210 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

Brigades, he ordered his entire force, which had been dis-
mounted, to attack the enemy in flank and rear. This was
done most gallantly and successfully. General Rufus Bar-
ringer, of North Carolina, commanded W. H. F. Lee’s Divis-
ion with marked skill and gallantry, whilst Colonel W. H.
Cheek, of Warren county, led Barringer’s Brigade with his
accustomed dash. The cavalry vied with the infantry in
their headlong assault upon the enemy’s lines. The Nine-
teenth North Carolina (2 Cav.) under General W. P. Roberts,
of Gates County, carried the first line of rifle-pits on the right,
and the cavalry all swept over the main line. Their works
stormed in front, their lines carried in flank and rear, the en-
emy’s infantry gave way at all points and abandoned the field
in confusion and without any appearance of order. In
truth, the Federal infantry did not show the determination
which had generally marked the conduct of Hancock’s Corps.
Not so with the Federal artillery. It was fought to the last
with unflinching courage. Some minutes before the second
assault was made, General MacRae had ordered Lieutenant
W. E. Kyle, with the sharpshooters, to concentrate his fire
upon the Federal batteries. Many men and horses rapidly
fell under the deadly fire of these intrepid marksmen. Yet
still the artillerists who were left, stood by their guns. When
MacRae’s Brigade crossed the embankment, a battery which
was on his right front as he advanced, wheeled to a right angle
with its original position, and opened a fire of grape and can-
ister at close quarters, enfilading the Confederate lines; Gen-
eral MacRae immediately ordered this battery to be taken.
Although entirely abandoned by its infantry support, it con-
tinued a rapid fire upon the attacking column until the guns
were reached. Some of the gunners even then refused to sur-
render and were taken by sheer physical force. They were
animated in their gallant conduct by the example of their com-
manding officer. On horse back, he was a conspicuous target,
and his voice could be distinctly heard encouraging his men.
Struck with admiration by his bravery, every effort was made
by General MacRae, Captain W. P. Oldham, Captain Robert
Bingham, and one or two others who were among the first to
reach the guns, to save the life of this manly opponent. Un-

REAMS STATION. 211

fortunately he was struck by a ball which came from the ex-
treme flank, as all firing had ceased in front of him and he
fell from his horse mortally wounded, not more lamented by
his own men than by those who combatted him. This bat-
tery, when captured, was at once turned upon the retreating
columns of the enemy. It was manned by a few of MacRae’s
sharpshooters, all of whom were trained in artillery practice.
They were aided by Captain Oldham, Lieutenant Kyle and
others, not now remembered. Captain Oldham sighted one
of the guns repeatedly, and when he saw the effect of his ac-
eurate aim upon the disordered masses in front, was so jubi-
lant that General MacRae, with his usual quiet humor, re-
marked, “Oldham thinks he is at a ball in Petersburg.”

After the capture of the breastworks, General MceGowan’s
Brigade was sent in on the right. That generous hearted
old hero declined to make any official report of the conduct
of his brigade, giving as a reason therefor, that he “supposed
he was only sent in to help the North Carolinians in the pur-
suit, and gather up the spoils of war which had been captured
by them.” His unselfish example was well worthy of imita-
tion. Mahone’s old brigade subsequently advanced over the
same field, but the hard fighting was over.

The Federal loss in this battle was between six hundred and
seven hundred killed and wounded, two thousand one hun-
dred and fifty prisoners, three thousand one hundred stand
of small arms, twelve stand of colors, nine guns and caissons.
Among the prisoners captured was General Walker, of Han-
cock’s staff, who surrendered to Lieutenant Kyle. Kyle here,
as elsewhere, was in the very front of the assaulting column.

The Confederate loss was small, and fell principally upon
Lane’s Brigade. In the second and final assault it was about
five hundred in killed and wounded. The result of this bril-
liant engagement was hailed with great rejoicing throughout
the South, and shed a declining lustre upon the Confederate
battle flag, upon which the sun of victory was about to go
down forever. General R. E. Lee publicly and repeatedly
stated that not only North Carolina, but the whole Confed-
eracy, owed a debt of gratitude to Lane’s, Cooke’s and Mac-
Rae’s Brigades which could never be repaid. He also wrote to