278 NortH CaRoLina Troops, 1861-65.

to fall in with their several commands at once. The better
and nobler instincts of good soldiers coming to their assist-
ance, they soon quieted down and readily fell into line. I
then addressed them as best I could, told them all the news I
could learn, of my conference with the generals, that we had
food enough for a week at least, and in that time I felt sure
something would be done, either by the arrival of General
Baker or in some other way, which would enable us either to
continue or close our services as Confederate soldiers in an
honorable way. That I proposed now to move on to Ridge
way, halt and call a council of officers; and urged them to be
men a little longer and trust me, and I would do for them the
best I could. My emotions choked my utterance, many of
the men wept with me, and all promised implicit obedience
to my orders. The column was soon formed and marched to
Ridgeway, where we arrived about noon. Hastily calling
the officers together for consultation, we concluded to send an
engine and tender up the road as near Raleigh as possible and
ascertain, if we could, whether Sherman was there or not.
An engine on the track already fired up was seized, and as
many men armed with Enfield rifles as could be were put
aboard and in the charge of Lieutenant Blount, of the Tenth
North Carolina Troops, with orders to go as near Raleigh as
he deemed safe, and if he found the enemy in occupation to
return with the best speed possible, burning the most impor-
tant bridge on the road in his rear. The engine was about to
move off, when the president of the road (Dr. W. J. Hawkins)
who lived here, stepped up and, in an authoritative tone, or-
dered the men off and the engine not to move an inch. I re-
newed my former order, which the president again forbade,
denying my authority to impress his rolling stock in such ser-
vice. Remonstrances proving unavailing, I directed a Ser-
geant with a file of men to remove him into the railroad office
and keep him under guard, which being done the engine
moved off up the road. In the consultation with the officers it
was decided that if upon the return of Lieutenant Blount,
General Baker had not come up or been heard from, another
meeting should be called for definite action. At 5 p. m., news
came that General Baker and staff were coming, and about 6

BaAaKER’s CoMMAND AT WELDON. 279

p- m., they rode up. Upon his arrival the president of the road
was set at liberty and he at once made complaint to the gen-
eral, but he endorsed all I had done, and then saying he would
make his headquarters with the president, they rode off to-
gether. Soon after he called a council of the officers, from
which I returned about 9:30 p. m. With few dissenting
votes, it was decided to send a flag of truce to Sherman, ten-
dering our surrender upon the same terms allowed Lee’s
army. Lieutenant Blount had returned about 8 p. m, re-
porting that he had gone within twelve miles of Raleigh and
gotten what he deemed reliable information that Sherman
was in possession of the city. On his return, in obedience
to orders, he had burned the railroad bridge over Cedar
creek.”

On the morning of the 15th, the General announced an
entirely different programme from that determined upon the
evening before. That now announced was to abandon the ar-
tillery and all except absolutely necessary supplies, and with
the whole command in as light order as possible, mounted on
artillery horses and transportation animals, as far as could
be done, and armed as best we could, try to get to Johnston by
passing around Sherman’s rear. This change met with wide
spread dissatisfaction, but nothing further was done that
day.

On the 16th (Sunday), the General was urged by some of
his officers to carry out at once the plan originally decided
upon, to surrender; for they were satisfied they could not
control their men longer. He promised to take the matter
under consideration and announce his final decision at an as-
sembly of all the forces that evening. The plan finally
adopted was to try and cut his way through to Johnston with
all who would volunteer to follow him, the others to disband
and go home as best they could. About fifty volunteered, of
whom nineteen were from our battery. These fifty were au-
thorized to be mounted on government horses and armed with
Enfield rifles. This was done, and at midnight they took up
their march.

The next morning, having been up all night, we pre-
sented anything but a martial appearance; and, if the truth