32 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

bled it. Captain Rickett himself, while a prisoner, I was
told about that time, said that as soon as he saw this regiment,
he directed his guns to be lowered so that he could fire into
it, but that before his order could be executed the regiment
fired and disabled him, killed Lieutenant Ramsey and most
of his gunners. This declaration of his confirms what sev-
eral members of Captain Avery’s company from Yancey
told me at the time. They said “that battery would have
ruined us but they were firing over our heads.” Captain
Avery told me that as soon as he saw the battery, he without
waiting orders, directed his men to fire.

It may be asked why these facts so honorable to Colonel
Fisher and his regiment have not been officially or publicly
recognized? Colonel Fisher was himself killed and his only
field officer then with the regiment, was Lieutenant-Colo-
nel Lightfoot, who unfortunately, was not in the battle.
He, with the two rear companies, was by some means sepa-
rated from the balance of the regiment, as it was marching
into battle. I saw him, and these two companies in the rear,
after the battle had ended. The officers stated that while
under his immediate command, as the regiment was march-
ing forward into the battle, they were separated from the
other eight companies. Lightfoot, in their presence, for
it was a general conversation, complained very much of Col-
onel Fisher because he carried the regiment into action by the
flank. He gave no other reason for not being in the en-
gagement. Some days afterwards, when I urged him to
make such a report as would do justice to Colonel Fisher and
the regiment, he merely reiterated his complaints about the
regiment being carried into battle by the flank. Not having
been in the battle himself, his report was not of such a char-
acter as to afford a proper knowledge of the affair.

I appealed to General Jos. E. Johnston and requested him
to have the facts made public, but he replied that in making

out his report he could only give such statements as come up
to him from the reports of his subordinates.

The service of Colonel Fisher and his regiment can not be
over estimated on this occasion. Let it be admitted that it
was a mere accident that he should have thus moved up by

THE Barrier or Manassas, 33

the flank (the best mode in which he could h
and thus gotten just to the place where he ought
The opportunity thus afforded was rightly
fortunately for the success of our army.

at any time since, have I doubted th
the day to the Confederacy.
by this dash, lost his life, w
arduous struggle ?

ave moved),
to have been.
used, and most
Neither then, nor
at this movement saved
If the gallant and noble Fisher,
ho did more during the long and
Having from that day to this determined
to endeavor to have justice done to his splendid and heroic
action, I avail myself of this occasion to say something in
that behalf. I saw him for the last time two weeks before
his death, and his bright looks and generous words of thanks
to me, for a slight service I had been able to render him and
his command, are too vividly before me to allow me to let the
occasion pass by without a brief tribute to his memory.

Tuos. L. Cirveman.
ASHEVILLE, N. C.,

21 July, 1874,