592 Norru Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

and his soldiers not only held their ground all that long Sep-
tember day, repelling every assault, but all next day they
stood in line defying an enemy who dared not advance. On
the night of the 18th they recrossed the river into Virginia,
leaving not a cannon nor a wagon behind them. During the
entire action the Confederates fought without breastworks,
which there was neither time nor means to throw up. For-
tunately in some parts of the line on the slope of the hills
on the side held by us there was a ledge of lime stone rock
which served admirably as natural rifle pits and were consid-
erable protection both against artillery and infantry fire. So
heavy fell the leaden hail of battle that notwithstanding
thirty-two years of cultivation and visits by relic-hunters,
the son of one of our committee, a lad of 10 years of age
(Fred Phillips, Jr.), picked up a handful of bullets in the
space of a few feet.

In few actions during the entire war was the percentage
of loss so heavy upon us. We had no reserves. Every man
was engaged. Out of the 35,000 Confederates in this battle
one-third were killed or wounded. Retreat, with the Poto-
mace at our backs, meant the annihilation of the army. There
was no choice but to conquer or die. That North Carolina
was there that day, and that her troops composed more than
one-fourth of the men actually in line should never be for-
gotten. The positions held by them, and identified by the
committee will be marked by the Federal government with
pillars of stone. To distant ages they will speak of the fame,
the valor, the devotion to duty of those men of “long endur-
ing blood”—the North Carolinians who twicé saved the day
for the Confederacy at Sharpsburg. Many of them rest
where they fell, and nightly Potomac’s breezes

‘* Answering low, soothes many a soldier’s endless sleep.”

In the providence of God, final success did not crown our
arms, but none who know, or who have learned, the true story
of the bearing of North Carolina’s sons, whether officers or
private soldiers, throughout the great contest, can refrain
from saying they “knew how to do their duty.” The State

Norru CaroLina AT SHARPSBURG. 593

does well to note on this battle field where her soldiers held
the line. Living or dead, they could ask no grander eulogy.
Very respectfully,
Watrer Crark, Adjutant Thirty-fifth N. C.
Chairman of Committee.
F. M. Parxer, Colonel Thirtieth N. C.
S. McD. Tarr, Major Sixth N. C.
Neu W. Ray, Captain Sixth N. C.
Jas. A. Granam, Captain Twenty-seventh N. C.
W. H. H. Lawnon, Captain Forty-eighth N. C.
Frep Purrires, Adjutant Thirtieth N. C.
R. O. Letnster, Private Fourth N. C.
Jno. C. Scarsoroven, Private Fourteenth N. C.
Jno. R. Ricuarpson, Private Twenty-third N. C.
J. M. Monts, Private Ninth N. C. (First Cav.)

Rauezian, N. C.,
17 September, 1894.

(The rank and regiment above given is that of each of the committee
at the date of the battle. Many of them were promoted afterwards, and

some of them went to other regiments. )