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634 Nortu Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

banded and returned to their homes and my last service to my
country was performed at my own home in helping to clothe
our brave, ragged soldiers.

The above is about all I can recall at this late date, for I
have no rolls or papers or other data. But for these Guards,
raised for home defence, anarchy, murder and arson would
have reigned in the interior of our State.

James R. Cote.

Datuas, Texas,
31 December, 1901.

HOME GUARDS FACE STONEMAN.
APRIL, 1865.

By T. GEO. WALTON, Cor. Eicura Reciment N. C. Home Gvuarps

Not long before Lee’s surrender I had caused some earth
defences to be thrown up on the south side of the Catawba
river at a point known as the Rocky Ford. The crossing
there was by a low bridge. After comparatively a short dis-
tance on both sides of the river the ground becomes precip-
itous. When Stoneman approached the river the officers of
the Federal troops could be plainly seen from our position
directing the movements of their troops.

Governor Vance, at my solicitation, had furnished us
with a cannon of large calibre. This I placed under the
command of Lieutenant Mark Erwin, a gallant officer. Sev-
enty soldiers from the Western counties were placed behind
the breastworks above mentioned, on the bank of the river,
supported by the Home Guards in reserve. These kept up
a continuous and effective fire on the Federal troops when
they approached the river and prevented their efforts to
cross. Being thus held in check, the enemy sent a heavy de-
tachment several miles up the river which crossed at Flem-
ming’s Ford where there was no sufficient force to oppose
their passage. In the meantime our cannon was struck and
disabled by a cannon ball from the forces opposite to us.

Lieutenant-Colonel S. McD. Tate, of the Sixth Regiment
N. C. T., was home on wounded furlough at the time and
aided me with his experience and advice. When news came
that the flanking party from up the river was taking us in
the rear, our cannon being already rendered useless, as stated,
our troops at Rocky Ford were withdrawn and Colonel Tate
and I rode off just in time to prevent being caught in a cul
de sac. The Home Guards and the other troops did their
duty, but we were greatly outnumbered. It was to our credit