
tember, 1864, and was organized into three regiments,
which numbered altogether about 1,000 men, which were at
Kinston 26 October, 1864, under command of General Col-
lett Leventhorpe. On that date Governor Vance placed them
at the disposal of General Bragg to be called to Wilmington,
if attacked.

In the latter part of November, they were sent home and
the second class were called out, who also formed three regi-
ments. A part of these later were at Wilmington under
Colonel J. G. Burr, 96 Off. Rec. Union and Confed. Armies,
1052, 1103, 1121, 1165; 99 Vol. do 1378, when Fort Fisher
was assailed on Christmas day. The Home Guards from
Morganton west were on duty to watch invasion of that sec-
tion. On 13 January, 1865, all three classes were called out.
In October Major M. L. Brittain’s Battalion of Cherokee

 

THE Home Guarp. 653

Home Guards was captured or dispersed. 89 Off. Rec.
Union and Confed. Armies, 1188.

In April, 1865, a stout resistance was made near Morgan-
ton by Colonel T. George Walton, and his Home Guards
against a raid under Stoneman.

Colonel A. M. Booe’s Home Guards were still under arms
at Lexington 14 April. General Leventhorpe was in com-
mand of the Home Guard Brigade at Greensboro on the same
date. 100 Off. Rec. Union and Confed. Armies, 800.

It seems that this last reorganization of Home Guards
consisted of three regiments of each class, a total of nine reg-
iments, as all were ordered out in the Spring of 1865. The
organization of these regiments is now lost except the fol-
lowing:

First Regiment Home Guards at Goldsboro, 19 October,
1864, Colonel O. R. Rand, of Wake.

The Second Regiment, same time and place. G. C.
Moses, of Wayne, Colonel; W. P. Lloyd, of Edgecombe,
Lieutenant-Colonel; W. A. Pearson, of Halifax, Major; D.
C. Clark, of Halifax, (ex-Captain Company D, Twenty-
fourth N. C. T.), Adjutant; Assistant Surgeon, H. Turner,
of Moore.

Company A—Pitt, Green and Lenoir—Captain Pope.
Company B—Warren and Franklin—Captain Speed.
Company C—Columbus and Sampson—Captain Autry.
Company D—Duplin and Lincoln—Captain Roberson.
Company E—Chatham and Rowan—Captain Jenkins.
Company F—Wayne and Johnston—Captain Phillips.
Company G—Halifax—Captain Ponton.

Company H—Randolph—Captain Wood.

Company I—Cabarrus and Gaston—Captain White.
Company K—Person and Caswell—Captain Patillo.

The Third Regiment also at same place and time, com-
manded by Colonel J. R. Cole.

First regiment of third class, at Raleigh, 14 March, 1865.
W. Forney Green, of Franklin, Colonel; D. C. Clark, of Hal-
ifax, Lieutenant-Colonel; Joseph Jenkins, of Nash, Major;

 
|
i
a
5
;
¢

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

654 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

W. T. Plummer, Quartermaster; Junius Ballard, Commis-
sary.

Second Regiment of third class at Raleigh, 14 March,
1865. J. Masten, of Forsythe, Colonel; C. Firmin Dowd,
of Wake, Lieutenant-Colonel; Samuel Patterson, of Orange,
Major; Joseph Hildersheimer, A. Q. M.; G. W. Wheeler,
Commissary.

Third Regiment third class at Lexington, 14 April, 1865,
Colonel A. M. Booe.

The First Regiment Home Guards of second class, Colonel
T. George Walton, Morganton.

The names of the Colonels of the other two regiments of
the second class are now lost.

With the progress of events, the Home Guards were grad-
ually disbanded or returned home. They had been efficient
factors at home, but were unable to stem the tide which had
overwhelmed the regular line.

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VKISON LIFE AT JOHNSON’S
ISLAND.

1663--’64.

Diary sy R. F. WEBB, Cotonen SrxrH Reciment, N. C. T.

After General Lee’s short campaign in October, 1863, the
army fell back south of the Rappahannock. My regiment
occupied a piece of timber about equal distance between Cul-
pepper Court House and the river nearly opposite the resi-
dence of Mr, John M. Botts, whose property, notwithstanding
that he was known to be a strong Union man, was respected
and protected by our troops. We were ordered in general
orders to built huts and make ourselves comfortable generally.
The site for a camp was a beautiful one, and we soon had a
village of log huts very comfortably made, and we congratula-
ted ourselves upon finding such pleasant winter quarters, and
the opportunity, with furloughs, of a happy time with our
wives, sweethearts and friends. Through the kindness of
His Excellency, Governor Vance, I had received a lot of
clothing, blankets and shoes, and, altogether, the regiment
was in excellent condition. Many of these articles not being
immediately needed, were sent to Richmond for storage.
Forage being very scarce in the country surrounding our
camp, owing to the large cavalry force usually quartered in
the vicinity of Brandy Station, we were compelled to send all
of our wagons some distance to procure food for our teams,
reserving only one wagon which belonged to the field and
staff, which was our only dependence in case of need or an
advance of the enemy, which we did not for a moment dream

Norr.—Colonel R. F. Webb was a lieutenant in the Mexican
war. He entered the Civil War as Captain of the Flat River Guards
from Orange county, Company B, in Sixth North Carolina regiment,
was successively promoted to Major and Lieutenant-Colonel, was Colo-
nel of the regiment when captured. He was not released from Johnson’s
Island, (near Sandusky, Ohio) till July, 1865. This narrative was writ-
ten by him while there confined.—Ep.

42

 
658 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

would take place. Our brigade consisted of three regiments.
The Sixth, commanded by myself; the Fifty-fourth, com-
manded by Colonel Murchison; and the Fifty-seventh, com-
manded by Lieutenant-Colonel Jones, and the whole under
Colonel Godwin.* On 7 November we were surprised at
‘an order to fall in immediately under arms. The wind at
the time was blowing very hard, and the weather was quite
cool. We did not for a moment dream that anything of a
serious nature confronted us, as it was not the first time we
had been called out. A hasty packing of baggage was all the
preparations we made. Most of us had clothing, but at the
time few of us had our good clothing on. I was fortunate
enough to have my overcoat on. After falling in we moved
to Rappahannock Station, a short description of which will be
necessary.

It should be more properly called Rappahannock Bridge,
as the position is where the railroad bridge crosses the river.
The bridge being destroyed, a pontoon bridge about two hun-
dred yards above where the railroad bridge crossed was
thrown over the river, and it was the only means we had of
crossing and recrossing the river. A small distance below
the bridge was adam. The river could not be forded above
or below. On the south side, to the right of the railroad, the
ground was a little broken,-the advantage of ground being on
the north to the left of the railroad. The ground suddenly
arose, thus forming a cone on which was constructed a fort,
the key to the position. Further to the left of the river was
a ridge, making a very strong defensible position. On the
north side we had formed a line of rifle pits in a circular form
capable of holding two brigades. On the right nearly oppo-
site the railroad bridge, was a battery of four guns. I forgot
to mention that there were four guns mounted in the fort.
The Louisiana Brigade, under General Hays, was doing
picket duty at the time in the rifle pits. At the command we
moved forward at double-quick time, exhausting our men
very much. As we neared the river the sound of artillery

*The other regiment of the brigade, the Twenty-first was tem-
roa in North Caroline on detached service. Its Brigadier-General,

F. Hoke, was home wounded.—Eb.

Prison Lire ar JonHnson’s ISLAND. 659

firing boomed upon our ears, and we knew that the work of
death had commenced. We were halted for a few moments
behind a cover, and the field officers were ordered to dis-
mount. The brigade was ordered to cross the river. We
pushed forward at double-quick, the enemy at the time shell-
ing the bridge fearfully. As soon as my foot touched the
bridge a man in front of me was shot through the mouth
with grape shot. No one could stop to give him attention
at the time, as our safety depended upon our getting over rap-
idly. The Louisiana brigade was occupying more than its
usual front, lengthening out in order to cover as much of the
works as possible. Our brigade was thrown in the pits, in
many instances the men becoming mixed up with other regi-
ments. This, perhaps, was the cause of our misfortune.
Colonel Godwin walked with me nearly the length of the
whole line, the enemy keeping up a furious fusillade all the
time. We found it impossible to get the men in their proper
places. The Louisiana troops would positively refuse to give
way to the North Carolina boys and vice versa with the other
boys. The rifle pits although built by the engineers, were
made to conform to the ground. They could be enfiladed
and troops could be moved to within two hundred yards of the
foe without being seen. Three regiments of the Louisiana
brigade were on the extreme right, the other troops occupying
the balance of the works, to the river. The fire from the en-
emy’s artillery was severe. They not only silenced our guns
but shelled every portion of the small space occupied by our
troops. I forgot to mention that General Hays, being the
Senior officer, was in command. General Early, with two
brigades as reserves, was on the south side. The enemy at
the same time, covered our whole front with a heavy line of
skirmishers, and as they had equally as good cover as our-
selves it was worth a man’s life to show his head above the
parapet. This state of things continued until nearly dark,
each regiment expecting the attack to be made in its front,
was prepared for it. About this time, heavy volleys were
heard to the right, and as no orders came along the line we
supposed the enemy had been driven back and that all was
going well. TI was surprised when one of my Captains ran

 
 

 

660 Nortu Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

to me and told me the enemy had broken through our lines on
the right and that Godwin’s men were fighting them and
wanted my assistance. I immediately formed my regiment,
changing my front by abandoning my position at the pits.
By this movement I hoped to cover the left and drive the en-
emy from the works. It was now dark and the extent of our
misfortune could not be learned. Enough, however, was
known to satisfy me that our retreat was cut off and our bat-
tery of four guns was in possession of the enemy. I made
an attempt to move forward and charge the enemy inside the
works but a mass of fugitives who were in my front were
driven upon my lines, pressed by the enemy. Here words
cannot describe the scenes that occurred around us. A per-
fect panic seized the men. In vain did the officers try to
rally them. Many of them were cut down. I at last got
my men in line a second time, and the firing of the enemy
from the inside was telling fearfully upon them, but no one
was for surrendering. We fought them as long as we had
two men together, solitary and alone. Only when all was
lost did we think of escape, but it was useless. Many of my
men escaped by swimming the river, others dispersed through
the country and got off. Some of my officers escaped, but
how, I was never able to ascertain. I cannot describe to you
the terrible anguish I endured at the thought of being cap-
tured, as gradually that host of armed men surrounded me.
I knew that my escape was impossible. I have faced death
often, but never have I endured such fearful hours of horror
as I did on that night. I thought of loved ones—wife, chil-
dren and home. Tears ran down my cheeks, the first I had
shed during the war.

I was aroused from my deep revery by a stout arm grasp-
ing me by the shoulder. ‘Do you surrender?” “No ge =
my quick response, “not to a private.” ‘Are you an officer ?
“I am,” I replied. The Colonel rode up to me. It was
the Fifth Maine. “Do you surrender, sir?” says he. “I
presume that I do,” I replied, “as I have no discretion in
the matter, being already your prisoner.” He was very
polite and assured me of kind treatment, and then turned.me
over to an officer and departed. Everything was now quiet,

Prison Lire at JoHnson’s IsLanp. 661

except the shrieks of the wounded and the groans of the
dying.

I have not been able to ascertain how many of my men
were captured or made their escape. Lieutenant-Colonel
Tate, I remember, ‘told me he was wounded in the neck, a
short time before, and I told him to go to the rear, and he
made his escape. So did Major York. Over two-thirds of
my officers and men were captured. I look upon the whole
affair as a great military blunder, the position being untena-
ble against a heavy force. There should have been more
than one pontoon bridge. There was material for construct-
ing another that fell into the hands of the enemy, and the
men that were captured could have built it in twelve hours.
I cannot see what good could be expected by holding a posi-
tion that was known to be unsafe against an assault, and
where the forces could neither fall back nor be reinforced.
It was pronounced a trap before, and it was known that the
enemy had a heavy force.

They had two corps, but only one was engaged. I think
nine regiments assaulted the works and it was impossible to
hold them unless the line had been stronger or support had
been at hand. I know not who was to blame, but I do know
that our country was uselessly deprived of our services.

I was moved that night about two miles to the rear in com-
pany with my brother officers, and I must do the enemy the
justice to say that they treated me kindly. They gave me
some whiskey, of which I stood much in need. The officers
were very talkative and sociable. We were quartered for
the night in an open field with no fire, the night was bitter
cold and our suffering was intense. Their excuse for not
giving us fire was that their axes had all gone to the front.
It was one of those nights that a man lives a whole life time
in. A young Lieutenant from Pennsylvania made my ac-
quaintance and he told me he was a copperhead. He very
kindly furnished me with some coffee and the next morning
he invited me to breakfast with him and gave me a very sub-
stantial one, consisting of bread, bacon, coffee and sugar and
fried ham. We were afterwards formed and counted and
marched to Warrenton Junction. The day was nice and

 
662 NortH CaARoLina Troops, 1861-65.

warm, but I was unable to march the distance, eight miles.
We were escorted by cavalry. The officers were very kind.
They served out rations to us, soft bread was given to the of-
ficers, hard tack to the men. The rations consisted of bread,
bacon, sugar and coffee. A horse was furnished me and I
got along very well until we arrived at the Junction. If you
remember, we destroyed the road from Bristoe Station to the
river, but in less than a month they had it nearly replaced
with new sills and rails and bridges. We found here a long
train of dirty box cars into which we were packed like fish in
a barrel, and owing to some cause we did not start until nearly
9 o’clock. Being very much fatigued I went to sleep and
woke up at Washington City about 4 o’clock in the morning.
We had a very strong guard with us on the train with artil-
lery mounted in flats. At Washington we were met by a reg-
iment from Pennsylvania who volunteered to escort us
through the streets of the city with military honors. We ar-
rived at the old capitol about daybreak, and were ushered
into the yard where I was lucky enough to find a soft plank
to rest on. We did not remain here long, when we were in-
vited into the house, where the prospects for comfort were
very uninviting. The first thing we tried to do was to kin-
dle a fire, but it proved a failure. Breakfast was soon an-
nounced. It was plain, plentiful and substantial, and Uncle
Sam had no cause to complain that justice was not done his
fare. In the course of the day, Mr. Wood, the superintend-
ent, gave four of us, Colonels Godwin, Murchison, Ellis and
myself, a couple of rooms in a building near by, where we
were made very comfortable. As soon as I arrived in Wash-
ington I wrote to my friends in Baltimore, informing them
of what had happened. The rooms we occupied were
on the third story fronting the capitol and the windows
were grated. One room we used for a sleeping room, the
other, having a stove, was our parlor, dining and sit-
ting room. Here we fared sumptuously. The rations
issued were good. Mr. Wood sent us $100 and we were
doing finely. :

Our next door neighbor was Miss Belle Boyd. I wish I
was able to do her justice by a short description. She soon

Prison Lire at Jonnson’s ISLAND. 663

made our acquaintance and sent us four a magnificent din-
ner, and she visited us often. She was not handsome, but a
beautiful figure and of winning and prepossessing manners.
Her conversation was animated and charming. She was
very sensitive and almost childish, she was warm hearted and
generous and one was almost compelled to love her. She
was looked upon by the Federals as being a very dangerous
woman, but one would not think so, unless he was well ac-
quainted with her. Her prejudices were very strong and she
hated the North with a bitterness I never saw equaled before
in a woman. She related to us many amusing anecdotes of
her life. She was also very troublesome to her guards, but
as far as I could see she was treated kindly. Her rooms were
elegantly furnished and she fared sumptuously. Her only
complaint seemed to be the restraint of prison life. Our
privileges in Washington were somewhat restrained. We
were allowed two hours each day for exercise in a very small
yard. Sentinels lined every passage and at night would ery
each hour with “all’s well.” Our door was usually locked
but could be opened on the slightest summons by the sentinel
on the outside. No visiting was allowed only by permission,
Miss Belle being the only exception, she being a privileged
character.*

Mr. Wood was very kind to use. He visited us very often,
supplying us with money and everything we desired. I shall
always remember him with kindness. I was surprised the
third day of my imprisonment by being informed that two
ladies wished to see me in the office below. You may judge
my delight and astonishment, when I entered the office, to
find my two sisters from Baltimore, the oldest, Louise, the
youngest, Kate. The room was full of officers, the rules for-
bidding a private interview. -I shall not undertake to de-
scribe this meeting. You can form some idea of two affec-
tionate sisters meeting their brother in prison, whom they
had not seen in five years. We were only allowed thirty
minutes interview. It was cruelly short. My oldest sister

*It is now understood that she was a Federal spy. using the oc-
casion to ‘‘spot’? Southern sympathizers who communicated with pris-
oners. The above facts would indicate as much.—Ep.

 
664 Norta CaroLtina Troops, 1861-65.

was a strong Union woman in her sentiments. She was will-
ing that I should remain in prison during the war, fearful
that I would get hurt. My youngest sister told me that she
was required to take the oath to see me. They forced some
money upon me. [Ilere I lose all recollections of dates.

We were notified a short time after my sister’s departure
to be in readiness to leave, and of course we knew that they
intended taking us to Johnson’s Island. Our preparations
were soon made, as we were not encumbered with much bag-
gage. The day before we left Washington, the privates were
sent to Point Lookout. They passed under my window,
about 1,200 in number. By some means they became scat-
tered and the order being given to close up, they rushed up
in double-quick, giving at the same time a terrific yell that
fairly made the dome of the Capitol ring with the echo.
There was a novelty about this that I enjoyed finely, calling
to my mind the lines I had seen: ‘There is life in the old
land yet.” There was a great difference between Federal
officers and ours, for they would promise us anything, yet we
would seldom get it. As an instance of this, in coming to
Washington we suffered much for water. Our guards said
we should have it at the next station. They took all of our
canteens, but from some unknown cause they were never re-
turned to us. We made complaints to the officers in charge
at Washington and they seemed to regret the occurrence very
much and promised us that we should have them again—they
would furnish same to us out of their own pockets. It is
needless to say that this was the last we heard of the canteens.

A few of our officers had overcoats, none had blankets or a
change of clothing. As for money they had not a cent, and
some were almost barefooted, others were nearly naked. I
speak of the officers, as there were nearly a hundred and fifty
in our party, which was ordered to Johnson’s Island. I had
the good fortune to procure another shirt, some underwear
and socks, and a haversack.

After considerable delay we were in the street. We moved
down to the depot of the railroad to Baltimore under a very
strong guard, who were to accompany us to the island. On
the route to the depot, some man sang out (it was very near

 

Prison Lire at JoHnson’s ISLAND. 665

the Capitol), “Three cheers for Jeff Davis,” and they were
given with a hearty yell. Three groans were called for. Abe
Lincoln, and they were given in true Confederate style. I
do not remember the name of the officer who was in command
of the guard at the time. He was a Major from Philadel-
phia. He was very kind to us, and the guard was very civil,
doing everything in their power to make us comfortable.

At Washington we were put on good passenger cars and ar-
rived at Baltimore about 12 o’clock, that night. Here an-
other delay occurred. With a great flourish of troops, some
on foot, some mounted, we were finally marched to the yard
of the negro jail of Hope Slater. I know his place well. It
is about 50 by 30 feet square, with very high walls. We
were all thrust into this miserable den and kept there until
morning. It was quite cold and chilly, and we could neither
walk, stand or sit. Many a bitter curse went forth, but we
were helpless prisoners and had to submit. The next morning
we had rations served to us, very good and plentiful, consist-
ing of good bacon, crackers, cheese, Scotch herrings and whis-
key. About 8 o’clock we were formed again into line and
marched through the principal streets of Baltimore to the
depot of the Baltimore & Susquehannah Railroad. No de-
monstrations of any kind were made in Baltimore, the heavy
guard and strong police force, I suppose, preventing it. We
were again placed in good coaches. There was nothing of in-
terest occurred on the route from Baltimore to Johnson’s
Island. We passed through York, Harrisburg, Alton, Pitts-
burg and various other cities and towns whose names I now
forget. At Harrisburg a woman delivered a long harangue
to the rebels. We concluded that she belonged to the
Woman’s Rights party, and as most of us knew the metal of
that party we concluded to knock under at once. At Pitts-
burg several Copperheads entered the cars and made a close
examination of the rebels, some of the fastidious ones were
much surprised and astonished to find us eating raw meat
for breakfast. One fellow, a doctor, felt us to find the pro-
portion of bone and muscle. We arrived at Sandusky early
in the morning and we could see from the depot the island
that was to be our home. Of all the places in this bright

 
666 NortH Carouina Troops, 1861-65.

world, keep me from this part of Ohio. As a general thing,
and I don’t think they would deny it, the people are mean
and intensely selfish. It was the only point that we touched
from the time of our capture that men calling themselves sol-
diers insulted us. But I will speak of this at some future
time. We were placed on a little steamer and carried out to
the place, where we were turned over to the tender mercies
of Colonel Pierson, who was in command of the post situated
there. Before we entered what is called the “bull pen,” the
roll was called and as each man answered he walked up to a
window and turned over what cash he had in hand. They
did not search us, but would ask: “Is this all you have?
Have you any firearms about you,” and if one had no blan-
ket, they would give him one. We were then very uncere-
moniously thrown in among twenty-five hundred men and
were left as the old story goes, “to root hog or die.”

Johnson’s Island is a flat place of land about two and a
half miles from Sandusky city, and was named after the
owner. It is about a mile long and a half mile wide and
judging from all appearances the prison, or bull pen, as it is
called, is an enclosure about a quarter of a mile square with a
high plank fence surrounding it. On the out side was a plat-
form, running all around on which sentinels paced night and
day. At the two corners fronting the lake are block houses
where artillery and rifles can be used. At the main entrance
is another block house made to cover every approach to the
gate. In the inclosure are thirteen buildings or block
houses, two stories high, one being used for a hospital. Each
block is divided into two messes. There are three rooms
above and the rooms below not being partitioned leave but a
long single room with bunks on one side only, the upper
rooms are more crowded, the bunks being in three tiers fixed
so that two men can sleep in each and there are now at the
time I write, twenty-six hundred commissioned officers con-
fined here (28 January, 1864).

My narrative here becomes very irregular, as it has been
nearly three months since my capture. During this period
i have suffered much deep anxiety, about my family being
the principal cause. I must here take time by the forelock

Prison LIFE at JoHNSON’s ISLAND. 667

and state that on the 24th of this month I received a letter
from Miss Mollie Speed and it was the first I had had from
the South. On the next day I received two, one from my
wife, the other from yourself. They were nearly six weeks
en route, but still they afforded me much satisfaction.

On my arrival at this place, in company with the other
officers of my regiment, we were ushered into what is called
Block 8, which was a very dirty, muddy and wet building.
The upper rooms were crowded and we were put on the lower
floor. There were no planks on the bunks, no stove to cook
on, and, in fact, for the first twenty-four hours we had noth-
ing to cook. I was very ill and had to lie on the hard floor
with but a single blanket. My sufferings were intense, my
limbs became rigid and stiff and for once in my life despair
had almost gotten the best of me. Edward Speed, who had
been captured at Gettysburg, was quartered in another block
close by and he had a straw bed which he kindly offered to
share with me. I accepted the kind offer, even though one
would hesitate some time before crawling into it, but at this
time it was a luxury to me, and I was at least comfortable
and warm. His kind attentions in procuring for me little ar-
ticles of food soon aroused my dormant energies and I became
better. The room I occupy is about 25 by 35 feet square.
It has twenty-seven bunks, each one occupied by two men
which gives us fifty-four men in the room, but we often con-
gratulated ourselves that we were not crowded like some of
the others. We have a stove with green wood to burn, and
often to protect ourselves from the severe cold we covered
ourselves in our blankets through the day.

From my block we had a magnificent view of the lake and
the city of Sandusky in the distance. The lake was one vast
sheet of ice as far as the eye could see, the thickness being
almost incredible. There was a regular wagon road between
the city and the island, a distance of two miles and a half,
and even now the weather is mild and warm and has been so
for several days. A troop of cavalry crossed the lake on the
ice safely the other day. The cold snap, as it is called here,
exceeds anything of the kind I ever experienced in my life.
I was afraid to walk from one end of the enclosure to the

 
aac mapa aes eee NEILEE ase

 

668 NortH Carouina Troops, 1861-’65.

other for fear my blood would congeal and I would freeze
to death. Water froze in our canteens under our heads and
we suffered much for this element of life from the fact that
the pumps were frozen, and the water supply which was at all
times inadequate was cut short. The island is a lime stone
formation and the wells, three in number, are very shallow,
the water is bad and in summer very warm and the lake
water is in consequence purer and more preferable. Before
the freeze we procured all our water from the lake by pipes
connecting with wells, but they cannot be used in severe win-
ter. Each block where we lived is divided into two messes,
presided over by a chief selected from among ourselves. We
have roll call every morning, an officer from the outside pre-
sides and ascertains that all are present. A detail for gen-
eral police is made for each day from both messes whose
duty it is to keep everything clean outside the quarters, and
here you would sometimes find your humble friend shovel-
ing filth into a cart and a Yankee slop boy giving orders. In
addition to this detail, another is made from each room whose
duty it is to sweep up the rooms, cut and split wood and bring
it into the house, (wood is hauled from the outside every day,
at the rate of one four-horse load to each block, which is
equally dvided according to the number of stoves). The
wood is of a very inferior kind, but sufficient in quantity.
The cooking arrangements are very good. Two rooms be-
low are connected with each block, and there are in each
block large cooking ranges for each mess. In addition to
this there are private cooking stoves belonging to messes and
often there are about twenty cooks selected and employed
from among us and they give food out to each group as they
see fit. Rations are issued every day except Sunday, except
sugar and coffee, beans, rice or hominy. They are given out
in quantities to last from six to ten days as the case may be.
Our bread is baked on the island and is very good and the
rations are very good as a general thing. We get beef four
days in the week, and pickle pork the rest of the week. The
only complaint we have in the food line is that we do not get
enough bread, only one loaf being given to every four men,
and I am confident that they will not weigh over two pounds

Prison Lirr at JOHNSON’s ISLAND. 669

to the loaf. One thing I notice and cannot help mention-
ing, is the morbid appetites of the men here. Whether it is
the climatic conditions, the confinement or the fact that they
are Southern men, I cannot say, but they are like a parcel of
famished wolves whose hunger is never satisfied. Before
my arrival there was a regular sutler inside and the manner
of selling to prisoners was this: All the money sent you by
friends or relatives is deposited outside and you receive a re-
ceipt for the same. You are not allowed to use a cent of it.
The sutler takes your name on his book with the amount due
you from the outside and when you trade with him you sign
a check or order for the amount. He will also give you fifty
to seventy-five cents in checks or tickets with which to trade.
This was the only currency we had. Shortly after my arri-
val this sutler business was broken up and it was a great
inconvenience, as the sutler kept a general supply of every-
thing, it is true, at a very high price, but Southern men care
little for high prices as long as they have got anything to
buy with. For two months we could not get anything, not
even a postage stamp or any tobacco. This was a sore trial
to us. We all had some money, but could not spend it. At
the present time we have a sutler whose mode of doing busi-
ness is similar to the one we had before. His supply is, how-
ever, very limited, consisting of tobacco and stationery and a
few postage stamps. To get the latter, however, you are
bound to purchase not less than one dollar’s worth of some-
thing else. He had at one time butter, cheese, sugar, crack-
ers, dried fruit, etc., but so great was the rush for these ar-
ticles it was impossible for an ordinary man to stand any
chance. The supply, however, was soon exhausted. This
sutler was very unpopular, as his prices would make a Rich-
mond merchant blush. A few days ago he had a lot of pic-
tures, views of this island, and he would not sell one anything
unless he first bought a picture. This scheme was stopped
by the authorities, to their credit. All packages, boxes of ex-
press, ete., were faithfully delivered to the prisoners after
being properly examined to see that nothing contraband en-
tered. Liquor is strictly prohibited. You are compelled to
pay from 25 cents to $2.00 for each package to defray the ex-

 
670 NortH Caronina Troops, 1861-65.

penses from Sandusky to the island. We have a postoffice
inside the enclosure where letters are received and distribu-
ted. A short time ago one could write long letters by paying
21% cents for each package, these letters could only be sent
inside the lines. The clerk read them after his hours of bus-
iness, but this was stopped, as the commander here decided
that if letters were proper to go it was worth extra charge for
same.

February 14, 1864.—Time passes rapidly. Last week
about four hundred men were sent from this prison, their
destination, we supposed, being Point Lookout, as we are con-
fident that they are not to be exchanged. They were taken
alphabetically by namé@ and the same number will leave
again as soon as they can cross the lake, which at this time is
impracticable on account of the ice. I am somewhat sur-
prised at this climate; it is more-changeable than North Car-
olina. Virginia is not even so much so. It is a strange
thing to me how quickly the ice can form. A few days ago
when the prisoners left they crossed in a boat, the next day
men were skating on the ice, and yesterday men were walking
on the ice. The weather not being very cold with a fresh
wind, this morning it has nearly all disappeared.

February 23, 1864.—The weather for the past week has
been so cold as to prevent me from writing at all, the ink
would freeze on my pen, water froze in canteens while under
our heads in our bunks. The cold was terrible. It would
penetrate our very bones. I lay under six heavy blankets,
but sleep was out of the question, notwithstanding I had a
bunk mate. Yesterday was the anniversary of the birth of
Washington, and it was celebrated in mockery by the Fed-
erals outside of our bull pen. Drums beat, cannons belched
forth its thunders in honor to the memory of that great man,
and flags were waved by many. Yes, this was done by men
fresh from the gory fields of Virginia, the home of Washing-
ton, the first great rebel of the land they had invaded and des-
ecrated, a land whose devastation will remain a monument to
their shame. Yet these very men dared to pollute the name
of Washington, with their foul breath. We had our cele-
bration too, without any permission from our keepers. The

 

Prison Lire at Jounson’s IsuAnn. 671

men met together and called for some of our orators. Cap-
tain Fellows, from Arkansas, responded to the call and in
a few beautiful and appropriate remarks held his audience
spell-bound with his burning eloquence. He was followed by
Colonel Lewis, of Missouri, a favorite minister and a noble
Christian patriot. His remarks were excellent. He was
followed by Lieutenant Houston, of Virginia, who recited
some beautiful poems appropriate to the occasion, and the
whole festival wound up by Captain Fellows giving a senti-
ment composed by a rebel. I do not remember it, but will
get it. We also had music by the rebel band. As the Yan-
kees were not spoken of in very glowing terms, they interfered
and ordered us to our quarters, where-we went with the usual
Confederate yells. Thus passed the anniversary of Wash-
ington at Johnson’s Island.

You will doubtless find this narrative very conflicting in
some cases, but it is no waste of effort on my part to make it
truthful. One thing I wish to call your attention to, and
that is the manner in which facts are perverted and how
grossly things are misrepresented here. A long article ap-
peared in the New York Herald a few days ago describing
the life and condition of prisoners confined on Johnson’s
Island. Among other things it stated that we were supplied
with everything by a sutler, and that we were a happy lot of
fellows. I leave you to infer how happy we are, and as to
our being supplied by a sutler, I will explain, is because we
all have money—-that is, the commander has it on deposit for
us. We have a sutler, his stock consists of almost nothing.
As I stated before, one is not allowed to purchase any vegeta-
bles or delicacies, not even if it would save life.

Notwithstanding this is one of the most secure prisons I
ever saw, yet sometimes our men manage to make an escape.
This can only be done when the bay is frozen over, as it is im-

‘possible to get off the island after getting out of the enclosure.

Owing to the bad and insufficient quantity of water in the
wells, we are permitted to go to the lake once a day and fill
our canteens, and it is only about twenty yards from the en-
closure to the water, yet they have a double line of men
watching us when they open the gate for us to go through to

 
 

672 NortH Caroiina Troops, 1861-’65.

get water. On last Sunday one of our men secured a Yan-
kee overcoat and cap and passed out through the gate with a
bucket. This was three days ago and he has not returned yet
and they do not even know that he has escaped.

February 25.—It has been nearly four months since my
confinement on Johnson’s Island and things have not im-
proved at all for the better; in fact, they get worse. It is in
fact what one might call a refinement of cruelty. I have
never yet heard of political or prisoners of war being denied
the right of purchasing the necessaries of life, yet it is done
here by those who call themselves the most civilized and en-
lightened people on the face of the earth. We are now under
the command of one General Shaler. His orders this morn-
ing were to the effect that any prisoners attempting to escape
should be fired on by the guard. Our pen is getting very
filthy, and no wonder with 2,600 officers confined in a space
about twice the size of my garden. I do not exaggerate when
I say that it is worse than a hog pen. All kinds of filth is
allowed to accumulate around the buildings. This, with the
black mud, renders it almost impossible to get from one build-
ing to another. It is not so bad when frozen over, but is ter-
rible when the weather thaws and on rainy days. We have
not a great deal of sickness here now, the average deaths not
exceeding one a day, but the mortality will be increased as
the warm weather approaches .

The moral and social condition of our men is deplorable.
There are many noble exceptions, but generally speaking,
there is much low bred vulgarity, in fact almost as much as
you would find among the same number of men in ranks. In
nearly three years experience in the arniy, I have not heard
as much profanity in my regiment as I have heard from the
officers in my room here. With this there is very little dig-
nity or self-respect. Politeness or chaste conversation is out
of the question. Selfishness predominates, and many bitter
words and angry looks are exchanged. I have often seen in
this room a small number reciting a Bible lesson, and in an-
other part of the room others would be playing cards, while
another group would be telling yarns that would make the in-
mates of a brothel blush with shame to listen to. Few enjoy

Prison Lire at Jonnson’s IsLAND, 673

good health here, and the general complaint is that they do
not get enough to eat. I often get sick at heart when I con-
template my situation and think of the gloomy prospects
ahead of us for an early exchange. We have but one hope,
and that is, a successful campaign in the spring will give us
an excess of prisoners. Then they would be very willing for
an exchange. But time will tell.

March 5, 1864.—-It has now been four months. since my
captivity began, and the prospects for an exchange are very
gloomy indeed. We get letters now very regularly from our
friends which are a great relief to our gloomy situation. The
weather for the past few days has been very beautiful. All
the ice has disappeared from the lake and it is amusing to see
the men fall out of their blocks like bees in the spring time
to taste the sunshine. Our astonishment was great this
morning to see the ground covered with snow and old winter
upon us again with all his vengeancce after such a pretty day
as yesterday. We have had some excitement for the last
day or two and as I am interested in it, I will relate the
facts. We have no regular chaplain for the prison, but have
some eloquent and pious ministers who preach every Sunday
to large congregations, and in addition to this, we have a
Christian Association and a committee whose duty it is to
procnre and circulate religious works. We have at the pres-
ent time a great feeling on the subject of religion among us.
Our enemies know this, so a few days ago some of the chap-
lains belonging to the troops outside called on Colonel Lewis,
one of our able ministers and desired to know whether we
needed any help, at the same time expressing a willingness
to assist our ministers in the good work. As we needed no help
their offers were politely declined. They then requested per-
mission to send to the committee for distribution among the
prisoners a lot of newspapers and tracts of purely a religious
character. The committee thereupon informed them that if
they were of that character they would gladly accept and
distribute them, but if they found upon examination that the
matter was otherwise than religious, they would reserve the
right to reject and return the same. The books and papers
were sent, and upon examination they were found to be abo-

43

 
 

674 NortH Caro.ina Troops, 1861~’65.

lition in character, interspersed with political works. The
committee then refused to have anything to do with them
and the large box containing them was sent to the gate to be
returned to the Federal chaplain. The Yankee chaplains be-
came very indignant and said to the committee that they were
very glad that they had rejected same, as the officers had not
only taken them, but had applied to them for more for dis-
tribution. Colonel Lewis and the committee felt that they
have been treated very disrespectfully by some of the officers
here, so a meeting was called yesterday, consisting of one del-
egate from each block. I was elected to represent my block
at the meeting. ‘The committee met, each block having a
representative. A question arose upon which much debate
and difference of opinion was expressed. Several reports
were offered, but none were adopted. The committee finding
it impossible to act harmoniously together, abandoned the
idea of taking any action whatever upon the subject. The
Sunday following we were all very much surprised when one
of the Yankee chaplains came into our block to hold services.
Most of the officers attended out of curiosity. Others were
indignant and considered it an insult and an outrage. There
was some little disturbance during the service, and after he
got through, an officer from Kentucky mounted the stand and
read that portion of Mr. Allen’s inaugural address that refers
to Northern clergymen—this created some excitement, some
contending it was right, others that it-was wrong. Blows
were exchanged and a bitter feeling engendered, destroying
what little good feeling there was among the men confined
here.

March 12, 1864.—It snowed yesterday, but the weather is
not very cold. We are kept warm now upon the exciting
question of being exchanged. It certainly does look a little
more encouraging, but hope has been deferred so often that
the heart sickens when it thinks of again being disappointed.
This special exchange will damage our cause. It is strange
that favoritism will extend even to prisoners of war. We
have some men who have been here over twelve months, oth-
ers who have been here only a few months, and the latter
are made objects of special exchange. This is unjust and

Prison Lire at Jonnson’s ISianp. 675

men will not submit to it. The past week I received from
Mrs. Webb, of Louisville, Ky., a box containing a fine lot of
dried fruits, a box of candies, a lot of fine soap, a pair of
shoes, a carpet bag and other things very acceptable. I learn
that we are again to have a sutler who will sell us anything we
want. ‘This will be a great convenience to us. Then we
can purchase vegetables, ete. My men at Point Lookout
write me sometimes. They say that they fare as well there
as we do here. J am now sleeping by myself, having bed
clothes sufficient of my own to make me very comfortable.
March 26.—I am getting letters very regularly from home.
They are a source of great pleasure to me. This month has
been very cold and we have felt it more keenly than in the
winter. The lake is now frozen over, but as the weather is
warm, the prospects are that it will soon be over and break
up. I heard yesterday in a letter from Amanda, of your
marriage. I must confess I can hardly realize it, but still I
am glad for I think you will be happy. I promised you to
state facts in this rough sketch of prison life, and my style
of writing is a good barometer of my feelings. So I will
honestly confess that I did envy you your happiness. This,
my dear friend, is natural. My situation is so miserable and
unhappy, you will never know, nor will I ever be able to tell
you my sufferings here. It is at times almost maddening. I
write cheerfully to my friends, particularly to my wife. I
have two reasons for this. One is I dare not complain; the
other, I do not wish to add to her unhappiness by letting her
know the truth of my situation. This prison is different
from any other in the United States. One is not allowed to
write for anything only to a relative. The consequence is the
officers here have a large number of cousins and aunts. An
incident of this kind happened to me. A lady of Louisville,
Ky., by the name of Webb, wrote me. (She is a niece of
John Webb, of Granville.) She heard of my being a pris-
oner and immediately claimed mé as a cousin and sent me a
lot of very nice presents. She also wrote to me to learn to
which branch of the family I belonged. I answered her let-
ter and explained to her who I was. This did not satisfy
her. She insisted that I was related to her and must let her

 
 

676 Nort Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

know what I stood most in need of, and I did not hesitate to
avail myself of her generous offer.

We are having all kinds of rumors about exchange now,
and a great deal of excitement exists among the officers here,
as it is known that some of their friends have gone to Dixie.
The general impressions are that it is still going on, but I
have little faith in it. We are looking forward with much
interest to the spring campaign, as everything connected with
our situation depends upon our success. If the Yankees get
an additional excess of prisoners our confinement will be in-
definite. On the other hand they would willingly exchange,
but this does not interest you. The weather has been so
awfully cold and when it was not cold it was knee deep in
mud which prevented our taking any out door exercise. Now
that the spring is about to open the ground being in a little
better condition, we are feeling some better. The small
space allotted to us is always full, some promenading, some
playing ball and other amusements, and if a stray dog should
happen to find his way inside through one of the gates, it
would do the men good in here to have the pleasure of yelling
over it.

April 5.—-Everything here lately under the direction of
the commander, has undergone a change decidedly for the bet-
ter, and yet it is one of the filthiest places it ever was my
misfortune to be placed in. Our rations now are more abund-
ant, and in addition to this we have a sutler who sells every-
thing not contraband, true at very high prices, but even at the
high prices it adds much to our comfort. A great deal of
excitement is manifest to-day among the prisoners. A tele-
gram from Old Point Comfort states that our commissioners
have agreed upon an exchange. This, if it is true, is joyful
news tous. I have not received any letters from home now
in over two weeks. I cannot account for it, as the flag of
truce boat runs regularly. I am afraid that the great fault
is in Richmond. My experience in getting mail matter
through that department enables me to form a proper esti-
mate of their efficiency. We have been badly used up here
in the letter line. The custom was for the clerk who read
the letters to appropriate the stamps on all contraband letters

Prison Lire at JoHnson’s ISLAND. 677

to his own use, and he made money by the operation, as more
letters were condemned than were sent off. And in conse-
quence the general has issued an order that on all letters con-
demned, the envelope and stamp shall be returned to the
writer. The young men here enjoy themselves in every im-
aginable way. Among other amusements we have a theatri-
cal club, whose members perform twice a week. It is really
a very good troupe, and if one is not too far gone with the
blues he can enjoy a hearty laugh.

May 14.—I have not for some time continued my yarn for
various reasons. The weather this spring has been so unfa-
vorable as to preclude the possibility of writing. Then again,
I have had nothing new. Some changes have taken place,
not at all calculated to make me happy, nor affecting much
my present situation. My old wound has given me much
trouble and pain. A few days ago an order came to send
all the sick to Richmond on exchange, and I, with many oth-
ers, expected to get off, but was disappointed, not so with
Colonels Godwin and Ellis. They both succeeded in getting
through and here I am yet over six months a poor prisoner.
I often ask if I am forgotten, this of course, to myself, and
then follows a spell of horrid ennui. Oh, God! how dreadful
are these bitter feelings of hope deferred. I sink almost in
madness and despair. Will no one send a little word to
cheer us in our gloomy hours of captivity. Thus we linger,
thus we drag the slow, tedious hours of prison life. Since
the first day Grant crossed the Rapidan to attack Lee, we
have been posted up with the Yankees’ account of the bril-
liant success of their army. This is the tenth day of fearful
suspense to us. We know that it has been a long and bloody
contest and thousands have been slain on both sides. Still
we know nothing definite and Lee and his brave men may be
compelled to fall back by overwhelming numbers. The Yan-
kees seem to have staked their all upon this issue. If they
fail now it will be difficult for them to raise another “On to
Richmond” army. With us it is of equal magnitude. If
the Artny of Northern Virginia is destroyed, the last hope of
the Confederacy is gone. We know these things, consequently
our anxiety must be deep. This is indeed a time of terrible

 

 
 

 

678 Norta Carotina Troops, i861-’65.

suspense to us. The accounts from the field through Yan-
. kee papers are anything but encouraging. They have the
most bombastic headings, and judging from what they say,
they must have killed and wounded twice as many men as
Lee had, and driven him at least a hundred miles south of
Richmond. But we know our little army yet presents a wall
of living fire around Spottsylvania Court House and it is
no fault of ours that we are not there to share in the hardships
and dangers of our comrades. There is no reliable news
about our being exchanged. The prospects are gloomy
enough about getting to Dixie. There are here now over
two thousand officers, and how many more will be added to
our number before the war is over, God only knows. I am
nearly out of money and clothes, and have no prospects of
procuring any more. It seems that my friends are tired of
me for they write but seldom now. Everything is enor
mously high, but money will procure one anything he wants.
Tobacco, for instance, is $1.00 a plug, or $2.50 a pound.
Confederate money is worth 7 cents in the dollar; so you can
figure to yourself how much our money will buy. During
the greater part of the winter and spring we had a part of
Sedgewick’s Corps to guard us. They were very kind to the
prisoners and we received many favors at their hands, and we
were all sorry when they left for the front, for they left us in
the hands of the cold blooded militia of this State, whose
acts of cruelty will long be remembered with unpleasant re-
flections. General Shaler, lately captured at Spottsylvania,
was in command of this post. Major Belvin, who shared his
fate, was in charge of the prison inside. So you see how
fate changes. I have a little bunch of wild flowers that came
from our graveyard outside and you have no idea with what
fondness and tenderness I nurse them. They carry me back
to happy hours before the horrid war. It is cold weather
here, yet I almost dread warm weather for the stench from
our filthy den will be almost intolerable.

May 16.—The same painful suspense is with us in regard
to the situation of General Lee’s army. The Yankees in this
morning’s issue of the Sandusky News claim a great and de
cisive victory, with General Lee in full retreat. Truly we do

 

Prison Lire at JoHnson’s ISLAND. 679

not believe all the stuff we read. If we did and it was true,
we should by this time have Lee a hundred miles from Rich-
mond, wounded and dying, and lost more prisoners than he
had men. We should also have to realize the sad spectacle
of seeing a Yankee General gobbling up men and swallowing
cannons. It would astonish you to see some of the bulletins
sent from the army and published by authority of the Gov-
ernment. They are exceedingly jubilant over their supposed
victories over Lee, but time will show.

May 19.—A little lull in the great storm of excitement.
The news from the army to-day is more favorable and we
have the glad assurance that all is yet well. The Yankees
make a feeble effort to claim victory, admitting a loss of
40,000 men.

May 23.—The great excitement is now over and we can
look around upon our gloomy prison and breathe free. Yes-
terday being Sunday, we had preaching, the Rev. Colonel
Lewis ofticiating. I never in my life listened to a more elo-
quent and appropriate sermon. About a thousand officers
were present representing every Southern State, as well as
every degree of wickedness and good. It is a great privilege
to have such a good man among us as Colonel Lewis.

T saw a little incident this afternoon that struck me very
forcibly. The Yankees were having a grand parade, just
as one of our poor fellows was being carried out to the grave.
The coffin, a square box, was being handled in a dray fol-
lowed by about a dozen of his comrades. They had to pass
the Yankee regiment, which was having a great flourish of
trumpets as they marched by. The contrast was very im-
pressive. One was the pomp and show, the other the stern
reality of war. The weather is quite warm here now. We
understand that seven hundred more prisoners are to be added
to our already crowded prison. This looks as if there was
to-be no exchange and I don’t think the prospects very flatter-
ing. There must be now, on both sides, at least sixty or sev-
enty thousand men held as prisoners. This is a burlesque
on civilization and a lasting disgrace to the Federal Govern-
ment. Pity at least, for their own men, should induce them
to encourage an exchange. No, they are willing to sacrifice

 
 

680 Norta Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

them to their cold-hearted cruelty. Another thing, is the
neglect on the part of our government in regard to special
exchange. I am in prison with men who have been confined
for nearly two years, good, true, and faithful officers, while
others by using a little money and having a few friends have
succeeded in getting through on exchange. I can justly com-
plain, even in my own case. Has the government had an
officer serve them more faithfully than I have, while some
captured at the same time that I was, have gone through,
though hardly smelling gun-powder? Such injustice is dis-
heartening and if persisted in by our government will cause
many men to exchange themselves. Injustice is hard to bear
under any circumstances. I have not complained, nor will I
unless I have just cause. I have suffered much here, more
perhaps than you will ever know, but by the help of God I
will try and bear it. I cannot hear from home, I suppose
owing to the active hostilities in Virginia, but we have
learned to wait.

June 4, 1864.——There has been but little change since I
wrote the above. We still get through the Northern journals
the most gloomy accounts of affairs in the South, but we put
little confidence in them. I have not had a word from home
yet, but have just heard that my regiment was at Plymouth,
and was engaged in the taking of that place. We have now
on this island four regiments of infantry and one of artillery
to guard the prisoners, who number about two thousand of-
ficers. Two-thirds of the Yankee force are national guards
of militia. They are as a general thing, a fine looking body
of men, and well equipped. Some of them are mere chil-
dren in appearance and present a strange contrast to the grim
warriors whom they guard. We have all kinds of rumors as
usual floating about. One is that a thousand more prison-
ers are to be sent to our usually crowded quarters. This is
certainly one of the best guarded prisons in the world, and
all attempts lately to eseape have proved futile. A tunnel
was cut from one of the blocks last week, a distance of some
thirty or forty feet, but just about the time it was completed
and arrangements made to leave, the Yankees, like magic,
discovered it. Last night another attempt was made by dig-

Prison Lire at JoHnson’s IsLAND. 681

ging a tunnel from the dead house, but this was also discov-
ered before an opportunity was offered to use it. It is an
evident fact that we have spies among us. Last Sunday we
were all turned out of our blocks by a guard and a general
search was made. Some strange articles were brought to
light. Among them were ladders, sails, spades and various dig-
ding tools. An escape here is a very rare thing. Even if one
succeeds in getting out of the enclosure, his troubles have just
begun. The island is small with a heavy patrol all the time
along the shores, and the nearest point to the mainland is a
good mile. You would hardly believe the amount of dishon-
esty that prevails here, even by men who call themselves of-
ficers and gentlemen. This I consider a delicate subject,
for prison life levels us all and one is obliged to associate
with those who are in fact not fit to associate with the vilest
of the vile. It is only in the dead hours of night, when all
is still, that your ears are not saluted with some horrid oath
or some vile epithet. Such is prison life. We have had but
little warm weather, yet 1 June we had to roll up in our blan-
kets to keep warm, our stoves are taken away, and in my
room there are four windows and not a glass is left in one of
them. It is by far the filthiest den it ever was my misfor-
tune to inhabit. I remember in one of the marches I was
doing duty on the upper Rappahannock with my regiment on
picket. During the night there was a heavy storm and I took
shelter under cover of a corn crib. The next morning I
found that I had a sow for a companion during the night,
but I have often thought that that was a nice clean place
compared to this den I now inhabit.

June 10.—We have another’ very important change on
this island. Colonel Hill, of this State, relieves Colonel Pier-
son in command of the post. We are now beginning to feel
to some extent the vengeance of the Government of the United
States. They have stopped our rations of sugar, coffee and
candles. We get nothing but bread and meat with a few
beans. This, of itself, is not so bad, had it not been for an
outrageous order from Colonel Hill, holding each man re-
sponsible for any attempt to escape on the part of any pris-
oners by withholding entirely the rations, or in other words,

 
 

682 NortH CaRroLina Troops, 1861-’65.

starving us entirely unless we turn spies and infomners upon
our fellow prisoners. This is an outrage that meets with the
scorn and defiance that it is entitled to. The situation of
military affairs is very cheering to us. Lee stands with a
bold front, hurling death: and destruction upon his foes at
every turn, repulsing them every time they attack him. John-
ston has found a resting place for his weary troops and now
confronts his foes. Still more cheering news from the trans-
Mississippi of utter defeat and ruin of the Federal armies
and better still, Morgan is carrying it with a rough hand in
Kentucky and threatens this State with his legions. All this
cheers the hearts of the prisoners and causes them to look
with brighter hopes to the future. The weather today is
cold, and we are shivering in our bunks. An old fellow re-
marked at roll call this morning that he did not mind freez-
ing to death in winter, but he protested against it in summer.
An order was issued day before yesterday and carried out,
which was to the effect that the prisoners were not allowed to
receive a letter that was over a half a page in length, written
even on note paper. This was very hard to many of us.
Just to think for a moment, that you had been separated for
years from the companion of your bosom, at last a letter
would arrive and the envelope would be handed to you and
the letter carried off to be burned.

I saw a very affecting incident to-day—a gentleman con-
fined here for the war for running the blockade. His wife,
who lives in Nashville, came here on a visit and she was not
allowed to speak to him, but was allowed to mount the wall
with two beautiful little children and look upon that fond
father and affectionate husband. When those little inno-
cents kissed their little hands in token of sad farewell to one
who had fondled them so often with parental kindness, I
could bear it no longer. At last I have heard from home
with the glad tidings that all are well.

June 14.—For the past four days the weather has been
very much colder and I have never felt anything like it be-
fore in my life. One lays down here sometimes suffocated
with heat and wakes up the next morning almost freezing.
I have also fallen into very bad habits. I sleep until nearly

 

Prison Lire at Jonnson’s Isuanp. 683

8 o’clock in the morning in addition to a nap every evening
after dinner. I do this more to kill time than anything else.
Our rations now are very slim. The meat we get is about
enough for one meal a day. We get beans about once a
week ; also four potatoes. For supper or breakfast it is dry,
stale bread, unless one can afford 40 cents a pound for
butter. Notwithstanding the dull monotony of this place, it
is not destitute of changes. General Shaler, of Sedgwick’s
Corps, who commanded this post late in the winter, is now a
prisoner and Major Belvin, who had charge inside, is badly
wounded. The two officers who called our roll are killed or
prisoners, and even the Sergeant is missing. Last week a
regiment of Ohio National Guard who had domineered it
over the prisoners, left suddenly for Kentucky. Yesterday
‘ve learned they were gobbled up by John Morgan. I can as-
sure you that there were not many tears shed here for them.

June 29.—We still continue to receive various and conflict-
ing reports from the seat of war. One thing is certain, the
Yankees are not very jubilant over what they claim great
victories. Morgan’s raid in Kentucky was a great failure,
as the number of his officers sent here as prisoners will tes-
tify. We have also received a lot from General Sherman.
Also the officers captured in Virginia by Hunter. All the
officers captured from Lee are sent to Fort Delaware and
Point Lookout, as this prison is full to overflowing. At the
present time we get along very quietly with the authorities.
Our rations are small and hardly sufficient to satisfy hun-
ger, but the larger portion of the men have money and they
buy from the sutler at very high prices. We have had some
of the warmest weather here that I ever experienced in my
1ife. The water in the lake is quite warm, but the Yankees
very kindly supply us with ice which is sold at 1 cent a ponnd
and is quite a luxury. Yesterday and to-day the weather
has been quite cool and at this time there is a terrible drought
prevailing in this country. There has been no rain since
early in May. Everything in the way of vegetables are
burnt up, corn is out of the question and the farmers say
that they will not make more than a half crop of wheat.
From the extensive arrangements being made to improve this

 
 

 

684 Nort CaRouina Troops, 1861-65.

place one would think that it is to be made a permanent
prison. They are enlarging the enclosure, digging reser-
voirs, putting up extra buildings, ete. It looks like there
will be no exchange at least for some time to come. I am
satisfied that we have as many men as they have, but I think
they must have double the number of officers as prisoners,
and it is astonishing that every little squad of ten or twelve
men brings a Colonel with them. I do not say this to dispar-
age our officers, but it is singular to me. I have heard vari-
ous reasons assigned for this, but I have my own private
opinion. The general impression among Yankees and Con-
federates is that the present campaign of Grant and Sherman
will end the war. We get very few letters now and no news
that we can rely upon. Everything with these people is a
glorious victory and the winding up of the Confederacy.
Time will show.

July 29.—A month has elapsed since I have written any-
thing in my journal of events. I have been sick at heart
over my long confinement. We were much gratified last
Saturday over the arrival of a Southern mail. I had two
letters from my wife, but they did not afford me much conso-
lation, as she seemed very low spirited and complained of
being unwell. My quarters now are more comfortable, as I
am in a small room with seven others. A great outrage was
committed last Saturday night by the sentinels on post.
Without any provocation they fired into one of the blocks and
severely wounded two officers. The commander expressed
much regret and assured us that there would be no repetition
of such a cowardly action.

August 11.—Still greater improvements are going on here.
They are building a large mess hall to cook and eat in, but
this will be of little advantage to us unless the amount of
rations are increased. We have been much elated at the
suecess of the Confederate arms everywhere until this morn-
ing, when the news came of the entrance of the Federal fleet
in Mobile Bay and the surrender of Fort Powell. This news
cast a gloom over us all. We have a hard time here killing
time. We read, spin yarns, read the Bible, ete., to get away
with it.

Day before yesterday a bold attempt was made by a nun-

 

Prison Lire at Jounson’s ISLAND. 685

ber of prisoners to escape. Several wagons were engaged in
hauling sand, and our men procuring blue pants with caps
would get in the empty wagons and hop out at the gate.
About forty had succeeded in eluding the vigilance of the
guards and had gotten out of the bull pen before they were
discovered. As it was the alarm was quickly given and all
but two or three were recaptured. The punishment here is
severe for attempting to escape, but as a general thing the
Yankees are good natured and usually release them. An-
other attempt was made by a young man yesterday to get out.
He dressed himself in citizens’ clothes and with a forged pass
he got by the officers of the guard and was making his way
to the boat that was about to leave for Sandusky, when he
was recognized by a Corporal and arrested. I am out of
money, but I have an abundance of good clothing. I might
say that I have an elegant wardrobe for a soldier, thanks to
my kind friends.

August 28.—To-morrow is the day set for the meeting of
the great Chicago Convention. We look forward with great
interest toward the outcome of that meeting, for upon its ac-
tion depends our release from prison and we are all convinced
that the administration does not intend to exchange prisoners.
In our prison many petty things are done to make us feel the
sting and degradation of prison life. Late orders from the
Secretary of War forbid the selling of any kind of clothing
to us; also provisions, vegetables, etc., and no one is allowed
to send us anything. If one is very sick, he can get an order
from the Surgeon (if he is in good humor), by which you
can send to some near relative for what you need. This or-
der does not prevent one from receiving anything from the
South, as they well know that nothing of any use or value will
reach the one intended for, even if sent.

September 1.—The all-absorbing topic of excitement here
is the Chicago Convention, as the future destiny of our Con-
federacy and our own release from prison depends upon the
success and harmony of that body. The nomination of Mc-
Clellan was unexpected, but we do not think we can be
worsted. The scarcity of rations is another topic that is seri-
ous with us now, and we have actually taken to eating rats.

id ORT CEDIA AN SIRE LO REE PE RORIOOES EBT PERRET pore eee 7 = “ a “ ih

sont hittin WANNA ANE NE RRNA A LLL LRA

Ya RCSA ARID RED RATIS E e

 
 

 

 

686 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

I myself saw half a dozen of them dressed for the pot. This
bull pen abounds with them. They are fat and gentle and
easily killed.

An execution took place here to-day. A young man from
Kentucky charged with murder, was hung by the military
authorities. I do not know the circumstances. I saw the
poor fellow seated on his coffin in a carryall, with the Chap-
lain administering to him the last consolations of God’s holy
promises, and in mockery were the loud notes of the shrill
fife and drum with the usual parade of flags, music and
troop. Will we be exchanged before another horrid winter
sets in on this bleak island? I fear not. We must suffer
a little longer. Perhaps it will be for our good.

September 15.—The same life of weariness every day, no
change, dull, dull. What shall I do to kill time? is heard
every day all around. What a glorious opportunity you will
say to improve your mind. Try it, my young friend. You
pick up a book, you try to read. The first thing that flashes
upon your mind is to hurl it at some one’s head. Then your
thoughts will wander to home and loved ones and you cannot
read. You would walk and take some exercise, but. this
would only aggravate your appetite, one that cannot, as it is,
be satistied with the coarsest food. One hundred privates
were added to our crowded pen on yesterday. What they
are sent here for I do not know. I heard it was to do police
duty for us; if so it is another outrage. Twenty-five sick
leave to-day on exchange. What joyful news it is to these
poor fellows. The thoughts of once more returning to their
homes is indeed a pleasure. Our very distinguished and able
divine, Colonel Lewis, also leaves to-day on special exchange.
We part with him with regret, but our well wishes go with
him. We have adopted one rule among ourselves in our little
room, and that is to have prayer every night. You see we are
not so heathenish in our propensities as one might suppose.
The future looks gloomy enough before us. There is no possi-
ble chance that we see of beating Mr. Lincoln and he will not
exchange prisoners. We had some hope of his defeat to bet-
ter our condition, but we have none now. We will have to
weather another winter here and perhaps trust to another

 

Prison Lire at Jounson’s ISLAND. 687

spring campaign for our exchange. Take any view you
please of it, it is bad enough.

September 27.—On the night of the 23d one of the most
terrific hurricanes and thunder storms passed above this
island. It was more severe than anything of the kind ever
witnessed. It happened about 8:30 o’clock while we were
at prayers. One-half the high fence around the enclosure
was blown down, carrying with it all the sentinels. At the
time three of the blocks were torn to pieces, blowing the roof
and rafters off like so many leaves, trees were prostrated, a
portion of one of the wings of the hospital was carried away.
What was most miraculous was that no one was seriously in-
jured, though several were knocked down and bruised. Our
bull pen, as the prisoners call it, was a perfect wreck. No
one escaped ; how could they? We are on a small island with
as many troops to guard us as we have prisoners. In addi-
tion they have a gun-boat that can shell every part of our
prison; also block house and artillery bearing upon us. To-
day a salute of one hundred guns was fired in honor of Sher-
idan’s victory over Early. All kinds of rumors are afloat
among the Yankees. They have it that Petersburg and
Mobile have surrendered; also that Early and Breckinridge
have surrendered. Time will show.

Nore.—Colonel Webb was paroled about 25 June, 1865. The paroles
being granted in alphabetical order he was among the last to leave. His
interesting diary, which was continued till he left the Island. was un-
fortunately lost since the war except what is printedabove. The follow-
ing incident contributed by his son. Garland E. Webb, Esq., of Winston
merits preservation. ‘‘A few weeks before the company of which my
father was Captain was called out Judge W. P. Mangum who lived a
short distance from the mustering place of the company sent word to
my father to bring his company to his home. Of course my father re-
sponded at once, and I, a boy of 7 years, went along. Judge Mangum
was at that time paralyzed, and as I remember him, was a splendid
looking old gentleman with long white beard and hair. Asthe company
marched into the beautiful grounds of Walnut Hall. the home of the
old Statesman, Judge Mangum was sitting out in his rear porch with his
daughter standing by him. The company went through its maneuvres,
and when the command Halt! was given and the boys saluted the old
gentleman, he turned with tears running down his cheeks and said to
his daughter ‘tell William Preston to join the company.’ On receiving
the message from his father young Mangum walked down the steps, and
to the place where the company was standing, and amid cheers joined
the Confederate Army. He was at once made a Lieutenant and was
killed at the first battle of Manassas, (21 July of that year).’’ Youn
Mangum was an only son and the news of hia death hastened that o

his distinguished father.--Ep.

 
 

JOHNSON’S ISLAND.

By COLONEL THOS. 8S. KENAN, Forry-Tuirp Reciment N, C. T.

I was in the three days’ battle (1, 2 and 3 July, 1863,)
commanding the Forty-third Regiment, at Gettysburg, and
was wounded in the: third day’s fight in a charge on Culp’s
Hill, on our extreme left. On the retreat I was captured
with other wounded Confederates, taken to a Federal hospi-
tal at Frederick City and thence to Baltimore where I re-
mained until able to walk on crutches; thence with about
thirty others I was carried to Johnson’s Island, arriving there,
I think, on 28 August, 1863.

Johnson’s Island is in Lake Erie, about two and a half
miles north of Sandusky City, Ohio. Its area is perhaps a
mile long and a half mile wide, or thereabout, and the area of
the prison grounds, located near the southern end of the
island, was about 200 by 300 yards, with a block-house at each
end where the big guns were kept in readiness to open on the
prisoners in the event of a general uprising. The grounds
were enclosed by a strong plank fence twelve or fifteen feet
high, with sentinel beats on the parapet. A United States
war vessel lay in the offing whose services could be brought
into requisition if necessary. There were thirteen roughly
constructed wooden buildings two stories high, with entrances
to the upper stories by stair-ways on the outside—six of the
buildings on either side and one at the lower end midway the
grounds, and bunks arranged in vertical tiers in each build-
ing. Nearly 3,000 prisoners of war, mostly officers, represent-
ing almost every command in the Confederate army, were
guests of the United States Government at this place for
about fifteen months to two years—the period of imprison-
ment of some being less. Hope of exchange was abandoned,

44

 
 

 

690 NortH Caroiina Troops, 1861-65.

and they engaged in every species of amusement and enter-
tainment available, as was perhaps the case of others under
similar conditions, in order to while away the time and lessen
the monotony and severity of prison life. Repeated efforts
were made by the writer and others to escape, but their plans
were discovered by the guards and frustrated. If one got
out of the enclosure the difficulty was in getting off the island,
for guards were stationed on or near the shore. Many who
made the attempt were recaptured and assigned to their old
quarters after undergoing punishment by temporary confine-
ment in a cell in one of the block-houses.

I was one of a party who were engaged for some time in dig-
ging a tunnel from Block 11, which was situated near the fence
at the northern end of the grounds, in which I was “bunking.”
We began operations by taking out a loose plank in the floor,
getting under the house and digging a deep hole from the
bottom of which the tunnel was commenced. The work was
always done late at night and the plank replaced. It was
continued for weeks under many difficulties. We used or-
dinary case knives and tin plates for removing the earth and
erawled about under the house in spreading it, as the floor
was near the ground and did not admit of even a stooping
posture. To a point just outside the fence where the line
of the tunnel was to be turned upward until the surface was
reached, we estimated the distance from the starting point
to be about forty feet. Nearly three-fourths of the work was
executed, and we then began to make plans necessary to
make good our escape after getting through the tunnel when
completed. But to our surprise the operations were reported
to the guard (by some spy kept inside as we supposed) and
a detail was sent in by the prison authorities one day who dug
down into that part of the tunnel between the end of the
block and the fence, and filled it with pieces of timber and
other obstructions, immovable by our appliances. We gave
up the job, and the next year moved over to Block 4, but
no opportunity for making another attempt was ever pre

sented.
But there were a few successful ventures, notably that

 

JOHNSON’s ISLAND. 691

of John R. Winston, Lieutenant-Colonel of the Forty-fifth
Regiment, and three or four others, whose names are
not recalled. They had been engaged for some time in
making preparations for escape in securing additional
clothing, ladders, ete. On the intensely cold night of 31
December, 1863, when the thermometer was several de-
grees below zero and the sentinels on the walls were in
consequence forced to remain in their boxes for protec-
tion, they saw their opportunity and took advantage of it.
They scaled the wall without being seen by the guards and
walked on the ice to the opposite shore. Winston and one
other finally reached Canada, thence by Nassau to Wilming-
ton in a “blockade-runner.”’ The others were recaptured,
with hands and feet frozen. Winston rejoined his regiment
and was afterwards its Colonel. So severely cold was the
weather that it was doubted whether the poorly clad prison-
ers could have been induced to encounter it, if permission
had been given them to leave at that time. And they contin-
ued “to look beyond the dreary now, to brighter days and
better.”

Of course we did not know when we would be released

and our abode upon the island was beginning to assume a
permanent character. To increase the means of relieving
the consequent mental and physical strain, it was proposed
in the early part of the year 1865 that a “government” be
established by the prisoners on the island, with a legislative,
executive and judicial department. The matter was dis-
cussed among the prisoners and resulted in the election, after
due notice posted on the “bulletin board,” of delegates to a
convention to frame a constitution. The prisoners were divid-
ed into “‘messes,” varying in number, and each mess was enti-
tled to one representative—making about twenty-five who
would compose the convention. After this election was held,
it was deemed advisable to consult the prison authorities and
ascertain if they would give their consent to the movement.
Thereupon, a committee consisting of three of the delegates
elected, namely Jos. J. Davis, Captain Company G, Forty? °
seventh Regiment, and myself (the name of the other member

 

 
 

 

 

692 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861-’65,

not remembered), were directed to seek an interview with
Colonel Chas. W. Hill, commandant, of the post. The com-
mittee communicated with him by letter, stating the purpose
of their proposed interview, and received a favorable reply.
We were then permitted, under guard, to go to his headquar-
ters, near the entrance to the prison grounds, and were cour-
teously received. He was informed of the plans proposed for
organizing the “government” and enacting such statutes as
might be considered necessary by the prisoners for the regula-
tion of their affairs—with a president to execute and a judi-
ciary to interpret the laws. There was no suggestion that we
wished to have diplomatic relations with the United States or
any other foreign power, for we were satisfied that any repre-
sentative we might accredit would be persona non grata. Nor
was it our purpose to discriminate against any government
in the free delivery of goods of any sort to the prisoners—no
duties would be imposed. But the commandant said he had
no power to grant the application, but would submit it to the
* War Department at Washington and advise the committee of
the result. Then came rumors of exchange which produced
a condition of anxious excitement, obstructed the flow of en-
thusiasm for the movement and increased the desire to leave
the island upon which the proposed “government” was to be
established ; and we were never informed whether our appli-
eation received further consideration.

After a while the authorities gave notice of the time when
the names of those selected to go upon the paroled list would
be called, and when the time arrived the whole body of pris-
oners assembled near the gate—each with the hope of re-
sponding to the call of his name. All wished to be released,
but it was ascertained that only a comparatively small num-
her would be. The occasion created the most intense ner-
vous expectancy. The scope of one’s imagination may take
it in, but it is doubted whether the pen of the most experi-
enced and accomplished writer could fully describe it.

In this connection I will give a copy of a letter received, in
reply, from the commandant, which is the only document I

 

JOHNSON’sS IsLAND. 693

found among my old war papers in my search for data in
preparing this sketch. It is as follows:

“Hrapquarters U. S. Forons,
“Jounson’s Istayp, Ouro, 23 February, 1865.

“GENTLEMEN :—I have your note of yesterday alluding to
the matter of making up rolls for exchange and tendering
assistance in the clerical labor. I thank you for the offer
of assistance. I have received like offers from other pris-
oners and to some extent have accepted them, and will grate-
fully accept of such assistance when a proper dispatch of
business requires that I should do so. You are in error as to
the rule under which rolls for exchange are being prepared.
Rolls have already been made up to 1 July, 1863. In making
rolls of prisoners captured after that date, smaller periods
are taken. The first period will include only the first five
days of July; the next period, the next five days of July, and
so on, adjusting periods in length in proportion to the num-
ber of captures, and within each period the rolls will be
made alphabetically. I trust that the justice and propriety
of this course will be apparent, though it involves much more
Jabor than would otherwise be the case.

“T am, very respectfully,
“Your obedient servant,
“Onar tes W. Hitt,
“Colonel Commanding.
“To Colonel Thos. S. Kenan,
Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. Luce,

Lieutenant-Colonel W. S. Rankin,
Prisoners of War.”

So it will be seen that the names of the particular prisoners
on the rolls prepared by the prison authorities were known
only to them.

The result was, however, that in March, 1865, three hun-
dred of us were sent south and reached Richmond the latter
part of the month—a few days before the surrender of the
Army of Northern Virginia and reported to the proper au-
thorities and received, our pay. No cartel was agreed upon;

 
 

 

694 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

indeed the exchange of prisoners had long since been discon
tinued in consequence of the policy adopted by the Federal
Government. Being on parole, we could not rejoin our re-
spective commands. Some went to their homes; others felt
that it would be unsafe to attempt to get there as the country

was occupied by Union troops, and they did not wish to be |

within their lines. A considerable number came to Greens-
boro by rail—the writer and his brother James G. Kenan,
Captain of Company A, Forty-third Regiment, among them
—and after learning of the surrender at Appomattox, decid-
ed to go to the Trans-Mississippi Department if necessary to
keep in touch with our forces and to be in 2 position to report
for duty, should the policy in reference to exchange be modi-
fied. To avoid the possibility of being intercepted by a raiding
party of Union cavalry who, we were told, were operating
somewhere west of Greensboro, and tearing up the railroad
track, we walked through the country from the latter place to
a station west of Salisbury where we got aboard a freight
train and went to Charlotte. While there, information was
received that General Johnston’s army had surrendered and
hostilities had ceased. We remained in Charlotte a while as
the guests of Mr. Kerr, proprietor of a hotel, and of Mr.
Thos. W. Dewey, and others, whose kindness in supplying
the wants of moneyless Confederate soldiers will always be
gratefully remembered. After the railroad track was re-
paired and trains were running through, we left Charlotte
and reached our home in Kenansville, Duplin County, on 17
May, 1865.

A more detailed account of the incidents of prison life and
the homeward journey cannot now be given. But the above
epitome, though perhaps not quite accurate in some particu-
lars, may serve to refresh the memory of fellow prisoners
and stimulate their interest in collecting additional material
for future publication. So varied were our experiences that

it is impossible for any one to prepare a comprehensive state
ment.

The frontispiece to this volume was taken from a drawing
made for me at Johnson’s Island by one of my “mess-mates,”

 

JOHNSON’s ISLAND. 695

W. B. Hardy, Lieutenant in a Virginia Artillery Com-
pany.
Tuos. S. Kenan.

Rauzteu, N. C.,
30 March, 1901.

The following poems were copied at Johnson’s Island by
Colonel Thos. S. Kenan from the originals:

By Major George McKnight of Louisiana, (‘‘Asa Hartz”) Adjutant-General
of Loring’s Division, while a prisoner on Johnson's Island.

“A captive on a lake-girt isle
Looks o’er the waters sadly,

His thoughts on one whose blessed smile
Would welcome him so gladly,

But that beneath a northern sky,
A sky to him so dreary.

He’s doomed to pine and vainly sigh,
Away out on Lake Erie.

“The winds that waft to others bliss
But mock him with their tone.

The lips are pale they stoop to kiss,
With yearning, for his home,

The waves that dash upon the beach,
Keep ceaseless guard and weary,

They chant of joys beyond the reach
Of him who looks on Erie.

“They bear to him his mother’s tone,
His sister’s mournful song,
Until he longs to be alone,
Far from that captive throng.
And when he lays him down to sleep,
With aching heart and weary,
The winds and waves his vigils keep,
Dear dreamer on Lake Erie.

“But all who love him pray to God
To bless his precious life,
* With patience to endure the rod,
With faith to close the strife,
And look beyond the dreary now
To brighter days and better,
When native winds shall fan his brow,

And only fond arms fetter.”

 
 

 

696 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

ce
THE CONFEDERACY —“MEMORIAL OF THE CHOCTAW PRIS-
3?
ONER. BY SIMEON E. HAMILTON (AN INDIAN),

CAPTAIN SECOND CHOCTAW CAVALRY, C. S. A.

“As freemen ought, the South contended for her rights,
The Choctaw was stand by her.

For her rights she sacrificed her many brave sons,
Choctaw has done the same, likewise.

For her rights many bloods of her beloved sons
Has been shed on her own soil,

Choctaw’s blood has been required as one of them.

For her rights she have many brave sons imprisoned on John-
son’s Island, &c.,

And there is Choctaw among her sons.

On an island unaccustomed and hostile climate,
Her brave sons are kept looking for better days,
And Choctaw is among tnem.”

Captain Hamilton died on 5 February, 1864, while a pris-
oner of war on Johnson’s Island.

PRISONERS AT JOHNSON ISLAND
TQ GOVERNOR VANCE.

30 MAKCH, 1864.

FurnisHep By COLONEL THOS. 8. KENAN, Forty-Tuirp RrGimMent
Norto Caroiina Troops.

During the campaign of 1864, Governor Vance made a
speech at Wilkesboro, a copy of which was seen in a newspa-
per procured by one of the North Carolina prisoners on John-
son’s Island. How its sentiments were appreciated and en-
dorsed, is set out in the following letter:

“OU, S. Mrurrary Prison, Jonnson’s Is_anp,
“ Near Sanpusky Ciry, Ouro, March 30, 1864.
“Governor Vance:

“Sir :—At a meeting of the officers from North Carolina
confined in this prison, on yesterday, we, the undersigned,
were appointed a committee to express to you the intense sat-
isfaction with which we have marked the distinguished ability
and lofty patriotism which have characterized your adminis-
tration. It has been with peculiar pride during this, our
long and tedious imprisonment, that in every wind that has
brought to our ears a whisper from the land of our birth and
of our unchangeable love, we have heard the utterance of our
own sentiments, the echo of our own prayers, of our highest
Lopes and purest aspirations, in the manly and patriotic lan-
wuage of the Governor of our State. Exiles from our homes
and country, captives in the land of those who hate and would
destroy us, we watch with anxious concern the progres» of
events ‘and the course of the war, and note with unmingled
pleasure the manifestations of ardent patriotism and unyield-
ing firmness among the masses of the people of our own State.
But, sir, it is with peculiar pleasure that we advert to your
late noble effort at Wilkesboro—so genuine in its eloquence,
so exalted in its patriotism, so forcible in its arguments, and

 
698 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861~’65.

withal so hopeful and confident of success that every son of
the old State felt a glow of pride in the reflection that these
grand utterances emanated from his own honored Chief Mag-
istrate.

“Sir, your exposition of the policy of the Federal Govern-
nient, your startling portraiture of the miseries that would be
endured by our unhappy country and the oppressions and in-
dignities that would be heaped upon her in case of submis-
sion, are so forcibly verified by the actions of the dominant
party in this country, that no reasoning man, enjoying, as
we do, an unlimited access to the leading journals of all polit-
ical parties here, can fail to realize the fact that even the most
appalling apprehensions of misery that have presented them-
selves to the minds of our most sagacious statesmen; even
the most hideous pictures of ruin that have been painted by
cur most eloquent countrymen—would fall far short of the
realities of the doom that would await us, ‘should we be so de-
mented as to lay down those arms and disband those armies
that have hitherto protected us from the fury of our enemies.
Those who delude themselves with the hope that there is still
a conservative party here sufficiently strong to restore them
again even to those precarious rights they enjoyed before the
disrrption of the Union, in case they return to that Union,
are indulging in a vain, a dangerous hope. We have it daily
manifested to us here that this party is utterly powerless to
protect even its own rights and liberties from the aggressions
of the administration; their danger is even more imminent
than our own, and their only hope of deliverance is in the
trinmph of our cause; they grow weaker with every defeat of
ours; they grow stronger with every success. At present they
are writhing in helpless wretchedness. The one great idea
of the people of this country is the subjugation of the South,
and so to appropriate its property to the liquidation of their
stupendous debt; and the dominant party is stronger or
weaker in proportion as the prospect of success is nearer or
more remote.

Let our people by any event, either through submission or
subjugation, be thrown on the mercy of this nation, and the
great plan will have been consummated, and this success will

PRISONERS AT JOHNSON IsLAND TO Gov. Vancr. 699

have insured the perpetuity of the Republican party. What
policy this party would pursue in the government of our
country is but too plainly manifested already; we gather it
daily from their congressional actions, from their party con-
ventions, from their leading journals. We hear it even from
their own lips, so to humiliate the South, so to crush her
spirit, so to cripple her resources, so to disarm her, so to
quench her hopes, that never again within her wide borders
shall even a whisper be heard in claim of freedom. They de-
clare that this war must be waged, not only until the rebel-
lion is crushed and the people subjugated, but that it must be
prosecuted until the possibility of its recurrence is forever
gone. To accomplish this design they declare that it is both
the right and the duty of Congress to confiscate the property
of our people, both real and personal, and to apportion it
among their soldiers and freedmen; (slaves whom they have
liberated) ; they propose to take the arms from the whites
and put them in the hands of the negroes; they propose to
extend the right of suffrage to the blacks, while among the
whites it is to be restricted to those who have been hostile to
their country throughout the war. In short, in their blind
vindictive rage they would make of our country one vast ruin,
so hideous that far down into the coming ages of mankind it
may stand as a ghastly warning to deter the rash patriot that
would claim freedom as his birthright or republican govern-
ment as a heritage. War may cover the land with sorrow
and mourning, but peace on the terms of submission would
cover it with the blackness of the shadow of death. War has
still the blessing of hope, but in such a peace there is only
the darkness of despair. In such a state of existence the or-
der of nature would be reversed. Life would be the king of
terrors and death its only solace. In final, eternal separation
lies our only hope, our only safety. Other terms were dis-
honorable, were dangerous. As soldiers of North Carolina,
as citizens of our young Confederacy, we can be content with
no peace that does not recognize us as a free and independent
people.

So long sir, as you tread the path of duty with the same
manly, unfaltering step as heretofore, so long will our hearts

Fa PRM MEM AMEN OAS

 
‘

700 Norra Carotrna Troops, 1861-’65. PRISONERS AT JOHNSON IsLAND To Gov. VANcE. 701

. Shipman, Henderson; S. J. Wright, Anson;

. Crawford, Clay; H, P. Lovell, Surry;
. Neil, Transylvania; W. O. L. Bonner, Surry;

. Chappell, Richmond; H. J. Walker, Mecklenburg;
. Smith, Davidson; Jas. Tiddy, Mecklenburg;
. Hand, Mecklenburg; Jas. I, Metts, Wilmington;
. Hand, Mecklenburg; R. M. McIntire, Wilmington;
. McDonal4, Cumberland; George Gilliam, Chowan;

. Parks, Wilkes; David W. Parker, Gates;
. Foster, Wilkes; S. J. Rountree, Gates;

. Gray, Wilkes; M. L. Eure, Gates;
Geo, A Graves, Caswell; J. T, Forrester, Wilkes;

go with you in gratitude; so long will we hail you as among
the great deliverers of the State we reverence, from a tyranny
more revolting than the visage of death.
‘“‘We have the honor to be, sir, with distinguished esteem,
“Your obedient servants,
‘“Wuarton J. Green,

“Warren County, Chairman.

“Jos. J. Davis, Franklin, Henry T. Jorpan, Person,

“Tuos. S. Kenan, Duplin, H. C. Jonzs, Jz., Rowan.
“Committee.

oe a,

 

 

“Samuxrt P. Hrix, Caswell, Chairman of Meeting.
“Jas. M. Mayo, Edgecombe, Secretary.

M. E. Alexander, Mecklenburg;
C. A. McGeehee, Rockingham;
J. M. Kendricks, Gaston;
Wm. Taylor, Caswell;

Wm. G. Woods, Caswell;
Isaac H. Nelson, Stokes;

J. W. Roberts, Rockingham;
J. F. Hodges, Rockingham;
Nat. S. Smith, Rockingham;
M. F. Joines, Wilkes;

Jas. B. Pool, Alexander;

A, H, Miller, Rowan;

B. F. White, Alamance;

S. J. Crawford, Alamance;
Israel B. Watson, Hyde;

W. J. Dickerson, Jones;

G. B, Davis, Polk;

R. F. Drake, Nash;

* §. P. Gill, Franklin;

H. G. Whitehead, Pitt;

. E, Mayo, Pitt:

. A. Hanrahan, Pitt;

. M. Royster, Granville;

. L. Hamilton, Polk;

. M. Tate, Haywood;

. Ringstaff, Union;

-M. Mathews, Jr., Mecklenburg;
. H. Rothrick, Rowan;

. C, Ferrell, Nash;

. M. McDonald, Cumberland;
. L. Morris, Polk;

ae th Apa

F. N. Dick, Guilford;

Will. S. Rankin, Guilford;
J. B. Oliver, Duplin;

H,. C. Moore, Duplin;

Wm. Sharp, Hertford;

A. McFadgen, Cumberland;
H, H. Draughan, Sampson;
J. W. Wright, Sampson;
Alex Miller, Jr., Craven;

J. M, Hancock, Randolph;
W. G. Lane, Randolph;

A, G. Murdoch, Randolph;
T. C. Miller, Wilkes;

M, P, Roberts, Buncombe;
A, ©. Godwin, Rowan;

J. Calder Turner, Rowan;

C. K,. McNeely, Rowan;

E. A. Small, Chowan;

S. A. Jarvis, Davie;

Jas. D. Newsom, Wake;
E. A, Osborne, Yadkin;

N. Horton, Watauga;

B. A. Queen, Jackson;

L. H. Enloe, Macon;
M..W. Norfleet, Caswell;
F’, J. Haywood, Jr., Raleigh;
W. L. Morris, Henderson;
S. J. Evans, Franklin;

H. C. Dixon, Alamance;
Jeremiah Ratcliff, Haywood;
John Turpin, Haywood;

J. E. Williams, Cherokee;

J. M. Shearer, Cherokee;
Jas. B. Jordan, Raleigh;
Pleasant M. Parker,

F, Y. Hicks, Cleveland;

R. W. Thornton, Cumberland;
E. D. Dickson, Cleveland;

S. D. Randall, Cleveland;

J. A. Camp, Cleveland;

P, R, Elam, Cleveland;
Thos, D, Falls, Cleveland;
D, B. Magness, Cleveland;

J. H. Randall, Cleveland;
B. H. Winston, Franklin;

S. Weatherspoon, Wake;

B, Y. Martin, Ashe;

W. C. McDaniel, Fayetteville;
W. A. Marloe, Yadkin;

S. W. Brewer, Chatham;

W. R. Young, Franklin;

J. S. Joyner, Franklin;
W..H. Williams, Franklin;
Henry G, Turner, Granville;
W. H. Young, Granville;
Richard Howard, Henderson;
A. D. Hicks, Duplin;

R. M. Wilson, Jackson;
Henry G. Lewis, Tyrrell;
Jos. Kinsey, Jones;

G. F, Justice, Transylvania;
J. F. Cross, Gates;

Jas. T, Burton, Caswell;
Lee Russell, Montgomery;
W. W. Cole, Moore;

John Moore, New Hanover;
M. L. Helton, Catawba;
C. L, Turner, Iredell;
A. A. Inman, Robeson;
John H. Nicholson, Warren;
Jas, J. Laughlin, Warren;
J. M. Harris, I[redell;
A. D. Hooper, Jackson;
W. E. Goolsby, Rockingham;
J. T., Martin, Rockingham;
B. P. Jenkins, Edgecombe;
N. M. Lawrence, Edgecombe;
Jas, G. Kenan, Duplin;
Lewis T. Hicks, Duplin;
Jas. J, Huggins, Duplin;
E. R. Fennymore, Haywood;
W. J. Wilson, Haywood;
Jas. H. Watson, Alamance;
S. M. Roberson, Alamance;
Jno, M. Lawrence, Randoiph;
M., H. Cox, Randolph;
A, E, Peele, Northampton;
O. A. Hanner, Chatham;
T. M. Jenkins, Chatham;
D. D. Suttle, Cleveland;

. Whiting, Wake;

. Ferrell, Wake;

. McKinney, Rutherford;

. Y. MelIntyre, Rutherford;
. W. Dickson, Haywood;

Robt. L. Owens, Caldwell;
N. G. Bradford, Caldwell;
G. O. Cherry, Bertie;
J. M. Whittenberry, Transylvania;

 

 
702 Norro CaroLina Troops, 1861-’65.

. L. Hooper, Guilford;
. R. Saunders, Guilford;
E. W. Pharr, Cabarrus;
. A, Tatum, Guilford;
Wm. J. Christian, Orange;
Nat L, Brown, Wake;
Nathan D. Laffoon, Surry;
J. D. McLester, Stanly;
Sidney P. Clark, Wilson;
O. A. Ramseur, Lincoln;
W. J. Kincaid, Burke;
W. G. Turner, Burke;
W. M. Norman, Surry;
M. H. Norman, Surry;
E. T. Thompson, Surry;
B. W. Minter, Surry;
J. H. Saunders, Orange;
L. H. Workman, Orange;
Calvin Pritchard, Bertie;
Thomas Ruffin, Bertie;
L. Bond Sutton, Bertie;
W. A. Mebane, Bertie;
Matt Manly, Craven;
Wm. H. Johnson, Mecklenburg;
E. Smith, Meckienburg;
B. R. Smith, Jr., Mecklenburg;
M. R. McDonald, Richmond;
A. A. Moffitt, Richmond;
M. H. Shuford, Lincoln;
J M. Pierson, Stokes;
M. L. Efland, Guilford;

B. F,. Pearce, Cumberland;
Anderson Ellis, Rowan;

J. A, Lea, Caswell;

Sam’l G. Parham, Granville;
W. G. Guess, Orange;
Edward A. Speed, Orange;
Robt. F. Webb, Orange;

A. S. Staynes, Lincoln;

W. W. Sherrill, Lenoir;

J. H. Gilbert, Catawba;

J. J. Forney, Burke;

L. Warlick, Burke;

Thos, L. Cooley, Orange;
Edward A. Brietz, Forsyth;
S. C. Rankin, Guilford;

E. P. G. Murray, Haywood;
W. H. Leatherwood, Haywood;
Thos, P. Jones, Buncombe;
Virgil S. Lusk, Buncombe;
Asbury T. Rogers, Haywood;
W. G. B. Morris, Henderson;
Geo, T. Bethell, Rockingham;
John T. Williams, Warren;
W. N. Garrett, Madison;

J. P. Gaston, Buncombe;
Ira Proffit, Madison;

Z. M. Candler, Madison;
Chas, T. Garrett, Madison;
Thos, C, Powell, Wake;
Isaac N. Tillett, Camden;

Henry E. Shepherd, Fayetteville.

 

The foregoing was copied by me from the original letter,
which was transmitted to Governor Vance by being concealed
in the clothes of a Confederate soldier who was exchanged on

account of bad health.

The committee appointed by the meeting met and decided
that each member should submit to an adjourned meeting a
letter to the Governor for its consideration. The original
draft prepared by Colonel Hamilton C. Jones was in substance
adopted—a few formal changes, suggested by other members,
being incorporated.

Tuos. S. Kenan.

Ratzien, N. C.,
30 March, 1901.

N. C. OFFICERS IN PRISON AT
JOHNSON'S ISLAND, 1864.

By J. F. CROSS, First Lizurenanr Company B., Fiera N. ©. T.

I enlisted inCompany B, Fifth North Carolina State Troops,
commanded by Colonel Dunean K. McRae, and was-at the first
battle of Manassas; was with General Jackson at Chancel-
lorsville, where he received his death wound; and was in com-
mand of Company B at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., in Iver-
son’s Brigade.

I was wounded twice in the first day’s fight and taken pris-
oner. I was taken to the military hospital on David’s Island,
near New York City; afterwards to officers’ military prison
on Johnson’s Island in Lake Erie. The stockade in which
we were kept was surrounded by a wall about twelve feet
high. There were block houses at opposite corners, with
cannon mounted to guard against a revolt of the prisoners.
Also within the enclosure were thirteen buildings for the use
of the 2,437 Confederate officers, an average of 187 to each
building.

At first we were fairly treated. A sutler’s store was al-
lowed within the enclosure, where we could supplement our
short rations, provided we had money. I wrote to a friend
in the Government Department at Richmond, Va., to draw
my back pay, invest it in tobacco, and forward it to me, which
was received (100 pounds) a few days before the blockade
was closed against the prisoners receiving anything from the
South. As I did not use tobacco, I sold the whole lot in the
prison for $100,00 in United States currency, which made
me quite a capitalist there. Very soon the sutler was with-
drawn and then came the pinch, but we were equal to the oc-
casion. In asmall way the camp became a work shop; out of
bones and rubber buttons we made chains, rings, ete.

We could occasionally bribe a guard to bring us in food

cs sans Sa i eta LE IR TEM NEC

 

See ARR

2 SR Me a ee

Sma heinahish asinine!

 
 

 

 

704 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861-65,

more suitable to our taste, than that we usually had, and also
other necessary articles. Fortunately the prison swarmed
with large wharf rats and we turned our attention to their
capture. We found when salted and allowed to stay a day or
so they were quite toothsome. In fact, they became quite a
delicacy for hospital use. We tried them cooked in various
ways. Captain Mills Eure, of our mess (since Judge of the
Superior Court) suggested an old fashion pot pie. After
that rats were not in quite so much demand, for our mess, as
it made us sick.

Many efforts were made to escape, but only one succeeded
during my imprisonment. I secured a Federal uniform
from one of the guards, and made the attempt, but was de-
tected and returned to prison and punished.

The most exciting time of our experience in prison was in
a tornado that swept the island. Several of the buildings
were badly wrecked, but we availed ourselves of every protec-
tion by getting into the shallow wells in the enclosure. -

There were, among the prisoners, men of every variety of
talent. Some were ministers before entering the war, so we
had preaching, prayer-meeting and such devotional exercises.
Had Lyceum, with lectures, debates, ete. We organized a
theatrical corps and charged a small fee for admittance. In
fact we engaged in everything to meet the necessities of the
hour, and to beguile its tedium.

Thirty-six years ago this month I left the inhospitable
clime of Johnson’s Island and walked two miles on the ice to
Sandusky, Ohio, where I set my face southward. Being dis-
charged. alphabetically, I was among the first released.

While in prison I kept in a book the names, rank, regiment,
ete., of all the prisoners. There was in all one Major-Gen-
eral, five Brigadier-Generals, fifty Colonels, forty-one Lieu-
tenant-Colonels, sixty-two Majors, 575 Captains, 1,675 Lieu-
tenants, 28 Adjutants.. Every State which had troops in the
Confederate Army was represented, including therefore, of
course, Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri.

The following is a list of the prisoners from North Caro-

PRISONERS AT.JOHNSON’s ISLAND, 1864.

 

 

NAME,

G. W. Armstrong... |Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
.. |[Lieutenant.|é
Lieutenant.

G. W. Albright...
F. S. Abernathy

B. F. Armfield
Thomas Allen
M. B. Allison

J. V. Arrington.... Lieutenant.
i\Captain....
M, BH, Alexander.... |LLieutenant.|5
I. D. Arrington.... Lieutenant |:
‘Lieutenant.
\Lieutenant.|6
iCaptain....
‘Lieutenant.

Nat. L, Brown....
H, K; Branch...

Ger.

CoC. Blacknall.<..

W. G. Baldwin

Robert Bingham

B. J. Blount

NM. G. Bradford....

S. M. Benton
J. M. Bergin

RANK.

REGIMENT

HOME,

 

 

Lieutenant.

Lieutenant.

‘Lieutenant.

\Captain....

 

Lt. A. D.C
ee} \Lieutenant.
‘Lieutenant.
iCapt.A.Q.M

_.. (Captain...
‘Lieutenant. |!

\Captain....
‘Lieutenant.

 

. {Lieutenant.|
Lieutenant.

 

63rd (5 Cav.)...

Wilson.
Carey.
Melville,
Forestville.

. Monroe,

Marshall.
Webster.

(Died in Prison.)

Troublesome.
Charlotte,
Battleboro.
Webster.
Webster.
Georgia.
Marshall,
Brownsville.

. Burgaw.

‘Captain... ./59th (4 Cay.)...
Lieutenant.)
.... Lieutenant. |
Lieutenant. |
Lieut. Col..|

. Lieutenant.|

Lieutenant .|20th

‘Lieutenant .|22nd

Longstreet.
Currituck,
Raleigh.
Morganton.
Missouri.
|Troublesome.
|Salem,
|Goldston.
|Raleigh.
|Hallsville,
|Statesville.
\Kittrells.
Whiteville.
Oak Lawn.
Oak Lawn.
‘Scotland Neck.

|Hotel.

Murfreesboro.
Asheville.
Oaks.

Died in prison.
Lenoir,
Jackson.
Marion.
Okalona.

W. B. Bradford.... \Lieutenant. 20th

Lieutenant. 5th
‘Lieutenant. 60th

lina while I was there: Gatesville.

Sulphur Springs.

 
NortH CaRoLina Troops, 1861-65.

 

 

 

 

RANK, REGIMENT.

 

. H. Chappel
J. Crawford

. |Lieutenant.

Colonel..../9th (1 Cav.)....
Lieutenant.|:
Lieutenant, |z
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant. |:

Lieutenant.|¢
|Captain....
|Lieutenant.59th (4 Cav.)...
Lieutenant .|/59th (4 Cav.)...
|Lieutenant.
Lieutenant .|6
Captain....
|Lieutenant.|6
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lt; Cok. cs
Lieutenant
Lieutenant.
Captain....
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Captain....
Lieutenant.
Captain....
Lieutenant.
Captain....
Captain....
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.,

Lieutenant .|44th
Lieutenant.)

Lieutenant.

Captain.....

 

Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.

 

HOME,

Warrenton,

. |Fair Bluff.

|Mecklenburg Co

. |Magnolia.

Bostick’s Mills.

| Windsor.
‘Durham.
|Hillsboro.
Jonesville.
Hadley’s Mills.
Marshall.
Drypond.
Raleigh.
Rockingham.
Pleasant Grove.
Morganton. ~
Graham.
Charlotte.
Moore Co.
Jackson.
Jones Co.
Webster.

| Hilliardston,

Pierceville.

|Louisburg.

Greenville, Tenn.
Haw River.
Tonguch, S. C.
Dunston.

Lenoir.
Greensboro.
Ivon.

Franklin.
Gatesville.
Salisbury.

. ‘Salisbury

Shelby.
Lincolnton.
Greensboro.

 

 

PRISONERS AT JOHNSON’S Istanp, 1864.

 

 

. |Adjutant.. .'5

RANK, | REGIMENT,

Lieutenant .|47th
Captain... 5

. |Lieutenant .|62nd
. |Lieutenant ./387th

Lieutenant 8th Georgia
|\Lieutenant ./55th

Major 42nd Ala
Lieutenant.)

Lieutenant ./5

Lt. Col... . |6
Lieutenant./65th (6 Cav.)...
Lieutenant./54th

Captain... ./6th

Vol’teer aid Daniel’s Brigade
Adjutant, .|64th.......0.050.
Lieutenant 57th

Lieutenant 57th

Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.

Lieutenant./47th............
Wieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Saptain....
Lieutenant.

 

Obs ieaes vie

Lieutenant.) 28th
\Lieutenant 23rd
i\Captain....

Lieutenant.'26th

; Lieutenant. 49th :

\Lieutenant.

|\Captain....
|Lieutenant.

 

. |Lt. Col... |

\Lieutenant.
|Lieutenant.
\Captain....
‘Lieutenant “
|Lieutenant.

HOME.

Louisburg.
Wilkesboro.
Crabtree,
Wilkesboro.
Lincolnton, N. C,
Shelby.
Wilmington.
\Roger’s Store.
Morganton,
Warm Springs.
Warm Springs.
New Castle.
Durham.
Warrenton,
|Asheville,

Winston,
|Edenton.
High Top.
|Jefferson,

 

Lieutenant. pel abtieeu. ...Haynes Creek.

\Franklinton.
|Hendersonville.

|Jonesboro, Tenn,

(Charlotte.
{Charlotte.
Gatesville.
‘Mount Holly.
Catawba Co.
Webster,

- (Raleigh.

Poplar Bridge.
Camp Call.
Goldston.

 
 

Norra Caroxina Troops, 1861-’65.

 

 

T. M. Jenkins

Jas, B, Jordan.....

B. P. Jenkins
M. F. Joines

H. Knittle
W. J. Kincaid
M. L. Kelley

J. M, Kendrick....

G. B. Kibler

Joseph Macon.....

C. J. “Martin

BB ONG wale es

John Moore

. |Lieutenant.
.| Lieutenant.

|Lieutenant.|;

RANK,

Major

Lieutenant
Adjutant...
Lieutenant.

 

. [Lieutenant .|2:

Lieutenant |
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant |

Captain... |
Lieutenant.|:
Captain... .|2

Lieutenant.

 

Lieutenant.|
Colonel....
Captain....
Lieutenant:
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.

Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant,
Lieutenant.

Captain....
Lieutenant.
Captain....
Lieutenant.
Captain....
Lieutenant.

 

[Lieutenant
|Lieutenant.
\Captain....
‘Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
(Captain. erate

Lieutenant.|6

Lieutenant.|2
Captain... .|5

 

\Captain....

REGIMENT.

HOME.

Ayersville,
Faison.

Faison.
Asheboro.
Asheville,
Farmington.
Roxboro.
Franklinton.
|Charlotte,
Williams’s Mill,
Raleigh.
Tarboro,

Trap Hill.
Salisbury.
Hominy Creek.
|Transylvania Co,
|Gold Hill,
Kenansville.

- |Kenansville.

Wine Grove.
Morganton,
Franklin.
Gaston county.
Morganton.
Dobson.
Concord,
South River.
Warrenton.
Tarboro.
Haywood Co.
Haywood Co.
Siloam.
Asheville.
Asheville.
Yanceyville.
Leicester,
Hamptonville,
(Cedar Falls.
|Wilmington.
Asheville.
Hendersonville,
Charlotte,

: Laurinburg.

Colvin Creek,

 

PRISONERS AT JoHNSON’s IsLAND, 1864. 709

 

 

BE. P. G, Murray
A. McFadyen
James Moore
A, G. Murdock
Alex Miller

W. C. McDaniel...

A, H. Miller

James M. Mayo....

K, M. Murchison...
M. R. McDaniel...
A, A. McKinney...

J. Y. McIntire

R. M. MclIntire....

J. T. Martin
B. Y. Martin

W. M. Matthews...

|
| BANK.

. | Lieuteyant.|
. |\Lieutenant.
\Lieutenant.|2
Lieutenant.

\Lieutenant.
\Captain....
Lieutenant.

 

‘Lieutenant.

\Captain....
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
'Lieutenant.|
‘Lieutenant .

Captain...
Lieutenant.

Captain....

Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Colonel....

Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant,
Lieutenant.

Lieutenant.

. |Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.

Lieutenant.

 

\Captain....

Adjutant...

Lieutenant.|5
Captain....

Lieutenant.|

\Captain....
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Captain....
Lieutenant.| €
. [Lieutenant .,|:
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.

 

REGIMENT.

HOME.

Fayetteville.
Fayetteville.
Hast Bend,

Big Lick,

Knob Creek,
Camp Call,
Duplin county.
Deep Well.
New Bern,
Clay Co.
Hendersonville.
Forks of Pigeon,

- |Fayetteville.

Clinton,
Hill’s Store,
New Bern.
Madison,
Fayetteville,
Salisbury.

- |Tarboro.

65th (6 Cav.);...

Sparta,
Wardville.
Fayetteville,
Rockingham,
Rutherford.
Rutherford.

- |Wilmington.

Ayersville.

Mt. Airy.
Charlotte,
Elkville.
Landsprings.
\Caswell county,
(Rockford.

Judesville.
\Brevard.

Raleigh.
|Castalia,
|Franklin,
/Germantown,
Dallas.

 

|Asheville.

anh ON ra Ae Ny RA A SAD

 

 

 

PR ECE ASE Se NG eS SETS ssomaeeee

a TP REDE ANE EN BED NT ANAS SR AI

 
 

 

 

Nortu Carouina Troops, 186165.

 

 

NAME.

W. P. Oldham

0. BOOMS. 32

J. G.

Ww.
J.
Tr.
Ww.
D.
B.
oO.
Ww.
S.
J.
Ss

D.
H.
J
YP;
L,

. J. Rountree

4
g

Lee Russell
D. V. Rhodes
S. H. Rierson

J. N. Robinson....
L. H. Rothrock....

s. C. Rankin

Henry Ringstaff....|

A.

. |[Lieutenant.

'
| RANK.
|

REGIMENT.

 

Captain....

.. |Lieutenant.

\Lieutenant.
jLieutenant.
‘Lieutenant.
‘Lieutenant.
\Lieutenant
Lieutenant.
\Colonel. ate
|Lieutenant
Captain....
Lieutenant.
\Lieutenant.

Lieutenant :

Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.

Lieutenant |
Lieutenant.)
'Lieutenant..
Lieutenant.|

Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant

|Lieut-Col.. .
Captain....
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Captain....
|Lieutenant.
\Lieutenant.
(Captain...
‘Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.|
Lieutenant.
‘Lieutenant.

 

 

 

 

Oaks.

| Mt. Olive.
\Jackson, S. C,
Salisbury,
Jonesville,
Waynesville,
Haywood Co,
Charlotte,
Wilkesboro.
Clay County.
Flat River.
Fayetteville.
Jackson,
Cabarrus Co.
Fauquier Co., Va
Haynesville,
Windsor.
Salisbury.
Concord.
Marshall.
Marshall.
Taylorsville.
Raleigh.
Salisbury.

 

Jackson county,
Lincoln.
Greensboro.
\Shelby.
Shelby.
Gatesville.
Asheville,
Turnersville,
Windsor, (din pris)
Wind Hill,
Whiteville.
Danbury.
|\Waynesville.
|Saxapahaw.
\Salisbury.
|Greensboro.
'Monroe.
‘Crabtree.
Centerville,

 

 

PRISONERS AT JOHNSON’s IsLAND, 1864. 711

 

=

 

amows

HARP

. H. Saunders
Ls i
mn Fe
Y,
A.

M. Shesrer

quaugea

. F. Sharpton
. R. Sumner

BA ean

James Tiddy
J. J. Tucker

E. T. Thompson...

W. Tritt

Isaac. N. Tillett....
R, W. Thornton...

D. Verbal

John R. Winston...
G. W. Whitmire...

W. J. Wilson

Robert F. Webb...
J. B, Yarrington...

. |Lieutenant.

. |Lieutenant.

. J. Seckler....

. |Lieutenant.

RANE.

Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.

Lieutenant,
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant,
Captain....

Lieutenant.
Captain....
Captain....
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant,
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.

Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant
\Captain. ar
Captain....
Lieutenant.
(Captain. tee
\Captain. ...|

 

 

 

Captain. gig
\Lieutenant.
‘Lieutenant.
\Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieut-Col. ..
/Lieutenant.
'Captain. rapa
Colonel....

 

 

‘Lieutenant

REGIMENT.

HOME.
Croginsville.
Granville Co.
Moosy Creek, Tenn
Fayetteville,
Henderson Co.
Leaksville.

.- |Windsor.

Shelby,
Edenton.
Haynesville,
Chapel Hill.
Lexington.
Dry Pond,
Winston.
Chishan’s Cross,
Cherokee Co,
Oxford.

Cold Springs.
Faison.
Tarboro.
South Lowell,
Oak Ridge.
Charlotte.
Haywood Co.
Charlotte.
Whites Depot, Ga
Haywood Co.
Turnersville.

- |Greensboro.

Salisbury.
Henderson.
Gordonsville,

|Hickory Flat.

|\Columbus.

\Shiloh,
Cumberland Co.

Salisbury.

|Reidsville.

Claytonsville.

|Webster.

 

Died.

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

 

 

RANK. | REGIMENT,

 

\Lieutenant.|54th
Lieutenant.|23rd Louisburg.

 

 

Sunsoury, N. C., J. F. CROSS.
9 April, 1901.

_ Norz.—Some names appear on this list which are not among names
ot to the ‘‘Letter of Prisoners to Gov. Vance”’ ante, i. e., those who
left or died before the date of that letter or who were captured afterwards.
And there may be names signed thereto. which, notwithstanding Lieu-
tenant Cross’ great care, are omitted here and some prisoners are on
neither list. For various causes it was difficult to get every name.—Ep.

CONFEDERATE PRISONERS AT
MORRIS ISLAND.

By CAPTAIN WALTER G. MacRAE, Company G, SEVENTH REGI-
ment N.C, T.

In the month of August, 1864, a report spread among the
prisoners of war at Fort Delaware that six hundred of their
number were to be sent off and placed under the fire of the
Confederate batteries in Charleston harbor in retaliation for
alleged cruelties to Northern soldiers confined in the South.

It was only a few weeks since about fifty Field Officers
went away under a similar threat; and they had been duly
exchanged. We were so certain that this last move was a
bluff that every one was anxious to go. Many, whose names
were not on the list, gathered up their poor belongings—
watches, rings, a little money—anything and everything of
value which had escaped confiscation, and came and laid
them down at the feet of the elect—if haply they might per-
suade some one to exchange places. They cared not what
was to come. Anything for a change! The list was made
up of

6 from Maryland,

186 “ Virginia,

111 “ North Carolina,
24 “ South Carolina,
60 “ Georgia,

40. Ee iomda,

26 “ Alabama,

22 “ Mississippi,

31 “ Louisiana,
Me eiececrae bo 2.

27 “ Arkansas,
8 “ Missouri,
35 “ Kentucky,

49 “ Tennessee.

 

 

 
 

 

 

714 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861~’65.

Of these—
28 were Field Officers,
172 “ Captains,
393 “ Lieutenants.
6 “ Enlisted Men,
1 a Citizen.

600

On 20 August these formed up and were marched aboard
the steamer Crescent, those left behind shouting messages
for “Dixie,” and wishing the crowd a safe trip. In the hold
of the ship, rough bunks, four tiers deep, stretched from stem

to stern, and into these the men were crowded. Only one
hatch was left open, so that the place was very close and

dark. The August heat was intense even on deck. Imagine
then the situation in this foul hold, near the steaming boilers,
and glowing furnaces, with six hundred sea-sick men, already
enfeebled by close confinement, sweltering and gasping for
water, which was doled out hot from the condensers. Every
day, as we voyaged South the conditions grew more unbeara-
ble. Two gun-boats, with shotted guns bearing upon the
Crescent, acted as escort, and a battalion of infantry patroled
the decks and guarded the open hatch.’ A few of the Field
Officers were permitted to remain in the cabin on deck. It
was from them that the tenants of the hold learned what was
going on above; and it was clearly understood that, if any
chance for escape should offer, the line officers would risk a
rush for the deck, and a fight with the guard. Improbable
as it seemed, the opportunity came, but was not seized, owing
to the treachery of one or more of our own men, or the secret
work of spies. It was this way: Just before day one morning
when we were off the South Carolina coast, there came a sud-
den jolt and a stoppage of the machinery. Pretty soon, word
came down from the field officers that the transport had be-
come separated from the gun-boats, and was ashore near Cape
Romain; and that they had summoned the guard to surren-
der. The Captain had asked for half hour’s grace, prom-
ising to give up without a fight at the end of that time, in case

CONFEDERATE PrRisoneRS aT Morris IsLtanp. 715

the gun-boats did not come up. The counsel of Ahithophel
was to take the ship at once and escape to the beach. But,
some traitor prevailed against this advice. We had promised
to be ruled by orders from the cabin. Before the half hour
was out the gun-boats were alongside. We heard that the
pilot who ran us ashore, was a Southern man; that he was im-
mediately arrested, and, later, tried for his life; but we had
no means of verifying this “grape-vine telegram.”

The Southern soldiers were always cheerful. The greater
their trials, the brighter shone this quality. When pushed to
the utmost on some forced march, when rations failed,
through biting blasts or scorching heat, they maintained
their good humor and took “fortune’s buffets and rewards
with equal thanks,” breaking into songs, gibes and chaffings
like Mark Tapley under very adverse circumstances.

This happy disposition helped to keep us alive in the
Crescent’s hold. There were several of Morgan’s officers,
aboard, and, though invisible in the darkness, you might hear
them calling to one of their mess, a tall cavalry Captain, who
was a fine story teller, and a clever mimic, “Say, Hammock,
tell us about the hair-lipped man! What did he say to
Mrs. Gillespie, etc., ete.,” and pretty soon would follow
shouts of laughter as Hammock progressed with his yarns
and imitations. Long afterwards, when many had died and
all had starved, and when the scurvy had ploughed lines of
suffering on every face, when the war in the field was over
and we were about returning to face the more heartless war
of reconstruction, Captain Hammock stood before the poor,
emaciated crowd, spread out his legs, and, with arms akimbo,
personated the “Loyal” Irish woman and said: “Now yez
must all go home and be clever fellies, bekaze the govern-
ment’s thrated ye so leniently.”

On 25 August the Crescent anchored for a short time at
Hilton Head, and during the night two or more prisoners
managed to slip overboard, swim ashore, and escape.

On 7 September, we disembarked at Morris Island, and
when we finally came out into the light of day, and had a look
at each other, we were astonished to note the ravages made by
the terrible heat and the nauseous confinement. One could

 

 
 

 

716 NortH Caroxina Troops, 1861-65.

searcely recognize his best friends. There were six of us
from Wilmington, N. C.—all badly damaged. Had we been
consigned to any good business man, he would have rejected
the cargo, and refused to pay the freight.

We were turned into a stockade, built immediately in
front of what was formerly Battery Wagner. Our position
was such that every shot or shell from the guns on Sumter
and Moultrie and the other Confederate batteries, must either
pass close over our heads, or right through the pen. Any
which fell short, or exploded a tenth of a second too soon,
must strike death and destruction into our crowded ranks,

As soon as the Federals got us “fixed” to their notion, they
opened fire right over our heads upon the Confederate posi-
tions. They may have counted on receiving no reply, as our
men knew we were in front of Wagner, and I think the South-
ern artillerists were slow about taking up the challenge. Per-

-haps they were selecting their best gunners. Any way, one
fine morning when the Yankees opened up, and were getting

“gay,” we saw a puff of smoke blow out from Fort Moultrie,
and almost immediately, heard the rush of a fine, large shell.

It passed howling over our heads and smashed into the near-
est embrasure, where it exploded with much havoc. We
noted signs of great excitement within the battery, and an
ambulance dashed from the rear to the scene and took away
the wounded. Our officers fervently shook hands with each
other, and not one lifted up a voice of lamentation. It was
a good shot !

At night, when the firing was going on, the burning fuse
was plainly visible; and one could mark the flight of the
shells from the moment they left Moultrie until they
burst near us. Always some fellow would shout a warn-
ing, “Here she comes, here she comes—grab a root!”
Albeit there were no roots to grab on that bald sand beach.
Very few of our men were killed or wounded, and we had
reason to thank God and give praise to the good Southern gun-
ners who sighted so true. It is certain our enemies made
every provision for our annihilation!

The rations consisted of sour corn meal, meal which would
stand alone when the barrel was knocked from it—stuff, as

CONFEDERATE Prisoners at Morris Istanp. 717

we were informed, which had been condemned by the Union
Commissaries as wholly unfit for their troops. Occasion-
ally we received a piece of hog meat, about one inch square,
and, say half inch thick, with as many pickles, put up in
something near akin to vitriol, as we wanted. Of the rotten
meal we received daily six or eight ounces.

Some of the prisoners, for the sake of the record, complain-
ed to the Colonel. He replied that it was all right; there
was meat enough in the meal, bugs and worms, and that, if
he had his own way, he would be only too glad to feed us on
greasy rags. This man, it was said, commanded a Massachu-
setts negro regiment, and was not a veteran. We heard later
that some of his own men killed him. But perhaps the wish
was father to the rumor.

In striking contrast to this vile treatment was the conduct
of Colonel P. P. Brown, One Hundred and. Fifty-seventh
New York, who, when the prisoners were sent to Fort Pu-
laski 23 October, treated them with great courtesy and re-
spect, and did everything possible for their comfort. He
had met the Southerners on the line of battle, where he was
doubtless worth a regiment of the other sort. But the gov-
ernment was determined, as Captain Hammock said, to be
lenient with us, so they at once removed Colonel Brown, who
was a gentleman, and therefore unfit for the work, and sub-
stituted another. The truth is that wherever we came in
contact with veterans, we received only kindness.

It is always the non-combatants who are the most veno-
mous. It was one of this kidney—a certain Douglas, of
an Ohio Regiment, who murdered Colonel E. P. Jones, of
Virginia. The Colonel, a wounded officer, was not walking
fast enough to suit the cowardly sentinel, who ordered him
to get a better move on him, and, when the prisoner turned
to explain the difficulty, the fellow heartlessly shot him to
death and threatened a like fate to some brother officers who
wanted to take up the body!

The United States Government termed this treatment of
Southern officers retaliation. But retaliation implies the
paying back in one’s own coin. And that is what we have
never admitted. No rumors, reports, affidavits, no exhibi-

 

 
 

 

718 Nortu Caro.ina Troops, 1861~’65.

tions of sick and disabled prisoners, no judicial hangings
could then, or ever since, convince us that Davis, Stephens,
Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson or any other of the great
and good men of the South would have maltreated unarmed
prisoners of war! Did not Jackson say, while he lay mor-
tally wounded at Chancellorsville, when the physicians
wished to send him off the field lest he should fall into the
hands of the enemy: “And if the enemy does come,” he
said, “I am not afraid of them; I have always been kind to
their wounded, and I am sure they will be kind to me.” And
any of our leaders might have said the same.

It is well known that supplies and medicines, and clothing
were not always to be had for our own soldiers at the front.
We know that a large part of the army had been more than a
day without food when they fought the battle of Sharpsburg,
and that the thin gray line in front of Petersburg never knew
a full ration’; and-we know that, because of all this, our lead-

-ers exhausted every effort to exchange prisoners, offering sev-

eral for one, but without avail. So we resolved to take what
came with a good courage, knowing that to us was not the
shame. And this resolve was kept by many unto death. A
few, as many perhaps as might be counted upon the fingers,
worn out with exposure, scurvy and starvation, “fell away
to the Chaldeans.”’

But all of these things and much more—the many attempts
at escape, always betrayed—the sickness, the wounds, the
deaths, the organized efforts for mutual help—though there
was little to give except sympathy, and literally a cup of cold
water for His sake—the names, rank, command and native
States of all the six hundred, are they not written, and min-
utely set forth in Colonel John L. Cantwell’s book of statis-

tics and notes which he began to collect from the start, and
which, with untiring zeal and great patience, he continued

to enlarge and perfect on the spot, and down even to the pres-
ent day, and which he preserved, Heaven knows how, amid
all the chances and changes of our prison life—so that it fur-
nishes the only authentic statement of those trying times
which is now extant, though I believe he has permitted the
authorities at Washington. to copy the list of names and

CoNFEDERATE PRISONERS AT Morris ISLAND. 719

deaths, and several other copies have appeared in the South
without the proper credit. Glancing over this little book,
the eye rests on this pathetic sentence: ‘Was not allowed
to mark the graves of brother officers at Fort Pulaski, though
head boards were prepared (by the prisoners) for all the
dead.”” What need of any further comment!

On 4 March, 1865, we left Fort Pulaski, and on 26 April
Colonel Cantwell, Captains John T. Rankin, John Cowan
and other Wilmingtonians left for the South. To Captain
Thomas C. Lewis the writer is indebted for his notes of
prison life, and which have been followed in this account. It
would require a book to tell the whole story. This is a mere
sketch.

When Queen Anne told Dr. South that his sermon had
only one fault—that of being too short—he replied that he
should have made it shorter if he had had more time!

I have purposely refrained from details since we have set-
tled down to the arts of peace and are trying to forget the
hate and bitterness of the past. One may see now the smoke
of thousands of factories and furnaces, where grim visaged
war left a waste. The South is risen, as if by a miracle. The
government and the Morris Island man could maltreat us,
but some of his prisoners have attained to national fame—
all have done well, and their Jand—God Himself hath blessed
it, and neither Baalam nor his ass can curse it.

Water G. MaoRar.

Wiuminerton, N. C.,
31 December, 1901.

 
 

 

 

 

 

N. C. OFFICEKS PRISONEKS UN-
DER FIRE AT MORRIS ISLAND,

7 SEPTEMBEK TO 21 OCTOBER, 1864.

By COL. JOHN L. CANTWELL, Firty-Frrst Reciment, N. (©. T.

Colonel John A. Baker, 41 N. C., (3 Cav.), Wilmington.
Colonel wu. N. Folk, 65 N. C., (6 Cav.), Morganton.
Lieutenant-Colonel T, L. Hargrove, 44 N. C., Oxford.
Major James R. McDonald, 51 N. C., Fayetteville.
Captain Thos, L. Johnson, 1 N. C., Edenton.

Captain W. H. Day, 1 N. C., Halifax.

Captain H. D. Fowler, 1 N. C., Rolesville.

Captain Jno. L. Cantwell, 3 N. C., Wilmington.
Captain John Cowan, 3 N. C., Wilmington.

Captain H. W. Horne, 3 N. C., Fayetteville.

Captain W. G. MacRae, 7 N. C., Wilmington.

Captain J. G. Knox, 7 N. C., Rowan County.

Captain John C. Blair, 9 N. C., (1 Cav.), Boone.
Captain W. H. Kitchin, 12 N. C., Scotland Neck.
Captain J. W. Lane, 16 N. C., Hendersonville.
Captain T. C. Lewis, 18 N. C., Wilmington.

Captain C. R. Bromley, 20 N. C., Concord.

Captain Alex T. Cole, 23 N. C., Rockingham.

Captain N. G. Bradford, 26 N. C., Lenoir County.
Captain S. S. Bohannon, 28 N. C., Yadkin County.
Captain W. A. Dewar, 31 N. C., Harnett County.
Captain J. E. Hodges, 32 N. C., Deep Creek, Norfolk Co., Va,
Captain H. M. Dixon, 35 N. C., Mecklenburg County.
Captain E. MeN. Blue, 35 N. C., Moore County.
Captain W. J. Alexander, 37 N. C., Wilkesboro.
Captain Lemuel H. Hartsfield, 41 N. C., (3 Cav.), Kinston.
Captain J. W. Moore, 41 N. C., (3 Cav.), Wilmington.
Captain Samuel H. Hines, 45 N. C., Milton.

Captain W. F. Murphy, 51 N. C., Clinton.

Captain J. K. Kyle, 52 N. C., Fayetteville.

Captain David S. Cockerham, 54 N. C., Yadkin County.
First Lieutenant Jacob A. Hartsfield, 1 N. C., Rolesville.

46

 

 
&e ‘ en ascnasneee peartie bee
a

 

 

 

ia Nortu Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

First Lieutenant Julian A. Latham, 1 N. C., Plymouth.
First Lieutenant John M. Guyther, 1 N. C., Plymouth.

First Lieutenant J, J. McMillan, 1 N. C., Wilmington.
First Lieutenant J. M. Hobson, 2 N. C., Mucksville.

First Lieutenant Jos. H. Darden, 3_N. C., Snow Hill.

First Lieutenant GC, P. Mallet, 3 N. C., Fayetteville.

First Lieutenant T, M. Allen, 4 N. C., Fairfield.

First Lieutenant W. T. Anderson, 5 N. C., Fayetteville.
First Lieutenant Wyatt B. Allen, 6 N. C., Wake County.
First Lieutenant David A. Coon, 11 N. C., Lincolnton. Has

nine wounds,

First Lieutenant Nathan §. Moseley, 12 N. C., Warrenton.
First Lieutenant John F. Gamble, 14 N. C., Shelby.

First Lieutenant Frank McIntosh, 18 N. C., Richmond.
First Lieutenant George W. Corbett, 18 N. C., Caintuck.
First Lieutenant (Ensign) J, O. Frink, 18 N. C., Cerro Gordo.
First Lieutenant B. W. Birkhead, 22 N. C., Asheboro.

First Lieutenant John T. Bullock, 23 N. C., Tranquility.
First Lieutenant H. Earp, 24 N. C., Johnston County.

First Lieutenant M. McLeod, 26 N. C., Carthage,

First Lieutenant Albert N. Leatherwood, 29 N. C., Fort Embry.
First Lieutenant Sidney S. Abernathy, 30 N. C., Wake County.
First Lieutenant F. F, Patrick, 32 N. C., Columbia.

First Ijeutenant R. B. Carr, 43 N. C., Magnolia.

First Lieutenant G. W. Avent, 35 N. C., Chatham County.
First Lieutenant T. B, Henderson, 41 N. C., (3 Cav) Jackson-

ville,

First Lieutenant Jno. D. Malloy, 51 N. C., Buckhorn.

First Lieutenant J. W. Brothers, 67 N. C., Kinston.

First Lieutenant H. J. Jenkins, 15th Bat., Murfreesboro.
Second Lieutenant J. B. Coffield, 1 N. C., Tarboro,

Second Lieutenant A. J. Howser, 1 N. C., Lincolnton.
Second Lieutenant J. M. Hargett, 1 N. C., New Bern.
Second Lieutenant BH. A, Carver, 1 N. C.; Forestville,
Second Lieutenant Wm, H. Ivey, 2 N. C., Jackson.

Second Lieutenant T. P. Barrow, 3 N. C., Washington.
Second Lieutenant A. J. Gurganus, 3 N. C., Onslow.

Second Lieutenant Z. H. Lowdermilk, 3 N. C., Randolph.
Second Lieutenant J, E. King, 3 N. C., Onslow.
Second Lieutenant R. H. Lyon, 3 N, C., Black Rock.
Second Lieutenant C, C. Lane, 3 N. C., Snow Hill.
Second Lieutenant L. J. Henderson, 3 N. C., Jacksonville.
Second Lieutenant Geo. M. Crapon, 3 N. C., Smithville.
Second Lieutenant Geo. N. Albright, 6 N. C., Melville.
Second Lieutenant W. C. Gordon 6 N. C., Morganton.
Second Lieutenant H. Y. Gash, 6 N. C., Hendersonville.

N. C. Orricers Unprer Fire at Morris Istanp. 723

Second Lieutenant W. B. Chandler, 13 N. C., Yanceyville,
Second Lieutenant David §. Bullard, 18 N, C., Owenville.
Second Lieutenant John M. Burgin, 22 N. C., Marion.

Second Lieutenant J. A. Blain, 16 N. C., Franklinton.

Second Lieutenant John Q. Elkins, 18° N. C., Whiteville.
Second Lieutenant J. Coggin, 23 N. C., Troy.

Second Lieutenant H. C. Andrews, 28 N. C., Orange.

Second Lieutenant Alex H, Brown, 30 N. C., Chatham County.
Second Lieutenant J. B. Lindsay, 31 N. C., Wadesboro.
Second Lieutenant W. F. Doles 32 N. C., Nash County.
Second Lieutenant G. S. Coble, 44 N. C., Graham.

Second Lieutenant B. A. Gowan, 51 N. C., Whiteville.

Second Lieutenant W. T. Jones, 35 N. C., Moore County.
Second Lieutenant Gavin H, Lindsay, 54 N. C., Madison.
Second Lieutenant Francis F. Floyd, 57 N. C., Leesville.
Second Lieutenant Gilbert P. Higley, 57 N. C., Lumberton.
Second Lieutenant J. H. Bloodworth, 59 N. C., (4 cav.), Wil-

mington,

Second Lieutenant N. H. Fennell, 61 N. C., Wilmington,
Second Lieutenant M. B. Allison, 62 N, C., Webster.

Second Lieutenant J. C. Hines, 63 N. C., (5 Cav.), Clinton.
Second Lieutenant J. F. Heath, 67 N. C., New Bern.

Second Lieutenant A. B. Davis, 75 N. ©. (7 Cay.), Wilson.
Second Lieutenant T. D. Crawford, C. S, Navy, Washington.
Sergeant-Major C. M. Busbee, 5 N. C., Raleigh.

Corporal E. S. Hart, 23 N. C., Bosticks Mill.

Private W. P. Johnson, 9 N. C., (1 Cav.), Charlotte.

IN HOSPITAL AT MORRIS ISLAND.
Captain S. J. Parham, 54 N. C., Henderson, N. C.

OFFICERS SENT FROM HILTON HEAD TO BEAUFORT, 8s. ©.

Captain J. C, Gorman, 2.N. C.

Captain Robert W. Atkinson, 19 N. C., (2 Cav.).
Captain A. S. Critcher, 37 N. C.

First Lieutenant A A. Cathey, 34 N. C.

First Lieutenant J. H. Gilbert, 57 N. C.

Second Lieutenant E. W. Dorsey, 11 N. C.
Second Lieutenant R. A. Glenn, 22 N. C.

DIED ON MORRIS ISLAND.

Second Lieutenant J. C. E. Cowper, 33 N. C., died Oct. 5, ’64.

 

 

 

 

 

sports tee et atau AEE

icin ceo tsb NE tiple a are tall aaah

Spo eet RRR: A ae a

 
Norta Carotina Troops, 1861~’65.

RECAPITULATION.

1—104 Under Fire.
7 Not Under Fire.

Field Officers
Captains

First Lieutenants
Second Lieutenants
Enlisted men

 

 

TWO YEARS AT FORT DELAWAKE.

By SERGEANT CHAS. W. RIVENBARK, Company C, First
; Reament N. C. T.

I was a member of Company ©, First Regiment State
Troops, a native and resident.of New Hanover County, and
was captured with many other North Carolinians at Gettys-
burg.

Soon after, being turned over to the tender mercies of Kil-
patrick’s command, we had a slight foretaste of what was in
store for us. A band played Yankee Doodie; some thought-
less prisoners whistled and called for Dixie; the guard rushed

down upon us, and when no one would betray the offenders,
three innocent men were seized, at random, tied up by the
thumbs for three hours, taunted, reviled and abused, and
only at last released in time to save their lives.

Passing through Frederick City we saw a Confederate

flag at a window, exhibited for a moment only, as we learned
by whispers, by a noble woman to cheer the poor, dispirited
“rebs” whom she knew would pass her house that day as
prisoners. Prudence suggested silence, and though no noisy
demonstration was made, many a gallant heart swelled, many
a sun-browned cheek was wet by a tear as we were marched by
that house; and to this day wherever any of that old band of
prisoners lives, he remembers the emotions of that moment.
God bless that woman!
Just beyond the town, we saw a man hanging dead ona
persimmon tree—he was naked, and our guard informed us
he had been hung some time before as a spy, and that all his

clothing had all been sent away in small pieces as trophies.

To Baltimore by Railroad—and there, in that noble old
city, where a Southern soldier ever found friends, numbers
of ladies and gentlemen thronged the streets, anxious to see
and talk to us, but they were not allowed to approach us.
Occasionally some daring one would rush to us with tobacco,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

726 NortH Caroina Troops, 1861-’65.

water or some other little gift of luxury, but always at the
risk of arrest.

At 9 o’elock p. m., strongly guarded (for our captors evi-
dently feared the Baltimoreans), we were marched to Fort
McHenry, where, after three days of speech-making,
promises, threats and persuasion, we were formed into line
and the “oath of allegiance” offered to us. Two men out of
twelve hundred and fifty stepped forward and took it. Only
two! and they were not Americans. Immediately afterwards
we were marched on board a steamer which conveyed us to
Fort Delaware.

This fort, or prison, is situated on a mud shoal, said to
have been formed long ago by the sinking there of a vessel
loaded with peas; hence the name of Pea Patch Island, in
the center of Delaware Bay, two and a half miles from the
mainland on either side.

The island contains ninety-three acres, is below low water
mark, and only protected from overflow by a levee.

Muddy, filthy dykes or canals, without outlet, traverse the
island, and for a long, long time supplied the only water al-
lowed the prisoners for any purpose.

So filthy and poisonous had these ditches become that even
a slight wound washed in their waters would inflame and
mortify—and then amputation or death, or both—was the
consequence.

For weeks and months we had to use this water or none,
except when we could manage to catch rain water. After a
while there was a little improvement in this respect, as a
patent water purifier was fixed up, and a tank kept filled
with purified rain water, to which we had access, but under
constant supervision of a sentinel who had orders to shoot
down any man who attempted to carry any away, or who

spilled any on the ground.

As to eating, during the cold and pitiless blasts of winter
as they swept over the bay and chilled our feeble frames}
during the scorching summer and autumn months, when no
protection was allowed us from the burning sun, and the pes-
tilence-laden, damp, dark, deathly winds, we were, twice a
day formed in a line, marched out by a door to a plat of

 

Two Years AT Fort DELAWARE. 727

ground, known by the prisoners as ‘Devil’s Half Acre,”
where all remained until the last man of the nine thousand
had passed out—this generally occupied about two hours—
and the piece of corn bread (yellow) three inches long, one
inch thick, a very small piece of bacon or beef and a
cup of decoction of logwood and beans called coffee for
breakfast; and the same for dinner, substituting so-called
soup for the coffee, afforded but poor solace for the hours of
suffering which all had, in turn to bear. . eo

Here I ought to mention that once a month “Inspection” or
“Health”? Commissioners visited the prison; but the officers
in charge always knew when they were coming, and had
things cleaned up, beans and meat put in our soup, and a gen-
eral appearance of good treatment made, so that a fair report
could be made and published.

And as I write these things a name occurs never to be for-
gotten by a Delaware prisoner. “Old Hike” we called him—
his real name was Adam or Adams, a Vermont yank who
was first sent to the prison as a convict—his crime being that
he was the first man to reach Washington City after the Bull
Run battle. But by his shrewdness and meanness he had
been promoted and now held some rank in the service; was a
sort of supervisor over everything and devil’s agent in general
at our prison.

No meaner or more utterly despicable being ever cursed
the earth with his presence. “Hike out! hike out! you d—d
rebel sons of b—1!”’ was his command on all oceasions. Once
a week he would “hike” us to search our persons, bunks and
clothing, for contraband articles, and whack! would come his
heavy stick on the person of some poor sick prisoner who was
not able to move. promptly. From 400 to 900 North Caro-
linians were confined (to themselves as were the prisoners
from other States) in a room 19 by 60 feet, with bunks,
three tiers, on either side, heads to the wall, feet to center,
with a passage, of course narrow, between. ;

Only one blanket was allowed to each prisoner. Soap,
knives, forks, bottles, an extra stick of wood or lump of coal—
anything, everything was “hiked” from us. All sorts se
swindles, cheats and tricks were practiced upon us by “Hike,

 

 

 

 

 
nai atte

 

Le SNP I A

snare: RNS

 

 

728 Norta Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

even to the robbing us of an occasional Yankee jacket or pair
of pants, no matter how obtained, by specious promises of
Confederate grey uniforms in exchange.

Once he caused about five hundred of us to strip, saying
he would furnish us with new clothes, but as soon as we had
been “hiked out” of all clothing except our shirts, right face,
forward, double-quick, march! and back through the cold mud
and water to our cheerless barracks we went (where one stove
and one barrow-load of coal per day were all that was allowed
to us) to get more clothes as best we could. This was one of
“Old Hike’s” villainous tricks on us, and in keeping with his
many acts of cruelty and torture. Every Christian should
pray that “Hike” has long since been “hiked” by the devil to a
clime where he don’t suffer from cold—where there is plenty
of fire, and no need of clothing.

Many of us worked cheerfully for a long time in toting
lumber half a mile and building a church and hospital for

the use of prisoners. I say cheerfully, because we were
promised pay for it, and thought that we or some other poor

rebs might be benefitted by the buildings. But we never got
a cent of pay; no prisoner ever entered the church, and few,
if any, the hospital.

Such as had money could buy anything they wanted at the
sutler’s, but very frequently, as soon as bought, say a knife,
piece of soap, vial of whiskey (labelled painkiller) search
would be made and all taken away, to be sold again.

One day when the tide was unusually high and the wind
and waves boisterous, an alarm was raised that the levee was
breaking: “Hike out! hike out, you, you d—d rebel sons
of b—s, or you will all be drowned. Run, run!” And
when we had run, or waded through ice, snow and mud, many
of us shoeless and nearly naked, we found that there was no
danger only to a pile of wood and some sutler’s stores which

were likely to get wet; and we were forced to work several
hours, freezing and starving, to remove them.

One favorite species of tormenting us was to tell us that
the great and glorious leaders of the South, Davis, Lee, Jack-
son and many others were killed, or captured or had deserted
our cause or that women and children were starving through-

 

Two Years at Fort DELAWARE. 729

out the South, or where not actually starving were only kept
from death by selling themselves, body and soul, to Yankees
and Southern “loyalists ;” and the most active in this and
other works of cowardice, inhumanity and malignity was, I
regret to say, a renegade Mississippian who called himself
Campbell. .Taken prisoner, he soon became a Yankee Lieu-
tenant, and like all rascally renegades-was noted for his mer-
ciless cruelty to all who had called him friend. “Hike”
found in him a willing and pliant tool; and we found in him
a vile scamp, whom some of us would like to see again, that we
might give him tokens of our recollections of him and his
ceeds! Doubtless he is a “bright light” somewhere. As an
evidence of his character, two prisoners, a Tennesseean and
a Marylander, bribed him to allow them to escape, a fine gold
watch and a hundred dollars being the price paid, and after
they were smuggled aboard a steamer he was the man to “go
for” them, hunt them up, and bring them back handcuffed
and his cocked pistol leveled at them! But notwithstand-
ing the vigilant watch kept over us, guards all the time being
stationed along the levee with orders to shoot any one attempt-
ing to escape, a good many did get away, though many per-
ished in the attempt.

Expert swimmers, by taking advantage of the tide at cer-
tain hours, could reach the mainland; but unless the tide was
just right those who undertook it, if escaping the sentinels,
would be borne out to sea and drowned, as many were.

Once I was selected to saw through a wall composed of 4
by 6 timbers, which I succeeded in doing by means of a jew-
eler’s saw, in twenty-two feet of a sentry’s post. One hundred
and thirty of us had provided ourselves with two canteens
each, air tight by means of cork and wax, and all escaped
(one only being drowned), except myself. Being the last to
leave, I found that some one had appropriated my canteen
life preservers. So I sorrowfully crept back to my bunk, but
listening at a crack I could hear shouts of recognition and en-
couragement away out on the bay, and to my surprise I
learned that while we were working for our escape a number
of officers confined in a separate part of the prison, and with
whom we had held no communication, had been doing the

 

 
 

 

730 NortH CAROLINA TROOPS: 1861-65.

same thing, and they with many of their. men were out to-
gether on the water.

Then I was into a scheme to build a boat, which we accom-
plished by means of knife-saws and screws; but just as we
had got it finished (and at best it could not have carried more
than eight men), in came old Hike with a guard, tore up the
floor, found and destroyed our boat. ;

A “coffin detail” was made every morning, twenty-five
rough boxes being the day’s task, and more frequently it hap-
pened that more coftins were lacking than corpses. Over on
the Jersey shore was the burial ground, and there, in the
rude holes we dug for them, reposes the body of many a gal-
lant Southern man, whose noble heart once throbbed only for
truth and honor and liberty and love and home; whose un-
recorded greatness and valor will only be known at the great
final day when the graves shall give up their dead and jus-
tice at last be meted out to all.

Once, during my prison life, a copy of the Philadelphia
Enquirer fell into my hands, containing the experience of
some Yankee officer who had escaped from Andersonville
prison. Of course everything was exaggerated and made to
look as black and bad as possible, and a great parade was
made over the “cruel, barbarous treatment” of Union soldiers
in Southern prisons.

I read it over carefully, as did many others; showed it to
our jailors, officers and privates, compared the statements
with actual facts before our eyes, and all were forced to ad-
mit that, taking everything there said as true, prisoners at
Fort Delaware were faring worse, suffering more, and bear-
ing greater indignities, hardships and privations than those
of Andersonville. And still Delaware was held up as the
model prison! . I remember now one gallant fellow, his name
I have forgotten—who having been captured was accused of
being a deserter from the Federal army. Many there were
who knew him, were ready to swear that he was a native
Southerner and had never been in the United States service,
but after a mock trial he was condemned to die. He was tied
to a stake, and the officer told him that he had only a few sec-
onds to live; that he had better improve his time by confess-

 

Two Yrars at Fort DELAWARE. 731

ing himself to be a traitor, etc., and ordered the file of Yan-
kee soldiers to advance and make ready to fire.

Then spoke that heroic man: ‘I am your prisoner; kill
me if you will; I’d rather die than suffer as I do! But, so
help me God! I am neither traitor nor deserter, I am a Con-
federate States soldier. Jeff Davis, and Lee and Jackson,
and Beauregard and Johnston yet live and my death will be
avenged.” No quailing there! and his noble bearing had its
effect even upon his persecutors, for he was returned to prison
and finally released! I hope he is alive yet, for such fearless
and true men are few.

And so the long weary months wore on; and even in our
almost hopeless condition we sometimes heard a rumor that
cheered us, or caught a word from some of our enemies that
caused a gleam of sunshine and pleasure.

Few of the many prisoners “gave way” (and to this I at-
tribute the fact that the mortality was not greater, shocking
though the number of deaths were) but generally tried to
make the lingering hours pass lightly. We had a debating
elub and theatrical performances, all improvised and gotten
up by ourselves.

Every bone, horn, brass tack, bit of tin, wire or copper
were appropriated to some purpose. Bushels of rings, pins,
buttons, chains, charms and puzzles were patiently wrought
out of such crude material; and many of such articles would
have reflected credit upon the most skillful artisan or jeweler,
in a shop supplied with all requisite tools and materials for
such work. A fan was made by a prisoner which sold for
forty dollars, and when not stolen from us (“hiked”) we
could always find ready sale among the garrison for these
things.

At last the day of my deliverance came; a little money
that I had made, some trinkets, ete., brought me out, money
would bring anybody out if properly invested. That is,
while all wefe “in the market,” it was useless to bribe a pri-
vate or subordinate officer ; one must go up to the high officials
with his offering, and then if it was pretty liberal his release
was sure to follow.

The particulars of my escape, with all the adventures at-

 

 

 

 
732 NortH Carouina Troops, 1861-’65.

tending it, ending in my escape to “Dixie’s Land,” a month
before the sad day of Appomattox, would necessarily extend
this narrative, besides prudence forbids, even at this late day,
that I should give the names of those who aided me to get out

of prison or on the long route home—or the methods and
means used.
Cuartes W. Rivenpark.
CuartortE, N. C.,
9 April, 1901.

Norr.—The above was written in 1874 and published in our ‘‘Living
and Dead.’”’ It has now been revised by its author for this work.—Ep.

AN ESCAPE FROM FORT WARREN.

By J..W. ALEXANDER, Ligvtenant C. 8S. N.

In the month of November, 1862, I was detached from the
James river squadron and ordered to Savannah, Georgia, as
executive officer of the new iron-clad Atlanta, being con-
structed for the Confederates at that place. On arriving, I
found the Atlanta at the lower end of the city, still in the
hands of the contractor; but her guns were on board, and
there only remained some finishing to be done before she was
turned over to the government. Captain McBlair was in
command, and the other officers reported for duty about the
same time as myself. The Atlanta, was an iron steamer,
built in Scotland, and had run the blockade into the Savan-
nah river and been purchased by the Confederate Govern-
ment. Her upper works had been removed and she had been
cut down, and a shield for the battery constructed upon her
iron hull after the pattern of the old Merrimac, with sloping

‘sides covered with two bars of iron, each two inches thick.

These bars were bolted to the solid pine logs with which her
shield had been constructed. It is not my purpose to give
any detailed account of this vessel or her career, but only to
state in a general way how she was eventually captured by
the Federal fleet in Ossabar Sound. Her crew were mostly
Georgians, volunteers from the army, and, with the exception
of a few sailors, were totally unacquainted with the duties re-
quired of them, but they soon learned to work the battery
very well, and with the few sailors that were on board made
eventually quite an efficient crew. The vessel was at first
commanded by Captain McBlair, but before her sailing, Cap-
tain W. A. Webb had been placed in command. After the
usual delay, we dropped down to the obstructions in the river

Norr.—Lieutenant Alexander was a North Carolinian and a most gal-
lant officer. His narrative of life at Fort Warren deserves record here
to show what so many from this State suffered asa part of their army
experience —Eb. :

 

 

 
 

734 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861-65. ’

and began exercising and drilling the crew; and it was not’

until June, 1863, that it was thought the vessel was ready
for action.

Sometime before this we passed through the obstructions in
the river and dropped down to Fort McAllister, which was on
one of the mouths of the Savannah river. On the night of
16 June, we dropped down to the bar at the entrance of Ossa-
bar Sound, where the Federal fleet, consisting of two moni-
ters and some wooden gun-boats, were lying, awaiting th
expected attack. The next morning we were under way
before day, and steaming down so .as to get over the bar at
high water. At daylight the Federals were under way and
coming to meet us, and not long afterward, in attempting to
cross the bar, we ran hard and fast aground, and notwith-
standing every effort, here we remained, not able to move.
The two monitors came up within close range, and taking po-
sitions where our guns could not be brought to bear on them,
they opened fire on us with their heavy guns. Nearly every
shot hit, and it was only a short time*before one struck the
pilot house, wounding both pilots and Captain Webb; another
struck the shield on the starboard side forward, and the effect
was to stun nearly every man in that part of the ship, wound-
ing several severely. The wood-work to which the iron plates
were bolted was completely shivered, and many men were
struck by the splinters. The shot did not come through, but
wherever a shot struck the woodwork was broken and splin-
tered. In a very short time it was evident that to continue
the contest would only result in the destruction of the crew.
The tide had fallen so low that all hopes of getting the vessel
atloat had to be abandoned. No resistance could be made, as
our guns could not be brought to bear on the enemy, they
having taken positions on our bow and quarter. Captain
Webb reluctantly gave the order to haul down the flag, and
ir a few minutes we all found ourselves prisoners of war on
the different vessels of the Federal fleet. We were carried
first to Port Royal and then to New York, and were, for a
time, confined in Fort LaFayette. From this place we were
teken to Boston and placed in Fort Warren, on one of the
islands about seven miles from the city.

An Escape From Fort WARREN. 735

Fort Warren was commanded by Colonel Dimmick, and
was garrisoned by some local Massachusetts troops. The of-
ficers and men always treated us kindly. At first, we were
allowed to purchase anything we wished, and for awhile our
friends in Baltimore and some in Boston sent us many things,
clothing and eatables; but after a time, acting under orders
received from Washington, we were not allowed to buy any-
thing, and had only the rations usually allowed prisoners,
which were neither plentiful nor inviting. The privilege of
purchasing provisions was taken from us, it was said, in re-
taliation for the treatment the Federal prisoners received
at the hands of the Confederates; but this matter has been
fully discussed, and will not be dwelt on here. After this
the underground railway brought us such things as we were
able to pay enormously for.

Besides the prisoners taken on the Atlanta, there were the
officers and crew of the Tacony and some political prisoners
and blockade-runners confined in Fort Warren. We were
kept in the case-mates under the main battery. In the day
time we were allowed to take exercise on the pavements in
front of our quarters, but after sundown we were locked in
the casemates and sentinels placed in front of our doors.
Four of us, Lieutenant C. W. Reed, of the Tacony (a prize
vessel converted into a Confederate naval boat) ; Lieutenant
ot Marines James Thurston, of the Atlanta; Reed Sanders,
« political prisoner from Kentucky, and myself, determined
to escape. Many plans were suggested and discussed, but
none seemed feasible. Indeed, situated as we were on an
island, and strictly guarded day and night, with sentinels
stationed in front of our doors, confined within solid masonry
constructed to resist the shot from the heaviest guns, it seemed
impossible to escape; and yet the escape was easily accom-
plished.

In the basement under the room in which we were confined
was a pump where we obtained our water, and in the outer
wall of this basement were two holes called musketry loop-
holes. These were something over six feet high, two or
three feet wide at the inside of the wall, and gradually sloping
to a point, so that at the outer side of the wall they were

eRe At EET TERN fee tence

 

 
pact SOON ACEO BLOT

 

736 Nortu Carotina Troops, 1861-’65,

only a little over seven inches wide. One day, while bath-
ing, the thought struck me that I could get through this
hole—and I immediately tried it. I found that by turning
my head so as to look over my shoulder, I could get through,
but with my clothes on I could not get my body through.
Stripping off my clothes, I tried again, and found I could
squeeze through, though it was hard to do it. This discov-
ery was made known to the other three, and each one found
he could get through quite easily, as I was the largest one of
the party. No time was lost after this in getting ready for
our escape.

Waiting for a dark night, we one by one squeezed through
the loophole, and lowered ourselves down into the dry ditch
between the main and water batteries. We made our way
cautiously over the water battery and then through the grass

towards the sea-wall, where we found, as we expected and

feared, that sentinels were posted. These would walk back-
wards and forwards on the wall, and when they met they
would turn and walk off in the opposite directions. . Keeping
close to the ground we would approach the walls when they
were walking from each other, and remain quiet after they
turned and were coming together. Finally we succeeded in
passing between them while their backs were towards us and
got into the water close to the wall, lying down with our
heads against the wall, and our feet in the water. Finding
the sea very rough and the wind high, after a considerable
time we concluded it would be very dangerous to try to swim
off at that time; so we watched our chance and succeeded in
regaining our quarters, as our friends inside, by our direc-
tion, had left the rope hanging down from the loophole so
that we could go back if for any reason we could not succeed
in getting off the island. Only a few of the prisoners knew
we had been out. Most of them ridiculed the idea that any
one could get through so small a hole. A smart little mid-
shipman, seeing our wet clothes, tasted, and, ‘finding them
salt, was convinced.

The failure of our first attempt did not discourage us.
Lieutenant Reed suggested that two of his men, good swim-
mers and very reliable, be allowed to go with us. He talked

 

An Escape From Fort WARREN. 13%

to them, and they readily agreed to accompany us. The plan
was for these two men to swim over to the adjoining island,
procure a boat and return to within a short distance of the
shore, and we would then swim out to them.

We made the second attempt the night following the first.
At the time agreed on we lowered ourselves down into the
ditch, and were here joined by the two sailors.

Proceeding as before, we stooped in the grass, between the
water battery and wall, while the sailors, crawling on, passed
between the sentries, and getting into the water swam off,
and we never saw them again. I heard that they finally
made their way back to the Confederacy, but I am not cer-
tain that this is true. Waiting, as it seemed to us, for hours,
and the sailors not returning, Thurston and I determined that
we would swim over to the island on which the lighthouse
stood, get a boat and return for Reed and Sanders, neither of
whom, being poor swimmers, were willing to run the risk.
Close to the shore where we passed to the water was a target,
made of white pine and very light. The garrison used this
target to practice on, and after consulting together we, Thurs-
ton and I, determined to use it to float our clothes over on,
shoving it ahead of us as we swam. Watching our chance,
we pulled it down and got it into the water while the senti-
nels were on their outward trip; and it came very near being
the means of defeating our plan; for before we could get away
they came together again, right over our heads, on the sea-
wall, and began to talk on indifferent subjects, and continued
for some time. ‘Finally one said to the other, “Where is the
target? Wasn’t it here when we came on post?” “Yes,”
was the reply. ‘Where can it be?’ They came to the edge
of the wall and looked over. It was very dark in the shadow
and we lay close together, barely breathing.

“I believe I see something down here in the water,” said
one. “Stick your bayonet into it and see what it is,” said
the other. The sentinel lowered the muzzle of his musket,
and shoved it slowly towards Reed’s breast, directly under
him. The point finally rested on his chest! He never
moved a muscle, but remained perfectly quiet. That was the
bravest thing I saw during the four years of the war.

47

 

 

 
 

 

738 NortH Carouina Troops, 1861-’65.

But it was only for a moment. The man pulled his gun
up, remarking, “I am not going to stick my bayonet into salt
water.” After this they stood for what seemed to us an age,
and discussed the disappearance of the target, finally con-
cluding that the “spirits had taken it away.” Then they
separated and moved off, widening the distance between us.

Now was our chance. Tying our clothes to the target, we
pushed it off and headed for the shore of the island, which
lay some distance from the fort. Though it was August, the
water seemed as cold as ice. Want of exercise had weakened
us, and though we made apparently good progress, it seemed
hours that we were in the water, and the tide swept us down
all the time. There was a lighthouse on an island opposite
the lower end of the island on which the fort was built: We
kept this light a little to the right of us as we swam, and
finally, after a long time—it seemed hours—we stopped for
a moment, letting our feet sink under us. We both touched
bottom at the same time, and, straightening up, we waded
ashore, pulling the target after us. We were almost frozen,
but as soon as we had put the target some little distance from
the water we set out along the shore to look for a boat, keep-
ing together for fear we might not be able to find each other
without a noise, if we separated, and not knowing whether or
not any one lived on the island. After a long time we came
upon a small fishing boat which had been dragged up on the
beach, and anchored so as to keep it in place. We pulled
the anchor up to the bow of the boat and secured it; then we
tried to shove the boat into water. It was so small that we
ought to have launched it easily; yet after moving it a cer-
tain distance, we could get it no further. I cannot tell how
Iong we were at this business, but it was a long time. Finally,
trying to see what kept the boat from moving, we found there
was a second anchor over the stevn. Cutting the rope which
held the boat, we shoved it into the water, and getting on
board we hoisted the sail and steered over towards the fort,
intending to take down the sail when we got nearer and pull
in for Reed and Sanders. It had been getting lighter for
seme time, but was not quite daylight. We stood on, but
did not go too near, for fear of exciting the suspicion of the

 

An Escape From Fort WaRREN. 739

sentinels, whom we could see very plainly. Finally, as it got
lighter and lighter, we reluctantly turned the boat’s head to-
ward the sea, as we could plainly see that Reed and Sanders
had left and were perhaps back in the casemates, having given
us up. . It was a sad disappointment to us. I believe we
could have gotten them off if we could have launched the boat
without delay. I afterwards learned that, waiting till nearly
daylight, they attempted to return to the casemates; but they
waited too long, and were discovered and put in close confine-
ment. Thurston and myself sailed by the fort, in plain view
of the sentinels on the sea walls, and after getting outside to
what we considered a sufficient distance from the land, we
headed up the coast, intending to land in New Brunswick.
All that day we sailed with a light breeze, and towards night
we ran close in shore to see if we could get something to eat.
We had no clothes except our hats and shirts, and we were
very hungry and thirsty. Just about dark we were close in
to the beach. Near the shore we saw a house and a man
standing in front of it. We hailed him and asked him to
come off, which he proceeded to.do in a small boat. He
looked at us very suspiciously, but listened to our tale calmly.

We told him we had sailed out from Portsmouth for a lark.

and had gone in bathing, and that while in the water our
clothes had blown overboard, and asked him to get us some
clothes if he could, and bring us some water and something to

eat. He went on shore and soon returned with some old

clothes, a good supply of plain food, some tobacco, and a

small bottle of cherry brandy. I am satisfied he knew what

we were, but we said nothing except to thank him for his

kindness, telling him we would remain where we were till

next day; but as soon as he was out of sight, we hoisted our
sail and stood on up the coast towards Eastport, intending to

land in New Brunswick. Had the wind held we should

have reached there before morning; but it was nearly calm.

Thurston slept some in the first part of the night, and at mid-

night he took the helm, and I lay down to rest. For two

nights I had had no sleep, and I was very tired. I slept
soundly. When I woke it was broad daylight; indeed the
sun was up, and the breeze was very light. We were not

 
 

740 NortH CaroLina Troops, 1861-65.

heading our course, but we afterwards did so. For the
greater part of the forenoon the wind was light, and we made
little progress. We noticed about eight or nine o’clock what
appeared to be a good sized schooner, which was sailing
around; and from the fact that it changed its course fre-
quently and was apparently running towards different sails—
several being in sight—we concluded that the vessel was hunt-
ing for us. This proved to be the case, for towards noon she
came sailing towards us. The officers in the boat hailed us,
and coming alongside asked us a number of questions, we
telling pretty much the same tale we had told at Rye Beach.
1 think they were about to let us go, when some one suggested
we had better be searched. This was done, and finding some
Confederate money on one of us they at once told us that they
knew who we were, and that we must go on board the revenue
cutter, which the vessel proved to be. I think the Captain’s
name was Webster. He treated us very kindly, and told us
he had been looking for us both that day and the day before,
and that several other boats were out after us. He carried us
into Portland harbor and before we had been theré very long
the United States Marshal came on board, and Captain Web-
ster delivered us into his charge.

As soon as we had passed into his boat, which lay alongside
the revenue cutter, he put his hands into his pockets and,
pulling out a pair of handeuffs, proceeded to put the cuffs on
to my left wrist and on to Thurston’s right wrist, so we were
handeuffed together, which made me feel very queer. We
must have presented a sorry spectacle on landing, for a little
newsboy seemed to have felt very badly about us. He ran
off some where and came back with two apples, which he gave
us. A crowd was collecting about us, and the Marshal put
us into a cab and carried us to the city jail and delivered us
over to the jailer, who took us up stairs and put us into cells
adjoining each other. We could talk, but could not see each
other. The food furnished us in this jail was certainly the
most disgusting ever offered to men. After a few days our
friends in Fort Warren sent us some clothes, and we heard
that Reed and Sanders were well, but were in close confine-
ment. We were kept locked up in our several cells at night,

An Escarpr From Fort WARREN. 741

but in the day time we were allowed to be out for a short time
ir the morning, being afterward locked up in the same cell
for the balance of the day.

Our capture evidently caused great excitement in Port-
land. The jail was crowded with visitors to see the two
“rebel” prisoners, or pirates, as we were generally called.
They would come and stand at the doors of our cells and dis-
cuss us as if we were a species of wild ‘animals; and I sup-
pose we were a kind of menagerie to them.

After awhile we got used to being stared at and paid no at-
tention to them. One day, I remember, there was a large
crowd peeping at us through the bars. One young and quite
pretty girl said, looking at me: “Oh, Susan, he is reading!”
To which Susan replied, “Pshaw! this one’s writing.” Sev-
eral of the visitors were evidently very sorry for us, and
some few books were sent us by some kind people of the city ;
but, as a general thing, the people were very bitter, and told
us plainly that they thought we ought to be killed.

We remained in Portland jail about one month, and while
there formed plans for escape. We were confined in cells on
the second story of the jail. The doors of the cells were of
iron bars about one inch in diameter. We determined to saw
through these bars, and once out of our cells we could g0
dcwn to the lower floor, where we were permitted to go for a
short time to wash. The windows of this wash-room had the
usual iron bars; by removing one or two of them we could get
through—and once out we determined to make for the water
or the country, as seemed best, and get up into Canada.

It took some time to get the instrument to saw the bars
with, but we finally succeeded. Before we could make much
progress, however, we were again transferred to Fort War-
ren, and found our two friends, Thurston and Reed, con-
fined in a room on the opposite side of the fort from the other
prisoners, and closely guarded. We were put into this room,
and some time afterward we were joined by Samuel Sterrett,
a son of Captain Sterrett, of the Confederate States Navy.
Sterrett was a native of Baltimore, and had been arrested as
a Southern sympathizer and sent to join the other political
prisoners in the fort, but being regarded as a dangerous pris-

 
 

742 Nortu Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

oner, he was put with us into close confinement. He was a
real acquisition, for he came in provided with many things
by friends, and was generous, dividing liberally with us all
he had and everything that was sent to him from Baltimore
by his friends.

We were kept in close confinement for several months.
The Colonel commanding offered to put us with the other
prisoners if we would give our parole not to attempt to es-
cape; but this we declined to do. We had formed our plans
to get out of this room; but before we could make any begin-
ning, we were put back with the other naval officers in. our
old original casemates.

Never losing hope, we began to look around at once to see
how we could get out of the casemates. There were two
chimneys in our room, and both were stack chimneys—that
is to say, there were two flues in the chimney, one for the fire-
place in our casemate, and one for the fireplace of the ad-
joining one.

We determined to move the partition in one of these chim-
neys and get out at the top. This would be a work of months,
but we commenced at once. The fireplaces were closed and
only a hole for a stovepipe remained. We took down enough
of these bricks to let one man get into the fireplace, and he
commenced removing the partition between the fireplaces, or
rather enlarging the flue so we could pass up. The bricks re-
moved from the inside of the chimney were beaten into dust
and carried out in the slops every morning. After working
nearly all night, taking turns and being helped by another
prisoner, Morrell, an engineer on the Atlanta, we would put
back the bricks we had taken down, using bread made into
dough for mortar, and whitewashing the brick over every
night before we went to bed. This work went on for severa.
months; but when we could see that our work was getting to
a point where we could begin to see the end, we ascertained
that a sentinel was posted at the top of the chimney and that
all our work was thrown away. It was a bitter disappoint-
ment to us; but we did not have to bear it for a very long
time, for in September, I think it was, we were ordered to
get ready to go to City Point for exchange. While in the

An Escapr From Fort WARREN. 743

fort I had a beautiful little English terrier named Fanny,
which had belonged to one of the sons of Captain S. S. Lee,
and was turned over to me when Lee: was ordered abroad.
This little dog gained the affections of one of the Sergeants
attached to the Commissary Department in Fort Warren, and
he used to bring fresh beef every day it was issued to the
garrison as a present to the dog. Of course we took charge
of the meat and the little dog was given the bones, and this
meat was a great addition to our larder. This little dog was
with me until the close of the war, and was carried to my
home in Lincolnton, North Carolina, where she lived to a
good old age, and raised many sons and daughters.

The exchange was a special one, arranged between the
Navy Departments of the two governments. We were sent
in a steamer to City Point, on James river, where General
Grant had his headquarters on a large river steamboat. We
remained here some time, and we learned that the reason was
that the Confederates refused to treat with General Butler,
the Federal agent for the exchange of prisoners. The Con-
federates had outlawed General Butler on account of his con-
duct in New Orleans, and refused to hold any communication
with him. Then Captain Webb, the senior captain present,
asked for and obtained an interview with General Grant, who
listened to what he had to say, said nothing himself, but on
the following day we were sent up the river, and meeting the
Confederate flag of truce about nine miles below Richmond,
we were put on board that vessel and the Federal naval pris-
oners sent down to be exchanged for us took our places in
the one we left. After a short time the two vessels separated
and our boat steamed up the river. We had not gone very
far before we saw a Confederate picket standing among some
bushes near the bank of the river, and we knew we were once
more inside the Confederate lines after having been prison-
ers for seventeen months. I think that was the happiest day
of my life.

J. W. ALEXANDER.

Lincotnton, N. C.,
26 April, 1883.

 
 

SALISBUKY FRISON.

By CHAPLAIN A. W. MANGUM, SixtH Reement N. C. T.

On 19 February, 1839, a few of the enterprising, public-
spirited and wealthy citizens of Salisbury, N. C., and the
vicinity resolved to establish in the town a large steam cot-
ton factory. On 4 April following the company was organ-
ized and applied themselves with energy to their commend-
able enterprise. The establishment was located in the beau-
tiful oak grove that bordered the town on the south. The
company secured about sixteen acres of the surrounding
grounds. It was not long before the grove was vocal with
the lively buzz and rattle of the machinery and the cheerful
song and laughter of the busy factory boys and girls. Those
were the haleyon days of peace and the daily picture in the
grove was as full of beauty and pleasure as it was of labor
and life.

A few years passed in that way, when the factory was
closed, the company dissolved and finally the property passed
into the hands of the trustees of Davidson College.

Again after a season, the solitude and stillness of the place
were cheerily disturbed by a school of happy, hopeful boys.

THE FACTORY BECOMES A PRISON.

By a deed bearing date of 2 November, 1861, the old fac-
tory lot and buildings were conveyed to the Confederate
States, and were fitted up and used during the four years
of war as a prison for Confederates under sentence of court-
martial, and those arrested for alleged disloyalty, for desert-
ers from the Federal army and for prisoners of war.

Norr.—Rev. A. W. Mangum was one of the most talented ministers of
the Methodist Church in this State and a most loveable man. He died
in May. 1890 while Professor of English Literature at the University of
North Carolina, which chair he had filled since 1885 He was a cousin
of Senator W. P. Mangum. His church and State may well lay a wreath
of immortelles’on the grave of one whose life reflected honor on both.
—Ep.

 

 

 

 
746 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

A company composed of the students of Trinity College,
styling themselves the “Trinity Guards,” and commanded
by Rev. Dr. B. Craven, their president, arrived and went into
quarters at the garrison, with the duty of acting as guard to
the prison. The first lot of prisoners, numbering one hun-
dred and twenty, was brought in by the train on 9 December,
1861. Their arrival caused considerable excitement in town,
very few of the citizens having seen a “live Yankee soldier”
up to that time. Their imprisonment was probably attended
by as few discomforts and privations as regular prisoners of
war were ever required to bear. They were quartered in the
large brick building (which was 100 by 40 feet, with three
stories above the basement). Some of them were allowed
the parole of the town. They strolled carelessly and cheer-
fully through the grounds, laughed and chatted in their warm
quarters, tattooed their arms with the “Stars and Stripes,”
whittled on fancy toys and Yankee notions, ete. When the
commandant went in amongst them his language, his tone,
the attention and respect, the quiet discipline and genial
humor reminded one rather more of a pleasant scene in a
college chapel than of rigid confinement in a prison.

On 26 December, another train of cars came in, with the
guards upon the platforms, bringing one hundred and sey-
enty-six more prisoners.

Dr. Craven and his boys remained but a few weeks, and
Colonel George C. Gibbs was assigned to the command of the
prison. The guard was composed of several companies
raised for the purpose. A number of the citizens of Salis-
bury joined the guard.

On 7 February there was another arrival of eighty prison-
ers. These different installments came from various points—
some being captured in Virginia, some on the coast of North
Carolina and some by the Army of the West in Kentucky.
By the middle of March, 1862, their number aggregated
nearly 1,500. In December previous, Dr. J. W. Hall, of
Salisbury, was appointed Surgeon of the post. His report
for the month of March, 1862, is the best commentary on the
treatment of the prisoners, the fidelity of the officers, the
eare and attention of the Surgeons and the management of

SALISBURY PRISON. 747

the hospitals. That report states that there were 1,427 pris-
oners, of which 251 had been under treatment, and only one
had died. Compared with the daily reports of many of our
regiments in the field, this showed that the suffering and loss
among the latter was at least twenty times greater. The
quarterly report, which was dated about 21 April, embrac-
ing from 26 December to that date, stated that of the guard
there had been 509 cases of sickness, and but three deaths—
of the prisoners 408 cases, and only three deaths. Propor-
tionately, there had been more sickness among the guard.
Let it be remembered that this was the treatment the Confed-
erate Government gave its prisoners while its resources were
yet abundant, and it possessed the power to be humane in
practice as it was in principle.

During this year even the ladies visited the grounds inside
the stockade. Dress parade by the troops of the garrison was
held near the southwest corner and witnessed by many of the
prisoners. I remember attending the parade one pleasant
summer evening in company with a number of ladies. When
it was finished the officers among the prisoners came out and
presented truly a beautiful scene in their recreation. A
number of the younger and less dignified ran like schoolboys
te the play ground, and were soon joining in high glee in a
game of ball. Others, arm in arm, promenaded and con-
versed, while several sat down side by side with the prison of-
ficials and witnessed the sport and indulged in free and gen-
tlemanly intercourse. I remarked particularly the tall form
of Colonel Corcoran (captured at Manassas) who, as he
walked with measured step and sad countenance, told plainly
how deeply his pride was wounded—how severely his spirit
was chafed.

A PRISONER'S PROPHECY.

I remember a conversation with Major Vogdes, in which
he prophecied the exhaustion of the supplies of the Confed-
eracy, and marked with his cane upon the ground how the
State might, and probably would be, invaded on the lines of
the railroads, and all opposition overcome. The position of
Sherman’s army at the finale of the struggle was similar to
the diagram which he drew.

 
 

748 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

When Colonel Gibbs completed his regiment (the Forty-
second North Carolina Troops), and left for service in the
field, Colonel A. C. Godwin took command of the prison.

Like Colonel Gibbs, he was a gentleman and a sol-
dier. His management of the prison may be inferred from
the fact that, while he was occupying a similar post in
Richmond, he showed himself so generous to some Federal
officers that, when he was captured on the Rappahannock and
sent to the Northern prisons, he was sought out and signally
favored in grateful return by either the individuals he had
kindly served in their captivity, or by their relatives and
friends.

It was during his command that a lofty flag pole was
erected near the main entrance in front of headquarters, and
a number of citizens, including ladies, went down to witness
the raising of the Confederate flag.

When the cartel for exchange of prisoners was agreed upon
by the commissioners of the two governments, all the prison-
ers of war were exchanged. This left only Confederate con-
victs, Federal deserters and political prisoners.

The following official documents, together with a list of
the. civilian prisoners, copied from a paper kindly furnished
by Governor Swain, is published with the conviction that
while they indicate the government in the premises, they will
be of interest to many in the future: :

Ricumonp, Va., February 27, 1868.
To the House of Representatives:

I herewith transmit a communication from the Secretary of War, cov-
ering a list of the civilian prisoners now in custody at the military prison
at Salisbury, N. C., in further response to your reselution of the 5th
Inst.. and invite attention to the recommendation in regard to a class of
officers to be charged with the special duty of inqniring into the cases of
prisoners arrested by military anthority. I think such officers would
be useful, they being selected for special qualifications and invested
with special powers. JEFFERSON Davis.

CoNFEDERATE SraTEs oF AMERICA,
War DEPARTMENT,
Ricumonp, Va., February 27, 1863.
To the President of the Confederate States:

Tn answer to a resolution of the House of Representatives, I have the
honor to inclose a list of the civilian prisoners now in custody in this
city and in Salisbury, N. C., under military authority. No arrests have

SALISBURY PRISON. 749

been made, at any time, by any specific order or direction of this de-
partment. The persons arrested have been taken either by officers of
the army commanding in the field or by provost marshals, exercising
authority of a similar nature, and the ground of arrest is, or ought to be,
founded upon some necessity, or be justified as a proper precaution
against an apparent danger. The department has had commissioners to
examine these persons, with directions ‘‘to discharge those against
whom no well-grounded cause of suspicion exists of having violated a
law or done an act hostile or injurious to the Confederate States ”

The department appointed in November last a commissioner to exam-
ine prisoners in the Southwestern Department, embracing a portion of
Georgia, Alabama and a portion of Mississippi. This commissioner
found some obstructions in the performance of his duties from the pro-
vost marshals and some difficulty in obtaining reports from them. He
resigned in the latter part of January, without making a report of the
prisoners remaining in the department for which he was appointed.

These commissioners have been found useful, and [ recommend that
the department may be authorized to appoint them for the objects be-
fore mentioned, and that they be clothed with the authority of commis-
sioners under the act of the Provisional Congress, No. 273, respecting
commissioners appointed by the district courts.

In conclusion, I have to say that under the examinations that have
been made a large number of prisoners have been discharged, and none
are retained unless there be a cause of suspicion supported by testimony
rendering it probable that the discharge of the prisoners would be preju-

dicial to the public interests.
Most respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JaMEs A. SEDDON,
Secretary of War.*

* List of political prisoners at Salisbury, N. C., omitted.
SUSPENSION OF HABEAS CORPUS.

Remembering the long and bloody struggle which the
friends of liberty have waged in the defence of the privilege
of habeas corpus, recognizing it as an inestimable security
and protection of the individual against the arbitrary acts
of ambitious power, I am, nevertheless, forced to the confes-
sion, from my own observation, that occasions may arise
when the most devoted defenders of liberty may with pro-
priety, aye, must from necessity, suspend it for the protection
of the country.

The fundamental principle and design of all proper gov-
ernment is the well-being and defence of society in its rights
and privileges. Occasions may, and often do, arise in time
of war or insurrection, when the right to suspend the writ is
to be decided by the plain question between a single indi-

vidual and the whole community. It often happens, further,

 
 

750 NortH CaroLina Troops, 1861-’65.

that while the danger to society and the government is clearly,
apparent, existing circumstances render a fair and full trial
utterly impossible even though the public interest may de-
mand it at once.

Such was the case in numerous instances in the Southern
Confederacy. Furthermore, arrest and imprisonment in
such cases, when they are not attended by the infliction of
any punishment beyond what is involved in the restraint of
the confinement, are not to be viewed necessarily as a violent
deprivation of enjoyment and freedom, but as a prudential
deprivation of the opportunity to commit contemplated in-
jury and destruction.

There are cases of reasonable suspicion against an indi-
vidual when it is impossible to find evidence to justify his
imprisonment under the civil law. It would certainly be a
suicidal policy for a commander in such eases to wait till his
plans are frustrated, his command betrayed and irretrievable
losses sustained by some overt act of the supposed traitor or
spy before ordering his arrest. ;

A ease of this character occurred in General Whiting’s Bri-
gade in the latter part of 1861. While posted on the right
wing of Johnston’s army, one of his regiments encamped
near a farm house, where, among others, lived a young man
whose countenance betokened a base, designing spirit. I
watched him loitering with an air of ill concealed thought-
fulness about the regiments and suspected from his conduct
that he was giving information to the enemy. The suspicion
was entertained by the officers, too, but no clue to his guilt
could be obtained. On the morning that the long roll beat
for the regiment to leave he was seen galloping on the road
to the river in great haste—in all probability communicated
the movement of the whole force to the enemy and was not
arrested till his return.

But while it may sometimes be proper, from the peculiar
circumstances, to arrest and confine suspected parties, it can-
not be right to postpone the examination of such cases a day
longer than is unavoidable. Prompt investigation should
decide whether the arrest is “founded upon some necessity,”
or can be “justified as a proper precaution against an appar-

SALISBURY PRISON. 751

ent danger.” It is believed that the Confederate authorities
are censurable for delay in such examination touching the
arrest and custody of the civilian prisoners at Salisbury.
One case is remembered, as reported by the commissioner
when he came to Salisbury, of a citizen from Western Vir-
ginia, who had been in prison for fourteen months, and when
his case was examined there was not the shadow of reason for
his imprisonment. Mr. Seddon, speaking of the result of the
examination in the Southwestern Department, states that ‘a
large number had been discharged.” Not recollecting posi-
tively, my impression is that a considerable number of those
ecnfined at Salisbury were promptly released when the facts
of their arrest were brought to light.

After the departure of Colonel Godwin for the field, who,
like Colonel Gibbs, made the prison guard the nucleus for a
fine regiment (the Fifty-seventh North Carolina Troops)
Captain McCoy held the office of commandant for some time.
He was also Quartermaster of the post for a considerable
period, and finally held a position on the staff of his rela-
tive, General Winder.

THE PRISONS BETTER DAYS.

Up to the latter part of 1864, the prison presented few of
those horrors which afterwards rendered it so shocking and
deplorable. The citizens of Salisbury will long remember
how often they have heard the loud songs of the prisoners in
those first years, when in the first still hours of the summer
night they beguiled the heavy moments in singing those
familiar hymns which bring to all hearts the sad, sweet mem-
ries of other days and absent friends. Those songs told of
sad home thoughts, and there were many, doubtless, who
heard them with a kinder sympathy than the singers dreamed.

Coming from the prison they fell on the heart like “a
thought of heaven in a field of graves.” They called up
sacred musings of that Better Land, where peace is never
broken and freedom has no foe or fear.

About this period we have the testimony of an escaped
prisoner—a newspaper correspondent—that the rations were
tolerable both in quality and quantity. The prisoners had

 
1 A SOIREE RET Ue PRE OAL

ee eee

752 NorrH Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

the privilege of purchasing a variety of articles from outsid-
ers. The above correspondent says that at one time his mess
had seventy-five dozen eggs. During the Spring, Summer
and Autumn some of the citizens showed their kindness and
humanity by carrying or sending down quantities of provis-
ions. The buildings afforded ample shelter, there being, in
addition to the large house, six other smaller brick buildings.
The old well afforded pure, refreshing water, and the oaks
shed a cool and grateful shade. An escaped prisoner pub-
lished a complimentary acknowledgment of the genial cour-
tesy and generosity of Captain Swift Galloway, who was at
that time commanding. They then had for the sick clean
mattresses, and a frame hospital large enough for forty pa-
tients. There was one peculiarly sad feature, however, con-
nected with the prisoners. It was the close confinement of
two or three officers as hostages for a like number of Confed-
erate officers whom the Federal Government was threatening
to execute in retaliation for the death of certain criminals by
order of the Confederate authorities. Their lot was of ne-
cessity very severe, but was alleviated by the magnanimous
treatment of the commandant.

METHODS OF ESCAPE.

There were a few regular prisoners of war at this time in
addition to other classes. Twelve officers were confined in
the upper story of the large building. They concluded to
make a desperate effort to escape. Accordingly they tied
their blankets together, hung them out of the window, and
a deserter, who was to act as their guide, started down. But
the blankets were torn by his weight, he fell to the ground,
the sentinels discovered him, and the plan was foiled.

Other attempts were made by means of tunnels, one run-
ning from the commissary building to the stockade, but the
vigilance of the guards again foiled them. The efforts and
plans resorted to in order to effect their escape were often
very irregular. The dead were buried outside of the stock-
ade by a detail of prisoners under guard. Upon one of these
cecasions one of the prisoners, being a ventriloquist, threw
his voice into the coffin and so frightened the guards that the

SALISBURY PRISON. 753

escape of the entire detail was easily effected. Another suc-
cessful plan was known as the “smallpox ruse.” The hospi-
tal for those afilicted with this dire malady was without the
stockade. A number of prisoners, heating some needles red

‘ hot, burned small holes in their faces and bodies, and present-

ing themselves to the Surgeon of the post, were ordered to the
hospital. Once beyond the stockade, but little time elapsed
ere they, too, had escaped.

When new deserters were brought to the prison they were
generally “mugged” by those already there, and stripped of
everything they had thus far preserved for their comfort.
The parties were detected and subjected to severe corporal
punishment, but as they continued their rapacious violence,
the balance of the prisoners petitioned the authorities to send
them to Andersonville. They were sent in compliance, and
after reaching Andersonville became so obnoxious that they
were arraigned before a court-martial of the prisoners, tried
for their lives, and six of them were convicted and hung. It
might have been one of these who, at Andersonville, mur-
dered his own brother in order to get his property at the
North, buried his body in his tent, spread his blanket over it,
and for some time slept upon it. A gentleman from Georgia
informed me such a case actually occurred.

On 3 March, Captain J. H. Fuqua was appointed to the
duties of inspector, and second in command.

Captain Swift Galloway (Company H, Third Regiment
North Carolina Troops), was succeeded by Colonel John A.
Gilmer, Twenty-seventh Regiment North Carolina Troops,
who had been so severely wounded in battle that he was una-
ble to perform active service again.

In July the officers of the prison were Colonel John A. Gil-
mer, Commandant; Captain J. H. Fuqua, Assistant Com-
mandant; Lieutenant F. D. Stockton, Adjutant.

The prison guard was composed of three companjes known
az “Freeman’s Battalion.”

Company A, Captain C. D. Freeman, 110 men; Company
B, Captain H. P. Allen, 108 men; Company C, Captain E.
D. Snead, 112 men.

The prisoners at that time numbered and were classified as

48

 

 

 
754 NortH Caroyina Troops, 1861-’65.

follows: Confederates under sentence of court-martial, 310;
Federal deserters, 963; political prisoners, 164.

POLITICAL PRISONERS.

In September Judge Sidney S. Baxter came to Salisbury
as commissioner to make inquiry into the cases of the politi-
eal prisoners. He was eminently qualified from his humane
disposition, integrity and talent to discharge the duties of his
delicate mission. His voluntary efforts to assist Major Gee,
during the next month, in relieving the suffering thousands
of the prisoners who were crowded into the stockade, suf-
ficiently attest the fidelity with which he addressed himself
to the interest of those unfortunate men whom he was spe-
cially commissioned to look after.

Colonel Gilmer’s health was not sufficient for the duties
of the post. I have never heard from any source any com-
plaint against the manner in which he discharged his duties
as commandant. In September, 1864, he resigned, and the
office of commandant was filled by the appointment of Major
John H. Gee, of Quincy, Florida. Chief Justice Dupont, of
Florida, being in Richmond, soon after this appointment, was
told by General Braxton Bragg that there were “a number
of hard cases at Salisbury, and Major Gee was appointed to
that place on account of his prudence and discretion.”

About the last of September Major Gee received a dis-
patch from Richmond ordering him to make provision im-
mediately for a very large number of prisoners. Being a
very humane man, he was greatly shocked by the order, for
he knew it would be impossible to take care of so many. But
bad as the state of affairs at Salisbury, it was vastly worse at
Richmond. There the population had become so numerous,
and the drain by the army had been and still continued to be
so enormous that the question of bare subsistence had become
ene of alarming interest. One of our Senators stated that,
accepting an invitation to eat at the President’s table, he
found nothing but corn bread and fried bacon for the bill of
fare. The condition of many of the citizens was deplorable,
and the remnant of the great Army of Northern Virginia
was compelled to bear hunger while doing four fold service

SALISBURY PRISON. 755

against a vastly outnumbering army. No wonder then that
the protest of Major Gee was unheeded.

Determined to do the best he possibly could with the lim-
ited means at his command, he addressed himself with earn-
est endeavor to the task of putting the prison in condition to
receive the coming thousands. And that task was indescrib-
ably arduous. ‘There were scarcely any axes, shovels, tools,
lumber, wells, tents or any other requisite in the place or
within his reach. He put a number of men to work with the
best implements that could be gotten, to dig more wells. He
required them not only to dig by day, but by candlelight at
night. The carpenters were also ordered to enlarge the stock-
ade. But before these improvements could be accomplished
immense trains of prisoners began to arrive. By 5 October
about 5,000 had come. One train, probably the first, brougit
between one and two hundred officers of various rank, from
Brigadier-General down. On the 5th I visited the prison in
company with ‘several ladies. The ground was then firm and
quite dry, and the place appeared well adapted to the purpose
for which it was used. But that was the last time that the
place had the appearance of aught but misery and wretel.-
edness. The officers’ and privates’ respective portions of
the grounds were separated by only a line of sentinels—the
former occupying the eastern quarter, with the old wooden
buildings.

The prisoners were always trying to escape, and not unfre-
quently they succeeded. Occasionally they would be ar-
rested again by citizens and brought back. Frequently they
would reach the mountains, find plenty of friends to supply
and direct them, and make their way across the mountains to
the Federal lines.

PRISON HORRORS.

When the officers arrived an attempt was made by robbers
to “mug” them under cover of the darkness, as they had done
many before; but an alarm was given and they did not ef-
fect their design. These “muggers,” as they were termed in
the prison parlance, were a regularly organized band of des-
perate characters, ready to rob the living or the dying, or to

 
756 | NortH CaroLina Troops, 1861-65.

commit actual murder to get money, provisions, clothes or oth-
er property. Although a number were sent, as before stated,
tu Georgia, the prison still continued to be infested with them
te the last. It will never be known how many of their fellow
prisoners they murdered. I think it was not uncommon for
marks of violence to be discovered on the bodies of the dead.
I saw one laid in the grave who appeared to have been killed
by choking. Another, who was very emaciated, had a nar-
row wound like the incision of a small dagger near the jugu-
lar vein. Without this he could not have lived long, and I
could divine no reason for his murder but impatience to get
possession of clothes or something else which could not be ob-
tained while he was alive.

During the month of October, 1864, the number of prison-
ers amounted to 10,321. The regular prisoners of war and
the rebel convicts were in perpetual feud, owing to the latter
having in September found and seized a Federal flag which
one of the prisoners had brought in concealed upon his per-
son. So bitter was the feud that the convicts did not dare
te leave their quarters in the large building and venture out
in the grounds at night.

There was no great degree of kindness between the Federal
deserters and the convicts. They would gamble together in
the upper story of the main building, insult one another, and
get into terrible altercations. One of the guards told me
that at night walking the parapet, he had heard them fighting,
heard the ery of “murder,” growing fainter and fainter, and
finally heard the gurgling struggles as of men weltering in
blood. One night a deserter was thrown from the upper win-
dow and taken up dead. 3:

By order of the War Department General Martin received
about fifteen hundred guards, of whom over a thousand
were Senior Reserves,* men between 45 and 50, and several

*The Senior Reserves were the 78rd, 74th and 76th Regiments, and
the Juniors, Millard’s (20th) Battalion. Mention of their services at
Salisbury is made in their respective histories. As above stated, the 42nd
regiment was prison guard earlier in the war, then the 57th, and in 1864
the 68th regiment for a while served in that capacity, and in 1865 the

8ist regiment for a short while, for which see their respective histories
in these volumes.—En.

 

SALISBURY PRISON. 757

hundred Junior Reserves, who were boys between 17 and 18
years of age. Add to these “Freeman’s Battalion,” and you
have all the troops that Major Gee was furnished to control
ten thousand regular soldiers. The stockade was simply a
plank fence about ten or twelve feet high so frail in many
place that it could be shaken for a long distance by the hand.

It was the opinion of competent judges that a rush by a
body of men against it would have broken it down. - In some
parts the planks at the bottom did not reach the ground, and it
required but little effort, as experiment proved, to open a way
for egress under them. The Senior Reserves who comprised
the large majority of the guard, were ignorant of discipline,
and so old and awkward and unteachable—many of them—
that they appeared more like Quixotic burlesques than ver-
itable soldiers. The Junior Reserves were much more vigi-
lant and efficient, but many of them were exceedingly small
and presented quite a grotesque picture as they lugged a huge
musket around their beat. But for their diminutive size
they would have made excellent sentinels. Freeman’s men
were all who had enough of the soldier about them to be de-
pended on to discharge all the duties of a guard. Under
such circumstances it may well be conceived how anxiously
those who were entrusted with the keeping of the prisoners
felt their responsibility. From October to the time they left
there was no time (except perhaps, while Colonel Hinton
with the Sixty-eighth Regiment, was there), when, acting in
concert and with determination, the prisoners could not have
overpowered the guard and sacked the town. A knowledge
of this fact doubtless caused many a wakeful hour to Major
Gee while others were sleeping, and may account for seeming
severity in the regulations which were enforced.

When the prisoners came they could not be supplied with
a sufficient number of tents, and in consequence they suffered
greatly from exposure. In apology for this it must be ob-
served that there was a much larger proportion furnished
them than were employed by our own soldiers in the field;
and there were really no more that could be procured. As
goon as they could be obtained two hundred tents were fur-
nished them—of different kinds—fly, wall and others. Thus

 

 
758 Norto Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

did they get what was denied our sons and brothers. After
General Bradley T. Johnson came he made direct application
to Governor Vance for tents, knowing probably that they
could not be obtained from the government, and the Governor,
notwithstanding he had taken steps to contribute to the relief
of the Salisbury prisoners, was compelled to answer that he
had none.

YANKEE INGENUITY IN PROVIDING SHELTER.

As they did not have enough houses or tents to shelter them
and the scarcity of tools, teams, lumber and guards for the
working parties prevented cabins being constructed, they re-
sorted to “Yankee ingenuity” to provide shelter for them-
selves. A few crowded under the hospital and other houses,
and slept there in bad weather. But the main resort was
burrowing in the earth. The whole enclosure was literally
honey-combed by these burrows. They’ were square, or round
holes dug some three feet deep, with a mud-thatched roof—a
hole being punched through to the surface at one end and a
little chimney further built up out of baked earth. Over the
entrance there was a little porch or projection that, as long
as it withstood the rain itself, kept the water from the main
burrow. But for the dampness these places would have been
comparatively comfortable—for they shielded the tenant
from the winds and rains, and required a very small quantity
of wood to make them warm. I have seen a thin matting of
shavings which had been whittled with a pocket knife, lying
on the floor of some of them. The tenant had either to sit
or lie down in them; they were too shallow for him to stand
erect. They must have been wretchedly uncomfortable and
destructive to health and life in those heavy, incessant rains
that fell in January and February, 1865. The hospitals
were so crowded, and such numbers died in them that some
preferred to linger and suffer in their sickness in these little

cells. Consequently they not infrequently died there alone,
and were not discovered for some days.

AN ACCIDENT.

Major Moffatt, who was Quartermaster to the prison, with
duty to provide shelter, ete., had a chimney begun to the large

SALISBURY PRISON. 759

building. When it had reached the third story, the unsound
brick at the bottom gave way and the whole structure fell.
Several were injured and perhaps one killed. The sentinels
were ordered to clear the building and keep everybody out—
and one, rushing back to get something, paid no attention to
the sentinel’s warning, was fired at and either killed or
wounded. Those who were injured were rescued from the
rubbish as soon as possible.

Major Moffatt found the greatest difficulty in getting
lumber for building purposes, but, having procured some, had

ordered the carpenters to put up six buildings, 200 feet in
length, 22 feet wide, and 20 feet high. When they were en-
gaged in framing these, General Winder, Commandant of
Prisons in this and other States, visited and inspected the
prison, pronounced the place unfit for a prison, declared that
he would have them moved down in South Carolina and
therefore ordered all improvements to be discontinued. Be-
fore the arrangements necessary for their removal were com-
pleted, the advance of Sherman became so threatening, and
the whole situation so critical that the project was abandoned.
Tt was also contemplated to move the prisoners to a more com-
fortable site on the Yadkin, but the place in view, on exami-
nation, proved ineligible. The Confederacy was in its last
struggle—its resources all gone, and therefore though the
ecndition of the prisoners was wretched and appalling, there
was no way to ameliorate it. They were in a miserable
plight when they came. Large numbers of them were una-
tle to walk and had to be carried from the train to the prison.
Those who had been confined elsewhere for a long time were
pale, emaciated and dejected. Many of them were very
filthy and ragged. Some were without hat or cap or any
sign of shoes. The clothing of many was very meagre and
of summer texture. A very large portion had no blankets.
Such being their condition it is evident that their sufferings
in the cold weather were intolerable. . Situated as they were
the allowance of wood, according to army regulations, was
insufficient. Yet as to fuel most energetic efforts were made
t+ supply them. A train ran regularly on the Western Rail-
road to transport wood. Fifty or sixty of the prisoners went

 
760 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

with it as a detail for loading and unloading. Numbers of
wagons were frequently, if not constantly, employed in haul-
ing wood to them. The wood-yard was immediately on the
Central road, near the crossing just west of the stockade.’ It
was carried thence by the prisoners who passed to and fro be-
tween a line of sentinels. The wood-master was allowed as
large a detail for this purpose as he thought necessary. He
stated on oath, that the average quantity furnished the pris-
oners was thirty-five to forty cords per day. According to
General Johnson they received more nearly, on an average,
the regulation allowance, than the troops who guarded them.
Yet exposed as they were, twice or thrice the quantity would
not have rendered them comfortable.

When the plan was agreed upon, for the two governments
to send supplies to their respective soldiers in prisgn, Major
Gee made out a requisition for ten thousand suits of clothing
and sent it to the proper authorities at Richmond. <A large
supply was received and distributed under the supervision of
United States officers, who were paroled for that purpose.
In addition to their other ills, they had to bear the pangs of
hunger. Just prior to their sudden advent, Major Myers,
post commissary, had in obedience to. orders, sent all, or
nearly all, his stores to Richmond, Goldsboro and Wilming-
ton. The district from which he was allowed to draw was
limited to Surry, Yadkin, Davie, Stanly, Montgomery and
Anson ; and, for a time, Stokes and Forsyth Counties. From
these he had received and shipped to the army vast quantities
and it had now become extremely difficult to procure day by
day what was required. With a daily demand of 13,000
rations, he often had not a day’s supply ahead, and no certain
source or means for procuring it. He engaged the mills for
miles around to grind for him. He sent out purchasing and
impressing agents with rigid instructions. He wrote to vari-
cus points for assistance. He went or sent daily to the depot
and train to impress the passing supplies. He,on one occasion,
seized some stores that were on the train en route to Lee’s
army. He joined Major Gee in his protest about more pris-
oners coming. He begged, entreated, warned, threatened the
people to extort provisions from them. I have seen him in

SALISBURY PRISON. 761

the heavy rain, dashing hither and thither, striving to meet
the requisitions that were made upon him. When the condi-
tion of the people was such that he could neither buy nor im-
press, he would borrow from them. At first the ration was 1%
pound flour, 1 pound beef, or 1-3 pound bacon (or in lieu of
meat when it could not be had 1 pound potatoes or 11-2 gills
sorghum) and to every hundred men 10 pounds rice and 3
quarts of salt. As the scarcity grew more pressing the flour
was reduced one pound or meal was taken. That was in
December. Sometimes several days would elapse without
Major Myers being able to procure any meat. The same ra-
tions were issued to the guard as to the prisoners. Indeed,
if preference was shown, it was in favor of the prisoners.
When Colonel Folk (Sixty-fifth North Carolina) had re-
turned from his imprisonment (at Fort Delaware) and
visited the Salisbury prison, he pronounced the ration more
in quantity than he had ever received in a Northern prison.
In addition the prisoners were sometimes the recipients of
humane offerings by the citizens, and had the liberty, when
outside, to purchase, at least occasionally, from the numerous
hucksters that hung around the garrison.

CLIMBING OAKS FOR ACORNS.

Yet after all this, they suffered intensely from hunger.
They would climb the oaks for acorns and fish from the filthy
sewers the crusts and the bones. The sick especially suf-
fered, as what they got was often so coarse that they could not
eat it.

Although such efforts were made to provide water, the sup-
ply was insufficient for drinking, cooking and washing. Wells
were dug until they drained one another. The prisoners
were allowed, under guard, to cross the bridge and get water
from the wells in town. Those that were near the prison
were often kept low and muddy by their constant drawing.
They were allowed to go in squads, as numerous as could be
guarded with the small number of the garrison, to the creek
which ran within a few hundred yards of the place. From
there they brought water in barrels. They were going and
returning all through the day. Strenuous efforts were made

 
762 NortH CaroLina Troops, 1861-65.

to have the creek turned to run through the grounds, but
Major Turner, on examination, pronounced it impracticable
with the means at hand. One of the guarl was detailed to
try to obtain a pump of sufficient capacity for the purpose,
but he could not find one.

The hospital accommodations were not such as were de-
sired by the prison officials, and were greatly inadequate to
the necessities of so large a number of men so unfavorably
situated. The buildings were too small, there was a limited
supply of bunks and covering and even straw, and withal
a distressing scarcity of medicines. Time after time were
requisitions made for these articles upon the proper officials,
but with very little success. The United States had made
medicines contraband of war—a remarkable innovation on
the rules of civilized warfare—and the meagre and irregular
medical stores that ran the blockade were their sole depend-
ence (outside of captures by the army) for the supply of the
scores of thousands of the sick and wounded who were wel-
tering in homes and hospitals all over the bleeding, panting
South. The humane surgeons of the prison had but little
margin for the exercise of their professional skill. Their
dispensary was painfully scant and ill-furnished. As they
looked upon the empty bottles and bare shelves, they must
have mused often and painfully of the vast repositories of
those articles which would save those men’s lives, hoarded in
the warehouses of their kinsmen and fellow-citizens at the
North, and denied by the government which they had im-
periled all to defend. When demands were made upon Cap-
tain Goodman for straw and lumber for bunks, he urged the
improbability of obtaining either. The hospital on, the sec-
ond floor of the large building was fitted with good bunks,
and two or three of the smaller ones had bunks also. One of
them was better supplied than the hospital for the guard.

General Bradley T. Johnson, who by appointment took
command of the prison on 24 December, 1864, was a true
gentleman with a generous, sympathetic heart, and joined his
strenuous exertions to those of other officials to alleviate the
sufferings of the prisoners. He complained heavily of the
Quartermaster to General Gardner for his inefficiency, and

SALISBURY PRISON. 763

deplored the necessity of the sick having sometimes to lie on
the bare floor. If all the efforts made by Drs. Currie and
Wilson, Major Gee and General Johnson to have the hospi-
tals furnished were known, it would speak loudly in their
honor and silence the maledictions of those who say that the
prisoners suffered from inhumanity instead of necessity.
Captain Goodman may or may not have done the best he
could. His good teams were taken away from him and
broken-down stock put in their places. The roads were al-
most impassable. Straw was scarce. The saw mills were
not competent to the constant demands upon them. His
wagons had to be used for various indispensable purposes. It
may-safely be affirmed that a far more efficient man would not
have been able to meet the overwhelming requisitions made
upon him in the general dilapidation and scarcity.

A SURGEON GAVE HIS LIFE FOR THE PRISONERS.

The Surgeons were faithful and humane, by the admission
of the prisoners themselves. Dr. Richard O. Currie, from
Knoxville, established a most enviable reputation by his self-
sacrificing efforts, as Chief Surgeon, to minister to the poor
sufferers. They seemed to burden his heart continually. He
visited them with the spirit of his Saviour. A good physi-
cian, he ministered to them in sickness—an earnest preacher
of the Gospel, he strove to instruct them in the way of life.
So incessant and exhausting were his cares and labors for
them that, at the close of a day of overpowering toil, he was
violently attacked with brain fever, and in a few days passed
from his noble toils to the Land of Rest—dying a martyr to
the Federal prisoners.

His successor, Dr. Wilson, was also a kind-hearted, faith-
ful, Christian surgeon. After the main body of the prison-
ers had left, I received an invitation from him to hold divine
service for the sick in the basement of the large building.
At his request I had before held services in the main grounds.
In the hospital were a considerable number of sick, some on
bunks and some on the floor. Those on the floor were not
required but permitted to lie there, as they preferred it. ‘The
floor was clean, and, considering the means at his disposal,
the apartment was in good condition. He accompanied me

 
764 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

and remained to the close of the services. At his request I
visited a dying prisoner who had been removed to a good
bunk in the guard hospital. After conversing with him
freely, when in the act of leaving, I could not but be im-
pressed with the affecting and trustful attachment he evinced
for Dr. Wilson, as he begged me to find him and send him to
him. I did so, and the doctor went promptly.

The meed of professional fidelity is due to all his assistant
surgeons.

But there was terrible mortality in the prison. From 1
October, 1864, to 17 February, 1865, there were 3,419
deaths among the prisoners.* The number of daily deaths
varied from 18 to 40. On one day about 65 died. In its
worst days the condition of the prison was shocking—the ap-
pearance and sufferings of the prisoners harrowing in the ex-
treme. The red clay soil held the water, and under the
tramp of thousands became one scene of mud. In December
a number of prisoners were detailed to police the enclosure,
but so boggy was the whole surface that they could do but lit-
tle. Ditching would not drain the ground sufficiently.

The prisoners were the very personification of forlorn
wretchedness. They seemed to grow more and more de-
jected, and an ennui congealed the very springs of life.
Doomed to inevitable idleness and inactivity, with no sight
but such as aggravated the gloom and horror of their shronded
hearts, with hope deferred from week to week, from month to
month, many of them sank under the sheer burden of despair,
and with a stolid silence and indifference to time or eternity,
finished their mortal sorrows in death.

Major Gee informed me in February that he had made

* The Roll of Honor (No. xiv, pp. 134-235), gives the names of 2.504
Federal soldiers who died in the Salisbury prison. This record shows
that these deaths occurred almost without exception during the last
months of 1864 and the spring of 1865 In view of this great mortality
it may be interesting to note the total deaths in Federal and Confederate
prisons. According to the World Almanac for 1890, p. 95, the deaths in
Confederate prisons were 30,156; in Federal prisons they were 30,152.
The total number of prisoners taken by the Confederates and not paroled
was 196,177; the deaths therefore represented 15.37 per cent. of the pris-
oners. The prisoners captured by the Federals who were not immedi-
ately paroled were 227,570; the death rate among them was therefore
13.25 per cent. These figures aré from the Adjutant General’s office.

SALISBURY PRISON. 765

areful inquiry, and that of more than three thousand who

had died not one had uttered a syllable of concern about the
future destiny of his soul. Few religious advantages were
afforded them. Dr. Currie preached in the hospitals. On
repeated applications to him he discouraged me as to preach-
ing to the masses of the prisoners, stating that they were gen-
erally foreigners and Catholics, and were not at all likely to
give me a kindly reception. Rev. Dr. Rumple, I think, held
service in the hospital for them. In February I was invited
by Dr. Wilson to preach to them, he telling me that it had all
the time been Major Gee’s pleasure for them to have preach-
ing, and that they would certainly appreciate it. Entering
the yard on the next afternoon, it being a beautiful Sabbath,
I found a Baptist minister near the old well preaching to a
large congregation of them; but as there were thousands scat-
tered over the grounds who were not attending, I went to a
large oak in the eastern center and began to sing. A num-
ber had followed me and the throng increased for some time.
It was to me an interesting occasion. They were very re-
spectful, earnest and solemn. I used the last Testament I
had, and telling them during the discourse that I intended
presenting it to one of them, I was touched by their eagerness
tc get it, quite a number pressing up with expectant looks.
When I concluded they crowded thickly around me, and a
number grasped my hand in Christian fervor.

It was probably Dr. Currie who made an effort for a prison
library, and I wrote to the Tract Society at Richmond to get
reading for them. Rev. Mr. Bennett was gone to Europe to
make arrangements to get some Bibles and Testaments, which
were also virtually contraband of war according to the regula-
tion and practice of the United States.

TI was answered by Rev. Mr. Moorman. He deplored his
inability to supply me from the exhaustion of his supply. He
spoke with Christian sympathy of my purpose. Hence few
were the Christian privileges of the miserable prisoners. But
I have seen the light of heaven in the eye of the suffering cap-
tive, and heard from his lips the glorious eloquence of salva-
tion. From the tongue of another I have listened to the rich
avowals of Christian hope and confidence, and heard the

 
766 NortH Carotina Troops, 1861-’65.

failing, almost inaudible voice mutter, “‘ ‘Come unto me all
ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’
These are precious words.” And doubtless amid the gloom
and horror of that old prison, there was many an upward
glance of the heart—many a struggle and triumph of faith—
many a thrill of redeeming love and heavenly hope, which all
unknown to friend or foe, were recognized by Him whose na-
ture is love, and who is “mighty to save.”

There was a small brick building near the center of the
prison, which was used as a receptacle for the dead until they
were carried to the burial ground. They were hauled thence,
without coffins, to the old field west of the prison. A detail,
first of convicts and afterwards of prisoners of war, was kept
day by day, constantly digging the long pits in which they
were interred. These pits were four feet deep, a little over
six feet wide, and were extended, parallel, about sixty yards.
The bodies were laid in them without covering—there was
not material to cover the living, much less the dead. They
were laid side by side, as closely as they would lie, and when
the number was too large for the space that was ‘dug, one
would be placed on top between every two: They generally
had very little clothing on, as the living were permitted to
take their garments. Seldom does it fall to the lot of man
tc behold a more sickening and _heartrending spectacle than
they presented. It was a lesson on the vanity of this life
more impressive and eloquent than tongue or pen can describe.
It was a picture of the hellish curse of war, in one of its most
horrible and hideous aspects. I begged the workmen at least
to get some brushes to lay over their faces. Sadly have I
mused, as I stood and gazed upon their attenuated forms, as
they seemed the very romance of the horrible in shroudless,
coffinless grave. Those long, bony hands, were once the dim-
pled pride of a devoted mother, and on that cold, blanched
brow tender love had often pressed the kiss of a mother’s lips.
Perhaps while I gazed on their hapless fate, a fond wife and
prattling children were watching for the mail that they might
receive the longed-for tidings from him who was best be
loved. But I turn from the theme, as I always turned from
those harrowing, chilling burials, with a heart full of sadness,

SALISBURY PRISON. 767

and shuddering over the unwritten terrors and calamities of
war.

From the congregated evils of imprisonment the prisoners
were always anxiously seeking escape. Gladly did they
accept any opportunity to get out, however laborious the
duties for which they were detailed. Numbers of them were
on parole or detail for various duties. Some were clerks,
some in the workshops, some in the shoe factories, some dig-
ging graves, some hauling wood on the train, ete.

A Colonel: Tucker came there for the purpose of getting re-
cruits from their number for the Confederate army. Only
foreigners were allowed to enlist. Nearly eighteen hundred
took the oath administered by a Catholic priest. Some may
have taken this step in good faith, as it is known they were
often recruited by foul means in the United States, but the
greater number chose it as the only means of escape from
their terrible den. They were called “galvanized Yankees,”
and though most of them made scarcely a show of fighting
when the test came, a few stood their ground and fought with

true courage.

ESCAPES FROM THE PRISON.

Of the whole number in the prison, five or six hundred es-
caped during the five months from October to March. They
sometimes succeeded in deceiving the sentinels and passing
quietly out at the gate. One morning a ladder was found
against the stockade on the inside. How many had scaled
it is not known.

They were constantly engaged in tunneling. At one time
they were engaged on sixteen tunnels in different parts of
the enclosure. Sometimes they would complete them and a
number escape. But to prevent this a second line of senti-
nels was placed about thirty feet from the stockade. There
were also spies among them who were bribed by the prison
officials to detect and betray them.

Before the officers were removed and when there was only a
line of sentinels between the officers and privates, a sentinel
saw a paper thrown across by an officer, and on examining it,
found that it contained directions for an outbreak to be made

 
768 NortH Caroiina Troops, 1861-’65.

at a certain signal that night. I have heard that the purpose
was to overpower the guard and sack or burn the town. The
plot was conceived by General Hays and others. It caused
the officers to be removed to Danville immediately. It is
almost impossible to conceive what the fate of the unsuspect-
ing citizens would have been that night if the fearful plan
had been consummated.

On 20 October, about 2 o’clock in the afternoon, as the re-
lef for the inside guard entered the prison, they were rushed
upon and disarmed by the prisoners, and two or three of them
were killed. One was: bayonetted, another shot, and both
staggered out to the gate, fell and expired. About eight men
were wounded. ne sentinel on the parapet was also shot
and killed, the ball passing first through the plank. As the
frisoners made the rush they raised a tremendous yell. Then
came their rapid fire upon the guard. They also threw brick-
bats and baked earth-balls, whatever they could obtain, at the
sentinels. The latter stood at their posts, dodging and firing.
in a moment the cannon at one of the angles fired, but being
loaded with solid shot it did no execution.

There were soon two more discharges with grape and can-
‘ister which did terrible execution. The musketry. firing by
the sentinels also became rapid. A large body ot prisoners
had congregated in a threatening attitude before the main en-
trance. As soon as they saw they could not succeed they
threw up their hands and cried: “We give up! we are
done!” They ran scampering all over the grounds, seeking
for shelter, rmmning into their burrows and tents, falling in
the ditches and on the ground. The citizens, apprehending
the cause of the yells and firing, armed themselves as soon as
possible and young and old came in haste to the prison. Col-
onel Hinton’s regiment, which was on the train at the depot
and about to leave, formed at the sound of the cannon, double
quicked to the stockade and mounted the parapet. But these
and the citizens came too late. It is well they were no nearer,
no sooner there, for many more would certainly have been
killed. The officers of the prison stopped the firing as soon
as they possibly could. =

About sixteen of the prisoners were killed and sixty

SALISBURY PRISON. 769

wounded. It was difficult to restrain the excited people and
soldiers, particularly some of Freeman’s men whose comrades
had been slain. When the prisoners attacked the guard a
Federal deserter knocked one prisoner down with a brickbat,
and wrenching a musket from another pinioned him with the
bayonet. He then ran to his quarters.

Some of the guard, in running out, made a stand at the
gate with some picks and shovels lying there and kept the
prisoners back.

The whole affair lasted but*about 10 minutes. The reason
of their signal failure was their want of concert and organ-
ization.

AN EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.

About the middle of February Major Gee received intel-
ligence that the articles of exchange had been agreed on. The
perpetual dream and longing of those who survived was about

to be realized at last. Oh how they had watched and prayed

for it! Wading in the mire, pinched by hunger, chilled
with cold, covered with vermin, broken in spirit, the thought
of home ‘vas as sweet as the vision of happiness, and their
most eage. inquiry of all visitors as, “Is there any prospect
for exchange?’ At last their sad hearts were to be glad-
dened. Major Gee, knowing how it would excite and trans-
port them, charged the officer who was to inform them to
warn them to make no demonstration lest the guard might
fire upon them. His message was, “Tell them they have
something good to sleep over to-night.”

About the 20th, all who were well enough, were removed.
The sick were carried on the trains. The hospitals were
emptied of all who could travel. It was a pitiable spectacle
to see the haggard, staggering patients marching to the train.
Some faltered along alone; some walked in couples, support-
ing one another; now and then three would come together,
the one in the middle dragged along by the other two; and
occasionally several would bear a blanket on which was
stretched a friend unable to walk or stand. Deeply was
every heart stirred which was not dead to sympathy, as the
throng gazed on the heartrending pageant. God forbid I

49

 
770 NortH Caronina Troops, 1861-’65.

should ever be called to witness the like again! At the train
they received refreshments from the hands of several citi-
zens. About 2,800 started to march to Greensboro. A great
many who started were unable to make the march. Besides
the stragglers, two hundred were left at Lexington and five
hundred the next day, were abandoned on the road. About
one thousand failed on the way.

I have failed to mention that three or four hundred negroes
were brought to the prison, and were treated precisely as the
other prisoners of war.

After this general delivery about 500 were confined, some
of them from Sherman’s army, and were hurried to Charlotte
just. in time to escape Stoneman’s raiders in April (1865).
The day that Stoneman captured Salisbury his prisoners were
penned in the very same stockade which had so long enclosed
the hordes of Federal captives. All the buildings and the

stockade were burned by Stoneman’s orders on the night of.

12 April. A number of his men had been imprisoned there,
and doubtless some of them were in the detail to which was
assigned the avenging torch.

Having written thus frankly of the dark history of this
great reservoir of misery and death, I now.ask, “Who is to
blame?” And I answer in the very words of two escaped
prisoners, newspaper correspondents, who published their
prison experience after their return to the North.

ESCAPED PRISONERS BLAMED EDWIN M. STANTON.

Mr. Richardson says:

‘The government held a large excess of prisoners and the rebels were
anxious to exchange man for man, but our authorities acted upon the
cold-blooded theory of Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, that we
could not afford to give well-fed, rugged men for invalids and skeletons—
that returned prisoners were infinitely more valuable to the rebels than
to us, because their soldiers were inexorably kept in the army, while
many of ours, whose term of service had expired, would not re-enlist.”

Mr. Brown writes:

‘* As soon as Mr. Richardson and myself reached our lines we deter-
mined to visit Washington, even before returning to New York, to see
what could be done for the poor prisoners we had left behind, and de-
termine what obstacles there had been in the way of an exchange. We
were entirely free. We owed nothing to the rebels or to the government

SALISBURY PRISON. 14

for our release. We had obtained our own liberty, and were very glad
of it. for we believed our captives had been so unfairly, not to say inhu-
manely, treated at Washington that we were unwilling to be indebted
to the authorities of that city for our emancipation. We went to Wash-
ington, deferring everything else to move in the matter of prisoners, and
did what we thought most effective for the end we had in view. During
our sojourn there we made it our special business to inquire into the
causes of the detention of Union prisoners in the South, although it was
known that they were being deliberately starved and frozen by the
rebels. We particularly endeavored to learn who was responsible for
the murder—for it was nothing else—of thousands of our brave soldiers;
and we did learn. There was but one answer to all our questions, and
that was, Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. Although he knew the
exact condition of affairs in the rebel prisons, he always insisted that we
could not afford to exchange captives with the South; that it was not
policy. Perhaps it was not; but it was humanity, and possibly that is
almost as good as policy in other eyes than Mr. Stanton’s. After our
departure from Washington, such a storm was raised about the Secreta-
ry’s ears—such a tremendous outside feeling was created—that he was
compelled to make an exchange. .

‘The greater part of the Northern prisoners have now been released,
I believe, but there was no more reason why they should have been pa-
roled or exchanged since February than there was ten or twelve months
ago. No complications, no obstacles had been removed in the mean-
time. Our prisoners might just as well have been released a year since
as a month since, and if they had been, thousands of lives would have
been saved to the republic, not to speak of those near and dear ones who
were materially and spiritually dependent upom them.

‘‘Dreadful responsibility for some one; and that some one, so far as I
can learn. is the Secretary of War. I hope I may be in error, but cannot
believe lam. If Iam right, heaven forgive him! for the people will
not. The ghosts of the thousands needlessly sacrificed heroes will haunt
him to his grave.”’

As these extracts are against the officers of their own gov-
ernment, one, if not both, written when the storm had lulled
and the mind was capable of dispassionate reflection and
judgment, we, of course, must accept them as true. They
agree with and corroborate the opinion of all well-informed
persons at the South—thus making it the verdict of the jury
of the millions North and South, that Edwin M. Stanton, and
not the authorities of the Confederacy, is guilty of the delib-
erate destruction of thousands of Federal and Confederate
captives whom he would not permit to be exchanged.

Why, then, all this unrelenting bitterness—this blood-
thirsty, inexorable vengefulness towards the South? Im-
partial history will show that in the article of prisons, she
was “more sinned against than sinning.” It is known by all
who choose to know the truth, that stern necessity and insup-
portable national misfortunes occasioned the sufferings of

 
 

w72 NortH Caroiina Troops, 1861-’65.

the Federal captives in Southern prisons. The South, both
citizens and government, clamored for exchange—the North
refused it. But where is the apology for the barbarities and
murders of Northern prisons? Is it found in the lex talionis?
Where is the authority that justifies retaliation against in-
evitable necessity ?

Avotpuus W. Manevum.

CuHapet Hii, N. C.,
26 April, 1890.
 

 
 
sea Wakeahealal