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250 NortH CaroLina Troops, 1861-’65.

ealled his arrest of the previous day, from which I immedi-
ately released him, and sent him back to his command.

I had a verbal conference with General Lee and after-
wards officially reported my inability to hold this point
against any vigorous attack. In consequence of this report,
Lieutenant-Colonel Peyton, the Army Inspector, was sent to
examine this line, and he coincided with my views and so re-
ported to General Lee. On an average throughout, the space
from man to man was at least eight feet in the line of
trenches. I doubted not that with a reserve of five hundred
men I could have driven the enemy from any point which
they might capture, and repeatedly urged that such an ar-
rangement be made, knowing well that the enemy, by con-
centrating a large force on any given point, could press their
way through the line, and my only salvation was in having
the means at hand to drive them back before large numbers
could enter. _ Our left was the post of greatest danger. There
should the reserve have been placed; but General Lee in-
formed me that every available man was on duty, and I must
do the best I could.

On Sunday night of the 2d we had orders to abandon
the works, and without the knowledge of the Federals, we
withdrew to the north side of the Appomattox river, follow-
ing the Hickory Road to Goode’s bridge, when we recrossed
the Appomattox, proceeding towards Amelia Court House,
which we reached on the morning of the 5th. Wednesday
we remained stationary in line of battle, confronting the en-
emy until about dark, when we followed the army, taking up
the rear, being very much impeded on the march by the
wagon train and its most miserable management, which, as I
apprehended, would cause us some disaster. The enemy
showed themselves on Thursday, about 8 o’clock, a. m., in
our rear and on our left flank, when near Amelia Springs,
and in a short time began to press us vigorously.

I then formed Cox’s and Cowand’s Brigades in line of bat-
tle, with a heavy skirmish line in front to impede their pro-
gress, and to cover our rear, sending Battle’s, Cook’s and
Archer’s Brigades forward for one-half mile to form there,
across the road, in line of battle in order to allow Cowand

SuRRENDER AT APPOMATTOX. . 251

and Cox to retreat safely when the enemy had deployed and
prepared to attack; our right flank being protected by a North
Carolina brigade of cavalry under General Roberts. In this
manner alternating the brigades throughout the day, we con-
tinued to oppose the enemy and retreat, endeavoring to pro-
tect the lagging wagon train, which was successfully done up
to about 4 p. m., when we approached Sailor’s Creek, and
upon the ridge running parallel with that stream we made
the final stand of the day, the wagons becoming blocked up
at the bridge crossing the stream. At this point General
Lee ordered me if possible to hold this line until he could
have artillery put in position on the opposite hills over the
ereek parallel with those I occupied.

The enemy pushed on rapidly, attacking us with very
great pertinacity. We here repeatedly repulsed their as-
saults, but by turning both of our flanks they succeeded in
not only dislodging, but driving us across the creek in confu-
sion. About now the artillery from the heights occupied by
General Lee opened upon the enemy, and the sun being down
they did not cross the creek. After we broke, personally I
was so pressed, the space between the two wings of the enemy
being not over two hundred yards, that I sought safety in re-
treat. I galloped to the creek (the bridge being in their
possession) where the banks were very precipitous, and for
protection from their murderous fire, concluded to jump my
horse in, riding him through the water, and effect my escape
by abandoning him on the other side, the bullets of the enemy
whistled around me like hail all the while. By great good
fortune, the opposite banks proved not so precipitous, and
my horse, seeming to appreciate the situation, clambered up
the height, and started off in a run, thus securing my safety.
This same animal, Warren, I still own and treasure for his
past services. That night we took the road for Farmville,
crossing the Appomattox at High Bridge, posting guards on
the south side, thus collecting all stragglers and returning
them to their commands.

The next morning (Friday) we.continued our march down
the railroad and formed line of battle on the Lynchburg road,
still endeavoring to preserve that impedimenta of Czxsar’s—