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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/44124-0.txt b/44124-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e4a1975 --- /dev/null +++ b/44124-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4283 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44124 *** + +Transcriber's Note: Minor typographical errors have been corrected +without note. Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have +been retained as printed. Words printed in italics are noted with +underscores: _italics_. + + + +REMINISCENCES OF THE GUILFORD GRAYS, + +CO. B, 27TH N.C. REGIMENT, + + +BY JOHN A. SLOAN. + + +WASHINGTON, D.C.: +R. O. POLKINHORN, PRINTER. +1883. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER I. + +Organization of the Grays--General Joab Hiatt--Original members-- +Election of Officers--Drill--Arms received--First public parade +--"Jake Causey"--Exercises at Edgeworth--May Queen; presentation +of banner. + + +CHAPTER II. + +The Greys celebrate Fourth of July--Visit the Orange Guards at +Hillsboro--Dinner and Ball--Celebrate 22d February at Greenboro--The +"boom" of War--Secession of the Gulf States--Correspondence between +Gov. Ellis and Secretary Holt--Organization of the Confederacy at +Montgomery--We celebrate our own Anniversary--Our Visitors--The +Ladies--Feasting and Dancing--"Call" on Gov. Ellis for troops--Ellis' +Response. + + +CHAPTER III. + +Effect of Lincoln's call for troops--Gov. Ellis convenes the +Legislature--The Greys ordered to report at Goldsboro with three +days rations--Ordered to report at Fort Macon--Ladies' Aid Society +--Political excitement--North Carolina Secedes--New recruits--The +Greys sworn in--Arrival at Fort Macon--Latham's Woodpeckers--Assigned +to the 9th Regiment--Assigned finally to the 27th Regiment--Deaths +--New recruits--Routine duty at the Fort--Sports and Past-times. + + +CHAPTER IV. + +Election of Regimental Officers--Ordered to New Berne--Burnside +approaches--Fleet arrives on the 12th--The morning of the 14th--The +Battle--The retreat--At Kinston--Changes and promotions--Expiration of +enlistments--Regiment reorganized--Grays reorganized as Company B-- +Election of commissioned and non-commissioned officers. + + +CHAPTER V. + +More recruits--Sam'l Park Weir--Leave North Carolina for Virginia--The +Seven Pines--The seven days fight--Malvern Hill. + + +CHAPTER VI. + +Marching in the rain--From Drury's Bluff to Petersburg--Riddling the +"Daniel Webster"--Shelling McClellan's camp--Ordered to Richmond--At +Rapidan Station--Discharges and deaths--Regimental Band formed--First +Maryland campaign--Across the Potomac--Two Grays captured--Lost in +the woods--Turn up in Loudon County, Va.--At Harper's Ferry--Surrender +of Harper's Ferry. + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Battle of Sharpsburg--The 27th Regiment in the fight--Complimentary +notice by President Davis, Gen. Lee and others--Cook's heroism-- +Casualties--Captain Wm. Adams--Recross the Potomac--Rest at Occoquan +--Election of Officers to fill vacancies--Deaths. + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +McClellan moves Southward--Our march through the Valley--At Upperville +--Return to Paris--Cedar Mountain--Col. Cooke promoted--Major J. A. +Gilmer made Colonel--On to Fredericksburg--Incidents on the march-- +Burnside advances--Battle of Fredericksburg--Casualties. + + +CHAPTER IX. + +Muster Roll of Grays in December, 1862--Ordered to Richmond--To +Petersburg--Take cars for North Carolina--At Burgaw--The sweet potato +vine--On to Charleston, S.C.--The Alligators of Pocataligo--In camp +at Coosawhatchie--More deaths--Return to North Carolina--On the old +grounds near Kinston. + + +CHAPTER X. + +The affair at Bristow Station. + + +CHAPTER XI. + +The affair at Bristow--Gallant conduct of Color-Guard W. C. Story-- +Losses of the Grays--Lieut. McKnight killed--Sergeant-Major R. D. +Weatherly mortally wounded--The affair a criminal blunder--President +Davis' comments--The surprise at Kelly's Ford--Meade crosses the +Rapidan--Lee advances--Meade's retreat--In winter quarters near +Orange Court-House. + + +CHAPTER XII. + +Company promotions--Our "Fighting Parson" appointed Chaplain--New +recruits--Transfers--Deaths--Virginia Xmas hospitality--Visited by +Rev. J. H. Smith, of Greensboro. + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +Relative strength of the two armies in May--Their respective positions +--The Wilderness--Private Williams receives a wound--Casualties. + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +The enemy re-enforced by Burnside's Corps--Heth and Wilcox overpowered +--Critical situation--General Lee charges with the Texas Brigade--Enemy +routed--Longstreet wounded--Night march--Moving towards Spottsylvania +Court-House--Fortifying at Spottsylvania. + + +CHAPTER XV. + +Barlow's attack upon our left--The little brick church--The enemy's +advance on Ewell at the salient--Gen. Lee exposes himself--Terrific +conflict--Heth's Division moved to the left--The enemy repulsed--Rest +for a few days--Grant's desperate attack on the 18th. + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +Grant abandons his plans--Moves towards Bowling Greene--On the road to +Hanover Junction--Weary marches--A. "Georgy" soldier's costume--His +idea of Music and Medicine--Anecdote of General Grant--Grant changes +his tactics--Engagement at Attlee's Station--Brush at Tolopotomy +Creek--Skirmish at Pole--Green Church--Lieut. Campbell mortally +wounded. + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +The army at Cold Harbor--Battle at Pharr's farm--Casualties--At Cold +Harbor--Lieut. Frank Hanner's death. + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +Marching towards the James--Our Brigade in the Chickahominy Swamps-- +Cavalry skirmish at Hawe's Shops--Sergeant W. M. Paisley mortally +wounded--Ordered to support the cavalry on the 21st.--Fighting under +difficulties--On the lines near Petersburg. + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +The Crater--Warren's corps seize the Weldon Railroad--The 27th at +Ream's Station--The Grays lose heavily--Warren holds the railroad. + + +CHAPTER XX. + +In the trenches before Petersburg--Casualties--The Federals cross +to the north side of the James--Skirmish near Battery No. 45--At +Hatcher's Run--At Burgess' Mill--In line of battle--Building winter +quarters--On a raid at Bellfield--The enemy in full flight--Grant +creeping up on our lines. + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +In winter quarters at Hatcher's Run--A midnight tramp--An affair at +Hare's Hill--Our picket line in the hands of the enemy--Recaptured-- +At Fort Euliss--Our lines broken--The retreat--Fight at Sutherland's +Tavern--Sorely pressed--Reach Deep Creek--Camp near Goode's Bridge +--We celebrate--Reorganization of the regiment--A halt at Amelia +Court-House--Wagon trains attacked and burned--Every man for +himself--Reach Appomattox--In line of battle--Awaiting orders. + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +To the reader--The morning of the 9th--Preparations to attack--A flag +of truce--Negotiations between Generals Grant and Lee--The surrender +--The Guilford Grays present at Appomattox--Comrades--Closing scene +--Retrospect. + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +The names of all who were at any time on our rolls, and a sketch of +the military record of each member--Battles fought. + + + + +Preface. + + +I hope no one will think that I aspire to the severe dignity of a +historian in these rambling reminiscences which are to follow. I am +well content to take an humbler part. With the political questions of +the past, with the conduct of politicians and statesmen, with the +skill of military leaders, with the criticism of campaigns, with the +causes and effects of the civil war, I have here no concern, much less +with the personal interests and rivalries of individuals. But for +all this, the writer hopes that these contributions will not be +unfavorably received by those who were actors in the scenes which are +here recalled. He hopes that what is lacking of the general history of +those eventful times will be compensated for in the details touching +the history of the Guilford Grays themselves. + +From the period when our company was called into the field by Gov. +Ellis, down to the surrender at Appomattox, the writer kept a record of +those events which came under his own observation, and which he thought +might prove useful and interesting in future time. "_Forsan et haec +olim meminisse juvabit._" + +These records up to the capture of Newberne were lost, and for this +period of our history I have relied principally upon my memory. From +the battle of Newberne to the final catastrophe, I have accurate notes +of the most important events and incidents in which the Grays +participated and shared. + +To the memory of my comrades who fell, and as a testimonial to those +who survive, these reminiscences are dedicated. To the derelict in +duty, if such there may have been, the writer will have naught to say. +Let their names stand forever in the shadows of oblivion. + + JOHN A. SLOAN. + + + + +REMINISCENCES OF THE GUILFORD GRAYS. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +In the year eighteen hundred and sixty the military spirit was rife in +the South. The clouds were threatening. No one knew what a day would +bring forth. The organization, the equipment and drill of volunteer +companies was, accordingly, the order of the times. The first assembly +to perfect the organization of the Guilford Grays was held in the +court-house in Greensboro, N.C., on the evening of the 9th of +January, 1860. The meeting was presided over by General Joab +Hiatt--now deceased--a favorite and friend of the young men. Gen. +Hiatt won his military laurels as commander of the militia, in the +piping times of peace. Whoever has seen him arrayed in the gorgeous +uniform of a militia brigadier on the field of the general muster +cannot fail to recall his commanding presence. He was the proper man +to fill the chair at our first meeting. James W. Albright (who is +still in the flesh) acted as secretary. The usual committees were +appointed. A constitution and by-laws were drafted and adopted. The +constitution provided for a volunteer company of infantry, to be known +as the Guilford Grays. Each member was required to sign the +constitution and by-laws. The following is a complete list of the +signers, in the order of their signatures: + +John A. Sloan, William P. Wilson, Thomas J. Sloan, Jos. M. Morehead, +John Sloan, David Gundling, Henry C. Gorrel, William U. Steiner, Otto +Huber, James R. Pearce, Jas. T. Morehead, Jr., P. B. Taylor, Chas. A. +Campbell, J. H. Tarpley, William Adams, James W. Albright, Maben Lamb, +James Thomas, Edward G. Sterling, Jos. H. Fetzer, William P. Moring, +Wilbur F. Owen, George H. Gregory, David N. Kirkpatrick, Andrew D. +Lindsay, John Donnell, Benjamin G. Graham, W. W. Causey, William L. +Bryan, Chas. E. Porter, John D. Smith, James R. Cole, John H. +McKnight, Jed. H. Lindsay, Jr., W. C. Bourne, John A. Gilmer, Jr., +Samuel B. Jordan. + +The foregoing persons signed the constitution and by-laws on the 9th +of January, 1860, when the company was first organized, and are +entitled to the honor of being the "original panel." + +The company was organized by the election of the following +commissioned and non-commissioned officers, viz.: + +John Sloan, Captain; William Adams, 1st Lieutenant; James T. Morehead, +2d Lieutenant; John A. Pritchett, 3d Lieutenant; Henry C. Gorrell, +Ensign (with rank of Lieutenant); W. C. Bourne, Orderly Sergeant; +William P. Wilson, 2d Sergeant; Samuel B. Jordan, 3d Sergeant; Geo. W. +Howlett, 4th Sergeant; Thos. J. Sloan, Corporal; Benjamin G. Graham, +2d Corporal; George H. Gregory, 3d Corporal; Silas C. Dodson, 4th +Corporal. + +The following musicians were selected from the colored troops: + +Jake Mebane, fifer; Bob Hargrove, kettle-drummer; Cæsar Lindsay, +base-drummer. + +The anniversary of the battle of Guilford Court-House is an honored +day among the people of old Guilford. It was the turning point in the +future of Lord Cornwallis. When the Earl of Chatham heard the defeat +announced in the House of Parliament, he exclaimed: "One more such +victory would ruin the British." This battle was fought by General +Greene on the 15th of March, 1781. On this anniversary, the 15th of +March, 1860, our officers received their commissions from Governor +Ellis. This is the date of our formal organization. + +Friday night of each week was set apart for the purpose of drill and +improvement. Our drill-room was in the second story of Tate's old +cotton factory, where we were instructed in the various manoeuvers +and evolutions, as then laid down in Scott's tactics. + +Early in April we received our arms, consisting of fifty stand of old +flint-and-steel, smooth-bore muskets, a species of ordnance very +effective at the breech. They were supposed to have descended from +1776, and to have been wrested by order of the Governor from the worms +and rust of the Arsenal at Fayettsville. By the first of May we had +received our handsome gray uniforms from Philadelphia. These uniforms, +which we so gaily donned and proudly wore, consisted of a frock coat, +single-breasted, with two rows of State buttons, pants to match, with +black stripe, waist belt of black leather, cross belt of white +webbing, gray cap with pompon. + +Our first public parade was a day long to be remembered. It occurred +on the 5th day of May, 1860. The occasion was the coronation of a May +queen in the grove at Edgeworth Female Seminary. The Grays were +invited by the ladies to lend their presence at the celebration, and +it was whispered that we were to be the recipients of a banner. + +It will be readily imagined that we were transported with the +anticipation of so joyous a day. We did our best to make ourselves +perfect in the drill and manual--for would not all eyes be upon us? +The day came at last, and at 10 a.m. we assembled in front of the +court-house. The roll was called and no absentees noted. The uniforms +were immaculate, our officers wore the beautiful swords presented to +them by the fair ladies of Greensboro Female College, the musket +barrels and bayonets flashed and gleamed in the glorious May sunshine, +and with high heads in jaunty caps, and with the proud military step, +as we supposed it ought to be, we marched now in single file, and now +in platoons, down the street towards the Edgeworth grounds, keeping +time to the music of "Old Jake," whose "spirit-stirring fife" never +sounded shriller, and whose _rainbow-arched_ legs never bore him with +such grandeur. + +When we arrived at our destination, we found the beautiful green +grounds, which were tastefully decorated, already filled with happy +spectators. The young ladies, whose guests we were to be, were formed +in procession, and were awaiting the arrival of the Queen and her +suite. The appearance of this distinguished cortege on the scene was +the signal for the procession to move. + +The following was the order of procession: + +First. Fourteen of her maids of honor. + +Second. Ten Floras, with baskets of flowers, which they scattered in +the pathway. + +Third. Sceptre and crown-bearer. + +Fourth. The Queen, with Lady Hope and the Archbishop on either side. + +Fifth. Two maids of honor. + +Sixth. Ten pages. + +Seventh. The Military (Grays). + +As the Queen advanced to the throne, erected in the centre of the +grove, the young ladies greeted her with the salutation: + + "You are the fairest, and of beauty rarest, + And you our Queen shall be." + +Lady Hope (Miss Mary Arendell) addressed the Queen: + + "O, maiden fair, with light brown hair!" + +The Archbishop (Miss Hennie Erwin) then proceeded to the crowning +ceremony, and Miss Mary Morehead was crowned Queen of May. + +After these pleasant and ever-to-be-remembered ceremonies, the Queen +(Miss Mamie) in the name of the ladies of the seminary, presented to +the Grays a handsome silk flag, in the following happy speech: + + "In the name of my subjects, the fair donors of Edgeworth, I + present this banner to the Guilford Grays. Feign would we have + it a "banner of peace," and have inscribed upon its graceful + folds "peace on earth and good-will to man;" for our womanly + natures shrink from the horrors of war and bloodshed. But we + have placed upon it the "oak," fit emblem of the firm heroic + spirits over which it is to float. Strength, energy, and decision + mark the character of the sons of Guilford, whuse noble sires + have taught their sons to know but one fear--the fear of doing + wrong." * * * * * * + +Cadet R. O. Sterling, of the N.C. Military Institute, received the +banner at the hands of the Queen, and, advancing, placed it in the +hands of Ensign H. C. Gorrell, who accepted the trust as follows: + + "Most noble Queen, on the part of the Guilford Grays I accept this + beautiful banner, for which I tender the thanks of those whom I + represent. Your majesty calls to remembrance the days of 'Auld + Lang Syne,' when the banners of our country proudly and + triumphantly waved over our own battle-field, and when our + fathers, on the soil of old Guilford, 'struck for their altars and + their fires.' Here, indeed, was fought the great battle of the + South; here was decided the great struggle of the Revolution; here + was achieved the great victory of American over British + generalship; here was evidenced the great military talent and + skill of Nathaniel Greene, the blacksmith boy, whose immortal name + our town bears. + + "If any earthly pride be justifiable, are not the sons of Guilford + entitled to entertain it? If any spot on earth be appropriate + for the presentation of a "banner of peace," where will you find + it, if it be not here, five miles from the battle-field of + Martinsville; here at Guilford Court-House in the boro of Nathaniel + Greene; here in the classic grounds of old Edgeworth, surrounded + with beauty and intelligence; in the presence of our wives, our + sisters, and our sweethearts. And who could more appropriately + present this banner than your majesty and her fair subjects? You + are the daughter of a Revolutionary mother to whom we would render + all the honor due-- + + 'No braver dames had Sparta, + No nobler matrons Rome. + Then let us laud and honor them, + E'en in their own green homes.' + + "They have passed from the stage of earthly action, and while we + pay to their memories the grateful tribute of a sigh, we would + again express our thanks to their daughters for this beautiful + banner, and as a token of our gratitude, we, the Guilford Grays, + do here beneath its graceful folds pledge our lives, our fortunes, + and our sacred honor, and swear for them to live, them to love, + and, if need be, for them to die. + + "Noble Queen, we render to you, and through you to your subjects, + our hearty, sincere, and lasting thanks for this entertainment; + and to the rulers, in your vast domain, for the privilege of + trespassing upon their provinces which lie under their immediate + supervision. + + "In time of war, or in time of peace, in prosperity or adversity, + we would have you ever remember the Guilford Grays--for be assured + your memories will ever be cherished by them." + +This beautiful banner was designed by Dr. D. P. Weir and executed in +Philadelphia--the size is 6 feet by 5, being made of heavy blue silk. +On the one side is a painting in oils, representing the coat-of-arms +of North Carolina encircled by a heavy wreath of oak leaves and +acorns. Above is a spread eagle with scroll containing the motto, "E +Pluribus Unum," a similar scroll below with words, "Greensboro, North +Carolina." The other side, similar in design, except within the wreath +the words, "Presented by the Ladies of Edgeworth Female Seminary, May +5th, 1860;" on the scroll above, "Guilford Grays," and on scroll +below, "Organized March 5th, 1860," all edged with heavy yellow silk +fringe, cord and tassel blue and gold, the staff of ebony, surmounted +with a heavily plated battle axe. This flag is still preserved and in +the writer's possession. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +More than a year in advance of the National Paper, attributed to Mr. +Jefferson, the people of Mecklenburg County declared themselves a free +people and took the lead in throwing off the British yoke. On the 4th +day of July, 1776, the National Declaration, adopting (?) some of the +language of the Mecklenburg convention, "rang out" the glad tidings +"that these United Colonies are, and, of right, ought to be, _free_ and +_independent_ States." + +To celebrate the "glorious fourth," the good people of Alamance County +unveiled and dedicated a monument at Alamance church to the memory of +Colonel Arthur Forbis, a gallant officer of the North Carolina troops, +who fell mortally wounded at the battle of Guilford, March 25th, 1781. +By invitation of the committee--Rev. C. H. Wiley and Dr. D. P. +Weir--the Grays participated. Invitations of this kind were never +declined. The day was intensely hot, and the distance from Greensboro +being too far for a march in those days, wagons were furnished for our +transportation. The exercises of the occasion were opened with prayer +by Rev. E. W. Caruthers. He was followed by Gov. John M. Morehead, +who, taking the sword which the brave Forbis had carried while he was +an officer, with it lifted the veil from the monument. The Governor's +remarks were just such as those who knew him would have expected of +him. The exercises were closed by Rev. Samuel Paisley, that venerable +man of God. The Grays, after firing a salute and performing such +duties as were required, returned to Greensboro, having spent an +interesting "fourth." + +On the 1st of October, in the same year, we visited by invitation the +Orange Guards, a military organization at Hillsboro, N.C. The +occasion was their fifth anniversary. We took the morning train to +Hillsboro, and in a few hours reached our destination. We found the +Guards at the depot awaiting our arrival. Lieutenant John W. Graham, +on behalf of the Guards, received us with a most cordial welcome. +Lieutenant James T. Morehead, Jr., responded upon the part of the +Grays. We were then escorted to quarters, which were prepared for us, +at the Orange Hotel, where we enjoyed the delicacies, luxuries, and +liquids so bountifully "set out" at this famed hostelry, then presided +over by the genius of Messrs. Hedgpeth and Stroud. In the afternoon we +were escorted to the Hillsboro Military Institute, and gave the young +gentlemen there an opportunity of observing our _superior_ skill, both +in the manual and the evolutions. At night the chivalry and beauty of +"ye ancient borough" assembled in the Odd Fellows' hall to do us honor +at a ball, + + "And then the viols played their best; + Lamps above and laughs below. + Love me sounded like a jest, + Fit for yes, or fit for no." + +As Aurora began to paint the East in rosy colors of the dawn, we +boarded the train for home. Some with aching heads, some with aching +hearts. + +The Orange Guards were closely and intimately associated with us +during the entire four years of the war. We entered the service about +the same time, at the same place, and served in the same regiment. Our +friendships were there renewed, and many, so many, are the memories +sweet and sad, which we mutually share. Our marches, our wants, our +abundance, our sorrows, and our rejoicings--each and all, they were +common to us both. In love and allegiance to our native State we +marched forth to take our places among her gallant sons, be it for +weal or woe; hand-in-hand together till Appomattox Court-House, we +struggled and endured. There like a vesture no longer for use, we +folded and laid away our tattered and battle-stained banner, to be +kept forever sacred, in the sepulchre of a lost cause. + +My diary intimates no occasion for even a "skirmish" until the 22d of +February, 1861, when we again donned the gray to honor the memory of +"George W." and his little hatchet. We were entertained during the day +with an address at the court-house by Jas. A. Long, Esq., on the +all-absorbing _question_ of the times. + +The Congress of the United States had assembled as usual in December, +and was at this time in session. The clouds surcharged with sectional +hate and political fanaticism were now lowering over us, and the +distant mutterings of that storm which had been heard so long, and +against which the wise and patriotic had given solemn warning, +foreboded evil times. South Carolina had already, on the 20th of +December, adopted her ordinance of secession; Mississippi on the 9th +of January; Florida followed on the 10th, Alabama on the 11th, Georgia +on the 18th, Louisiana on the 26th, and Texas on the 1st of February. + +Events now crowded upon each other with the rapidity of a drama. On the +10th of January, 1861, Governor Ellis telegraphed Hon. Warren Winslow +of North Carolina, at Washington, to call on General Winfield Scott and +_demand_ of him to know if he had been instructed to garrison the forts +of North Carolina. The Governor stated that he was informed that it was +the purpose of the Administration to coerce the seceded States, and +that troops were already on their way to garrison the Southern forts. +On the 12th, Governor Ellis addressed the following letter to President +Buchanan: + + "Your Excellency will pardon me for asking whether the United + States forts in this State will be garrisoned with Federal troops + during your administration. Should I receive assurances that no + troops will be sent to this State prior to the 4th of March next, + then all will be peace and quiet here, and the property of the + United States will be protected as heretofore. If, however, I am + unable to get such assurances, I will not undertake to answer for + the consequences. Believing your Excellency to be desirous of + preserving the peace, I have deemed it my duty to yourself, as + well as to the people of North Carolina, to make the foregoing + inquiry, and to acquaint you with the state of the public mind + here." + +On the 15th day of January, J. Holt, Secretary of War (_ad interim_), +in behalf of the President, replied as follows: + + "It is not his (Buchanan's) purpose to garrison the forts to which + you refer, because he considers them entirely safe under the + shelter of that _law-abiding_ sentiment for which the people of + North Carolina have ever been distinguished." + +The congress of delegates from the seceded States convened at +Montgomery, Alabama, on the 4th of February, 1861, and on the 9th, +Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, was chosen by this body for +President, and Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia, for Vice President +of the Confederate States. On the 18th of February Mr. Davis was +inaugurated and the Provisional Government was instituted. + +On the 4th of March, "at the other end of the avenue," Abraham +Lincoln, nominated by a sectional convention, elected by a sectional +vote, and that the vote of a minority of the people, was inducted into +office. + +Eager now were the inquiries as to the probabilities of a war between +the sections. Everything was wrapped in the greatest uncertainty. +North Carolina still adhered to the Union. + +The anniversary of our company occurring on the 15th of March, which +was now near at hand, we determined to celebrate the occasion. We +accordingly issued invitations to the Rowan Rifles, of Salisbury, the +Blues and Grays, of Danville, Va., and the Orange Guards, of +Hillsboro, to be present with us. The Danville Grays, commanded by +Capt. Claiburne, arrived on the evening of the 14th, the Rowan Rifles, +Capt. McNeely, accompanied by Prof. Neave's brass band, greeted us on +the morning of the 15th; the Orange Guards, Capt. Pride Jones, brought +up the rear a few hours afterwards. Our visiting companies were +welcomed, and the hospitalities of the city extended in an appropriate +address by our then worthy Mayor, A. P. Eckel, Esq. Special addresses +of welcome were made to the Danville companies by John A. Gilmer, Jr.; +to the Rowan Rifles, by Lieut. James T. Morehead, Jr.; and to the +Orange Guards, by Lieut. Wm. Adams. Having formed a battalion, under +the command of Col. R. E. Withers, who had accompanied the Danville +companies, we paraded the streets some hours. We repaired, by +invitation of Prof. Sterling, to the Edgeworth grounds, where we found +a bountiful lunch ready for us, prepared by the hospitable hostess. +From Edgeworth we marched to the college, and passed in review before +the bright eyes and smiling faces of the assembled beauty of that +institution. At night our guests were entertained at a sumptuous +collation in Yates' Hall, prepared by the ladies of our city. After we +had refreshed the inner man, and regaled ourselves at the groaning +tables, we moved, by way of a temporary bridge, constructed from the +third-story window of the Yates building to the large hall in the +Garrett building adjacent. Here, under the soul-stirring music +discoursed by the Salisbury band, the feet began to twinkle and sound +in quadrille, and continued until + + "The jagged, brazen arrows fell + Athwart the feathers of the night." + +On the next day all departed for their homes. Ah! who surmised so soon +to leave them again, and on so different a mission! + +We now pass from these holiday reflections, which are germane only to +the introduction of these reminiscences, and arrive at the period when +our _law-abiding_ old State called her sons to arms; when we pledged +our _most_ sacred honor in the cause of freedom, and willingly made the +sacrifice:-- + + "All these were men, who knew to count, + Front-faced, the cost of honor-- + Nor did shrink from its full payment." + +On Friday, the 12th day of April, 1861, General G. T. Beauregard, then +in command of the provisional forces of the Confederate States at +Charleston, S.C., opened fire upon Fort Sumter. Then, on the 15th, +came the proclamation of Mr. Lincoln, calling for 75,000 troops. As +this levy could only mean war, Virginia determined to cast her lot +with the Confederate States, and, accordingly, on the 17th added +herself to their number. + +This proclamation was the out-burst of the storm, and with lightning +speed the current of events rushed on to the desolating war so soon to +ensue. + +On the 16th of April, Governor Ellis received from Mr. Cameron, +Secretary of War, the following telegram, viz.: + + WAR DEPARTMENT, + WASHINGTON, D.C., _April 15th, 1861_. + + TO J. W. ELLIS: + + Call made on you by to-night's mail for two regiments of military + for immediate service. + + SIMON CAMERON, + _Secretary of War_. + +_Governor_ Ellis immediately telegraphed back the following reply: + + EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, + RALEIGH, N.C., _April 15th, 1861_. + + TO SIMON CAMERON, + _Secretary of War_. + + SIR: Your dispatch is received, and if genuine, which its + extraordinary character leads me to doubt, I have to say in reply, + that I regard that levy of troops made by the administration for + the purpose of subjugating the States of the South as in violation + of the Constitution, and as a gross usurpation of power. I can be + no party to this wicked violation of the laws of the country, and + to this war upon the liberties of a free people. _You can get no + troops from North Carolina._ I will reply more in detail when I + receive your "call." + + JOHN W. ELLIS, + _Governor of North Carolina_. + +It is to be remarked that as early as the 19th of March, Senator Thos. +L. Clingman had dispatched Gov. Ellis, to wit: + + "It is believed that the North Carolina forts will immediately be + garrisoned by Lincoln." + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +Mr. Lincoln's "call" for troops excited indignation and alarm +throughout the South; and "law-abiding" North Carolina had now to +decide what it was her duty to do. + +On the 17th of April, Gov. Ellis issued a proclamation convening the +General Assembly to meet in special session on the first day of May. + +On the evening of the day of the issuing of the proclamation, Capt. +John Sloan, commanding the Grays, received orders from Gov. Ellis, "to +report with his company, with three days' rations, at Goldsboro, N.C." +This order was countermanded on the following morning, "to report to +Col. C. C. Tew, commanding the garrison at Fort Macon." + +In obedience to this order the Guilford Grays, on Friday night, April +18th, 1861, left Greensboro for Fort Macon. Thus the Rubicon was +crossed; thus did North Carolina find herself in armed conflict with +the United States; and thus were the Guilford Grays precipitated in +the contest in which they were to suffer and endure for four long +years. + +Our departure was the occasion of different and conflicting emotions. +The Grays, young, ardent, and full of enthusiasm, were the most +light-hearted and happy of all, and marched with as little thought of +coming trouble, as if on the way to some festive entertainment. Not so +with mothers, sisters, and sweethearts--for except our captain, none of +as were married--nature seemed to have granted to these a vision of the +future, which was denied to us, and while they cheered us on with +encouraging words, there was manifest in their expression a deep but +silent under-current of sad forebodings, not unaccompanied with tears. +We marched to the depot with drums beating, and with _that_ flag +flying, which but twelve months before the girls had given us as a +"banner of peace." + +Previous to our departure on Friday night the company assembled in the +court-house, when Lieut. John A. Pritchett and Orderly Sergeant W. H. +Bourne, resigned their offices. John A. Gilmer, Jr., was elected to +fill the vacancy of lieutenant, and Wm. P. Wilson that of orderly +sergeant. + +The following is the roll of members who left for Fort Macon on the +night mentioned: + +John Sloan, Captain; William Adams, 1st Lieutenant; James T. Morehead, +Jr., 2d Lieutenant; John A. Gilmer, Jr., 3d Lieutenant; John E. Logan, +M. D., Surgeon; Henry C. Gorrell, Ensign; William P. Wilson, Orderly +Sergeant; John A. Sloan, 2d Sergeant; Geo. W. Howlett, 3d Sergeant; +Samuel B. Jordan, 4th Sergeant; Thos. J. Sloan, Corporal; Benjamin G. +Graham, 2d Corporal; Edward M. Crowson, 3d Corporal; J. Harper +Lindsay, Jr., 4th Corporal. Privates: Hardy Ayres, James Ayers, +William L. Bryan, Peter M. Brown, John D. Collins, Allison C. Cheely, +Chas. A. Campbell, H. Rufus Forbis, Rufus B. Gibson, Walter Green, +Frank A. Hanner, Alfred W. Klutts, Andrew D. Lindsay, John H. +McKnight, J. W. McDowell, James R. Pearce, Chas. E. Porter, William U. +Steiner, Edw. G. Sterling, John E. Wharton, Richard B. Worrell, Robert +D. Weatherly, Samuel P. Weir, A. Lafayette Orrell, James Gray, Samuel +Robinson, J. Frank Erwin, Joseph E. Brown, Edward Switz, Thos. D. +Brooks, W. G. Duvall. + +A few days after our departure, the ladies of Greensboro organized a +committee, consisting of Mrs. D. P. Weir, Mrs. R. G. Sterling, Mrs. T. +M. Jones, Mrs. A. P. Eckel, and Mrs. J. A. Gilmer, to see that we were +supplied with provisions and such clothing as was needful, and nobly +did these blessed ladies--three of whom have since "crossed the River; +resting under the shade on the other side"--perform their work of +love. We were constantly receiving boxes, containing, not only every +comfort, but luxuries and dainties, from this committee, in addition +to those sent us by the dear ones in our private homes. + +In the meanwhile our newspapers and politicians were urging immediate +action upon the part of our State. The following quotation from _The +Patriot_ of May 2d, 1861, will serve to show the state of public +opinion at that time. _The Patriot_ says: + + "Our streets are filled with excited crowds, and addresses were + made during the day by Governor Morehead, Hons. R. C. Puryear, + John A. Gilmer, Sr., Rob't. P. Dick, and Thomas Settle. These + speeches all breathed the spirit of resistance to tyrants, and our + people were told that the time had come for North Carolina to make + common cause with her brethren of the South in driving back the + abolition horde." + +On the 20th day of May, 1861 (being the 86th anniversary of the +Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence), North Carolina severed her +relations with the Federal Union, and made "common cause with her +brethren of the South." + +During the months of May and June our company received many volunteer +recruits, all, with one or two exceptions, coming from Guilford +County. Below are their names and the dates of their enlistment: + +Edward B. Higgins, J. T. Edwards, H. M. Boon, Richard G. Boling, L. G. +Hunt. John W. Nelson, Jas. A. Orrell, Chas. W. Westbrooks, Jos. W. +Rankin, C. W. Stratford, William M. Summers and Jas. S. Scott, on the +first of May. A. F. Coble, R. S. Coble, Robert L. Donnell, Mike +Gretter, G. D. Hines, Robert A. Hampton, Isaac F. Lane, Walter D. +McAdoo, on the 4th, Wash. D. Archer, on the 9th of June. James M. +Hardin, T. M. Woodburn, on the 10th. Wilbur F. Owen, Hal Puryear, +Rob't. B. McLean, Edward B. Lindsay, S. A. Hunter, W. I. L. Hunt, W. +C. Clapp, Israel N. Clapp, Jas. C. Davis, David H. Edwards, W. C. +Story, Andy L. Stanley, Rob't. B. Tate, on the 11th, Jas. M. Marsh on +the 13th, John W. McNairy, H. Smiley Forbis, William Dennis, John W. +Reid on the 15th, Thos. J. Rhodes on the 25th, and on the 19th of +July, Jas. L. Wilson. + +A large majority of the members of the Grays were sworn in, some two +months after our arrival at the Fort, as twelve months State troops. +Some few at this time returned to their homes, and others enlisted in +different commands. Ensign H. C. Gorrell returned to Greensboro, +raised a company for active service, was elected its captain, and +assigned to the 2d North Carolina regiment. He was killed June 21st, +1862, while gallantly leading a charge against one of the enemy's +strongholds on the Chickahominy. Our surgeon, Dr. John E. Logan, +remained with us about four months as surgeon of the post. He was then +assigned to the 4th North Carolina Regiment in active service, and, +later during the war, to the 14th North Carolina, where he served as +surgeon until the close of the war. + +The war fever had now reached its height, and companies were forming +throughout the State, and rapidly hastening to Virginia, which was +soon to become the theatre of active operations. In the meanwhile, the +seat of government was transferred from Montgomery, Alabama, to +Richmond, Va., where, on the 20th day of July, 1861, the first +Confederate Congress convened. + +On our arrival at Fort Macon, on the night of the 20th of April, we +found our old friends, the Orange Guards, also the Goldsboro Rifles +and the Wilson Light Infantry, in quiet possession of the citadel. The +United States garrison, consisting of Sergeant Alexander, supported by +one six-pounder mounted on the inner parapet to herald the rising of +the sun, and the going down of the same, had surrendered on the 11th, +without bloodshed, to Capt. Pender, of Beaufort. The sergeant was +paroled, and allowed to leave the fort with his flag and side-arms. +The ordnance was retained. On the next morning we saw floating from +the flagstaff over the fort the Pine Tree flag, with the rattlesnake +coiled around the base. This was the State flag. About ten days +afterwards for some cause, and by what authority is not known, the +State flag was pulled down and a Confederate flag run up in its place. +North Carolina had not yet seceded, and this was looked upon as an +unwarrantable assumption of command, and some of our company left for +home, but returned when the State afterwards seceded. + +A few weeks afterwards our garrison was reinforced by Capt. Latham's +(artillery) "Woodpeckers," from Craven. This command received its very +appropriate nickname from the fact that, when they entered the fort, +they wore very tight-fitting scarlet caps. (This company, with a +detail from the 27th N.C. Regiment, did splendid service at the +battle of Newberne.) + +Some time in June we were assigned to the 9th North Carolina regiment; +but, for some reason unknown to us, we were taken from this regiment, +and another company substituted. On the 22d we were placed, with five +other companies, in a battalion, commanded by Col. Geo. B. Singletary. +Our position was retained in this battalion until some time in +September, when we were assigned to the 27th North Carolina regiment, +which was organized with Col. Singletary as Colonel, Capt. John Sloan +(of the Grays) Lieut.-Colonel, and Lieut. Thomas C. Singletary as +Major. Seven companies of this regiment were then in camp near +Newberne, and the remaining three companies--one of which was the +Grays, and designated in the regiment as Company "B"--were on detached +service at Fort Macon, where we remained until the 28th of February, +1862. + +Owing to the promotion of Capt. Sloan to the Lieut.-Colonelcy of the +regiment, Lieut. William Adams was elected captain of the Grays and +Sergeant William P. Wilson elected 3d Lieutenant. + +Private William Cook died in Greensboro of typhoid fever, on the 5th +of June, having been a member of the company about one month. + +On the 31st of July, private George J. Sloan, after severe illness, +died at the fort. + +On the 1st of August the following new members enlisted, viz.: Jno. T. +Sockwell, R. D. Brown, Frank G. Chilcutt, George W. Lemons, James H. +Gant, Richard Smith, and L. L. Prather. + +Our special employment at the Fort, outside of the military routine, +and to relieve its tedium, was "totin" sand bags. Thad Coleman was our +chief of ordnance, and as the duties of this office were important and +imperative, Sergeant Howlett and Private A. D. Lindsay were detailed +as assistants or aids-de-camp. While waiting the arrival of our +artillery to equip the fort, Capt. Guion, our civil engineer, +instructed our chief of ordnance and his aids to erect embrasures and +traverses, of sand bags, on the parapets. The bags were first tarred, +then filled with sand and carried by the men to the parapets. This +interesting recreation was indulged in during the dog-days of the +hottest August that our boys ever experienced. At the early dawn of +every morning, upon the parapet, with a pair of opera glasses, +intensely scanning the horizon of the deep, deep blue sea, might have +been observed the inclined form of Capt. Guion, on the look-out for a +United States man-of-war. But whether a man-of-war or the +"idly-flapping" sail of some crab hunter hove in sight, the order for +more sand bags was placed on file at the ordnance department. We built +traverses day after day. We pulled them down and built them up again, +exactly as they were before. At length the raw material, of bag, +failed, and Sergeant-aid-de-camp Howlett was dispatched under sealed +orders to Greensboro on some mysterious errand. We employed our +leisure time which we now enjoyed (thanks to the bag failure and the +mysterious errand of Sergeant Howlett), in citing delinquents to +appear before a court-martial of High Privates, which we now +organized. Among the culprits were Sergeant Howlett and private +Summers. It had transpired that Sergeant Howlett's mysterious errand +had been to fill a requisition, made by Capt. Guion and approved by +Lieut. Coleman, chief of ordnance, for a Grover and Baker sewing +machine (extra size) to be employed in the furtherance of the tarred +sand-bag business. The prisoner was tried, convicted, and sentenced to +change his sleeping quarters to No. 14-1/2. This casemate was occupied +by Harper Lindsay, Ed. Higgins, Tom. Sloan, Jim. Pearce, and McDowell. +Any man was entitled to all the sleep he could get in these quarters. + +Private Summers, who had obtained leave to visit home on what he +represented as _urgent_ business, was also arraigned in due form. The +charges and specifications amounted substantially to this, that he went +home to see his sweetheart. He was permitted by the Court to defend +with counsel. "Long" Coble appeared for him, and in his eloquent appeal +for mercy--in which his legs and arms played the principal part of the +argument--he compared the prisoner to a little ship, which had sailed +past her proper anchorage at home and cast her lines at a neighbor's +house. The evidence being circumstantial he was acquitted, but was ever +known afterwards as "Little Ship" Summers. He served faithfully during +the entire war; has anchored _properly_ since, and the little "crafts" +around his happy home indicate that he has laid the keels for a navy. + +Running the "blockade" to Beaufort was another favorite amusement. The +popular and sable boatman for this "secret service" was Cæsar Manson. +Cæsar's knowledge of the waters of the sound was full and accurate, +and his pilotage around the "pint o' marsh" was unerring. Privates +McDowell, Jim Pearce, and Ed Higgins employed Cæsar a dark, rainy night +on one of these secret expeditions to Beaufort. Owing to the fog on the +sound and the _fog_ in the boat, the return of the party was delayed +till late in the night. The faithful sentinel, Mike Wood (of the +Goldsboro Rifles), being on post at the wharf that night, and this fact +being known to prudent Cæsar, he steered for the creek to avoid him. As +these festive revellers were wading ashore, Mike, hearing the splashing +in the water, sung out, "who comes there!" receiving no reply, he +cocked his gun, and became very emphatic. Pearce, knowing that Mike +would shoot, answered very _fluently_, while in the water to his waist, +"don't you shoot me, Mike Wood, I am coming in as fast as I can." Mike +escorted the party to head quarters, and they performed some one else's +guard duty for several days. + +We must not forget to mention our genial commissary, Capt. King, and +his courteous assistant, Mike Gretter, of the Grays. "Billy" King and +his little cosey quarters were just outside the fort, and so convenient +of a cold frosty morning, to call upon him and interview his _vial_ of +distilled fruit, hid away in the corner. _Vive le Roi, Billie._ + +On the 8th of September, private James Davis died at the fort. + +On September the 28th, private Ed. Sterling, who was absent on +furlough, died at his home in Greensboro, N.C. + +On the 25th of October, the U.S. Steamer "Union" was wrecked off +Bogue Banks near the fort. Her crew was brought to the fort and +confined there for a short time. What is of more interest was, that we +received valuable stores from the wreck, among others, elegant hair +mattresses, which now took the place of our shucks and straw. + +These days at the fort were our halcyon days, as the dark hours were +to us yet unborn. The war had been so far a mere frolic. In the +radiant sunshine of the moment, it was the amusing phase of the +situation, not the tragic, that impressed us. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +On the 7th of November, Lieut.-Col. John Sloan was ordered to report +for duty, to his regiment at Newberne. Some time in December Col. +George Singletary resigned and Lieut.-Col. John Sloan was elected +colonel of the regiment; Maj. T. C. Singletary was elected +Lieutenant-Colonel, and Lieut. John A. Gilmer, of the Grays--who had +been acting as adjutant of the regiment at Newberne--was elected +Major. The promotion of Lieut. Gilmer made a vacancy in the offices of +our company, and Sergeant John A. Sloan--at the time sergeant-major of +the fort--was elected to fill it. + +On the 28th of February, 1862, we were ordered to join our regiment +then encamped at Fort Lane, on the Neuse River, below Newberne, North +Carolina. About mid-day we filed through the sally-port and bade a +long and sad farewell to Fort Macon. We were transported by boat to +Morehead City, and thence by rail to Newberne. We arrived at Fort Lane +late in the evening, and in the pouring rain, marched to our quarters. +Our position in camp was assigned us, and we began to make ourselves +comfortable in our new home. We had much baggage, more than would have +been allowed an entire corps a year afterwards. Every private had a +trunk, and every mess a cooking-stove, to speak nothing of the extras +of the officers. All this portable property we turned over to Gen. +Burnside, later in the season, for want of convenient transportation. + +We had scarcely made ourselves snug in our winter quarters when we +learned that a large land and naval force, conjoined under command of +Gen. Burnside, was approaching Newberne. The fleet arrived in Neuse +River on the 12th of March, and the land forces were in our front on +the following day. On the night of the 13th we left our quarters and +moved down the south bank of the Neuse a short distance, where we were +placed in line of battle, in entrenchments which had previously been +constructed under the orders of Gen. L. O. B. Branch, commanding our +forces--our regiment being the extreme left of the lines, and resting +upon the river. The morning of the 14th broke raw and cold, the fog +was so dense that we could not see fifty yards beyond our works. As +soon as it lifted, a skirmish began upon the right of our lines +between the opposing pickets. About the same time the gunboats, which +were creeping slowly up the river, began to shell the woods. Under +cover of this random firing the land forces advanced. Our pickets +along the entire line were rapidly driven in, and the battle of +Newberne began. It is not my purpose here to venture a description of +this engagement or to make any remarks by way of criticism. + +After repeated attacks, the right of the Confederate lines gave way, +which exposed our portion of the lines to an enfilade fire; the enemy +took immediate advantage of their success, and were now endeavoring to +turn our flank and get in our rear. We were ordered to fall back a +short distance, and made a stand a few hundred yards to the rear in +the woods. Meanwhile the guns in Fort Lane had been silenced by the +shots from the enemy's fleet; this gave the boats an unobstructed +passage to Newberne. Had they succeeded in reaching Newberne ahead of +us, they would have destroyed the bridges and thus cut off our +retreat, and forced a surrender of our entire command. Under these new +and trying circumstances, a devil-may-care retreat was ordered, with +instructions to reform at the depot in Newberne. We stood not upon the +order of going but "went," rivaling in speed the celerity of the famed +North Carolina militia at the battle of Guilford Court-House. + +Before leaving our entrenchments, private S. H. Hunter was struck by a +fragment of shell, which had exploded near us, and killed. This was +the only casualty in our company and the first. Poor Hunter was struck +on the head and rendered unconscious. He was carried from the field +and brought with us to Kinston in an ambulance, but died on the way. +His remains were conveyed under escort to Greensboro. Sergeant Samuel +B. Jordan was captured on the retreat. He was exchanged and paroled +afterwards, but his term of enlistment having expired, he did not +again enlist. + +The company, or at least a portion of it, reformed at the depot in +Newberne. From here we continued our retreat unmolested to Kinston, +where we arrived at a late hour in the night. + +While at the depot in Newberne a special train was ordered for the +transportation of the sick and wounded. Some few others apparently +healthy and able-bodied, but constitutionally exhausted, sought shelter +on this train. Among these was my _body-guard_ "Bill," who, with +prudential forecast, had secured a berth early in the action and "held +his ground" until the train reached Greensboro. Bill says he simply +went home to inform "mar's" Robert that "mar's" John was safe and +"untouched." He returned in due season and enlisted with me "durin" the +war, was faithful to the end, and is part of our history. + +We remained in and around Kinston performing picket duty on the roads +leading toward Newberne until the 22d of March. About the 25th we +changed our camp to "Black-jack," and on the 29th we moved to +Southwest Church. + +The muster-roll of our company at this period contained one hundred +and twenty names, but of this number, owing to the measles, +whooping-cough, itch, and other "diseases dire," only seventy-three +were reported for duty. + +On the 18th of March, Mike Gretter was detached and appointed brigade +commissary sergeant, in which position he served during the entire +war. On the 1st of April, A. D. Lindsay--a graduate of the sand-bag +department of Fort Macon--was appointed Ordnance Sergeant of our +regiment. About the 20th of April, our 1st Lieutenant, James T. +Morehead, Jr., resigned, to accept the position of captain in the 45th +North Carolina regiment. He was afterwards elected lieutenant-colonel +of the 53d regiment, and after the death of Col. Owens, was promoted +to the colonelcy. Colonel Morehead was wounded at Spottsylvania +Court-House, Gettysburg, and Hares' Hill, at which latter place he was +made a prisoner in a gallant charge of his command, and was held until +after the war. + +Private John W. Nelson was detailed as permanent teamster to +regimental quarter-master, some time in April, and acted as such until +the 17th of March, 1863, when he died in the hospital at Charleston, +S. C. + +The expiration of the term of enlistment of the twelve months' men was +now near at hand; and to provide measures to levy new troops, and to +hold those already in the field, President Davis was authorized by an +act of Congress "to call out and place in the military service for +three years all white male residents between the ages of 18 and 35 +years, and to continue those already in the field until three years +from the date of enlistment, but those under 18 years and over 35 were +to remain 90 days." Under this act our company lost privates R. B. +Jones, W. D. Hanner, W. Hopkins, W. C. Winfree, and W. Burnsides, all +of whom were over 35 years of age. W. Burnsides rejoined us in April, +1863. Private John E. Wharton substituted P. A. Ricks on the 1st of +May, and returned to Guilford, where he raised a company and +re-entered the service as its commandant. Private Ed. Lindsey, who +left us, being under 18 years of age, was made a lieutenant in Capt. +Wharton's company. Ed. was killed in the month of April 1865. + +On the 16th of April, the 27th North Carolina regiment reorganized. +Major John R. Cooke, who was at that time chief of artillery on Gen. +Holmes' staff, was elected colonel, R. W. Singletary re-elected +lieutenant-colonel, and John A. Gilmer, Jr., re-elected major. The +regiment was then assigned to Gen. Robert Ransom's Brigade, under +whose command we remained until the 1st of June. + +On the 22d of April, our company reorganized as company "B." William +Adams was re-elected captain, John A. Sloan was elected 1st +lieutenant, John H. McKnight 2d lieutenant, and Frank A. Hanner, 2d +lieutenant junior; Benjamin G. Graham was appointed orderly sergeant, +Samuel B. Jordan (still prisoner) 2d sergeant, Thos. J. Sloan, 3d +sergeant, George W. Howlett, 4th sergeant, Will U. Steiner, 5th +sergeant, Ed B. Crowson, 1st corporal, Jed H. Lindsay, Jr., 2d +corporal, John D. Collins, 3d corporal, and Chas. A. Campbell, 4th +corporal. Lieutenant W. P. Wilson declined re-election in the company +to accept the position of adjutant of the regiment, tendered him by +Col. Cooke, which office he filled with much credit to himself and +regiment. He died in Greensboro on March 3d, 1863, after a severe +illness. + +From the 4th to the 7th of May, we assisted in tearing up and +destroying the A. & N.C. Railroad from Kinston to Core Creek. We made +up our minds if Burnside pursued us again, he should come slowly, and +on foot. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +From February to the tenth of May, the following men had joined our +company: Benjamin Burnsides, Henry Coble, R. L. Coltrain, John +Coltrain, D. L. Clark, John Cannady, W. W. Underwood, Jas. Hall, Jas. +R. Wiley, Hugh Hall, Wash. Williams, Lewis N. Isley, Stephen D. +Winbourne, W. W. McLean, Geo. H. Woolen, Wm. McFarland, Sam'l Young, +Lemuel May, Thos. L. Greeson, Rasper Poe, B. N. Smith, J. M. Edwards, +John H. Smith, R. L. Smith, Wm. Seats, Paisley Sheppard, Newton +Kirkman, James Lemons, Wm. Horney, Silas C. Dodson (rejoined), Jas. E. +McLean, Wm. May, S. F. McLean, E. F. Shuler, and J. J. Thom. + +Samuel Park Weir, who had acted as chaplain to our company, in +connection with his duties as a private soldier, was transferred, in +May, to the 46th North Carolina regiment, to accept the office of +Lieutenant in one of the companies of that regiment. When the war +commenced, Sam was at the Theological Seminary in Columbia, S.C. +Leaving his studies, he shouldered his musket and entered the ranks of +the Grays in April, 1861. At the battle of Fredericksburg, Dec. 13th, +1862, as his regiment was passing in our rear, at the foot of Marye's +Hill, Sam halted a moment to speak to Col. Gilmer, who had been +wounded as we were moving into our position, and was advising him to +leave the field. While thus conversing with the colonel and the +writer, he was struck by a minie-ball, and instantly killed, falling +lifeless at our feet. His remains were carried to Greensboro, and +buried in the Presbyterian burying-grounds. + +On the front line, he crossed the silent stream, leaving behind him +the fragrant memory of a name engraven to remain in the affections of +his comrades, and an example of modesty, purity, courage, and devotion +to principle unsurpassed. He sleeps the sleep of the blessed, and no +spot of earth contains a more gallant soldier, a truer patriot, or a +more faithful and sincere friend-- + + "Sleep, soldier! Still, in honored rest, + Your truth and valor wearing: + The bravest are the tenderest-- + The loving are the daring." + +On the 31st of May we folded our tents, made our preparations for a +hasty adieu to North Carolina, and left Kinston for the seat of war in +Virginia. We reached Richmond about one o'clock on the first of June. +As we neared the city, we could hear distinctly the guns of the battle +of Seven Pines, and as soon as we reached the depot, we were ordered +to the battle-field. We were marched rapidly through Richmond, all +anxious to take part in the battle now raging. Before we arrived on +the field, the fight had been fought and won, and our services were +not called for. + +On the following day we were assigned to Gen. J. G. Walker's brigade, +and ordered into camp at Drury's Bluff, where we remained, +constructing fortifications, until the latter part of June. While in +camp here, B. N. Smith substituted Paul Crutchfield. Dr. L. G. Hunt, +acting surgeon of our company, was appointed assistant surgeon of the +regiment. "Gwyn," with his amiable and handsome hospital steward, C. +M. Parks, of the Orange Guards, continued to prescribe "them thar +pills" until the war ended. + +On the 27th of June, 1862, the memorable "Seven Days' Fight" around +Richmond began. The Grays formed a portion of the reserve under Gen. +Holmes, and were marched from battle-field to battle-field, receiving +the shells of the enemy, and acting as targets for their sharp +shooters. On the 29th, Gen. Holmes crossed from the south side of the +James River, and on the 30th, being re-enforced by Gen. Wise's +brigade, moved down the river road with a view to gain, near to +Malvern Hill, a position which would command the supposed route of +McClellan's retreating army. We were posted on this road at New +Market, which was supposed to be the route McClellan would pursue in +his retreat to the James. Our generals and their guides, being +ignorant of the country, subsequently learned there was another road +running by the Willis church which would better serve the purpose of +the retreating foe, and we were moved to a position on this road. Here +we remained under the fire of the enemy's gun-boats, whose huge, +shrieking shells crashing through the trees and bursting in our midst, +inspired a degree of terror not justified by their effectiveness. The +dust created by our march gave the enemy a knowledge of our position, +and caused the gun-boats to open this heavy fire upon us. Instead of +finding the enemy a straggling mass, as had been reported, they were +entrenched between West's house and Malvern Hill, commanding our +position with an open field between us. + +General Holmes' artillery opened fire upon the enemy's infantry, which +immediately gave way, and simultaneously their batteries, of +twenty-five or thirty guns, and their gun-boats made a cross-fire upon +us. Their force, both in infantry and artillery, being vastly superior +to ours, any attempt upon our part to make an assault being considered +worse than useless, we were withdrawn at night-fall. The enemy kept up +their cannonading until after dark. + +On the 1st of July, late in the afternoon, line of battle was formed +and orders were issued for a general advance at a given signal, and +the bloody battle of Malvern Hill began. Several determined efforts +were made to storm Crews Hill; "brigades advanced bravely across the +open field raked by the fire of a hundred cannon and the muskets of +large bodies of infantry. Some were broken and gave way; others +approached close to the guns, driving back the infantry, compelling +the advance batteries to retire to escape capture and mingling their +dead with those of the enemy. For want of co-operation the assaults of +the attacking columns were too weak to break the enemy's line, and +after struggling gallantly, sustaining and inflicting great loss, they +were compelled successively to retire. The firing continued until +after 9 p.m., but no decided result was gained. At the cessation of +firing several fragments of different commands were lying down and +holding their ground within a short distance of the enemy's line, and +as soon as the fighting ceased an informal truce was established by +common consent. Parties from both armies, with lanterns and litters, +wandered over the field seeking for the wounded, whose groans could +not fail to move with pity the hearts of friends and foe." McClellan +withdrew with his army during the night, and hastily retreated to +Harrison's landing on the James. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +Early on the next morning the rain began to fall in torrents, and +continued for forty-eight hours, rendering the roads almost +impassable. It was reported that the enemy were crossing the James, +and we were ordered back to our camp near Drury's Bluff. About +sun-down we commenced our weary and hard march. Our men were worn out +by continuous marching and loss of sleep, still we plodded along, +reaching our camp, 17 miles distant, about 3 o'clock in the morning +thoroughly drenched. Col. Cooke had gone ahead of us, and having +aroused the men left in charge of the camp, had great blazing fires in +front of our tents awaiting our arrival. + +On the 6th, we left Drury's Bluff and marched to Petersburg, spending +a day there; on the morning of the 8th we were ordered to Fort +Powhatan on the James below City Point. About daylight on the morning +of the 11th we were placed in ambush on a high bluff on the river with +instructions to fire into any vessel that might attempt to pass. We +had not been long in our position when a transport called the "Daniel +Webster" was spied approaching us. When she steamed up opposite us, +the batteries which had accompanied us let loose the "dogs of war," +and riddled her cabins and hull. She floated off down the river +disabled, but we had no means of knowing what damage we had done to +the crew. Very soon the gun-boats below opened fire upon us, and, for +a mile below, the woods and banks of the river were alive with shot +and shell. We withdrew our artillery and made a similar attempt the +next day, but found no game. + +We returned to Petersburg and remained in camp there until the 19th of +August, picketing up and down the James River. + +On the 31st of July we were sent down the river as support to the +artillery which had been ordered to Coggins' Point to shell McClellan's +camp. On the night of the 1st of August we had about fifty pieces of +our artillery in position; we could not show ourselves in the daytime, +as the enemy had their balloons up and could almost see the "promised +land" around Richmond. About 2 o'clock in the morning we opened fire +upon McClellan's camp on the opposite bank of the river. His camp fires +and the lights from the shipping in the river formed a grand panorama. +After a few shots from our artillery, these lights quickly disappeared. +We kept up a constant fire for several hours, withdrew, and at daylight +took up the line of march for Petersburg. After we had retired far out +of reach of their guns, the enemy opened the valves of their ordnance +and belched forth sounds infernal, but their gunpowder and iron was all +wasted upon imaginary forces. + +On the 20th of August we were ordered to Richmond, remaining there, +at Camp Lee, until the 26th, when we boarded the train for Rapidan +Station, on the Orange & Alexandria Railroad. We remained in camp at +this point until the 1st of September. + +Sergeant Geo. W. Howlett, being disabled for service in the field on +account of his eyes, left us on the 23d of July. Private R. L. +Coltrain was discharged by surgeon's certificate about the same time. +Corporal John D. Collins, on detail as one of the color-guard--and +who, in the absence of the regular color-guard of the regiment, had +carried our flag in the battles around Richmond--died of typhoid +fever, while we were encamped at Drury's Bluff. On the 8th of August, +private W. C. Clapp died at his home, and private John H. Smith at the +hospital in Petersburg. On the 17th, Hal Puryear substituted a most +excellent soldier in the person of Louis Lineberry. About this time a +regimental band was formed, and the Grays furnished as their quota: +Ed. B. Higgins, Samuel Lipsicomb, and Thomas J. Sloan; each of whom +became excellent "tooters." + +After the series of engagements at Bull Run and on the Plains of +Manassas, the condition of Maryland encouraged the belief that the +presence of our army would excite some active demonstration upon the +part of her people, and that a military success would regain Maryland. +Under these considerations, it was decided by our leaders to cross +the army of Northern Virginia into Western Maryland, and then, by +threatening Pennsylvania, to induce the Federal army to withdraw from +our territory to protect their own. + +Gen. J. G. Walker, our brigadier--now in command of the division--ordered +us from our camp at Rapidan Station, on the morning of September 1st, +and we set out with the army of Northern Virginia on what is termed +the "first Maryland campaign." Our first day's march halted us at +Warrenton. On the 4th, we reached the battle-field of Manassas, finding +many of the enemy's dead still unburied, from the engagement a few days +previous. On the 5th, we passed through the villages of Haymarket and +New Baltimore, and rested at Leesburg on the evening of the 6th. +McClellan was ignorant of Lee's plans, and his army remained in close +vicinity to the lines of fortifications around Washington, until the +sixth. Early next morning (Sunday), we forded the Potomac at Noland's +Ferry, and were occupying the shores of "My Maryland." Our band struck +up the "tune," but the citizens we came in contact with did not seem +disposed to "come." We had evidently crossed at the wrong ford. On the +next day, the 8th, we arrived at a small place called Buckettown, where +we rested until the morning of the ninth. About 10 o'clock, we reached +Frederick city; here we found the main army, and our division was +assigned to Gen. Longstreet's corps. In a skirmish with the enemy's +cavalry, near the city, Jas. A. Orrell and Thos. R. Greeson were +captured. + +On the night of the 9th, we, in company with our division, were +quietly marched to the mouth of the Monocacy river to destroy the +aqueduct. We were tramping all night and accomplished nothing; the +manoeuver, as it afterward appeared, was but a feint to draw the +attention of the enemy away from the movements of "Stonewall's" corps, +then marching on Harper's Ferry. About daylight next morning we found +ourselves again in the vicinity of Buckettown; we proceeded some 5 +miles further, where we formed a line of battle, and rested on our +arms in this position all day in full view of the enemy, who were +posted on the hills beyond us, and to the east of Buckettown. As soon +as night came, we started off hurriedly in the direction of Frederick; +having gone in this course some three miles we countermarched and took +the road for Point of Rocks on the Potomac. Just as day was breaking, +on the morning of the 12th, after a rapid march, we reached Point of +Rocks and recrossed the Potomac. We were completely bewildered as to +our course, and no one seemed to know what all this manoeuvering +would lead to. During the day, we ascertained we were on the road +leading to Harper's Ferry, but our course was so repeatedly changed +that we had but this consolation, that "if we did not know where we +were, or where we were going, the Yankees didn't, for the Devil +himself could not keep track of us." At night we reached Hillsboro, in +Loudon County. Va., and camped near there. On the 13th, we were in the +vicinity of Harper's Ferry, and at night took possession of Loudon +Heights, on the east side of the Shenandoah, and were in readiness to +open fire upon Harper's Ferry. General McLaws had been ordered to +seize Maryland Heights, on the north side of the Potomac, opposite +Harper's Ferry. Finding them in possession of the enemy, he assailed +their works and carried them; they retreated to Harper's Ferry, and on +the 14th, its investment by our forces was complete. As soon as we +gained our position, which was accomplished by a circuitous route up +the steep and ragged mountain, the enemy in and around Harper's Ferry +opened fire upon us from their batteries. Owing to the extreme +elevation, most of their shells fell short; a few burst over us, but +did no damage. The batteries attached to our division were carried by +hand to the top of the Heights, and placed in position. Early on the +morning of the 15th, the attack upon the garrison began. Stonewall +Jackson's batteries opened fire from Bolivar Heights, in conjunction +with ours and the artillery on Maryland Heights; in about two hours, +"by the grace of God," as Jackson had foretold, the garrison, +consisting of 11,000 men, surrendered. Seventy-three pieces of +artillery, 13,000 small arms, and a large quantity of military stores +fell into our hands. + +On the night of the 15th we made our descent from the Heights, crossed +the mountain and resumed our march. About midday of the 16th we +reached Shepherdstown, crossed the Potomac and went into camp near +Sharpsburg, Maryland. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +On the morning of the 17th of September, just before day-break, we +were aroused from our slumbers and moved to a position in line of +battle on the extreme right of the Confederate lines. At early dawn +the enemy opened their artillery from both sides of the Antietam, the +heaviest fire being directed against our left. Under cover of this +fire a large force of infantry attacked Gen. Jackson's division, and +for some time the conflict raged with fury and alternate success. Gen. +Early, in command of Ewell's division, was sent to their support, when +Jackson's division was withdrawn, its ammunition being nearly +exhausted. The battle was now renewed with great violence, and the +troops of McLaws and J. G. Walker were brought from the right. With +these re-enforcements Gen. Early attacked resolutely the large force +opposed to him, and drove them back in some confusion beyond the +position our troops had occupied at the beginning of the engagement. +This attack upon our left was speedily followed by one in heavy force +on the centre, and our regiment was double-quicked one and a half +miles to near the centre, and placed in line about one mile to the +left of the town of Sharpsburg. + +The gallant and conspicuous part which the 27th regiment took in the +fight, Capt. Graham, of the Orange Guards, describes graphically as +follows: + + "Forming in a corn-field we advanced under a heavy fire of grape + and canister at a quick step up a little rise and halted at a rail + fence, our right considerably advanced. After holding this + position for half an hour or more our front was changed so as to + be on a line with the other troops. In the meantime we had + suffered heavily, and I think had inflicted equally as much + damage. [On this first advance Capt. Adams was shot down.] About 1 + o'clock the enemy having retired behind the hill upon which they + were posted, and none appearing within range in our front, Col. + Cooke ordered us to fall back some twenty steps in the corn and + lie down so as to draw them on; he, in the meantime, regardless of + personal danger from sharpshooters, remained at the fence beside a + small tree. After remaining there some 20 minutes, the enemy + attempted to sneak up a section of artillery to the little woods + upon our left. Colonel Cooke, watching the movement, ordered the + four left companies of our regiment up to the fence and directed + them to fire upon this artillery. At the first fire, before they + had gotten into position, nearly every horse and more than half + the men fell, and the infantry line which had moved up to support + them showed evident signs of wavering. Col. Cooke seeing this, and + having received orders to charge if opportunity offered, + immediately ordered a charge. Without waiting a second word of + command we leaped the fence and 'made at them,' and soon we had + captured three guns and had the troops opposed to us in full + retreat. A battery posted near a little brick church upon a hill + to our left was playing sad havoc with us, but supposing that + would be taken by the troops upon our left--who we concluded were + charging with us--we still pursued the flying foe. Numbers of them + surrendered to us and they were ordered to the rear. We pushed on + and soon wheeled to the right, drove down their line, giving them + all the while an enfilade fire, and succeeded in breaking six + regiments who fled in confusion. After pushing on this way for a + while we found ourselves opposed by a large body of troops behind + a stone wall in a corn-field. Stopping to contend with these, we + found that we were almost out of ammunition. Owing to this fact, + and not being supported in our charge, we were ordered to fall + back to our original position. This of course was done at + double-quick. As we returned we experienced the perfidy of those + who had previously surrendered to us, and whom we had not taken + time to disarm. They, seeing that we were not supported, attempted + to form a line in our rear, and in a few minutes would have done + so. As it was we had to pass between two fires: a part of the + troops having been thrown back to oppose our movement on their + flank, and these supposed prisoners having formed on the other + side. A bloody lane indeed it proved to us. Many a brave man lost + his life in that retreat. At some points the lines were not sixty + yards distant on either side. Arriving at our original position, + we halted and reformed behind the rail fence. We opened fire with + the few remaining cartridges we had left and soon checked the + advance of the enemy, who did not come beyond the line which they + occupied in the morning. In a short while all our ammunition was + exhausted. Courier after courier was sent after ammunition, but + none was received. Four or five times during the afternoon, + couriers came from Gen. Longstreet, telling Col. Cooke to hold his + position at all hazards, 'as it was the key to the whole line.' + Cooke's reply was, 'tell Gen. Longstreet to send me some + ammunition. I have not a cartridge in my command, but I will hold + my position at the point of the bayonet.'" + +Mr. Davis, in his history, says: "_Col. Cooke, with the 27th North +Carolina regiment, stood boldly in line without a cartridge._" + + "About 5 o'clock in the afternoon we were relieved, and moved to + the rear about one mile. After resting half an hour and getting + fresh ammunition, we were again marched to the front, and placed in + line in the rear of the troops who had relieved us. Here we were + subjected to a severe shelling, but had no chance to return the + fire. After nightfall we rejoined our division on the left, and + with them bivouaced upon the battle-field." + +General R. E. Lee, in his report of this battle, makes complimentary +mention of our regiment, and says, further, "this battle was fought by +less than forty thousand men on our side, all of whom had undergone +the greatest labors and hardships in the field and on the march. +Nothing could surpass the determined valor with which they met the +large army of the enemy, fully supplied and equipped, and the result +reflected the highest credit on the officers and men engaged." + +General McClellan, in his official report, states that he had in +action in the battle 87,184 men of all arms. Lee's entire strength was +35,255. "These 35,000 Confederates were the very flower of the army of +northern Virginia, who, with indomitable courage and inflexible +tenacity, wrestled for the mastery in the ratio of one to three of +their adversaries; at times it appeared as if disaster was inevitable, +but succor never failed, and night found Lee's lines unbroken and his +army still defiant. The drawn battle of Sharpsburg was as forcible an +illustration of southern valor and determination as was furnished +during the whole period of the war, when the great disparity in +numbers between the two armies is considered. + +The Grays went into this battle with 32 men, rank and file. Capt. +William Adams, privates Jas. E. Edwards, A. F. Coble, James M. +Edwards, R. Leyton Smith and Samuel Young were killed on the field. +Privates Peter M. Brown, Benjamin Burnsides and Robert L. Donnell were +badly wounded and fell into the hands of the enemy. R. L. Donnell died +of his wounds at Chester, Pa., November 6th, 1862. Privates W. D. +Archer, Walter D. McAdoo, J. E. McLean, Samuel F. McLean, L. L. +Prather and W. W. Underwood were wounded and sent to the hospital. W. +W. Underwood died of his wounds September 29th, 1862. Privates Paul +Crutchfield, H. Rufus Forbis, Rufus B. Gibson, James M. Hardin, James +L. Wilson and William McFarland were exchanged and returned to their +company the following November, except McFarland, who was reported +dead. + +On account of the forced and continuous march from Rapidan, many of +our men from sheer exhaustion and sickness were compelled to fall out +of ranks, among them some of the best soldiers in the company. + +Captain Adams, as before stated, fell early in the action. He was +carried from the field and buried in the cemetery at Shepherdstown. +His remains were afterwards removed and interred in the cemetery at +Greensboro. He was a brave and gallant officer, and fell front-faced +with his armor on. The other members of the company who were killed, +wrapped in their martial garb, sleep in some unknown grave, on the +spot where they fell, amid the carnage and gore of the battle-field: + + "Whether unknown or known to fame-- + Their cause and country still the same-- + They died, and wore the gray." + +On the 18th we occupied the position of the preceding day. Our ranks +were increased during the day, and our general forces were augmented +by the arrival of troops; but our army was in no condition to take the +offensive, and the army of McClellan had been too severely handled to +justify a renewal of the attack, consequently the day passed without +any hostile demonstrations. During the night our army was withdrawn +from Sharpsburg, and at day-break on the morning of the 19th we +recrossed the Potomac at Shepherdstown. After fording the river, we +halted a short distance on the hills near by, and were engaged in +drying our clothing and making a breakfast from our scanty rations of +pop-corn and hard tack, when a force of the enemy, (Porter's corps,) +who had the temerity to cross the river in pursuit, made their +appearance. Gen. A. P. Hill, in charge of the rear guard of the army, +met them, made a charge upon them and drove them into the river. In +his report of this engagement he says: "The broad surface of the +Potomac was blue with the floating bodies of our foe. But few escaped +to tell the tale. By their own account they lost three thousand men, +killed and drowned. Some two hundred prisoners were taken." + +The condition of our troops now demanding repose, we were ordered to +the Occoquan, near Martinsburg. On our march another attempt to harass +our rear was reported, and we were sent back to the vicinity of +Shepherdstown; finding "all quiet on the Potomac," the march was again +resumed at night, and on the 21st we went into camp near Martinsburg. +After spending a few days here we were moved to the neighborhood of +Bunker Hill and Winchester, and remained in camp until the 23d of +October. + +On the 22d of September, while in camp near Martinsburg, the Grays +proceeded to fill the offices made vacant by the battle of the 17th. +Lieut. J. A. Sloan was promoted to captain; 2d Lieut. McKnight to 1st +Lieutenant; Frank A. Hanner to 2d Lieutenant; and Sergeant B. G. +Graham to junior 2d Lieutenant. J. Harper Lindsay was appointed +orderly sergeant. Corporals Wm. M. Paisley and A. C. Cheely were made +Sergeants. Privates R. D. Weatherly, Thos. J. Rhodes and H. Rufus +Forbis were appointed corporals. + +On the 8th of September, private R. D. Brown died at the hospital in +Petersburg, Va.; on the 12th, private R. L. Coble, at Frederick City, +Md.; on the 19th, Hugh Hall in hospital at Richmond; and on the 24th, +privates Wm. Seats and Wm. H. McLean died in hospital at Winchester, +Va. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +About the middle of October, McClellan moved his army across the +Potomac, east of the Blue Ridge, and bent his course southward. Later +in the month, he began to incline eastwardly from the mountains, and +finally concentrated his forces in the neighborhood of Warrenton, +Virginia. On the 7th of November he was relieved of the command of the +army of the Potomac, and Gen. Burnside, "under Federal dispensation," +became his successor. The indications were that Fredericksburg was +again to be occupied. Gen. Lee, with his usual foresight, divining his +purpose, promptly made such disposition as was necessary to forestall +him. McLaw's and Ransom's divisions were ordered to proceed at once to +that city. + +On the morning of the 23d we broke up our camp at Winchester, and +after a long but pleasant day's march, reached the vicinity of +Millwood; from thence we journeyed on to Paris, in Loudon County. Our +march through this Arcadia of Virginia, with its picturesque scenery, +and along those splendid and wonderful turnpikes, as they stretched +out before us, formed a panorama never to be forgotten. The giant +hills stood around like sentinels wrapped in their everlasting +silence; behind these, still bolder hills, and again behind these, the +blueness of the distant mountains. The day was glad with the golden +brightness of an October sun, and as I gazed upon these mountains, +clothed in their autumnal beauty, and in their everlasting fixity of +repose, I could but contrast this grandeur and silence with the too +recent scenes of blood and tumult upon the hills of Antietam. How +brief, how insignificant is man's existence! Encamped so high above +the world filled us with a sense of exaltation and awe. Fires were +soon lighted, and the men, weary with marching, wrapped in their +blankets, stretched themselves upon the ground to sleep, perchance to +dream of firesides in distant homes where-- + + "Belike sad eyes with tearful strain, + Gazed northward very wistfully + For him that ne'er would come again." + +The next morning broke cold and threatening. We resumed our march and +had proceeded but a few miles when the rain began to fall. Later in +the day it came down in torrents, and the wind was blowing gales. +About dark, in the midst of this storm, we were halted in a large +hickory grove on the side of the Blue Ridge, near the small village of +Upperville. Our men comprehended the situation at once, and, though +thoroughly drenched and chilled, soon had their axes ringing in the +forest, and large log fires were ablaze over the camp. The storm +continued with fury all night, to sleep was impossible, and we were +forced to pass the most disagreeable night we had ever experienced. + +On the 29th we retraced our steps to Paris. On the following morning, +acting as an escort to a foraging party, we proceeded to Middleboro. +At night we returned to camp, rich in wagon loads of corn and +provender, also securing a large lot of fine beeves. On the next day, +leaving Paris, we moved by way of Salem in the direction of Culpepper +Court-House, which place we reached on the 2d of November, and +remained there until the 4th. Sergeant Harper Lindsay, while here, +accepted the position of adjutant of the 45th North Carolina regiment, +and Sergeant Chas. Campbell was promoted to orderly sergeant in his +stead. + +On the night of the 4th, after a tiresome day's march, we went into +camp on the top of Cedar Mountain. We were halted on a bleak and barren +hill with no fuel within our reach. Col. Cooke, under the +circumstances, suspended "special orders" in reference to destroying +private property, and gave the men permission to burn the rails from +the fences near by. For this necessary disobedience some spiteful +person reported him and he was placed in arrest, from which he was +released next day without a court martial. After our company had made +its fires and were busy trying to make a supper from their scanty +rations, I strolled over to Cooke's headquarters and found him sitting +moodily over _his_ fire of _rails_. We began to discuss the officers of +the brigade, and while he was idly turning a splinter he held in his +fingers, it fell from his hand and stuck upright in the ground. He +turned quickly to me, slapped me on the back and laughingly said: +"John, that is an omen of good luck." I surmised to what he had +reference--a probability of his promotion had been whispered--and +replied, I did not take much stock in splinters, but I hoped in this +instance the omen might be realized. In a few moments, several men from +the regiment, with their canteens, passed near us and one of them, a +lank, lean soldier, inquired of Cooke if he could tell him where the +spring of water was. With some irritability in his tone he replied, +"_No_, go hunt for it." The thirsty questioner, possibly recognizing +him, made no reply, but turned away thinking, no doubt, under other +circumstances, he would have answered him differently. The soldier had +gone but a short distance when Cooke called him back, apologized for +his hasty speech and indifference, and informed him kindly where he +could find the water. + +Not many days afterwards the splinter omen was interpreted, and Col. +John E. Cooke, of the 27th North Carolina regiment (though junior +colonel of the brigade), was promoted for gallantry to brigadier +general, and assigned to the command of Gen. J. G. Walker's brigade, +who was transferred to the Mississippi department. I have introduced +these incidents, merely to illustrate the noble traits of character of +this gallant and courteous gentleman and soldier, who was acknowledged +by Gen. Lee himself to be _the_ brigadier of his army. Of his services +with his North Carolina brigade history already leaves him a record. He +is a man of chivalric courage, and possesses that magnanimity of heart +which ever wins the affections of a soldier. He was beloved by his +entire command. A truer sword was not drawn in defence of the South and +her cause, and a more untarnished blade never returned to its scabbard +when the unhappy conflict was over. + +Upon the promotion of Col. Cooke--Lieut.-Col. Singletary having +resigned on account of wounds--Major John A. Gilmer was promoted to +Colonel, Capt. George F. Whitefield, of Company C, to Lieutenant-Colonel, +and Capt. Jos. C. Webb, of the Orange Guards, to Major. The brigades +in our division were also changed, and under the reassignment of +regiments, Cooke's command consisted entirely of North Carolina troops, +and was _well known_ in Lee's army as "_Cooke's North Carolina +Brigade_." + +On the 8th of November we were moved to Madison Court-House, where we +remained until the 18th. About the 15th the army of the Potomac was +reported in motion, and their gun-boats and transports had entered +Aquia Creek in their "on to Fredericksburg." On the morning of the +18th, our division received marching orders, and we also set out for +Fredericksburg. The weather was very cold, and our march was made +through rain and sleet; the ground was frozen, and some of our men +being barefooted, their feet cut by the ice, left their bloody tracks +along the route. The men, under all these hardships and exposures, +were in excellent spirits, and no one escaped their gibes and jokes. +Every few miles, growing in the corner of the fences and in the old +field, the persimmon tree ever dear to a North Carolinian's soul +appeared, and immediately discipline was forgotten, ranks broken, and +the tree besieged. Sam Hiatt once remarked that the green persimmon +was invaluable to an ordinary soldier, as a few of them would always +draw his stomach to the proportions suited to a Confederate ration. On +long marches the brigades marched by turns to the front. On one +occasion, while we were seated on both sides of the road waiting for +the rear brigades to pass to the front, a young and clever officer of +our command, who had assiduously cultivated his upper lip, and by the +aid of various tonsorial applications made pretense of possessing a +mustache, stepped out into the middle of the road and commenced, as is +usual with beginners, to toy with his hairs; presently a rough +specimen of a soldier came trotting along astride of a pack mule, and +as he neared the officer he halted his steed with a loud and long +"whoa!" Leaning forward, with a quizzical look, he politely but firmly +requested the officer "to please remove that mustache from the main +highway and allow him and his mule to pass." [The mustache was +_raze-rd_ at Fredericksburg.] + +On the 23d we reached the vicinity of Fredericksburg, and employed +the interval--before the advance made by the enemy on the 11th of +December--in strengthening our line, which reached from the +Rappahannock, about one mile above Fredericksburg, along the hills in +rear of that city to the Richmond & Fredericksburg Railroad. + +About 11 o'clock on the morning of the 13th, Burnside, "whose turn +it now was to wrestle with General Lee," massed his forces under cover +of the houses of Fredericksburg and moved forward with his grand +divisions to seize Marye's and Willis' Hills-- + + "With a hundred thousand men + For the Rebel slaughter-pen, + And the blessed Union flag a-flying o'er him." + +At the foot of Marye's Hill ran the Telegraph Road along which, for +some four hundred yards, is a stone revetment. On the crest of the +hill, at intervals, in pits, were posted nine guns of the Washington +artillery, under Col. Walton. Three regiments of Cobb's brigade and +commanded by him, were in position behind this stone wall at the foot +of the hill. Some two hundred yards in a ravine, and immediately +behind the Washington artillery, lay our (Cooke's) brigade. About one +o'clock all the guns on Stafford Heights were directed against our +guns on Marye's Hill, endeavoring to draw their fire so as to cover +the advance of their infantry. Our artillery, instead of replying, +remained silent until their infantry had deployed, when they poured a +storm of canister into them. French's division came first, and they +were swept away before the deployment was completed. The battle now +lulled for some twenty minutes, when the enemy "entered the ring" with +Hancock to the front. + +About this time our brigade was moved to the crest of the hill. The +46th, 48th and 15th regiments were halted on the hill on the line of +the batteries, while our regiment (27th), in the midst of a terrific +fire, passed rapidly through the Washington artillery, and +double-quicked down the steep incline into the Telegraph Road and +joined in the fire. During our advance Col. Gilmer was severely +wounded in the leg, but succeeded in reaching the foot of the hill. + +Hancock was repulsed with terrible slaughter. Gen. Cobb had been +previously killed, and Gen. Kershaw now took command of the troops in +the road. After we had reached our position behind the stone wall, +Gen. Cooke received a severe wound in the head and was carried from +the field. The command of the brigade now devolved upon Col. Hall of +the 46th regiment, who moved his and the other regiments of the +brigade into the Telegraph Road. The enemy now made his third effort, +when Howard's and Sturgis' and Getty's divisions advanced bravely to +the desperate work assigned them. We took heavy toll from their +columns, and, like their predecessors, they fell back in confusion. +Lastly came the sixth and final assault by Humphrey's division, of +Hooker's corps, and charge it did, as game as death. They, too, had to +bite the dust, and their broken and shattered columns fled in disorder +to the city, leaving the field strewn with their slain. + +About 9 o'clock we threw forward our pickets and, in the darkness, +many of their raw recruits came into our lines, their guns and +accoutrements perfectly new; some of them had not fired a shot and +could scarcely tell their nativity. + +We remained in line of battle during the night, expecting and hoping +for a renewal of the assault on the next day. The 14th (Sunday) came, +however, and went away without a renewal. On the 15th we were moved a +few hundred yards farther to our left, and remained in this position +until the morning of the 16th, when it was discovered that the enemy, +availing himself of the darkness of the night, had recrossed the +river. + +"A river has always been considered a good line of defence by most +writers on the art of war, provided certain principles be observed in +defending. When Napoleon crossed the Danube, in 1809, in the presence +of the Archduke Charles, who was a good general, he was forced to +retreat to the islands of Lobau and Enzersdorf, after the bloody days +of Essling. Had not the Archduke assumed the offensive so _vigorously_, +the Emperor's loss would not have been so great, and he could have +remained on the left bank." This later "Essling" army was fairly and +terribly beaten, forced to recross the river, after great loss of life +and labor, and was spared (thanks to his bridges and darkness of the +night) utter annihilation. + +Burnside testified, before the committee on the conduct of the war, +that he had, in round numbers, one hundred thousand men, all of whom +were engaged in this battle, and that he failed because it was found +impossible to get the men up to the works; that the Confederates' fire +was too hot for them. Of Lee's forces, only about twenty thousand men +were actively engaged. The casualties in our company, owing to the +protection afforded us by the stone wall behind which we were posted, +were comparatively few. Private William D. Archer, a splendid specimen +of a soldier, was killed; Privates James M. Hardin severely, and Frank +G. Chilcutt slightly, wounded. On the 16th, we were removed to near +Hamilton's Crossing, and remained in camp there until the 3d day of +January, 1863. While here, some of our officers and men were in +demand, and Lieut. B. G. Graham was detailed as brigade ordnance +officer. Silas C. Dodson was appointed clerk in the commissary +department under Major Hays, and David H. Edwards, quartermaster-sergeant. +On the 4th of December, Private John W. Reid was transferred to the +48th North Carolina regiment, having been elected to the position of +lieutenant in one of its companies. On the 17th, Corporal Will L. +Bryan, having contracted a severe cold on the march from Madison +Court-House, died in camp. Private Thos. J. Rhodes was appointed +corporal in his stead. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +The muster-roll of the Grays, in camp near Fredericksburg, numbered, +on the 31st day of December, for duty, two commissioned officers, four +sergeants, four corporals, and thirty-eight privates; on detached +service, six privates; sick (present), three privates; sick and +wounded (absent) twenty-three privates; total present and absent, rank +and file, eighty-nine. + +On the third of January, 1863, we were ordered to hold ourselves in +readiness to march, and about 10 o'clock we were on the road leading +towards Richmond. The first day's march found us encamped on the +Telegraph Road, 15 miles from Fredericksburg. We arrived at Richmond +on the 6th, passed through the city, and made camp on the Richmond & +Petersburg turnpike. The following day we registered at Petersburg, +camping just outside of the city limits, and remaining there until the +14th. Next morning (15th) we boarded the cars for North Carolina, and +reached the city of Goldsboro on the evening cf the 16th--being our +first visit to the State since our summary expulsion from Newberne by +Burnside. + +The 19th found us on the outskirts of the straggling little village of +Kenansville; thence onward, we marched through a sparsely-settled +country to South Washington, where we remained until the 1st of +February. From South Washington, we moved about 7 miles eastward to +the scattered town of Burgaw, where we remained until the 20th. + +It was here at Burgaw that our foot-sore and weary boys found realized +those blissful dreams which sometimes hover over the hard couch of a +soldier and lure him into the fable land of unknown joys from which he +hears + + "The horns of Elfland faintly blowing." + +It was here that we found the sweet potato, the perfectly cultured +sweet potato, as it only grows and ripens in that portion of eastern +North Carolina. Imagine, if you can, the solid comfort--after the many +hardships and adventures of the bustling year of 1862--it would afford +a native Carolina "Cornfed," to be able to sit down under his own +pines + + "An' hear among their furry boughs + The baskin' West wind purr contented," + +and occupy his leisure moments in roasting a genuine yam. There were +no armed blue-coats here, like little Miss Muffet's spider, to +frighten us away. We were in a land untouched as yet by the foot of +war; no war-dog had bayed here--it was still the domain of ancient +peace; and the little villages slept in the hollows of the pine-clad +hills, or perched in security upon the uplands. It was also at that +delightful season of the year when the women and children were no +longer vexed with the cares of agricultural pursuits. The sweet potato +crop had been dug, the virgin dip had been scooped out of the last +box, and nothing now remained but to enjoy in peace the products of +honest industry. + +On the night of the 20th we left these plaintive pines, marched to +Wilmington, and were soon aboard of the cars destined for Charleston, +S.C. About mid-day of the 22d--after slight detentions at Marion +Court-House and Florence--we arrived at the depot in Charleston. +While here awaiting orders--the men remaining upon the open flat +cars--several impudent and inquisitive idlers, necessary adjuncts +to every depot, gathered around us. Among them happened to be a +well-dressed, dapper fellow, in his home-guard-suit-of-gray and +snow-white "b'iled" shirt. Being of an inquisitive nature, and seeking +information, he had the rashness to address Jim Pearce, and inquire of +him: "_Whose command? Where are you stationed, sir?_" Jim, who was +sitting on the edge of the car, idly dangling his feet, seemed to "take +him in" at once, and rising to the dignity of a full-fledged veteran, +replied (very feelingly): "_Stationed! Stationed, sir! Stationed, the +H--l-fire!_ We have chased and been chased by the Yankees from beyond +the shores of Maryland to this city, and we are _still_ on the wing!" +As the cars moved off, Jim gave him a quizzical lookout of his left +eye, smiled, and faintly whispered "stationed?" + +It is a peculiar trait of the faculty of memory that it is very prone +to gather up the "unconsidered trifles of life," and to let slip many +of its apparently more important events. But my reader must remember +that war is not all tragedy,--that there are smiles as well as tears +in the drama. + +The evening of the 23d found us at Pocataligo, a small railway station +on the Charleston & Savannah Railroad. Remaining here a few days, we +next located at Coosawhatchie, another depot, eight miles away, and +about sixty miles from Charleston. Having an ample supply of tents, we +laid out a regular camp; with no battle to fight, and very light +picket duty to perform, we passed a quiet and pleasant time, until the +23d of April. The country around Coosawhatchie is low and marshy; the +lakes and streams abound with alligators; the forests of live-oak, +shrouded and festooned with a gray moss, present a weird and +picturesque appearance; the products are rice, pinders, and grits; the +pasturage is confined to a few lean, lank cattle, called by the +natives "high-walk." We relied upon the markets of Charleston and +Savannah for our commissary stores, and the morning train rarely +failed to bring us fresh shad. Our provident surgeon had a good supply +of wet groceries, which sustained our _sick_, and our stay in South +Carolina wore pleasantly, having no special fighting to do. + +While in camp at Coosawhatchie, the writer and a comrade (Maj. Webb) +mounted our horses one bright Sunday morning to enjoy the charming +beauty of the day, and the invigorating influences of the sea air. +After riding for about two hours over the level country with its +monotonous aspect, we came suddenly and unexpectedly upon one of those +charming country seats, which were once the pride and delight of the +landed proprietor. The mansion, situated upon a gentle elevation, was +of old-time construction with the wide hall, large rooms and broad +staircases, and colonade of immense pillars supporting the roof of the +front porch. It was embowered in thick clusters of live oaks which +stood round in a kind of outer park, while the inner park was composed +of terraces covered with flowers and shrubbery, while thickets of rose +gardens seemed to stretch in every direction. An aged negro was the +only living being about the place. He told us that the place was +called "Roseland;" that old massa was dead; that the two boys were in +the army, and that Miss Minnie was at school in Raleigh, N.C. + + "A merry place, 'tis said, in days of yore: + But something ails it now."-- + +Vandal hands had done their accustomed work. The beautiful grounds +were sadly disfigured; the shrubbery was broken down; the crops and +forage had been gathered by alien hands, and only the poor ghost +remained of this once peaceful and happy home. + +During our encampment in South Carolina, we were notified of the death +of private R. G. Boling, at hospital in Richmond. Jas. H. Gant died on +the 18th of February; about the same time, Isaac F. Lane died at +Leesburg, N.C.; his remains were carried to Guilford. On the 1st of +March, James M. Lemons died at his home. On the 14th of April, Jas. S. +Hall died in hospital at Hardyville, S.C., and was buried in the +cemetery at Charleston. + +Private Sam Smith, unfit for active service, substituted Jas. E. +Lloyd, and private Jas. R. Wiley was discharged upon surgeon's +certificate on the 7th of February. + +On the 27th of March, corporal R. D. Weatherly was promoted to +sergeant-major of the regiment, and private William C. Story was +appointed corporal in his stead. + +On the 23d of April, we received orders to return to North Carolina. +We left Coosawhatchie the same day, arrived at Charleston, S.C., the +following day, and on the 25th reached Wilmington, N.C. We remained +in camp near Wilmington until the 5th of May, when we moved to +Magnolia. Remaining here a few days, we were moved to Goldsboro; from +here we were ordered to our old tramping-grounds near Kinston, where +we arrived on the 16th. Meanwhile, a detachment of the enemy from +Newberne, on a raiding expedition, had encountered General Ransom's +brigade near Gum Swamp. General Ransom undertook to drive them within +their lines, and made a feint upon Newberne. We formed a portion of +the troops engaged in this expedition, and succeeded in driving the +enemy within their lines, and destroying the block-houses they had +made for their defence. We gained nothing by this tramping, except a +few cases of malarial fever, occasioned by our swamp-wading. With the +exception of an occasional skirmish with the enemy's cavalry on +Batchelor's Creek, there is nothing worthy of mention during our +encampment in the vicinity of Kinston. We remained here until the 5th +of June, when once more we received orders to proceed to Virginia. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +In the latter part of April, 1863, the Army of the Potomac, under the +command of Major-General Hooker, occupied its position in front of +Fredericksburg. Here he constructed a formidable line of earthworks; +from which secure position, he purposed to move on General Lee's +flank. With this view, he crossed the Rappahannock and took position +at Chancellorsville. + +Meanwhile, General Lee, watching him, was entrenched on the line of +hills south of the Rappahannock, near Fredericksburg. + +On the 2d of May, these two confronting armies met each other, and +commenced the memorable engagements of Chancellorsville. "On this +field the star of Confederate destiny reached its zenith, when the +immortal Jackson fell wounded at the head of his victorious troops; it +began to set on the 10th of May, when Jackson was no more." + +General Lee, deeming the true policy now to take the aggressive, at +once set to work to manoeuver so as to draw Hooker's army from +Fredericksburg, and remove hostilities beyond the Potomac. + +In pursuance of this design, our army--now reorganized into three +corps, respectively commanded by Lieutenant-Generals Longstreet, +Ewell, and A. P. Hill--early in June moved northward, with the view of +marching into Maryland and Pennsylvania. On our arrival at Richmond, +on the 6th of June, we were assigned to Heth's division of A. P. +Hill's corps--which corps still occupied the lines in front of +Fredericksburg, the corps of Ewell and Longstreet having advanced as +far as Culpepper Court-House. On the night of the 13th, Hooker retired +from his position, and on the 14th the corps of A. P. Hill left for +the valley. At the urgent request of General Elzey, in command at +Richmond, our brigade (Cooke's) was retained there, and Davis' +Mississippi brigade was assigned to Heth's division in our stead; +through which circumstance, we failed to participate in the +Pennsylvania campaign and to share in the fatal battle of Gettysburg. + +On the 9th of June we were sent to the South Anna bridge, on the +Virginia Central road, to repel a threatened attack from the enemy's +cavalry. Remaining here until the 11th, we returned to Richmond, and +were ordered to Chapin's Bluff, on the James. John F. McQuiston joined +the company here. We remained at the Bluff only a few days, when we +were again returned to Richmond, and camped in the vicinity until the +8th of July. On the 11th, we moved to Taylorsville, on the R. & F.R.R. +Remaining here until the 1st of August, we moved to Fredericksburg, +and picketed the various fords on the Rappahannock. On the 28th, we +retraced our steps to Taylorsville, went into camp in pine forest near +the railroad, and passed the time quietly until the 24th of September. + +On the 13th of July, the shattered remnant of our army recrossed the +Potomac into Virginia. General Meade, now in command of the Federal +troops, advanced east of the mountains, and General Lee, so as to +confront him, moved his army, and established a line of defence along +the Rapidan River. In this position the two armies remained, in +comparative quiet, about two months. Early in October, General Lee, +with Ewell's and Hill's corps, crossed the Rapidan to attack Meade's +flank, or force him to retire from his position. + +The Grays, having been encamped at Gordonsville since the 24th of +September, were ordered to rejoin their corps, and on the 9th of +October we left Gordonsville, marching _via_ Madison Court-House, +where we camped on the 10th. On Sunday morning (11th), we reached +Culpepper Court-House. Just before our arrival it was ascertained that +Meade was on the farther side of the Rappahannock River, which would +render it necessary for our troops to make another flank movement. On +Monday, the 12th, therefore, we started for Warrenton. Passing near +Salem, we camped that night at Amisville. The next day, passing +Warrenton Springs, we reached Warrenton. On the morning of the 14th, +we resumed our march, and about ten o'clock we came upon a little +place called Grinage. Here we found the deserted camp of the enemy. +Their camp-fires were still burning, many articles of camp equipage +were lying around, everything showing that a panic had seized them and +that their retreat was hasty and terrified. We hastened on in pursuit, +at a rapid rate, capturing their stragglers at every turn. At the same +time, we knew that Ewell was driving another corps of the enemy on our +right up the Orange & Alexandria Railroad. Our men were in the highest +spirits, confident not only of victory, but of destroying or capturing +everything in front of us. We knew the river in their rear was +swollen, and possibly the bridges gone, and there would be no outlet +for them. Governor Vance's faithful ship, the "Advance," had come in +"heavily laden," and we were proudly and splendidly dressed in some of +the gray cloth of its cargo, which, but a few days before, we had +received; our hopes were buoyant, our rations plentiful, and it is +easy to imagine with what pace we kept up the pursuit. Reasonable +expectations doomed to a speedy and bitter disappointment! + +After keeping up the pursuit at this rapid rate for some three hours +along the main road leading to Bristoe station, our brigade filed out +into the woods upon our right when we arrived within a short distance +of the station. Cooke's brigade formed the advance of the pursuing +column, Kirkland's brigade followed, then came the remainder of A. P. +Hill's corps. At the time we filed to our right in the woods, +Kirkland's brigade moved up and filed off to the left of the road; the +rest of our corps was halted and _remained_ in the road in the rear. +Our brigade (Cooke's) was immediately thrown into line of battle, the +46th N.C. regiment on the extreme right, the 15th N.C. next, the 27th +N.C. next, and the 48th N.C. next, with their left resting upon the +main road. In this position we were ordered to move forward. Advancing +some five hundred yards through a dense forest of pines, we were halted +near a small stream in an open field. About 800 yards in our front and +to our left upon a hill, we could see several brigades of the enemy; +while in the road in their front a large wagon train was hurriedly +moving off. About this time a battery of guns concealed in the woods +opened a heavy fire upon our right flank, seemingly to cover the +retreat of their wagon train. Just then a courier from Gen. Heth handed +to Gen. Cooke orders from Gen. Hill to advance; in the meanwhile a +message was received from Col. Hall, commanding our right flank, +informing Gen. Cooke that the enemy had driven in his skirmishers and +was pressing him on his flank. Thereupon Cooke sent Heth's courier back +to him with the information that the enemy were in force upon his +right, and before he could advance that his flank must be protected. +The courier from Gen. Heth returned a second time with orders to +advance, and while delivering the orders one of Gen. Lee's +staff-officers rode up, and being informed of our situation, said to +Cooke that _he_ would go to Gen. Hill for him. Before he had time to +reach Gen. Hill, a courier arrived _direct_ from Hill to Gen. Cooke +with orders to _advance at once_. Cooke replied, "I will do so, and if +I am flanked I will face about and cut my way out," and immediately +gave the command "forward!" Advancing at a quick step up a slight +elevation we came in full view of the enemy. Simultaneous with our +advance five pieces of our artillery, posted in the main road upon our +left, opened fire on the enemy in sight, who retired apparently in +confusion. + +About 800 yards in the valley in our front ran the track of the Orange +& Alexandria Railroad. The road here formed an embankment from six to +eight feet high, extending far enough to overlap our brigade and a +portion of Kirkland's on our left. The space between us and the +railroad was a barren, open field, descending with a gradual declivity +to the railroad embankment. Across and beyond the railroad about 300 +yards, upon a considerable elevation, were extensive woods and +thickets; here the enemy had posted their artillery. In front of +these woods, and on the face of the hill descending to the railroad +embankment, was posted what we then supposed was the enemy's skirmish +line, but which proved to be a decoy, for the troops which had retired +at the firing of our artillery in the road, and a large body of those +who had been retreating before Ewell, had stretched themselves behind +the railroad embankment, forming their real line of battle, which +consisted of the entire second corps and one division of the 5th corps +of Meade's army. + +We had advanced rapidly some 25 yards when our regiment, being +slightly in advance, was halted until the regiments upon our right and +left came up. Here we discovered for the first time the real position +of the enemy behind the railroad embankment. We were going down the +hill; they, secure behind the bank, had only to lie down on the slope, +rest their muskets on the track of the railroad and sweep the open +field as we attacked. The attack was made. + + "Not tho' the soldier knew, + Some one had blundered: + Their's not to make reply, + Their's not to reason why, + Their's but to do and die; + Into the Valley of Death, + Into the mouth of Hell, + Stormed at with shot and shell, + Marched the six hundred." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +We had scarcely emerged from the woods and began to advance down the +hill, when Gen. Cooke, in command of the brigade, was shot and fell +from his horse severely wounded. Col. Gilmer, in command of our +regiment, was shot down about the same moment. The command of the +brigade now devolved upon Col. Hall, of the 46th N.C. regiment, and +the command of our regiment fell upon Lieut.-Col. Whitfield. We were +now suffering from the terrific fire of the enemy's artillery posted +in the thickets on the elevation beyond the railroad, and from the +murderous fire of their infantry in safe position behind the +embankment. Col. Whitfield seeing that our entire force would soon be +annihilated by the concentrated fire of the enemy, reported to Col. +Hall that the brigade must either retreat or make a charge. Col. Hall +thought a charge was the best to be done, and Col. Whitfield gave the +order to advance. In a moment we were double-quicking down the hill, +our men falling at every step. When we came to within a few yards of +the railroad, the enemy rose up from behind the embankment and poured +a volley into our ranks which almost swept the remnant of us out of +existence. At this juncture some of our company sought shelter in a +little shanty on our left, where they were afterwards captured by the +enemy. Col. Whitfield was now shot down, and Major Webb assumed the +command. In our perilous condition but two courses were open, either +to surrender or to take our chance in a retreat up the hill, the +descent of which had been so disastrous. Major Webb chose the latter +and gave the order to fall back. + +During our advance our colors were cut down three times. The third +time they were caught up by corporal William C. Story, of the Grays, +on the color-guard, and carried by him during the rest of the fight. +For his gallantry upon this occasion he was complimented in special +orders, and was afterwards appointed ensign of the regiment, with the +rank of lieutenant. The cause of the war may be forgotten, but the +achievements of each soldier are the common property and common glory +of the country, and are imperishable. The calm and cool courage +displayed by this young lad of Guilford, who bore so well the brunt of +this hard-fought field is worthy of the heroes who fell at Culloden. +He bore the flag of his country's trust until the surrender. He +returned to his home broken down in health, and in a few months +surrendered to his last enemy--Death! In the quiet church yard at +Tabernacle, in the southeastern part of Guilford, Story sleeps near +those who loved him. In this consecrated spot may memory come to +embalm his name, and love bedew with her fondest tears the turf which +wraps his clay. + +We continued to fall back, under a continuous deadly fire, until we +had passed the brow of the hill, and were under shelter. + + "They that had fought so well + Came back from the mouth of Hell-- + All that was left of them." + +During the night the enemy continued their retreat toward Centreville. +We, with litters and canteens of water, repaired to the battle-field +to care for our wounded, where "Death wagged his slim jaws gleefully +over his feast," and gorged himself with many more victims ere the +dawn of the 15th. + +The Grays went into this battle with three commissioned officers, four +Sergeants, four Corporals, and fifty-two privates. + +Killed: First Lieutenant John H. McKnight; privates John Cannady, +Henry Crider, and John T. Sockwell were killed on the field. + +Wounded: Capt. John A. Sloan, Corporal C. W. Stratford, Sergeant Chas. +A. Campbell; privates Emsley F. Shuler, W. Burnsides, Henry G. Coble, +Lewis N. Isley, Wm. D. Dennis, L. L. Lineberry, J. W. McDowell, Robt. +B. McLean, William May, Cyrus Crowson, A. L. Orrell, Rufus B. Gibson, +Samuel Gray, R. S. Smith, W. M. Summers, were wounded. Sergeant E. M. +Crowson was wounded, taken prisoner, and died of his wounds at Point +Lookout, Jan. 23, 1864. Private H. Rufus Forbis died of his wounds at +Richmond, Oct. 27, 1863. Joseph E. Rankin died of wounds, October 24. +W. F. Hunter died of his wounds, Nov. 7, and John W. McNairy lost a +leg. + +Prisoners: Sergeant W. U. Steiner (wounded and captured); privates H. +M. Boon, Paul Crutchfield, Jno. Coltrain, Geo. W. Lemons, James M. +Marsh, James A. Orrell, Wilbur F. Owen, Jas. R. Pearce, Andrew L. +Stanley, Paisley Sheppard, T. M. Woodburn, R. B. Worrell, Geo. H. +Woolen, Thos. R. Greeson, and Jas. L. Wilson were captured and carried +to Point Lookout. + +Walter Greene, who was detached as courier to Gen. Cooke, was shot +from his horse, and severely but not seriously wounded. + +Sergeant-Major Robert D. Weatherly was mortally wounded, and died of +his wounds in Richmond, October 24, 1863. He served in the ranks of +the Grays from their organization as private and corporal, until the +21st of March, when he received the appointment of Sergeant-Major of +our regiment. Bob was a noble boy, and bravest of the brave. Fear was +no word in his vocabulary. He was always at his post, and though +slight in stature, his form was ever seen in the thickest of the +fight. His remains were carried to Greensboro, and buried in the +Presbyterian church-yard. + +John H. McKnight, at the outbreak of the war, was quietly pursuing his +studies at Trinity College. When we received our orders to go to Fort +Macon, he left his books and joined his company at the depot, on the +night of the 19th of April, 1861, and served as private, corporal, and +sergeant until September 17th, when he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. +He fell at Bristoe mortally wounded, foremost in the charge; was left +on the field, and captured by the enemy. On the morning of the 15th, +we found his body in the thicket beyond the railroad, where the enemy +had left him to die. Here we buried him. His remains were afterwards +removed, and interred in the cemetery at Greensboro. + +These two noble boys sleep among their loved ones, where, each +returning spring, loving hands may plant the flowers which speak of +the resurrection of the true and just, and of the land where eternal +summer reigns. + + "May young April o'er their lowly mounds + Shake the violets from her hair, + And glorious June with fervid kiss + Ever bid the roses blossom there." + +A worse-managed affair than this fight at Bristoe Station did not take +place during the war. With the rest of our corps in the rear, at a +moment's call, Cooke's and Kirkland's North Carolina brigades were +made to fight this battle alone. President Davis characterized it "as +a rash and ill-conducted affair." Col. Taylor says that "too few of +our corps was engaged; it was unpardonable mismanagement, and there +was no earthly excuse for it." Gen. Lee said to the officer who +essayed to explain to him this occurrence: "Bury your _poor dead_, +and say nothing more about it." + +This terminated Gen. Lee's attempt to bring on a pitched battle with +Gen. Meade. + +On the following day we were busy burying our dead. Our wounded were +all cared for, and sent off in ambulances and wagons. On the 16th, we +were employed in destroying the railroad track, which we did most +effectually, as far down as Rappahannock Station. On the 19th, we +crossed the Rappahannock River, went into camp, and remained until the +6th of November. + +On the 7th, our forces met with another surprise at Kelley's Ford, on +the Rappahannock River, which resulted in the loss of several hundred +of our men and some few pieces of artillery. The loss of this position +made it necessary to abandon the design of our making an attack, and +on the 9th we were withdrawn to near Culpepper Court-House; at night +we fell back across Robertson River. This position not being regarded +as favorable, we returned to the south side of the Rapidan on the +following night. We picketed along this river, above Rapidan Station, +until the 26th of November. + +At this time, the army under Gen. Meade crossed the Rapidan, and we +were busy getting ready for a counter-move, as he was supposed to be +moving down the river. At the dawn of day, on the 27th, we were on our +way to meet Meade's army. The weather was intensely cold, and our men +suffered greatly. + +We proceeded to advance towards Fredericksburg. In the evening we met +the enemy, and had quite a skirmish, losing several men from the +regiment. On Saturday, a position was selected on the line of Mine +Run, and in a short while we were strongly entrenched, and anxious for +the enemy to attack us. On Monday, the 30th, the enemy being in our +immediate front, we certainly expected an attack. They were found to +be busily entrenching, also, and Tuesday passed without any +demonstration. + +As Gen. Meade seemed reluctant to bring on an engagement, Gen. Lee +determined to assail him; consequently, during the night, he made +necessary arrangements for a grand battle. When dawn broke over the +hills on the morning of the 2d of December, Meade's camps were found +deserted, and his army fast making their way back to the river. We +immediately made pursuit, but he had too much the start and reached +the north side of the Rapidan before we could overtake him. Both +armies then retired to their original positions on the Rapidan. We +returned to our winter quarters which we had prepared, about 3-1/2 +miles south-east from Orange C.H. We were then, in turn, employed +in picketing along the Rapidan until the 4th of February, when we +were relieved by Kirkland's North Carolina brigade, and we again +sought shelter in our log cabins. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +On the 18th of December, Lieutenant Frank A. Hanner was promoted to +1st Lieutenant, vice Lieutenant McKnight killed. Orderly Sergeant +Chas. A. Campbell to 2d Lieutenant, Jr.; Sergeant William M. Paisley +was appointed Orderly Sergeant; Corporal C. W. Stratford, Sergeant, +and privates Alfred W. Klutts and Rufus B. Gibson were promoted to +Corporals. + +During the month of December, under special orders No. 72, Lee's +headquarters, a general court martial was convened for our (Heth's) +division. Capt. J. A. Sloan was detailed as judge-advocate; Col. R. +Mayo, of the 47th Virginia regiment, as president, and Sergeant +William U. Steiner, of the Grays, appointed recorder. With the +exception of a temporary suspension in February and again in March, to +accompany our several commands on expeditions made at those times, the +court was in regular session at Orange Court-House. In the meanwhile +Lieutenant Banner was in command of the Grays. + +On the 8th of January, private Chas. W. Westbrooks, our company +chaplain, and known as our "fighting parson," was discharged by order +of the Secretary of War, and received an appointment as regular +chaplain in the army. Charlie preached as he shot without fear and to +the mark. + +On the 16th of January, private Henry G. Kellogg, at home on surgeon's +certificate, was permanently detailed in the commissary department at +Salisbury, North Carolina. + +On the 18th of February, W. H. Donnell joined the company. + +On the 20th, Corporal Thomas J. Rhodes was promoted to Sergeant, and +private Richard S. Smith was appointed Corporal. + +On the 1st of March, Preston P. Dick joined the company. At the same +time private Henry W. Ayer, who joined the Grays in May, 1863, was +transferred to company "C," 48th N.C. regiment. + +On the 12th, H. Smiley Forbis died of disease at hospital in +Lynchburg, Va. + +On the 31st, private A. Laffayette Orrell was transferred to the C.S. +Navy, "or words to that effect." + +On the 13th of April, private Pleasant Ricks died in camp of typhoid +fever. + +On the 25th, E. Tonkey Sharpe was detached, by order of Gen. Heth, for +duty with the provost guard. + +On our return from the Mine Run "freeze-out," we planned, built, and +improved our winter quarters, and soon had a city of log cabins. It +was now our turn to watch the wary "yank" on the borders of the +Rapidan, and we picketed up and down the stream in the cold and ice +until early in February, when Kirkland's N.C. brigade was sent to our +relief. + +While we were in camp near Orange Court-House in December, 1863, the +good mothers, wives, and daughters of Virginia, with the ready hands +and loving hearts that had always characterized them from the +beginning to the end of the fearful struggle, bethought themselves to +give Lee's army a Christmas dinner. Every pantry, turkey-roost, and +hog-pen in the dear old State was called upon to furnish its quota for +the feast. Our infinitesimal ration dimmed with the prospect, and we +looked forward to that day, which ever stirs all the better and +sweeter impulses of our humanity, with longing desires. In our log +cabins we lay upon our hard beds and dreamed of its past celebrations, +of its anthems and its carols; we thought of its bays and its wreaths +of evergreen; its sprigs of holly in the parlor, and the sacred +immortelles around the portraits of the lost ones; its gift-giving and +all those interchanges of tokens that make friendship sweet; its +suppressions of self; its lessons of generosity, and its going out to +others. Need you wonder, under these circumstances, that Lee's hungry +rebels were all anticipation. The day was ushered in with a snow +storm, but, nothing daunted, our brigade wagon was soon on its way +to the depot to receive our share of the feast; but, unfortunately, +these same pantrys, turkey-roosts, and hog-pens had been invaded so +often before that our part of the grand dinner assumed microscopic +proportions, and the wagon returned with about a half-bushel measure +of dissected gobblers--our Christmas dinner! + + "O, ever thus, from childhood's hour"-- + +Early in February we received a most delightful and interesting visit +from Greensboro's eminent divine, Rev. J. Henry Smith, who preached +for as in the large log tabernacle erected by the boys for divine +service. During his visit the cry of the "Philistines be upon you" +from the other side of the river was heard, and we were ordered out to +resist the threatened attack. The parson exhibited an eagerness to +become a "soldier of Lee" for the occasion. After spending two days +and nights of bitter cold weather on the banks of the Rapidan, the +enemy making no further demonstrations, we were returned to our +quarters. + +On the 26th of February, three formidable columns of cavalry, under +the command respectively of Generals Kilpatrick, Custer, and Col. +Dahlgren, proceeded by different routes towards Richmond to surprise +and, if possible, capture the city; and, if successful, to sack and +burn the city, pillage the buildings, and kill "old Jeff Davis and his +cabinet." In the meanwhile two corps of the enemy crossed the river +and proceeded to Madison Court-House; their object being, by a feint, +to cover their cavalry demonstration upon Richmond. Two days later +another army corps left for Madison, and our corps (Hill's) was +ordered to follow them. We left our camp before day on the morning of +March 1st and reached Madison late in the evening, after a long and +weary march in the rain and mud. On our arrival we found that the +enemy had retired, and were returning to their former position on the +Rapidan. The weather turned very cold during the night, and the next +morning we retraced our steps through snow and ice to our camp, the +men suffering greatly from fatigue and cold. We remained quietly in +our winter quarters until the 4th of May. + +Sometime in March, 1864, Major-General Ulysses S. Grant was appointed +Lieutenant-General and assumed command of the armies of the United +States. In April he made his headquarters at Culpepper Court-House, and +took personal command of the army of the Potomac. During the months of +March and April re-enforcements were gathered from the four quarters +of the globe and sent to this army. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +On the 1st day of May, the official return of the Army of the Potomac +showed, present for duty, one hundred and forty-one thousand one +hundred and sixty men, of all arms. General Lee had, in round numbers, +sixty-four thousand men. + +I give the relative strength of the two armies, in order that the +reader may have a proper appreciation of the difficulties which beset +our army in thwarting the designs of our wily adversary, in the +campaign we were now just entering. That the brilliant genius of our +immortal Lee, made amends for paucity in numbers, and proved more than +a match for brutal force, the bloody field extending from the +Wilderness to the James River will attest. + +On the 3d of May, our army held the south bank of the Rapidan River. +Its right rested near the mouth of Mine Run; its left extended as far +as Liberty Mills, on the road to Gordonsville. Grant, with his main +body encamped in Culpepper County, occupied the north hank of the +Rapidan. On the 4th of May, Grant crossed his forces to the south +side, and began his advance into the "Wilderness." + +Running eastwardly to Fredericksburg, from Orange Court-House, are two +parallel roads; the one nearest the river is called the "Stone +Turnpike," and the other the "Plank-Road." + +As soon as Grant's movements were known, our army was put in motion. +On the morning of the 4th, our division (Heth's) and Wilcox's, of A. +P. Hill's corps, moved eastwardly along the "Plank-Road." Simultaneously +Ewell's corps moved on the stone turnpike. That night we bivouacked at +Verdiersville, near where we fought the battle of Mine Run. + +The "Wilderness" is an almost impenetrable thicket of undergrowth; and +our sagacious Lee resolved to fight Grant in these pathless woods, +where their artillery would be least available, and where their +massive columns would be most embarrassed in their movements. + +On the morning of the 5th, we resumed our march, with Kirkland's +brigade, of our division, in front. About one o'clock, our +advance-guard came upon a body of the enemy, and a spirited musketry +fire was opened in our front. Kirkland's brigade at once deployed on +both sides of the "Plank-Road," and Cooke's brigade was thrown into +line of battle with our regiment (27th), on the left of the road. +About three o'clock, our skirmishers were driven in by a massive +column of the enemy, who advanced firing rapidly. Thus commenced the +"Wilderness" fight; and the bloody contest continued until near +sundown. + +This stubborn and heroic resistance was made by the divisions of +Heth's and Wilcox's, fifteen thousand strong, against the repeated +assaults of four divisions of Hancock's and one division of Sedgwick's +corps, numbering about forty-five thousand men. After dark, we were +relieved by Kirkland's brigade. As we were retiring from our position, +we got into a country-road, parallel to the "Plank-Road," and had +proceeded but a short distance, when my attention was directed to a +similar body of troops, marching quietly in the road with us; the +night was very dark, and it was difficult to distinguish friend from +foe. I felt some anxiety, as they seemed to possess uniform knapsacks +and were of better appearance than our men, to know who they were. I +therefore approached their column, and found to my utter astonishment +that they were "blue-coats." I immediately rushed to Col. Whitfield, +and informed him of our situation. He replied, "Impossible!" On close +inspection, he found that they were really Federal troops. He drew his +pistol, and, in a surprised and excited manner, called out: "Yes, they +are Yankees! Shoot them, boys! Shoot them!" Some few guns were fired; +but as the surprise was so great both upon our part and that of our +"Yankee brethren," a hasty retreat was made on both sides, and each +soon lost the other in the darkness. They were evidently on the wrong +road "to get out of the Wilderness." + +We soon reached the "Plank-Road," and were marched to the rear about +one and a-half miles to a ridge, upon which our line was established. +Our men began at once to fortify; and while we had no implements for +the purpose, we succeeded, by the aid of our bayonets and tin-cups, to +build what proved to be on the following day a great protection. + +During the progress of the battle on the 5th, there came a lull in the +firing and an almost deathlike stillness prevailed, as though the god +of war had stopped a minute to take a long breath, and pull himself +together for a fresh start. Presently, a sharp, quick report of a +rifle from the other side broke the stillness. Simultaneously with the +report, private Wash Williams was struck and painfully wounded. He +uttered a long, loud yell, which seemed to reverberate up and down the +lines for at least a mile. Almost immediately afterwards, a gun was +fired from our side, and some one on the Yankee line mimicked the cry +of Williams perfectly. This incident created general laughter on both +sides, thus giving the opposing forces an idea of each other's +position, and the contest opened in good earnest. + +Our casualties in this, the first of the series of battles of this +campaign, were as follows: Privates Sam'l F. McLean and Louis +Lineberry were killed. Sergeant C. W. Stratford, Corporal A. W. +Klutts, privates Frank G. Chilcutt, William Horney, R. B. Tate, Jas. +M. Hardin, Wash. Williams, Thos. R. Greeson, Sam'l Hiatt, John R. +Siler, and Jas. L. Wilson were wounded. Chilcutt lost an arm, Horney +lost a leg, and R. B. Tate died of his wounds in July, 1864. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +At dawn on the morning of the 6th the enemy, having been re-enforced +by the 9th army corps under Gen. Burnside, and a fresh division +commanded by Wadsworth, advanced. + +The intervening space between the position now held by our brigade, +and the point at which we fought on the 5th, was occupied by our +(Hill's) corps camped in irregular order, and in no condition for an +assault; consequently, when the enemy made their advance and attacked, +these forces were thrown into confusion and driven back to the line +where our brigade had formed the night previous. After a severe +contest a portion of Heth's and Wilcox's divisions were overpowered +and forced to fall back; our brigade, under protection of our hastily +constructed earthworks, held its position. The condition of affairs +was now assuming a very critical phase, when Kershaw's brigade of +South Carolinians, of Longstreet's corps, arrived upon the scene and +for a short while arrested their further advance. The repulsed +portions of our divisions were in considerable disorder, and the +battle began to rage with intense fury. + +General Lee, anxious and appreciating the impending crisis, rode up +with hat in hand, dashed among the men, and calling upon them to +rally, said he would lead the charge. The reins of his horse were +seized by the men and he was told he must go "to the rear," or they +would not go forward. Being evidently touched at this manifestation of +anxiety upon the part of his men the great, grand, and towering old +hero waved his hand and retired. In a few moments Anderson's gallant +Texas boys came up at a double-quick, deployed into line of battle, +and, with Longstreet at their head, went forward with a yell. Major +Webb, while standing on our works cheering, was severely wounded and +retired to the rear. In a short while the ground lost by our troops +was recovered, and the enemy forced back to the position originally +held by them. General Longstreet now took the defensive, and about +mid-day made an attack on their rear and left flank. The assault +resulted in their utter rout, and they were forced back some distance +in rear of the lines occupied by them on the 5th. So far, this +movement was a complete success, and Longstreet began preparations to +follow up his advantages with a flank movement by the Brock road. + +While advancing at the head of Gen. Jenkins' brigade, a portion of his +flanking column, which had continued through the woods in the former +charge, mistaking the brigade for the enemy fired into them, killing +Gen. Jenkins, and seriously wounding Gen. Longstreet. This unfortunate +and strange fatality checked our forward movement, and afforded the +enemy time and opportunity to rally and reform behind their +entrenchments. + +At dark we began to move slowly to the right, and after we had +proceeded about one mile a rebel yell, as if a rushing mighty wind, +rolled down upon us from the right of our lines. Our army now was in a +continuous line of battle, and the cheering was taken up spontaneously +by brigade after brigade until it swelled into one exulting roar of +defiance. At first it seemed like the soft murmuring of the wind in +the tree tops, and as it came nearer it made one vast tempest of +sound, and thus it swayed back and forth for some time. Its effect was +tragic in the extreme, and I readily recall the sensation it produced +upon all at the time. The enemy's pickets thought we were making a +grand charge and fled so precipitately to their main line that, as the +prisoners we captured the next day informed us, they were fired into +by their own men and many of them killed. + +On the morning of the 7th an advance was made and Grant was found to +have retired from his line of works on his right. We had several +skirmishes, and desultory firing continued during the day. + +He now attempted by a flank movement to secure possession of +Spottsylvania Court-House, and Warren's corps, of his advance guard, +marched out of the Wilderness by the Brock road. On his arrival at the +Po River, on the following day, he found in his path, ready to dispute +his passage, Gen. R. H. Anderson's division of Longstreet's corps. +Each army, now forming on its advance guard as a nucleus, swung round, +and on the 9th confronted each other in line of battle. + +On our march on the 8th we were interrupted by several skirmishes, and +were frequently shelled by the enemy. In the evening we reached +Spottsylvania Court-House, and were placed in line, without regard to +alignment, a short distance to the left of the court-house building, +where we at once proceeded to fortify. We were moved afterwards to +different parts of the lines, but finally took our position not far +from where we first halted. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +On the 10th Barlow's division made an attack upon our left and +obtained temporary possession of a portion of Ewell's line. Gen. Lee +said that these lines must be re-established, if he had to attend to +it in person. Our (Heth's) division was called upon to do the work. We +received our orders and were soon in readiness. Advancing cautiously +for some little time, we came upon the enemy about one mile this side +of a branch of the Po, we deployed into line and began to push them +back. They finally halted in some earth-works, freshly thrown up, in +front of Mrs. Graves' house, in front of which was a large open field. +As soon as we got into the road running parallel to these works, we +were halted and reformed, and, after some little delay, we were +ordered to charge their works and drive them away. We charged across +the open field under a heavy fire of artillery from their batteries on +the hills beyond the little stream, which ran a short distance in the +rear of their earth-works. Before we reached the works they, deeming +"prudence the better part of valor," fled and made good their retreat, +leaving behind them one piece of artillery, their dead and wounded, +and several prisoners. We remained several hours at their works under +a heavy shelling; some few of the shells exploding in our ranks. Gen. +Cooke was slightly wounded in the charge, and Ensign W. C. Story, +after we reached the works. We were finally withdrawn and marched back +to our position on the main lines, after we had recovered the lost +ground and forced the enemy to relinquish their temporary advantage. +The 11th was passed in comparative quiet, with the exception of our +usual salutation from the enemy's batteries. They made daily practice +on our works, and endeavored to batter down and destroy the buildings +in the village. They appeared to have a special spite at the little +brick church immediately in rear of our regiment, occupied by our +surgeon (Dr. Hunt) as a _dispensary_. "Gwin" had hardly "opened +up" when a wicked shell came thundering through the gable, and he +concluded to vacate, which he did in considerable disorder. When we +quit our lines the little church was sadly in need of a contribution +box. + +During the night of the 11th the enemy, under the cover of the dense +woods, advanced without discovery, and massed a large force in Ewell's +front at the point known as the "salient," which was occupied by Gen. +Edward Johnson's division. On the next morning at daylight these +troops vigorously attacked and overran this portion of our lines and +captured most of the division, including its commander, who was +quietly enjoying his breakfast. + +General Lee at once hurried troops from our right and left, and made +dispositions to dispute their further progress. As Harris' Mississippi +brigade was coming up at double quick, Gen. Lee, already in a very +exposed position, now joined them and started to the front with them. +The minies were flying fast and thick, and shot and shell ploughing +the ground and bursting in the air. As they neared the lines a +round-shot struck immediately in front of the grand old chieftain, and +caused him to halt and take breath. The officers and men now plead and +insisted that he should retire from this exposed position. He, in his +calm manner, his feelings exhibiting a purity and nobleness of heart +never witnessed in any hero of ancient or modern time, replied: "If +you will promise to drive _those people_ from our works I will go +back." The brigade quickly shouted the promise, and in a moment +commenced the most terrific musketry-fire that took place during the +war. + + "From the side of the salient in the possession of the Federals, + and the new line forming the base of the triangle occupied by the + Confederates, poured forth, from continuous lines of hissing fire, + an incessant hail of deadly missiles. No living man nor thing + could stand within the doomed space embraced within those angry + lines; even large trees were felled, their trunks cut in twain by + the bullets of small arms. Never did the troops on either side + display greater valor and determination. After several + hand-to-hand conflicts, while we failed to dislodge the enemy, the + assault which threatened such serious consequences was checked, + and the result of the advantage to the enemy was limited to the + possession of the narrow space of the salient and the capture of + Johnson's division. The loss of this fine body of troops was + seriously felt by Gen. Lee, and, though his army was sadly reduced + by this and a week's incessant fighting, his lines, thus forcibly + rectified, proved thereafter impregnable." + +While this desperate attack was going on, our (Heth's) division and +Mahone's were moved to the left near the Fredericksburg road, to make +a feint and create a diversion. We leaped over our works, and formed +inside of them, to make the movement, and bravely did the boys move +off, although nothing is so demoralizing to troops as to leave +breastworks to do battle inside of them. We attacked the enemy, and +drove them from two lines into a third. Finding that they were getting +re-enforcements, and in a fortified position, we were gradually +withdrawn to our former position on the main lines. + +Several days of comparative quiet now ensued, during which time Grant +was refurnishing his decimated brigades with heavy re-enforcements +from Washington. In his official report to the 39th Congress, he said: +"The time from the 13th to the 18th was consumed in manoeuvering and +awaiting the arrival of re-enforcements." + +After covering the entire front of our army with _double_ lines, he +still had a large reserve force with which to extend his flank and +compel a corresponding move upon our part, in order to keep between him +and Richmond. + +On the 18th, Gen. Grant made his final and desperate attack, by +hurling division after division against our lines. He commenced the +attack in the morning, and soon the battle became continuous along the +lines, and raged with the utmost fury and desperation. The cannon's +shot and shell seemed winged with impetuous rage, and with hissing red +flame bellowed through the air and over hill and plain, withering and +blasting everything in their flight. War had now indeed stalked forth +unmasked from his infernal den. In the smoke and carnage, Grant drove +his troops mercilessly up to the slaughter, but it produced no +impression, and the hopeless task was relinquished. + +We had now completed twelve days of battle at Spottsylvania, and at no +time, day or night, did the firing on the lines entirely cease. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + +General Grant, giving up all hope of succeeding in his plans by direct +assault, on the night of the 20th began a flank movement in the +direction of Bowling Green, hoping thereby to interpose between our +army and the long-coveted Richmond. On the 21st, Wright's corps began +the initiative and moved southward. + +To counteract and defeat this new purpose, General Lee, at midnight, +dispatched Longstreet's corps on the road leading to Hanover Junction. +On the day and night of the 21st, Ewell's and Hill's (our) corps +marched for the same point. + +The twelve long days and nights, in the trenches at Spottsylvania, of +weary watching and desperate fighting, was telling on our men, and +nothing but the indomitable courage and hope of success, which at all +times and under all circumstances characterized the starved and ragged +Confederates, sustained them. They placed every confidence in their +great and good leader, and looked forward to the time when the +sunlight of this hope, with its golden radiance, would remove the veil +and permit them to look out on the long and lovely paths that wind, +amid beauty, to the far-off but glittering temples of their dreams, +and find them realities. + + "What can we not endure, + When pains are lessened by the hope of cure?" + +During the day and the night of the 22d, we continued our toilsome +march. + +On these long marches, to prevent straggling, we are frequently halted +for a rest, and this opportunity is taken by those who have fallen +back to catch up with their commands. Any one passing through the +troops at this time, be he officer or private, had to run the gauntlet +of the gibes and witticisms of the men. On one occasion, while thus +resting, a very tall, lean, lank soldier of the 5th "Georgy Regiment," +appeared in the road, dragging along his weary length. His long black +tousled hair hung in uncombed ringlets from the holes in his rimless +hat; his coat or jacket, a very scant pattern of gray jeans, seemed to +be widely at variance with his copperas-colored breeches, as the +leather strings attached to them by thorns, to serve as "gallasses," +failed to effect a compromise between the two; the pants, from his +oft-repeated restings, had been badly attacked and routed in the rear, +and, from long use, "swunk up" in apparent fright from his sockless +pedal extremities, whose coverings of untanned leather were held +together by a withe as a shoe-string. In form and stature, he was +modeled strictly after the heron. His avoirdupois gave evidence of +unswerving observance of forty days' Lenten season, and that in soul +and body he had, and was now, wrestling with that plague incident and +concomitant to the experience of every soldier, called the "dia-ree." + +As he approached near where our regimental band was seated, at the head +of the regiment, he appeared to halt from sheer exhaustion, and, as he +did so, he came to an order and leaned in rest upon his gun. Near him +stood, leaning on his drum, the tall bass-drum beater (Bill Burroughs) +of the band. Bill was a fellow of "infinite jest," and possessed one of +those large souls, full of sympathy and concern for the woes of others. +He turned to this gaunt straggler, supposing him to be "somebody's +darling," and entered into conversation with him. The "poor fellow" in +detail related his hairbreadth escapes from battle, hunger, exposure, +&c. When he had scarcely told all, Bill remarked to him that he ought +to take notes for some _future historian_, and by all means to keep a +diary. He raised his head, and as his eyes dimmed with the starting +tear, now coursing down his bronzed and furrowed cheek, he replied, +"Lord! stranger, that's what ails me now, I have had _it_ nigh-on-to +four months." The generous _cords_ of Burroughs' haversack and canteen +were unloosed and their gratuitous contents speedily disappeared. The +order was now given to "fall in." The "Georgy" fellow shouldered his +gun, and Bill swung his big drum on his back. Just as they parted the +soldier extended his long bony fingers and grasped the hand of his Good +Samaritan, thanked him kindly, and, in subdued tones of feigned grief, +said: "My stranger friend, I am so much obleeged to you; can you not +further oblige me by picking a tune for a sick man on that _thare +instrument_." Thus agreeably employed our history leaves them--and we +return to the course of our story. + +On the morning of the 23d we reached the North Anna River in advance +of the enemy, and about daylight crossed to the south side. Warren's +corps crossed at Jericho ford without opposition. Hancock's corps +attempted to cross lower down, at the county bridge. Our brigade +obstinately resisted them, and they did not succeed in crossing until +the 24th. + +General Cooke relates an interesting incident which occurred during the +progress of Grant's army to the North Anna, as told by a prominent +citizen of Caroline County, Va., who was captured by Grant in the +march. He says: "Grant had halted at a house on the roadside with a +number of his officers around him with whom he was discussing with deep +interest the movements in progress. During the discussion Grant pulled +out his watch, and opening it, said: 'Gentlemen, if we do not hear +firing in ten minutes we will _at last_ have gotten ahead of Lee!' He +stood quietly, watch in hand, an occasional remark, only, breaking the +silence, when, scarcely five minutes having elapsed, the booming of +guns was heard in the direction of Hanover Junction. He closed his +watch and impatiently remarked, 'I'll be _damned_ if he has not beaten +us again!' And so it was, as our brigade was at the time resisting +Hancock." + +General Lee, on the next day, did not further dispute in force the +crossing of the enemy, but formed his lines with his left resting on +Little River, and his right near the North Anna below the enemy, +covering Hanover Junction. Here he awaited attack. + +Owing to our well-selected position, Grant could not get at our +flanks; and to take us by direct assault, after his bitter experience +at Spottsylvania, caused him to "pause, ponder, study, and plan." + +Perceiving he had made a blunder, and that his army was in a position +of much peril, he, on the night of the 26th, recrossed to the north +side of the river, and made another _detour_ to the eastward, as far +down as the Pamunkey River. + +On the 28th he crossed the Pamunkey at Hanovertown. On the 30th his +advance ran against our brigade, on the left of our lines, at Atlee's +Station, where we entertained him for some little time to his +discomfiture. The next day we had a sharp engagement near Tolopotomy +creek, and on June 1st, they attacked us in heavy force at Pole-Green +church, the skirmish continuing for some time. Our brigade and +regiment suffered considerably from their shells and sharpshooters. + +Lieutenant Chas. A. Campbell was mortally wounded and was carried +to the rear, where he died the next day. Campbell was one of the +"original panel," serving as private until April, 1862, corporal +until August, when he was promoted to sergeant. He was wounded at the +battle of Sharpsburg. On his return to his command, November 1st, he +was appointed Orderly Sergeant, serving as such until the 11th of +December, when he was promoted to Junior 2d Lieutenant. With the +exception of a short furlough from camp at Orange Court-House, he was +always at his post, ready and cheerful at all times to perform his +duties. Soon after he was shot down, he was carried to the field +hospital, where he died and was buried the following day. As he passed +me on his litter, he stretched out his almost pulseless arm and +remarked, "Goodbye, Captain; if I don't come back, tell them I fell +fighting at the front." + + God's peace be with him in his rest, + Lone dweller in the stranger's land. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + +On the 3d of June the two armies were brought face to face at Cold +Harbor, where but two years before "Little Mc" had struggled in vain +for the mastery. + +On the night of the 2d our brigade was placed in line on the extreme +left, with our regiment upon what is known as Pharr's farm. As soon as +we were halted we began to fortify, and by early dawn had constructed +good temporary works. Owing to the dense, heavy body of woods the enemy +were enabled to make near approaches in our front, and previous to +their advance, on the following morning, we could hear distinctly the +orders given by their officers. After some little firing by their +sharpshooters, about 8 o'clock, they began to attack, and kept up their +assaults until late in the evening. Brigade after brigade was hurled +against us, until the ground in our front was literally covered with +their dead and wounded. Their assaults were repulsed along the whole +line. Finally, when the order was given to renew the attack, their men +sullenly and emphatically refused to move forward under our withering +fire. The prisoners we captured denounced and cursed Grant for this +slaughter, and dubbed him the "champion butcher." + +In the evening a battery of artillery was sent to our aid. They came up +at a gallop and endeavored to take position on a slight elevation, in +the skirt of pines, immediately in rear of our regiment. Before they +had time to unlimber, every horse in the battery was shot down. The men +then endeavored to run the guns forward by hand, when nearly all the +men were killed or wounded. One gun only was gotten in position, and it +rendered but little service before it was dismantled. Having been under +constant fire, and firing rapidly all day ourselves--each man averaging +two hundred rounds of cartridges--it became necessary to replenish our +ammunition. An attempt to go to the rear, or to leave our works in any +direction, was almost certain death. Lieut.-Col. Whitfield, who was now +in command of our regiment, disliked to force a detail to go to the +wagons for ammunition, and therefore called for volunteers. A +sufficient number came forward at once, and set out on their perilous +expedition; among the number was private R. F. Hampton, of the Grays. +In due time they all returned, each bringing a supply of cartridges, +but waited some distance back of us for a lull in the firing so as to +run the gauntlet of the sharpshooters to the lines. Several were badly +wounded in making the trip, among the number private R. F. Hampton, who +had almost reached the lines when he was shot down by a sharpshooter, +mortally wounded, and afterwards died of his wounds. During the battle, +private W. J. Hunt was killed, and Dan'l. B. Coltrain and Benjamin +Burnsides severely wounded. Private Hunt, when shot, was standing near +me. We were trying to locate a sharpshooter in our front, who had +become very troublesome by the accuracy of his aim. We had been exposed +in our position but a few moments, when a minie-ball pierced his head, +scattering his brains in my face, and he sunk down lifeless at my feet. +Lieutenant-Colonel Whitfield was severely wounded in the head, and was +carried from the field. The command now devolved upon Capt. Herring, +the senior officer, who acted as Colonel, and Captain Sloan, next in +rank, as Major. + +On the following morning, we found that the enemy, under cover of +darkness, had left our front; and we were moved to the right, and +placed in position immediately at Cold Harbor, with our respective +lines so near as to be able to converse with each other. We remained +here in line of battle, under constant fire; happily, our immediate +command had no serious casualties. Grant used every expedient to break +through our lines, but he had so mercilessly slaughtered and cowed his +men in his first charges at Cold Harbor, that his men refused to charge +a second time. So determined was he to clean us up, at all hazards, +that he remarked he would do so, "if it took him all summer." The +sequel proved that he did not overestimate the time, but the process +cost considerable bloodshed. + +Stanton (Secretary of War) says, officially, that Grant's force, on the +1st of May, was over one hundred and twenty thousand men. Shortly +afterwards, the 9th army corps was sent to him. This army, then +aggregating over one hundred and forty thousand men, with a reserve to +draw from of one hundred and thirty thousand more, in round numbers, +was ruthlessly hurled against Lee's less than fifty thousand men. Lee +had no reserve--the cradle and the grave had long since mustered, and +our ports were closed to mercenary hirelings. Their own historians +prove and show that their "butcher" slaughtered nearly one hundred +thousand men in his "On to Richmond," from the wilds of the +"Wilderness" to the desolated fields of Cold Harbor. In other words, he +sacrificed about twice as many men as Lee had, in order to take a +position he could have taken at first without firing a gun or losing a +man. + +On the 3d of June, Lieut. Frank A. Hanner, who had been for some weeks +confined by disease in the hospital at Richmond, died. He served as +private until April, 1862; at the reorganization of the twelve-months' +troops, he was elected 2d Lieutenant; was promoted to Senior 2d, +September 17th, 1862, and again on the 15th of October, 1863, to 1st +Lieutenant. On the 1st of June, private Joel J. Thorn was appointed +corporal. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + +The Army of the Potomac having now apparently had sufficient amusement +on this portion of its constituted "all summer route," again adopted +"Little Mc's" tactics, "sought water," and on the 12th of June began +its march towards the historic James. + +On the 14th and 15th, by means of his pontoon bridges near Wilcox's +Landing, Grant crossed to the south side of the river. On the evening +of the 15th his advance made a feint demonstration against Petersburg, +and on the 16th made his attack in force. This attack was promptly met, +and successfully repulsed by our forces under Gen. Beauregard. Our +brigade, as yet, in the swamps of the Chickahominy, was almost daily +employed in skirmishes with the enemy's cavalry. On the 15th of June we +came across a large force of cavalry at Gary's farm. They had met a +small force of our cavalry and had been driving them. When we arrived +they dismounted and sent their horses to the rear, formed their lines +and showed fight. After a sharp struggle their lines gave way, and we +pursued them some distance through the woods. Their sharpshooters were +armed with seven shooters, and they used them against us on our advance +with telling effect. When they reached their horses they quickly +remounted and were soon beyond our reach. Orderly Sergeant William M. +Paisley and private Henry J. Coble were wounded. + +We had advanced in line but a short distance, when Sergeant Paisley, at +the head and slightly in advance of his company, was shot by a +sharpshooter, and fell mortally wounded. He was carried from the field +and sent to the hospital in Richmond, there he suffered and lingered +until the 13th of July, when he died in the arms of his broken-hearted +father, who carried his remains to Guilford, and interred them at +Alamance church. He was among the first of Guilford's gallant boys who +went forth to do battle for truth and right. He kept his vows to his +God and his Southland sacred alike, and at his post, on the front line +in the fight, fell wounded to the death. + + "On other brows let careless fame + Her fadeless wreath of laurel twine, + Enough for thee--thy epitaph! + First in the foremost line." + +After this encounter we were granted a short respite until the 21st, +when our cavalry was routed by the enemy at Yellow Tavern, and our +brigade was ordered to their support. When we reached there, we found +in slowly retiring before the enemy in a dense woods. Gen. Cooke at +once ordered forward his sharpshooters, and very soon a spirited fight +began. Our regiment was thrown into line and we began to press them +back. As they had been driving our cavalry they were loth to retire, +and fought us obstinately. Cooke then ordered his whole brigade into +line. They, seeing now that they could not cope with us in fair fight, +set fire to the woods and leaves in our front, and we were forced to +advance through fire and smoke, our men suffering terribly from the +heat, the day, besides, being exceedingly hot. We had been in too many +hot places to be afraid of fire, so we made at them with a yell, and +soon had their lines broken and in rapid retreat, with our cavalry--who +had recovered--in pursuit of them. Our loss was not so great, but the +men experienced great thirst, and many were scorched by the fires; in +some instances the cartridges were exploded in their boxes. + +About the 25th Gen. Butler, having pontooned the James River at Deep +Bottom, crossed a heavy force to the north side. Our brigade was +ordered to reconnoitre this force, and some fighting ensued. We found +them in force and strongly fortified, and an attack was deemed +inadvisable, so we were withdrawn and ordered to Petersburg. We reached +Petersburg on the 1st of July, and were placed on the lines a short +distance from the city, to the left of the Weldon Railroad. + +On the 15th of July, private Daniel W. McConnell was appointed Orderly +Sergeant. + +We remained near Petersburg comparatively quiet until the 26th of July, +when Grant crossed another corps at Deep Bottom, to attack our pontoons +at Drury's Bluff, and prevent Lee from sending re-enforcements to the +north side of the river. Our brigade was ordered back in haste to this +point, and, although the enemy had gained some partial success, we +drove him back and defeated the expedition. As events afterwards +proved, these movements were only feints to draw our troops from +Petersburg to better enable Grant to carry out his plans to make a +breach in our lines in front of Petersburg. Uniform failure had now +rendered him desperate, and Grant concluded the only wise thing now to +do, was to "blow us up." Burnside was duly appointed "blower." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + +On the night of the 28th, Hancock's corps was secretly withdrawn from +the north side, and every preparation was made for the great +forthcoming event. + +Grant had constructed a mine under one of our forts in front of +Petersburg, the main gallery of which was five hundred and twenty-two +feet in length, with eight side galleries; in each of these galleries +was placed about fourteen hundred pounds of powder. Gen. Burnside, in +charge of this new feature of warfare, was to explode the "infernal +machine," and walk into Petersburg with his colored troops, supposedly +unmolested. + +About daylight on the morning of the 30th, this famous mine--afterwards +known as the "crater"--was exploded with a great noise, as of a +"rushing mighty wind, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun +became black." About one hundred of our men and three or four guns were +moved out of their places into the air, and when the smoke cleared away +an opening about one hundred and fifty feet long, sixty feet wide, and +thirty feet deep appeared in place of our earthworks. Simultaneously +with this explosion the enemy opened a terrific fire along their whole +front, and the white division selected for this occasion came slowly +through the abattis up to this _hole_, where they were met by a +merciless fire from our artillery, enfilading them right and left, with +our infantry in their front. They were badly led, and, being +demoralized, they faltered and sought shelter in the crater. Next came +the "nigger" division, and the "colored troops fought bravely," until +the withering fire from our guns created a panic, when into the crater +pell-mell they rushed, white and black, a disordered, mangled, +quivering mass; our shot, shells, balls, and canister creating a +perfect carnival of death. Some few endeavored to leave the crater and +run back, but they were immediately shot down. Those who witnessed the +scene say it was beyond the power of words to describe. Our lines were +soon re-established, and our brigade was sent to relieve the troops +holding the lines where the mine was sprung. Thus ended this "miserable +affair." + +The space between the two lines, as now formed, was so close as to +endanger any exposure whatever, and we had to hug our earthworks very +closely. Our company was in line immediately at the crater. In our +front, and almost under our noses, lay the bloated, festering bodies of +their dead, exposed to the scorching rays of a July sun. To make our +situation still more interesting, it was supposed that the battery on +our right was also mined; and we were daily and nightly in fear of +another explosion, and to be landed--no telling where. We remained in +this position for a week, when Grant asked for a truce to bury his +dead. We were then moved a short distance to our right, where we +remained until about the middle of August. While on these lines, we +literally lived under the ground. We had to pass to and from the front +in covered ways; our rations were all prepared in the rear, and sent to +us. We were compelled to sleep in bomb-proofs to avoid their mortar +shells, with which they enlivened the scene at night. + +On the 18th of August, Warren's corps seized a portion of the Weldon +Railroad near Petersburg, when we were withdrawn from our position in +front of the city and moved to this point. On the 25th, this success +was followed up by an attempt under Gen. Hancock to take possession of +Ream's Station, farther south, on the same road. A. P. Hill's corps was +selected to drive him from this position. On our arrival we were +deployed in line, and ordered to go forward. The undergrowth and fallen +trees over which we had to climb our way retarded our advance, and Gen. +Cooke ordered the 27th and 48th regiments forward first. When they had +gotten sufficiently advanced, he directed the other two regiments of +our brigade, the 46th and 15th, to advance. When we reached the enemy's +works, we found them heavily manned with infantry and artillery. +Nothing daunted, however, we still advanced through shot and shell +until we came to a hand-to-hand fight across the breastworks. The two +other regiments now came up and in a few moments the enemy broke and +fled in confusion, leaving their guns. The colors of the 27th, carried +by Sergeant Richards, of the Orange Guards, were the first seen on +their works. We pursued them, and turned their own guns upon them; but +having no friction primers, we could not use them to advantage. We +captured over two thousand prisoners and twelve pieces of artillery. + +Our loss in this brilliant dash was very heavy, and North Carolina's +troops alone, consisting of Cooke's, McRea's, and Lane's brigades, were +engaged. The 27th regiment came out of the fight with less than +seventy-five men! + +The Grays lost in killed, private John Coltrain; in wounded, Sergeants +William U. Steiner and A. C. Cheely, privates Hardy Ayers, James S. +Scott, Emsley W. Stratford, and Wash. Williams. + +Warren had now made good his hold upon the railroad, and these events +did not materially affect the general result. The enemy's left +gradually reached farther westward, until, in October, it was +established on the left bank of Hatcher's Run, eight miles southwest of +Petersburg. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + +On the 26th of August, we returned to our position in the trenches, +where we remained until the latter part of September. + +On the 16th, Robert T. Heath and James Hacket joined the Grays. + +The casualties in the campaign so far had sadly reduced our ranks. At +the battle of Ream's Station, Capt. Herring, senior officer of the +regiment, was wounded, when Capt. J. A. Sloan, next in rank, took +command of the regiment, and Sergeant Thomas J. Rhodes commanded the +Grays. Our muster-roll on the 31st of August contained sixty names rank +and file. One captain, one sergeant, two corporals, and sixteen +privates were reported for duty. One officer and thirty-five men +absent, wounded, and prisoners; four men on detached service. + +On the 18th of September, private Geo. H. Woolen died while a prisoner +of war at Point Lookout, Md. On the 13th, Samuel E. B. Gray was killed +in the trenches before Petersburg, and on the 27th, private Wm. N. +Kirkman. About the same time, Sergeant Daniel McConnell, while lying +sick in the field hospital in rear of our lines, was seriously injured +by a shell passing through the hospital and so near to him as to cause +a paralysis of his limbs, from which he died. + +On the night of the 28th of September, Butler, with the corps of Birney +and Ord, crossed to the north side of the James, and moved up the +river, with the view of attacking Fort Harrison, near Chapin's Farm. A +portion of his force made a feint upon the Newmarket road, and while +this engagement was in process, a column moved on the fort and captured +it. This resulted in giving to the enemy a secret lodgment on the north +side of the James, and a position very menacing to Richmond. + +On the 20th, we were moved still further to the right; and on the next +day, were engaged in a spirited skirmish near Battery No. 45, on our +advanced lines. Every few days, we were moved still farther to the +right, skirmishing and picketing, until we reached Hatcher's Run, about +the 1st of December. + +About daylight, on the morning of the 27th of October, three corps of +the enemy moved towards the Boydton Plank-Road with a view to turn our +right flank and get possession of the Southside railroad, which was +now Lee's principal communication. When they reached the Boydton road, +they found our troops entrenched at every point. Hancock's corps +continued to advance in the direction of Stony Creek, supposing this +to be the termination of our lines, and thereby creating a gap between +his right and the left of the 5th army corps. Mahone's division, +taking advantage of this opening in their lines, assailed Hancock's +right, and drove Gibbons' division some distance back. Meanwhile, +Hampton with his cavalry began to attack his rear. Our brigade was +moved up the creek (Hatcher's Run) as far as Burgess' Mill, and was +placed in position to be ready on the next morning to charge the enemy +from their position on the other side of the creek. The only means of +crossing the stream was a narrow country bridge, which was guarded by +their sharpshooters, and beyond on the hills, about one hundred yards +off, was posted their artillery. The charge was to be made at +daylight; and with this _pleasant_ prospect before us, you may imagine +we passed a _comfortable_ night in anticipation. When morning came, +our sharpshooters were advanced, and found, to our comfort and +delight, that Grant had withdrawn his troops during the night, and +retraced his steps to their intrenchments in front of Petersburg. He +had been completely frustrated, and thus failed in his flank movement. + +On the following day we were in position on the left of Hatcher's Run, +and as active operations were considered closed for the winter, we +began to build winter quarters. In a short while we had comfortable +cabins, in which we remained quietly until the 8th of December. + +On the 8th of December the 2d army corps, by way of diversion, made a +raid on the Petersburg & Weldon Railroad, and A. P. Hill's corps was +ordered to meet them. On the evening of the 8th we quit our comfortable +quarters, and in the sleet and driving snow, marched until 2 o'clock +a.m. of the 9th, when we bivouacked till morning. We then marched on, +in the bitter cold, to Bellfield, when we found the enemy were +retreating up the Jerusalem Plank-road. From here we were ordered back +to Jarratt's Station to try to intercept them. Just as we reached this +point we encountered a large force of their cavalry. Pegram's artillery +was thrown forward, and our brigade, concealed in the pines, clad with +ice and sleet, was thrown into line as support. + +The enemy were not aware of our presence, and charged upon the +artillery. Our skirmishers received the charge. Seeing that the battery +was supported, they began to retreat. We pursued them across the +railroad and pushed forward rapidly for several miles, hoping to +intercept their infantry, but we found the pursuit useless. As darkness +was now upon us, we halted for the night, and next morning resumed our +march for our camp, which we reached, hungry and almost frozen, on the +13th. + +Grant behaved himself now tolerably well until Sunday morning, February +5th, when, becoming restless, he began one of his periodical movements, +and succeeded in getting very near our lines before we were aware of +his movements. About the middle of the day Davis' Mississippi brigade, +which was a mile to our left, was marched down to our position and +relieved us. We were then marched up the lines some two miles, where we +crossed our works and formed a line outside of them. We then marched to +the front about one mile, when we turned to the right, and forming line +of battle, began to advance and soon struck the skirmish line of the +enemy, which we drove with our line of battle some distance, until we +came in view of their line posted upon a hill in a field behind +earthworks. We were ordered to charge. We started up the hill, and when +we had gone some distance, and seeing the brigade on our left was not +charging with us, we fell back to the edge of the woods. The enemy now +made a strong demonstration on our right flank, and to prevent this +movement we had to fall back to our reserve line, when a Georgia +brigade took the place of ours. As they were ordered forward a portion +of our regiment, among them the Grays, thinking the order came from our +commanding officer, advanced with this brigade and fought through the +remainder of the day. After dark we were returned to our breastworks, +and when we reached them we found that we had been fighting in front of +our former position, and had been moved two miles up the lines to be +marched back again to fight in the place of other troops who had been +moved into our earth works, and almost directly in front of our camp. +[There are some things past finding out and beyond explanation, but as +the deductions of a citizen soldier are at no time of valuable +consideration, I forbear.] + +On the following day we were returned to our quarters, where we enjoyed +quiet and rest until the latter part of March. + +While we were in the heat of the battle of the 5th of February, some +few of the new recruits who had recently joined our brigade, not +exactly fancying the shot and shell which were flying around, thought +the rear was a safer place, and suiting the action to the thought, +"dusted." Gen. Lee with several of his staff was seated on horseback in +rear of our lines and in proximity to the battle, awaiting the issue, +when observing these men crossing the works without their guns, in +seeming alarm and haste, he rode toward them, endeavoring to halt and +return them to their command, when one of the "dusters," in grave +alarm, raised his hands and voice in terror, exclaiming: "Great God, +old man, get out of the way, you don't know nothing," continued his +rapid flight too terrified to recognize or obey chieftain or orders. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + +The Grays were in winter quarters on the left side of Hatcher's Run, +one mile and a half below Burgess' mill. While here we received orders +at midnight on the 24th of March, to be in readiness to move in the +direction of Petersburg. Leaving the sick and wounded to take care of +the camp and the lines in our immediate front, we began our march, not +knowing the cause of this seeming untimely order. After two hours rapid +marching we reached Petersburg, and bivouacked near the water-works. +About daylight we were quietly marched into our trenches in front of +and to the right of Hare's Hill. The troops who had just occupied these +trenches where we now were had been marched out, and were in readiness, +under General Gordon, to make a prearranged sortie upon the Federal +forts on Hare's Hill. + +The attack was made in force about daylight. Our troops gained +possession of the enemy's works, but were soon compelled to abandon +them, owing to the superior force of the enemy and to the fact that our +forces were bewildered in the darkness. + +About two o'clock p.m. we were ordered back to our camp on Hatcher's +Run. Before reaching it, however, we were informed that our sick and +wounded had been routed, and that the enemy was in possession of our +picket line. Gen. Cooke immediately ordered out his sharpshooters, and +by a flank movement drove off the enemy and regained possession of his +line. Next morning the sharpshooters were relieved by the regular +pickets, under command of Capt. John A. Sloan of the Grays, who held +the lines against repeated attacks until the first of April. + +At midnight of the first of April our brigade was relieved by Davis' +Mississippi brigade. Our brigade now crossed the creek and took +position in Fort Evliss. As soon as day dawned the enemy, being on +three sides of us, opened fire upon us with artillery and infantry. +Although protected to some extent, some of our men were killed by their +shells during the morning. In the meanwhile a desperate fight was going +on between fort Evliss, the position we were occupying, and Petersburg. +Our position in the fort was only tenable, provided the troops on our +left held their position. Consequently, the issue of the fight was +awaited by us with much anxiety. Just before sunrise a courier dashed +into the fort with news that the lines had been broken and our troops +were in retreat. We were, in consequence, immediately withdrawn from +our works, and began our retreat from Petersburg. After retreating some +five miles, being pressed sorely by the enemy, two regiments of our +brigade were deployed as skirmishers. + +Arriving now at Southerland's tavern, on the Southside road, we formed +line of battle and awaited the enemy's advance. They soon came up +flushed with success, and attacked with great confidence. But we +repulsed them with heavy loss, capturing many prisoners. Reinforcements +coming up we were flanked and compelled again to retreat. After +following us cautiously for some hours, and night coming on, the enemy +abandoned further pursuit. + +We now endeavored to cross the river so as to join the main army, from +which we had been separated by the break in the lines that morning. We +followed up our retreat until two o'clock that night, when we halted +and rested on our arms until morning. At sunrise we began our +journeyings again, reaching Deep Creek, unmolested, about nine o'clock. +We wandered up this creek about three miles, fording it at this point. +We then endeavored to make Goode's bridge on the Appomattox, but night +overtaking us, we camped at the cross-roads near Goode's bridge, At one +o'clock at night we received marching orders. After three hours hard +marching through fields, bog, and fen, we came upon the advance of the +main army, which had just crossed the Appomattox on a pontoon bridge. +We were delighted to meet our old comrades once more after a three +days' separation. What added to the interest of the occasion in a +private way was the fact that Major Webb had found a canteen full of +_something_, and my ever faithful "Bill" had captured a hen's nest +and scouped in half a dozen or more of eggs. We celebrated our +deliverance and _reunion_. + +At the suggestion of the officers of our regiment, it was agreed, there +being only about seventy men for duty, that we should form a battalion +of two companies, the officers giving up their rank temporarily, and +the non-commissioned officers going into the ranks. Lieut.-Col. J. C. +Webb commanded the battalion. Major Calvin Herring took command of the +first company, and Capt. John A. Sloan took command of the second. This +organization was maintained until the surrender. + +On the night of the fourth we camped at Amelia Court-House, in the +woods just outside of the town, and rested on our arms in line of +battle. The next day was consumed in protecting our wagon trains from +the frequent attacks of the enemy's cavalry. We now continued our +march, fighting by day and retreating by night. Our provision train was +burned by the enemy near Rice's station, and our rations that night +consisted of one quart of corn per man in lieu of meal. The next day we +passed through Farmville. Having been the rear guard for several days, +we were now relieved by Scales' North Carolina brigade. Organization +and discipline was now rapidly giving away. We were skirmishing and +fighting to protect ourselves at every point in a kind of Guerrilla +warfare, every man, for the most part, doing his fighting on his own +hook. + +Saturday night, April the 8th, we camped in about three miles of +Appomattox Court-House. Before day next morning we were hastily ordered +up and moved to the front. We were rapidly marched up the road filled +with ambulances and wagons until we came within full view of Appomattox +Court-House, where we could plainly see the Federal line of battle on +the hills at and beyond the court-house. We were immediately thrown +into line of battle on the right of the road and ordered to hold +ourselves in readiness to advance at any moment. On the front line we +awaited further orders. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + +Reader! The writer said, when he began the "Reminiscences of the +Guilford Grays," that it was not his purpose to undertake the severe +labors of the historian, but to confine himself to the humbler task of +relating what, has been part of his own experience. + +To make the thread of narrative continuous and intelligible, it +deserves to be mentioned, however, that it has been necessary to allude +to portions of the history of those eventful times in which the Grays +were only generally interested, which the circumstance will justify. + +The writer closes this, his last chapter, with the consciousness that +he has been actuated by the very kindest feelings to all, and that if +an intimation has escaped him which may have injuriously touched the +feelings of any one, none such was intended. How he has performed his +work, the reader will judge. This much he will say for himself, that he +has attempted to do it faithfully and--lovingly. + +But little more now remains to be said. The morning of the 9th of April +presented a spectacle never to be forgotten by those who saw it. +General Gordon was at the front with a meagre two thousand men; behind +us smoked the remnants of the wagon-trains; in the rear, drawn up and +ready again to strike, was the shattered wreck of Longstreet's once +grand and noble command. About ten o'clock dispositions were made for +attack, when Gordon was ordered to advance. + +_In vain! Alas, in vain! Ye gallant few!_ Suddenly a _halt_ was +called, a flag of truce appeared upon the scene, hostilities ceased, +and a dreamy sadness filled the April air. The grand old Army of +Northern Virginia was environed! "I have done what I thought best for +you," "the gray-headed man" said to his men. "My heart is too full to +speak, but I wish you all health and happiness." + +The negotiations relating to the surrender had been instituted on the +7th by a note from General Grant to General Lee. The correspondence was +continued until the 9th, when the terms proposed by General Grant were +accepted. + +On the 10th, General Lee issued his farewell address to his army. On +the afternoon of the 11th, the gallant Gordon spoke most eloquently to +the little remnant massed in the open field. + +The sun hid his face in sullen sympathy behind the clouds, night +settled drearily over the camp, and the brave old army fell asleep. + + "Hushed was the roll of the Rebel drum, + The sabres were sheathed and the cannon was dumb; + And Fate, with pitiless hand, had furled + The flag that once challenged the gaze of the world." + +On the 12th, the Army of Northern Virginia was marshaled for the last +time, not to do battle, but to stack its arms and pass out of +existence--forevermore. + +Of the Guilford Grays who were present at the final scene of this +eventful history, the following answered to roll-call: Captain Jno. A. +Sloan, Lieut. Rufus B. Gibson, 1st Sergeant Thomas J. Rhodes, Sergeant +Joel J. Thom; privates Peter M. Brown, Lewis N. Isley, Jas. M. Hardin, +Walter Green, E. Tonkey Sharpe, Geo. W. Lemons, Silas C. Dodson, and +Samuel M. Lipscomb. + +On the 11th, printed certificates, certifying that we were paroled +prisoners of war, were issued and distributed among us, bearing date +April 10th, 1865, Appomattox Court-House, granting us "permission to go +home, and remain there undisturbed." + +Comrades! We entered the service in the bloom of youthful vigor and +hope, with cheerful step and willing heart, leaving happy homes in +peace and prosperity behind. We took the field for a principle as +sacred as ever led a hero to the cannon's mouth, or a martyr to the +place of execution. + +This principle was honor and patriotism; a firm determination to defend +to the last that constitution which our fathers had handed down and +taught us to revere as the only safeguard of our personal rights and +liberties. + +After four long years, we returned to our homes in tattered and +battle-stained garments, footsore, weary, and with aching hearts. We +returned to see poverty, desolation, and ruin; to find the hearts of +our loved ones buried in the graves of the dead Confederacy. Aye! and +we have seen other sorrows. We have seen that constitution subverted +under the forms of law; we have seen the rights of individuals and +communities trampled in the dust without hope of redress. Nay, more! We +have seen the government of the fathers removed from existence, and an +engine of oppression, no longer a Union of States, but a _Nation_, +like the devil-fish of the sea, reaching its hideous and devouring +arms in all directions from one common centre, knowing only one law of +action and of motive--_the insatiate greed of avarice and plunder_. + +But though the Confederacy went down in fire and smoke, in blood and in +tears, that truth, which was the guiding-star of the devoted soldiers +who fought its battles, and of those at home who toiled and prayed for +its success--that truth did not lower its standard or surrender its +sword at Appomattox. We submit to the inevitable. We submit in dignity +and in silence. But because we accept, with becoming minds and conduct, +that subjugation which the fortune of war has entailed upon us, shall +we therefore pronounce the word "craven?" _Shall we now recant?_ Shall +we now solemnly declare that we did not believe what we professed to +fight for? Shall we thus insult, either in word or act, the memories of +the dead heroes--and we dare maintain they died heroes--who sleep on a +thousand hillsides and in the valleys of our common country? + +Should we thus prostrate ourselves to invite the scorn and contempt +which even our enemies would have the right to bestow upon us? _Never!_ +A thousand times never! "Will not history consent, will not mankind +applaud, when we still uphold our principles as right, our cause as +just, our country to be honored, when those principles had for +disciple, that cause for defender, that country for son--Robert Lee? + +"Not to his honor shall extorted tributes carve the shaft or mould the +statute; but a grateful people will in time give of their poverty +gladly that, in pure marble or time-defying bronze, future generations +may see the counterfeit presentment of this man--the ideal and +consummate flower of our civilization; not an Alexander, it may be; nor +Napoleon, nor Timour, nor Churchill--greater far than they, thank +heaven--the brother and the equal of Sidney and of Falkland, of Hampden +and of Washington!" + + "He sleeps all quietly and cold + Beneath the soil that gave him birth, + Then brake his battle-brand in twain + And lay it with him in the earth." + +A word to the survivors of the Guilford Grays, and I close these +reminiscences. From the period of the outbreak of the war in April, +1861, to the surrender of the Confederate army in April, 1865, the +muster-rolls of the Grays have contained one hundred and eighty names. +Of this number, some were transferred to other commands, some were +discharged for physical disabilities and other causes. A large +proportion sleep, unmindful of the rude farmer's ploughshare upon the +fields made memorable by their deeds. Some rest under the shades of the +trees in the quiet cemeteries of your forest-green city, and some in +the sacred churchyards of your historic country. Oh! they suffered a +sad, dark fate--fallen in unsuccessful war! + +On each return of Spring, come and bring flowers, nature's choicest, +and scatter them on their graves. So long as tears fall, come and shed +them there, and show to the world that we, of all men, are not ashamed +of their memories or afraid to vindicate their motives. + +And as we stand upon this hallowed ground, let us bury all animosities +engendered by the war. In the grave there can be no rancorous hates; +between the sleepers there is perpetual truce. Shall the living have +less? Savages, only, perpetuate immortal hates. Then permit no +"barbarian memory of wrong" to lodge in our breasts while we keep +vigils over these graves of our illustrious dead. + +To you who stood by me through all these eventful scenes, and came up +out of the great tribulation, I pray Heaven's choicest blessings ever +attend you--and now--_adieu_. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +THE ROLL. + + +Captain JOHN SLOAN.--Elected Lieutenant-Colonel of the 27th North +Carolina Regiment, September, 1861; promoted to colonelcy December, +1861; resigned April, 1862; died since war. + +1st Lieutenant WILLIAM ADAMS.--Elected Captain, vice Capt. John Sloan +promoted, October 5th, 1861; killed at battle of Sharpsburg September +17th, 1862.[1] + + [1] William Adams was born in Greensboro on the 18th of + February, 1836. In June, 1858, he graduated at the University + of the State. Shortly after his return from the University, + he entered the office of R. P. Dick, Esq., as a student of + the law. He was licensed to practice in the county courts in + December, 1859, and was admitted to the bar at February Term, + 1860, At the formation of the Grays in 1860, he was chosen + and appointed 1st Lieutenant. On the night of the 19th of + April, 1861, he left with the Grays for Fort Macon. On the + 5th of October, 1861, he was unanimously elected to the + captaincy of the Grays, _vice_ Capt. John Sloan, promoted + to Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the 27th Regiment. + + On the 22d of April, the Grays reorganized under the + conscript act, and Capt. Adams was re-elected without + opposition, his men having implicit confidence in his skill, + ability, and courage. At the battle of Sharpsburg, he fell + wounded to the death, a martyr to the cause he loved so well. + Young in years, high in hopes, illustrious in daring and + chivalrous deeds, he fills a soldier's grave in the quiet + country of his native town--mourned by all who knew him. + +2d Lieutenant JAS. T. MOREHEAD, JR.--Resigned April 20th, 1861; +appointed captain in the 45th North Carolina Regiment; promoted to +Lieutenant-Colonel in the 53d Regiment, and after the death of Colonel +Owens, became its Colonel; wounded at Spottsylvania, Gettysburg, and +captured at Hare's Hill. + +2d Jr. Lieutenant JOHN A. GILMER, JR.--Detailed as adjutant of the +27th North Carolina Regt. September, 1861; elected Major December, +1861; promoted to Colonelcy November, 1862; wounded at battle of +Fredericksburg, December 13th, 1862; severely wounded at Bristow, +October 14th, 1863; resigned, on account of wounds, January, 1865. + +LOGAN, JNO. E., M.D.--Entered the service as Surgeon of the Grays; +remained at Fort Macon about four months; appointed Surgeon of the 4th +North Carolina Regiment; transferred to the 14th North Carolina +Regiment, where he served as Surgeon until close of the war. + +1st Sergeant WILLIAM P. WILSON.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; elected 2d +Lieutenant Jr., vice J. A. Gilmer promoted, September, 1861; appointed +Adjutant of 27th North Carolina Regiment, at reorganization of State +troops, April, 1862; died of disease at Greensboro March 3, 1863. + +2d Sergeant JOHN A. SLOAN.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed +Sergeant-Major of the post at Fort Macon May, 1861; elected 2d +Lieutenant January 14, 1862; elected 1st Lieutenant, April 22, 1862; +promoted to Captain September 17, 1862; Judge Advocate of Heth's +Division court-martial; surrendered at Appomattox Court-House. + +3d Sergeant GEO. W. HOWLETT.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; discharged on +account of affection of his eyes July 23, 1862. + +4th Sergeant SAM'L B. JORDAN.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; captured at +battle of New Berne March 14, 1862; exchanged and discharged at +reorganization of State troops April 22, 1862; died since the war. + +1st Corporal THOS. J. SLOAN.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; detached at +General Ransom's Head-Quarters February, 1862; appointed Sergeant +April, 1862; detailed as musician August 1, 1862. + +2d Corporal BENJ. G. GRAHAM.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed +Sergeant January, 1862; appointed Orderly-Sergeant April 22, 1862; +elected 2d Lieutenant September 22, 1862; detailed as Ordnance Officer +December, 1862; resigned November 9, 1864. + +3d Corporal SILAS C. DODSON.--Returned to his home from Fort Macon; +re-enlisted May 16, 1862; detailed as Clerk Commissary Department +December 15, 1862; surrendered at Appomattox Court-House. + +4th Corporal ED. B. CROWSON.--Enlisted April 20, 1801; appointed +Sergeant August 1, 1862; captured at Bristow October 14, 1863; died in +prison at Point Lookout January 23, 1864. + + +Privates: + +AYERS, HARDY.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; wounded at Ream's Station +August 25, 1864; died since the war. + +AYERS, JAMES.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; discharged, for disability May +12, 1862. + +ARCHER, W. D.--Enlisted June 9, 1861; wounded at Sharpsburg September +17, 1862; killed at Fredericksburg December 13, 1862. + +AYER, HENRY W.--Enlisted May 15, 1863; transferred to Company C, 48th +Regiment, North Carolina troops, March 1, 1864; died since the war. + +BRYAN, WILL L.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal September +21, 1862; died of disease in camp near Fredericksburg December 17, +1862. + +BROWN, PETER M.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; severely wounded at +Sharpsburg September 17, 1862; detailed on Provost Guard February 14, +1864; surrendered at Appomattox Court-House. + +BOON, HENRY M.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; captured at Bristow October 14, +1863. + +BOLING, RICH'D G.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; died of disease in General +Hospital, Richmond, Va., January 10, 1863. + +BROWN, R. D.--Enlisted August 1, 1861; died of disease in hospital, +Petersburg, Va., September 21, 1862. + +BURNSIDES, BENJ. F.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; wounded at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; detailed as teamster during 1863; wounded at 2d +Cold Harbor June 3, 1864. + +BURNSIDES, W. W.--Enlisted July 15th, 1861; discharged under Conscript +Act, May 22d, 1862; rejoined the company April 7th, 1863; wounded at +Bristow October 14th, 1863. + +CAMPBELL, CHAS. A.--Enlisted April 20th, 1861; appointed Corporal April +22, 1862; appointed Sergeant August 1, 1862; promoted to +Orderly-Sergeant November 1, 1862; wounded at Sharpsburg September 17, +1862; elected 2d Lieutenant December 18, 1863; killed at Pole Green +Church, on skirmish-line, June 2, 1864. + +COLLINS, JOHN D.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal April 22, +1862; transferred to the color-guard in May; died of disease in camp at +Drury's Bluff, July 16, 1862. + +CHEELY, ALLISON C.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal August +1, 1862; promoted to Sergeant November 1, 1862; detailed as Chief of +Ambulance Corps, September, 1863; wounded at Ream's Station, August 25, +1864 (arm amputated). + +COBLE, ALFRED F.--Enlisted May 4, 1861; killed at Sharpsburg, September +17, 1862. + +COBLE, ROBERT S.--Enlisted May 4, 1861; died of disease at Frederick +City, September 12, 1862. + +COBLE, HENRY I.--Enlisted February 25, 1862; wounded at Bristow, +October 14, 1863; wounded at Gary's Farm, June 15, 1864. + +CLAPP, WILLIAM C.--Enlisted June 11, 1861; died at his home of disease, +August 8, 1862. + +CLAPP, ISRAEL N.--Enlisted June 11, 1861; discharged (for disability) +May 12, 1862; died since the war. + +COOK, WILLIAM.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; died of disease at Greensboro, +N.C., June 5, 1861. + +CHILCUTT, FRANK G.--Enlisted August 1, 1861; wounded at battle of +Wilderness May 5, 1864; (arm amputated.) + +CRIDER, HENRY.--Enlisted April 12, 1862; killed at Bristow October 14, +1863. + +CRUTCHFIELD, PAUL.--Enlisted June 1, 1862, as a substitute for B. N. +Smith; captured at Sharpsburg September 17, 1862; released in October; +captured again at Bristow October 14, 1863. + +COLTRAIN, JOHN.--Enlisted February 27, 1862; captured at Bristow +October 14, 1863; exchanged and returned to his company June 18, 1864; +killed at Ream's Station August 25, 1864. + +CANNADY, JOHN.--Enlisted February 27, 1862; killed at Bristow October +14, 1863; (a christian, a hero, a friend.) + +COLTRAIN, ROB'T. L.--Enlisted February 27, 1862; discharged +(disability) July 23, 1862. + +CLARK, D. LOGAN.--Enlisted February 27, 1862; discharged (disability) +June, 1862. + +CROWSON, CYRUS M.--Enlisted August 4, 1862; wounded at Bristow October +14, 1863; shot through both legs. + +COLTRAIN, DAN'L B.--Enlisted October 20, 1863; wounded at 2d Cold +Harbor June 3, 1864. + +DONNELL, ROB'T. L.--Enlisted May 4, 1861; wounded and captured at +Sharpsburg September 17, 1862; imprisoned at Chester, Pa., where he +died of his wounds November 6, 1862. + +DAVIS, JAS. C.--Enlisted May 4, 1861; died of disease at Fort Macon +September 8, 1861. + +DENNIS, WILLIAM.--Enlisted July 20, 1862. + +DENNIS, JAMES.--Enlisted July 20, 1802; discharged (disability) May 15, +1863. + +DENNIS, WM. D.--Enlisted June 15, 1801; wounded in the face at Bristow, +October 14, 1863. + +DONNELL, WM. H.--Enlisted February 18, 1864. + +DICK, PRESTON P.--Enlisted March 1, 1864. + +EDWARDS, JAMES T.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; killed at Sharpsburg September +17, 1862. + +EDWARDS, JAS. M.--Enlisted March 4, 1862; killed at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862. + +EDWARDS, DAVID H.--Enlisted June 1, 1861; detailed as courier to +General L. O. B. Branch, May 1, 1862; appointed Regiment-Quartermaster +Sergeant, December 1, 1862; captured at Bristow October 14, 1863. + +FORBIS, H. RUFUS.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; captured at Sharpsburg, +September 17, 1802; exchanged and returned to his company November 25; +appointed Corporal December 20, 1862; wounded at Bristow October 14, +1863; died of his wounds in hospital at Richmond, October 27, 1863. + +FORBIS, H. SMILEY.--Enlisted June 15, 1861; died of disease in +Lynchburg, Va., March 12, 1864. + +GORRELL, HENRY C.--Ensign, with rank of Lieutenant; resigned at Fort +Macon, May, 1861; re-entered the service as Captain; killed near +Richmond in a gallant charge at the head of his company, June 21, 1862. + +GIBSON, RUFUS B.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; captured at Sharpsburg; +exchanged and returned to his company November 25, 1862; appointed +Corporal December 18, 1863; wounded at Bristow; elected 2d Lieutenant +November 9, 1864. + +GREENE, WALTER.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed courier to General +Cooke December, 1862; wounded at Bristow; surrendered at Appomattox +Court-House. + +GRETTER, MIKE.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; acting Commissary Sergeant at +Fort Macon; appointed Brigade Commissary-Sergeant March 18, 1862. + +GRAY, SAM'L E. B.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; wounded at Bristow +October 14, 1863; killed on the lines near Petersburg September 13, +1864. + +GANT, JAS. H.--Enlisted August 1, 1861; died of disease in hospital at +Richmond February 24, 1863. + +GREESON, THOS. R.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; captured at Frederick +City September 11, 1862; returned to his company February 10, 1863; +wounded at Wilderness May 5, 1864. + +HANNER, FRANK A.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; elected 2d Lieutenant Jr., +at reorganization of company, April 22, 1862; promoted to Senior 2d +Lieutenant September 17, 1862; promoted to 1st Lieutenant October 15, +1863; died of disease in hospital at Richmond June 3, 1864. + +HIGGINS, ED. B.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; detailed as musician August 1, +1862. + +HUNT, L. G.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; acted as Surgeon of the company at +Fort Macon; appointed Assistant Surgeon of 27th Regiment, North +Carolina troops, June 13, 1862. + +HOOD, ABE.--Enlisted April, 1861; discharged under conscript act May +22, 1862. + +HANNER, W. D.--Discharged under conscript act May 22, 1862. + +HOPKINS, W.--Discharged under conscript act May 22, 1862. + +HAMPTON, ROBERT F.--Enlisted May 4, 1861; wounded at 2d Cold Harbor, +June 3; 1864; died of wounds. + +HARDIN, JAMES M.--Enlisted June 10, 1861; captured at Sharpsburg, +September 17, 1882; wounded at battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, +1863; detailed as teamster, July 7, 1863; returned to duty April 22d, +1864; wounded at battle of the Wilderness, May 5th, 1864; surrendered +at Appomattox. + +HUNT, W. L. J.--Enlisted September 22, 1862, detailed as pioneer +November 25, 1862; killed at 2d Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864. + +HUNTER, S. A.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; killed at battle of Newberne, +March 14, 1862. + +HUNTER, W. F.--Enlisted June 11, 1861; wounded at Bristow October 14, +1863; died of wounds in hospital at Richmond, November 7, 1863. + +HIATT, SAMUEL S.--Enlisted June 15, 1861; wounded at the Wilderness, +May 5, 1864. + +HALL, JAMES S.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease at +Hardyville, S.C., April 14, 1863; buried in Magnolia Cemetery, +Charleston, S.C. + +HEATH, ROBERT F.--Sent to the company from Camp Holmes, Raleigh, North +Carolina, under bounty act, Aug. 16, 1864. + +HACKETT, JAS.--Sent to the company from Camp Holmes, Raleigh, North +Carolina, under bounty act, August 16, 1864. + +HALL, HUGH A.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease in hospital +at Richmond, September 19, 1862. + +HORNEY, WM. A.--Enlisted May 14, 1861; detailed as nurse in hospital +near Danville, Va.; returned to duty November 22, 1863; appointed clerk +at brigade headquarters, December, 1863; wounded at the Wilderness, May +5, 1863 (leg amputated.) + +ISLEY, LEWIS N.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; wounded at Bristow October +14, 1863; surrendered at Appomattox. + +JONES, R. B.--Discharged under conscript act May 22, 1862. + +KLUTTS, ALFRED W.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal December +18, 1863; wounded at Wilderness May 5, 1864. + +KIRKMAN, NEWTON W.--Enlisted March 1, 1862; killed on the lines in +front of Petersburg September 27, 1864. + +KIRKMAN, FRANK N.--Discharged under conscript act May 22, 1862. + +KELLOGG, HENRY G.--Enlisted August 1, 1861; detailed at Brigade +Commissary Department January, 1863, until January, 1864, when, by +special order, he was detailed in Commissary Department at Salisbury, +N.C., under Capt. A. G. Brenizer. + +LINDSAY, R. HENRY--Enlisted April 20, 1861; transferred to Captain +Evans' Cavalry Company May, 1861; died in camp shortly afterwards. + +LINDSAY, ANDREW D.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed +Ordnance-Sergeant of 27th North Carolina Regiment April 1, 1862; served +as such during the entire war; died since the war. + +LINDSAY, JED H. JR.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal 1861; +appointed Sergeant April 22, 1862; promoted to Orderly-Sergeant +September 22, 1862; appointed Adjutant of 45th North Carolina Regiment +November 1, 1862; died since the war. + +LANE, ISAAC F.--Enlisted May 4, 1861; died of disease at Leesburg, +N.C., February 18, 1863; (his remains were carried to Guilford.) + +LINDSEY, ED. B.--Enlisted June 10, 1861; discharged--under age--by +conscript act May 22, 1862; re-entered the service as Lieutenant in 5th +North Carolina Cavalry Regiment; killed in April, 1865. + +LEMONS, GEO. W.--Enlisted August 1, 1861; captured at Bristow October +14, 1863; surrendered at Appomattox. + +LEMONS, JAS. M.--Enlisted May 1, 1862; died of disease at his home +March 1, 1863. + +LINEBERRY, LOUIS S.--Enlisted August 17, 1862, as a substitute for H. +S. Puryear; wounded at Bristow, October 14, 1863; killed at Wilderness, +May 5, 1864. + +LIPSICOMB, SAMUEL B.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; detailed as musician in +regiment band, August 1, 1862; surrendered at Appomattox. + +LLOYD, THOS. E.--Enlisted January 26, 1863, as a substitute for Samuel +Smith. + +MCKNIGHT, JOHN H.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Sergeant at Fort +Macon; elected 2d Lieutenant, Jr., April 22d, 1862; promoted to 1st +Lieutenant September 17, 1862; killed at Bristow October 14, 1863. + +MCDOWELL, J. W.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; wounded at Bristow October +14, 1863. + +MCADOO, WALTER D.--Enlisted May 4, 1861; wounded at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; transferred to 53d North Carolina Regiment February +16, 1863. + +MCLEAN, ROBERT B.--Enlisted June 11, 1861; wounded at Bristow October +14, 1863; wounded at Wilderness May 5, 1864. + +MCLEAN, SAMUEL F.--Enlisted May 6, 1862; killed at Wilderness May 5, +1864. + +MARSH, JAMES M.--Enlisted June 15, 1861; captured at Bristow October +14, 1863; exchanged and returned to company June 18, 1864. + +MCNAIRY, JOHN W.--Enlisted June 15, 1861; wounded at Bristow October +14, 1863 (leg amputated). + +MCLEAN, JOSEPH E.--Enlisted May 6, 1862; wounded at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; detailed on Ambulance corps July 10, 1863. + +MCLAIN, WM. H.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease at +Winchester, Va., October 24, 1862. + +MCFARLAND, WM. H.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; captured at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862. + +MCCONNELL, DANIEL W.--Enlisted July 4, 1863; appointed Orderly-Sergeant +July 15, 1864; killed at Petersburg August, 1864. + +MAY, LEMUEL--Enlisted February 28, 1862; with the exception of a +furlough for 18 days--January 4, 1864, from Orange C.H.--was never +absent from his post. + +MAY, WILLIAM--Enlisted May 6, 1862; wounded at Bristow October 14, +1863. + +MCQUISTON, JOHN F.--Enlisted June 22, 1863. + +NELSON, JOHN W.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; detailed as teamster; died of +disease in hospital, Charleston, S.C., March 17, 1863. + +ORRELL, JAS. A.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; captured at Bristow October 14, +1863. + +ORRELL, A. LAF'T.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; wounded at Bristow October +14, 1863; transferred to Confederate States Navy March 31, 1864. + +OWEN, WILBUR F.--Enlisted June 11, 1861; captured at Bristow October +14, 1863. + +PORTER, CHAS. E.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; discharged (disability) May +12, 1862; died of disease in Greensboro. + +PEARCE, JAS. R.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; captured at Bristow October +14, 1863. + +PURYEAR, H. S.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; substituted Lineberry August 17, +1862. + +PRATHER, L. L.--Enlisted August 1, 1861; wounded at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; discharged (disability) March 26, 1863. + +POE, WM. E.--Enlisted February 28, 1862. + +PAISLEY, WM. M.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed corporal August 1, +1862; Sergeant September 22, 1862; promoted to Orderly-Sergeant +December 18, 1863; mortally wounded at Gary's farm June 15, 1864; died +of wounds in hospital at Richmond July 13, 1864. + +RANKIN, JOS. W.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; wounded at Bristow October 14, +1863; died of wounds in hospital at Richmond October 24, 1863. + +REID, JOHN W.--Enlisted June 16, 1861; transferred to 48th North +Carolina Regiment; promoted to Lieutenant in Company K December 4, +1862. + +RHODES, THOS. J.--Enlisted June 25, 1861; appointed Corporal, December +17, 1862; Sergeant, February 20, 1864; promoted to Orderly-Sergeant, +September, 1864; surrendered at Appomattox. + +RICKS, PLEAS. A.--Enlisted May 1, 1862, as a substitute for Jno. E. +Wharton; died of disease in hospital at Lynchburg, Va., March 12, 1864. + +SLOAN, GEO. J.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; died of disease at Fort Macon, +July 31, 1861. + +SMITH, JOHN H.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease at +Petersburg, August 8, 1862. + +STERLING, ED. G.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; died of disease in +Greensboro, September 28, 1861. + +STEINER, WM. U.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal June 1861; +Sergeant, April 22, 1862; wounded at Bristow, October 14, 1863; +Recorder for Heth Division Court-Martial; wounded at Ream's Station, +August 25, 1864. + +SWEITZ, EDWARD--Enlisted April 20, 1861, as a substitute for J. H. +Tarpley. + +STRATFORD, C. W.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; appointed Corporal, August 1, +1862; Sergeant, December 18, 1863; wounded at Bristow, October 14, +1863; wounded at Wilderness, May 5, 1864. + +STRATFORD, EMSLEY F.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; wounded at Ream's Station, +October 25, 1864. + +SUMMERS, WM. M.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; wounded at Bristow, October 14, +1863. + +SCOTT, JAS. S.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; wounded at Ream's Station August +25, 1864; wounded on the lines near Burgess' Mills; died of wounds May +6, 1865. + +SILER, JOHN R.--Enlisted July 18, 1862; wounded at Wilderness May 5, +1864. + +STANLEY, ANDY L.--Enlisted June 11, 1861; captured at Bristow, October +14, 1863. (The "Champion Forager" of Cooke's N.C. Brigade.) + +SMITH, RICHARD S.--Enlisted August 8, 1862; wounded at Bristow October +14, 1863; appointed Corporal February 20, 1864. + +SMITH, SAMUEL--Enlisted August 8, 1862; broken down in health he +furnished a substitute in the person of Thomas E. Lloyd January 26, +1863. + +SMITH, B. N.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; substituted Paul Crutchfield +June 6, 1862. + +SMITH, R. LEYTON--Enlisted February 28, 1862; killed at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862. + +STORY, WM. C.--Enlisted June 11, 1861; appointed Corporal March 21, +1863; detailed on Color-guard; complimented in special orders for +gallantry at Bristow; wounded at Spottsylvania Court-House May 10, +1864; appointed Ensign, with rank of Lieutenant, June 1864. + +SEATS, WM.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease at Winchester, +Va., January, 1863. + +SOCKWELL, JOHN T.--Enlisted August 1, 1861; killed at Bristow October +14, 1863. + +SHEPPARD, PAISLEY--Enlisted February 28, 1862; captured at Bristow +October 14, 1863; died while prisoner at Camp Lookout. + +SHULER, EMSLEY F.--Enlisted May 6, 1862; wounded and disabled at +Bristow October 14, 1863. + +SHARPE, E. TONKEY--Enlisted May 7, 1863; detailed as Provost Guard +April 26, 1864; surrendered at Appomattox. + +TATE, ROBERT B.--Enlisted June 11, 1861; wounded at Wilderness May 5, +1864; died of wounds June (?), 1864. + +THOM, JOEL J.--Enlisted May 10, 1862; appointed Corporal June 1, 1864; +appointed Sergeant 1864; surrendered at Appomattox. + +WILEY, JAS. R.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; discharged (disability) +February 7, 1863. + +UNDERWOOD, W. W.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; wounded at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; died of wounds in hospital at Richmond September +29, 1863. + +WHARTON, JOHN E.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; substituted P. A. Ricks May +1, 1861; organized a company soon thereafter and re-entered the service +as Captain in 5th North Carolina Cavalry. + +WORRELL, R. B.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; captured at Bristow October +14, 1863. + +WEATHERLY, ROBERT D.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal +November 1, 1862; appointed Sergeant-Major of 27th North Carolina +Regiment March 27, 1863, mortally wounded at Bristow October 14, 1863; +died of wounds in hospital at Richmond October 24, 1863; buried at +Greensboro, N.C. + +WEIR, SAMUEL PARK--Entered the service as Chaplain of the Grays April +20, 1861; transferred in May, 1862, to take position of Lieutenant in +46th Regiment, North Carolina troops; killed, instantly, at +Fredericksburg December 13, 1862. + +WESTBROOKS, CHAS. W.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; performed the duties of +soldier and Chaplain until December 20, 1862; appointed Corporal August +1, 1862; appointed Chaplain in P.A.C.S.A. January 8, 1864. + +WOODBURN, T. M.--Enlisted June 10, 1861; captured at Bristow October +14, 1863. + +WILSON, JAS. L.--Enlisted July 19, 1861; captured at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; exchanged November 25, 1862; wounded at Wilderness +May 5, 1864. + +WINFREE, W. C.--Enlisted February, 1862; discharged under Conscript Act +May 22, 1862. + +WILLIAMS, WASH. J.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; wounded at Wilderness +May 5, 1864; wounded at Ream's Station August 25, 1864. + +WINBOURNE, STEPH. D.--Enlisted April 28, 1862. + +WOOLEN, GEO. H.--Enlisted April 28, 1862; captured at Bristow, October +14, 1863; died in prison at Point Lookout, September 18, 1864. + +YOUNG, SAM'L. S.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; killed at Sharpsburg, +September 17. 1862. + +BROWN, JOS. E.--Served with the company until June, 1861. + +BROOKS, THOS. D.--Served with the company until June, 1861. + +ROBINSON, SAMUEL--Served with the company until June, 1861. + +ERWIN, FRANK.--Served with the company until June, 1861. + +DUVALL W. G.--Served with the company until June, 1861. + +GREGORY, GEO. H.--Enlisted in 12th Virginia Artillery and served +through the war. + +ALBRIGHT, JAS. W.--Entered the service in May, 1862; served as Ordnance +Officer in 12th Virginia Artillery. + +PRITCHETT, JNO. A.--Resigned as Lieutenant, April 19, 1861, and did not +re-enter the service. + +CAUSEY, W. W.--Did not go into service. + +COLE, JAS. R.--Left his studies at Trinity College, and served with the +company at Fort Macon until June, 1861, when he joined his brother's +cavalry company. + +BOURNE, W. C.--Was Orderly-Sergeant in ante-bellum days resigned at +outbreak of the war. + +KIRKPATRICK, DAVID N.--Did not go into service. + +LAMB, MABEN--Did not go into service. + +MORING, WM. P.--Did not go into service. + +MOREHEAD, JOS. M.--Did not go into service. + +TARPLEY, J. H.--Substituted Ed. Sweitz April 20, 1861. + +FITZER, JOS. H.--Did not enter the service. + +DONNELL, JNO. D.--Did not enter the service. + +HUBER, OTTO--Did not enter the service. + +GUNDLING, DAVID--Did not enter the service. + + + + +BATTLES + + in which the Grays (Company B, 27th North Carolina troops) + participated in from 1861 to 1865. + + + New Berne, N.C. March 14, 1862. + Seven Days' Battles Around Richmond June 26 to July 27, 1862. + Harper's Ferry, Va. September 15, 1862. + Sharpsburg, Md. September 17, 1862. + Fredericksburg, Va. December 13, 1862. + Bristow Station, Va. October 14, 1863. + Mine Run, Va. November 27 to December 3, 1863. + Wilderness, Va. May 5 and 6, 1864. + Graves' Farm, Va. May 10, 1864. + Spottsylvania Court-House, Va. May 12, 1864. + Attlee's Station, Va. May 30, 1864. + Pole Green Church, Va. June 2, 1864. + Cold Harbor (2d), Va. June 3, 1864. + Gary's Farm, Va. June 15, 1864. + Yellow Tavern, Va. August 21, 1864. + Ream's Station, Va. August 25, 1864. + Bellfield, Va. December 9, 1864. + Hatcher's Run, Va. February 5, 1865. + Fort Euliss, Va. March 30 to April 2, 1865. + Sutherland's Tavern, Va. April 2, 1865. + + + + +A Card to the Public. + + +Last May I issued to our people a card in which I stated that it was my +purpose to prepare and publish a work to be entitled: "North Carolina +in the War between the States." I also stated that "the effort will be +made to give, in a connected form, all the events pertaining to the +history of the war, so far as they relate to North Carolina." + +Since the publication of the card, I have been steadily engaged in the +work proposed. Owing to the aid of many friends, and the material +furnished by them, together with the rich supply of documents to be had +here (Washington), and the material which I had already collected +myself, I have been able to make more rapid progress than I anticipated +when I began my undertaking. + +If no unforeseen event occurs, I expect to have the work ready for the +printer in the summer of 1883. + +I again _earnestly_ request all friends who desire to see vindicated +the name and fame of those gallant North Carolinians who aided in our +great struggle for Constitutional freedom, to send me any material they +may have on hand, or any information in their possession which they may +judge would be of interest. + +"Let those who made the history tell it as it was." + + Address-- + JOHN A. SLOAN, + No. 1426 33d Street, + WASHINGTON, D.C. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Reminiscences of the Guilford Grays, +Co. B., 27th N.C. Regiment, by John A. Sloan + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44124 *** diff --git a/44124-h/44124-h.htm b/44124-h/44124-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..21daa91 --- /dev/null +++ b/44124-h/44124-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5903 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> +<title>Reminiscences of the Guilford Grays, Co. B, 27Th N.C. Regiment, +by John A. Sloan—A Project Gutenberg eBook</title> +<style type="text/css"> + + body {margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%;} + + p {text-indent: 0em; + text-align: justify; + margin-top: .80em; + margin-bottom: .80em; + line-height: 1.25em;} + + .indent {margin-left: 10%;} + .indent1 {margin-left: 12%; font-variant: small-caps;} + .indent2 {margin-left: 14%;} + .indent3 {margin-left: 16%; font-variant: small-caps;} + + .hang {text-align: justify; + padding-left: 2em; + text-indent: -2em;} + + .blockquote {text-align: justify; + margin-left: 7%; + margin-right: 7%; + font-size: 98%; + margin-top: 1.5em; + margin-bottom: 1.5em;} + + .sig {margin-left: 63%; + text-align: left;} + + .ralign {margin-left: 50%;} + + .sc {font-variant: small-caps;} + + span.asterisk {letter-spacing: .4em; + padding-left: .10em;} + + .space {line-height: .5em;} + + .ctr {text-align: center;} + .ctrbold {text-align: center; + font-weight: bold;} + .ctrsmall {text-align: center; + font-size: 90%;} + .ctrsmaller {text-align: center; + font-size: 80%;} + .ctrsmallest {text-align: center; + font-size: 70%;} + .ctrlarge {text-align: center; + font-size: 120%;} + .ctrtoppad {text-align: center; + padding-top: 2em;} + + .small {font-size: 90%;} + .smaller {font-size: 80%;} + .smallest {font-size: 70%;} + .bigger {font-size: 125%;} + + .fn {font-size: .7em; + text-decoration: none;} + + dl.footnotes {margin: 1em 2em;} + + dt.notelabel {text-align: right; + width: 3em; + font-size: 96%;} + + dd.notetext {text-align: justify; + margin: 0em 3em 1em 3em; + font-size: 94%;} + + #coverpage {border: .1em solid black;} + + @media print, handheld + {.figcenter {text-align: center; + margin: 2em auto auto auto;} + body {margin-left: 2%; + margin-right: 2%;} + .poetry {display: block; + margin-left: 1.5em;} + table {font-size: x-small;}} + + img {max-width: 100%; + height:auto;} + + .figcenter {clear: both; + margin: 2em auto; + text-align: center; + max-width: 100%;} + + .titlepage {font-weight: bold;} + .booktitle {font-weight: bold; + text-align: center; + font-size: 112%; + padding-top: 3em;} + + h1 {text-align: center; + font-size: 130%; + font-weight: bold; + line-height: 2em; + padding-top: 1em; + page-break-before: always;} + + h2 {text-align: center; + font-size: 110%; + font-weight: bold; + padding-top: 3em; + padding-bottom: 1em; + page-break-before: always;} + + hr.med {width: 50%; + height: .1em; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 25%; + margin-right: 25%; + clear: both;} + + hr.short {width: 35%; + height: .1em; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-left: 32.5%; + margin-right: 32.5%; + clear: both;} + + .poetry-container {text-align: center;} + + .poetry {display: inline-block; + text-align: left; + line-height: 1.25em; + font-size: 96%;} + + .poetry .headstanza {margin: .5em 0em 1.25em 0em; + font-weight: bold;} + .poetry .stanza {margin: 0em 0em 0em 0em;} + + .poetry .line {margin: 0em; + text-indent: -3em; + padding-left: 3em;} + + .poetry .i0h {margin-left: 0.5em;} + .poetry .i1 {margin-left: 1em;} + .poetry .i1h {margin-left: 1.5em;} + .poetry .i2 {margin-left: 2em;} + .poetry .i4 {margin-left: 4em;} + .poetry .i6 {margin-left: 6em;} + .poetry .i8 {margin-left: 8em;} + .poetry .i10 {margin-left: 10em;} + .poetry .i12 {margin-left: 12em;} + .poetry .i14 {margin-left: 14em;} + .poetry .i16 {margin-left: 16em;} + + table {margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + margin-top: 0em; + margin-bottom: 0em;} + + td.chpt {vertical-align: top; + text-align: center; + padding-top: 1.5em;} + + td.txt {vertical-align: top; + text-align: justify;} + + td.r {vertical-align: top; + text-align: right; + padding-left: .5em;} + + .tn {font-size: small; + padding: 0em .4em 0em .4em; + background-color: #E6E6E6; + border: solid black .1em;} + + a:link {color: #00F; + text-decoration:none;} + a:visited {color:#F00; + text-decoration:none;} + +</style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44124 ***</div> + +<div class="figcenter"><img width="370" height="550" id="coverpage" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="cover"></div> + +<h1> +REMINISCENCES +<br> +<span class="smaller">OF THE</span> +<br> +<span class="bigger">GUILFORD GRAYS,</span> +<br> +<span class="smaller">CO. B, 27TH N.C. REGIMENT,</span> +</h1> + +<div class="titlepage"> +<br> +<p class="ctr"> +BY JOHN A. SLOAN. +</p> + +<br> +<p class="ctrsmaller"> +WASHINGTON, D.C.:<br> +R. O. POLKINHORN, PRINTER.<br> +1883. +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="med"> + + +<h2> +CONTENTS. +</h2> + +<table summary="Contents"> +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#I">CHAPTER I.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="txt">Organization of the Grays — General Joab Hiatt — Original members —  +Election of Officers — Drill — Arms received — First public parade + — "Jake Causey" — Exercises at Edgeworth — May Queen; presentation +of banner.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#II">CHAPTER II.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="txt">The Greys celebrate Fourth of July — Visit the Orange Guards at +Hillsboro — Dinner and Ball — Celebrate 22d February at Greenboro — The +"boom" of War — Secession of the Gulf States — Correspondence between +Gov. Ellis and Secretary Holt — Organization of the Confederacy at +Montgomery — We celebrate our own Anniversary — Our Visitors — The +Ladies — Feasting and Dancing — "Call" on Gov. Ellis for troops — Ellis' +Response.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#III">CHAPTER III.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="txt">Effect of Lincoln's call for troops — Gov. Ellis convenes the +Legislature — The Greys ordered to report at Goldsboro with three +days rations — Ordered to report at Fort Macon — Ladies' Aid Society + — Political excitement — North Carolina Secedes — New recruits — The +Greys sworn in — Arrival at Fort Macon — Latham's Woodpeckers — Assigned +to the 9th Regiment — Assigned finally to the 27th Regiment — Deaths + — New recruits — Routine duty at the Fort — Sports and Past-times.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">Election of Regimental Officers — Ordered to New Berne — Burnside +approaches — Fleet arrives on the 12th — The morning of the 14th — The +Battle — The retreat — At Kinston — Changes and promotions — Expiration of +enlistments — Regiment reorganized — Grays reorganized as Company B —  +Election of commissioned and non-commissioned officers.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#V">CHAPTER V.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">More recruits — Sam'l Park Weir — Leave North Carolina for Virginia — The +Seven Pines — The seven days fight — Malvern Hill.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="txt">Marching in the rain — From Drury's Bluff to Petersburg — Riddling the +"Daniel Webster" — Shelling McClellan's camp — Ordered to Richmond — At +Rapidan Station — Discharges and deaths — Regimental Band formed — First +Maryland campaign — Across the Potomac — Two Grays captured — Lost in +the woods — Turn up in Loudon County, Va. — At Harper's Ferry — Surrender +of Harper's Ferry.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">Battle of Sharpsburg — The 27th Regiment in the fight — Complimentary +notice by President Davis, Gen. Lee and others — Cook's heroism —  +Casualties — Captain Wm. Adams — Recross the Potomac — Rest at Occoquan + — Election of Officers to fill vacancies — Deaths.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">McClellan moves Southward — Our march through the Valley — At Upperville + — Return to Paris — Cedar Mountain — Col. Cooke promoted — Major J. A. +Gilmer made Colonel — On to Fredericksburg — Incidents on the march —  +Burnside advances — Battle of Fredericksburg — Casualties.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#IX">CHAPTER IX.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">Muster Roll of Grays in December, 1862 — Ordered to Richmond — To +Petersburg — Take cars for North Carolina — At Burgaw — The sweet potato +vine — On to Charleston, S.C. — The Alligators of Pocataligo — In camp +at Coosawhatchie — More deaths — Return to North Carolina — On the old +grounds near Kinston.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#X">CHAPTER X.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">The affair at Bristow Station.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XI">CHAPTER XI.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">The affair at Bristow — Gallant conduct of Color-Guard W. C. Story —  +Losses of the Grays — Lieut. McKnight killed — Sergeant-Major R. D. +Weatherly mortally wounded — The affair a criminal blunder — President +Davis' comments — The surprise at Kelly's Ford — Meade crosses the +Rapidan — Lee advances — Meade's retreat — In winter quarters near +Orange Court-House.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XII">CHAPTER XII.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">Company promotions — Our "Fighting Parson" appointed Chaplain — New +recruits — Transfers — Deaths — Virginia Xmas hospitality — Visited by +Rev. J. H. Smith, of Greensboro.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">Relative strength of the two armies in May — Their respective positions + — The Wilderness — Private Williams receives a wound — Casualties.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">The enemy re-enforced by Burnside's Corps — Heth and Wilcox overpowered + — Critical situation — General Lee charges with the Texas Brigade — Enemy +routed — Longstreet wounded — Night march — Moving towards Spottsylvania +Court-House — Fortifying at Spottsylvania.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XV">CHAPTER XV.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">Barlow's attack upon our left — The little brick church — The enemy's +advance on Ewell at the salient — Gen. Lee exposes himself — Terrific +conflict — Heth's Division moved to the left — The enemy repulsed — Rest +for a few days — Grant's desperate attack on the 18th.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">Grant abandons his plans — Moves towards Bowling Greene — On the road to +Hanover Junction — Weary marches — A. "Georgy" soldier's costume — His +idea of Music and Medicine — Anecdote of General Grant — Grant changes +his tactics — Engagement at Attlee's Station — Brush at Tolopotomy +Creek — Skirmish at Pole — Green Church — Lieut. Campbell mortally +wounded.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">The army at Cold Harbor — Battle at Pharr's farm — Casualties — At Cold +Harbor — Lieut. Frank Hanner's death.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">Marching towards the James — Our Brigade in the Chickahominy Swamps —  +Cavalry skirmish at Hawe's Shops — Sergeant W. M. Paisley mortally +wounded — Ordered to support the cavalry on the 21st. — Fighting under +difficulties — On the lines near Petersburg.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XIX">CHAPTER XIX.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">The Crater — Warren's corps seize the Weldon Railroad — The 27th at +Ream's Station — The Grays lose heavily — Warren holds the railroad.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XX">CHAPTER XX.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">In the trenches before Petersburg — Casualties — The Federals cross +to the north side of the James — Skirmish near Battery No. 45 — At +Hatcher's Run — At Burgess' Mill — In line of battle — Building winter +quarters — On a raid at Bellfield — The enemy in full flight — Grant +creeping up on our lines.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XXI">CHAPTER XXI.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">In winter quarters at Hatcher's Run — A midnight tramp — An affair at +Hare's Hill — Our picket line in the hands of the enemy — Recaptured —  +At Fort Euliss — Our lines broken — The retreat — Fight at Sutherland's +Tavern — Sorely pressed — Reach Deep Creek — Camp near Goode's Bridge + — We celebrate — Reorganization of the regiment — A halt at Amelia +Court-House — Wagon trains attacked and burned — Every man for +himself — Reach Appomattox — In line of battle — Awaiting orders.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XXII">CHAPTER XXII.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">To the reader — The morning of the 9th — Preparations to attack — A flag +of truce — Negotiations between Generals Grant and Lee — The surrender + — The Guilford Grays present at Appomattox — Comrades — Closing scene + — Retrospect.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">The names of all who were at any time on our rolls, and a sketch of +the military record of each member — Battles fought.</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<hr class="short"> +<div class="figcenter"><img width="175" height="39" src="images/preface.jpg" alt="Preface"></div> + + + +<p> +I hope no one will think that I aspire to the severe dignity of a +historian in these rambling reminiscences which are to follow. I am +well content to take an humbler part. With the political questions of +the past, with the conduct of politicians and statesmen, with the +skill of military leaders, with the criticism of campaigns, with the +causes and effects of the civil war, I have here no concern, much less +with the personal interests and rivalries of individuals. But for +all this, the writer hopes that these contributions will not be +unfavorably received by those who were actors in the scenes which are +here recalled. He hopes that what is lacking of the general history of +those eventful times will be compensated for in the details touching +the history of the Guilford Grays themselves. +</p> + +<p> +From the period when our company was called into the field by Gov. +Ellis, down to the surrender at Appomattox, the writer kept a record +of those events which came under his own observation, and which he +thought might prove useful and interesting in future time. "<i lang="la">Forsan et haec olim meminisse juvabit.</i>" +</p> + +<p> +These records up to the capture of Newberne were lost, and for this +period of our history I have relied principally upon my memory. From +the battle of Newberne to the final catastrophe, I have accurate notes +of the most important events and incidents in which the Grays +participated and shared. +</p> + +<p> +To the memory of my comrades who fell, and as a testimonial to those +who survive, these reminiscences are dedicated. To the derelict in +duty, if such there may have been, the writer will have naught to say. +Let their names stand forever in the shadows of oblivion. +</p> + +<p class="sig"> +JOHN A. SLOAN. +</p> + + + + +<p class="booktitle"> +REMINISCENCES OF THE GUILFORD GRAYS. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="I"> </a> +CHAPTER I. +</h2> + + +<p> +In the year eighteen hundred and sixty the military spirit was rife in +the South. The clouds were threatening. No one knew what a day would +bring forth. The organization, the equipment and drill of volunteer +companies was, accordingly, the order of the times. The first assembly +to perfect the organization of the Guilford Grays was held in the +court-house in Greensboro, N.C., on the evening of the 9th of +January, 1860. The meeting was presided over by General Joab +Hiatt—now deceased—a favorite and friend of the young men. Gen. +Hiatt won his military laurels as commander of the militia, in the +piping times of peace. Whoever has seen him arrayed in the gorgeous +uniform of a militia brigadier on the field of the general muster +cannot fail to recall his commanding presence. He was the proper man +to fill the chair at our first meeting. James W. Albright (who is +still in the flesh) acted as secretary. The usual committees were +appointed. A constitution and by-laws were drafted and adopted. The +constitution provided for a volunteer company of infantry, to be known +as the Guilford Grays. Each member was required to sign the +constitution and by-laws. The following is a complete list of the +signers, in the order of their signatures: +</p> + +<p> +John A. Sloan, William P. Wilson, Thomas J. Sloan, Jos. M. Morehead, +John Sloan, David Gundling, Henry C. Gorrel, William U. Steiner, Otto +Huber, James R. Pearce, Jas. T. Morehead, Jr., P. B. Taylor, Chas. A. +Campbell, J. H. Tarpley, William Adams, James W. Albright, Maben Lamb, +James Thomas, Edward G. Sterling, Jos. H. Fetzer, William P. Moring, +Wilbur F. Owen, George H. Gregory, David N. Kirkpatrick, Andrew D. +Lindsay, John Donnell, Benjamin G. Graham, W. W. Causey, William L. +Bryan, Chas. E. Porter, John D. Smith, James R. Cole, John H. +McKnight, Jed. H. Lindsay, Jr., W. C. Bourne, John A. Gilmer, Jr., +Samuel B. Jordan. +</p> + +<p> +The foregoing persons signed the constitution and by-laws on the 9th +of January, 1860, when the company was first organized, and are +entitled to the honor of being the "original panel." +</p> + +<p> +The company was organized by the election of the following +commissioned and non-commissioned officers, viz.: +</p> + +<p> +John Sloan, Captain; William Adams, 1st Lieutenant; James T. Morehead, +2d Lieutenant; John A. Pritchett, 3d Lieutenant; Henry C. Gorrell, +Ensign (with rank of Lieutenant); W. C. Bourne, Orderly Sergeant; +William P. Wilson, 2d Sergeant; Samuel B. Jordan, 3d Sergeant; Geo. W. +Howlett, 4th Sergeant; Thos. J. Sloan, Corporal; Benjamin G. Graham, +2d Corporal; George H. Gregory, 3d Corporal; Silas C. Dodson, 4th +Corporal. +</p> + +<p> +The following musicians were selected from the colored troops: +</p> + +<p> +Jake Mebane, fifer; Bob Hargrove, kettle-drummer; Cæsar Lindsay, +base-drummer. +</p> + +<p> +The anniversary of the battle of Guilford Court-House is an honored +day among the people of old Guilford. It was the turning point in the +future of Lord Cornwallis. When the Earl of Chatham heard the defeat +announced in the House of Parliament, he exclaimed: "One more such +victory would ruin the British." This battle was fought by General +Greene on the 15th of March, 1781. On this anniversary, the 15th of +March, 1860, our officers received their commissions from Governor +Ellis. This is the date of our formal organization. +</p> + +<p> +Friday night of each week was set apart for the purpose of drill and +improvement. Our drill-room was in the second story of Tate's old +cotton factory, where we were instructed in the various manœuvers +and evolutions, as then laid down in Scott's tactics. +</p> + +<p> +Early in April we received our arms, consisting of fifty stand of old +flint-and-steel, smooth-bore muskets, a species of ordnance very +effective at the breech. They were supposed to have descended from +1776, and to have been wrested by order of the Governor from the worms +and rust of the Arsenal at Fayettsville. By the first of May we had +received our handsome gray uniforms from Philadelphia. These uniforms, +which we so gaily donned and proudly wore, consisted of a frock coat, +single-breasted, with two rows of State buttons, pants to match, with +black stripe, waist belt of black leather, cross belt of white +webbing, gray cap with pompon. +</p> + +<p> +Our first public parade was a day long to be remembered. It occurred +on the 5th day of May, 1860. The occasion was the coronation of a May +queen in the grove at Edgeworth Female Seminary. The Grays were +invited by the ladies to lend their presence at the celebration, and +it was whispered that we were to be the recipients of a banner. +</p> + +<p> +It will be readily imagined that we were transported with the +anticipation of so joyous a day. We did our best to make ourselves +perfect in the drill and manual—for would not all eyes be upon us? +The day came at last, and at 10 a.m. we assembled in front of the +court-house. The roll was called and no absentees noted. The uniforms +were immaculate, our officers wore the beautiful swords presented to +them by the fair ladies of Greensboro Female College, the musket +barrels and bayonets flashed and gleamed in the glorious May sunshine, +and with high heads in jaunty caps, and with the proud military step, +as we supposed it ought to be, we marched now in single file, and now +in platoons, down the street towards the Edgeworth grounds, keeping +time to the music of "Old Jake," whose "spirit-stirring fife" never +sounded shriller, and whose <em>rainbow-arched</em> legs never bore him +with such grandeur. +</p> + +<p> +When we arrived at our destination, we found the beautiful green +grounds, which were tastefully decorated, already filled with happy +spectators. The young ladies, whose guests we were to be, were formed +in procession, and were awaiting the arrival of the Queen and her +suite. The appearance of this distinguished cortege on the scene was +the signal for the procession to move. +</p> + +<p> +The following was the order of procession: +</p> + +<p> +First. Fourteen of her maids of honor. +</p> + +<p> +Second. Ten Floras, with baskets of flowers, which they scattered in +the pathway. +</p> + +<p> +Third. Sceptre and crown-bearer. +</p> + +<p> +Fourth. The Queen, with Lady Hope and the Archbishop on either side. +</p> + +<p> +Fifth. Two maids of honor. +</p> + +<p> +Sixth. Ten pages. +</p> + +<p> +Seventh. The Military (Grays). +</p> + +<p> +As the Queen advanced to the throne, erected in the centre of the +grove, the young ladies greeted her with the salutation: +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"You are the fairest, and of beauty rarest,</div> +<div>And you our Queen shall be."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +Lady Hope (Miss Mary Arendell) addressed the Queen: +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +"O, maiden fair, with light brown hair!" +</p> + +<p> +The Archbishop (Miss Hennie Erwin) then proceeded to the crowning +ceremony, and Miss Mary Morehead was crowned Queen of May. +</p> + +<p> +After these pleasant and ever-to-be-remembered ceremonies, the Queen +(Miss Mamie) in the name of the ladies of the seminary, presented to +the Grays a handsome silk flag, in the following happy speech: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p> +"In the name of my subjects, the fair donors of Edgeworth, I +present this banner to the Guilford Grays. Feign would we have +it a "banner of peace," and have inscribed upon its graceful +folds "peace on earth and good-will to man;" for our womanly +natures shrink from the horrors of war and bloodshed. But we +have placed upon it the "oak," fit emblem of the firm heroic +spirits over which it is to float. Strength, energy, and decision +mark the character of the sons of Guilford, whuse noble sires +have taught their sons to know but one fear—the fear of doing +wrong."<span class="asterisk"> * * * * * *</span> +</p> +</div> + +<p> +Cadet R. O. Sterling, of the N.C. Military Institute, received the +banner at the hands of the Queen, and, advancing, placed it in the +hands of Ensign H. C. Gorrell, who accepted the trust as follows: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p> +"Most noble Queen, on the part of the Guilford Grays I accept this +beautiful banner, for which I tender the thanks of those whom I +represent. Your majesty calls to remembrance the days of 'Auld +Lang Syne,' when the banners of our country proudly and +triumphantly waved over our own battle-field, and when our +fathers, on the soil of old Guilford, 'struck for their altars and +their fires.' Here, indeed, was fought the great battle of the +South; here was decided the great struggle of the Revolution; here +was achieved the great victory of American over British +generalship; here was evidenced the great military talent and +skill of Nathaniel Greene, the blacksmith boy, whose immortal name +our town bears. +</p> + +<p> +"If any earthly pride be justifiable, are not the sons of Guilford +entitled to entertain it? If any spot on earth be appropriate +for the presentation of a "banner of peace," where will you find +it, if it be not here, five miles from the battle-field of +Martinsville; here at Guilford Court-House in the boro of Nathaniel +Greene; here in the classic grounds of old Edgeworth, surrounded +with beauty and intelligence; in the presence of our wives, our +sisters, and our sweethearts. And who could more appropriately +present this banner than your majesty and her fair subjects? You +are the daughter of a Revolutionary mother to whom we would render +all the honor due— +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>'No braver dames had Sparta,</div> +<div>No nobler matrons Rome.</div> +<div>Then let us laud and honor them,</div> +<div>E'en in their own green homes.'</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +"They have passed from the stage of earthly action, and while we +pay to their memories the grateful tribute of a sigh, we would +again express our thanks to their daughters for this beautiful +banner, and as a token of our gratitude, we, the Guilford Grays, +do here beneath its graceful folds pledge our lives, our fortunes, +and our sacred honor, and swear for them to live, them to love, +and, if need be, for them to die. +</p> + +<p> +"Noble Queen, we render to you, and through you to your subjects, +our hearty, sincere, and lasting thanks for this entertainment; +and to the rulers, in your vast domain, for the privilege of +trespassing upon their provinces which lie under their immediate +supervision. +</p> + +<p> +"In time of war, or in time of peace, in prosperity or adversity, +we would have you ever remember the Guilford Grays—for be assured +your memories will ever be cherished by them." +</p> +</div> + +<p> +This beautiful banner was designed by Dr. D. P. Weir and executed in +Philadelphia—the size is 6 feet by 5, being made of heavy blue silk. +On the one side is a painting in oils, representing the coat-of-arms +of North Carolina encircled by a heavy wreath of oak leaves and +acorns. Above is a spread eagle with scroll containing the motto, "E +Pluribus Unum," a similar scroll below with words, "Greensboro, North +Carolina." The other side, similar in design, except within the wreath +the words, "Presented by the Ladies of Edgeworth Female Seminary, May +5th, 1860;" on the scroll above, "Guilford Grays," and on scroll +below, "Organized March 5th, 1860," all edged with heavy yellow silk +fringe, cord and tassel blue and gold, the staff of ebony, surmounted +with a heavily plated battle axe. This flag is still preserved and in +the writer's possession. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="II"> </a> +CHAPTER II. +</h2> + + +<p> +More than a year in advance of the National Paper, attributed to Mr. +Jefferson, the people of Mecklenburg County declared themselves a free +people and took the lead in throwing off the British yoke. On the 4th +day of July, 1776, the National Declaration, adopting (?) some of the +language of the Mecklenburg convention, "rang out" the glad tidings +"that these United Colonies are, and, of right, ought to be, +<em>free</em> and <em>independent</em> States." +</p> + +<p> +To celebrate the "glorious fourth," the good people of Alamance County +unveiled and dedicated a monument at Alamance church to the memory of +Colonel Arthur Forbis, a gallant officer of the North Carolina troops, +who fell mortally wounded at the battle of Guilford, March 25th, 1781. +By invitation of the committee—Rev. C. H. Wiley and Dr. D. P. +Weir—the Grays participated. Invitations of this kind were never +declined. The day was intensely hot, and the distance from Greensboro +being too far for a march in those days, wagons were furnished for our +transportation. The exercises of the occasion were opened with prayer +by Rev. E. W. Caruthers. He was followed by Gov. John M. Morehead, +who, taking the sword which the brave Forbis had carried while he was +an officer, with it lifted the veil from the monument. The Governor's +remarks were just such as those who knew him would have expected of +him. The exercises were closed by Rev. Samuel Paisley, that venerable +man of God. The Grays, after firing a salute and performing such +duties as were required, returned to Greensboro, having spent an +interesting "fourth." +</p> + +<p> +On the 1st of October, in the same year, we visited by invitation the +Orange Guards, a military organization at Hillsboro, N.C. The +occasion was their fifth anniversary. We took the morning train to +Hillsboro, and in a few hours reached our destination. We found the +Guards at the depot awaiting our arrival. Lieutenant John W. Graham, +on behalf of the Guards, received us with a most cordial welcome. +Lieutenant James T. Morehead, Jr., responded upon the part of the +Grays. We were then escorted to quarters, which were prepared for us, +at the Orange Hotel, where we enjoyed the delicacies, luxuries, and +liquids so bountifully "set out" at this famed hostelry, then presided +over by the genius of Messrs. Hedgpeth and Stroud. In the afternoon we +were escorted to the Hillsboro Military Institute, and gave the young +gentlemen there an opportunity of observing our <em>superior</em> skill, +both in the manual and the evolutions. At night the chivalry and +beauty of "ye ancient borough" assembled in the Odd Fellows' hall to +do us honor at a ball, +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"And then the viols played their best;</div> +<div class="i1">Lamps above and laughs below.</div> +<div>Love me sounded like a jest,</div> +<div class="i1">Fit for yes, or fit for no."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +As Aurora began to paint the East in rosy colors of the dawn, we +boarded the train for home. Some with aching heads, some with aching +hearts. +</p> + +<p> +The Orange Guards were closely and intimately associated with us +during the entire four years of the war. We entered the service about +the same time, at the same place, and served in the same regiment. Our +friendships were there renewed, and many, so many, are the memories +sweet and sad, which we mutually share. Our marches, our wants, our +abundance, our sorrows, and our rejoicings—each and all, they were +common to us both. In love and allegiance to our native State we +marched forth to take our places among her gallant sons, be it for +weal or woe; hand-in-hand together till Appomattox Court-House, we +struggled and endured. There like a vesture no longer for use, we +folded and laid away our tattered and battle-stained banner, to be +kept forever sacred, in the sepulchre of a lost cause. +</p> + +<p> +My diary intimates no occasion for even a "skirmish" until the 22d of +February, 1861, when we again donned the gray to honor the memory of +"George W." and his little hatchet. We were entertained during the day +with an address at the court-house by Jas. A. Long, Esq., on the +all-absorbing <em>question</em> of the times. +</p> + +<p> +The Congress of the United States had assembled as usual in December, +and was at this time in session. The clouds surcharged with sectional +hate and political fanaticism were now lowering over us, and the +distant mutterings of that storm which had been heard so long, and +against which the wise and patriotic had given solemn warning, +foreboded evil times. South Carolina had already, on the 20th of +December, adopted her ordinance of secession; Mississippi on the 9th +of January; Florida followed on the 10th, Alabama on the 11th, Georgia +on the 18th, Louisiana on the 26th, and Texas on the 1st of February. +</p> + +<p> +Events now crowded upon each other with the rapidity of a drama. On +the 10th of January, 1861, Governor Ellis telegraphed Hon. Warren +Winslow of North Carolina, at Washington, to call on General Winfield +Scott and <em>demand</em> of him to know if he had been instructed to +garrison the forts of North Carolina. The Governor stated that he was +informed that it was the purpose of the Administration to coerce the +seceded States, and that troops were already on their way to garrison +the Southern forts. On the 12th, Governor Ellis addressed the +following letter to President Buchanan: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p> +"Your Excellency will pardon me for asking whether the United +States forts in this State will be garrisoned with Federal troops +during your administration. Should I receive assurances that no +troops will be sent to this State prior to the 4th of March next, +then all will be peace and quiet here, and the property of the +United States will be protected as heretofore. If, however, I am +unable to get such assurances, I will not undertake to answer for +the consequences. Believing your Excellency to be desirous of +preserving the peace, I have deemed it my duty to yourself, as +well as to the people of North Carolina, to make the foregoing +inquiry, and to acquaint you with the state of the public mind +here." +</p> +</div> + +<p> +On the 15th day of January, J. Holt, Secretary of War (<em>ad +interim</em>), in behalf of the President, replied as follows: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p> +"It is not his (Buchanan's) purpose to garrison the forts to which +you refer, because he considers them entirely safe under the +shelter of that <em>law-abiding</em> sentiment for which the people +of North Carolina have ever been distinguished." +</p> +</div> + +<p> +The congress of delegates from the seceded States convened at +Montgomery, Alabama, on the 4th of February, 1861, and on the 9th, +Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, was chosen by this body for +President, and Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia, for Vice President +of the Confederate States. On the 18th of February Mr. Davis was +inaugurated and the Provisional Government was instituted. +</p> + +<p> +On the 4th of March, "at the other end of the avenue," Abraham +Lincoln, nominated by a sectional convention, elected by a sectional +vote, and that the vote of a minority of the people, was inducted into +office. +</p> + +<p> +Eager now were the inquiries as to the probabilities of a war between +the sections. Everything was wrapped in the greatest uncertainty. +North Carolina still adhered to the Union. +</p> + +<p> +The anniversary of our company occurring on the 15th of March, which +was now near at hand, we determined to celebrate the occasion. We +accordingly issued invitations to the Rowan Rifles, of Salisbury, the +Blues and Grays, of Danville, Va., and the Orange Guards, of +Hillsboro, to be present with us. The Danville Grays, commanded by +Capt. Claiburne, arrived on the evening of the 14th, the Rowan Rifles, +Capt. McNeely, accompanied by Prof. Neave's brass band, greeted us on +the morning of the 15th; the Orange Guards, Capt. Pride Jones, brought +up the rear a few hours afterwards. Our visiting companies were +welcomed, and the hospitalities of the city extended in an appropriate +address by our then worthy Mayor, A. P. Eckel, Esq. Special addresses +of welcome were made to the Danville companies by John A. Gilmer, Jr.; +to the Rowan Rifles, by Lieut. James T. Morehead, Jr.; and to the +Orange Guards, by Lieut. Wm. Adams. Having formed a battalion, under +the command of Col. R. E. Withers, who had accompanied the Danville +companies, we paraded the streets some hours. We repaired, by +invitation of Prof. Sterling, to the Edgeworth grounds, where we found +a bountiful lunch ready for us, prepared by the hospitable hostess. +From Edgeworth we marched to the college, and passed in review before +the bright eyes and smiling faces of the assembled beauty of that +institution. At night our guests were entertained at a sumptuous +collation in Yates' Hall, prepared by the ladies of our city. After we +had refreshed the inner man, and regaled ourselves at the groaning +tables, we moved, by way of a temporary bridge, constructed from the +third-story window of the Yates building to the large hall in the +Garrett building adjacent. Here, under the soul-stirring music +discoursed by the Salisbury band, the feet began to twinkle and sound +in quadrille, and continued until +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"The jagged, brazen arrows fell</div> +<div>Athwart the feathers of the night."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +On the next day all departed for their homes. Ah! who surmised so soon +to leave them again, and on so different a mission! +</p> + +<p> +We now pass from these holiday reflections, which are germane only to +the introduction of these reminiscences, and arrive at the period when +our <em>law-abiding</em> old State called her sons to arms; when we +pledged our <em>most</em> sacred honor in the cause of freedom, and +willingly made the sacrifice:— +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"All these were men, who knew to count,</div> +<div>Front-faced, the cost of honor—</div> +<div>Nor did shrink from its full payment."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +On Friday, the 12th day of April, 1861, General G. T. Beauregard, then +in command of the provisional forces of the Confederate States at +Charleston, S.C., opened fire upon Fort Sumter. Then, on the 15th, +came the proclamation of Mr. Lincoln, calling for 75,000 troops. As +this levy could only mean war, Virginia determined to cast her lot +with the Confederate States, and, accordingly, on the 17th added +herself to their number. +</p> + +<p> +This proclamation was the out-burst of the storm, and with lightning +speed the current of events rushed on to the desolating war so soon to +ensue. +</p> + +<p> +On the 16th of April, Governor Ellis received from Mr. Cameron, +Secretary of War, the following telegram, viz.: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p class="ralign"> +<span class="sc">War Department</span>, +<br><span class="sc">Washington, D.C.</span>, <em>April 15th, 1861</em>. +</p> + +<p> +<span class="sc">To J. W. Ellis</span>: +</p> + +<p> +Call made on you by to-night's mail for two regiments of military +for immediate service. +</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="sc">Simon Cameron</span>, +<br><em>Secretary of War</em>. +</p> +</div> + +<p> +<em>Governor</em> Ellis immediately telegraphed back the following +reply: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p class="ralign"> +<span class="sc">Executive Department</span>, +<br><span class="sc">Raleigh, N.C.</span>, <em>April 15th, 1861</em>. +</p> + +<p> +<span class="sc">To Simon Cameron</span>, +<br><em>Secretary of War</em>. +</p> + +<p> +<span class="sc">Sir</span>: Your dispatch is received, and if genuine, +which its extraordinary character leads me to doubt, I have to say in +reply, that I regard that levy of troops made by the administration for +the purpose of subjugating the States of the South as in violation of +the Constitution, and as a gross usurpation of power. I can be no party +to this wicked violation of the laws of the country, and to this war +upon the liberties of a free people. <em>You can get no troops from +North Carolina.</em> I will reply more in detail when I receive your +"call." +</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="sc">John W. Ellis</span>, +<br><em>Governor of North Carolina</em>. +</p> +</div> + +<p> +It is to be remarked that as early as the 19th of March, Senator Thos. +L. Clingman had dispatched Gov. Ellis, to wit: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p> +"It is believed that the North Carolina forts will immediately be +garrisoned by Lincoln." +</p> +</div> + + + +<h2> +<a name="III"> </a> +CHAPTER III. +</h2> + + +<p> +Mr. Lincoln's "call" for troops excited indignation and alarm +throughout the South; and "law-abiding" North Carolina had now to +decide what it was her duty to do. +</p> + +<p> +On the 17th of April, Gov. Ellis issued a proclamation convening the +General Assembly to meet in special session on the first day of May. +</p> + +<p> +On the evening of the day of the issuing of the proclamation, Capt. +John Sloan, commanding the Grays, received orders from Gov. Ellis, "to +report with his company, with three days' rations, at Goldsboro, N.C." +This order was countermanded on the following morning, "to report to +Col. C. C. Tew, commanding the garrison at Fort Macon." +</p> + +<p> +In obedience to this order the Guilford Grays, on Friday night, April +18th, 1861, left Greensboro for Fort Macon. Thus the Rubicon was +crossed; thus did North Carolina find herself in armed conflict with +the United States; and thus were the Guilford Grays precipitated in +the contest in which they were to suffer and endure for four long +years. +</p> + +<p> +Our departure was the occasion of different and conflicting emotions. +The Grays, young, ardent, and full of enthusiasm, were the most +light-hearted and happy of all, and marched with as little thought of +coming trouble, as if on the way to some festive entertainment. Not so +with mothers, sisters, and sweethearts—for except our captain, none +of as were married—nature seemed to have granted to these a vision of +the future, which was denied to us, and while they cheered us on with +encouraging words, there was manifest in their expression a deep but +silent under-current of sad forebodings, not unaccompanied with tears. + We marched to the depot with drums beating, and with <em>that</em> flag +flying, which but twelve months before the girls had given us as a +"banner of peace." +</p> + +<p> +Previous to our departure on Friday night the company assembled in the +court-house, when Lieut. John A. Pritchett and Orderly Sergeant W. H. +Bourne, resigned their offices. John A. Gilmer, Jr., was elected to +fill the vacancy of lieutenant, and Wm. P. Wilson that of orderly +sergeant. +</p> + +<p> +The following is the roll of members who left for Fort Macon on the +night mentioned: +</p> + +<p> +John Sloan, Captain; William Adams, 1st Lieutenant; James T. Morehead, +Jr., 2d Lieutenant; John A. Gilmer, Jr., 3d Lieutenant; John E. Logan, +M. D., Surgeon; Henry C. Gorrell, Ensign; William P. Wilson, Orderly +Sergeant; John A. Sloan, 2d Sergeant; Geo. W. Howlett, 3d Sergeant; +Samuel B. Jordan, 4th Sergeant; Thos. J. Sloan, Corporal; Benjamin G. +Graham, 2d Corporal; Edward M. Crowson, 3d Corporal; J. Harper +Lindsay, Jr., 4th Corporal. Privates: Hardy Ayres, James Ayers, +William L. Bryan, Peter M. Brown, John D. Collins, Allison C. Cheely, +Chas. A. Campbell, H. Rufus Forbis, Rufus B. Gibson, Walter Green, +Frank A. Hanner, Alfred W. Klutts, Andrew D. Lindsay, John H. +McKnight, J. W. McDowell, James R. Pearce, Chas. E. Porter, William U. +Steiner, Edw. G. Sterling, John E. Wharton, Richard B. Worrell, Robert +D. Weatherly, Samuel P. Weir, A. Lafayette Orrell, James Gray, Samuel +Robinson, J. Frank Erwin, Joseph E. Brown, Edward Switz, Thos. D. +Brooks, W. G. Duvall. +</p> + +<p> +A few days after our departure, the ladies of Greensboro organized a +committee, consisting of Mrs. D. P. Weir, Mrs. R. G. Sterling, Mrs. T. +M. Jones, Mrs. A. P. Eckel, and Mrs. J. A. Gilmer, to see that we were +supplied with provisions and such clothing as was needful, and nobly +did these blessed ladies—three of whom have since "crossed the River; +resting under the shade on the other side"—perform their work of +love. We were constantly receiving boxes, containing, not only every +comfort, but luxuries and dainties, from this committee, in addition +to those sent us by the dear ones in our private homes. +</p> + +<p> +In the meanwhile our newspapers and politicians were urging immediate +action upon the part of our State. The following quotation from <cite>The +Patriot</cite> of May 2d, 1861, will serve to show the state of public +opinion at that time. <cite>The Patriot</cite> says: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p> +"Our streets are filled with excited crowds, and addresses were +made during the day by Governor Morehead, Hons. R. C. Puryear, +John A. Gilmer, Sr., Rob't. P. Dick, and Thomas Settle. These +speeches all breathed the spirit of resistance to tyrants, and our +people were told that the time had come for North Carolina to make +common cause with her brethren of the South in driving back the +abolition horde." +</p> +</div> + +<p> +On the 20th day of May, 1861 (being the 86th anniversary of the +Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence), North Carolina severed her +relations with the Federal Union, and made "common cause with her +brethren of the South." +</p> + +<p> +During the months of May and June our company received many volunteer +recruits, all, with one or two exceptions, coming from Guilford +County. Below are their names and the dates of their enlistment: +</p> + +<p> +Edward B. Higgins, J. T. Edwards, H. M. Boon, Richard G. Boling, L. G. +Hunt. John W. Nelson, Jas. A. Orrell, Chas. W. Westbrooks, Jos. W. +Rankin, C. W. Stratford, William M. Summers and Jas. S. Scott, on the +first of May. A. F. Coble, R. S. Coble, Robert L. Donnell, Mike +Gretter, G. D. Hines, Robert A. Hampton, Isaac F. Lane, Walter D. +McAdoo, on the 4th, Wash. D. Archer, on the 9th of June. James M. +Hardin, T. M. Woodburn, on the 10th. Wilbur F. Owen, Hal Puryear, +Rob't. B. McLean, Edward B. Lindsay, S. A. Hunter, W. I. L. Hunt, W. +C. Clapp, Israel N. Clapp, Jas. C. Davis, David H. Edwards, W. C. +Story, Andy L. Stanley, Rob't. B. Tate, on the 11th, Jas. M. Marsh on +the 13th, John W. McNairy, H. Smiley Forbis, William Dennis, John W. +Reid on the 15th, Thos. J. Rhodes on the 25th, and on the 19th of +July, Jas. L. Wilson. +</p> + +<p> +A large majority of the members of the Grays were sworn in, some two +months after our arrival at the Fort, as twelve months State troops. +Some few at this time returned to their homes, and others enlisted in +different commands. Ensign H. C. Gorrell returned to Greensboro, +raised a company for active service, was elected its captain, and +assigned to the 2d North Carolina regiment. He was killed June 21st, +1862, while gallantly leading a charge against one of the enemy's +strongholds on the Chickahominy. Our surgeon, Dr. John E. Logan, +remained with us about four months as surgeon of the post. He was then +assigned to the 4th North Carolina Regiment in active service, and, +later during the war, to the 14th North Carolina, where he served as +surgeon until the close of the war. +</p> + +<p> +The war fever had now reached its height, and companies were forming +throughout the State, and rapidly hastening to Virginia, which was +soon to become the theatre of active operations. In the meanwhile, the +seat of government was transferred from Montgomery, Alabama, to +Richmond, Va., where, on the 20th day of July, 1861, the first +Confederate Congress convened. +</p> + +<p> +On our arrival at Fort Macon, on the night of the 20th of April, we +found our old friends, the Orange Guards, also the Goldsboro Rifles +and the Wilson Light Infantry, in quiet possession of the citadel. The +United States garrison, consisting of Sergeant Alexander, supported by +one six-pounder mounted on the inner parapet to herald the rising of +the sun, and the going down of the same, had surrendered on the 11th, +without bloodshed, to Capt. Pender, of Beaufort. The sergeant was +paroled, and allowed to leave the fort with his flag and side-arms. +The ordnance was retained. On the next morning we saw floating from +the flagstaff over the fort the Pine Tree flag, with the rattlesnake +coiled around the base. This was the State flag. About ten days +afterwards for some cause, and by what authority is not known, the +State flag was pulled down and a Confederate flag run up in its place. +North Carolina had not yet seceded, and this was looked upon as an +unwarrantable assumption of command, and some of our company left for +home, but returned when the State afterwards seceded. +</p> + +<p> +A few weeks afterwards our garrison was reinforced by Capt. Latham's +(artillery) "Woodpeckers," from Craven. This command received its very +appropriate nickname from the fact that, when they entered the fort, +they wore very tight-fitting scarlet caps. (This company, with a +detail from the 27th N.C. Regiment, did splendid service at the +battle of Newberne.) +</p> + +<p> +Some time in June we were assigned to the 9th North Carolina regiment; +but, for some reason unknown to us, we were taken from this regiment, +and another company substituted. On the 22d we were placed, with five +other companies, in a battalion, commanded by Col. Geo. B. Singletary. +Our position was retained in this battalion until some time in +September, when we were assigned to the 27th North Carolina regiment, +which was organized with Col. Singletary as Colonel, Capt. John Sloan +(of the Grays) Lieut.-Colonel, and Lieut. Thomas C. Singletary as +Major. Seven companies of this regiment were then in camp near +Newberne, and the remaining three companies—one of which was the +Grays, and designated in the regiment as Company "B"—were on detached +service at Fort Macon, where we remained until the 28th of February, +1862. +</p> + +<p> +Owing to the promotion of Capt. Sloan to the Lieut.-Colonelcy of the +regiment, Lieut. William Adams was elected captain of the Grays and +Sergeant William P. Wilson elected 3d Lieutenant. +</p> + +<p> +Private William Cook died in Greensboro of typhoid fever, on the 5th +of June, having been a member of the company about one month. +</p> + +<p> +On the 31st of July, private George J. Sloan, after severe illness, +died at the fort. +</p> + +<p> +On the 1st of August the following new members enlisted, viz.: Jno. T. +Sockwell, R. D. Brown, Frank G. Chilcutt, George W. Lemons, James H. +Gant, Richard Smith, and L. L. Prather. +</p> + +<p> +Our special employment at the Fort, outside of the military routine, +and to relieve its tedium, was "totin" sand bags. Thad Coleman was our +chief of ordnance, and as the duties of this office were important and +imperative, Sergeant Howlett and Private A. D. Lindsay were detailed +as assistants or aids-de-camp. While waiting the arrival of our +artillery to equip the fort, Capt. Guion, our civil engineer, +instructed our chief of ordnance and his aids to erect embrasures and +traverses, of sand bags, on the parapets. The bags were first tarred, +then filled with sand and carried by the men to the parapets. This +interesting recreation was indulged in during the dog-days of the +hottest August that our boys ever experienced. At the early dawn of +every morning, upon the parapet, with a pair of opera glasses, +intensely scanning the horizon of the deep, deep blue sea, might have +been observed the inclined form of Capt. Guion, on the look-out for a +United States man-of-war. But whether a man-of-war or the +"idly-flapping" sail of some crab hunter hove in sight, the order for +more sand bags was placed on file at the ordnance department. We built +traverses day after day. We pulled them down and built them up again, +exactly as they were before. At length the raw material, of bag, +failed, and Sergeant-aid-de-camp Howlett was dispatched under sealed +orders to Greensboro on some mysterious errand. We employed our +leisure time which we now enjoyed (thanks to the bag failure and the +mysterious errand of Sergeant Howlett), in citing delinquents to +appear before a court-martial of High Privates, which we now +organized. Among the culprits were Sergeant Howlett and private +Summers. It had transpired that Sergeant Howlett's mysterious errand +had been to fill a requisition, made by Capt. Guion and approved by +Lieut. Coleman, chief of ordnance, for a Grover and Baker sewing +machine (extra size) to be employed in the furtherance of the tarred +sand-bag business. The prisoner was tried, convicted, and sentenced to +change his sleeping quarters to No. 14½. This casemate was occupied +by Harper Lindsay, Ed. Higgins, Tom. Sloan, Jim. Pearce, and McDowell. +Any man was entitled to all the sleep he could get in these quarters. +</p> + +<p> +Private Summers, who had obtained leave to visit home on what he +represented as <em>urgent</em> business, was also arraigned in due form. +The charges and specifications amounted substantially to this, that he +went home to see his sweetheart. He was permitted by the Court to +defend with counsel. "Long" Coble appeared for him, and in his +eloquent appeal for mercy—in which his legs and arms played the +principal part of the argument—he compared the prisoner to a little +ship, which had sailed past her proper anchorage at home and cast her +lines at a neighbor's house. The evidence being circumstantial he was +acquitted, but was ever known afterwards as "Little Ship" Summers. He +served faithfully during the entire war; has anchored <em>properly</em> +since, and the little "crafts" around his happy home indicate that he +has laid the keels for a navy. +</p> + +<p> +Running the "blockade" to Beaufort was another favorite amusement. The +popular and sable boatman for this "secret service" was Cæsar Manson. +Cæsar's knowledge of the waters of the sound was full and accurate, +and his pilotage around the "pint o' marsh" was unerring. Privates +McDowell, Jim Pearce, and Ed Higgins employed Cæsar a dark, rainy +night on one of these secret expeditions to Beaufort. Owing to the fog +on the sound and the <em>fog</em> in the boat, the return of the party +was delayed till late in the night. The faithful sentinel, Mike Wood +(of the Goldsboro Rifles), being on post at the wharf that night, and +this fact being known to prudent Cæsar, he steered for the creek to +avoid him. As these festive revellers were wading ashore, Mike, +hearing the splashing in the water, sung out, "who comes there!" +receiving no reply, he cocked his gun, and became very emphatic. +Pearce, knowing that Mike would shoot, answered very <em>fluently</em>, +while in the water to his waist, "don't you shoot me, Mike Wood, I am +coming in as fast as I can." Mike escorted the party to head quarters, +and they performed some one else's guard duty for several days. +</p> + +<p> +We must not forget to mention our genial commissary, Capt. King, and +his courteous assistant, Mike Gretter, of the Grays. "Billy" King and +his little cosey quarters were just outside the fort, and so +convenient of a cold frosty morning, to call upon him and interview +his <em>vial</em> of distilled fruit, hid away in the corner. <em>Vive le +Roi, Billie.</em> +</p> + +<p> +On the 8th of September, private James Davis died at the fort. +</p> + +<p> +On September the 28th, private Ed. Sterling, who was absent on +furlough, died at his home in Greensboro, N.C. +</p> + +<p> +On the 25th of October, the U.S. Steamer "Union" was wrecked off +Bogue Banks near the fort. Her crew was brought to the fort and +confined there for a short time. What is of more interest was, that we +received valuable stores from the wreck, among others, elegant hair +mattresses, which now took the place of our shucks and straw. +</p> + +<p> +These days at the fort were our halcyon days, as the dark hours were +to us yet unborn. The war had been so far a mere frolic. In the +radiant sunshine of the moment, it was the amusing phase of the +situation, not the tragic, that impressed us. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="IV"> </a> +CHAPTER IV. +</h2> + + +<p> +On the 7th of November, Lieut.-Col. John Sloan was ordered to report +for duty, to his regiment at Newberne. Some time in December Col. +George Singletary resigned and Lieut.-Col. John Sloan was elected +colonel of the regiment; Maj. T. C. Singletary was elected +Lieutenant-Colonel, and Lieut. John A. Gilmer, of the Grays—who had +been acting as adjutant of the regiment at Newberne—was elected +Major. The promotion of Lieut. Gilmer made a vacancy in the offices of +our company, and Sergeant John A. Sloan—at the time sergeant-major of +the fort—was elected to fill it. +</p> + +<p> +On the 28th of February, 1862, we were ordered to join our regiment +then encamped at Fort Lane, on the Neuse River, below Newberne, North +Carolina. About mid-day we filed through the sally-port and bade a +long and sad farewell to Fort Macon. We were transported by boat to +Morehead City, and thence by rail to Newberne. We arrived at Fort Lane +late in the evening, and in the pouring rain, marched to our quarters. +Our position in camp was assigned us, and we began to make ourselves +comfortable in our new home. We had much baggage, more than would have +been allowed an entire corps a year afterwards. Every private had a +trunk, and every mess a cooking-stove, to speak nothing of the extras +of the officers. All this portable property we turned over to Gen. +Burnside, later in the season, for want of convenient transportation. +</p> + +<p> +We had scarcely made ourselves snug in our winter quarters when we +learned that a large land and naval force, conjoined under command of +Gen. Burnside, was approaching Newberne. The fleet arrived in Neuse +River on the 12th of March, and the land forces were in our front on +the following day. On the night of the 13th we left our quarters and +moved down the south bank of the Neuse a short distance, where we were +placed in line of battle, in entrenchments which had previously been +constructed under the orders of Gen. L. O. B. Branch, commanding our +forces—our regiment being the extreme left of the lines, and resting +upon the river. The morning of the 14th broke raw and cold, the fog +was so dense that we could not see fifty yards beyond our works. As +soon as it lifted, a skirmish began upon the right of our lines +between the opposing pickets. About the same time the gunboats, which +were creeping slowly up the river, began to shell the woods. Under +cover of this random firing the land forces advanced. Our pickets +along the entire line were rapidly driven in, and the battle of +Newberne began. It is not my purpose here to venture a description of +this engagement or to make any remarks by way of criticism. +</p> + +<p> +After repeated attacks, the right of the Confederate lines gave way, +which exposed our portion of the lines to an enfilade fire; the enemy +took immediate advantage of their success, and were now endeavoring to +turn our flank and get in our rear. We were ordered to fall back a +short distance, and made a stand a few hundred yards to the rear in +the woods. Meanwhile the guns in Fort Lane had been silenced by the +shots from the enemy's fleet; this gave the boats an unobstructed +passage to Newberne. Had they succeeded in reaching Newberne ahead of +us, they would have destroyed the bridges and thus cut off our +retreat, and forced a surrender of our entire command. Under these new +and trying circumstances, a devil-may-care retreat was ordered, with +instructions to reform at the depot in Newberne. We stood not upon the +order of going but "went," rivaling in speed the celerity of the famed +North Carolina militia at the battle of Guilford Court-House. +</p> + +<p> +Before leaving our entrenchments, private S. H. Hunter was struck by a +fragment of shell, which had exploded near us, and killed. This was +the only casualty in our company and the first. Poor Hunter was struck +on the head and rendered unconscious. He was carried from the field +and brought with us to Kinston in an ambulance, but died on the way. +His remains were conveyed under escort to Greensboro. Sergeant Samuel +B. Jordan was captured on the retreat. He was exchanged and paroled +afterwards, but his term of enlistment having expired, he did not +again enlist. +</p> + +<p> +The company, or at least a portion of it, reformed at the depot in +Newberne. From here we continued our retreat unmolested to Kinston, +where we arrived at a late hour in the night. +</p> + +<p> +While at the depot in Newberne a special train was ordered for the +transportation of the sick and wounded. Some few others apparently +healthy and able-bodied, but constitutionally exhausted, sought +shelter on this train. Among these was my <em>body-guard</em> "Bill," +who, with prudential forecast, had secured a berth early in the action +and "held his ground" until the train reached Greensboro. Bill says he +simply went home to inform "mar's" Robert that "mar's" John was safe +and "untouched." He returned in due season and enlisted with me +"durin" the war, was faithful to the end, and is part of our history. +</p> + +<p> +We remained in and around Kinston performing picket duty on the roads +leading toward Newberne until the 22d of March. About the 25th we +changed our camp to "Black-jack," and on the 29th we moved to +Southwest Church. +</p> + +<p> +The muster-roll of our company at this period contained one hundred +and twenty names, but of this number, owing to the measles, +whooping-cough, itch, and other "diseases dire," only seventy-three +were reported for duty. +</p> + +<p> +On the 18th of March, Mike Gretter was detached and appointed brigade +commissary sergeant, in which position he served during the entire +war. On the 1st of April, A. D. Lindsay—a graduate of the sand-bag +department of Fort Macon—was appointed Ordnance Sergeant of our +regiment. About the 20th of April, our 1st Lieutenant, James T. +Morehead, Jr., resigned, to accept the position of captain in the 45th +North Carolina regiment. He was afterwards elected lieutenant-colonel +of the 53d regiment, and after the death of Col. Owens, was promoted +to the colonelcy. Colonel Morehead was wounded at Spottsylvania +Court-House, Gettysburg, and Hares' Hill, at which latter place he was +made a prisoner in a gallant charge of his command, and was held until +after the war. +</p> + +<p> +Private John W. Nelson was detailed as permanent teamster to +regimental quarter-master, some time in April, and acted as such until +the 17th of March, 1863, when he died in the hospital at Charleston, +S. C. +</p> + +<p> +The expiration of the term of enlistment of the twelve months' men was +now near at hand; and to provide measures to levy new troops, and to +hold those already in the field, President Davis was authorized by an +act of Congress "to call out and place in the military service for +three years all white male residents between the ages of 18 and 35 +years, and to continue those already in the field until three years +from the date of enlistment, but those under 18 years and over 35 were +to remain 90 days." Under this act our company lost privates R. B. +Jones, W. D. Hanner, W. Hopkins, W. C. Winfree, and W. Burnsides, all +of whom were over 35 years of age. W. Burnsides rejoined us in April, +1863. Private John E. Wharton substituted P. A. Ricks on the 1st of +May, and returned to Guilford, where he raised a company and +re-entered the service as its commandant. Private Ed. Lindsey, who +left us, being under 18 years of age, was made a lieutenant in Capt. +Wharton's company. Ed. was killed in the month of April 1865. +</p> + +<p> +On the 16th of April, the 27th North Carolina regiment reorganized. +Major John R. Cooke, who was at that time chief of artillery on Gen. +Holmes' staff, was elected colonel, R. W. Singletary re-elected +lieutenant-colonel, and John A. Gilmer, Jr., re-elected major. The +regiment was then assigned to Gen. Robert Ransom's Brigade, under +whose command we remained until the 1st of June. +</p> + +<p> +On the 22d of April, our company reorganized as company "B." William +Adams was re-elected captain, John A. Sloan was elected 1st +lieutenant, John H. McKnight 2d lieutenant, and Frank A. Hanner, 2d +lieutenant junior; Benjamin G. Graham was appointed orderly sergeant, +Samuel B. Jordan (still prisoner) 2d sergeant, Thos. J. Sloan, 3d +sergeant, George W. Howlett, 4th sergeant, Will U. Steiner, 5th +sergeant, Ed B. Crowson, 1st corporal, Jed H. Lindsay, Jr., 2d +corporal, John D. Collins, 3d corporal, and Chas. A. Campbell, 4th +corporal. Lieutenant W. P. Wilson declined re-election in the company +to accept the position of adjutant of the regiment, tendered him by +Col. Cooke, which office he filled with much credit to himself and +regiment. He died in Greensboro on March 3d, 1863, after a severe +illness. +</p> + +<p> +From the 4th to the 7th of May, we assisted in tearing up and +destroying the A. & N.C. Railroad from Kinston to Core Creek. We made +up our minds if Burnside pursued us again, he should come slowly, and +on foot. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="V"> </a> +CHAPTER V. +</h2> + + +<p> +From February to the tenth of May, the following men had joined our +company: Benjamin Burnsides, Henry Coble, R. L. Coltrain, John +Coltrain, D. L. Clark, John Cannady, W. W. Underwood, Jas. Hall, Jas. +R. Wiley, Hugh Hall, Wash. Williams, Lewis N. Isley, Stephen D. +Winbourne, W. W. McLean, Geo. H. Woolen, Wm. McFarland, Sam'l Young, +Lemuel May, Thos. L. Greeson, Rasper Poe, B. N. Smith, J. M. Edwards, +John H. Smith, R. L. Smith, Wm. Seats, Paisley Sheppard, Newton +Kirkman, James Lemons, Wm. Horney, Silas C. Dodson (rejoined), Jas. E. +McLean, Wm. May, S. F. McLean, E. F. Shuler, and J. J. Thom. +</p> + +<p> +Samuel Park Weir, who had acted as chaplain to our company, in +connection with his duties as a private soldier, was transferred, in +May, to the 46th North Carolina regiment, to accept the office of +Lieutenant in one of the companies of that regiment. When the war +commenced, Sam was at the Theological Seminary in Columbia, S.C. +Leaving his studies, he shouldered his musket and entered the ranks of +the Grays in April, 1861. At the battle of Fredericksburg, Dec. 13th, +1862, as his regiment was passing in our rear, at the foot of Marye's +Hill, Sam halted a moment to speak to Col. Gilmer, who had been +wounded as we were moving into our position, and was advising him to +leave the field. While thus conversing with the colonel and the +writer, he was struck by a minie-ball, and instantly killed, falling +lifeless at our feet. His remains were carried to Greensboro, and +buried in the Presbyterian burying-grounds. +</p> + +<p> +On the front line, he crossed the silent stream, leaving behind him +the fragrant memory of a name engraven to remain in the affections of +his comrades, and an example of modesty, purity, courage, and devotion +to principle unsurpassed. He sleeps the sleep of the blessed, and no +spot of earth contains a more gallant soldier, a truer patriot, or a +more faithful and sincere friend— +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"Sleep, soldier! Still, in honored rest,</div> +<div class="i1">Your truth and valor wearing:</div> +<div>The bravest are the tenderest—</div> +<div class="i1">The loving are the daring."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +On the 31st of May we folded our tents, made our preparations for a +hasty adieu to North Carolina, and left Kinston for the seat of war in +Virginia. We reached Richmond about one o'clock on the first of June. +As we neared the city, we could hear distinctly the guns of the battle +of Seven Pines, and as soon as we reached the depot, we were ordered +to the battle-field. We were marched rapidly through Richmond, all +anxious to take part in the battle now raging. Before we arrived on +the field, the fight had been fought and won, and our services were +not called for. +</p> + +<p> +On the following day we were assigned to Gen. J. G. Walker's brigade, +and ordered into camp at Drury's Bluff, where we remained, +constructing fortifications, until the latter part of June. While in +camp here, B. N. Smith substituted Paul Crutchfield. Dr. L. G. Hunt, +acting surgeon of our company, was appointed assistant surgeon of the +regiment. "Gwyn," with his amiable and handsome hospital steward, C. +M. Parks, of the Orange Guards, continued to prescribe "them thar +pills" until the war ended. +</p> + +<p> +On the 27th of June, 1862, the memorable "Seven Days' Fight" around +Richmond began. The Grays formed a portion of the reserve under Gen. +Holmes, and were marched from battle-field to battle-field, receiving +the shells of the enemy, and acting as targets for their sharp +shooters. On the 29th, Gen. Holmes crossed from the south side of the +James River, and on the 30th, being re-enforced by Gen. Wise's +brigade, moved down the river road with a view to gain, near to +Malvern Hill, a position which would command the supposed route of +McClellan's retreating army. We were posted on this road at New +Market, which was supposed to be the route McClellan would pursue in +his retreat to the James. Our generals and their guides, being +ignorant of the country, subsequently learned there was another road +running by the Willis church which would better serve the purpose of +the retreating foe, and we were moved to a position on this road. Here +we remained under the fire of the enemy's gun-boats, whose huge, +shrieking shells crashing through the trees and bursting in our midst, +inspired a degree of terror not justified by their effectiveness. The +dust created by our march gave the enemy a knowledge of our position, +and caused the gun-boats to open this heavy fire upon us. Instead of +finding the enemy a straggling mass, as had been reported, they were +entrenched between West's house and Malvern Hill, commanding our +position with an open field between us. +</p> + +<p> +General Holmes' artillery opened fire upon the enemy's infantry, which +immediately gave way, and simultaneously their batteries, of +twenty-five or thirty guns, and their gun-boats made a cross-fire upon +us. Their force, both in infantry and artillery, being vastly superior +to ours, any attempt upon our part to make an assault being considered +worse than useless, we were withdrawn at night-fall. The enemy kept up +their cannonading until after dark. +</p> + +<p> +On the 1st of July, late in the afternoon, line of battle was formed +and orders were issued for a general advance at a given signal, and +the bloody battle of Malvern Hill began. Several determined efforts +were made to storm Crews Hill; "brigades advanced bravely across the +open field raked by the fire of a hundred cannon and the muskets of +large bodies of infantry. Some were broken and gave way; others +approached close to the guns, driving back the infantry, compelling +the advance batteries to retire to escape capture and mingling their +dead with those of the enemy. For want of co-operation the assaults of +the attacking columns were too weak to break the enemy's line, and +after struggling gallantly, sustaining and inflicting great loss, they +were compelled successively to retire. The firing continued until +after 9 p.m., but no decided result was gained. At the cessation of +firing several fragments of different commands were lying down and +holding their ground within a short distance of the enemy's line, and +as soon as the fighting ceased an informal truce was established by +common consent. Parties from both armies, with lanterns and litters, +wandered over the field seeking for the wounded, whose groans could +not fail to move with pity the hearts of friends and foe." McClellan +withdrew with his army during the night, and hastily retreated to +Harrison's landing on the James. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="VI"> </a> +CHAPTER VI. +</h2> + + +<p> +Early on the next morning the rain began to fall in torrents, and +continued for forty-eight hours, rendering the roads almost +impassable. It was reported that the enemy were crossing the James, +and we were ordered back to our camp near Drury's Bluff. About +sun-down we commenced our weary and hard march. Our men were worn out +by continuous marching and loss of sleep, still we plodded along, +reaching our camp, 17 miles distant, about 3 o'clock in the morning +thoroughly drenched. Col. Cooke had gone ahead of us, and having +aroused the men left in charge of the camp, had great blazing fires in +front of our tents awaiting our arrival. +</p> + +<p> +On the 6th, we left Drury's Bluff and marched to Petersburg, spending +a day there; on the morning of the 8th we were ordered to Fort +Powhatan on the James below City Point. About daylight on the morning +of the 11th we were placed in ambush on a high bluff on the river with +instructions to fire into any vessel that might attempt to pass. We +had not been long in our position when a transport called the "Daniel +Webster" was spied approaching us. When she steamed up opposite us, +the batteries which had accompanied us let loose the "dogs of war," +and riddled her cabins and hull. She floated off down the river +disabled, but we had no means of knowing what damage we had done to +the crew. Very soon the gun-boats below opened fire upon us, and, for +a mile below, the woods and banks of the river were alive with shot +and shell. We withdrew our artillery and made a similar attempt the +next day, but found no game. +</p> + +<p> +We returned to Petersburg and remained in camp there until the 19th of +August, picketing up and down the James River. +</p> + +<p> +On the 31st of July we were sent down the river as support to the +artillery which had been ordered to Coggins' Point to shell McClellan's +camp. On the night of the 1st of August we had about fifty pieces of +our artillery in position; we could not show ourselves in the daytime, +as the enemy had their balloons up and could almost see the "promised +land" around Richmond. About 2 o'clock in the morning we opened fire +upon McClellan's camp on the opposite bank of the river. His camp fires +and the lights from the shipping in the river formed a grand panorama. +After a few shots from our artillery, these lights quickly disappeared. +We kept up a constant fire for several hours, withdrew, and at daylight +took up the line of march for Petersburg. After we had retired far out +of reach of their guns, the enemy opened the valves of their ordnance +and belched forth sounds infernal, but their gunpowder and iron was all +wasted upon imaginary forces. +</p> + +<p> +On the 20th of August we were ordered to Richmond, remaining there, +at Camp Lee, until the 26th, when we boarded the train for Rapidan +Station, on the Orange & Alexandria Railroad. We remained in camp at +this point until the 1st of September. +</p> + +<p> +Sergeant Geo. W. Howlett, being disabled for service in the field on +account of his eyes, left us on the 23d of July. Private R. L. +Coltrain was discharged by surgeon's certificate about the same time. +Corporal John D. Collins, on detail as one of the color-guard—and +who, in the absence of the regular color-guard of the regiment, had +carried our flag in the battles around Richmond—died of typhoid +fever, while we were encamped at Drury's Bluff. On the 8th of August, +private W. C. Clapp died at his home, and private John H. Smith at the +hospital in Petersburg. On the 17th, Hal Puryear substituted a most +excellent soldier in the person of Louis Lineberry. About this time a +regimental band was formed, and the Grays furnished as their quota: +Ed. B. Higgins, Samuel Lipsicomb, and Thomas J. Sloan; each of whom +became excellent "tooters." +</p> + +<p> +After the series of engagements at Bull Run and on the Plains of +Manassas, the condition of Maryland encouraged the belief that the +presence of our army would excite some active demonstration upon the +part of her people, and that a military success would regain Maryland. +Under these considerations, it was decided by our leaders to cross +the army of Northern Virginia into Western Maryland, and then, by +threatening Pennsylvania, to induce the Federal army to withdraw from +our territory to protect their own. +</p> + +<p> +Gen. J. G. Walker, our brigadier—now in command of the division—ordered +us from our camp at Rapidan Station, on the morning of September 1st, +and we set out with the army of Northern Virginia on what is termed +the "first Maryland campaign." Our first day's march halted us at +Warrenton. On the 4th, we reached the battle-field of Manassas, finding +many of the enemy's dead still unburied, from the engagement a few days +previous. On the 5th, we passed through the villages of Haymarket and +New Baltimore, and rested at Leesburg on the evening of the 6th. +McClellan was ignorant of Lee's plans, and his army remained in close +vicinity to the lines of fortifications around Washington, until the +sixth. Early next morning (Sunday), we forded the Potomac at Noland's +Ferry, and were occupying the shores of "My Maryland." Our band struck +up the "tune," but the citizens we came in contact with did not seem +disposed to "come." We had evidently crossed at the wrong ford. On the +next day, the 8th, we arrived at a small place called Buckettown, where +we rested until the morning of the ninth. About 10 o'clock, we reached +Frederick city; here we found the main army, and our division was +assigned to Gen. Longstreet's corps. In a skirmish with the enemy's +cavalry, near the city, Jas. A. Orrell and Thos. R. Greeson were +captured. +</p> + +<p> +On the night of the 9th, we, in company with our division, were +quietly marched to the mouth of the Monocacy river to destroy the +aqueduct. We were tramping all night and accomplished nothing; the +manœuver, as it afterward appeared, was but a feint to draw the +attention of the enemy away from the movements of "Stonewall's" corps, +then marching on Harper's Ferry. About daylight next morning we found +ourselves again in the vicinity of Buckettown; we proceeded some 5 +miles further, where we formed a line of battle, and rested on our +arms in this position all day in full view of the enemy, who were +posted on the hills beyond us, and to the east of Buckettown. As soon +as night came, we started off hurriedly in the direction of Frederick; +having gone in this course some three miles we countermarched and took +the road for Point of Rocks on the Potomac. Just as day was breaking, +on the morning of the 12th, after a rapid march, we reached Point of +Rocks and recrossed the Potomac. We were completely bewildered as to +our course, and no one seemed to know what all this manœuvering +would lead to. During the day, we ascertained we were on the road +leading to Harper's Ferry, but our course was so repeatedly changed +that we had but this consolation, that "if we did not know where we +were, or where we were going, the Yankees didn't, for the Devil +himself could not keep track of us." At night we reached Hillsboro, in +Loudon County. Va., and camped near there. On the 13th, we were in the +vicinity of Harper's Ferry, and at night took possession of Loudon +Heights, on the east side of the Shenandoah, and were in readiness to +open fire upon Harper's Ferry. General McLaws had been ordered to +seize Maryland Heights, on the north side of the Potomac, opposite +Harper's Ferry. Finding them in possession of the enemy, he assailed +their works and carried them; they retreated to Harper's Ferry, and on +the 14th, its investment by our forces was complete. As soon as we +gained our position, which was accomplished by a circuitous route up +the steep and ragged mountain, the enemy in and around Harper's Ferry +opened fire upon us from their batteries. Owing to the extreme +elevation, most of their shells fell short; a few burst over us, but +did no damage. The batteries attached to our division were carried by +hand to the top of the Heights, and placed in position. Early on the +morning of the 15th, the attack upon the garrison began. Stonewall +Jackson's batteries opened fire from Bolivar Heights, in conjunction +with ours and the artillery on Maryland Heights; in about two hours, +"by the grace of God," as Jackson had foretold, the garrison, +consisting of 11,000 men, surrendered. Seventy-three pieces of +artillery, 13,000 small arms, and a large quantity of military stores +fell into our hands. +</p> + +<p> +On the night of the 15th we made our descent from the Heights, crossed +the mountain and resumed our march. About midday of the 16th we +reached Shepherdstown, crossed the Potomac and went into camp near +Sharpsburg, Maryland. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="VII"> </a> +CHAPTER VII. +</h2> + + +<p> +On the morning of the 17th of September, just before day-break, we +were aroused from our slumbers and moved to a position in line of +battle on the extreme right of the Confederate lines. At early dawn +the enemy opened their artillery from both sides of the Antietam, the +heaviest fire being directed against our left. Under cover of this +fire a large force of infantry attacked Gen. Jackson's division, and +for some time the conflict raged with fury and alternate success. Gen. +Early, in command of Ewell's division, was sent to their support, when +Jackson's division was withdrawn, its ammunition being nearly +exhausted. The battle was now renewed with great violence, and the +troops of McLaws and J. G. Walker were brought from the right. With +these re-enforcements Gen. Early attacked resolutely the large force +opposed to him, and drove them back in some confusion beyond the +position our troops had occupied at the beginning of the engagement. +This attack upon our left was speedily followed by one in heavy force +on the centre, and our regiment was double-quicked one and a half +miles to near the centre, and placed in line about one mile to the +left of the town of Sharpsburg. +</p> + +<p> +The gallant and conspicuous part which the 27th regiment took in the +fight, Capt. Graham, of the Orange Guards, describes graphically as +follows: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p> +"Forming in a corn-field we advanced under a heavy fire of grape +and canister at a quick step up a little rise and halted at a rail +fence, our right considerably advanced. After holding this +position for half an hour or more our front was changed so as to +be on a line with the other troops. In the meantime we had +suffered heavily, and I think had inflicted equally as much +damage. [On this first advance Capt. Adams was shot down.] About 1 +o'clock the enemy having retired behind the hill upon which they +were posted, and none appearing within range in our front, Col. +Cooke ordered us to fall back some twenty steps in the corn and +lie down so as to draw them on; he, in the meantime, regardless of +personal danger from sharpshooters, remained at the fence beside a +small tree. After remaining there some 20 minutes, the enemy +attempted to sneak up a section of artillery to the little woods +upon our left. Colonel Cooke, watching the movement, ordered the +four left companies of our regiment up to the fence and directed +them to fire upon this artillery. At the first fire, before they +had gotten into position, nearly every horse and more than half +the men fell, and the infantry line which had moved up to support +them showed evident signs of wavering. Col. Cooke seeing this, and +having received orders to charge if opportunity offered, +immediately ordered a charge. Without waiting a second word of +command we leaped the fence and 'made at them,' and soon we had +captured three guns and had the troops opposed to us in full +retreat. A battery posted near a little brick church upon a hill +to our left was playing sad havoc with us, but supposing that +would be taken by the troops upon our left—who we concluded were +charging with us—we still pursued the flying foe. Numbers of them +surrendered to us and they were ordered to the rear. We pushed on +and soon wheeled to the right, drove down their line, giving them +all the while an enfilade fire, and succeeded in breaking six +regiments who fled in confusion. After pushing on this way for a +while we found ourselves opposed by a large body of troops behind +a stone wall in a corn-field. Stopping to contend with these, we +found that we were almost out of ammunition. Owing to this fact, +and not being supported in our charge, we were ordered to fall +back to our original position. This of course was done at +double-quick. As we returned we experienced the perfidy of those +who had previously surrendered to us, and whom we had not taken +time to disarm. They, seeing that we were not supported, attempted +to form a line in our rear, and in a few minutes would have done +so. As it was we had to pass between two fires: a part of the +troops having been thrown back to oppose our movement on their +flank, and these supposed prisoners having formed on the other +side. A bloody lane indeed it proved to us. Many a brave man lost +his life in that retreat. At some points the lines were not sixty +yards distant on either side. Arriving at our original position, +we halted and reformed behind the rail fence. We opened fire with +the few remaining cartridges we had left and soon checked the +advance of the enemy, who did not come beyond the line which they +occupied in the morning. In a short while all our ammunition was +exhausted. Courier after courier was sent after ammunition, but +none was received. Four or five times during the afternoon, +couriers came from Gen. Longstreet, telling Col. Cooke to hold his +position at all hazards, 'as it was the key to the whole line.' +Cooke's reply was, 'tell Gen. Longstreet to send me some +ammunition. I have not a cartridge in my command, but I will hold +my position at the point of the bayonet.'" +</p> +</div> + +<p> +Mr. Davis, in his history, says: "<em>Col. Cooke, with the 27th +North Carolina regiment, stood boldly in line without a +cartridge.</em>" +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p> +"About 5 o'clock in the afternoon we were relieved, and moved to +the rear about one mile. After resting half an hour and getting +fresh ammunition, we were again marched to the front, and placed in +line in the rear of the troops who had relieved us. Here we were +subjected to a severe shelling, but had no chance to return the +fire. After nightfall we rejoined our division on the left, and +with them bivouaced upon the battle-field." +</p> +</div> + +<p> +General R. E. Lee, in his report of this battle, makes complimentary +mention of our regiment, and says, further, "this battle was fought by +less than forty thousand men on our side, all of whom had undergone +the greatest labors and hardships in the field and on the march. +Nothing could surpass the determined valor with which they met the +large army of the enemy, fully supplied and equipped, and the result +reflected the highest credit on the officers and men engaged." +</p> + +<p> +General McClellan, in his official report, states that he had in +action in the battle 87,184 men of all arms. Lee's entire strength was +35,255. "These 35,000 Confederates were the very flower of the army of +northern Virginia, who, with indomitable courage and inflexible +tenacity, wrestled for the mastery in the ratio of one to three of +their adversaries; at times it appeared as if disaster was inevitable, +but succor never failed, and night found Lee's lines unbroken and his +army still defiant. The drawn battle of Sharpsburg was as forcible an +illustration of southern valor and determination as was furnished +during the whole period of the war, when the great disparity in +numbers between the two armies is considered. +</p> + +<p> +The Grays went into this battle with 32 men, rank and file. Capt. +William Adams, privates Jas. E. Edwards, A. F. Coble, James M. +Edwards, R. Leyton Smith and Samuel Young were killed on the field. +Privates Peter M. Brown, Benjamin Burnsides and Robert L. Donnell were +badly wounded and fell into the hands of the enemy. R. L. Donnell died +of his wounds at Chester, Pa., November 6th, 1862. Privates W. D. +Archer, Walter D. McAdoo, J. E. McLean, Samuel F. McLean, L. L. +Prather and W. W. Underwood were wounded and sent to the hospital. W. +W. Underwood died of his wounds September 29th, 1862. Privates Paul +Crutchfield, H. Rufus Forbis, Rufus B. Gibson, James M. Hardin, James +L. Wilson and William McFarland were exchanged and returned to their +company the following November, except McFarland, who was reported +dead. +</p> + +<p> +On account of the forced and continuous march from Rapidan, many of +our men from sheer exhaustion and sickness were compelled to fall out +of ranks, among them some of the best soldiers in the company. +</p> + +<p> +Captain Adams, as before stated, fell early in the action. He was +carried from the field and buried in the cemetery at Shepherdstown. +His remains were afterwards removed and interred in the cemetery at +Greensboro. He was a brave and gallant officer, and fell front-faced +with his armor on. The other members of the company who were killed, +wrapped in their martial garb, sleep in some unknown grave, on the +spot where they fell, amid the carnage and gore of the battle-field: +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"Whether unknown or known to fame—</div> +<div>Their cause and country still the same—</div> +<div class="i1">They died, and wore the gray."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +On the 18th we occupied the position of the preceding day. Our ranks +were increased during the day, and our general forces were augmented +by the arrival of troops; but our army was in no condition to take the +offensive, and the army of McClellan had been too severely handled to +justify a renewal of the attack, consequently the day passed without +any hostile demonstrations. During the night our army was withdrawn +from Sharpsburg, and at day-break on the morning of the 19th we +recrossed the Potomac at Shepherdstown. After fording the river, we +halted a short distance on the hills near by, and were engaged in +drying our clothing and making a breakfast from our scanty rations of +pop-corn and hard tack, when a force of the enemy, (Porter's corps,) +who had the temerity to cross the river in pursuit, made their +appearance. Gen. A. P. Hill, in charge of the rear guard of the army, +met them, made a charge upon them and drove them into the river. In +his report of this engagement he says: "The broad surface of the +Potomac was blue with the floating bodies of our foe. But few escaped +to tell the tale. By their own account they lost three thousand men, +killed and drowned. Some two hundred prisoners were taken." +</p> + +<p> +The condition of our troops now demanding repose, we were ordered to +the Occoquan, near Martinsburg. On our march another attempt to harass +our rear was reported, and we were sent back to the vicinity of +Shepherdstown; finding "all quiet on the Potomac," the march was again +resumed at night, and on the 21st we went into camp near Martinsburg. +After spending a few days here we were moved to the neighborhood of +Bunker Hill and Winchester, and remained in camp until the 23d of +October. +</p> + +<p> +On the 22d of September, while in camp near Martinsburg, the Grays +proceeded to fill the offices made vacant by the battle of the 17th. +Lieut. J. A. Sloan was promoted to captain; 2d Lieut. McKnight to 1st +Lieutenant; Frank A. Hanner to 2d Lieutenant; and Sergeant B. G. +Graham to junior 2d Lieutenant. J. Harper Lindsay was appointed +orderly sergeant. Corporals Wm. M. Paisley and A. C. Cheely were made +Sergeants. Privates R. D. Weatherly, Thos. J. Rhodes and H. Rufus +Forbis were appointed corporals. +</p> + +<p> +On the 8th of September, private R. D. Brown died at the hospital in +Petersburg, Va.; on the 12th, private R. L. Coble, at Frederick City, +Md.; on the 19th, Hugh Hall in hospital at Richmond; and on the 24th, +privates Wm. Seats and Wm. H. McLean died in hospital at Winchester, +Va. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="VIII"> </a> +CHAPTER VIII. +</h2> + + +<p> +About the middle of October, McClellan moved his army across the +Potomac, east of the Blue Ridge, and bent his course southward. Later +in the month, he began to incline eastwardly from the mountains, and +finally concentrated his forces in the neighborhood of Warrenton, +Virginia. On the 7th of November he was relieved of the command of the +army of the Potomac, and Gen. Burnside, "under Federal dispensation," +became his successor. The indications were that Fredericksburg was +again to be occupied. Gen. Lee, with his usual foresight, divining his +purpose, promptly made such disposition as was necessary to forestall +him. McLaw's and Ransom's divisions were ordered to proceed at once to +that city. +</p> + +<p> +On the morning of the 23d we broke up our camp at Winchester, and +after a long but pleasant day's march, reached the vicinity of +Millwood; from thence we journeyed on to Paris, in Loudon County. Our +march through this Arcadia of Virginia, with its picturesque scenery, +and along those splendid and wonderful turnpikes, as they stretched +out before us, formed a panorama never to be forgotten. The giant +hills stood around like sentinels wrapped in their everlasting +silence; behind these, still bolder hills, and again behind these, the +blueness of the distant mountains. The day was glad with the golden +brightness of an October sun, and as I gazed upon these mountains, +clothed in their autumnal beauty, and in their everlasting fixity of +repose, I could but contrast this grandeur and silence with the too +recent scenes of blood and tumult upon the hills of Antietam. How +brief, how insignificant is man's existence! Encamped so high above +the world filled us with a sense of exaltation and awe. Fires were +soon lighted, and the men, weary with marching, wrapped in their +blankets, stretched themselves upon the ground to sleep, perchance to +dream of firesides in distant homes where— +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"Belike sad eyes with tearful strain,</div> +<div class="i1">Gazed northward very wistfully</div> +<div>For him that ne'er would come again."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +The next morning broke cold and threatening. We resumed our march and +had proceeded but a few miles when the rain began to fall. Later in +the day it came down in torrents, and the wind was blowing gales. +About dark, in the midst of this storm, we were halted in a large +hickory grove on the side of the Blue Ridge, near the small village of +Upperville. Our men comprehended the situation at once, and, though +thoroughly drenched and chilled, soon had their axes ringing in the +forest, and large log fires were ablaze over the camp. The storm +continued with fury all night, to sleep was impossible, and we were +forced to pass the most disagreeable night we had ever experienced. +</p> + +<p> +On the 29th we retraced our steps to Paris. On the following morning, +acting as an escort to a foraging party, we proceeded to Middleboro. +At night we returned to camp, rich in wagon loads of corn and +provender, also securing a large lot of fine beeves. On the next day, +leaving Paris, we moved by way of Salem in the direction of Culpepper +Court-House, which place we reached on the 2d of November, and +remained there until the 4th. Sergeant Harper Lindsay, while here, +accepted the position of adjutant of the 45th North Carolina regiment, +and Sergeant Chas. Campbell was promoted to orderly sergeant in his +stead. +</p> + +<p> +On the night of the 4th, after a tiresome day's march, we went into +camp on the top of Cedar Mountain. We were halted on a bleak and +barren hill with no fuel within our reach. Col. Cooke, under the +circumstances, suspended "special orders" in reference to destroying +private property, and gave the men permission to burn the rails from +the fences near by. For this necessary disobedience some spiteful +person reported him and he was placed in arrest, from which he was +released next day without a court martial. After our company had made +its fires and were busy trying to make a supper from their scanty +rations, I strolled over to Cooke's headquarters and found him sitting +moodily over <em>his</em> fire of <em>rails</em>. We began to discuss the +officers of the brigade, and while he was idly turning a splinter he +held in his fingers, it fell from his hand and stuck upright in the +ground. He turned quickly to me, slapped me on the back and laughingly +said: "John, that is an omen of good luck." I surmised to what he had +reference—a probability of his promotion had been whispered—and +replied, I did not take much stock in splinters, but I hoped in this +instance the omen might be realized. In a few moments, several men +from the regiment, with their canteens, passed near us and one of +them, a lank, lean soldier, inquired of Cooke if he could tell him +where the spring of water was. With some irritability in his tone he +replied, "<em>No</em>, go hunt for it." The thirsty questioner, possibly +recognizing him, made no reply, but turned away thinking, no doubt, +under other circumstances, he would have answered him differently. The +soldier had gone but a short distance when Cooke called him back, +apologized for his hasty speech and indifference, and informed him +kindly where he could find the water. +</p> + +<p> +Not many days afterwards the splinter omen was interpreted, and Col. +John E. Cooke, of the 27th North Carolina regiment (though junior +colonel of the brigade), was promoted for gallantry to brigadier +general, and assigned to the command of Gen. J. G. Walker's brigade, +who was transferred to the Mississippi department. I have introduced +these incidents, merely to illustrate the noble traits of character of +this gallant and courteous gentleman and soldier, who was acknowledged +by Gen. Lee himself to be <em>the</em> brigadier of his army. Of his +services with his North Carolina brigade history already leaves him +a record. He is a man of chivalric courage, and possesses that +magnanimity of heart which ever wins the affections of a soldier. He +was beloved by his entire command. A truer sword was not drawn in +defence of the South and her cause, and a more untarnished blade never +returned to its scabbard when the unhappy conflict was over. +</p> + +<p> +Upon the promotion of Col. Cooke—Lieut.-Col. Singletary having +resigned on account of wounds—Major John A. Gilmer was promoted to +Colonel, Capt. George F. Whitefield, of Company C, to Lieutenant-Colonel, +and Capt. Jos. C. Webb, of the Orange Guards, to Major. The brigades +in our division were also changed, and under the reassignment of +regiments, Cooke's command consisted entirely of North Carolina troops, +and was <em>well known</em> in Lee's army as "<em>Cooke's North Carolina +Brigade</em>." +</p> + +<p> +On the 8th of November we were moved to Madison Court-House, where we +remained until the 18th. About the 15th the army of the Potomac was +reported in motion, and their gun-boats and transports had entered +Aquia Creek in their "on to Fredericksburg." On the morning of the +18th, our division received marching orders, and we also set out for +Fredericksburg. The weather was very cold, and our march was made +through rain and sleet; the ground was frozen, and some of our men +being barefooted, their feet cut by the ice, left their bloody tracks +along the route. The men, under all these hardships and exposures, +were in excellent spirits, and no one escaped their gibes and jokes. +Every few miles, growing in the corner of the fences and in the old +field, the persimmon tree ever dear to a North Carolinian's soul +appeared, and immediately discipline was forgotten, ranks broken, and +the tree besieged. Sam Hiatt once remarked that the green persimmon +was invaluable to an ordinary soldier, as a few of them would always +draw his stomach to the proportions suited to a Confederate ration. On +long marches the brigades marched by turns to the front. On one +occasion, while we were seated on both sides of the road waiting for +the rear brigades to pass to the front, a young and clever officer of +our command, who had assiduously cultivated his upper lip, and by the +aid of various tonsorial applications made pretense of possessing a +mustache, stepped out into the middle of the road and commenced, as is +usual with beginners, to toy with his hairs; presently a rough +specimen of a soldier came trotting along astride of a pack mule, and +as he neared the officer he halted his steed with a loud and long +"whoa!" Leaning forward, with a quizzical look, he politely but firmly +requested the officer "to please remove that mustache from the main +highway and allow him and his mule to pass." [The mustache was +<em>raze-rd</em> at Fredericksburg.] +</p> + +<p> +On the 23d we reached the vicinity of Fredericksburg, and employed +the interval—before the advance made by the enemy on the 11th of +December—in strengthening our line, which reached from the +Rappahannock, about one mile above Fredericksburg, along the hills in +rear of that city to the Richmond & Fredericksburg Railroad. +</p> + +<p> +About 11 o'clock on the morning of the 13th, Burnside, "whose turn +it now was to wrestle with General Lee," massed his forces under cover +of the houses of Fredericksburg and moved forward with his grand +divisions to seize Marye's and Willis' Hills— +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="i4">"With a hundred thousand men</div> +<div class="i4">For the Rebel slaughter-pen,</div> +<div>And the blessed Union flag a-flying o'er him."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +At the foot of Marye's Hill ran the Telegraph Road along which, for +some four hundred yards, is a stone revetment. On the crest of the +hill, at intervals, in pits, were posted nine guns of the Washington +artillery, under Col. Walton. Three regiments of Cobb's brigade and +commanded by him, were in position behind this stone wall at the foot +of the hill. Some two hundred yards in a ravine, and immediately +behind the Washington artillery, lay our (Cooke's) brigade. About one +o'clock all the guns on Stafford Heights were directed against our +guns on Marye's Hill, endeavoring to draw their fire so as to cover +the advance of their infantry. Our artillery, instead of replying, +remained silent until their infantry had deployed, when they poured a +storm of canister into them. French's division came first, and they +were swept away before the deployment was completed. The battle now +lulled for some twenty minutes, when the enemy "entered the ring" with +Hancock to the front. +</p> + +<p> +About this time our brigade was moved to the crest of the hill. The +46th, 48th and 15th regiments were halted on the hill on the line of +the batteries, while our regiment (27th), in the midst of a terrific +fire, passed rapidly through the Washington artillery, and +double-quicked down the steep incline into the Telegraph Road and +joined in the fire. During our advance Col. Gilmer was severely +wounded in the leg, but succeeded in reaching the foot of the hill. +</p> + +<p> +Hancock was repulsed with terrible slaughter. Gen. Cobb had been +previously killed, and Gen. Kershaw now took command of the troops in +the road. After we had reached our position behind the stone wall, +Gen. Cooke received a severe wound in the head and was carried from +the field. The command of the brigade now devolved upon Col. Hall of +the 46th regiment, who moved his and the other regiments of the +brigade into the Telegraph Road. The enemy now made his third effort, +when Howard's and Sturgis' and Getty's divisions advanced bravely to +the desperate work assigned them. We took heavy toll from their +columns, and, like their predecessors, they fell back in confusion. +Lastly came the sixth and final assault by Humphrey's division, of +Hooker's corps, and charge it did, as game as death. They, too, had to +bite the dust, and their broken and shattered columns fled in disorder +to the city, leaving the field strewn with their slain. +</p> + +<p> +About 9 o'clock we threw forward our pickets and, in the darkness, +many of their raw recruits came into our lines, their guns and +accoutrements perfectly new; some of them had not fired a shot and +could scarcely tell their nativity. +</p> + +<p> +We remained in line of battle during the night, expecting and hoping +for a renewal of the assault on the next day. The 14th (Sunday) came, +however, and went away without a renewal. On the 15th we were moved a +few hundred yards farther to our left, and remained in this position +until the morning of the 16th, when it was discovered that the enemy, +availing himself of the darkness of the night, had recrossed the +river. +</p> + +<p> +"A river has always been considered a good line of defence by most +writers on the art of war, provided certain principles be observed in +defending. When Napoleon crossed the Danube, in 1809, in the presence +of the Archduke Charles, who was a good general, he was forced to +retreat to the islands of Lobau and Enzersdorf, after the bloody days +of Essling. Had not the Archduke assumed the offensive so +<em>vigorously</em>, the Emperor's loss would not have been so great, +and he could have remained on the left bank." This later "Essling" +army was fairly and terribly beaten, forced to recross the river, +after great loss of life and labor, and was spared (thanks to his +bridges and darkness of the night) utter annihilation. +</p> + +<p> +Burnside testified, before the committee on the conduct of the war, +that he had, in round numbers, one hundred thousand men, all of whom +were engaged in this battle, and that he failed because it was found +impossible to get the men up to the works; that the Confederates' fire +was too hot for them. Of Lee's forces, only about twenty thousand men +were actively engaged. The casualties in our company, owing to the +protection afforded us by the stone wall behind which we were posted, +were comparatively few. Private William D. Archer, a splendid specimen +of a soldier, was killed; Privates James M. Hardin severely, and Frank +G. Chilcutt slightly, wounded. On the 16th, we were removed to near +Hamilton's Crossing, and remained in camp there until the 3d day of +January, 1863. While here, some of our officers and men were in +demand, and Lieut. B. G. Graham was detailed as brigade ordnance +officer. Silas C. Dodson was appointed clerk in the commissary +department under Major Hays, and David H. Edwards, quartermaster-sergeant. +On the 4th of December, Private John W. Reid was transferred to the +48th North Carolina regiment, having been elected to the position of +lieutenant in one of its companies. On the 17th, Corporal Will L. +Bryan, having contracted a severe cold on the march from Madison +Court-House, died in camp. Private Thos. J. Rhodes was appointed +corporal in his stead. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="IX"> </a> +CHAPTER IX. +</h2> + + +<p> +The muster-roll of the Grays, in camp near Fredericksburg, numbered, +on the 31st day of December, for duty, two commissioned officers, four +sergeants, four corporals, and thirty-eight privates; on detached +service, six privates; sick (present), three privates; sick and +wounded (absent) twenty-three privates; total present and absent, rank +and file, eighty-nine. +</p> + +<p> +On the third of January, 1863, we were ordered to hold ourselves in +readiness to march, and about 10 o'clock we were on the road leading +towards Richmond. The first day's march found us encamped on the +Telegraph Road, 15 miles from Fredericksburg. We arrived at Richmond +on the 6th, passed through the city, and made camp on the Richmond & +Petersburg turnpike. The following day we registered at Petersburg, +camping just outside of the city limits, and remaining there until the +14th. Next morning (15th) we boarded the cars for North Carolina, and +reached the city of Goldsboro on the evening cf the 16th—being our +first visit to the State since our summary expulsion from Newberne by +Burnside. +</p> + +<p> +The 19th found us on the outskirts of the straggling little village of +Kenansville; thence onward, we marched through a sparsely-settled +country to South Washington, where we remained until the 1st of +February. From South Washington, we moved about 7 miles eastward to +the scattered town of Burgaw, where we remained until the 20th. +</p> + +<p> +It was here at Burgaw that our foot-sore and weary boys found realized +those blissful dreams which sometimes hover over the hard couch of a +soldier and lure him into the fable land of unknown joys from which he +hears +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +"The horns of Elfland faintly blowing." +</p> + +<p> +It was here that we found the sweet potato, the perfectly cultured +sweet potato, as it only grows and ripens in that portion of eastern +North Carolina. Imagine, if you can, the solid comfort—after the many +hardships and adventures of the bustling year of 1862—it would afford +a native Carolina "Cornfed," to be able to sit down under his own +pines +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"An' hear among their furry boughs</div> +<div>The baskin' West wind purr contented,"</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +and occupy his leisure moments in roasting a genuine yam. There were +no armed blue-coats here, like little Miss Muffet's spider, to +frighten us away. We were in a land untouched as yet by the foot of +war; no war-dog had bayed here—it was still the domain of ancient +peace; and the little villages slept in the hollows of the pine-clad +hills, or perched in security upon the uplands. It was also at that +delightful season of the year when the women and children were no +longer vexed with the cares of agricultural pursuits. The sweet potato +crop had been dug, the virgin dip had been scooped out of the last +box, and nothing now remained but to enjoy in peace the products of +honest industry. +</p> + +<p> +On the night of the 20th we left these plaintive pines, marched to +Wilmington, and were soon aboard of the cars destined for Charleston, +S.C. About mid-day of the 22d—after slight detentions at Marion +Court-House and Florence—we arrived at the depot in Charleston. +While here awaiting orders—the men remaining upon the open flat +cars—several impudent and inquisitive idlers, necessary adjuncts to +every depot, gathered around us. Among them happened to be a +well-dressed, dapper fellow, in his home-guard-suit-of-gray and +snow-white "b'iled" shirt. Being of an inquisitive nature, and seeking +information, he had the rashness to address Jim Pearce, and inquire of +him: "<em>Whose command? Where are you stationed, sir?</em>" Jim, who +was sitting on the edge of the car, idly dangling his feet, seemed to +"take him in" at once, and rising to the dignity of a full-fledged +veteran, replied (very feelingly): "<em>Stationed! Stationed, sir! +Stationed, the H—l-fire!</em> We have chased and been chased by the +Yankees from beyond the shores of Maryland to this city, and we are +<em>still</em> on the wing!" As the cars moved off, Jim gave him a +quizzical lookout of his left eye, smiled, and faintly whispered +"stationed?" +</p> + +<p> +It is a peculiar trait of the faculty of memory that it is very prone +to gather up the "unconsidered trifles of life," and to let slip many +of its apparently more important events. But my reader must remember +that war is not all tragedy,—that there are smiles as well as tears +in the drama. +</p> + +<p> +The evening of the 23d found us at Pocataligo, a small railway station +on the Charleston & Savannah Railroad. Remaining here a few days, we +next located at Coosawhatchie, another depot, eight miles away, and +about sixty miles from Charleston. Having an ample supply of tents, we +laid out a regular camp; with no battle to fight, and very light +picket duty to perform, we passed a quiet and pleasant time, until the +23d of April. The country around Coosawhatchie is low and marshy; the +lakes and streams abound with alligators; the forests of live-oak, +shrouded and festooned with a gray moss, present a weird and +picturesque appearance; the products are rice, pinders, and grits; the +pasturage is confined to a few lean, lank cattle, called by the +natives "high-walk." We relied upon the markets of Charleston and +Savannah for our commissary stores, and the morning train rarely +failed to bring us fresh shad. Our provident surgeon had a good supply +of wet groceries, which sustained our <em>sick</em>, and our stay in +South Carolina wore pleasantly, having no special fighting to do. +</p> + +<p> +While in camp at Coosawhatchie, the writer and a comrade (Maj. Webb) +mounted our horses one bright Sunday morning to enjoy the charming +beauty of the day, and the invigorating influences of the sea air. +After riding for about two hours over the level country with its +monotonous aspect, we came suddenly and unexpectedly upon one of those +charming country seats, which were once the pride and delight of the +landed proprietor. The mansion, situated upon a gentle elevation, was +of old-time construction with the wide hall, large rooms and broad +staircases, and colonade of immense pillars supporting the roof of the +front porch. It was embowered in thick clusters of live oaks which +stood round in a kind of outer park, while the inner park was composed +of terraces covered with flowers and shrubbery, while thickets of rose +gardens seemed to stretch in every direction. An aged negro was the +only living being about the place. He told us that the place was +called "Roseland;" that old massa was dead; that the two boys were in +the army, and that Miss Minnie was at school in Raleigh, N.C. +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"A merry place, 'tis said, in days of yore:</div> +<div>But something ails it now."—</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +Vandal hands had done their accustomed work. The beautiful grounds +were sadly disfigured; the shrubbery was broken down; the crops and +forage had been gathered by alien hands, and only the poor ghost +remained of this once peaceful and happy home. +</p> + +<p> +During our encampment in South Carolina, we were notified of the death +of private R. G. Boling, at hospital in Richmond. Jas. H. Gant died on +the 18th of February; about the same time, Isaac F. Lane died at +Leesburg, N.C.; his remains were carried to Guilford. On the 1st of +March, James M. Lemons died at his home. On the 14th of April, Jas. S. +Hall died in hospital at Hardyville, S.C., and was buried in the +cemetery at Charleston. +</p> + +<p> +Private Sam Smith, unfit for active service, substituted Jas. E. +Lloyd, and private Jas. R. Wiley was discharged upon surgeon's +certificate on the 7th of February. +</p> + +<p> +On the 27th of March, corporal R. D. Weatherly was promoted to +sergeant-major of the regiment, and private William C. Story was +appointed corporal in his stead. +</p> + +<p> +On the 23d of April, we received orders to return to North Carolina. +We left Coosawhatchie the same day, arrived at Charleston, S.C., the +following day, and on the 25th reached Wilmington, N.C. We remained +in camp near Wilmington until the 5th of May, when we moved to +Magnolia. Remaining here a few days, we were moved to Goldsboro; from +here we were ordered to our old tramping-grounds near Kinston, where +we arrived on the 16th. Meanwhile, a detachment of the enemy from +Newberne, on a raiding expedition, had encountered General Ransom's +brigade near Gum Swamp. General Ransom undertook to drive them within +their lines, and made a feint upon Newberne. We formed a portion of +the troops engaged in this expedition, and succeeded in driving the +enemy within their lines, and destroying the block-houses they had +made for their defence. We gained nothing by this tramping, except a +few cases of malarial fever, occasioned by our swamp-wading. With the +exception of an occasional skirmish with the enemy's cavalry on +Batchelor's Creek, there is nothing worthy of mention during our +encampment in the vicinity of Kinston. We remained here until the 5th +of June, when once more we received orders to proceed to Virginia. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="X"> </a> +CHAPTER X. +</h2> + + +<p> +In the latter part of April, 1863, the Army of the Potomac, under the +command of Major-General Hooker, occupied its position in front of +Fredericksburg. Here he constructed a formidable line of earthworks; +from which secure position, he purposed to move on General Lee's +flank. With this view, he crossed the Rappahannock and took position +at Chancellorsville. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile, General Lee, watching him, was entrenched on the line of +hills south of the Rappahannock, near Fredericksburg. +</p> + +<p> +On the 2d of May, these two confronting armies met each other, and +commenced the memorable engagements of Chancellorsville. "On this +field the star of Confederate destiny reached its zenith, when the +immortal Jackson fell wounded at the head of his victorious troops; it +began to set on the 10th of May, when Jackson was no more." +</p> + +<p> +General Lee, deeming the true policy now to take the aggressive, at +once set to work to manœuver so as to draw Hooker's army from +Fredericksburg, and remove hostilities beyond the Potomac. +</p> + +<p> +In pursuance of this design, our army—now reorganized into three +corps, respectively commanded by Lieutenant-Generals Longstreet, +Ewell, and A. P. Hill—early in June moved northward, with the view of +marching into Maryland and Pennsylvania. On our arrival at Richmond, +on the 6th of June, we were assigned to Heth's division of A. P. +Hill's corps—which corps still occupied the lines in front of +Fredericksburg, the corps of Ewell and Longstreet having advanced as +far as Culpepper Court-House. On the night of the 13th, Hooker retired +from his position, and on the 14th the corps of A. P. Hill left for +the valley. At the urgent request of General Elzey, in command at +Richmond, our brigade (Cooke's) was retained there, and Davis' +Mississippi brigade was assigned to Heth's division in our stead; +through which circumstance, we failed to participate in the +Pennsylvania campaign and to share in the fatal battle of Gettysburg. +</p> + +<p> +On the 9th of June we were sent to the South Anna bridge, on the +Virginia Central road, to repel a threatened attack from the enemy's +cavalry. Remaining here until the 11th, we returned to Richmond, and +were ordered to Chapin's Bluff, on the James. John F. McQuiston joined +the company here. We remained at the Bluff only a few days, when we +were again returned to Richmond, and camped in the vicinity until the +8th of July. On the 11th, we moved to Taylorsville, on the R. & F.R.R. +Remaining here until the 1st of August, we moved to Fredericksburg, +and picketed the various fords on the Rappahannock. On the 28th, we +retraced our steps to Taylorsville, went into camp in pine forest near +the railroad, and passed the time quietly until the 24th of September. +</p> + +<p> +On the 13th of July, the shattered remnant of our army recrossed the +Potomac into Virginia. General Meade, now in command of the Federal +troops, advanced east of the mountains, and General Lee, so as to +confront him, moved his army, and established a line of defence along +the Rapidan River. In this position the two armies remained, in +comparative quiet, about two months. Early in October, General Lee, +with Ewell's and Hill's corps, crossed the Rapidan to attack Meade's +flank, or force him to retire from his position. +</p> + +<p> +The Grays, having been encamped at Gordonsville since the 24th of +September, were ordered to rejoin their corps, and on the 9th of +October we left Gordonsville, marching <em>via</em> Madison Court-House, +where we camped on the 10th. On Sunday morning (11th), we reached +Culpepper Court-House. Just before our arrival it was ascertained that +Meade was on the farther side of the Rappahannock River, which would +render it necessary for our troops to make another flank movement. On +Monday, the 12th, therefore, we started for Warrenton. Passing near +Salem, we camped that night at Amisville. The next day, passing +Warrenton Springs, we reached Warrenton. On the morning of the 14th, +we resumed our march, and about ten o'clock we came upon a little +place called Grinage. Here we found the deserted camp of the enemy. +Their camp-fires were still burning, many articles of camp equipage +were lying around, everything showing that a panic had seized them and +that their retreat was hasty and terrified. We hastened on in pursuit, +at a rapid rate, capturing their stragglers at every turn. At the same +time, we knew that Ewell was driving another corps of the enemy on our +right up the Orange & Alexandria Railroad. Our men were in the highest +spirits, confident not only of victory, but of destroying or capturing +everything in front of us. We knew the river in their rear was +swollen, and possibly the bridges gone, and there would be no outlet +for them. Governor Vance's faithful ship, the "Advance," had come in +"heavily laden," and we were proudly and splendidly dressed in some of +the gray cloth of its cargo, which, but a few days before, we had +received; our hopes were buoyant, our rations plentiful, and it is +easy to imagine with what pace we kept up the pursuit. Reasonable +expectations doomed to a speedy and bitter disappointment! +</p> + +<p> +After keeping up the pursuit at this rapid rate for some three hours +along the main road leading to Bristoe station, our brigade filed out +into the woods upon our right when we arrived within a short distance +of the station. Cooke's brigade formed the advance of the pursuing +column, Kirkland's brigade followed, then came the remainder of A. P. +Hill's corps. At the time we filed to our right in the woods, Kirkland's +brigade moved up and filed off to the left of the road; the rest of our +corps was halted and <em>remained</em> in the road in the rear. Our +brigade (Cooke's) was immediately thrown into line of battle, the 46th +N.C. regiment on the extreme right, the 15th N.C. next, the 27th N.C. +next, and the 48th N.C. next, with their left resting upon the main +road. In this position we were ordered to move forward. Advancing some +five hundred yards through a dense forest of pines, we were halted near +a small stream in an open field. About 800 yards in our front and to +our left upon a hill, we could see several brigades of the enemy; while +in the road in their front a large wagon train was hurriedly moving +off. About this time a battery of guns concealed in the woods opened a +heavy fire upon our right flank, seemingly to cover the retreat of +their wagon train. Just then a courier from Gen. Heth handed to Gen. +Cooke orders from Gen. Hill to advance; in the meanwhile a message was +received from Col. Hall, commanding our right flank, informing Gen. +Cooke that the enemy had driven in his skirmishers and was pressing him +on his flank. Thereupon Cooke sent Heth's courier back to him with the +information that the enemy were in force upon his right, and before he +could advance that his flank must be protected. The courier from Gen. +Heth returned a second time with orders to advance, and while +delivering the orders one of Gen. Lee's staff-officers rode up, and +being informed of our situation, said to Cooke that <em>he</em> would go +to Gen. Hill for him. Before he had time to reach Gen. Hill, a courier +arrived <em>direct</em> from Hill to Gen. Cooke with orders to <em>advance +at once</em>. Cooke replied, "I will do so, and if I am flanked I will +face about and cut my way out," and immediately gave the command +"forward!" Advancing at a quick step up a slight elevation we came in +full view of the enemy. Simultaneous with our advance five pieces of +our artillery, posted in the main road upon our left, opened fire on +the enemy in sight, who retired apparently in confusion. +</p> + +<p> +About 800 yards in the valley in our front ran the track of the Orange +& Alexandria Railroad. The road here formed an embankment from six to +eight feet high, extending far enough to overlap our brigade and a +portion of Kirkland's on our left. The space between us and the +railroad was a barren, open field, descending with a gradual declivity +to the railroad embankment. Across and beyond the railroad about 300 +yards, upon a considerable elevation, were extensive woods and +thickets; here the enemy had posted their artillery. In front of +these woods, and on the face of the hill descending to the railroad +embankment, was posted what we then supposed was the enemy's skirmish +line, but which proved to be a decoy, for the troops which had retired +at the firing of our artillery in the road, and a large body of those +who had been retreating before Ewell, had stretched themselves behind +the railroad embankment, forming their real line of battle, which +consisted of the entire second corps and one division of the 5th corps +of Meade's army. +</p> + +<p> +We had advanced rapidly some 25 yards when our regiment, being +slightly in advance, was halted until the regiments upon our right and +left came up. Here we discovered for the first time the real position +of the enemy behind the railroad embankment. We were going down the +hill; they, secure behind the bank, had only to lie down on the slope, +rest their muskets on the track of the railroad and sweep the open +field as we attacked. The attack was made. +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"Not tho' the soldier knew,</div> +<div>Some one had blundered:</div> +<div>Their's not to make reply,</div> +<div>Their's not to reason why,</div> +<div>Their's but to do and die;</div> +<div>Into the Valley of Death,</div> +<div>Into the mouth of Hell,</div> +<div>Stormed at with shot and shell,</div> +<div>Marched the six hundred."</div></div></div></div> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XI"> </a> +CHAPTER XI. +</h2> + + +<p> +We had scarcely emerged from the woods and began to advance down the +hill, when Gen. Cooke, in command of the brigade, was shot and fell +from his horse severely wounded. Col. Gilmer, in command of our +regiment, was shot down about the same moment. The command of the +brigade now devolved upon Col. Hall, of the 46th N.C. regiment, and +the command of our regiment fell upon Lieut.-Col. Whitfield. We were +now suffering from the terrific fire of the enemy's artillery posted +in the thickets on the elevation beyond the railroad, and from the +murderous fire of their infantry in safe position behind the +embankment. Col. Whitfield seeing that our entire force would soon be +annihilated by the concentrated fire of the enemy, reported to Col. +Hall that the brigade must either retreat or make a charge. Col. Hall +thought a charge was the best to be done, and Col. Whitfield gave the +order to advance. In a moment we were double-quicking down the hill, +our men falling at every step. When we came to within a few yards of +the railroad, the enemy rose up from behind the embankment and poured +a volley into our ranks which almost swept the remnant of us out of +existence. At this juncture some of our company sought shelter in a +little shanty on our left, where they were afterwards captured by the +enemy. Col. Whitfield was now shot down, and Major Webb assumed the +command. In our perilous condition but two courses were open, either +to surrender or to take our chance in a retreat up the hill, the +descent of which had been so disastrous. Major Webb chose the latter +and gave the order to fall back. +</p> + +<p> +During our advance our colors were cut down three times. The third +time they were caught up by corporal William C. Story, of the Grays, +on the color-guard, and carried by him during the rest of the fight. +For his gallantry upon this occasion he was complimented in special +orders, and was afterwards appointed ensign of the regiment, with the +rank of lieutenant. The cause of the war may be forgotten, but the +achievements of each soldier are the common property and common glory +of the country, and are imperishable. The calm and cool courage +displayed by this young lad of Guilford, who bore so well the brunt of +this hard-fought field is worthy of the heroes who fell at Culloden. +He bore the flag of his country's trust until the surrender. He +returned to his home broken down in health, and in a few months +surrendered to his last enemy—Death! In the quiet church yard at +Tabernacle, in the southeastern part of Guilford, Story sleeps near +those who loved him. In this consecrated spot may memory come to +embalm his name, and love bedew with her fondest tears the turf which +wraps his clay. +</p> + +<p> +We continued to fall back, under a continuous deadly fire, until we +had passed the brow of the hill, and were under shelter. +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"They that had fought so well</div> +<div>Came back from the mouth of Hell—</div> +<div class="i1">All that was left of them."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +During the night the enemy continued their retreat toward Centreville. +We, with litters and canteens of water, repaired to the battle-field +to care for our wounded, where "Death wagged his slim jaws gleefully +over his feast," and gorged himself with many more victims ere the +dawn of the 15th. +</p> + +<p> +The Grays went into this battle with three commissioned officers, four +Sergeants, four Corporals, and fifty-two privates. +</p> + +<p> +Killed: First Lieutenant John H. McKnight; privates John Cannady, +Henry Crider, and John T. Sockwell were killed on the field. +</p> + +<p> +Wounded: Capt. John A. Sloan, Corporal C. W. Stratford, Sergeant Chas. +A. Campbell; privates Emsley F. Shuler, W. Burnsides, Henry G. Coble, +Lewis N. Isley, Wm. D. Dennis, L. L. Lineberry, J. W. McDowell, Robt. +B. McLean, William May, Cyrus Crowson, A. L. Orrell, Rufus B. Gibson, +Samuel Gray, R. S. Smith, W. M. Summers, were wounded. Sergeant E. M. +Crowson was wounded, taken prisoner, and died of his wounds at Point +Lookout, Jan. 23, 1864. Private H. Rufus Forbis died of his wounds at +Richmond, Oct. 27, 1863. Joseph E. Rankin died of wounds, October 24. +W. F. Hunter died of his wounds, Nov. 7, and John W. McNairy lost a +leg. +</p> + +<p> +Prisoners: Sergeant W. U. Steiner (wounded and captured); privates H. +M. Boon, Paul Crutchfield, Jno. Coltrain, Geo. W. Lemons, James M. +Marsh, James A. Orrell, Wilbur F. Owen, Jas. R. Pearce, Andrew L. +Stanley, Paisley Sheppard, T. M. Woodburn, R. B. Worrell, Geo. H. +Woolen, Thos. R. Greeson, and Jas. L. Wilson were captured and carried +to Point Lookout. +</p> + +<p> +Walter Greene, who was detached as courier to Gen. Cooke, was shot +from his horse, and severely but not seriously wounded. +</p> + +<p> +Sergeant-Major Robert D. Weatherly was mortally wounded, and died of +his wounds in Richmond, October 24, 1863. He served in the ranks of +the Grays from their organization as private and corporal, until the +21st of March, when he received the appointment of Sergeant-Major of +our regiment. Bob was a noble boy, and bravest of the brave. Fear was +no word in his vocabulary. He was always at his post, and though +slight in stature, his form was ever seen in the thickest of the +fight. His remains were carried to Greensboro, and buried in the +Presbyterian church-yard. +</p> + +<p> +John H. McKnight, at the outbreak of the war, was quietly pursuing his +studies at Trinity College. When we received our orders to go to Fort +Macon, he left his books and joined his company at the depot, on the +night of the 19th of April, 1861, and served as private, corporal, and +sergeant until September 17th, when he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. +He fell at Bristoe mortally wounded, foremost in the charge; was left +on the field, and captured by the enemy. On the morning of the 15th, +we found his body in the thicket beyond the railroad, where the enemy +had left him to die. Here we buried him. His remains were afterwards +removed, and interred in the cemetery at Greensboro. +</p> + +<p> +These two noble boys sleep among their loved ones, where, each +returning spring, loving hands may plant the flowers which speak of +the resurrection of the true and just, and of the land where eternal +summer reigns. +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"May young April o'er their lowly mounds</div> +<div>Shake the violets from her hair,</div> +<div>And glorious June with fervid kiss</div> +<div>Ever bid the roses blossom there."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +A worse-managed affair than this fight at Bristoe Station did not take +place during the war. With the rest of our corps in the rear, at a +moment's call, Cooke's and Kirkland's North Carolina brigades were +made to fight this battle alone. President Davis characterized it "as +a rash and ill-conducted affair." Col. Taylor says that "too few of +our corps was engaged; it was unpardonable mismanagement, and there +was no earthly excuse for it." Gen. Lee said to the officer who +essayed to explain to him this occurrence: "Bury your <em>poor +dead</em>, and say nothing more about it." +</p> + +<p> +This terminated Gen. Lee's attempt to bring on a pitched battle with +Gen. Meade. +</p> + +<p> +On the following day we were busy burying our dead. Our wounded were +all cared for, and sent off in ambulances and wagons. On the 16th, we +were employed in destroying the railroad track, which we did most +effectually, as far down as Rappahannock Station. On the 19th, we +crossed the Rappahannock River, went into camp, and remained until the +6th of November. +</p> + +<p> +On the 7th, our forces met with another surprise at Kelley's Ford, on +the Rappahannock River, which resulted in the loss of several hundred +of our men and some few pieces of artillery. The loss of this position +made it necessary to abandon the design of our making an attack, and +on the 9th we were withdrawn to near Culpepper Court-House; at night +we fell back across Robertson River. This position not being regarded +as favorable, we returned to the south side of the Rapidan on the +following night. We picketed along this river, above Rapidan Station, +until the 26th of November. +</p> + +<p> +At this time, the army under Gen. Meade crossed the Rapidan, and we +were busy getting ready for a counter-move, as he was supposed to be +moving down the river. At the dawn of day, on the 27th, we were on our +way to meet Meade's army. The weather was intensely cold, and our men +suffered greatly. +</p> + +<p> +We proceeded to advance towards Fredericksburg. In the evening we met +the enemy, and had quite a skirmish, losing several men from the +regiment. On Saturday, a position was selected on the line of Mine +Run, and in a short while we were strongly entrenched, and anxious for +the enemy to attack us. On Monday, the 30th, the enemy being in our +immediate front, we certainly expected an attack. They were found to +be busily entrenching, also, and Tuesday passed without any +demonstration. +</p> + +<p> +As Gen. Meade seemed reluctant to bring on an engagement, Gen. Lee +determined to assail him; consequently, during the night, he made +necessary arrangements for a grand battle. When dawn broke over the +hills on the morning of the 2d of December, Meade's camps were found +deserted, and his army fast making their way back to the river. We +immediately made pursuit, but he had too much the start and reached +the north side of the Rapidan before we could overtake him. Both +armies then retired to their original positions on the Rapidan. We +returned to our winter quarters which we had prepared, about 3½ +miles south-east from Orange C.H. We were then, in turn, employed +in picketing along the Rapidan until the 4th of February, when we +were relieved by Kirkland's North Carolina brigade, and we again +sought shelter in our log cabins. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XII"> </a> +CHAPTER XII. +</h2> + + +<p> +On the 18th of December, Lieutenant Frank A. Hanner was promoted to +1st Lieutenant, vice Lieutenant McKnight killed. Orderly Sergeant +Chas. A. Campbell to 2d Lieutenant, Jr.; Sergeant William M. Paisley +was appointed Orderly Sergeant; Corporal C. W. Stratford, Sergeant, +and privates Alfred W. Klutts and Rufus B. Gibson were promoted to +Corporals. +</p> + +<p> +During the month of December, under special orders No. 72, Lee's +headquarters, a general court martial was convened for our (Heth's) +division. Capt. J. A. Sloan was detailed as judge-advocate; Col. R. +Mayo, of the 47th Virginia regiment, as president, and Sergeant +William U. Steiner, of the Grays, appointed recorder. With the +exception of a temporary suspension in February and again in March, to +accompany our several commands on expeditions made at those times, the +court was in regular session at Orange Court-House. In the meanwhile +Lieutenant Banner was in command of the Grays. +</p> + +<p> +On the 8th of January, private Chas. W. Westbrooks, our company +chaplain, and known as our "fighting parson," was discharged by order +of the Secretary of War, and received an appointment as regular +chaplain in the army. Charlie preached as he shot without fear and to +the mark. +</p> + +<p> +On the 16th of January, private Henry G. Kellogg, at home on surgeon's +certificate, was permanently detailed in the commissary department at +Salisbury, North Carolina. +</p> + +<p> +On the 18th of February, W. H. Donnell joined the company. +</p> + +<p> +On the 20th, Corporal Thomas J. Rhodes was promoted to Sergeant, and +private Richard S. Smith was appointed Corporal. +</p> + +<p> +On the 1st of March, Preston P. Dick joined the company. At the same +time private Henry W. Ayer, who joined the Grays in May, 1863, was +transferred to company "C," 48th N.C. regiment. +</p> + +<p> +On the 12th, H. Smiley Forbis died of disease at hospital in +Lynchburg, Va. +</p> + +<p> +On the 31st, private A. Laffayette Orrell was transferred to the C.S. +Navy, "or words to that effect." +</p> + +<p> +On the 13th of April, private Pleasant Ricks died in camp of typhoid +fever. +</p> + +<p> +On the 25th, E. Tonkey Sharpe was detached, by order of Gen. Heth, for +duty with the provost guard. +</p> + +<p> +On our return from the Mine Run "freeze-out," we planned, built, and +improved our winter quarters, and soon had a city of log cabins. It +was now our turn to watch the wary "yank" on the borders of the +Rapidan, and we picketed up and down the stream in the cold and ice +until early in February, when Kirkland's N.C. brigade was sent to our +relief. +</p> + +<p> +While we were in camp near Orange Court-House in December, 1863, the +good mothers, wives, and daughters of Virginia, with the ready hands +and loving hearts that had always characterized them from the +beginning to the end of the fearful struggle, bethought themselves to +give Lee's army a Christmas dinner. Every pantry, turkey-roost, and +hog-pen in the dear old State was called upon to furnish its quota for +the feast. Our infinitesimal ration dimmed with the prospect, and we +looked forward to that day, which ever stirs all the better and +sweeter impulses of our humanity, with longing desires. In our log +cabins we lay upon our hard beds and dreamed of its past celebrations, +of its anthems and its carols; we thought of its bays and its wreaths +of evergreen; its sprigs of holly in the parlor, and the sacred +immortelles around the portraits of the lost ones; its gift-giving and +all those interchanges of tokens that make friendship sweet; its +suppressions of self; its lessons of generosity, and its going out to +others. Need you wonder, under these circumstances, that Lee's hungry +rebels were all anticipation. The day was ushered in with a snow +storm, but, nothing daunted, our brigade wagon was soon on its way +to the depot to receive our share of the feast; but, unfortunately, +these same pantrys, turkey-roosts, and hog-pens had been invaded so +often before that our part of the grand dinner assumed microscopic +proportions, and the wagon returned with about a half-bushel measure +of dissected gobblers—our Christmas dinner! +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +"O, ever thus, from childhood's hour"— +</p> + +<p> +Early in February we received a most delightful and interesting visit +from Greensboro's eminent divine, Rev. J. Henry Smith, who preached +for as in the large log tabernacle erected by the boys for divine +service. During his visit the cry of the "Philistines be upon you" +from the other side of the river was heard, and we were ordered out to +resist the threatened attack. The parson exhibited an eagerness to +become a "soldier of Lee" for the occasion. After spending two days +and nights of bitter cold weather on the banks of the Rapidan, the +enemy making no further demonstrations, we were returned to our +quarters. +</p> + +<p> +On the 26th of February, three formidable columns of cavalry, under +the command respectively of Generals Kilpatrick, Custer, and Col. +Dahlgren, proceeded by different routes towards Richmond to surprise +and, if possible, capture the city; and, if successful, to sack and +burn the city, pillage the buildings, and kill "old Jeff Davis and his +cabinet." In the meanwhile two corps of the enemy crossed the river +and proceeded to Madison Court-House; their object being, by a feint, +to cover their cavalry demonstration upon Richmond. Two days later +another army corps left for Madison, and our corps (Hill's) was +ordered to follow them. We left our camp before day on the morning of +March 1st and reached Madison late in the evening, after a long and +weary march in the rain and mud. On our arrival we found that the +enemy had retired, and were returning to their former position on the +Rapidan. The weather turned very cold during the night, and the next +morning we retraced our steps through snow and ice to our camp, the +men suffering greatly from fatigue and cold. We remained quietly in +our winter quarters until the 4th of May. +</p> + +<p> +Sometime in March, 1864, Major-General Ulysses S. Grant was appointed +Lieutenant-General and assumed command of the armies of the United +States. In April he made his headquarters at Culpepper Court-House, and +took personal command of the army of the Potomac. During the months of +March and April re-enforcements were gathered from the four quarters +of the globe and sent to this army. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XIII"> </a> +CHAPTER XIII. +</h2> + + +<p> +On the 1st day of May, the official return of the Army of the Potomac +showed, present for duty, one hundred and forty-one thousand one +hundred and sixty men, of all arms. General Lee had, in round numbers, +sixty-four thousand men. +</p> + +<p> +I give the relative strength of the two armies, in order that the +reader may have a proper appreciation of the difficulties which beset +our army in thwarting the designs of our wily adversary, in the +campaign we were now just entering. That the brilliant genius of our +immortal Lee, made amends for paucity in numbers, and proved more than +a match for brutal force, the bloody field extending from the +Wilderness to the James River will attest. +</p> + +<p> +On the 3d of May, our army held the south bank of the Rapidan River. +Its right rested near the mouth of Mine Run; its left extended as far +as Liberty Mills, on the road to Gordonsville. Grant, with his main +body encamped in Culpepper County, occupied the north hank of the +Rapidan. On the 4th of May, Grant crossed his forces to the south +side, and began his advance into the "Wilderness." +</p> + +<p> +Running eastwardly to Fredericksburg, from Orange Court-House, are two +parallel roads; the one nearest the river is called the "Stone +Turnpike," and the other the "Plank-Road." +</p> + +<p> +As soon as Grant's movements were known, our army was put in motion. +On the morning of the 4th, our division (Heth's) and Wilcox's, of A. +P. Hill's corps, moved eastwardly along the "Plank-Road." Simultaneously +Ewell's corps moved on the stone turnpike. That night we bivouacked at +Verdiersville, near where we fought the battle of Mine Run. +</p> + +<p> +The "Wilderness" is an almost impenetrable thicket of undergrowth; and +our sagacious Lee resolved to fight Grant in these pathless woods, +where their artillery would be least available, and where their +massive columns would be most embarrassed in their movements. +</p> + +<p> +On the morning of the 5th, we resumed our march, with Kirkland's +brigade, of our division, in front. About one o'clock, our +advance-guard came upon a body of the enemy, and a spirited musketry +fire was opened in our front. Kirkland's brigade at once deployed on +both sides of the "Plank-Road," and Cooke's brigade was thrown into +line of battle with our regiment (27th), on the left of the road. +About three o'clock, our skirmishers were driven in by a massive +column of the enemy, who advanced firing rapidly. Thus commenced the +"Wilderness" fight; and the bloody contest continued until near +sundown. +</p> + +<p> +This stubborn and heroic resistance was made by the divisions of +Heth's and Wilcox's, fifteen thousand strong, against the repeated +assaults of four divisions of Hancock's and one division of Sedgwick's +corps, numbering about forty-five thousand men. After dark, we were +relieved by Kirkland's brigade. As we were retiring from our position, +we got into a country-road, parallel to the "Plank-Road," and had +proceeded but a short distance, when my attention was directed to a +similar body of troops, marching quietly in the road with us; the +night was very dark, and it was difficult to distinguish friend from +foe. I felt some anxiety, as they seemed to possess uniform knapsacks +and were of better appearance than our men, to know who they were. I +therefore approached their column, and found to my utter astonishment +that they were "blue-coats." I immediately rushed to Col. Whitfield, +and informed him of our situation. He replied, "Impossible!" On close +inspection, he found that they were really Federal troops. He drew his +pistol, and, in a surprised and excited manner, called out: "Yes, they +are Yankees! Shoot them, boys! Shoot them!" Some few guns were fired; +but as the surprise was so great both upon our part and that of our +"Yankee brethren," a hasty retreat was made on both sides, and each +soon lost the other in the darkness. They were evidently on the wrong +road "to get out of the Wilderness." +</p> + +<p> +We soon reached the "Plank-Road," and were marched to the rear about +one and a-half miles to a ridge, upon which our line was established. +Our men began at once to fortify; and while we had no implements for +the purpose, we succeeded, by the aid of our bayonets and tin-cups, to +build what proved to be on the following day a great protection. +</p> + +<p> +During the progress of the battle on the 5th, there came a lull in the +firing and an almost deathlike stillness prevailed, as though the god +of war had stopped a minute to take a long breath, and pull himself +together for a fresh start. Presently, a sharp, quick report of a +rifle from the other side broke the stillness. Simultaneously with the +report, private Wash Williams was struck and painfully wounded. He +uttered a long, loud yell, which seemed to reverberate up and down the +lines for at least a mile. Almost immediately afterwards, a gun was +fired from our side, and some one on the Yankee line mimicked the cry +of Williams perfectly. This incident created general laughter on both +sides, thus giving the opposing forces an idea of each other's +position, and the contest opened in good earnest. +</p> + +<p> +Our casualties in this, the first of the series of battles of this +campaign, were as follows: Privates Sam'l F. McLean and Louis +Lineberry were killed. Sergeant C. W. Stratford, Corporal A. W. +Klutts, privates Frank G. Chilcutt, William Horney, R. B. Tate, Jas. +M. Hardin, Wash. Williams, Thos. R. Greeson, Sam'l Hiatt, John R. +Siler, and Jas. L. Wilson were wounded. Chilcutt lost an arm, Horney +lost a leg, and R. B. Tate died of his wounds in July, 1864. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XIV"> </a> +CHAPTER XIV. +</h2> + + +<p> +At dawn on the morning of the 6th the enemy, having been re-enforced +by the 9th army corps under Gen. Burnside, and a fresh division +commanded by Wadsworth, advanced. +</p> + +<p> +The intervening space between the position now held by our brigade, +and the point at which we fought on the 5th, was occupied by our +(Hill's) corps camped in irregular order, and in no condition for an +assault; consequently, when the enemy made their advance and attacked, +these forces were thrown into confusion and driven back to the line +where our brigade had formed the night previous. After a severe +contest a portion of Heth's and Wilcox's divisions were overpowered +and forced to fall back; our brigade, under protection of our hastily +constructed earthworks, held its position. The condition of affairs +was now assuming a very critical phase, when Kershaw's brigade of +South Carolinians, of Longstreet's corps, arrived upon the scene and +for a short while arrested their further advance. The repulsed +portions of our divisions were in considerable disorder, and the +battle began to rage with intense fury. +</p> + +<p> +General Lee, anxious and appreciating the impending crisis, rode up +with hat in hand, dashed among the men, and calling upon them to +rally, said he would lead the charge. The reins of his horse were +seized by the men and he was told he must go "to the rear," or they +would not go forward. Being evidently touched at this manifestation of +anxiety upon the part of his men the great, grand, and towering old +hero waved his hand and retired. In a few moments Anderson's gallant +Texas boys came up at a double-quick, deployed into line of battle, +and, with Longstreet at their head, went forward with a yell. Major +Webb, while standing on our works cheering, was severely wounded and +retired to the rear. In a short while the ground lost by our troops +was recovered, and the enemy forced back to the position originally +held by them. General Longstreet now took the defensive, and about +mid-day made an attack on their rear and left flank. The assault +resulted in their utter rout, and they were forced back some distance +in rear of the lines occupied by them on the 5th. So far, this +movement was a complete success, and Longstreet began preparations to +follow up his advantages with a flank movement by the Brock road. +</p> + +<p> +While advancing at the head of Gen. Jenkins' brigade, a portion of his +flanking column, which had continued through the woods in the former +charge, mistaking the brigade for the enemy fired into them, killing +Gen. Jenkins, and seriously wounding Gen. Longstreet. This unfortunate +and strange fatality checked our forward movement, and afforded the +enemy time and opportunity to rally and reform behind their +entrenchments. +</p> + +<p> +At dark we began to move slowly to the right, and after we had +proceeded about one mile a rebel yell, as if a rushing mighty wind, +rolled down upon us from the right of our lines. Our army now was in a +continuous line of battle, and the cheering was taken up spontaneously +by brigade after brigade until it swelled into one exulting roar of +defiance. At first it seemed like the soft murmuring of the wind in +the tree tops, and as it came nearer it made one vast tempest of +sound, and thus it swayed back and forth for some time. Its effect was +tragic in the extreme, and I readily recall the sensation it produced +upon all at the time. The enemy's pickets thought we were making a +grand charge and fled so precipitately to their main line that, as the +prisoners we captured the next day informed us, they were fired into +by their own men and many of them killed. +</p> + +<p> +On the morning of the 7th an advance was made and Grant was found to +have retired from his line of works on his right. We had several +skirmishes, and desultory firing continued during the day. +</p> + +<p> +He now attempted by a flank movement to secure possession of +Spottsylvania Court-House, and Warren's corps, of his advance guard, +marched out of the Wilderness by the Brock road. On his arrival at the +Po River, on the following day, he found in his path, ready to dispute +his passage, Gen. R. H. Anderson's division of Longstreet's corps. +Each army, now forming on its advance guard as a nucleus, swung round, +and on the 9th confronted each other in line of battle. +</p> + +<p> +On our march on the 8th we were interrupted by several skirmishes, and +were frequently shelled by the enemy. In the evening we reached +Spottsylvania Court-House, and were placed in line, without regard to +alignment, a short distance to the left of the court-house building, +where we at once proceeded to fortify. We were moved afterwards to +different parts of the lines, but finally took our position not far +from where we first halted. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XV"> </a> +CHAPTER XV. +</h2> + + +<p> +On the 10th Barlow's division made an attack upon our left and +obtained temporary possession of a portion of Ewell's line. Gen. Lee +said that these lines must be re-established, if he had to attend to +it in person. Our (Heth's) division was called upon to do the work. We +received our orders and were soon in readiness. Advancing cautiously +for some little time, we came upon the enemy about one mile this side +of a branch of the Po, we deployed into line and began to push them +back. They finally halted in some earth-works, freshly thrown up, in +front of Mrs. Graves' house, in front of which was a large open field. +As soon as we got into the road running parallel to these works, we +were halted and reformed, and, after some little delay, we were +ordered to charge their works and drive them away. We charged across +the open field under a heavy fire of artillery from their batteries on +the hills beyond the little stream, which ran a short distance in the +rear of their earth-works. Before we reached the works they, deeming +"prudence the better part of valor," fled and made good their retreat, +leaving behind them one piece of artillery, their dead and wounded, +and several prisoners. We remained several hours at their works under +a heavy shelling; some few of the shells exploding in our ranks. Gen. +Cooke was slightly wounded in the charge, and Ensign W. C. Story, +after we reached the works. We were finally withdrawn and marched back +to our position on the main lines, after we had recovered the lost +ground and forced the enemy to relinquish their temporary advantage. +The 11th was passed in comparative quiet, with the exception of our +usual salutation from the enemy's batteries. They made daily practice +on our works, and endeavored to batter down and destroy the buildings +in the village. They appeared to have a special spite at the little +brick church immediately in rear of our regiment, occupied by our +surgeon (Dr. Hunt) as a <em>dispensary</em>. "Gwin" had hardly "opened +up" when a wicked shell came thundering through the gable, and he +concluded to vacate, which he did in considerable disorder. When we +quit our lines the little church was sadly in need of a contribution +box. +</p> + +<p> +During the night of the 11th the enemy, under the cover of the dense +woods, advanced without discovery, and massed a large force in Ewell's +front at the point known as the "salient," which was occupied by Gen. +Edward Johnson's division. On the next morning at daylight these +troops vigorously attacked and overran this portion of our lines and +captured most of the division, including its commander, who was +quietly enjoying his breakfast. +</p> + +<p> +General Lee at once hurried troops from our right and left, and made +dispositions to dispute their further progress. As Harris' Mississippi +brigade was coming up at double quick, Gen. Lee, already in a very +exposed position, now joined them and started to the front with them. +The minies were flying fast and thick, and shot and shell ploughing +the ground and bursting in the air. As they neared the lines a +round-shot struck immediately in front of the grand old chieftain, and +caused him to halt and take breath. The officers and men now plead and +insisted that he should retire from this exposed position. He, in his +calm manner, his feelings exhibiting a purity and nobleness of heart +never witnessed in any hero of ancient or modern time, replied: "If +you will promise to drive <em>those people</em> from our works I will go +back." The brigade quickly shouted the promise, and in a moment +commenced the most terrific musketry-fire that took place during the +war. +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p> +"From the side of the salient in the possession of the Federals, +and the new line forming the base of the triangle occupied by the +Confederates, poured forth, from continuous lines of hissing fire, +an incessant hail of deadly missiles. No living man nor thing +could stand within the doomed space embraced within those angry +lines; even large trees were felled, their trunks cut in twain by +the bullets of small arms. Never did the troops on either side +display greater valor and determination. After several +hand-to-hand conflicts, while we failed to dislodge the enemy, the +assault which threatened such serious consequences was checked, +and the result of the advantage to the enemy was limited to the +possession of the narrow space of the salient and the capture of +Johnson's division. The loss of this fine body of troops was +seriously felt by Gen. Lee, and, though his army was sadly reduced +by this and a week's incessant fighting, his lines, thus forcibly +rectified, proved thereafter impregnable." +</p> +</div> + +<p> +While this desperate attack was going on, our (Heth's) division and +Mahone's were moved to the left near the Fredericksburg road, to make +a feint and create a diversion. We leaped over our works, and formed +inside of them, to make the movement, and bravely did the boys move +off, although nothing is so demoralizing to troops as to leave +breastworks to do battle inside of them. We attacked the enemy, and +drove them from two lines into a third. Finding that they were getting +re-enforcements, and in a fortified position, we were gradually +withdrawn to our former position on the main lines. +</p> + +<p> +Several days of comparative quiet now ensued, during which time Grant +was refurnishing his decimated brigades with heavy re-enforcements +from Washington. In his official report to the 39th Congress, he said: +"The time from the 13th to the 18th was consumed in manœuvering and +awaiting the arrival of re-enforcements." +</p> + +<p> +After covering the entire front of our army with <em>double</em> lines, +he still had a large reserve force with which to extend his flank and +compel a corresponding move upon our part, in order to keep between +him and Richmond. +</p> + +<p> +On the 18th, Gen. Grant made his final and desperate attack, by +hurling division after division against our lines. He commenced the +attack in the morning, and soon the battle became continuous along the +lines, and raged with the utmost fury and desperation. The cannon's +shot and shell seemed winged with impetuous rage, and with hissing red +flame bellowed through the air and over hill and plain, withering and +blasting everything in their flight. War had now indeed stalked forth +unmasked from his infernal den. In the smoke and carnage, Grant drove +his troops mercilessly up to the slaughter, but it produced no +impression, and the hopeless task was relinquished. +</p> + +<p> +We had now completed twelve days of battle at Spottsylvania, and at no +time, day or night, did the firing on the lines entirely cease. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XVI"> </a> +CHAPTER XVI. +</h2> + + +<p> +General Grant, giving up all hope of succeeding in his plans by direct +assault, on the night of the 20th began a flank movement in the +direction of Bowling Green, hoping thereby to interpose between our +army and the long-coveted Richmond. On the 21st, Wright's corps began +the initiative and moved southward. +</p> + +<p> +To counteract and defeat this new purpose, General Lee, at midnight, +dispatched Longstreet's corps on the road leading to Hanover Junction. +On the day and night of the 21st, Ewell's and Hill's (our) corps +marched for the same point. +</p> + +<p> +The twelve long days and nights, in the trenches at Spottsylvania, of +weary watching and desperate fighting, was telling on our men, and +nothing but the indomitable courage and hope of success, which at all +times and under all circumstances characterized the starved and ragged +Confederates, sustained them. They placed every confidence in their +great and good leader, and looked forward to the time when the +sunlight of this hope, with its golden radiance, would remove the veil +and permit them to look out on the long and lovely paths that wind, +amid beauty, to the far-off but glittering temples of their dreams, +and find them realities. +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"What can we not endure,</div> +<div>When pains are lessened by the hope of cure?"</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +During the day and the night of the 22d, we continued our toilsome +march. +</p> + +<p> +On these long marches, to prevent straggling, we are frequently halted +for a rest, and this opportunity is taken by those who have fallen +back to catch up with their commands. Any one passing through the +troops at this time, be he officer or private, had to run the gauntlet +of the gibes and witticisms of the men. On one occasion, while thus +resting, a very tall, lean, lank soldier of the 5th "Georgy Regiment," +appeared in the road, dragging along his weary length. His long black +tousled hair hung in uncombed ringlets from the holes in his rimless +hat; his coat or jacket, a very scant pattern of gray jeans, seemed to +be widely at variance with his copperas-colored breeches, as the +leather strings attached to them by thorns, to serve as "gallasses," +failed to effect a compromise between the two; the pants, from his +oft-repeated restings, had been badly attacked and routed in the rear, +and, from long use, "swunk up" in apparent fright from his sockless +pedal extremities, whose coverings of untanned leather were held +together by a withe as a shoe-string. In form and stature, he was +modeled strictly after the heron. His avoirdupois gave evidence of +unswerving observance of forty days' Lenten season, and that in soul +and body he had, and was now, wrestling with that plague incident and +concomitant to the experience of every soldier, called the "dia-ree." +</p> + +<p> +As he approached near where our regimental band was seated, at the +head of the regiment, he appeared to halt from sheer exhaustion, and, +as he did so, he came to an order and leaned in rest upon his gun. +Near him stood, leaning on his drum, the tall bass-drum beater (Bill +Burroughs) of the band. Bill was a fellow of "infinite jest," and +possessed one of those large souls, full of sympathy and concern for +the woes of others. He turned to this gaunt straggler, supposing him +to be "somebody's darling," and entered into conversation with him. +The "poor fellow" in detail related his hairbreadth escapes from +battle, hunger, exposure, &c. When he had scarcely told all, Bill +remarked to him that he ought to take notes for some <em>future +historian</em>, and by all means to keep a diary. He raised his head, +and as his eyes dimmed with the starting tear, now coursing down his +bronzed and furrowed cheek, he replied, "Lord! stranger, that's what +ails me now, I have had <em>it</em> nigh-on-to four months." The +generous <em>cords</em> of Burroughs' haversack and canteen were +unloosed and their gratuitous contents speedily disappeared. The order +was now given to "fall in." The "Georgy" fellow shouldered his gun, +and Bill swung his big drum on his back. Just as they parted the +soldier extended his long bony fingers and grasped the hand of his +Good Samaritan, thanked him kindly, and, in subdued tones of feigned +grief, said: "My stranger friend, I am so much obleeged to you; can +you not further oblige me by picking a tune for a sick man on that +<em>thare instrument</em>." Thus agreeably employed our history leaves +them—and we return to the course of our story. +</p> + +<p> +On the morning of the 23d we reached the North Anna River in advance +of the enemy, and about daylight crossed to the south side. Warren's +corps crossed at Jericho ford without opposition. Hancock's corps +attempted to cross lower down, at the county bridge. Our brigade +obstinately resisted them, and they did not succeed in crossing until +the 24th. +</p> + +<p> +General Cooke relates an interesting incident which occurred during +the progress of Grant's army to the North Anna, as told by a prominent +citizen of Caroline County, Va., who was captured by Grant in the +march. He says: "Grant had halted at a house on the roadside with a +number of his officers around him with whom he was discussing with +deep interest the movements in progress. During the discussion Grant +pulled out his watch, and opening it, said: 'Gentlemen, if we do not +hear firing in ten minutes we will <em>at last</em> have gotten ahead of +Lee!' He stood quietly, watch in hand, an occasional remark, only, +breaking the silence, when, scarcely five minutes having elapsed, the +booming of guns was heard in the direction of Hanover Junction. He +closed his watch and impatiently remarked, 'I'll be <em>damned</em> if +he has not beaten us again!' And so it was, as our brigade was at the +time resisting Hancock." +</p> + +<p> +General Lee, on the next day, did not further dispute in force the +crossing of the enemy, but formed his lines with his left resting on +Little River, and his right near the North Anna below the enemy, +covering Hanover Junction. Here he awaited attack. +</p> + +<p> +Owing to our well-selected position, Grant could not get at our +flanks; and to take us by direct assault, after his bitter experience +at Spottsylvania, caused him to "pause, ponder, study, and plan." +</p> + +<p> +Perceiving he had made a blunder, and that his army was in a position +of much peril, he, on the night of the 26th, recrossed to the north +side of the river, and made another <em>detour</em> to the eastward, as +far down as the Pamunkey River. +</p> + +<p> +On the 28th he crossed the Pamunkey at Hanovertown. On the 30th his +advance ran against our brigade, on the left of our lines, at Atlee's +Station, where we entertained him for some little time to his +discomfiture. The next day we had a sharp engagement near Tolopotomy +creek, and on June 1st, they attacked us in heavy force at Pole-Green +church, the skirmish continuing for some time. Our brigade and +regiment suffered considerably from their shells and sharpshooters. +</p> + +<p> +Lieutenant Chas. A. Campbell was mortally wounded and was carried +to the rear, where he died the next day. Campbell was one of the +"original panel," serving as private until April, 1862, corporal +until August, when he was promoted to sergeant. He was wounded at the +battle of Sharpsburg. On his return to his command, November 1st, he +was appointed Orderly Sergeant, serving as such until the 11th of +December, when he was promoted to Junior 2d Lieutenant. With the +exception of a short furlough from camp at Orange Court-House, he was +always at his post, ready and cheerful at all times to perform his +duties. Soon after he was shot down, he was carried to the field +hospital, where he died and was buried the following day. As he passed +me on his litter, he stretched out his almost pulseless arm and +remarked, "Goodbye, Captain; if I don't come back, tell them I fell +fighting at the front." +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>God's peace be with him in his rest,</div> +<div>Lone dweller in the stranger's land.</div></div></div></div> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XVII"> </a> +CHAPTER XVII. +</h2> + + +<p> +On the 3d of June the two armies were brought face to face at Cold +Harbor, where but two years before "Little Mc" had struggled in vain +for the mastery. +</p> + +<p> +On the night of the 2d our brigade was placed in line on the extreme +left, with our regiment upon what is known as Pharr's farm. As soon as +we were halted we began to fortify, and by early dawn had constructed +good temporary works. Owing to the dense, heavy body of woods the enemy +were enabled to make near approaches in our front, and previous to +their advance, on the following morning, we could hear distinctly the +orders given by their officers. After some little firing by their +sharpshooters, about 8 o'clock, they began to attack, and kept up their +assaults until late in the evening. Brigade after brigade was hurled +against us, until the ground in our front was literally covered with +their dead and wounded. Their assaults were repulsed along the whole +line. Finally, when the order was given to renew the attack, their men +sullenly and emphatically refused to move forward under our withering +fire. The prisoners we captured denounced and cursed Grant for this +slaughter, and dubbed him the "champion butcher." +</p> + +<p> +In the evening a battery of artillery was sent to our aid. They came up +at a gallop and endeavored to take position on a slight elevation, in +the skirt of pines, immediately in rear of our regiment. Before they +had time to unlimber, every horse in the battery was shot down. The men +then endeavored to run the guns forward by hand, when nearly all the +men were killed or wounded. One gun only was gotten in position, and it +rendered but little service before it was dismantled. Having been under +constant fire, and firing rapidly all day ourselves—each man averaging +two hundred rounds of cartridges—it became necessary to replenish our +ammunition. An attempt to go to the rear, or to leave our works in any +direction, was almost certain death. Lieut.-Col. Whitfield, who was now +in command of our regiment, disliked to force a detail to go to the +wagons for ammunition, and therefore called for volunteers. A +sufficient number came forward at once, and set out on their perilous +expedition; among the number was private R. F. Hampton, of the Grays. +In due time they all returned, each bringing a supply of cartridges, +but waited some distance back of us for a lull in the firing so as to +run the gauntlet of the sharpshooters to the lines. Several were badly +wounded in making the trip, among the number private R. F. Hampton, who +had almost reached the lines when he was shot down by a sharpshooter, +mortally wounded, and afterwards died of his wounds. During the battle, +private W. J. Hunt was killed, and Dan'l. B. Coltrain and Benjamin +Burnsides severely wounded. Private Hunt, when shot, was standing near +me. We were trying to locate a sharpshooter in our front, who had +become very troublesome by the accuracy of his aim. We had been exposed +in our position but a few moments, when a minie-ball pierced his head, +scattering his brains in my face, and he sunk down lifeless at my feet. +Lieutenant-Colonel Whitfield was severely wounded in the head, and was +carried from the field. The command now devolved upon Capt. Herring, +the senior officer, who acted as Colonel, and Captain Sloan, next in +rank, as Major. +</p> + +<p> +On the following morning, we found that the enemy, under cover of +darkness, had left our front; and we were moved to the right, and +placed in position immediately at Cold Harbor, with our respective +lines so near as to be able to converse with each other. We remained +here in line of battle, under constant fire; happily, our immediate +command had no serious casualties. Grant used every expedient to break +through our lines, but he had so mercilessly slaughtered and cowed his +men in his first charges at Cold Harbor, that his men refused to charge +a second time. So determined was he to clean us up, at all hazards, +that he remarked he would do so, "if it took him all summer." The +sequel proved that he did not overestimate the time, but the process +cost considerable bloodshed. +</p> + +<p> +Stanton (Secretary of War) says, officially, that Grant's force, on the +1st of May, was over one hundred and twenty thousand men. Shortly +afterwards, the 9th army corps was sent to him. This army, then +aggregating over one hundred and forty thousand men, with a reserve to +draw from of one hundred and thirty thousand more, in round numbers, +was ruthlessly hurled against Lee's less than fifty thousand men. Lee +had no reserve—the cradle and the grave had long since mustered, and +our ports were closed to mercenary hirelings. Their own historians +prove and show that their "butcher" slaughtered nearly one hundred +thousand men in his "On to Richmond," from the wilds of the +"Wilderness" to the desolated fields of Cold Harbor. In other words, he +sacrificed about twice as many men as Lee had, in order to take a +position he could have taken at first without firing a gun or losing a +man. +</p> + +<p> +On the 3d of June, Lieut. Frank A. Hanner, who had been for some weeks +confined by disease in the hospital at Richmond, died. He served as +private until April, 1862; at the reorganization of the twelve-months' +troops, he was elected 2d Lieutenant; was promoted to Senior 2d, +September 17th, 1862, and again on the 15th of October, 1863, to 1st +Lieutenant. On the 1st of June, private Joel J. Thorn was appointed +corporal. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XVIII"> </a> +CHAPTER XVIII. +</h2> + + +<p> +The Army of the Potomac having now apparently had sufficient amusement +on this portion of its constituted "all summer route," again adopted +"Little Mc's" tactics, "sought water," and on the 12th of June began +its march towards the historic James. +</p> + +<p> +On the 14th and 15th, by means of his pontoon bridges near Wilcox's +Landing, Grant crossed to the south side of the river. On the evening +of the 15th his advance made a feint demonstration against Petersburg, +and on the 16th made his attack in force. This attack was promptly met, +and successfully repulsed by our forces under Gen. Beauregard. Our +brigade, as yet, in the swamps of the Chickahominy, was almost daily +employed in skirmishes with the enemy's cavalry. On the 15th of June we +came across a large force of cavalry at Gary's farm. They had met a +small force of our cavalry and had been driving them. When we arrived +they dismounted and sent their horses to the rear, formed their lines +and showed fight. After a sharp struggle their lines gave way, and we +pursued them some distance through the woods. Their sharpshooters were +armed with seven shooters, and they used them against us on our advance +with telling effect. When they reached their horses they quickly +remounted and were soon beyond our reach. Orderly Sergeant William M. +Paisley and private Henry J. Coble were wounded. +</p> + +<p> +We had advanced in line but a short distance, when Sergeant Paisley, at +the head and slightly in advance of his company, was shot by a +sharpshooter, and fell mortally wounded. He was carried from the field +and sent to the hospital in Richmond, there he suffered and lingered +until the 13th of July, when he died in the arms of his broken-hearted +father, who carried his remains to Guilford, and interred them at +Alamance church. He was among the first of Guilford's gallant boys who +went forth to do battle for truth and right. He kept his vows to his +God and his Southland sacred alike, and at his post, on the front line +in the fight, fell wounded to the death. +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"On other brows let careless fame</div> +<div class="i1">Her fadeless wreath of laurel twine,</div> +<div>Enough for thee—thy epitaph!</div> +<div class="i1">First in the foremost line."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +After this encounter we were granted a short respite until the 21st, +when our cavalry was routed by the enemy at Yellow Tavern, and our +brigade was ordered to their support. When we reached there, we found +in slowly retiring before the enemy in a dense woods. Gen. Cooke at +once ordered forward his sharpshooters, and very soon a spirited fight +began. Our regiment was thrown into line and we began to press them +back. As they had been driving our cavalry they were loth to retire, +and fought us obstinately. Cooke then ordered his whole brigade into +line. They, seeing now that they could not cope with us in fair fight, +set fire to the woods and leaves in our front, and we were forced to +advance through fire and smoke, our men suffering terribly from the +heat, the day, besides, being exceedingly hot. We had been in too many +hot places to be afraid of fire, so we made at them with a yell, and +soon had their lines broken and in rapid retreat, with our cavalry—who +had recovered—in pursuit of them. Our loss was not so great, but the +men experienced great thirst, and many were scorched by the fires; in +some instances the cartridges were exploded in their boxes. +</p> + +<p> +About the 25th Gen. Butler, having pontooned the James River at Deep +Bottom, crossed a heavy force to the north side. Our brigade was +ordered to reconnoitre this force, and some fighting ensued. We found +them in force and strongly fortified, and an attack was deemed +inadvisable, so we were withdrawn and ordered to Petersburg. We reached +Petersburg on the 1st of July, and were placed on the lines a short +distance from the city, to the left of the Weldon Railroad. +</p> + +<p> +On the 15th of July, private Daniel W. McConnell was appointed Orderly +Sergeant. +</p> + +<p> +We remained near Petersburg comparatively quiet until the 26th of July, +when Grant crossed another corps at Deep Bottom, to attack our pontoons +at Drury's Bluff, and prevent Lee from sending re-enforcements to the +north side of the river. Our brigade was ordered back in haste to this +point, and, although the enemy had gained some partial success, we +drove him back and defeated the expedition. As events afterwards +proved, these movements were only feints to draw our troops from +Petersburg to better enable Grant to carry out his plans to make a +breach in our lines in front of Petersburg. Uniform failure had now +rendered him desperate, and Grant concluded the only wise thing now to +do, was to "blow us up." Burnside was duly appointed "blower." +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XIX"> </a> +CHAPTER XIX. +</h2> + + +<p> +On the night of the 28th, Hancock's corps was secretly withdrawn from +the north side, and every preparation was made for the great +forthcoming event. +</p> + +<p> +Grant had constructed a mine under one of our forts in front of +Petersburg, the main gallery of which was five hundred and twenty-two +feet in length, with eight side galleries; in each of these galleries +was placed about fourteen hundred pounds of powder. Gen. Burnside, in +charge of this new feature of warfare, was to explode the "infernal +machine," and walk into Petersburg with his colored troops, supposedly +unmolested. +</p> + +<p> +About daylight on the morning of the 30th, this famous mine—afterwards +known as the "crater"—was exploded with a great noise, as of a +"rushing mighty wind, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun +became black." About one hundred of our men and three or four guns were +moved out of their places into the air, and when the smoke cleared away +an opening about one hundred and fifty feet long, sixty feet wide, and +thirty feet deep appeared in place of our earthworks. Simultaneously +with this explosion the enemy opened a terrific fire along their whole +front, and the white division selected for this occasion came slowly +through the abattis up to this <em>hole</em>, where they were met by a +merciless fire from our artillery, enfilading them right and left, with +our infantry in their front. They were badly led, and, being +demoralized, they faltered and sought shelter in the crater. Next came +the "nigger" division, and the "colored troops fought bravely," until +the withering fire from our guns created a panic, when into the crater +pell-mell they rushed, white and black, a disordered, mangled, +quivering mass; our shot, shells, balls, and canister creating a +perfect carnival of death. Some few endeavored to leave the crater and +run back, but they were immediately shot down. Those who witnessed the +scene say it was beyond the power of words to describe. Our lines were +soon re-established, and our brigade was sent to relieve the troops +holding the lines where the mine was sprung. Thus ended this "miserable +affair." +</p> + +<p> +The space between the two lines, as now formed, was so close as to +endanger any exposure whatever, and we had to hug our earthworks very +closely. Our company was in line immediately at the crater. In our +front, and almost under our noses, lay the bloated, festering bodies of +their dead, exposed to the scorching rays of a July sun. To make our +situation still more interesting, it was supposed that the battery on +our right was also mined; and we were daily and nightly in fear of +another explosion, and to be landed—no telling where. We remained in +this position for a week, when Grant asked for a truce to bury his +dead. We were then moved a short distance to our right, where we +remained until about the middle of August. While on these lines, we +literally lived under the ground. We had to pass to and from the front +in covered ways; our rations were all prepared in the rear, and sent to +us. We were compelled to sleep in bomb-proofs to avoid their mortar +shells, with which they enlivened the scene at night. +</p> + +<p> +On the 18th of August, Warren's corps seized a portion of the Weldon +Railroad near Petersburg, when we were withdrawn from our position in +front of the city and moved to this point. On the 25th, this success +was followed up by an attempt under Gen. Hancock to take possession of +Ream's Station, farther south, on the same road. A. P. Hill's corps was +selected to drive him from this position. On our arrival we were +deployed in line, and ordered to go forward. The undergrowth and fallen +trees over which we had to climb our way retarded our advance, and Gen. +Cooke ordered the 27th and 48th regiments forward first. When they had +gotten sufficiently advanced, he directed the other two regiments of +our brigade, the 46th and 15th, to advance. When we reached the enemy's +works, we found them heavily manned with infantry and artillery. +Nothing daunted, however, we still advanced through shot and shell +until we came to a hand-to-hand fight across the breastworks. The two +other regiments now came up and in a few moments the enemy broke and +fled in confusion, leaving their guns. The colors of the 27th, carried +by Sergeant Richards, of the Orange Guards, were the first seen on +their works. We pursued them, and turned their own guns upon them; but +having no friction primers, we could not use them to advantage. We +captured over two thousand prisoners and twelve pieces of artillery. +</p> + +<p> +Our loss in this brilliant dash was very heavy, and North Carolina's +troops alone, consisting of Cooke's, McRea's, and Lane's brigades, were +engaged. The 27th regiment came out of the fight with less than +seventy-five men! +</p> + +<p> +The Grays lost in killed, private John Coltrain; in wounded, Sergeants +William U. Steiner and A. C. Cheely, privates Hardy Ayers, James S. +Scott, Emsley W. Stratford, and Wash. Williams. +</p> + +<p> +Warren had now made good his hold upon the railroad, and these events +did not materially affect the general result. The enemy's left +gradually reached farther westward, until, in October, it was +established on the left bank of Hatcher's Run, eight miles southwest of +Petersburg. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XX"> </a> +CHAPTER XX. +</h2> + + +<p> +On the 26th of August, we returned to our position in the trenches, +where we remained until the latter part of September. +</p> + +<p> +On the 16th, Robert T. Heath and James Hacket joined the Grays. +</p> + +<p> +The casualties in the campaign so far had sadly reduced our ranks. At +the battle of Ream's Station, Capt. Herring, senior officer of the +regiment, was wounded, when Capt. J. A. Sloan, next in rank, took +command of the regiment, and Sergeant Thomas J. Rhodes commanded the +Grays. Our muster-roll on the 31st of August contained sixty names rank +and file. One captain, one sergeant, two corporals, and sixteen +privates were reported for duty. One officer and thirty-five men +absent, wounded, and prisoners; four men on detached service. +</p> + +<p> +On the 18th of September, private Geo. H. Woolen died while a prisoner +of war at Point Lookout, Md. On the 13th, Samuel E. B. Gray was killed +in the trenches before Petersburg, and on the 27th, private Wm. N. +Kirkman. About the same time, Sergeant Daniel McConnell, while lying +sick in the field hospital in rear of our lines, was seriously injured +by a shell passing through the hospital and so near to him as to cause +a paralysis of his limbs, from which he died. +</p> + +<p> +On the night of the 28th of September, Butler, with the corps of Birney +and Ord, crossed to the north side of the James, and moved up the +river, with the view of attacking Fort Harrison, near Chapin's Farm. A +portion of his force made a feint upon the Newmarket road, and while +this engagement was in process, a column moved on the fort and captured +it. This resulted in giving to the enemy a secret lodgment on the north +side of the James, and a position very menacing to Richmond. +</p> + +<p> +On the 20th, we were moved still further to the right; and on the next +day, were engaged in a spirited skirmish near Battery No. 45, on our +advanced lines. Every few days, we were moved still farther to the +right, skirmishing and picketing, until we reached Hatcher's Run, about +the 1st of December. +</p> + +<p> +About daylight, on the morning of the 27th of October, three corps of +the enemy moved towards the Boydton Plank-Road with a view to turn our +right flank and get possession of the Southside railroad, which was now +Lee's principal communication. When they reached the Boydton road, they +found our troops entrenched at every point. Hancock's corps continued +to advance in the direction of Stony Creek, supposing this to be the +termination of our lines, and thereby creating a gap between his right +and the left of the 5th army corps. Mahone's division, taking advantage +of this opening in their lines, assailed Hancock's right, and drove +Gibbons' division some distance back. Meanwhile, Hampton with his +cavalry began to attack his rear. Our brigade was moved up the creek +(Hatcher's Run) as far as Burgess' Mill, and was placed in position to +be ready on the next morning to charge the enemy from their position on +the other side of the creek. The only means of crossing the stream was +a narrow country bridge, which was guarded by their sharpshooters, and +beyond on the hills, about one hundred yards off, was posted their +artillery. The charge was to be made at daylight; and with this +<em>pleasant</em> prospect before us, you may imagine we passed a +<em>comfortable</em> night in anticipation. When morning came, our +sharpshooters were advanced, and found, to our comfort and delight, +that Grant had withdrawn his troops during the night, and retraced his +steps to their intrenchments in front of Petersburg. He had been +completely frustrated, and thus failed in his flank movement. +</p> + +<p> +On the following day we were in position on the left of Hatcher's Run, +and as active operations were considered closed for the winter, we +began to build winter quarters. In a short while we had comfortable +cabins, in which we remained quietly until the 8th of December. +</p> + +<p> +On the 8th of December the 2d army corps, by way of diversion, made a +raid on the Petersburg & Weldon Railroad, and A. P. Hill's corps was +ordered to meet them. On the evening of the 8th we quit our comfortable +quarters, and in the sleet and driving snow, marched until 2 o'clock +a.m. of the 9th, when we bivouacked till morning. We then marched on, +in the bitter cold, to Bellfield, when we found the enemy were +retreating up the Jerusalem Plank-road. From here we were ordered back +to Jarratt's Station to try to intercept them. Just as we reached this +point we encountered a large force of their cavalry. Pegram's artillery +was thrown forward, and our brigade, concealed in the pines, clad with +ice and sleet, was thrown into line as support. +</p> + +<p> +The enemy were not aware of our presence, and charged upon the +artillery. Our skirmishers received the charge. Seeing that the battery +was supported, they began to retreat. We pursued them across the +railroad and pushed forward rapidly for several miles, hoping to +intercept their infantry, but we found the pursuit useless. As darkness +was now upon us, we halted for the night, and next morning resumed our +march for our camp, which we reached, hungry and almost frozen, on the +13th. +</p> + +<p> +Grant behaved himself now tolerably well until Sunday morning, February +5th, when, becoming restless, he began one of his periodical movements, +and succeeded in getting very near our lines before we were aware of +his movements. About the middle of the day Davis' Mississippi brigade, +which was a mile to our left, was marched down to our position and +relieved us. We were then marched up the lines some two miles, where we +crossed our works and formed a line outside of them. We then marched to +the front about one mile, when we turned to the right, and forming line +of battle, began to advance and soon struck the skirmish line of the +enemy, which we drove with our line of battle some distance, until we +came in view of their line posted upon a hill in a field behind +earthworks. We were ordered to charge. We started up the hill, and when +we had gone some distance, and seeing the brigade on our left was not +charging with us, we fell back to the edge of the woods. The enemy now +made a strong demonstration on our right flank, and to prevent this +movement we had to fall back to our reserve line, when a Georgia +brigade took the place of ours. As they were ordered forward a portion +of our regiment, among them the Grays, thinking the order came from our +commanding officer, advanced with this brigade and fought through the +remainder of the day. After dark we were returned to our breastworks, +and when we reached them we found that we had been fighting in front of +our former position, and had been moved two miles up the lines to be +marched back again to fight in the place of other troops who had been +moved into our earth works, and almost directly in front of our camp. +[There are some things past finding out and beyond explanation, but as +the deductions of a citizen soldier are at no time of valuable +consideration, I forbear.] +</p> + +<p> +On the following day we were returned to our quarters, where we enjoyed +quiet and rest until the latter part of March. +</p> + +<p> +While we were in the heat of the battle of the 5th of February, some +few of the new recruits who had recently joined our brigade, not +exactly fancying the shot and shell which were flying around, thought +the rear was a safer place, and suiting the action to the thought, +"dusted." Gen. Lee with several of his staff was seated on horseback in +rear of our lines and in proximity to the battle, awaiting the issue, +when observing these men crossing the works without their guns, in +seeming alarm and haste, he rode toward them, endeavoring to halt and +return them to their command, when one of the "dusters," in grave +alarm, raised his hands and voice in terror, exclaiming: "Great God, +old man, get out of the way, you don't know nothing," continued his +rapid flight too terrified to recognize or obey chieftain or orders. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXI"> </a> +CHAPTER XXI. +</h2> + + +<p> +The Grays were in winter quarters on the left side of Hatcher's Run, +one mile and a half below Burgess' mill. While here we received orders +at midnight on the 24th of March, to be in readiness to move in the +direction of Petersburg. Leaving the sick and wounded to take care of +the camp and the lines in our immediate front, we began our march, not +knowing the cause of this seeming untimely order. After two hours rapid +marching we reached Petersburg, and bivouacked near the water-works. +About daylight we were quietly marched into our trenches in front of +and to the right of Hare's Hill. The troops who had just occupied these +trenches where we now were had been marched out, and were in readiness, +under General Gordon, to make a prearranged sortie upon the Federal +forts on Hare's Hill. +</p> + +<p> +The attack was made in force about daylight. Our troops gained +possession of the enemy's works, but were soon compelled to abandon +them, owing to the superior force of the enemy and to the fact that our +forces were bewildered in the darkness. +</p> + +<p> +About two o'clock p.m. we were ordered back to our camp on Hatcher's +Run. Before reaching it, however, we were informed that our sick and +wounded had been routed, and that the enemy was in possession of our +picket line. Gen. Cooke immediately ordered out his sharpshooters, and +by a flank movement drove off the enemy and regained possession of his +line. Next morning the sharpshooters were relieved by the regular +pickets, under command of Capt. John A. Sloan of the Grays, who held +the lines against repeated attacks until the first of April. +</p> + +<p> +At midnight of the first of April our brigade was relieved by Davis' +Mississippi brigade. Our brigade now crossed the creek and took +position in Fort Evliss. As soon as day dawned the enemy, being on +three sides of us, opened fire upon us with artillery and infantry. +Although protected to some extent, some of our men were killed by their +shells during the morning. In the meanwhile a desperate fight was going +on between fort Evliss, the position we were occupying, and Petersburg. +Our position in the fort was only tenable, provided the troops on our +left held their position. Consequently, the issue of the fight was +awaited by us with much anxiety. Just before sunrise a courier dashed +into the fort with news that the lines had been broken and our troops +were in retreat. We were, in consequence, immediately withdrawn from +our works, and began our retreat from Petersburg. After retreating some +five miles, being pressed sorely by the enemy, two regiments of our +brigade were deployed as skirmishers. +</p> + +<p> +Arriving now at Southerland's tavern, on the Southside road, we formed +line of battle and awaited the enemy's advance. They soon came up +flushed with success, and attacked with great confidence. But we +repulsed them with heavy loss, capturing many prisoners. Reinforcements +coming up we were flanked and compelled again to retreat. After +following us cautiously for some hours, and night coming on, the enemy +abandoned further pursuit. +</p> + +<p> +We now endeavored to cross the river so as to join the main army, from +which we had been separated by the break in the lines that morning. We +followed up our retreat until two o'clock that night, when we halted +and rested on our arms until morning. At sunrise we began our +journeyings again, reaching Deep Creek, unmolested, about nine o'clock. +We wandered up this creek about three miles, fording it at this point. +We then endeavored to make Goode's bridge on the Appomattox, but night +overtaking us, we camped at the cross-roads near Goode's bridge, At one +o'clock at night we received marching orders. After three hours hard +marching through fields, bog, and fen, we came upon the advance of the +main army, which had just crossed the Appomattox on a pontoon bridge. +We were delighted to meet our old comrades once more after a three +days' separation. What added to the interest of the occasion in a +private way was the fact that Major Webb had found a canteen full of +<em>something</em>, and my ever faithful "Bill" had captured a hen's nest +and scouped in half a dozen or more of eggs. We celebrated our +deliverance and <em>reunion</em>. +</p> + +<p> +At the suggestion of the officers of our regiment, it was agreed, there +being only about seventy men for duty, that we should form a battalion +of two companies, the officers giving up their rank temporarily, and +the non-commissioned officers going into the ranks. Lieut.-Col. J. C. +Webb commanded the battalion. Major Calvin Herring took command of the +first company, and Capt. John A. Sloan took command of the second. This +organization was maintained until the surrender. +</p> + +<p> +On the night of the fourth we camped at Amelia Court-House, in the +woods just outside of the town, and rested on our arms in line of +battle. The next day was consumed in protecting our wagon trains from +the frequent attacks of the enemy's cavalry. We now continued our +march, fighting by day and retreating by night. Our provision train was +burned by the enemy near Rice's station, and our rations that night +consisted of one quart of corn per man in lieu of meal. The next day we +passed through Farmville. Having been the rear guard for several days, +we were now relieved by Scales' North Carolina brigade. Organization +and discipline was now rapidly giving away. We were skirmishing and +fighting to protect ourselves at every point in a kind of Guerrilla +warfare, every man, for the most part, doing his fighting on his own +hook. +</p> + +<p> +Saturday night, April the 8th, we camped in about three miles of +Appomattox Court-House. Before day next morning we were hastily ordered +up and moved to the front. We were rapidly marched up the road filled +with ambulances and wagons until we came within full view of Appomattox +Court-House, where we could plainly see the Federal line of battle on +the hills at and beyond the court-house. We were immediately thrown +into line of battle on the right of the road and ordered to hold +ourselves in readiness to advance at any moment. On the front line we +awaited further orders. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXII"> </a> +CHAPTER XXII. +</h2> + + +<p> +Reader! The writer said, when he began the "Reminiscences of the +Guilford Grays," that it was not his purpose to undertake the severe +labors of the historian, but to confine himself to the humbler task of +relating what, has been part of his own experience. +</p> + +<p> +To make the thread of narrative continuous and intelligible, it +deserves to be mentioned, however, that it has been necessary to allude +to portions of the history of those eventful times in which the Grays +were only generally interested, which the circumstance will justify. +</p> + +<p> +The writer closes this, his last chapter, with the consciousness that +he has been actuated by the very kindest feelings to all, and that if +an intimation has escaped him which may have injuriously touched the +feelings of any one, none such was intended. How he has performed his +work, the reader will judge. This much he will say for himself, that he +has attempted to do it faithfully and—lovingly. +</p> + +<p> +But little more now remains to be said. The morning of the 9th of April +presented a spectacle never to be forgotten by those who saw it. +General Gordon was at the front with a meagre two thousand men; behind +us smoked the remnants of the wagon-trains; in the rear, drawn up and +ready again to strike, was the shattered wreck of Longstreet's once +grand and noble command. About ten o'clock dispositions were made for +attack, when Gordon was ordered to advance. +</p> + +<p> +<em>In vain! Alas, in vain! Ye gallant few!</em> Suddenly a <em>halt</em> +was called, a flag of truce appeared upon the scene, hostilities +ceased, and a dreamy sadness filled the April air. The grand old Army +of Northern Virginia was environed! "I have done what I thought best +for you," "the gray-headed man" said to his men. "My heart is too full +to speak, but I wish you all health and happiness." +</p> + +<p> +The negotiations relating to the surrender had been instituted on the +7th by a note from General Grant to General Lee. The correspondence was +continued until the 9th, when the terms proposed by General Grant were +accepted. +</p> + +<p> +On the 10th, General Lee issued his farewell address to his army. On +the afternoon of the 11th, the gallant Gordon spoke most eloquently to +the little remnant massed in the open field. +</p> + +<p> +The sun hid his face in sullen sympathy behind the clouds, night +settled drearily over the camp, and the brave old army fell asleep. +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"Hushed was the roll of the Rebel drum,</div> +<div>The sabres were sheathed and the cannon was dumb;</div> +<div>And Fate, with pitiless hand, had furled</div> +<div>The flag that once challenged the gaze of the world."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +On the 12th, the Army of Northern Virginia was marshaled for the last +time, not to do battle, but to stack its arms and pass out of +existence—forevermore. +</p> + +<p> +Of the Guilford Grays who were present at the final scene of this +eventful history, the following answered to roll-call: Captain Jno. A. +Sloan, Lieut. Rufus B. Gibson, 1st Sergeant Thomas J. Rhodes, Sergeant +Joel J. Thom; privates Peter M. Brown, Lewis N. Isley, Jas. M. Hardin, +Walter Green, E. Tonkey Sharpe, Geo. W. Lemons, Silas C. Dodson, and +Samuel M. Lipscomb. +</p> + +<p> +On the 11th, printed certificates, certifying that we were paroled +prisoners of war, were issued and distributed among us, bearing date +April 10th, 1865, Appomattox Court-House, granting us "permission to go +home, and remain there undisturbed." +</p> + +<p> +Comrades! We entered the service in the bloom of youthful vigor and +hope, with cheerful step and willing heart, leaving happy homes in +peace and prosperity behind. We took the field for a principle as +sacred as ever led a hero to the cannon's mouth, or a martyr to the +place of execution. +</p> + +<p> +This principle was honor and patriotism; a firm determination to defend +to the last that constitution which our fathers had handed down and +taught us to revere as the only safeguard of our personal rights and +liberties. +</p> + +<p> +After four long years, we returned to our homes in tattered and +battle-stained garments, footsore, weary, and with aching hearts. We +returned to see poverty, desolation, and ruin; to find the hearts of +our loved ones buried in the graves of the dead Confederacy. Aye! and +we have seen other sorrows. We have seen that constitution subverted +under the forms of law; we have seen the rights of individuals and +communities trampled in the dust without hope of redress. Nay, more! We +have seen the government of the fathers removed from existence, and an +engine of oppression, no longer a Union of States, but a <em>Nation</em>, +like the devil-fish of the sea, reaching its hideous and devouring arms +in all directions from one common centre, knowing only one law of +action and of motive—<em>the insatiate greed of avarice and +plunder</em>. +</p> + +<p> +But though the Confederacy went down in fire and smoke, in blood and in +tears, that truth, which was the guiding-star of the devoted soldiers +who fought its battles, and of those at home who toiled and prayed for +its success—that truth did not lower its standard or surrender its +sword at Appomattox. We submit to the inevitable. We submit in dignity +and in silence. But because we accept, with becoming minds and conduct, +that subjugation which the fortune of war has entailed upon us, shall +we therefore pronounce the word "craven?" <em>Shall we now recant?</em> +Shall we now solemnly declare that we did not believe what we professed +to fight for? Shall we thus insult, either in word or act, the memories +of the dead heroes—and we dare maintain they died heroes—who sleep on +a thousand hillsides and in the valleys of our common country? +</p> + +<p> +Should we thus prostrate ourselves to invite the scorn and contempt +which even our enemies would have the right to bestow upon us? +<em>Never!</em> A thousand times never! "Will not history consent, will +not mankind applaud, when we still uphold our principles as right, our +cause as just, our country to be honored, when those principles had for +disciple, that cause for defender, that country for son—Robert Lee? +</p> + +<p> +"Not to his honor shall extorted tributes carve the shaft or mould the +statute; but a grateful people will in time give of their poverty +gladly that, in pure marble or time-defying bronze, future generations +may see the counterfeit presentment of this man—the ideal and +consummate flower of our civilization; not an Alexander, it may be; nor +Napoleon, nor Timour, nor Churchill—greater far than they, thank +heaven—the brother and the equal of Sidney and of Falkland, of Hampden +and of Washington!" +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"He sleeps all quietly and cold</div> +<div class="i1">Beneath the soil that gave him birth,</div> +<div>Then brake his battle-brand in twain</div> +<div class="i1">And lay it with him in the earth."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +A word to the survivors of the Guilford Grays, and +I close these reminiscences. From the period of the +outbreak of the war in April, 1861, to the surrender +of the Confederate army in April, 1865, the muster-rolls +of the Grays have contained one hundred and +eighty names. Of this number, some were transferred +to other commands, some were discharged for physical +disabilities and other causes. A large proportion sleep, +unmindful of the rude farmer's ploughshare upon the +fields made memorable by their deeds. Some rest under +the shades of the trees in the quiet cemeteries of +your forest-green city, and some in the sacred churchyards +of your historic country. Oh! they suffered a +sad, dark fate—fallen in unsuccessful war! +</p> + +<p> +On each return of Spring, come and bring flowers, +nature's choicest, and scatter them on their graves. So +long as tears fall, come and shed them there, and show +to the world that we, of all men, are not ashamed of +their memories or afraid to vindicate their motives. +</p> + +<p> +And as we stand upon this hallowed ground, let us +bury all animosities engendered by the war. In the +grave there can be no rancorous hates; between the +sleepers there is perpetual truce. Shall the living have +less? Savages, only, perpetuate immortal hates. Then +permit no "barbarian memory of wrong" to lodge in +our breasts while we keep vigils over these graves of +our illustrious dead. +</p> + +<p> +To you who stood by me through all these eventful +scenes, and came up out of the great tribulation, I pray +Heaven's choicest blessings ever attend you—and now—<i lang="fr">adieu</i>. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXIII"> </a> +CHAPTER XXIII. +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +THE ROLL. +</span> +</h2> + + +<p class="hang"> +Captain <span class="sc">John Sloan</span>.—Elected Lieutenant-Colonel of the 27th +North Carolina Regiment, September, 1861; promoted to colonelcy +December, 1861; resigned April, 1862; died since war. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +1st Lieutenant <span class="sc">William Adams</span>.—Elected Captain, vice Capt. +John Sloan promoted, October 5th, 1861; killed at battle of Sharpsburg +September 17th, 1862.<a href="#note1" name="noteref1"><small>[1]</small></a> +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +2d Lieutenant <span class="sc">Jas. T. Morehead, Jr.</span>—Resigned April 20th, +1861; appointed captain in the 45th North Carolina Regiment; promoted +to Lieutenant-Colonel in the 53d Regiment, and after the death of +Colonel Owens, became its Colonel; wounded at Spottsylvania, +Gettysburg, and captured at Hare's Hill. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +2d Jr. Lieutenant <span class="sc">John A. Gilmer, Jr.</span>—Detailed as adjutant of +the 27th North Carolina Regt. September, 1861; elected Major December, +1861; promoted to Colonelcy November, 1862; wounded at battle of +Fredericksburg, December 13th, 1862; severely wounded at Bristow, +October 14th, 1863; resigned, on account of wounds, January, 1865. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Logan, Jno. E., M.D.</span>—Entered the service as Surgeon of the +Grays; remained at Fort Macon about four months; appointed Surgeon of +the 4th North Carolina Regiment; transferred to the 14th North Carolina +Regiment, where he served as Surgeon until close of the war. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +1st Sergeant <span class="sc">William P. Wilson</span>.—Enlisted April 20, 1861; +elected 2d Lieutenant Jr., vice J. A. Gilmer promoted, September, 1861; +appointed Adjutant of 27th North Carolina Regiment, at reorganization +of State troops, April, 1862; died of disease at Greensboro March 3, +1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +2d Sergeant <span class="sc">John A. Sloan</span>.—Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed +Sergeant-Major of the post at Fort Macon May, 1861; elected 2d +Lieutenant January 14, 1862; elected 1st Lieutenant, April 22, 1862; +promoted to Captain September 17, 1862; Judge Advocate of Heth's +Division court-martial; surrendered at Appomattox Court-House. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +3d Sergeant <span class="sc">Geo. W. Howlett</span>.—Enlisted April 20, 1861; +discharged on account of affection of his eyes July 23, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +4th Sergeant <span class="sc">Sam'l B. Jordan</span>.—Enlisted April 20, 1861; +captured at battle of New Berne March 14, 1862; exchanged and +discharged at reorganization of State troops April 22, 1862; died since +the war. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +1st Corporal <span class="sc">Thos. J. Sloan</span>.—Enlisted April 20, 1861; +detached at General Ransom's Head-Quarters February, 1862; appointed +Sergeant April, 1862; detailed as musician August 1, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +2d Corporal <span class="sc">Benj. G. Graham</span>.—Enlisted April 20, 1861; +appointed Sergeant January, 1862; appointed Orderly-Sergeant April 22, +1862; elected 2d Lieutenant September 22, 1862; detailed as Ordnance +Officer December, 1862; resigned November 9, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +3d Corporal <span class="sc">Silas C. Dodson</span>.—Returned to his home from Fort +Macon; re-enlisted May 16, 1862; detailed as Clerk Commissary +Department December 15, 1862; surrendered at Appomattox Court-House. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +4th Corporal <span class="sc">Ed. B. Crowson</span>.—Enlisted April 20, 1801; +appointed Sergeant August 1, 1862; captured at Bristow October 14, +1863; died in prison at Point Lookout January 23, 1864. +</p> + +<dl> +<dt class="notelabel"><a name="note1"> </a> +<a href="#noteref1"><small>[1]</small></a></dt> +<dd class="notetext">William Adams was born in Greensboro on the 18th of +February, 1836. In June, 1858, he graduated at the University of the +State. Shortly after his return from the University, he entered the +office of R. P. Dick, Esq., as a student of the law. He was licensed to +practice in the county courts in December, 1859, and was admitted to the +bar at February Term, 1860, At the formation of the Grays in 1860, he +was chosen and appointed 1st Lieutenant. On the night of the 19th of +April, 1861, he left with the Grays for Fort Macon. On the 5th of +October, 1861, he was unanimously elected to the captaincy of the Grays, +<em>vice</em> Capt. John Sloan, promoted to Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the +27th Regiment.</dd> + + +<dd class="notetext">On the 22d of April, the Grays reorganized under +the conscript act, and Capt. Adams was re-elected without opposition, +his men having implicit confidence in his skill, ability, and courage. +At the battle of Sharpsburg, he fell wounded to the death, a martyr to +the cause he loved so well. Young in years, high in hopes, illustrious +in daring and chivalrous deeds, he fills a soldier's grave in the quiet +country of his native town—mourned by all who knew him.</dd></dl> + + +<p class="ctrtoppad"> +Privates: +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Ayers, Hardy.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; wounded at Ream's +Station August 25, 1864; died since the war. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Ayers, James.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; discharged, for +disability May 12, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Archer, W. D.</span>—Enlisted June 9, 1861; wounded at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; killed at Fredericksburg December 13, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Ayer, Henry W.</span>—Enlisted May 15, 1863; transferred to Company +C, 48th Regiment, North Carolina troops, March 1, 1864; died since the +war. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Bryan, Will L.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal +September 21, 1862; died of disease in camp near Fredericksburg +December 17, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Brown, Peter M.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; severely wounded at +Sharpsburg September 17, 1862; detailed on Provost Guard February 14, +1864; surrendered at Appomattox Court-House. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Boon, Henry M.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; captured at Bristow +October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Boling, Rich'd G.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; died of disease in +General Hospital, Richmond, Va., January 10, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Brown, R. D.</span>—Enlisted August 1, 1861; died of disease in +hospital, Petersburg, Va., September 21, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Burnsides, Benj. F.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; wounded at +Sharpsburg September 17, 1862; detailed as teamster during 1863; +wounded at 2d Cold Harbor June 3, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Burnsides, W. W.</span>—Enlisted July 15th, 1861; discharged under +Conscript Act, May 22d, 1862; rejoined the company April 7th, 1863; +wounded at Bristow October 14th, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Campbell, Chas. A.</span>—Enlisted April 20th, 1861; appointed +Corporal April 22, 1862; appointed Sergeant August 1, 1862; promoted to +Orderly-Sergeant November 1, 1862; wounded at Sharpsburg September 17, +1862; elected 2d Lieutenant December 18, 1863; killed at Pole Green +Church, on skirmish-line, June 2, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Collins, John D.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal +April 22, 1862; transferred to the color-guard in May; died of disease +in camp at Drury's Bluff, July 16, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Cheely, Allison C.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed +Corporal August 1, 1862; promoted to Sergeant November 1, 1862; +detailed as Chief of Ambulance Corps, September, 1863; wounded at +Ream's Station, August 25, 1864 (arm amputated). +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Coble, Alfred F.</span>—Enlisted May 4, 1861; killed at Sharpsburg, +September 17, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Coble, Robert S.</span>—Enlisted May 4, 1861; died of disease at +Frederick City, September 12, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Coble, Henry I.</span>—Enlisted February 25, 1862; wounded at +Bristow, October 14, 1863; wounded at Gary's Farm, June 15, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Clapp, William C.</span>—Enlisted June 11, 1861; died at his home of +disease, August 8, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Clapp, Israel N.</span>—Enlisted June 11, 1861; discharged (for +disability) May 12, 1862; died since the war. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Cook, William.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; died of disease at +Greensboro, N.C., June 5, 1861. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Chilcutt, Frank G.</span>—Enlisted August 1, 1861; wounded at battle +of Wilderness May 5, 1864; (arm amputated.) +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Crider, Henry.</span>—Enlisted April 12, 1862; killed at Bristow +October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Crutchfield, Paul.</span>—Enlisted June 1, 1862, as a substitute for +B. N. Smith; captured at Sharpsburg September 17, 1862; released in +October; captured again at Bristow October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Coltrain, John.</span>—Enlisted February 27, 1862; captured at +Bristow October 14, 1863; exchanged and returned to his company June +18, 1864; killed at Ream's Station August 25, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Cannady, John.</span>—Enlisted February 27, 1862; killed at Bristow +October 14, 1863; (a christian, a hero, a friend.) +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Coltrain, Rob't. L.</span>—Enlisted February 27, 1862; discharged +(disability) July 23, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Clark, D. Logan.</span>—Enlisted February 27, 1862; discharged +(disability) June, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Crowson, Cyrus M.</span>—Enlisted August 4, 1862; wounded at Bristow +October 14, 1863; shot through both legs. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Coltrain, Dan'l B.</span>—Enlisted October 20, 1863; wounded at 2d +Cold Harbor June 3, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Donnell, Rob't. L.</span>—Enlisted May 4, 1861; wounded and captured +at Sharpsburg September 17, 1862; imprisoned at Chester, Pa., where he +died of his wounds November 6, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Davis, Jas. C.</span>—Enlisted May 4, 1861; died of disease at Fort +Macon September 8, 1861. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Dennis, William.</span>—Enlisted July 20, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Dennis, James.</span>—Enlisted July 20, 1802; discharged +(disability) May 15, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Dennis, Wm. D.</span>—Enlisted June 15, 1801; wounded in the face at +Bristow, October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Donnell, Wm. H.</span>—Enlisted February 18, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Dick, Preston P.</span>—Enlisted March 1, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Edwards, James T.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; killed at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Edwards, Jas. M.</span>—Enlisted March 4, 1862; killed at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Edwards, David H.</span>—Enlisted June 1, 1861; detailed as courier +to General L. O. B. Branch, May 1, 1862; appointed +Regiment-Quartermaster Sergeant, December 1, 1862; captured at Bristow +October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Forbis, H. Rufus.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; captured at +Sharpsburg, September 17, 1802; exchanged and returned to his company +November 25; appointed Corporal December 20, 1862; wounded at Bristow +October 14, 1863; died of his wounds in hospital at Richmond, October +27, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Forbis, H. Smiley.</span>—Enlisted June 15, 1861; died of disease in +Lynchburg, Va., March 12, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Gorrell, Henry C.</span>—Ensign, with rank of Lieutenant; resigned +at Fort Macon, May, 1861; re-entered the service as Captain; killed +near Richmond in a gallant charge at the head of his company, June 21, +1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Gibson, Rufus B.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; captured at +Sharpsburg; exchanged and returned to his company November 25, 1862; +appointed Corporal December 18, 1863; wounded at Bristow; elected 2d +Lieutenant November 9, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Greene, Walter.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed courier to +General Cooke December, 1862; wounded at Bristow; surrendered at +Appomattox Court-House. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Gretter, Mike.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; acting Commissary +Sergeant at Fort Macon; appointed Brigade Commissary-Sergeant March 18, +1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Gray, Sam'l E. B.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; wounded at +Bristow October 14, 1863; killed on the lines near Petersburg September +13, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Gant, Jas. H.</span>—Enlisted August 1, 1861; died of disease in +hospital at Richmond February 24, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Greeson, Thos. R.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; captured at +Frederick City September 11, 1862; returned to his company February 10, +1863; wounded at Wilderness May 5, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hanner, Frank A.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; elected 2d +Lieutenant Jr., at reorganization of company, April 22, 1862; promoted +to Senior 2d Lieutenant September 17, 1862; promoted to 1st Lieutenant +October 15, 1863; died of disease in hospital at Richmond June 3, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Higgins, Ed. B.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; detailed as musician +August 1, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hunt, L. G.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; acted as Surgeon of the +company at Fort Macon; appointed Assistant Surgeon of 27th Regiment, +North Carolina troops, June 13, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hood, Abe.</span>—Enlisted April, 1861; discharged under conscript +act May 22, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hanner, W. D.</span>—Discharged under conscript act May 22, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hopkins, W.</span>—Discharged under conscript act May 22, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hampton, Robert F.</span>—Enlisted May 4, 1861; wounded at 2d Cold +Harbor, June 3; 1864; died of wounds. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hardin, James M.</span>—Enlisted June 10, 1861; captured at +Sharpsburg, September 17, 1882; wounded at battle of Fredericksburg, +December 13, 1863; detailed as teamster, July 7, 1863; returned to duty +April 22d, 1864; wounded at battle of the Wilderness, May 5th, 1864; +surrendered at Appomattox. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hunt, W. L. J.</span>—Enlisted September 22, 1862, detailed as +pioneer November 25, 1862; killed at 2d Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hunter, S. A.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; killed at battle of +Newberne, March 14, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hunter, W. F.</span>—Enlisted June 11, 1861; wounded at Bristow +October 14, 1863; died of wounds in hospital at Richmond, November 7, +1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hiatt, Samuel S.</span>—Enlisted June 15, 1861; wounded at the +Wilderness, May 5, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hall, James S.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease at +Hardyville, S.C., April 14, 1863; buried in Magnolia Cemetery, +Charleston, S.C. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Heath, Robert F.</span>—Sent to the company from Camp Holmes, +Raleigh, North Carolina, under bounty act, Aug. 16, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hackett, Jas.</span>—Sent to the company from Camp Holmes, Raleigh, +North Carolina, under bounty act, August 16, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hall, Hugh A.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease in +hospital at Richmond, September 19, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Horney, Wm. A.</span>—Enlisted May 14, 1861; detailed as nurse in +hospital near Danville, Va.; returned to duty November 22, 1863; +appointed clerk at brigade headquarters, December, 1863; wounded at the +Wilderness, May 5, 1863 (leg amputated.) +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Isley, Lewis N.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; wounded at +Bristow October 14, 1863; surrendered at Appomattox. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Jones, R. B.</span>—Discharged under conscript act May 22, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Klutts, Alfred W.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal +December 18, 1863; wounded at Wilderness May 5, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Kirkman, Newton W.</span>—Enlisted March 1, 1862; killed on the +lines in front of Petersburg September 27, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Kirkman, Frank N.</span>—Discharged under conscript act May 22, +1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Kellogg, Henry G.</span>—Enlisted August 1, 1861; detailed at +Brigade Commissary Department January, 1863, until January, 1864, when, +by special order, he was detailed in Commissary Department at +Salisbury, N.C., under Capt. A. G. Brenizer. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Lindsay, R. Henry</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; transferred to +Captain Evans' Cavalry Company May, 1861; died in camp shortly +afterwards. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Lindsay, Andrew D.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed +Ordnance-Sergeant of 27th North Carolina Regiment April 1, 1862; served +as such during the entire war; died since the war. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Lindsay, Jed H. Jr.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed +Corporal 1861; appointed Sergeant April 22, 1862; promoted to +Orderly-Sergeant September 22, 1862; appointed Adjutant of 45th North +Carolina Regiment November 1, 1862; died since the war. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Lane, Isaac F.</span>—Enlisted May 4, 1861; died of disease at +Leesburg, N.C., February 18, 1863; (his remains were carried to +Guilford.) +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Lindsey, Ed. B.</span>—Enlisted June 10, 1861; discharged—under +age—by conscript act May 22, 1862; re-entered the service as +Lieutenant in 5th North Carolina Cavalry Regiment; killed in April, +1865. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Lemons, Geo. W.</span>—Enlisted August 1, 1861; captured at Bristow +October 14, 1863; surrendered at Appomattox. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Lemons, Jas. M.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1862; died of disease at his +home March 1, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Lineberry, Louis S.</span>—Enlisted August 17, 1862, as a substitute +for H. S. Puryear; wounded at Bristow, October 14, 1863; killed at +Wilderness, May 5, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Lipsicomb, Samuel B.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; detailed as +musician in regiment band, August 1, 1862; surrendered at Appomattox. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Lloyd, Thos. E.</span>—Enlisted January 26, 1863, as a substitute +for Samuel Smith. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">McKnight, John H.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Sergeant +at Fort Macon; elected 2d Lieutenant, Jr., April 22d, 1862; promoted to +1st Lieutenant September 17, 1862; killed at Bristow October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">McDowell, J. W.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; wounded at Bristow +October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">McAdoo, Walter D.</span>—Enlisted May 4, 1861; wounded at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; transferred to 53d North Carolina Regiment February +16, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">McLean, Robert B.</span>—Enlisted June 11, 1861; wounded at Bristow +October 14, 1863; wounded at Wilderness May 5, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">McLean, Samuel F.</span>—Enlisted May 6, 1862; killed at Wilderness +May 5, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Marsh, James M.</span>—Enlisted June 15, 1861; captured at Bristow +October 14, 1863; exchanged and returned to company June 18, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">McNairy, John W.</span>—Enlisted June 15, 1861; wounded at Bristow +October 14, 1863 (leg amputated). +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">McLean, Joseph E.</span>—Enlisted May 6, 1862; wounded at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; detailed on Ambulance corps July 10, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">McLain, Wm. H.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease at +Winchester, Va., October 24, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">McFarland, Wm. H.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; captured at +Sharpsburg September 17, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">McConnell, Daniel W.</span>—Enlisted July 4, 1863; appointed +Orderly-Sergeant July 15, 1864; killed at Petersburg August, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">May, Lemuel</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; with the exception of +a furlough for 18 days—January 4, 1864, from Orange C.H.—was never +absent from his post. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">May, William</span>—Enlisted May 6, 1862; wounded at Bristow October +14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">McQuiston, John F.</span>—Enlisted June 22, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Nelson, John W.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; detailed as teamster; +died of disease in hospital, Charleston, S.C., March 17, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Orrell, Jas. A.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; captured at Bristow +October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Orrell, A. Laf't.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; wounded at Bristow +October 14, 1863; transferred to Confederate States Navy March 31, +1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Owen, Wilbur F.</span>—Enlisted June 11, 1861; captured at Bristow +October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Porter, Chas. E.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; discharged +(disability) May 12, 1862; died of disease in Greensboro. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Pearce, Jas. R.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; captured at Bristow +October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Puryear, H. S.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; substituted Lineberry +August 17, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Prather, L. L.</span>—Enlisted August 1, 1861; wounded at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; discharged (disability) March 26, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Poe, Wm. E.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Paisley, Wm. M.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed corporal +August 1, 1862; Sergeant September 22, 1862; promoted to +Orderly-Sergeant December 18, 1863; mortally wounded at Gary's farm +June 15, 1864; died of wounds in hospital at Richmond July 13, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Rankin, Jos. W.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; wounded at Bristow +October 14, 1863; died of wounds in hospital at Richmond October 24, +1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Reid, John W.</span>—Enlisted June 16, 1861; transferred to 48th +North Carolina Regiment; promoted to Lieutenant in Company K December +4, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Rhodes, Thos. J.</span>—Enlisted June 25, 1861; appointed Corporal, +December 17, 1862; Sergeant, February 20, 1864; promoted to +Orderly-Sergeant, September, 1864; surrendered at Appomattox. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Ricks, Pleas. A.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1862, as a substitute for +Jno. E. Wharton; died of disease in hospital at Lynchburg, Va., March +12, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Sloan, Geo. J.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; died of disease at +Fort Macon, July 31, 1861. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Smith, John H.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease at +Petersburg, August 8, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Sterling, Ed. G.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; died of disease in +Greensboro, September 28, 1861. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Steiner, Wm. U.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal +June 1861; Sergeant, April 22, 1862; wounded at Bristow, October 14, +1863; Recorder for Heth Division Court-Martial; wounded at Ream's +Station, August 25, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Sweitz, Edward</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861, as a substitute for +J. H. Tarpley. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Stratford, C. W.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; appointed Corporal, +August 1, 1862; Sergeant, December 18, 1863; wounded at Bristow, +October 14, 1863; wounded at Wilderness, May 5, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Stratford, Emsley F.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; wounded at Ream's +Station, October 25, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Summers, Wm. M.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; wounded at Bristow, +October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Scott, Jas. S.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; wounded at Ream's +Station August 25, 1864; wounded on the lines near Burgess' Mills; died +of wounds May 6, 1865. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Siler, John R.</span>—Enlisted July 18, 1862; wounded at Wilderness +May 5, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Stanley, Andy L.</span>—Enlisted June 11, 1861; captured at Bristow, +October 14, 1863. (The "Champion Forager" of Cooke's N.C. Brigade.) +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Smith, Richard S.</span>—Enlisted August 8, 1862; wounded at Bristow +October 14, 1863; appointed Corporal February 20, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Smith, Samuel</span>—Enlisted August 8, 1862; broken down in health +he furnished a substitute in the person of Thomas E. Lloyd January 26, +1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Smith, B. N.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; substituted Paul +Crutchfield June 6, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Smith, R. Leyton</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; killed at +Sharpsburg September 17, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Story, Wm. C.</span>—Enlisted June 11, 1861; appointed Corporal +March 21, 1863; detailed on Color-guard; complimented in special orders +for gallantry at Bristow; wounded at Spottsylvania Court-House May 10, +1864; appointed Ensign, with rank of Lieutenant, June 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Seats, Wm.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease at +Winchester, Va., January, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Sockwell, John T.</span>—Enlisted August 1, 1861; killed at Bristow +October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Sheppard, Paisley</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; captured at +Bristow October 14, 1863; died while prisoner at Camp Lookout. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Shuler, Emsley F.</span>—Enlisted May 6, 1862; wounded and disabled +at Bristow October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Sharpe, E. Tonkey</span>—Enlisted May 7, 1863; detailed as Provost +Guard April 26, 1864; surrendered at Appomattox. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Tate, Robert B.</span>—Enlisted June 11, 1861; wounded at Wilderness +May 5, 1864; died of wounds June (?), 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Thom, Joel J.</span>—Enlisted May 10, 1862; appointed Corporal June +1, 1864; appointed Sergeant 1864; surrendered at Appomattox. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Wiley, Jas. R.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; discharged +(disability) February 7, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Underwood, W. W.</span>—Enlisted February 28, +1862; wounded at Sharpsburg September 17, 1862; died of wounds in +hospital at Richmond September 29, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Wharton, John E.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; +substituted P. A. Ricks May 1, 1861; organized a company soon thereafter +and re-entered the service as Captain in 5th North Carolina Cavalry. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Worrell, R. B.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; +captured at Bristow October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Weatherly, Robert D.</span>—Enlisted April 20, +1861; appointed Corporal November 1, 1862; appointed Sergeant-Major of +27th North Carolina Regiment March 27, 1863, mortally wounded at Bristow +October 14, 1863; died of wounds in hospital at Richmond October 24, +1863; buried at Greensboro, N.C. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Weir, Samuel Park</span>—Entered the service as +Chaplain of the Grays April 20, 1861; transferred in May, 1862, to take +position of Lieutenant in 46th Regiment, North Carolina troops; killed, +instantly, at Fredericksburg December 13, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Westbrooks, Chas. W.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; +performed the duties of soldier and Chaplain until December 20, 1862; +appointed Corporal August 1, 1862; appointed Chaplain in P.A.C.S.A. +January 8, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Woodburn, T. M.</span>—Enlisted June 10, 1861; +captured at Bristow October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Wilson, Jas. L.</span>—Enlisted July 19, 1861; captured at +Sharpsburg September 17, 1862; exchanged November 25, 1862; wounded at +Wilderness May 5, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Winfree, W. C.</span>—Enlisted February, 1862; +discharged under Conscript Act May 22, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Williams, Wash. J.</span>—Enlisted February 28, +1862; wounded at Wilderness May 5, 1864; wounded at Ream's Station +August 25, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Winbourne, Steph. D.</span>—Enlisted April 28, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Woolen, Geo. H.</span>—Enlisted April 28, 1862; +captured at Bristow, October 14, 1863; died in prison at Point Lookout, +September 18, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Young, Sam'l. S.</span>—Enlisted February 28, +1862; killed at Sharpsburg, September 17. 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Brown, Jos. E.</span>—Served with the company until June, 1861. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Brooks, Thos. D.</span>—Served with the company until June, 1861. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Robinson, Samuel</span>—Served with the company until June, 1861. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Erwin, Frank.</span>—Served with the company until June, 1861. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Duvall W. G.</span>—Served with the company until June, 1861. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Gregory, Geo. H.</span>—Enlisted in 12th Virginia Artillery and served through the war. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Albright, Jas. W.</span>—Entered the service in May, 1862; served as Ordnance Officer in 12th Virginia Artillery. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Pritchett, Jno. A.</span>—Resigned as Lieutenant, +April 19, 1861, and did not re-enter the service. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Causey, W. W.</span>—Did not go into service. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Cole, Jas. R.</span>—Left his studies at Trinity College, and served with the company at Fort Macon until June, 1861, when he +joined his brother's cavalry company. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Bourne, W. C.</span>—Was Orderly-Sergeant in +ante-bellum days resigned at outbreak of the war. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Kirkpatrick, David N.</span>—Did not go into service. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Lamb, Maben</span>—Did not go into service. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Moring, Wm. P.</span>—Did not go into service. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Morehead, Jos. M.</span>—Did not go into service. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Tarpley, J. H.</span>—Substituted Ed. Sweitz April 20, 1861. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Fitzer, Jos. H.</span>—Did not enter the service. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Donnell, Jno. D.</span>—Did not enter the service. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Huber, Otto</span>—Did not enter the service. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Gundling, David</span>—Did not enter the service. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +BATTLES +</h2> + +<p class="ctr"> +in which the Grays (Company B, 27th North Carolina troops) +participated in from 1861 to 1865. +</p> + +<table summary="battles"> +<tr> +<td>New Berne, N.C.</td> +<td class="r">March 14, 1862.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Seven Days' Battles Around Richmond</td> +<td class="r">June 26 to July 27, 1862.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Harper's Ferry, Va.</td> +<td class="r">September 15, 1862.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Sharpsburg, Md.</td> +<td class="r">September 17, 1862.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Fredericksburg, Va.</td> +<td class="r">December 13, 1862.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Bristow Station, Va.</td> +<td class="r">October 14, 1863.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Mine Run, Va.</td> +<td class="r">November 27 to December 3, 1863.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Wilderness, Va.</td> +<td class="r">May 5 and 6, 1864.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Graves' Farm, Va.</td> +<td class="r">May 10, 1864.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Spottsylvania Court-House, Va.</td> +<td class="r">May 12, 1864.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Attlee's Station, Va.</td> +<td class="r">May 30, 1864.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Pole Green Church, Va.</td> +<td class="r">June 2, 1864.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Cold Harbor (2d), Va.</td> +<td class="r">June 3, 1864.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Gary's Farm, Va.</td> +<td class="r">June 15, 1864.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Yellow Tavern, Va.</td> +<td class="r">August 21, 1864.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Ream's Station, Va.</td> +<td class="r">August 25, 1864.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Bellfield, Va.</td> +<td class="r">December 9, 1864.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Hatcher's Run, Va.</td> +<td class="r">February 5, 1865.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Fort Euliss, Va.</td> +<td class="r">March 30 to April 2, 1865.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Sutherland's Tavern, Va.</td> +<td class="r">April 2, 1865.</td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<br> +<div class="figcenter"><img width="350" height="33" src="images/card.jpg" alt="A Card to the Public."></div> + + +<p> +Last May I issued to our people a card in which I stated that it was my +purpose to prepare and publish a work to be entitled: "North Carolina +in the War between the States." I also stated that "the effort will be +made to give, in a connected form, all the events pertaining to the +history of the war, so far as they relate to North Carolina." +</p> + +<p> +Since the publication of the card, I have been steadily engaged in the +work proposed. Owing to the aid of many friends, and the material +furnished by them, together with the rich supply of documents to be had +here (Washington), and the material which I had already collected +myself, I have been able to make more rapid progress than I anticipated +when I began my undertaking. +</p> + +<p> +If no unforeseen event occurs, I expect to have the work ready for the +printer in the summer of 1883. +</p> + +<p> +I again <em>earnestly</em> request all friends who desire to see +vindicated the name and fame of those gallant North Carolinians who +aided in our great struggle for Constitutional freedom, to send me any +material they may have on hand, or any information in their possession +which they may judge would be of interest. +</p> + +<p> +"Let those who made the history tell it as it was." +</p> + +<p class="indent"> + Address— +<br><span class="indent1">John A. Sloan</span>, +<br><span class="indent2">No. 1426 33d Street,</span> +<br><span class="indent3">Washington, D.C.</span> +</p> +<br> +<div class="tn"> +<p class="ctr"> +Transcriber's Note: +</p> + +<p> +Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. +</p> + +<p> +Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have been retained as +printed. +</p> +</div> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44124 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + + diff --git a/44124-h/images/card.jpg b/44124-h/images/card.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bc36070 --- /dev/null +++ b/44124-h/images/card.jpg diff --git a/44124-h/images/cover.jpg b/44124-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0fb71bb --- /dev/null +++ b/44124-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/44124-h/images/preface.jpg b/44124-h/images/preface.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..43cf822 --- /dev/null +++ b/44124-h/images/preface.jpg diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..22b1e1e --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #44124 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/44124) diff --git a/old/44124-8.txt b/old/44124-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8b5f8ae --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44124-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4671 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Reminiscences of the Guilford Grays, Co. +B., 27th N.C. Regiment, by John A. Sloan + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Reminiscences of the Guilford Grays, Co. B., 27th N.C. Regiment + +Author: John A. Sloan + +Release Date: November 7, 2013 [EBook #44124] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GUILFORD GRAYS *** + + + + +Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive) + + + + + + +Transcriber's Note: Minor typographical errors have been corrected +without note. Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have +been retained as printed. Words printed in italics are noted with +underscores: _italics_. + + + +REMINISCENCES OF THE GUILFORD GRAYS, + +CO. B, 27TH N.C. REGIMENT, + + +BY JOHN A. SLOAN. + + +WASHINGTON, D.C.: +R. O. POLKINHORN, PRINTER. +1883. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER I. + +Organization of the Grays--General Joab Hiatt--Original members-- +Election of Officers--Drill--Arms received--First public parade +--"Jake Causey"--Exercises at Edgeworth--May Queen; presentation +of banner. + + +CHAPTER II. + +The Greys celebrate Fourth of July--Visit the Orange Guards at +Hillsboro--Dinner and Ball--Celebrate 22d February at Greenboro--The +"boom" of War--Secession of the Gulf States--Correspondence between +Gov. Ellis and Secretary Holt--Organization of the Confederacy at +Montgomery--We celebrate our own Anniversary--Our Visitors--The +Ladies--Feasting and Dancing--"Call" on Gov. Ellis for troops--Ellis' +Response. + + +CHAPTER III. + +Effect of Lincoln's call for troops--Gov. Ellis convenes the +Legislature--The Greys ordered to report at Goldsboro with three +days rations--Ordered to report at Fort Macon--Ladies' Aid Society +--Political excitement--North Carolina Secedes--New recruits--The +Greys sworn in--Arrival at Fort Macon--Latham's Woodpeckers--Assigned +to the 9th Regiment--Assigned finally to the 27th Regiment--Deaths +--New recruits--Routine duty at the Fort--Sports and Past-times. + + +CHAPTER IV. + +Election of Regimental Officers--Ordered to New Berne--Burnside +approaches--Fleet arrives on the 12th--The morning of the 14th--The +Battle--The retreat--At Kinston--Changes and promotions--Expiration of +enlistments--Regiment reorganized--Grays reorganized as Company B-- +Election of commissioned and non-commissioned officers. + + +CHAPTER V. + +More recruits--Sam'l Park Weir--Leave North Carolina for Virginia--The +Seven Pines--The seven days fight--Malvern Hill. + + +CHAPTER VI. + +Marching in the rain--From Drury's Bluff to Petersburg--Riddling the +"Daniel Webster"--Shelling McClellan's camp--Ordered to Richmond--At +Rapidan Station--Discharges and deaths--Regimental Band formed--First +Maryland campaign--Across the Potomac--Two Grays captured--Lost in +the woods--Turn up in Loudon County, Va.--At Harper's Ferry--Surrender +of Harper's Ferry. + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Battle of Sharpsburg--The 27th Regiment in the fight--Complimentary +notice by President Davis, Gen. Lee and others--Cook's heroism-- +Casualties--Captain Wm. Adams--Recross the Potomac--Rest at Occoquan +--Election of Officers to fill vacancies--Deaths. + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +McClellan moves Southward--Our march through the Valley--At Upperville +--Return to Paris--Cedar Mountain--Col. Cooke promoted--Major J. A. +Gilmer made Colonel--On to Fredericksburg--Incidents on the march-- +Burnside advances--Battle of Fredericksburg--Casualties. + + +CHAPTER IX. + +Muster Roll of Grays in December, 1862--Ordered to Richmond--To +Petersburg--Take cars for North Carolina--At Burgaw--The sweet potato +vine--On to Charleston, S.C.--The Alligators of Pocataligo--In camp +at Coosawhatchie--More deaths--Return to North Carolina--On the old +grounds near Kinston. + + +CHAPTER X. + +The affair at Bristow Station. + + +CHAPTER XI. + +The affair at Bristow--Gallant conduct of Color-Guard W. C. Story-- +Losses of the Grays--Lieut. McKnight killed--Sergeant-Major R. D. +Weatherly mortally wounded--The affair a criminal blunder--President +Davis' comments--The surprise at Kelly's Ford--Meade crosses the +Rapidan--Lee advances--Meade's retreat--In winter quarters near +Orange Court-House. + + +CHAPTER XII. + +Company promotions--Our "Fighting Parson" appointed Chaplain--New +recruits--Transfers--Deaths--Virginia Xmas hospitality--Visited by +Rev. J. H. Smith, of Greensboro. + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +Relative strength of the two armies in May--Their respective positions +--The Wilderness--Private Williams receives a wound--Casualties. + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +The enemy re-enforced by Burnside's Corps--Heth and Wilcox overpowered +--Critical situation--General Lee charges with the Texas Brigade--Enemy +routed--Longstreet wounded--Night march--Moving towards Spottsylvania +Court-House--Fortifying at Spottsylvania. + + +CHAPTER XV. + +Barlow's attack upon our left--The little brick church--The enemy's +advance on Ewell at the salient--Gen. Lee exposes himself--Terrific +conflict--Heth's Division moved to the left--The enemy repulsed--Rest +for a few days--Grant's desperate attack on the 18th. + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +Grant abandons his plans--Moves towards Bowling Greene--On the road to +Hanover Junction--Weary marches--A. "Georgy" soldier's costume--His +idea of Music and Medicine--Anecdote of General Grant--Grant changes +his tactics--Engagement at Attlee's Station--Brush at Tolopotomy +Creek--Skirmish at Pole--Green Church--Lieut. Campbell mortally +wounded. + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +The army at Cold Harbor--Battle at Pharr's farm--Casualties--At Cold +Harbor--Lieut. Frank Hanner's death. + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +Marching towards the James--Our Brigade in the Chickahominy Swamps-- +Cavalry skirmish at Hawe's Shops--Sergeant W. M. Paisley mortally +wounded--Ordered to support the cavalry on the 21st.--Fighting under +difficulties--On the lines near Petersburg. + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +The Crater--Warren's corps seize the Weldon Railroad--The 27th at +Ream's Station--The Grays lose heavily--Warren holds the railroad. + + +CHAPTER XX. + +In the trenches before Petersburg--Casualties--The Federals cross +to the north side of the James--Skirmish near Battery No. 45--At +Hatcher's Run--At Burgess' Mill--In line of battle--Building winter +quarters--On a raid at Bellfield--The enemy in full flight--Grant +creeping up on our lines. + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +In winter quarters at Hatcher's Run--A midnight tramp--An affair at +Hare's Hill--Our picket line in the hands of the enemy--Recaptured-- +At Fort Euliss--Our lines broken--The retreat--Fight at Sutherland's +Tavern--Sorely pressed--Reach Deep Creek--Camp near Goode's Bridge +--We celebrate--Reorganization of the regiment--A halt at Amelia +Court-House--Wagon trains attacked and burned--Every man for +himself--Reach Appomattox--In line of battle--Awaiting orders. + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +To the reader--The morning of the 9th--Preparations to attack--A flag +of truce--Negotiations between Generals Grant and Lee--The surrender +--The Guilford Grays present at Appomattox--Comrades--Closing scene +--Retrospect. + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +The names of all who were at any time on our rolls, and a sketch of +the military record of each member--Battles fought. + + + + +Preface. + + +I hope no one will think that I aspire to the severe dignity of a +historian in these rambling reminiscences which are to follow. I am +well content to take an humbler part. With the political questions of +the past, with the conduct of politicians and statesmen, with the +skill of military leaders, with the criticism of campaigns, with the +causes and effects of the civil war, I have here no concern, much less +with the personal interests and rivalries of individuals. But for +all this, the writer hopes that these contributions will not be +unfavorably received by those who were actors in the scenes which are +here recalled. He hopes that what is lacking of the general history of +those eventful times will be compensated for in the details touching +the history of the Guilford Grays themselves. + +From the period when our company was called into the field by Gov. +Ellis, down to the surrender at Appomattox, the writer kept a record of +those events which came under his own observation, and which he thought +might prove useful and interesting in future time. "_Forsan et haec +olim meminisse juvabit._" + +These records up to the capture of Newberne were lost, and for this +period of our history I have relied principally upon my memory. From +the battle of Newberne to the final catastrophe, I have accurate notes +of the most important events and incidents in which the Grays +participated and shared. + +To the memory of my comrades who fell, and as a testimonial to those +who survive, these reminiscences are dedicated. To the derelict in +duty, if such there may have been, the writer will have naught to say. +Let their names stand forever in the shadows of oblivion. + + JOHN A. SLOAN. + + + + +REMINISCENCES OF THE GUILFORD GRAYS. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +In the year eighteen hundred and sixty the military spirit was rife in +the South. The clouds were threatening. No one knew what a day would +bring forth. The organization, the equipment and drill of volunteer +companies was, accordingly, the order of the times. The first assembly +to perfect the organization of the Guilford Grays was held in the +court-house in Greensboro, N.C., on the evening of the 9th of +January, 1860. The meeting was presided over by General Joab +Hiatt--now deceased--a favorite and friend of the young men. Gen. +Hiatt won his military laurels as commander of the militia, in the +piping times of peace. Whoever has seen him arrayed in the gorgeous +uniform of a militia brigadier on the field of the general muster +cannot fail to recall his commanding presence. He was the proper man +to fill the chair at our first meeting. James W. Albright (who is +still in the flesh) acted as secretary. The usual committees were +appointed. A constitution and by-laws were drafted and adopted. The +constitution provided for a volunteer company of infantry, to be known +as the Guilford Grays. Each member was required to sign the +constitution and by-laws. The following is a complete list of the +signers, in the order of their signatures: + +John A. Sloan, William P. Wilson, Thomas J. Sloan, Jos. M. Morehead, +John Sloan, David Gundling, Henry C. Gorrel, William U. Steiner, Otto +Huber, James R. Pearce, Jas. T. Morehead, Jr., P. B. Taylor, Chas. A. +Campbell, J. H. Tarpley, William Adams, James W. Albright, Maben Lamb, +James Thomas, Edward G. Sterling, Jos. H. Fetzer, William P. Moring, +Wilbur F. Owen, George H. Gregory, David N. Kirkpatrick, Andrew D. +Lindsay, John Donnell, Benjamin G. Graham, W. W. Causey, William L. +Bryan, Chas. E. Porter, John D. Smith, James R. Cole, John H. +McKnight, Jed. H. Lindsay, Jr., W. C. Bourne, John A. Gilmer, Jr., +Samuel B. Jordan. + +The foregoing persons signed the constitution and by-laws on the 9th +of January, 1860, when the company was first organized, and are +entitled to the honor of being the "original panel." + +The company was organized by the election of the following +commissioned and non-commissioned officers, viz.: + +John Sloan, Captain; William Adams, 1st Lieutenant; James T. Morehead, +2d Lieutenant; John A. Pritchett, 3d Lieutenant; Henry C. Gorrell, +Ensign (with rank of Lieutenant); W. C. Bourne, Orderly Sergeant; +William P. Wilson, 2d Sergeant; Samuel B. Jordan, 3d Sergeant; Geo. W. +Howlett, 4th Sergeant; Thos. J. Sloan, Corporal; Benjamin G. Graham, +2d Corporal; George H. Gregory, 3d Corporal; Silas C. Dodson, 4th +Corporal. + +The following musicians were selected from the colored troops: + +Jake Mebane, fifer; Bob Hargrove, kettle-drummer; Cæsar Lindsay, +base-drummer. + +The anniversary of the battle of Guilford Court-House is an honored +day among the people of old Guilford. It was the turning point in the +future of Lord Cornwallis. When the Earl of Chatham heard the defeat +announced in the House of Parliament, he exclaimed: "One more such +victory would ruin the British." This battle was fought by General +Greene on the 15th of March, 1781. On this anniversary, the 15th of +March, 1860, our officers received their commissions from Governor +Ellis. This is the date of our formal organization. + +Friday night of each week was set apart for the purpose of drill and +improvement. Our drill-room was in the second story of Tate's old +cotton factory, where we were instructed in the various manoeuvers +and evolutions, as then laid down in Scott's tactics. + +Early in April we received our arms, consisting of fifty stand of old +flint-and-steel, smooth-bore muskets, a species of ordnance very +effective at the breech. They were supposed to have descended from +1776, and to have been wrested by order of the Governor from the worms +and rust of the Arsenal at Fayettsville. By the first of May we had +received our handsome gray uniforms from Philadelphia. These uniforms, +which we so gaily donned and proudly wore, consisted of a frock coat, +single-breasted, with two rows of State buttons, pants to match, with +black stripe, waist belt of black leather, cross belt of white +webbing, gray cap with pompon. + +Our first public parade was a day long to be remembered. It occurred +on the 5th day of May, 1860. The occasion was the coronation of a May +queen in the grove at Edgeworth Female Seminary. The Grays were +invited by the ladies to lend their presence at the celebration, and +it was whispered that we were to be the recipients of a banner. + +It will be readily imagined that we were transported with the +anticipation of so joyous a day. We did our best to make ourselves +perfect in the drill and manual--for would not all eyes be upon us? +The day came at last, and at 10 a.m. we assembled in front of the +court-house. The roll was called and no absentees noted. The uniforms +were immaculate, our officers wore the beautiful swords presented to +them by the fair ladies of Greensboro Female College, the musket +barrels and bayonets flashed and gleamed in the glorious May sunshine, +and with high heads in jaunty caps, and with the proud military step, +as we supposed it ought to be, we marched now in single file, and now +in platoons, down the street towards the Edgeworth grounds, keeping +time to the music of "Old Jake," whose "spirit-stirring fife" never +sounded shriller, and whose _rainbow-arched_ legs never bore him with +such grandeur. + +When we arrived at our destination, we found the beautiful green +grounds, which were tastefully decorated, already filled with happy +spectators. The young ladies, whose guests we were to be, were formed +in procession, and were awaiting the arrival of the Queen and her +suite. The appearance of this distinguished cortege on the scene was +the signal for the procession to move. + +The following was the order of procession: + +First. Fourteen of her maids of honor. + +Second. Ten Floras, with baskets of flowers, which they scattered in +the pathway. + +Third. Sceptre and crown-bearer. + +Fourth. The Queen, with Lady Hope and the Archbishop on either side. + +Fifth. Two maids of honor. + +Sixth. Ten pages. + +Seventh. The Military (Grays). + +As the Queen advanced to the throne, erected in the centre of the +grove, the young ladies greeted her with the salutation: + + "You are the fairest, and of beauty rarest, + And you our Queen shall be." + +Lady Hope (Miss Mary Arendell) addressed the Queen: + + "O, maiden fair, with light brown hair!" + +The Archbishop (Miss Hennie Erwin) then proceeded to the crowning +ceremony, and Miss Mary Morehead was crowned Queen of May. + +After these pleasant and ever-to-be-remembered ceremonies, the Queen +(Miss Mamie) in the name of the ladies of the seminary, presented to +the Grays a handsome silk flag, in the following happy speech: + + "In the name of my subjects, the fair donors of Edgeworth, I + present this banner to the Guilford Grays. Feign would we have + it a "banner of peace," and have inscribed upon its graceful + folds "peace on earth and good-will to man;" for our womanly + natures shrink from the horrors of war and bloodshed. But we + have placed upon it the "oak," fit emblem of the firm heroic + spirits over which it is to float. Strength, energy, and decision + mark the character of the sons of Guilford, whuse noble sires + have taught their sons to know but one fear--the fear of doing + wrong." * * * * * * + +Cadet R. O. Sterling, of the N.C. Military Institute, received the +banner at the hands of the Queen, and, advancing, placed it in the +hands of Ensign H. C. Gorrell, who accepted the trust as follows: + + "Most noble Queen, on the part of the Guilford Grays I accept this + beautiful banner, for which I tender the thanks of those whom I + represent. Your majesty calls to remembrance the days of 'Auld + Lang Syne,' when the banners of our country proudly and + triumphantly waved over our own battle-field, and when our + fathers, on the soil of old Guilford, 'struck for their altars and + their fires.' Here, indeed, was fought the great battle of the + South; here was decided the great struggle of the Revolution; here + was achieved the great victory of American over British + generalship; here was evidenced the great military talent and + skill of Nathaniel Greene, the blacksmith boy, whose immortal name + our town bears. + + "If any earthly pride be justifiable, are not the sons of Guilford + entitled to entertain it? If any spot on earth be appropriate + for the presentation of a "banner of peace," where will you find + it, if it be not here, five miles from the battle-field of + Martinsville; here at Guilford Court-House in the boro of Nathaniel + Greene; here in the classic grounds of old Edgeworth, surrounded + with beauty and intelligence; in the presence of our wives, our + sisters, and our sweethearts. And who could more appropriately + present this banner than your majesty and her fair subjects? You + are the daughter of a Revolutionary mother to whom we would render + all the honor due-- + + 'No braver dames had Sparta, + No nobler matrons Rome. + Then let us laud and honor them, + E'en in their own green homes.' + + "They have passed from the stage of earthly action, and while we + pay to their memories the grateful tribute of a sigh, we would + again express our thanks to their daughters for this beautiful + banner, and as a token of our gratitude, we, the Guilford Grays, + do here beneath its graceful folds pledge our lives, our fortunes, + and our sacred honor, and swear for them to live, them to love, + and, if need be, for them to die. + + "Noble Queen, we render to you, and through you to your subjects, + our hearty, sincere, and lasting thanks for this entertainment; + and to the rulers, in your vast domain, for the privilege of + trespassing upon their provinces which lie under their immediate + supervision. + + "In time of war, or in time of peace, in prosperity or adversity, + we would have you ever remember the Guilford Grays--for be assured + your memories will ever be cherished by them." + +This beautiful banner was designed by Dr. D. P. Weir and executed in +Philadelphia--the size is 6 feet by 5, being made of heavy blue silk. +On the one side is a painting in oils, representing the coat-of-arms +of North Carolina encircled by a heavy wreath of oak leaves and +acorns. Above is a spread eagle with scroll containing the motto, "E +Pluribus Unum," a similar scroll below with words, "Greensboro, North +Carolina." The other side, similar in design, except within the wreath +the words, "Presented by the Ladies of Edgeworth Female Seminary, May +5th, 1860;" on the scroll above, "Guilford Grays," and on scroll +below, "Organized March 5th, 1860," all edged with heavy yellow silk +fringe, cord and tassel blue and gold, the staff of ebony, surmounted +with a heavily plated battle axe. This flag is still preserved and in +the writer's possession. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +More than a year in advance of the National Paper, attributed to Mr. +Jefferson, the people of Mecklenburg County declared themselves a free +people and took the lead in throwing off the British yoke. On the 4th +day of July, 1776, the National Declaration, adopting (?) some of the +language of the Mecklenburg convention, "rang out" the glad tidings +"that these United Colonies are, and, of right, ought to be, _free_ and +_independent_ States." + +To celebrate the "glorious fourth," the good people of Alamance County +unveiled and dedicated a monument at Alamance church to the memory of +Colonel Arthur Forbis, a gallant officer of the North Carolina troops, +who fell mortally wounded at the battle of Guilford, March 25th, 1781. +By invitation of the committee--Rev. C. H. Wiley and Dr. D. P. +Weir--the Grays participated. Invitations of this kind were never +declined. The day was intensely hot, and the distance from Greensboro +being too far for a march in those days, wagons were furnished for our +transportation. The exercises of the occasion were opened with prayer +by Rev. E. W. Caruthers. He was followed by Gov. John M. Morehead, +who, taking the sword which the brave Forbis had carried while he was +an officer, with it lifted the veil from the monument. The Governor's +remarks were just such as those who knew him would have expected of +him. The exercises were closed by Rev. Samuel Paisley, that venerable +man of God. The Grays, after firing a salute and performing such +duties as were required, returned to Greensboro, having spent an +interesting "fourth." + +On the 1st of October, in the same year, we visited by invitation the +Orange Guards, a military organization at Hillsboro, N.C. The +occasion was their fifth anniversary. We took the morning train to +Hillsboro, and in a few hours reached our destination. We found the +Guards at the depot awaiting our arrival. Lieutenant John W. Graham, +on behalf of the Guards, received us with a most cordial welcome. +Lieutenant James T. Morehead, Jr., responded upon the part of the +Grays. We were then escorted to quarters, which were prepared for us, +at the Orange Hotel, where we enjoyed the delicacies, luxuries, and +liquids so bountifully "set out" at this famed hostelry, then presided +over by the genius of Messrs. Hedgpeth and Stroud. In the afternoon we +were escorted to the Hillsboro Military Institute, and gave the young +gentlemen there an opportunity of observing our _superior_ skill, both +in the manual and the evolutions. At night the chivalry and beauty of +"ye ancient borough" assembled in the Odd Fellows' hall to do us honor +at a ball, + + "And then the viols played their best; + Lamps above and laughs below. + Love me sounded like a jest, + Fit for yes, or fit for no." + +As Aurora began to paint the East in rosy colors of the dawn, we +boarded the train for home. Some with aching heads, some with aching +hearts. + +The Orange Guards were closely and intimately associated with us +during the entire four years of the war. We entered the service about +the same time, at the same place, and served in the same regiment. Our +friendships were there renewed, and many, so many, are the memories +sweet and sad, which we mutually share. Our marches, our wants, our +abundance, our sorrows, and our rejoicings--each and all, they were +common to us both. In love and allegiance to our native State we +marched forth to take our places among her gallant sons, be it for +weal or woe; hand-in-hand together till Appomattox Court-House, we +struggled and endured. There like a vesture no longer for use, we +folded and laid away our tattered and battle-stained banner, to be +kept forever sacred, in the sepulchre of a lost cause. + +My diary intimates no occasion for even a "skirmish" until the 22d of +February, 1861, when we again donned the gray to honor the memory of +"George W." and his little hatchet. We were entertained during the day +with an address at the court-house by Jas. A. Long, Esq., on the +all-absorbing _question_ of the times. + +The Congress of the United States had assembled as usual in December, +and was at this time in session. The clouds surcharged with sectional +hate and political fanaticism were now lowering over us, and the +distant mutterings of that storm which had been heard so long, and +against which the wise and patriotic had given solemn warning, +foreboded evil times. South Carolina had already, on the 20th of +December, adopted her ordinance of secession; Mississippi on the 9th +of January; Florida followed on the 10th, Alabama on the 11th, Georgia +on the 18th, Louisiana on the 26th, and Texas on the 1st of February. + +Events now crowded upon each other with the rapidity of a drama. On the +10th of January, 1861, Governor Ellis telegraphed Hon. Warren Winslow +of North Carolina, at Washington, to call on General Winfield Scott and +_demand_ of him to know if he had been instructed to garrison the forts +of North Carolina. The Governor stated that he was informed that it was +the purpose of the Administration to coerce the seceded States, and +that troops were already on their way to garrison the Southern forts. +On the 12th, Governor Ellis addressed the following letter to President +Buchanan: + + "Your Excellency will pardon me for asking whether the United + States forts in this State will be garrisoned with Federal troops + during your administration. Should I receive assurances that no + troops will be sent to this State prior to the 4th of March next, + then all will be peace and quiet here, and the property of the + United States will be protected as heretofore. If, however, I am + unable to get such assurances, I will not undertake to answer for + the consequences. Believing your Excellency to be desirous of + preserving the peace, I have deemed it my duty to yourself, as + well as to the people of North Carolina, to make the foregoing + inquiry, and to acquaint you with the state of the public mind + here." + +On the 15th day of January, J. Holt, Secretary of War (_ad interim_), +in behalf of the President, replied as follows: + + "It is not his (Buchanan's) purpose to garrison the forts to which + you refer, because he considers them entirely safe under the + shelter of that _law-abiding_ sentiment for which the people of + North Carolina have ever been distinguished." + +The congress of delegates from the seceded States convened at +Montgomery, Alabama, on the 4th of February, 1861, and on the 9th, +Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, was chosen by this body for +President, and Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia, for Vice President +of the Confederate States. On the 18th of February Mr. Davis was +inaugurated and the Provisional Government was instituted. + +On the 4th of March, "at the other end of the avenue," Abraham +Lincoln, nominated by a sectional convention, elected by a sectional +vote, and that the vote of a minority of the people, was inducted into +office. + +Eager now were the inquiries as to the probabilities of a war between +the sections. Everything was wrapped in the greatest uncertainty. +North Carolina still adhered to the Union. + +The anniversary of our company occurring on the 15th of March, which +was now near at hand, we determined to celebrate the occasion. We +accordingly issued invitations to the Rowan Rifles, of Salisbury, the +Blues and Grays, of Danville, Va., and the Orange Guards, of +Hillsboro, to be present with us. The Danville Grays, commanded by +Capt. Claiburne, arrived on the evening of the 14th, the Rowan Rifles, +Capt. McNeely, accompanied by Prof. Neave's brass band, greeted us on +the morning of the 15th; the Orange Guards, Capt. Pride Jones, brought +up the rear a few hours afterwards. Our visiting companies were +welcomed, and the hospitalities of the city extended in an appropriate +address by our then worthy Mayor, A. P. Eckel, Esq. Special addresses +of welcome were made to the Danville companies by John A. Gilmer, Jr.; +to the Rowan Rifles, by Lieut. James T. Morehead, Jr.; and to the +Orange Guards, by Lieut. Wm. Adams. Having formed a battalion, under +the command of Col. R. E. Withers, who had accompanied the Danville +companies, we paraded the streets some hours. We repaired, by +invitation of Prof. Sterling, to the Edgeworth grounds, where we found +a bountiful lunch ready for us, prepared by the hospitable hostess. +From Edgeworth we marched to the college, and passed in review before +the bright eyes and smiling faces of the assembled beauty of that +institution. At night our guests were entertained at a sumptuous +collation in Yates' Hall, prepared by the ladies of our city. After we +had refreshed the inner man, and regaled ourselves at the groaning +tables, we moved, by way of a temporary bridge, constructed from the +third-story window of the Yates building to the large hall in the +Garrett building adjacent. Here, under the soul-stirring music +discoursed by the Salisbury band, the feet began to twinkle and sound +in quadrille, and continued until + + "The jagged, brazen arrows fell + Athwart the feathers of the night." + +On the next day all departed for their homes. Ah! who surmised so soon +to leave them again, and on so different a mission! + +We now pass from these holiday reflections, which are germane only to +the introduction of these reminiscences, and arrive at the period when +our _law-abiding_ old State called her sons to arms; when we pledged +our _most_ sacred honor in the cause of freedom, and willingly made the +sacrifice:-- + + "All these were men, who knew to count, + Front-faced, the cost of honor-- + Nor did shrink from its full payment." + +On Friday, the 12th day of April, 1861, General G. T. Beauregard, then +in command of the provisional forces of the Confederate States at +Charleston, S.C., opened fire upon Fort Sumter. Then, on the 15th, +came the proclamation of Mr. Lincoln, calling for 75,000 troops. As +this levy could only mean war, Virginia determined to cast her lot +with the Confederate States, and, accordingly, on the 17th added +herself to their number. + +This proclamation was the out-burst of the storm, and with lightning +speed the current of events rushed on to the desolating war so soon to +ensue. + +On the 16th of April, Governor Ellis received from Mr. Cameron, +Secretary of War, the following telegram, viz.: + + WAR DEPARTMENT, + WASHINGTON, D.C., _April 15th, 1861_. + + TO J. W. ELLIS: + + Call made on you by to-night's mail for two regiments of military + for immediate service. + + SIMON CAMERON, + _Secretary of War_. + +_Governor_ Ellis immediately telegraphed back the following reply: + + EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, + RALEIGH, N.C., _April 15th, 1861_. + + TO SIMON CAMERON, + _Secretary of War_. + + SIR: Your dispatch is received, and if genuine, which its + extraordinary character leads me to doubt, I have to say in reply, + that I regard that levy of troops made by the administration for + the purpose of subjugating the States of the South as in violation + of the Constitution, and as a gross usurpation of power. I can be + no party to this wicked violation of the laws of the country, and + to this war upon the liberties of a free people. _You can get no + troops from North Carolina._ I will reply more in detail when I + receive your "call." + + JOHN W. ELLIS, + _Governor of North Carolina_. + +It is to be remarked that as early as the 19th of March, Senator Thos. +L. Clingman had dispatched Gov. Ellis, to wit: + + "It is believed that the North Carolina forts will immediately be + garrisoned by Lincoln." + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +Mr. Lincoln's "call" for troops excited indignation and alarm +throughout the South; and "law-abiding" North Carolina had now to +decide what it was her duty to do. + +On the 17th of April, Gov. Ellis issued a proclamation convening the +General Assembly to meet in special session on the first day of May. + +On the evening of the day of the issuing of the proclamation, Capt. +John Sloan, commanding the Grays, received orders from Gov. Ellis, "to +report with his company, with three days' rations, at Goldsboro, N.C." +This order was countermanded on the following morning, "to report to +Col. C. C. Tew, commanding the garrison at Fort Macon." + +In obedience to this order the Guilford Grays, on Friday night, April +18th, 1861, left Greensboro for Fort Macon. Thus the Rubicon was +crossed; thus did North Carolina find herself in armed conflict with +the United States; and thus were the Guilford Grays precipitated in +the contest in which they were to suffer and endure for four long +years. + +Our departure was the occasion of different and conflicting emotions. +The Grays, young, ardent, and full of enthusiasm, were the most +light-hearted and happy of all, and marched with as little thought of +coming trouble, as if on the way to some festive entertainment. Not so +with mothers, sisters, and sweethearts--for except our captain, none of +as were married--nature seemed to have granted to these a vision of the +future, which was denied to us, and while they cheered us on with +encouraging words, there was manifest in their expression a deep but +silent under-current of sad forebodings, not unaccompanied with tears. +We marched to the depot with drums beating, and with _that_ flag +flying, which but twelve months before the girls had given us as a +"banner of peace." + +Previous to our departure on Friday night the company assembled in the +court-house, when Lieut. John A. Pritchett and Orderly Sergeant W. H. +Bourne, resigned their offices. John A. Gilmer, Jr., was elected to +fill the vacancy of lieutenant, and Wm. P. Wilson that of orderly +sergeant. + +The following is the roll of members who left for Fort Macon on the +night mentioned: + +John Sloan, Captain; William Adams, 1st Lieutenant; James T. Morehead, +Jr., 2d Lieutenant; John A. Gilmer, Jr., 3d Lieutenant; John E. Logan, +M. D., Surgeon; Henry C. Gorrell, Ensign; William P. Wilson, Orderly +Sergeant; John A. Sloan, 2d Sergeant; Geo. W. Howlett, 3d Sergeant; +Samuel B. Jordan, 4th Sergeant; Thos. J. Sloan, Corporal; Benjamin G. +Graham, 2d Corporal; Edward M. Crowson, 3d Corporal; J. Harper +Lindsay, Jr., 4th Corporal. Privates: Hardy Ayres, James Ayers, +William L. Bryan, Peter M. Brown, John D. Collins, Allison C. Cheely, +Chas. A. Campbell, H. Rufus Forbis, Rufus B. Gibson, Walter Green, +Frank A. Hanner, Alfred W. Klutts, Andrew D. Lindsay, John H. +McKnight, J. W. McDowell, James R. Pearce, Chas. E. Porter, William U. +Steiner, Edw. G. Sterling, John E. Wharton, Richard B. Worrell, Robert +D. Weatherly, Samuel P. Weir, A. Lafayette Orrell, James Gray, Samuel +Robinson, J. Frank Erwin, Joseph E. Brown, Edward Switz, Thos. D. +Brooks, W. G. Duvall. + +A few days after our departure, the ladies of Greensboro organized a +committee, consisting of Mrs. D. P. Weir, Mrs. R. G. Sterling, Mrs. T. +M. Jones, Mrs. A. P. Eckel, and Mrs. J. A. Gilmer, to see that we were +supplied with provisions and such clothing as was needful, and nobly +did these blessed ladies--three of whom have since "crossed the River; +resting under the shade on the other side"--perform their work of +love. We were constantly receiving boxes, containing, not only every +comfort, but luxuries and dainties, from this committee, in addition +to those sent us by the dear ones in our private homes. + +In the meanwhile our newspapers and politicians were urging immediate +action upon the part of our State. The following quotation from _The +Patriot_ of May 2d, 1861, will serve to show the state of public +opinion at that time. _The Patriot_ says: + + "Our streets are filled with excited crowds, and addresses were + made during the day by Governor Morehead, Hons. R. C. Puryear, + John A. Gilmer, Sr., Rob't. P. Dick, and Thomas Settle. These + speeches all breathed the spirit of resistance to tyrants, and our + people were told that the time had come for North Carolina to make + common cause with her brethren of the South in driving back the + abolition horde." + +On the 20th day of May, 1861 (being the 86th anniversary of the +Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence), North Carolina severed her +relations with the Federal Union, and made "common cause with her +brethren of the South." + +During the months of May and June our company received many volunteer +recruits, all, with one or two exceptions, coming from Guilford +County. Below are their names and the dates of their enlistment: + +Edward B. Higgins, J. T. Edwards, H. M. Boon, Richard G. Boling, L. G. +Hunt. John W. Nelson, Jas. A. Orrell, Chas. W. Westbrooks, Jos. W. +Rankin, C. W. Stratford, William M. Summers and Jas. S. Scott, on the +first of May. A. F. Coble, R. S. Coble, Robert L. Donnell, Mike +Gretter, G. D. Hines, Robert A. Hampton, Isaac F. Lane, Walter D. +McAdoo, on the 4th, Wash. D. Archer, on the 9th of June. James M. +Hardin, T. M. Woodburn, on the 10th. Wilbur F. Owen, Hal Puryear, +Rob't. B. McLean, Edward B. Lindsay, S. A. Hunter, W. I. L. Hunt, W. +C. Clapp, Israel N. Clapp, Jas. C. Davis, David H. Edwards, W. C. +Story, Andy L. Stanley, Rob't. B. Tate, on the 11th, Jas. M. Marsh on +the 13th, John W. McNairy, H. Smiley Forbis, William Dennis, John W. +Reid on the 15th, Thos. J. Rhodes on the 25th, and on the 19th of +July, Jas. L. Wilson. + +A large majority of the members of the Grays were sworn in, some two +months after our arrival at the Fort, as twelve months State troops. +Some few at this time returned to their homes, and others enlisted in +different commands. Ensign H. C. Gorrell returned to Greensboro, +raised a company for active service, was elected its captain, and +assigned to the 2d North Carolina regiment. He was killed June 21st, +1862, while gallantly leading a charge against one of the enemy's +strongholds on the Chickahominy. Our surgeon, Dr. John E. Logan, +remained with us about four months as surgeon of the post. He was then +assigned to the 4th North Carolina Regiment in active service, and, +later during the war, to the 14th North Carolina, where he served as +surgeon until the close of the war. + +The war fever had now reached its height, and companies were forming +throughout the State, and rapidly hastening to Virginia, which was +soon to become the theatre of active operations. In the meanwhile, the +seat of government was transferred from Montgomery, Alabama, to +Richmond, Va., where, on the 20th day of July, 1861, the first +Confederate Congress convened. + +On our arrival at Fort Macon, on the night of the 20th of April, we +found our old friends, the Orange Guards, also the Goldsboro Rifles +and the Wilson Light Infantry, in quiet possession of the citadel. The +United States garrison, consisting of Sergeant Alexander, supported by +one six-pounder mounted on the inner parapet to herald the rising of +the sun, and the going down of the same, had surrendered on the 11th, +without bloodshed, to Capt. Pender, of Beaufort. The sergeant was +paroled, and allowed to leave the fort with his flag and side-arms. +The ordnance was retained. On the next morning we saw floating from +the flagstaff over the fort the Pine Tree flag, with the rattlesnake +coiled around the base. This was the State flag. About ten days +afterwards for some cause, and by what authority is not known, the +State flag was pulled down and a Confederate flag run up in its place. +North Carolina had not yet seceded, and this was looked upon as an +unwarrantable assumption of command, and some of our company left for +home, but returned when the State afterwards seceded. + +A few weeks afterwards our garrison was reinforced by Capt. Latham's +(artillery) "Woodpeckers," from Craven. This command received its very +appropriate nickname from the fact that, when they entered the fort, +they wore very tight-fitting scarlet caps. (This company, with a +detail from the 27th N.C. Regiment, did splendid service at the +battle of Newberne.) + +Some time in June we were assigned to the 9th North Carolina regiment; +but, for some reason unknown to us, we were taken from this regiment, +and another company substituted. On the 22d we were placed, with five +other companies, in a battalion, commanded by Col. Geo. B. Singletary. +Our position was retained in this battalion until some time in +September, when we were assigned to the 27th North Carolina regiment, +which was organized with Col. Singletary as Colonel, Capt. John Sloan +(of the Grays) Lieut.-Colonel, and Lieut. Thomas C. Singletary as +Major. Seven companies of this regiment were then in camp near +Newberne, and the remaining three companies--one of which was the +Grays, and designated in the regiment as Company "B"--were on detached +service at Fort Macon, where we remained until the 28th of February, +1862. + +Owing to the promotion of Capt. Sloan to the Lieut.-Colonelcy of the +regiment, Lieut. William Adams was elected captain of the Grays and +Sergeant William P. Wilson elected 3d Lieutenant. + +Private William Cook died in Greensboro of typhoid fever, on the 5th +of June, having been a member of the company about one month. + +On the 31st of July, private George J. Sloan, after severe illness, +died at the fort. + +On the 1st of August the following new members enlisted, viz.: Jno. T. +Sockwell, R. D. Brown, Frank G. Chilcutt, George W. Lemons, James H. +Gant, Richard Smith, and L. L. Prather. + +Our special employment at the Fort, outside of the military routine, +and to relieve its tedium, was "totin" sand bags. Thad Coleman was our +chief of ordnance, and as the duties of this office were important and +imperative, Sergeant Howlett and Private A. D. Lindsay were detailed +as assistants or aids-de-camp. While waiting the arrival of our +artillery to equip the fort, Capt. Guion, our civil engineer, +instructed our chief of ordnance and his aids to erect embrasures and +traverses, of sand bags, on the parapets. The bags were first tarred, +then filled with sand and carried by the men to the parapets. This +interesting recreation was indulged in during the dog-days of the +hottest August that our boys ever experienced. At the early dawn of +every morning, upon the parapet, with a pair of opera glasses, +intensely scanning the horizon of the deep, deep blue sea, might have +been observed the inclined form of Capt. Guion, on the look-out for a +United States man-of-war. But whether a man-of-war or the +"idly-flapping" sail of some crab hunter hove in sight, the order for +more sand bags was placed on file at the ordnance department. We built +traverses day after day. We pulled them down and built them up again, +exactly as they were before. At length the raw material, of bag, +failed, and Sergeant-aid-de-camp Howlett was dispatched under sealed +orders to Greensboro on some mysterious errand. We employed our +leisure time which we now enjoyed (thanks to the bag failure and the +mysterious errand of Sergeant Howlett), in citing delinquents to +appear before a court-martial of High Privates, which we now +organized. Among the culprits were Sergeant Howlett and private +Summers. It had transpired that Sergeant Howlett's mysterious errand +had been to fill a requisition, made by Capt. Guion and approved by +Lieut. Coleman, chief of ordnance, for a Grover and Baker sewing +machine (extra size) to be employed in the furtherance of the tarred +sand-bag business. The prisoner was tried, convicted, and sentenced to +change his sleeping quarters to No. 14-1/2. This casemate was occupied +by Harper Lindsay, Ed. Higgins, Tom. Sloan, Jim. Pearce, and McDowell. +Any man was entitled to all the sleep he could get in these quarters. + +Private Summers, who had obtained leave to visit home on what he +represented as _urgent_ business, was also arraigned in due form. The +charges and specifications amounted substantially to this, that he went +home to see his sweetheart. He was permitted by the Court to defend +with counsel. "Long" Coble appeared for him, and in his eloquent appeal +for mercy--in which his legs and arms played the principal part of the +argument--he compared the prisoner to a little ship, which had sailed +past her proper anchorage at home and cast her lines at a neighbor's +house. The evidence being circumstantial he was acquitted, but was ever +known afterwards as "Little Ship" Summers. He served faithfully during +the entire war; has anchored _properly_ since, and the little "crafts" +around his happy home indicate that he has laid the keels for a navy. + +Running the "blockade" to Beaufort was another favorite amusement. The +popular and sable boatman for this "secret service" was Cæsar Manson. +Cæsar's knowledge of the waters of the sound was full and accurate, +and his pilotage around the "pint o' marsh" was unerring. Privates +McDowell, Jim Pearce, and Ed Higgins employed Cæsar a dark, rainy night +on one of these secret expeditions to Beaufort. Owing to the fog on the +sound and the _fog_ in the boat, the return of the party was delayed +till late in the night. The faithful sentinel, Mike Wood (of the +Goldsboro Rifles), being on post at the wharf that night, and this fact +being known to prudent Cæsar, he steered for the creek to avoid him. As +these festive revellers were wading ashore, Mike, hearing the splashing +in the water, sung out, "who comes there!" receiving no reply, he +cocked his gun, and became very emphatic. Pearce, knowing that Mike +would shoot, answered very _fluently_, while in the water to his waist, +"don't you shoot me, Mike Wood, I am coming in as fast as I can." Mike +escorted the party to head quarters, and they performed some one else's +guard duty for several days. + +We must not forget to mention our genial commissary, Capt. King, and +his courteous assistant, Mike Gretter, of the Grays. "Billy" King and +his little cosey quarters were just outside the fort, and so convenient +of a cold frosty morning, to call upon him and interview his _vial_ of +distilled fruit, hid away in the corner. _Vive le Roi, Billie._ + +On the 8th of September, private James Davis died at the fort. + +On September the 28th, private Ed. Sterling, who was absent on +furlough, died at his home in Greensboro, N.C. + +On the 25th of October, the U.S. Steamer "Union" was wrecked off +Bogue Banks near the fort. Her crew was brought to the fort and +confined there for a short time. What is of more interest was, that we +received valuable stores from the wreck, among others, elegant hair +mattresses, which now took the place of our shucks and straw. + +These days at the fort were our halcyon days, as the dark hours were +to us yet unborn. The war had been so far a mere frolic. In the +radiant sunshine of the moment, it was the amusing phase of the +situation, not the tragic, that impressed us. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +On the 7th of November, Lieut.-Col. John Sloan was ordered to report +for duty, to his regiment at Newberne. Some time in December Col. +George Singletary resigned and Lieut.-Col. John Sloan was elected +colonel of the regiment; Maj. T. C. Singletary was elected +Lieutenant-Colonel, and Lieut. John A. Gilmer, of the Grays--who had +been acting as adjutant of the regiment at Newberne--was elected +Major. The promotion of Lieut. Gilmer made a vacancy in the offices of +our company, and Sergeant John A. Sloan--at the time sergeant-major of +the fort--was elected to fill it. + +On the 28th of February, 1862, we were ordered to join our regiment +then encamped at Fort Lane, on the Neuse River, below Newberne, North +Carolina. About mid-day we filed through the sally-port and bade a +long and sad farewell to Fort Macon. We were transported by boat to +Morehead City, and thence by rail to Newberne. We arrived at Fort Lane +late in the evening, and in the pouring rain, marched to our quarters. +Our position in camp was assigned us, and we began to make ourselves +comfortable in our new home. We had much baggage, more than would have +been allowed an entire corps a year afterwards. Every private had a +trunk, and every mess a cooking-stove, to speak nothing of the extras +of the officers. All this portable property we turned over to Gen. +Burnside, later in the season, for want of convenient transportation. + +We had scarcely made ourselves snug in our winter quarters when we +learned that a large land and naval force, conjoined under command of +Gen. Burnside, was approaching Newberne. The fleet arrived in Neuse +River on the 12th of March, and the land forces were in our front on +the following day. On the night of the 13th we left our quarters and +moved down the south bank of the Neuse a short distance, where we were +placed in line of battle, in entrenchments which had previously been +constructed under the orders of Gen. L. O. B. Branch, commanding our +forces--our regiment being the extreme left of the lines, and resting +upon the river. The morning of the 14th broke raw and cold, the fog +was so dense that we could not see fifty yards beyond our works. As +soon as it lifted, a skirmish began upon the right of our lines +between the opposing pickets. About the same time the gunboats, which +were creeping slowly up the river, began to shell the woods. Under +cover of this random firing the land forces advanced. Our pickets +along the entire line were rapidly driven in, and the battle of +Newberne began. It is not my purpose here to venture a description of +this engagement or to make any remarks by way of criticism. + +After repeated attacks, the right of the Confederate lines gave way, +which exposed our portion of the lines to an enfilade fire; the enemy +took immediate advantage of their success, and were now endeavoring to +turn our flank and get in our rear. We were ordered to fall back a +short distance, and made a stand a few hundred yards to the rear in +the woods. Meanwhile the guns in Fort Lane had been silenced by the +shots from the enemy's fleet; this gave the boats an unobstructed +passage to Newberne. Had they succeeded in reaching Newberne ahead of +us, they would have destroyed the bridges and thus cut off our +retreat, and forced a surrender of our entire command. Under these new +and trying circumstances, a devil-may-care retreat was ordered, with +instructions to reform at the depot in Newberne. We stood not upon the +order of going but "went," rivaling in speed the celerity of the famed +North Carolina militia at the battle of Guilford Court-House. + +Before leaving our entrenchments, private S. H. Hunter was struck by a +fragment of shell, which had exploded near us, and killed. This was +the only casualty in our company and the first. Poor Hunter was struck +on the head and rendered unconscious. He was carried from the field +and brought with us to Kinston in an ambulance, but died on the way. +His remains were conveyed under escort to Greensboro. Sergeant Samuel +B. Jordan was captured on the retreat. He was exchanged and paroled +afterwards, but his term of enlistment having expired, he did not +again enlist. + +The company, or at least a portion of it, reformed at the depot in +Newberne. From here we continued our retreat unmolested to Kinston, +where we arrived at a late hour in the night. + +While at the depot in Newberne a special train was ordered for the +transportation of the sick and wounded. Some few others apparently +healthy and able-bodied, but constitutionally exhausted, sought shelter +on this train. Among these was my _body-guard_ "Bill," who, with +prudential forecast, had secured a berth early in the action and "held +his ground" until the train reached Greensboro. Bill says he simply +went home to inform "mar's" Robert that "mar's" John was safe and +"untouched." He returned in due season and enlisted with me "durin" the +war, was faithful to the end, and is part of our history. + +We remained in and around Kinston performing picket duty on the roads +leading toward Newberne until the 22d of March. About the 25th we +changed our camp to "Black-jack," and on the 29th we moved to +Southwest Church. + +The muster-roll of our company at this period contained one hundred +and twenty names, but of this number, owing to the measles, +whooping-cough, itch, and other "diseases dire," only seventy-three +were reported for duty. + +On the 18th of March, Mike Gretter was detached and appointed brigade +commissary sergeant, in which position he served during the entire +war. On the 1st of April, A. D. Lindsay--a graduate of the sand-bag +department of Fort Macon--was appointed Ordnance Sergeant of our +regiment. About the 20th of April, our 1st Lieutenant, James T. +Morehead, Jr., resigned, to accept the position of captain in the 45th +North Carolina regiment. He was afterwards elected lieutenant-colonel +of the 53d regiment, and after the death of Col. Owens, was promoted +to the colonelcy. Colonel Morehead was wounded at Spottsylvania +Court-House, Gettysburg, and Hares' Hill, at which latter place he was +made a prisoner in a gallant charge of his command, and was held until +after the war. + +Private John W. Nelson was detailed as permanent teamster to +regimental quarter-master, some time in April, and acted as such until +the 17th of March, 1863, when he died in the hospital at Charleston, +S. C. + +The expiration of the term of enlistment of the twelve months' men was +now near at hand; and to provide measures to levy new troops, and to +hold those already in the field, President Davis was authorized by an +act of Congress "to call out and place in the military service for +three years all white male residents between the ages of 18 and 35 +years, and to continue those already in the field until three years +from the date of enlistment, but those under 18 years and over 35 were +to remain 90 days." Under this act our company lost privates R. B. +Jones, W. D. Hanner, W. Hopkins, W. C. Winfree, and W. Burnsides, all +of whom were over 35 years of age. W. Burnsides rejoined us in April, +1863. Private John E. Wharton substituted P. A. Ricks on the 1st of +May, and returned to Guilford, where he raised a company and +re-entered the service as its commandant. Private Ed. Lindsey, who +left us, being under 18 years of age, was made a lieutenant in Capt. +Wharton's company. Ed. was killed in the month of April 1865. + +On the 16th of April, the 27th North Carolina regiment reorganized. +Major John R. Cooke, who was at that time chief of artillery on Gen. +Holmes' staff, was elected colonel, R. W. Singletary re-elected +lieutenant-colonel, and John A. Gilmer, Jr., re-elected major. The +regiment was then assigned to Gen. Robert Ransom's Brigade, under +whose command we remained until the 1st of June. + +On the 22d of April, our company reorganized as company "B." William +Adams was re-elected captain, John A. Sloan was elected 1st +lieutenant, John H. McKnight 2d lieutenant, and Frank A. Hanner, 2d +lieutenant junior; Benjamin G. Graham was appointed orderly sergeant, +Samuel B. Jordan (still prisoner) 2d sergeant, Thos. J. Sloan, 3d +sergeant, George W. Howlett, 4th sergeant, Will U. Steiner, 5th +sergeant, Ed B. Crowson, 1st corporal, Jed H. Lindsay, Jr., 2d +corporal, John D. Collins, 3d corporal, and Chas. A. Campbell, 4th +corporal. Lieutenant W. P. Wilson declined re-election in the company +to accept the position of adjutant of the regiment, tendered him by +Col. Cooke, which office he filled with much credit to himself and +regiment. He died in Greensboro on March 3d, 1863, after a severe +illness. + +From the 4th to the 7th of May, we assisted in tearing up and +destroying the A. & N.C. Railroad from Kinston to Core Creek. We made +up our minds if Burnside pursued us again, he should come slowly, and +on foot. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +From February to the tenth of May, the following men had joined our +company: Benjamin Burnsides, Henry Coble, R. L. Coltrain, John +Coltrain, D. L. Clark, John Cannady, W. W. Underwood, Jas. Hall, Jas. +R. Wiley, Hugh Hall, Wash. Williams, Lewis N. Isley, Stephen D. +Winbourne, W. W. McLean, Geo. H. Woolen, Wm. McFarland, Sam'l Young, +Lemuel May, Thos. L. Greeson, Rasper Poe, B. N. Smith, J. M. Edwards, +John H. Smith, R. L. Smith, Wm. Seats, Paisley Sheppard, Newton +Kirkman, James Lemons, Wm. Horney, Silas C. Dodson (rejoined), Jas. E. +McLean, Wm. May, S. F. McLean, E. F. Shuler, and J. J. Thom. + +Samuel Park Weir, who had acted as chaplain to our company, in +connection with his duties as a private soldier, was transferred, in +May, to the 46th North Carolina regiment, to accept the office of +Lieutenant in one of the companies of that regiment. When the war +commenced, Sam was at the Theological Seminary in Columbia, S.C. +Leaving his studies, he shouldered his musket and entered the ranks of +the Grays in April, 1861. At the battle of Fredericksburg, Dec. 13th, +1862, as his regiment was passing in our rear, at the foot of Marye's +Hill, Sam halted a moment to speak to Col. Gilmer, who had been +wounded as we were moving into our position, and was advising him to +leave the field. While thus conversing with the colonel and the +writer, he was struck by a minie-ball, and instantly killed, falling +lifeless at our feet. His remains were carried to Greensboro, and +buried in the Presbyterian burying-grounds. + +On the front line, he crossed the silent stream, leaving behind him +the fragrant memory of a name engraven to remain in the affections of +his comrades, and an example of modesty, purity, courage, and devotion +to principle unsurpassed. He sleeps the sleep of the blessed, and no +spot of earth contains a more gallant soldier, a truer patriot, or a +more faithful and sincere friend-- + + "Sleep, soldier! Still, in honored rest, + Your truth and valor wearing: + The bravest are the tenderest-- + The loving are the daring." + +On the 31st of May we folded our tents, made our preparations for a +hasty adieu to North Carolina, and left Kinston for the seat of war in +Virginia. We reached Richmond about one o'clock on the first of June. +As we neared the city, we could hear distinctly the guns of the battle +of Seven Pines, and as soon as we reached the depot, we were ordered +to the battle-field. We were marched rapidly through Richmond, all +anxious to take part in the battle now raging. Before we arrived on +the field, the fight had been fought and won, and our services were +not called for. + +On the following day we were assigned to Gen. J. G. Walker's brigade, +and ordered into camp at Drury's Bluff, where we remained, +constructing fortifications, until the latter part of June. While in +camp here, B. N. Smith substituted Paul Crutchfield. Dr. L. G. Hunt, +acting surgeon of our company, was appointed assistant surgeon of the +regiment. "Gwyn," with his amiable and handsome hospital steward, C. +M. Parks, of the Orange Guards, continued to prescribe "them thar +pills" until the war ended. + +On the 27th of June, 1862, the memorable "Seven Days' Fight" around +Richmond began. The Grays formed a portion of the reserve under Gen. +Holmes, and were marched from battle-field to battle-field, receiving +the shells of the enemy, and acting as targets for their sharp +shooters. On the 29th, Gen. Holmes crossed from the south side of the +James River, and on the 30th, being re-enforced by Gen. Wise's +brigade, moved down the river road with a view to gain, near to +Malvern Hill, a position which would command the supposed route of +McClellan's retreating army. We were posted on this road at New +Market, which was supposed to be the route McClellan would pursue in +his retreat to the James. Our generals and their guides, being +ignorant of the country, subsequently learned there was another road +running by the Willis church which would better serve the purpose of +the retreating foe, and we were moved to a position on this road. Here +we remained under the fire of the enemy's gun-boats, whose huge, +shrieking shells crashing through the trees and bursting in our midst, +inspired a degree of terror not justified by their effectiveness. The +dust created by our march gave the enemy a knowledge of our position, +and caused the gun-boats to open this heavy fire upon us. Instead of +finding the enemy a straggling mass, as had been reported, they were +entrenched between West's house and Malvern Hill, commanding our +position with an open field between us. + +General Holmes' artillery opened fire upon the enemy's infantry, which +immediately gave way, and simultaneously their batteries, of +twenty-five or thirty guns, and their gun-boats made a cross-fire upon +us. Their force, both in infantry and artillery, being vastly superior +to ours, any attempt upon our part to make an assault being considered +worse than useless, we were withdrawn at night-fall. The enemy kept up +their cannonading until after dark. + +On the 1st of July, late in the afternoon, line of battle was formed +and orders were issued for a general advance at a given signal, and +the bloody battle of Malvern Hill began. Several determined efforts +were made to storm Crews Hill; "brigades advanced bravely across the +open field raked by the fire of a hundred cannon and the muskets of +large bodies of infantry. Some were broken and gave way; others +approached close to the guns, driving back the infantry, compelling +the advance batteries to retire to escape capture and mingling their +dead with those of the enemy. For want of co-operation the assaults of +the attacking columns were too weak to break the enemy's line, and +after struggling gallantly, sustaining and inflicting great loss, they +were compelled successively to retire. The firing continued until +after 9 p.m., but no decided result was gained. At the cessation of +firing several fragments of different commands were lying down and +holding their ground within a short distance of the enemy's line, and +as soon as the fighting ceased an informal truce was established by +common consent. Parties from both armies, with lanterns and litters, +wandered over the field seeking for the wounded, whose groans could +not fail to move with pity the hearts of friends and foe." McClellan +withdrew with his army during the night, and hastily retreated to +Harrison's landing on the James. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +Early on the next morning the rain began to fall in torrents, and +continued for forty-eight hours, rendering the roads almost +impassable. It was reported that the enemy were crossing the James, +and we were ordered back to our camp near Drury's Bluff. About +sun-down we commenced our weary and hard march. Our men were worn out +by continuous marching and loss of sleep, still we plodded along, +reaching our camp, 17 miles distant, about 3 o'clock in the morning +thoroughly drenched. Col. Cooke had gone ahead of us, and having +aroused the men left in charge of the camp, had great blazing fires in +front of our tents awaiting our arrival. + +On the 6th, we left Drury's Bluff and marched to Petersburg, spending +a day there; on the morning of the 8th we were ordered to Fort +Powhatan on the James below City Point. About daylight on the morning +of the 11th we were placed in ambush on a high bluff on the river with +instructions to fire into any vessel that might attempt to pass. We +had not been long in our position when a transport called the "Daniel +Webster" was spied approaching us. When she steamed up opposite us, +the batteries which had accompanied us let loose the "dogs of war," +and riddled her cabins and hull. She floated off down the river +disabled, but we had no means of knowing what damage we had done to +the crew. Very soon the gun-boats below opened fire upon us, and, for +a mile below, the woods and banks of the river were alive with shot +and shell. We withdrew our artillery and made a similar attempt the +next day, but found no game. + +We returned to Petersburg and remained in camp there until the 19th of +August, picketing up and down the James River. + +On the 31st of July we were sent down the river as support to the +artillery which had been ordered to Coggins' Point to shell McClellan's +camp. On the night of the 1st of August we had about fifty pieces of +our artillery in position; we could not show ourselves in the daytime, +as the enemy had their balloons up and could almost see the "promised +land" around Richmond. About 2 o'clock in the morning we opened fire +upon McClellan's camp on the opposite bank of the river. His camp fires +and the lights from the shipping in the river formed a grand panorama. +After a few shots from our artillery, these lights quickly disappeared. +We kept up a constant fire for several hours, withdrew, and at daylight +took up the line of march for Petersburg. After we had retired far out +of reach of their guns, the enemy opened the valves of their ordnance +and belched forth sounds infernal, but their gunpowder and iron was all +wasted upon imaginary forces. + +On the 20th of August we were ordered to Richmond, remaining there, +at Camp Lee, until the 26th, when we boarded the train for Rapidan +Station, on the Orange & Alexandria Railroad. We remained in camp at +this point until the 1st of September. + +Sergeant Geo. W. Howlett, being disabled for service in the field on +account of his eyes, left us on the 23d of July. Private R. L. +Coltrain was discharged by surgeon's certificate about the same time. +Corporal John D. Collins, on detail as one of the color-guard--and +who, in the absence of the regular color-guard of the regiment, had +carried our flag in the battles around Richmond--died of typhoid +fever, while we were encamped at Drury's Bluff. On the 8th of August, +private W. C. Clapp died at his home, and private John H. Smith at the +hospital in Petersburg. On the 17th, Hal Puryear substituted a most +excellent soldier in the person of Louis Lineberry. About this time a +regimental band was formed, and the Grays furnished as their quota: +Ed. B. Higgins, Samuel Lipsicomb, and Thomas J. Sloan; each of whom +became excellent "tooters." + +After the series of engagements at Bull Run and on the Plains of +Manassas, the condition of Maryland encouraged the belief that the +presence of our army would excite some active demonstration upon the +part of her people, and that a military success would regain Maryland. +Under these considerations, it was decided by our leaders to cross +the army of Northern Virginia into Western Maryland, and then, by +threatening Pennsylvania, to induce the Federal army to withdraw from +our territory to protect their own. + +Gen. J. G. Walker, our brigadier--now in command of the division--ordered +us from our camp at Rapidan Station, on the morning of September 1st, +and we set out with the army of Northern Virginia on what is termed +the "first Maryland campaign." Our first day's march halted us at +Warrenton. On the 4th, we reached the battle-field of Manassas, finding +many of the enemy's dead still unburied, from the engagement a few days +previous. On the 5th, we passed through the villages of Haymarket and +New Baltimore, and rested at Leesburg on the evening of the 6th. +McClellan was ignorant of Lee's plans, and his army remained in close +vicinity to the lines of fortifications around Washington, until the +sixth. Early next morning (Sunday), we forded the Potomac at Noland's +Ferry, and were occupying the shores of "My Maryland." Our band struck +up the "tune," but the citizens we came in contact with did not seem +disposed to "come." We had evidently crossed at the wrong ford. On the +next day, the 8th, we arrived at a small place called Buckettown, where +we rested until the morning of the ninth. About 10 o'clock, we reached +Frederick city; here we found the main army, and our division was +assigned to Gen. Longstreet's corps. In a skirmish with the enemy's +cavalry, near the city, Jas. A. Orrell and Thos. R. Greeson were +captured. + +On the night of the 9th, we, in company with our division, were +quietly marched to the mouth of the Monocacy river to destroy the +aqueduct. We were tramping all night and accomplished nothing; the +manoeuver, as it afterward appeared, was but a feint to draw the +attention of the enemy away from the movements of "Stonewall's" corps, +then marching on Harper's Ferry. About daylight next morning we found +ourselves again in the vicinity of Buckettown; we proceeded some 5 +miles further, where we formed a line of battle, and rested on our +arms in this position all day in full view of the enemy, who were +posted on the hills beyond us, and to the east of Buckettown. As soon +as night came, we started off hurriedly in the direction of Frederick; +having gone in this course some three miles we countermarched and took +the road for Point of Rocks on the Potomac. Just as day was breaking, +on the morning of the 12th, after a rapid march, we reached Point of +Rocks and recrossed the Potomac. We were completely bewildered as to +our course, and no one seemed to know what all this manoeuvering +would lead to. During the day, we ascertained we were on the road +leading to Harper's Ferry, but our course was so repeatedly changed +that we had but this consolation, that "if we did not know where we +were, or where we were going, the Yankees didn't, for the Devil +himself could not keep track of us." At night we reached Hillsboro, in +Loudon County. Va., and camped near there. On the 13th, we were in the +vicinity of Harper's Ferry, and at night took possession of Loudon +Heights, on the east side of the Shenandoah, and were in readiness to +open fire upon Harper's Ferry. General McLaws had been ordered to +seize Maryland Heights, on the north side of the Potomac, opposite +Harper's Ferry. Finding them in possession of the enemy, he assailed +their works and carried them; they retreated to Harper's Ferry, and on +the 14th, its investment by our forces was complete. As soon as we +gained our position, which was accomplished by a circuitous route up +the steep and ragged mountain, the enemy in and around Harper's Ferry +opened fire upon us from their batteries. Owing to the extreme +elevation, most of their shells fell short; a few burst over us, but +did no damage. The batteries attached to our division were carried by +hand to the top of the Heights, and placed in position. Early on the +morning of the 15th, the attack upon the garrison began. Stonewall +Jackson's batteries opened fire from Bolivar Heights, in conjunction +with ours and the artillery on Maryland Heights; in about two hours, +"by the grace of God," as Jackson had foretold, the garrison, +consisting of 11,000 men, surrendered. Seventy-three pieces of +artillery, 13,000 small arms, and a large quantity of military stores +fell into our hands. + +On the night of the 15th we made our descent from the Heights, crossed +the mountain and resumed our march. About midday of the 16th we +reached Shepherdstown, crossed the Potomac and went into camp near +Sharpsburg, Maryland. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +On the morning of the 17th of September, just before day-break, we +were aroused from our slumbers and moved to a position in line of +battle on the extreme right of the Confederate lines. At early dawn +the enemy opened their artillery from both sides of the Antietam, the +heaviest fire being directed against our left. Under cover of this +fire a large force of infantry attacked Gen. Jackson's division, and +for some time the conflict raged with fury and alternate success. Gen. +Early, in command of Ewell's division, was sent to their support, when +Jackson's division was withdrawn, its ammunition being nearly +exhausted. The battle was now renewed with great violence, and the +troops of McLaws and J. G. Walker were brought from the right. With +these re-enforcements Gen. Early attacked resolutely the large force +opposed to him, and drove them back in some confusion beyond the +position our troops had occupied at the beginning of the engagement. +This attack upon our left was speedily followed by one in heavy force +on the centre, and our regiment was double-quicked one and a half +miles to near the centre, and placed in line about one mile to the +left of the town of Sharpsburg. + +The gallant and conspicuous part which the 27th regiment took in the +fight, Capt. Graham, of the Orange Guards, describes graphically as +follows: + + "Forming in a corn-field we advanced under a heavy fire of grape + and canister at a quick step up a little rise and halted at a rail + fence, our right considerably advanced. After holding this + position for half an hour or more our front was changed so as to + be on a line with the other troops. In the meantime we had + suffered heavily, and I think had inflicted equally as much + damage. [On this first advance Capt. Adams was shot down.] About 1 + o'clock the enemy having retired behind the hill upon which they + were posted, and none appearing within range in our front, Col. + Cooke ordered us to fall back some twenty steps in the corn and + lie down so as to draw them on; he, in the meantime, regardless of + personal danger from sharpshooters, remained at the fence beside a + small tree. After remaining there some 20 minutes, the enemy + attempted to sneak up a section of artillery to the little woods + upon our left. Colonel Cooke, watching the movement, ordered the + four left companies of our regiment up to the fence and directed + them to fire upon this artillery. At the first fire, before they + had gotten into position, nearly every horse and more than half + the men fell, and the infantry line which had moved up to support + them showed evident signs of wavering. Col. Cooke seeing this, and + having received orders to charge if opportunity offered, + immediately ordered a charge. Without waiting a second word of + command we leaped the fence and 'made at them,' and soon we had + captured three guns and had the troops opposed to us in full + retreat. A battery posted near a little brick church upon a hill + to our left was playing sad havoc with us, but supposing that + would be taken by the troops upon our left--who we concluded were + charging with us--we still pursued the flying foe. Numbers of them + surrendered to us and they were ordered to the rear. We pushed on + and soon wheeled to the right, drove down their line, giving them + all the while an enfilade fire, and succeeded in breaking six + regiments who fled in confusion. After pushing on this way for a + while we found ourselves opposed by a large body of troops behind + a stone wall in a corn-field. Stopping to contend with these, we + found that we were almost out of ammunition. Owing to this fact, + and not being supported in our charge, we were ordered to fall + back to our original position. This of course was done at + double-quick. As we returned we experienced the perfidy of those + who had previously surrendered to us, and whom we had not taken + time to disarm. They, seeing that we were not supported, attempted + to form a line in our rear, and in a few minutes would have done + so. As it was we had to pass between two fires: a part of the + troops having been thrown back to oppose our movement on their + flank, and these supposed prisoners having formed on the other + side. A bloody lane indeed it proved to us. Many a brave man lost + his life in that retreat. At some points the lines were not sixty + yards distant on either side. Arriving at our original position, + we halted and reformed behind the rail fence. We opened fire with + the few remaining cartridges we had left and soon checked the + advance of the enemy, who did not come beyond the line which they + occupied in the morning. In a short while all our ammunition was + exhausted. Courier after courier was sent after ammunition, but + none was received. Four or five times during the afternoon, + couriers came from Gen. Longstreet, telling Col. Cooke to hold his + position at all hazards, 'as it was the key to the whole line.' + Cooke's reply was, 'tell Gen. Longstreet to send me some + ammunition. I have not a cartridge in my command, but I will hold + my position at the point of the bayonet.'" + +Mr. Davis, in his history, says: "_Col. Cooke, with the 27th North +Carolina regiment, stood boldly in line without a cartridge._" + + "About 5 o'clock in the afternoon we were relieved, and moved to + the rear about one mile. After resting half an hour and getting + fresh ammunition, we were again marched to the front, and placed in + line in the rear of the troops who had relieved us. Here we were + subjected to a severe shelling, but had no chance to return the + fire. After nightfall we rejoined our division on the left, and + with them bivouaced upon the battle-field." + +General R. E. Lee, in his report of this battle, makes complimentary +mention of our regiment, and says, further, "this battle was fought by +less than forty thousand men on our side, all of whom had undergone +the greatest labors and hardships in the field and on the march. +Nothing could surpass the determined valor with which they met the +large army of the enemy, fully supplied and equipped, and the result +reflected the highest credit on the officers and men engaged." + +General McClellan, in his official report, states that he had in +action in the battle 87,184 men of all arms. Lee's entire strength was +35,255. "These 35,000 Confederates were the very flower of the army of +northern Virginia, who, with indomitable courage and inflexible +tenacity, wrestled for the mastery in the ratio of one to three of +their adversaries; at times it appeared as if disaster was inevitable, +but succor never failed, and night found Lee's lines unbroken and his +army still defiant. The drawn battle of Sharpsburg was as forcible an +illustration of southern valor and determination as was furnished +during the whole period of the war, when the great disparity in +numbers between the two armies is considered. + +The Grays went into this battle with 32 men, rank and file. Capt. +William Adams, privates Jas. E. Edwards, A. F. Coble, James M. +Edwards, R. Leyton Smith and Samuel Young were killed on the field. +Privates Peter M. Brown, Benjamin Burnsides and Robert L. Donnell were +badly wounded and fell into the hands of the enemy. R. L. Donnell died +of his wounds at Chester, Pa., November 6th, 1862. Privates W. D. +Archer, Walter D. McAdoo, J. E. McLean, Samuel F. McLean, L. L. +Prather and W. W. Underwood were wounded and sent to the hospital. W. +W. Underwood died of his wounds September 29th, 1862. Privates Paul +Crutchfield, H. Rufus Forbis, Rufus B. Gibson, James M. Hardin, James +L. Wilson and William McFarland were exchanged and returned to their +company the following November, except McFarland, who was reported +dead. + +On account of the forced and continuous march from Rapidan, many of +our men from sheer exhaustion and sickness were compelled to fall out +of ranks, among them some of the best soldiers in the company. + +Captain Adams, as before stated, fell early in the action. He was +carried from the field and buried in the cemetery at Shepherdstown. +His remains were afterwards removed and interred in the cemetery at +Greensboro. He was a brave and gallant officer, and fell front-faced +with his armor on. The other members of the company who were killed, +wrapped in their martial garb, sleep in some unknown grave, on the +spot where they fell, amid the carnage and gore of the battle-field: + + "Whether unknown or known to fame-- + Their cause and country still the same-- + They died, and wore the gray." + +On the 18th we occupied the position of the preceding day. Our ranks +were increased during the day, and our general forces were augmented +by the arrival of troops; but our army was in no condition to take the +offensive, and the army of McClellan had been too severely handled to +justify a renewal of the attack, consequently the day passed without +any hostile demonstrations. During the night our army was withdrawn +from Sharpsburg, and at day-break on the morning of the 19th we +recrossed the Potomac at Shepherdstown. After fording the river, we +halted a short distance on the hills near by, and were engaged in +drying our clothing and making a breakfast from our scanty rations of +pop-corn and hard tack, when a force of the enemy, (Porter's corps,) +who had the temerity to cross the river in pursuit, made their +appearance. Gen. A. P. Hill, in charge of the rear guard of the army, +met them, made a charge upon them and drove them into the river. In +his report of this engagement he says: "The broad surface of the +Potomac was blue with the floating bodies of our foe. But few escaped +to tell the tale. By their own account they lost three thousand men, +killed and drowned. Some two hundred prisoners were taken." + +The condition of our troops now demanding repose, we were ordered to +the Occoquan, near Martinsburg. On our march another attempt to harass +our rear was reported, and we were sent back to the vicinity of +Shepherdstown; finding "all quiet on the Potomac," the march was again +resumed at night, and on the 21st we went into camp near Martinsburg. +After spending a few days here we were moved to the neighborhood of +Bunker Hill and Winchester, and remained in camp until the 23d of +October. + +On the 22d of September, while in camp near Martinsburg, the Grays +proceeded to fill the offices made vacant by the battle of the 17th. +Lieut. J. A. Sloan was promoted to captain; 2d Lieut. McKnight to 1st +Lieutenant; Frank A. Hanner to 2d Lieutenant; and Sergeant B. G. +Graham to junior 2d Lieutenant. J. Harper Lindsay was appointed +orderly sergeant. Corporals Wm. M. Paisley and A. C. Cheely were made +Sergeants. Privates R. D. Weatherly, Thos. J. Rhodes and H. Rufus +Forbis were appointed corporals. + +On the 8th of September, private R. D. Brown died at the hospital in +Petersburg, Va.; on the 12th, private R. L. Coble, at Frederick City, +Md.; on the 19th, Hugh Hall in hospital at Richmond; and on the 24th, +privates Wm. Seats and Wm. H. McLean died in hospital at Winchester, +Va. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +About the middle of October, McClellan moved his army across the +Potomac, east of the Blue Ridge, and bent his course southward. Later +in the month, he began to incline eastwardly from the mountains, and +finally concentrated his forces in the neighborhood of Warrenton, +Virginia. On the 7th of November he was relieved of the command of the +army of the Potomac, and Gen. Burnside, "under Federal dispensation," +became his successor. The indications were that Fredericksburg was +again to be occupied. Gen. Lee, with his usual foresight, divining his +purpose, promptly made such disposition as was necessary to forestall +him. McLaw's and Ransom's divisions were ordered to proceed at once to +that city. + +On the morning of the 23d we broke up our camp at Winchester, and +after a long but pleasant day's march, reached the vicinity of +Millwood; from thence we journeyed on to Paris, in Loudon County. Our +march through this Arcadia of Virginia, with its picturesque scenery, +and along those splendid and wonderful turnpikes, as they stretched +out before us, formed a panorama never to be forgotten. The giant +hills stood around like sentinels wrapped in their everlasting +silence; behind these, still bolder hills, and again behind these, the +blueness of the distant mountains. The day was glad with the golden +brightness of an October sun, and as I gazed upon these mountains, +clothed in their autumnal beauty, and in their everlasting fixity of +repose, I could but contrast this grandeur and silence with the too +recent scenes of blood and tumult upon the hills of Antietam. How +brief, how insignificant is man's existence! Encamped so high above +the world filled us with a sense of exaltation and awe. Fires were +soon lighted, and the men, weary with marching, wrapped in their +blankets, stretched themselves upon the ground to sleep, perchance to +dream of firesides in distant homes where-- + + "Belike sad eyes with tearful strain, + Gazed northward very wistfully + For him that ne'er would come again." + +The next morning broke cold and threatening. We resumed our march and +had proceeded but a few miles when the rain began to fall. Later in +the day it came down in torrents, and the wind was blowing gales. +About dark, in the midst of this storm, we were halted in a large +hickory grove on the side of the Blue Ridge, near the small village of +Upperville. Our men comprehended the situation at once, and, though +thoroughly drenched and chilled, soon had their axes ringing in the +forest, and large log fires were ablaze over the camp. The storm +continued with fury all night, to sleep was impossible, and we were +forced to pass the most disagreeable night we had ever experienced. + +On the 29th we retraced our steps to Paris. On the following morning, +acting as an escort to a foraging party, we proceeded to Middleboro. +At night we returned to camp, rich in wagon loads of corn and +provender, also securing a large lot of fine beeves. On the next day, +leaving Paris, we moved by way of Salem in the direction of Culpepper +Court-House, which place we reached on the 2d of November, and +remained there until the 4th. Sergeant Harper Lindsay, while here, +accepted the position of adjutant of the 45th North Carolina regiment, +and Sergeant Chas. Campbell was promoted to orderly sergeant in his +stead. + +On the night of the 4th, after a tiresome day's march, we went into +camp on the top of Cedar Mountain. We were halted on a bleak and barren +hill with no fuel within our reach. Col. Cooke, under the +circumstances, suspended "special orders" in reference to destroying +private property, and gave the men permission to burn the rails from +the fences near by. For this necessary disobedience some spiteful +person reported him and he was placed in arrest, from which he was +released next day without a court martial. After our company had made +its fires and were busy trying to make a supper from their scanty +rations, I strolled over to Cooke's headquarters and found him sitting +moodily over _his_ fire of _rails_. We began to discuss the officers of +the brigade, and while he was idly turning a splinter he held in his +fingers, it fell from his hand and stuck upright in the ground. He +turned quickly to me, slapped me on the back and laughingly said: +"John, that is an omen of good luck." I surmised to what he had +reference--a probability of his promotion had been whispered--and +replied, I did not take much stock in splinters, but I hoped in this +instance the omen might be realized. In a few moments, several men from +the regiment, with their canteens, passed near us and one of them, a +lank, lean soldier, inquired of Cooke if he could tell him where the +spring of water was. With some irritability in his tone he replied, +"_No_, go hunt for it." The thirsty questioner, possibly recognizing +him, made no reply, but turned away thinking, no doubt, under other +circumstances, he would have answered him differently. The soldier had +gone but a short distance when Cooke called him back, apologized for +his hasty speech and indifference, and informed him kindly where he +could find the water. + +Not many days afterwards the splinter omen was interpreted, and Col. +John E. Cooke, of the 27th North Carolina regiment (though junior +colonel of the brigade), was promoted for gallantry to brigadier +general, and assigned to the command of Gen. J. G. Walker's brigade, +who was transferred to the Mississippi department. I have introduced +these incidents, merely to illustrate the noble traits of character of +this gallant and courteous gentleman and soldier, who was acknowledged +by Gen. Lee himself to be _the_ brigadier of his army. Of his services +with his North Carolina brigade history already leaves him a record. He +is a man of chivalric courage, and possesses that magnanimity of heart +which ever wins the affections of a soldier. He was beloved by his +entire command. A truer sword was not drawn in defence of the South and +her cause, and a more untarnished blade never returned to its scabbard +when the unhappy conflict was over. + +Upon the promotion of Col. Cooke--Lieut.-Col. Singletary having +resigned on account of wounds--Major John A. Gilmer was promoted to +Colonel, Capt. George F. Whitefield, of Company C, to Lieutenant-Colonel, +and Capt. Jos. C. Webb, of the Orange Guards, to Major. The brigades +in our division were also changed, and under the reassignment of +regiments, Cooke's command consisted entirely of North Carolina troops, +and was _well known_ in Lee's army as "_Cooke's North Carolina +Brigade_." + +On the 8th of November we were moved to Madison Court-House, where we +remained until the 18th. About the 15th the army of the Potomac was +reported in motion, and their gun-boats and transports had entered +Aquia Creek in their "on to Fredericksburg." On the morning of the +18th, our division received marching orders, and we also set out for +Fredericksburg. The weather was very cold, and our march was made +through rain and sleet; the ground was frozen, and some of our men +being barefooted, their feet cut by the ice, left their bloody tracks +along the route. The men, under all these hardships and exposures, +were in excellent spirits, and no one escaped their gibes and jokes. +Every few miles, growing in the corner of the fences and in the old +field, the persimmon tree ever dear to a North Carolinian's soul +appeared, and immediately discipline was forgotten, ranks broken, and +the tree besieged. Sam Hiatt once remarked that the green persimmon +was invaluable to an ordinary soldier, as a few of them would always +draw his stomach to the proportions suited to a Confederate ration. On +long marches the brigades marched by turns to the front. On one +occasion, while we were seated on both sides of the road waiting for +the rear brigades to pass to the front, a young and clever officer of +our command, who had assiduously cultivated his upper lip, and by the +aid of various tonsorial applications made pretense of possessing a +mustache, stepped out into the middle of the road and commenced, as is +usual with beginners, to toy with his hairs; presently a rough +specimen of a soldier came trotting along astride of a pack mule, and +as he neared the officer he halted his steed with a loud and long +"whoa!" Leaning forward, with a quizzical look, he politely but firmly +requested the officer "to please remove that mustache from the main +highway and allow him and his mule to pass." [The mustache was +_raze-rd_ at Fredericksburg.] + +On the 23d we reached the vicinity of Fredericksburg, and employed +the interval--before the advance made by the enemy on the 11th of +December--in strengthening our line, which reached from the +Rappahannock, about one mile above Fredericksburg, along the hills in +rear of that city to the Richmond & Fredericksburg Railroad. + +About 11 o'clock on the morning of the 13th, Burnside, "whose turn +it now was to wrestle with General Lee," massed his forces under cover +of the houses of Fredericksburg and moved forward with his grand +divisions to seize Marye's and Willis' Hills-- + + "With a hundred thousand men + For the Rebel slaughter-pen, + And the blessed Union flag a-flying o'er him." + +At the foot of Marye's Hill ran the Telegraph Road along which, for +some four hundred yards, is a stone revetment. On the crest of the +hill, at intervals, in pits, were posted nine guns of the Washington +artillery, under Col. Walton. Three regiments of Cobb's brigade and +commanded by him, were in position behind this stone wall at the foot +of the hill. Some two hundred yards in a ravine, and immediately +behind the Washington artillery, lay our (Cooke's) brigade. About one +o'clock all the guns on Stafford Heights were directed against our +guns on Marye's Hill, endeavoring to draw their fire so as to cover +the advance of their infantry. Our artillery, instead of replying, +remained silent until their infantry had deployed, when they poured a +storm of canister into them. French's division came first, and they +were swept away before the deployment was completed. The battle now +lulled for some twenty minutes, when the enemy "entered the ring" with +Hancock to the front. + +About this time our brigade was moved to the crest of the hill. The +46th, 48th and 15th regiments were halted on the hill on the line of +the batteries, while our regiment (27th), in the midst of a terrific +fire, passed rapidly through the Washington artillery, and +double-quicked down the steep incline into the Telegraph Road and +joined in the fire. During our advance Col. Gilmer was severely +wounded in the leg, but succeeded in reaching the foot of the hill. + +Hancock was repulsed with terrible slaughter. Gen. Cobb had been +previously killed, and Gen. Kershaw now took command of the troops in +the road. After we had reached our position behind the stone wall, +Gen. Cooke received a severe wound in the head and was carried from +the field. The command of the brigade now devolved upon Col. Hall of +the 46th regiment, who moved his and the other regiments of the +brigade into the Telegraph Road. The enemy now made his third effort, +when Howard's and Sturgis' and Getty's divisions advanced bravely to +the desperate work assigned them. We took heavy toll from their +columns, and, like their predecessors, they fell back in confusion. +Lastly came the sixth and final assault by Humphrey's division, of +Hooker's corps, and charge it did, as game as death. They, too, had to +bite the dust, and their broken and shattered columns fled in disorder +to the city, leaving the field strewn with their slain. + +About 9 o'clock we threw forward our pickets and, in the darkness, +many of their raw recruits came into our lines, their guns and +accoutrements perfectly new; some of them had not fired a shot and +could scarcely tell their nativity. + +We remained in line of battle during the night, expecting and hoping +for a renewal of the assault on the next day. The 14th (Sunday) came, +however, and went away without a renewal. On the 15th we were moved a +few hundred yards farther to our left, and remained in this position +until the morning of the 16th, when it was discovered that the enemy, +availing himself of the darkness of the night, had recrossed the +river. + +"A river has always been considered a good line of defence by most +writers on the art of war, provided certain principles be observed in +defending. When Napoleon crossed the Danube, in 1809, in the presence +of the Archduke Charles, who was a good general, he was forced to +retreat to the islands of Lobau and Enzersdorf, after the bloody days +of Essling. Had not the Archduke assumed the offensive so _vigorously_, +the Emperor's loss would not have been so great, and he could have +remained on the left bank." This later "Essling" army was fairly and +terribly beaten, forced to recross the river, after great loss of life +and labor, and was spared (thanks to his bridges and darkness of the +night) utter annihilation. + +Burnside testified, before the committee on the conduct of the war, +that he had, in round numbers, one hundred thousand men, all of whom +were engaged in this battle, and that he failed because it was found +impossible to get the men up to the works; that the Confederates' fire +was too hot for them. Of Lee's forces, only about twenty thousand men +were actively engaged. The casualties in our company, owing to the +protection afforded us by the stone wall behind which we were posted, +were comparatively few. Private William D. Archer, a splendid specimen +of a soldier, was killed; Privates James M. Hardin severely, and Frank +G. Chilcutt slightly, wounded. On the 16th, we were removed to near +Hamilton's Crossing, and remained in camp there until the 3d day of +January, 1863. While here, some of our officers and men were in +demand, and Lieut. B. G. Graham was detailed as brigade ordnance +officer. Silas C. Dodson was appointed clerk in the commissary +department under Major Hays, and David H. Edwards, quartermaster-sergeant. +On the 4th of December, Private John W. Reid was transferred to the +48th North Carolina regiment, having been elected to the position of +lieutenant in one of its companies. On the 17th, Corporal Will L. +Bryan, having contracted a severe cold on the march from Madison +Court-House, died in camp. Private Thos. J. Rhodes was appointed +corporal in his stead. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +The muster-roll of the Grays, in camp near Fredericksburg, numbered, +on the 31st day of December, for duty, two commissioned officers, four +sergeants, four corporals, and thirty-eight privates; on detached +service, six privates; sick (present), three privates; sick and +wounded (absent) twenty-three privates; total present and absent, rank +and file, eighty-nine. + +On the third of January, 1863, we were ordered to hold ourselves in +readiness to march, and about 10 o'clock we were on the road leading +towards Richmond. The first day's march found us encamped on the +Telegraph Road, 15 miles from Fredericksburg. We arrived at Richmond +on the 6th, passed through the city, and made camp on the Richmond & +Petersburg turnpike. The following day we registered at Petersburg, +camping just outside of the city limits, and remaining there until the +14th. Next morning (15th) we boarded the cars for North Carolina, and +reached the city of Goldsboro on the evening cf the 16th--being our +first visit to the State since our summary expulsion from Newberne by +Burnside. + +The 19th found us on the outskirts of the straggling little village of +Kenansville; thence onward, we marched through a sparsely-settled +country to South Washington, where we remained until the 1st of +February. From South Washington, we moved about 7 miles eastward to +the scattered town of Burgaw, where we remained until the 20th. + +It was here at Burgaw that our foot-sore and weary boys found realized +those blissful dreams which sometimes hover over the hard couch of a +soldier and lure him into the fable land of unknown joys from which he +hears + + "The horns of Elfland faintly blowing." + +It was here that we found the sweet potato, the perfectly cultured +sweet potato, as it only grows and ripens in that portion of eastern +North Carolina. Imagine, if you can, the solid comfort--after the many +hardships and adventures of the bustling year of 1862--it would afford +a native Carolina "Cornfed," to be able to sit down under his own +pines + + "An' hear among their furry boughs + The baskin' West wind purr contented," + +and occupy his leisure moments in roasting a genuine yam. There were +no armed blue-coats here, like little Miss Muffet's spider, to +frighten us away. We were in a land untouched as yet by the foot of +war; no war-dog had bayed here--it was still the domain of ancient +peace; and the little villages slept in the hollows of the pine-clad +hills, or perched in security upon the uplands. It was also at that +delightful season of the year when the women and children were no +longer vexed with the cares of agricultural pursuits. The sweet potato +crop had been dug, the virgin dip had been scooped out of the last +box, and nothing now remained but to enjoy in peace the products of +honest industry. + +On the night of the 20th we left these plaintive pines, marched to +Wilmington, and were soon aboard of the cars destined for Charleston, +S.C. About mid-day of the 22d--after slight detentions at Marion +Court-House and Florence--we arrived at the depot in Charleston. +While here awaiting orders--the men remaining upon the open flat +cars--several impudent and inquisitive idlers, necessary adjuncts +to every depot, gathered around us. Among them happened to be a +well-dressed, dapper fellow, in his home-guard-suit-of-gray and +snow-white "b'iled" shirt. Being of an inquisitive nature, and seeking +information, he had the rashness to address Jim Pearce, and inquire of +him: "_Whose command? Where are you stationed, sir?_" Jim, who was +sitting on the edge of the car, idly dangling his feet, seemed to "take +him in" at once, and rising to the dignity of a full-fledged veteran, +replied (very feelingly): "_Stationed! Stationed, sir! Stationed, the +H--l-fire!_ We have chased and been chased by the Yankees from beyond +the shores of Maryland to this city, and we are _still_ on the wing!" +As the cars moved off, Jim gave him a quizzical lookout of his left +eye, smiled, and faintly whispered "stationed?" + +It is a peculiar trait of the faculty of memory that it is very prone +to gather up the "unconsidered trifles of life," and to let slip many +of its apparently more important events. But my reader must remember +that war is not all tragedy,--that there are smiles as well as tears +in the drama. + +The evening of the 23d found us at Pocataligo, a small railway station +on the Charleston & Savannah Railroad. Remaining here a few days, we +next located at Coosawhatchie, another depot, eight miles away, and +about sixty miles from Charleston. Having an ample supply of tents, we +laid out a regular camp; with no battle to fight, and very light +picket duty to perform, we passed a quiet and pleasant time, until the +23d of April. The country around Coosawhatchie is low and marshy; the +lakes and streams abound with alligators; the forests of live-oak, +shrouded and festooned with a gray moss, present a weird and +picturesque appearance; the products are rice, pinders, and grits; the +pasturage is confined to a few lean, lank cattle, called by the +natives "high-walk." We relied upon the markets of Charleston and +Savannah for our commissary stores, and the morning train rarely +failed to bring us fresh shad. Our provident surgeon had a good supply +of wet groceries, which sustained our _sick_, and our stay in South +Carolina wore pleasantly, having no special fighting to do. + +While in camp at Coosawhatchie, the writer and a comrade (Maj. Webb) +mounted our horses one bright Sunday morning to enjoy the charming +beauty of the day, and the invigorating influences of the sea air. +After riding for about two hours over the level country with its +monotonous aspect, we came suddenly and unexpectedly upon one of those +charming country seats, which were once the pride and delight of the +landed proprietor. The mansion, situated upon a gentle elevation, was +of old-time construction with the wide hall, large rooms and broad +staircases, and colonade of immense pillars supporting the roof of the +front porch. It was embowered in thick clusters of live oaks which +stood round in a kind of outer park, while the inner park was composed +of terraces covered with flowers and shrubbery, while thickets of rose +gardens seemed to stretch in every direction. An aged negro was the +only living being about the place. He told us that the place was +called "Roseland;" that old massa was dead; that the two boys were in +the army, and that Miss Minnie was at school in Raleigh, N.C. + + "A merry place, 'tis said, in days of yore: + But something ails it now."-- + +Vandal hands had done their accustomed work. The beautiful grounds +were sadly disfigured; the shrubbery was broken down; the crops and +forage had been gathered by alien hands, and only the poor ghost +remained of this once peaceful and happy home. + +During our encampment in South Carolina, we were notified of the death +of private R. G. Boling, at hospital in Richmond. Jas. H. Gant died on +the 18th of February; about the same time, Isaac F. Lane died at +Leesburg, N.C.; his remains were carried to Guilford. On the 1st of +March, James M. Lemons died at his home. On the 14th of April, Jas. S. +Hall died in hospital at Hardyville, S.C., and was buried in the +cemetery at Charleston. + +Private Sam Smith, unfit for active service, substituted Jas. E. +Lloyd, and private Jas. R. Wiley was discharged upon surgeon's +certificate on the 7th of February. + +On the 27th of March, corporal R. D. Weatherly was promoted to +sergeant-major of the regiment, and private William C. Story was +appointed corporal in his stead. + +On the 23d of April, we received orders to return to North Carolina. +We left Coosawhatchie the same day, arrived at Charleston, S.C., the +following day, and on the 25th reached Wilmington, N.C. We remained +in camp near Wilmington until the 5th of May, when we moved to +Magnolia. Remaining here a few days, we were moved to Goldsboro; from +here we were ordered to our old tramping-grounds near Kinston, where +we arrived on the 16th. Meanwhile, a detachment of the enemy from +Newberne, on a raiding expedition, had encountered General Ransom's +brigade near Gum Swamp. General Ransom undertook to drive them within +their lines, and made a feint upon Newberne. We formed a portion of +the troops engaged in this expedition, and succeeded in driving the +enemy within their lines, and destroying the block-houses they had +made for their defence. We gained nothing by this tramping, except a +few cases of malarial fever, occasioned by our swamp-wading. With the +exception of an occasional skirmish with the enemy's cavalry on +Batchelor's Creek, there is nothing worthy of mention during our +encampment in the vicinity of Kinston. We remained here until the 5th +of June, when once more we received orders to proceed to Virginia. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +In the latter part of April, 1863, the Army of the Potomac, under the +command of Major-General Hooker, occupied its position in front of +Fredericksburg. Here he constructed a formidable line of earthworks; +from which secure position, he purposed to move on General Lee's +flank. With this view, he crossed the Rappahannock and took position +at Chancellorsville. + +Meanwhile, General Lee, watching him, was entrenched on the line of +hills south of the Rappahannock, near Fredericksburg. + +On the 2d of May, these two confronting armies met each other, and +commenced the memorable engagements of Chancellorsville. "On this +field the star of Confederate destiny reached its zenith, when the +immortal Jackson fell wounded at the head of his victorious troops; it +began to set on the 10th of May, when Jackson was no more." + +General Lee, deeming the true policy now to take the aggressive, at +once set to work to manoeuver so as to draw Hooker's army from +Fredericksburg, and remove hostilities beyond the Potomac. + +In pursuance of this design, our army--now reorganized into three +corps, respectively commanded by Lieutenant-Generals Longstreet, +Ewell, and A. P. Hill--early in June moved northward, with the view of +marching into Maryland and Pennsylvania. On our arrival at Richmond, +on the 6th of June, we were assigned to Heth's division of A. P. +Hill's corps--which corps still occupied the lines in front of +Fredericksburg, the corps of Ewell and Longstreet having advanced as +far as Culpepper Court-House. On the night of the 13th, Hooker retired +from his position, and on the 14th the corps of A. P. Hill left for +the valley. At the urgent request of General Elzey, in command at +Richmond, our brigade (Cooke's) was retained there, and Davis' +Mississippi brigade was assigned to Heth's division in our stead; +through which circumstance, we failed to participate in the +Pennsylvania campaign and to share in the fatal battle of Gettysburg. + +On the 9th of June we were sent to the South Anna bridge, on the +Virginia Central road, to repel a threatened attack from the enemy's +cavalry. Remaining here until the 11th, we returned to Richmond, and +were ordered to Chapin's Bluff, on the James. John F. McQuiston joined +the company here. We remained at the Bluff only a few days, when we +were again returned to Richmond, and camped in the vicinity until the +8th of July. On the 11th, we moved to Taylorsville, on the R. & F.R.R. +Remaining here until the 1st of August, we moved to Fredericksburg, +and picketed the various fords on the Rappahannock. On the 28th, we +retraced our steps to Taylorsville, went into camp in pine forest near +the railroad, and passed the time quietly until the 24th of September. + +On the 13th of July, the shattered remnant of our army recrossed the +Potomac into Virginia. General Meade, now in command of the Federal +troops, advanced east of the mountains, and General Lee, so as to +confront him, moved his army, and established a line of defence along +the Rapidan River. In this position the two armies remained, in +comparative quiet, about two months. Early in October, General Lee, +with Ewell's and Hill's corps, crossed the Rapidan to attack Meade's +flank, or force him to retire from his position. + +The Grays, having been encamped at Gordonsville since the 24th of +September, were ordered to rejoin their corps, and on the 9th of +October we left Gordonsville, marching _via_ Madison Court-House, +where we camped on the 10th. On Sunday morning (11th), we reached +Culpepper Court-House. Just before our arrival it was ascertained that +Meade was on the farther side of the Rappahannock River, which would +render it necessary for our troops to make another flank movement. On +Monday, the 12th, therefore, we started for Warrenton. Passing near +Salem, we camped that night at Amisville. The next day, passing +Warrenton Springs, we reached Warrenton. On the morning of the 14th, +we resumed our march, and about ten o'clock we came upon a little +place called Grinage. Here we found the deserted camp of the enemy. +Their camp-fires were still burning, many articles of camp equipage +were lying around, everything showing that a panic had seized them and +that their retreat was hasty and terrified. We hastened on in pursuit, +at a rapid rate, capturing their stragglers at every turn. At the same +time, we knew that Ewell was driving another corps of the enemy on our +right up the Orange & Alexandria Railroad. Our men were in the highest +spirits, confident not only of victory, but of destroying or capturing +everything in front of us. We knew the river in their rear was +swollen, and possibly the bridges gone, and there would be no outlet +for them. Governor Vance's faithful ship, the "Advance," had come in +"heavily laden," and we were proudly and splendidly dressed in some of +the gray cloth of its cargo, which, but a few days before, we had +received; our hopes were buoyant, our rations plentiful, and it is +easy to imagine with what pace we kept up the pursuit. Reasonable +expectations doomed to a speedy and bitter disappointment! + +After keeping up the pursuit at this rapid rate for some three hours +along the main road leading to Bristoe station, our brigade filed out +into the woods upon our right when we arrived within a short distance +of the station. Cooke's brigade formed the advance of the pursuing +column, Kirkland's brigade followed, then came the remainder of A. P. +Hill's corps. At the time we filed to our right in the woods, +Kirkland's brigade moved up and filed off to the left of the road; the +rest of our corps was halted and _remained_ in the road in the rear. +Our brigade (Cooke's) was immediately thrown into line of battle, the +46th N.C. regiment on the extreme right, the 15th N.C. next, the 27th +N.C. next, and the 48th N.C. next, with their left resting upon the +main road. In this position we were ordered to move forward. Advancing +some five hundred yards through a dense forest of pines, we were halted +near a small stream in an open field. About 800 yards in our front and +to our left upon a hill, we could see several brigades of the enemy; +while in the road in their front a large wagon train was hurriedly +moving off. About this time a battery of guns concealed in the woods +opened a heavy fire upon our right flank, seemingly to cover the +retreat of their wagon train. Just then a courier from Gen. Heth handed +to Gen. Cooke orders from Gen. Hill to advance; in the meanwhile a +message was received from Col. Hall, commanding our right flank, +informing Gen. Cooke that the enemy had driven in his skirmishers and +was pressing him on his flank. Thereupon Cooke sent Heth's courier back +to him with the information that the enemy were in force upon his +right, and before he could advance that his flank must be protected. +The courier from Gen. Heth returned a second time with orders to +advance, and while delivering the orders one of Gen. Lee's +staff-officers rode up, and being informed of our situation, said to +Cooke that _he_ would go to Gen. Hill for him. Before he had time to +reach Gen. Hill, a courier arrived _direct_ from Hill to Gen. Cooke +with orders to _advance at once_. Cooke replied, "I will do so, and if +I am flanked I will face about and cut my way out," and immediately +gave the command "forward!" Advancing at a quick step up a slight +elevation we came in full view of the enemy. Simultaneous with our +advance five pieces of our artillery, posted in the main road upon our +left, opened fire on the enemy in sight, who retired apparently in +confusion. + +About 800 yards in the valley in our front ran the track of the Orange +& Alexandria Railroad. The road here formed an embankment from six to +eight feet high, extending far enough to overlap our brigade and a +portion of Kirkland's on our left. The space between us and the +railroad was a barren, open field, descending with a gradual declivity +to the railroad embankment. Across and beyond the railroad about 300 +yards, upon a considerable elevation, were extensive woods and +thickets; here the enemy had posted their artillery. In front of +these woods, and on the face of the hill descending to the railroad +embankment, was posted what we then supposed was the enemy's skirmish +line, but which proved to be a decoy, for the troops which had retired +at the firing of our artillery in the road, and a large body of those +who had been retreating before Ewell, had stretched themselves behind +the railroad embankment, forming their real line of battle, which +consisted of the entire second corps and one division of the 5th corps +of Meade's army. + +We had advanced rapidly some 25 yards when our regiment, being +slightly in advance, was halted until the regiments upon our right and +left came up. Here we discovered for the first time the real position +of the enemy behind the railroad embankment. We were going down the +hill; they, secure behind the bank, had only to lie down on the slope, +rest their muskets on the track of the railroad and sweep the open +field as we attacked. The attack was made. + + "Not tho' the soldier knew, + Some one had blundered: + Their's not to make reply, + Their's not to reason why, + Their's but to do and die; + Into the Valley of Death, + Into the mouth of Hell, + Stormed at with shot and shell, + Marched the six hundred." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +We had scarcely emerged from the woods and began to advance down the +hill, when Gen. Cooke, in command of the brigade, was shot and fell +from his horse severely wounded. Col. Gilmer, in command of our +regiment, was shot down about the same moment. The command of the +brigade now devolved upon Col. Hall, of the 46th N.C. regiment, and +the command of our regiment fell upon Lieut.-Col. Whitfield. We were +now suffering from the terrific fire of the enemy's artillery posted +in the thickets on the elevation beyond the railroad, and from the +murderous fire of their infantry in safe position behind the +embankment. Col. Whitfield seeing that our entire force would soon be +annihilated by the concentrated fire of the enemy, reported to Col. +Hall that the brigade must either retreat or make a charge. Col. Hall +thought a charge was the best to be done, and Col. Whitfield gave the +order to advance. In a moment we were double-quicking down the hill, +our men falling at every step. When we came to within a few yards of +the railroad, the enemy rose up from behind the embankment and poured +a volley into our ranks which almost swept the remnant of us out of +existence. At this juncture some of our company sought shelter in a +little shanty on our left, where they were afterwards captured by the +enemy. Col. Whitfield was now shot down, and Major Webb assumed the +command. In our perilous condition but two courses were open, either +to surrender or to take our chance in a retreat up the hill, the +descent of which had been so disastrous. Major Webb chose the latter +and gave the order to fall back. + +During our advance our colors were cut down three times. The third +time they were caught up by corporal William C. Story, of the Grays, +on the color-guard, and carried by him during the rest of the fight. +For his gallantry upon this occasion he was complimented in special +orders, and was afterwards appointed ensign of the regiment, with the +rank of lieutenant. The cause of the war may be forgotten, but the +achievements of each soldier are the common property and common glory +of the country, and are imperishable. The calm and cool courage +displayed by this young lad of Guilford, who bore so well the brunt of +this hard-fought field is worthy of the heroes who fell at Culloden. +He bore the flag of his country's trust until the surrender. He +returned to his home broken down in health, and in a few months +surrendered to his last enemy--Death! In the quiet church yard at +Tabernacle, in the southeastern part of Guilford, Story sleeps near +those who loved him. In this consecrated spot may memory come to +embalm his name, and love bedew with her fondest tears the turf which +wraps his clay. + +We continued to fall back, under a continuous deadly fire, until we +had passed the brow of the hill, and were under shelter. + + "They that had fought so well + Came back from the mouth of Hell-- + All that was left of them." + +During the night the enemy continued their retreat toward Centreville. +We, with litters and canteens of water, repaired to the battle-field +to care for our wounded, where "Death wagged his slim jaws gleefully +over his feast," and gorged himself with many more victims ere the +dawn of the 15th. + +The Grays went into this battle with three commissioned officers, four +Sergeants, four Corporals, and fifty-two privates. + +Killed: First Lieutenant John H. McKnight; privates John Cannady, +Henry Crider, and John T. Sockwell were killed on the field. + +Wounded: Capt. John A. Sloan, Corporal C. W. Stratford, Sergeant Chas. +A. Campbell; privates Emsley F. Shuler, W. Burnsides, Henry G. Coble, +Lewis N. Isley, Wm. D. Dennis, L. L. Lineberry, J. W. McDowell, Robt. +B. McLean, William May, Cyrus Crowson, A. L. Orrell, Rufus B. Gibson, +Samuel Gray, R. S. Smith, W. M. Summers, were wounded. Sergeant E. M. +Crowson was wounded, taken prisoner, and died of his wounds at Point +Lookout, Jan. 23, 1864. Private H. Rufus Forbis died of his wounds at +Richmond, Oct. 27, 1863. Joseph E. Rankin died of wounds, October 24. +W. F. Hunter died of his wounds, Nov. 7, and John W. McNairy lost a +leg. + +Prisoners: Sergeant W. U. Steiner (wounded and captured); privates H. +M. Boon, Paul Crutchfield, Jno. Coltrain, Geo. W. Lemons, James M. +Marsh, James A. Orrell, Wilbur F. Owen, Jas. R. Pearce, Andrew L. +Stanley, Paisley Sheppard, T. M. Woodburn, R. B. Worrell, Geo. H. +Woolen, Thos. R. Greeson, and Jas. L. Wilson were captured and carried +to Point Lookout. + +Walter Greene, who was detached as courier to Gen. Cooke, was shot +from his horse, and severely but not seriously wounded. + +Sergeant-Major Robert D. Weatherly was mortally wounded, and died of +his wounds in Richmond, October 24, 1863. He served in the ranks of +the Grays from their organization as private and corporal, until the +21st of March, when he received the appointment of Sergeant-Major of +our regiment. Bob was a noble boy, and bravest of the brave. Fear was +no word in his vocabulary. He was always at his post, and though +slight in stature, his form was ever seen in the thickest of the +fight. His remains were carried to Greensboro, and buried in the +Presbyterian church-yard. + +John H. McKnight, at the outbreak of the war, was quietly pursuing his +studies at Trinity College. When we received our orders to go to Fort +Macon, he left his books and joined his company at the depot, on the +night of the 19th of April, 1861, and served as private, corporal, and +sergeant until September 17th, when he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. +He fell at Bristoe mortally wounded, foremost in the charge; was left +on the field, and captured by the enemy. On the morning of the 15th, +we found his body in the thicket beyond the railroad, where the enemy +had left him to die. Here we buried him. His remains were afterwards +removed, and interred in the cemetery at Greensboro. + +These two noble boys sleep among their loved ones, where, each +returning spring, loving hands may plant the flowers which speak of +the resurrection of the true and just, and of the land where eternal +summer reigns. + + "May young April o'er their lowly mounds + Shake the violets from her hair, + And glorious June with fervid kiss + Ever bid the roses blossom there." + +A worse-managed affair than this fight at Bristoe Station did not take +place during the war. With the rest of our corps in the rear, at a +moment's call, Cooke's and Kirkland's North Carolina brigades were +made to fight this battle alone. President Davis characterized it "as +a rash and ill-conducted affair." Col. Taylor says that "too few of +our corps was engaged; it was unpardonable mismanagement, and there +was no earthly excuse for it." Gen. Lee said to the officer who +essayed to explain to him this occurrence: "Bury your _poor dead_, +and say nothing more about it." + +This terminated Gen. Lee's attempt to bring on a pitched battle with +Gen. Meade. + +On the following day we were busy burying our dead. Our wounded were +all cared for, and sent off in ambulances and wagons. On the 16th, we +were employed in destroying the railroad track, which we did most +effectually, as far down as Rappahannock Station. On the 19th, we +crossed the Rappahannock River, went into camp, and remained until the +6th of November. + +On the 7th, our forces met with another surprise at Kelley's Ford, on +the Rappahannock River, which resulted in the loss of several hundred +of our men and some few pieces of artillery. The loss of this position +made it necessary to abandon the design of our making an attack, and +on the 9th we were withdrawn to near Culpepper Court-House; at night +we fell back across Robertson River. This position not being regarded +as favorable, we returned to the south side of the Rapidan on the +following night. We picketed along this river, above Rapidan Station, +until the 26th of November. + +At this time, the army under Gen. Meade crossed the Rapidan, and we +were busy getting ready for a counter-move, as he was supposed to be +moving down the river. At the dawn of day, on the 27th, we were on our +way to meet Meade's army. The weather was intensely cold, and our men +suffered greatly. + +We proceeded to advance towards Fredericksburg. In the evening we met +the enemy, and had quite a skirmish, losing several men from the +regiment. On Saturday, a position was selected on the line of Mine +Run, and in a short while we were strongly entrenched, and anxious for +the enemy to attack us. On Monday, the 30th, the enemy being in our +immediate front, we certainly expected an attack. They were found to +be busily entrenching, also, and Tuesday passed without any +demonstration. + +As Gen. Meade seemed reluctant to bring on an engagement, Gen. Lee +determined to assail him; consequently, during the night, he made +necessary arrangements for a grand battle. When dawn broke over the +hills on the morning of the 2d of December, Meade's camps were found +deserted, and his army fast making their way back to the river. We +immediately made pursuit, but he had too much the start and reached +the north side of the Rapidan before we could overtake him. Both +armies then retired to their original positions on the Rapidan. We +returned to our winter quarters which we had prepared, about 3-1/2 +miles south-east from Orange C.H. We were then, in turn, employed +in picketing along the Rapidan until the 4th of February, when we +were relieved by Kirkland's North Carolina brigade, and we again +sought shelter in our log cabins. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +On the 18th of December, Lieutenant Frank A. Hanner was promoted to +1st Lieutenant, vice Lieutenant McKnight killed. Orderly Sergeant +Chas. A. Campbell to 2d Lieutenant, Jr.; Sergeant William M. Paisley +was appointed Orderly Sergeant; Corporal C. W. Stratford, Sergeant, +and privates Alfred W. Klutts and Rufus B. Gibson were promoted to +Corporals. + +During the month of December, under special orders No. 72, Lee's +headquarters, a general court martial was convened for our (Heth's) +division. Capt. J. A. Sloan was detailed as judge-advocate; Col. R. +Mayo, of the 47th Virginia regiment, as president, and Sergeant +William U. Steiner, of the Grays, appointed recorder. With the +exception of a temporary suspension in February and again in March, to +accompany our several commands on expeditions made at those times, the +court was in regular session at Orange Court-House. In the meanwhile +Lieutenant Banner was in command of the Grays. + +On the 8th of January, private Chas. W. Westbrooks, our company +chaplain, and known as our "fighting parson," was discharged by order +of the Secretary of War, and received an appointment as regular +chaplain in the army. Charlie preached as he shot without fear and to +the mark. + +On the 16th of January, private Henry G. Kellogg, at home on surgeon's +certificate, was permanently detailed in the commissary department at +Salisbury, North Carolina. + +On the 18th of February, W. H. Donnell joined the company. + +On the 20th, Corporal Thomas J. Rhodes was promoted to Sergeant, and +private Richard S. Smith was appointed Corporal. + +On the 1st of March, Preston P. Dick joined the company. At the same +time private Henry W. Ayer, who joined the Grays in May, 1863, was +transferred to company "C," 48th N.C. regiment. + +On the 12th, H. Smiley Forbis died of disease at hospital in +Lynchburg, Va. + +On the 31st, private A. Laffayette Orrell was transferred to the C.S. +Navy, "or words to that effect." + +On the 13th of April, private Pleasant Ricks died in camp of typhoid +fever. + +On the 25th, E. Tonkey Sharpe was detached, by order of Gen. Heth, for +duty with the provost guard. + +On our return from the Mine Run "freeze-out," we planned, built, and +improved our winter quarters, and soon had a city of log cabins. It +was now our turn to watch the wary "yank" on the borders of the +Rapidan, and we picketed up and down the stream in the cold and ice +until early in February, when Kirkland's N.C. brigade was sent to our +relief. + +While we were in camp near Orange Court-House in December, 1863, the +good mothers, wives, and daughters of Virginia, with the ready hands +and loving hearts that had always characterized them from the +beginning to the end of the fearful struggle, bethought themselves to +give Lee's army a Christmas dinner. Every pantry, turkey-roost, and +hog-pen in the dear old State was called upon to furnish its quota for +the feast. Our infinitesimal ration dimmed with the prospect, and we +looked forward to that day, which ever stirs all the better and +sweeter impulses of our humanity, with longing desires. In our log +cabins we lay upon our hard beds and dreamed of its past celebrations, +of its anthems and its carols; we thought of its bays and its wreaths +of evergreen; its sprigs of holly in the parlor, and the sacred +immortelles around the portraits of the lost ones; its gift-giving and +all those interchanges of tokens that make friendship sweet; its +suppressions of self; its lessons of generosity, and its going out to +others. Need you wonder, under these circumstances, that Lee's hungry +rebels were all anticipation. The day was ushered in with a snow +storm, but, nothing daunted, our brigade wagon was soon on its way +to the depot to receive our share of the feast; but, unfortunately, +these same pantrys, turkey-roosts, and hog-pens had been invaded so +often before that our part of the grand dinner assumed microscopic +proportions, and the wagon returned with about a half-bushel measure +of dissected gobblers--our Christmas dinner! + + "O, ever thus, from childhood's hour"-- + +Early in February we received a most delightful and interesting visit +from Greensboro's eminent divine, Rev. J. Henry Smith, who preached +for as in the large log tabernacle erected by the boys for divine +service. During his visit the cry of the "Philistines be upon you" +from the other side of the river was heard, and we were ordered out to +resist the threatened attack. The parson exhibited an eagerness to +become a "soldier of Lee" for the occasion. After spending two days +and nights of bitter cold weather on the banks of the Rapidan, the +enemy making no further demonstrations, we were returned to our +quarters. + +On the 26th of February, three formidable columns of cavalry, under +the command respectively of Generals Kilpatrick, Custer, and Col. +Dahlgren, proceeded by different routes towards Richmond to surprise +and, if possible, capture the city; and, if successful, to sack and +burn the city, pillage the buildings, and kill "old Jeff Davis and his +cabinet." In the meanwhile two corps of the enemy crossed the river +and proceeded to Madison Court-House; their object being, by a feint, +to cover their cavalry demonstration upon Richmond. Two days later +another army corps left for Madison, and our corps (Hill's) was +ordered to follow them. We left our camp before day on the morning of +March 1st and reached Madison late in the evening, after a long and +weary march in the rain and mud. On our arrival we found that the +enemy had retired, and were returning to their former position on the +Rapidan. The weather turned very cold during the night, and the next +morning we retraced our steps through snow and ice to our camp, the +men suffering greatly from fatigue and cold. We remained quietly in +our winter quarters until the 4th of May. + +Sometime in March, 1864, Major-General Ulysses S. Grant was appointed +Lieutenant-General and assumed command of the armies of the United +States. In April he made his headquarters at Culpepper Court-House, and +took personal command of the army of the Potomac. During the months of +March and April re-enforcements were gathered from the four quarters +of the globe and sent to this army. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +On the 1st day of May, the official return of the Army of the Potomac +showed, present for duty, one hundred and forty-one thousand one +hundred and sixty men, of all arms. General Lee had, in round numbers, +sixty-four thousand men. + +I give the relative strength of the two armies, in order that the +reader may have a proper appreciation of the difficulties which beset +our army in thwarting the designs of our wily adversary, in the +campaign we were now just entering. That the brilliant genius of our +immortal Lee, made amends for paucity in numbers, and proved more than +a match for brutal force, the bloody field extending from the +Wilderness to the James River will attest. + +On the 3d of May, our army held the south bank of the Rapidan River. +Its right rested near the mouth of Mine Run; its left extended as far +as Liberty Mills, on the road to Gordonsville. Grant, with his main +body encamped in Culpepper County, occupied the north hank of the +Rapidan. On the 4th of May, Grant crossed his forces to the south +side, and began his advance into the "Wilderness." + +Running eastwardly to Fredericksburg, from Orange Court-House, are two +parallel roads; the one nearest the river is called the "Stone +Turnpike," and the other the "Plank-Road." + +As soon as Grant's movements were known, our army was put in motion. +On the morning of the 4th, our division (Heth's) and Wilcox's, of A. +P. Hill's corps, moved eastwardly along the "Plank-Road." Simultaneously +Ewell's corps moved on the stone turnpike. That night we bivouacked at +Verdiersville, near where we fought the battle of Mine Run. + +The "Wilderness" is an almost impenetrable thicket of undergrowth; and +our sagacious Lee resolved to fight Grant in these pathless woods, +where their artillery would be least available, and where their +massive columns would be most embarrassed in their movements. + +On the morning of the 5th, we resumed our march, with Kirkland's +brigade, of our division, in front. About one o'clock, our +advance-guard came upon a body of the enemy, and a spirited musketry +fire was opened in our front. Kirkland's brigade at once deployed on +both sides of the "Plank-Road," and Cooke's brigade was thrown into +line of battle with our regiment (27th), on the left of the road. +About three o'clock, our skirmishers were driven in by a massive +column of the enemy, who advanced firing rapidly. Thus commenced the +"Wilderness" fight; and the bloody contest continued until near +sundown. + +This stubborn and heroic resistance was made by the divisions of +Heth's and Wilcox's, fifteen thousand strong, against the repeated +assaults of four divisions of Hancock's and one division of Sedgwick's +corps, numbering about forty-five thousand men. After dark, we were +relieved by Kirkland's brigade. As we were retiring from our position, +we got into a country-road, parallel to the "Plank-Road," and had +proceeded but a short distance, when my attention was directed to a +similar body of troops, marching quietly in the road with us; the +night was very dark, and it was difficult to distinguish friend from +foe. I felt some anxiety, as they seemed to possess uniform knapsacks +and were of better appearance than our men, to know who they were. I +therefore approached their column, and found to my utter astonishment +that they were "blue-coats." I immediately rushed to Col. Whitfield, +and informed him of our situation. He replied, "Impossible!" On close +inspection, he found that they were really Federal troops. He drew his +pistol, and, in a surprised and excited manner, called out: "Yes, they +are Yankees! Shoot them, boys! Shoot them!" Some few guns were fired; +but as the surprise was so great both upon our part and that of our +"Yankee brethren," a hasty retreat was made on both sides, and each +soon lost the other in the darkness. They were evidently on the wrong +road "to get out of the Wilderness." + +We soon reached the "Plank-Road," and were marched to the rear about +one and a-half miles to a ridge, upon which our line was established. +Our men began at once to fortify; and while we had no implements for +the purpose, we succeeded, by the aid of our bayonets and tin-cups, to +build what proved to be on the following day a great protection. + +During the progress of the battle on the 5th, there came a lull in the +firing and an almost deathlike stillness prevailed, as though the god +of war had stopped a minute to take a long breath, and pull himself +together for a fresh start. Presently, a sharp, quick report of a +rifle from the other side broke the stillness. Simultaneously with the +report, private Wash Williams was struck and painfully wounded. He +uttered a long, loud yell, which seemed to reverberate up and down the +lines for at least a mile. Almost immediately afterwards, a gun was +fired from our side, and some one on the Yankee line mimicked the cry +of Williams perfectly. This incident created general laughter on both +sides, thus giving the opposing forces an idea of each other's +position, and the contest opened in good earnest. + +Our casualties in this, the first of the series of battles of this +campaign, were as follows: Privates Sam'l F. McLean and Louis +Lineberry were killed. Sergeant C. W. Stratford, Corporal A. W. +Klutts, privates Frank G. Chilcutt, William Horney, R. B. Tate, Jas. +M. Hardin, Wash. Williams, Thos. R. Greeson, Sam'l Hiatt, John R. +Siler, and Jas. L. Wilson were wounded. Chilcutt lost an arm, Horney +lost a leg, and R. B. Tate died of his wounds in July, 1864. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +At dawn on the morning of the 6th the enemy, having been re-enforced +by the 9th army corps under Gen. Burnside, and a fresh division +commanded by Wadsworth, advanced. + +The intervening space between the position now held by our brigade, +and the point at which we fought on the 5th, was occupied by our +(Hill's) corps camped in irregular order, and in no condition for an +assault; consequently, when the enemy made their advance and attacked, +these forces were thrown into confusion and driven back to the line +where our brigade had formed the night previous. After a severe +contest a portion of Heth's and Wilcox's divisions were overpowered +and forced to fall back; our brigade, under protection of our hastily +constructed earthworks, held its position. The condition of affairs +was now assuming a very critical phase, when Kershaw's brigade of +South Carolinians, of Longstreet's corps, arrived upon the scene and +for a short while arrested their further advance. The repulsed +portions of our divisions were in considerable disorder, and the +battle began to rage with intense fury. + +General Lee, anxious and appreciating the impending crisis, rode up +with hat in hand, dashed among the men, and calling upon them to +rally, said he would lead the charge. The reins of his horse were +seized by the men and he was told he must go "to the rear," or they +would not go forward. Being evidently touched at this manifestation of +anxiety upon the part of his men the great, grand, and towering old +hero waved his hand and retired. In a few moments Anderson's gallant +Texas boys came up at a double-quick, deployed into line of battle, +and, with Longstreet at their head, went forward with a yell. Major +Webb, while standing on our works cheering, was severely wounded and +retired to the rear. In a short while the ground lost by our troops +was recovered, and the enemy forced back to the position originally +held by them. General Longstreet now took the defensive, and about +mid-day made an attack on their rear and left flank. The assault +resulted in their utter rout, and they were forced back some distance +in rear of the lines occupied by them on the 5th. So far, this +movement was a complete success, and Longstreet began preparations to +follow up his advantages with a flank movement by the Brock road. + +While advancing at the head of Gen. Jenkins' brigade, a portion of his +flanking column, which had continued through the woods in the former +charge, mistaking the brigade for the enemy fired into them, killing +Gen. Jenkins, and seriously wounding Gen. Longstreet. This unfortunate +and strange fatality checked our forward movement, and afforded the +enemy time and opportunity to rally and reform behind their +entrenchments. + +At dark we began to move slowly to the right, and after we had +proceeded about one mile a rebel yell, as if a rushing mighty wind, +rolled down upon us from the right of our lines. Our army now was in a +continuous line of battle, and the cheering was taken up spontaneously +by brigade after brigade until it swelled into one exulting roar of +defiance. At first it seemed like the soft murmuring of the wind in +the tree tops, and as it came nearer it made one vast tempest of +sound, and thus it swayed back and forth for some time. Its effect was +tragic in the extreme, and I readily recall the sensation it produced +upon all at the time. The enemy's pickets thought we were making a +grand charge and fled so precipitately to their main line that, as the +prisoners we captured the next day informed us, they were fired into +by their own men and many of them killed. + +On the morning of the 7th an advance was made and Grant was found to +have retired from his line of works on his right. We had several +skirmishes, and desultory firing continued during the day. + +He now attempted by a flank movement to secure possession of +Spottsylvania Court-House, and Warren's corps, of his advance guard, +marched out of the Wilderness by the Brock road. On his arrival at the +Po River, on the following day, he found in his path, ready to dispute +his passage, Gen. R. H. Anderson's division of Longstreet's corps. +Each army, now forming on its advance guard as a nucleus, swung round, +and on the 9th confronted each other in line of battle. + +On our march on the 8th we were interrupted by several skirmishes, and +were frequently shelled by the enemy. In the evening we reached +Spottsylvania Court-House, and were placed in line, without regard to +alignment, a short distance to the left of the court-house building, +where we at once proceeded to fortify. We were moved afterwards to +different parts of the lines, but finally took our position not far +from where we first halted. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +On the 10th Barlow's division made an attack upon our left and +obtained temporary possession of a portion of Ewell's line. Gen. Lee +said that these lines must be re-established, if he had to attend to +it in person. Our (Heth's) division was called upon to do the work. We +received our orders and were soon in readiness. Advancing cautiously +for some little time, we came upon the enemy about one mile this side +of a branch of the Po, we deployed into line and began to push them +back. They finally halted in some earth-works, freshly thrown up, in +front of Mrs. Graves' house, in front of which was a large open field. +As soon as we got into the road running parallel to these works, we +were halted and reformed, and, after some little delay, we were +ordered to charge their works and drive them away. We charged across +the open field under a heavy fire of artillery from their batteries on +the hills beyond the little stream, which ran a short distance in the +rear of their earth-works. Before we reached the works they, deeming +"prudence the better part of valor," fled and made good their retreat, +leaving behind them one piece of artillery, their dead and wounded, +and several prisoners. We remained several hours at their works under +a heavy shelling; some few of the shells exploding in our ranks. Gen. +Cooke was slightly wounded in the charge, and Ensign W. C. Story, +after we reached the works. We were finally withdrawn and marched back +to our position on the main lines, after we had recovered the lost +ground and forced the enemy to relinquish their temporary advantage. +The 11th was passed in comparative quiet, with the exception of our +usual salutation from the enemy's batteries. They made daily practice +on our works, and endeavored to batter down and destroy the buildings +in the village. They appeared to have a special spite at the little +brick church immediately in rear of our regiment, occupied by our +surgeon (Dr. Hunt) as a _dispensary_. "Gwin" had hardly "opened +up" when a wicked shell came thundering through the gable, and he +concluded to vacate, which he did in considerable disorder. When we +quit our lines the little church was sadly in need of a contribution +box. + +During the night of the 11th the enemy, under the cover of the dense +woods, advanced without discovery, and massed a large force in Ewell's +front at the point known as the "salient," which was occupied by Gen. +Edward Johnson's division. On the next morning at daylight these +troops vigorously attacked and overran this portion of our lines and +captured most of the division, including its commander, who was +quietly enjoying his breakfast. + +General Lee at once hurried troops from our right and left, and made +dispositions to dispute their further progress. As Harris' Mississippi +brigade was coming up at double quick, Gen. Lee, already in a very +exposed position, now joined them and started to the front with them. +The minies were flying fast and thick, and shot and shell ploughing +the ground and bursting in the air. As they neared the lines a +round-shot struck immediately in front of the grand old chieftain, and +caused him to halt and take breath. The officers and men now plead and +insisted that he should retire from this exposed position. He, in his +calm manner, his feelings exhibiting a purity and nobleness of heart +never witnessed in any hero of ancient or modern time, replied: "If +you will promise to drive _those people_ from our works I will go +back." The brigade quickly shouted the promise, and in a moment +commenced the most terrific musketry-fire that took place during the +war. + + "From the side of the salient in the possession of the Federals, + and the new line forming the base of the triangle occupied by the + Confederates, poured forth, from continuous lines of hissing fire, + an incessant hail of deadly missiles. No living man nor thing + could stand within the doomed space embraced within those angry + lines; even large trees were felled, their trunks cut in twain by + the bullets of small arms. Never did the troops on either side + display greater valor and determination. After several + hand-to-hand conflicts, while we failed to dislodge the enemy, the + assault which threatened such serious consequences was checked, + and the result of the advantage to the enemy was limited to the + possession of the narrow space of the salient and the capture of + Johnson's division. The loss of this fine body of troops was + seriously felt by Gen. Lee, and, though his army was sadly reduced + by this and a week's incessant fighting, his lines, thus forcibly + rectified, proved thereafter impregnable." + +While this desperate attack was going on, our (Heth's) division and +Mahone's were moved to the left near the Fredericksburg road, to make +a feint and create a diversion. We leaped over our works, and formed +inside of them, to make the movement, and bravely did the boys move +off, although nothing is so demoralizing to troops as to leave +breastworks to do battle inside of them. We attacked the enemy, and +drove them from two lines into a third. Finding that they were getting +re-enforcements, and in a fortified position, we were gradually +withdrawn to our former position on the main lines. + +Several days of comparative quiet now ensued, during which time Grant +was refurnishing his decimated brigades with heavy re-enforcements +from Washington. In his official report to the 39th Congress, he said: +"The time from the 13th to the 18th was consumed in manoeuvering and +awaiting the arrival of re-enforcements." + +After covering the entire front of our army with _double_ lines, he +still had a large reserve force with which to extend his flank and +compel a corresponding move upon our part, in order to keep between him +and Richmond. + +On the 18th, Gen. Grant made his final and desperate attack, by +hurling division after division against our lines. He commenced the +attack in the morning, and soon the battle became continuous along the +lines, and raged with the utmost fury and desperation. The cannon's +shot and shell seemed winged with impetuous rage, and with hissing red +flame bellowed through the air and over hill and plain, withering and +blasting everything in their flight. War had now indeed stalked forth +unmasked from his infernal den. In the smoke and carnage, Grant drove +his troops mercilessly up to the slaughter, but it produced no +impression, and the hopeless task was relinquished. + +We had now completed twelve days of battle at Spottsylvania, and at no +time, day or night, did the firing on the lines entirely cease. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + +General Grant, giving up all hope of succeeding in his plans by direct +assault, on the night of the 20th began a flank movement in the +direction of Bowling Green, hoping thereby to interpose between our +army and the long-coveted Richmond. On the 21st, Wright's corps began +the initiative and moved southward. + +To counteract and defeat this new purpose, General Lee, at midnight, +dispatched Longstreet's corps on the road leading to Hanover Junction. +On the day and night of the 21st, Ewell's and Hill's (our) corps +marched for the same point. + +The twelve long days and nights, in the trenches at Spottsylvania, of +weary watching and desperate fighting, was telling on our men, and +nothing but the indomitable courage and hope of success, which at all +times and under all circumstances characterized the starved and ragged +Confederates, sustained them. They placed every confidence in their +great and good leader, and looked forward to the time when the +sunlight of this hope, with its golden radiance, would remove the veil +and permit them to look out on the long and lovely paths that wind, +amid beauty, to the far-off but glittering temples of their dreams, +and find them realities. + + "What can we not endure, + When pains are lessened by the hope of cure?" + +During the day and the night of the 22d, we continued our toilsome +march. + +On these long marches, to prevent straggling, we are frequently halted +for a rest, and this opportunity is taken by those who have fallen +back to catch up with their commands. Any one passing through the +troops at this time, be he officer or private, had to run the gauntlet +of the gibes and witticisms of the men. On one occasion, while thus +resting, a very tall, lean, lank soldier of the 5th "Georgy Regiment," +appeared in the road, dragging along his weary length. His long black +tousled hair hung in uncombed ringlets from the holes in his rimless +hat; his coat or jacket, a very scant pattern of gray jeans, seemed to +be widely at variance with his copperas-colored breeches, as the +leather strings attached to them by thorns, to serve as "gallasses," +failed to effect a compromise between the two; the pants, from his +oft-repeated restings, had been badly attacked and routed in the rear, +and, from long use, "swunk up" in apparent fright from his sockless +pedal extremities, whose coverings of untanned leather were held +together by a withe as a shoe-string. In form and stature, he was +modeled strictly after the heron. His avoirdupois gave evidence of +unswerving observance of forty days' Lenten season, and that in soul +and body he had, and was now, wrestling with that plague incident and +concomitant to the experience of every soldier, called the "dia-ree." + +As he approached near where our regimental band was seated, at the head +of the regiment, he appeared to halt from sheer exhaustion, and, as he +did so, he came to an order and leaned in rest upon his gun. Near him +stood, leaning on his drum, the tall bass-drum beater (Bill Burroughs) +of the band. Bill was a fellow of "infinite jest," and possessed one of +those large souls, full of sympathy and concern for the woes of others. +He turned to this gaunt straggler, supposing him to be "somebody's +darling," and entered into conversation with him. The "poor fellow" in +detail related his hairbreadth escapes from battle, hunger, exposure, +&c. When he had scarcely told all, Bill remarked to him that he ought +to take notes for some _future historian_, and by all means to keep a +diary. He raised his head, and as his eyes dimmed with the starting +tear, now coursing down his bronzed and furrowed cheek, he replied, +"Lord! stranger, that's what ails me now, I have had _it_ nigh-on-to +four months." The generous _cords_ of Burroughs' haversack and canteen +were unloosed and their gratuitous contents speedily disappeared. The +order was now given to "fall in." The "Georgy" fellow shouldered his +gun, and Bill swung his big drum on his back. Just as they parted the +soldier extended his long bony fingers and grasped the hand of his Good +Samaritan, thanked him kindly, and, in subdued tones of feigned grief, +said: "My stranger friend, I am so much obleeged to you; can you not +further oblige me by picking a tune for a sick man on that _thare +instrument_." Thus agreeably employed our history leaves them--and we +return to the course of our story. + +On the morning of the 23d we reached the North Anna River in advance +of the enemy, and about daylight crossed to the south side. Warren's +corps crossed at Jericho ford without opposition. Hancock's corps +attempted to cross lower down, at the county bridge. Our brigade +obstinately resisted them, and they did not succeed in crossing until +the 24th. + +General Cooke relates an interesting incident which occurred during the +progress of Grant's army to the North Anna, as told by a prominent +citizen of Caroline County, Va., who was captured by Grant in the +march. He says: "Grant had halted at a house on the roadside with a +number of his officers around him with whom he was discussing with deep +interest the movements in progress. During the discussion Grant pulled +out his watch, and opening it, said: 'Gentlemen, if we do not hear +firing in ten minutes we will _at last_ have gotten ahead of Lee!' He +stood quietly, watch in hand, an occasional remark, only, breaking the +silence, when, scarcely five minutes having elapsed, the booming of +guns was heard in the direction of Hanover Junction. He closed his +watch and impatiently remarked, 'I'll be _damned_ if he has not beaten +us again!' And so it was, as our brigade was at the time resisting +Hancock." + +General Lee, on the next day, did not further dispute in force the +crossing of the enemy, but formed his lines with his left resting on +Little River, and his right near the North Anna below the enemy, +covering Hanover Junction. Here he awaited attack. + +Owing to our well-selected position, Grant could not get at our +flanks; and to take us by direct assault, after his bitter experience +at Spottsylvania, caused him to "pause, ponder, study, and plan." + +Perceiving he had made a blunder, and that his army was in a position +of much peril, he, on the night of the 26th, recrossed to the north +side of the river, and made another _detour_ to the eastward, as far +down as the Pamunkey River. + +On the 28th he crossed the Pamunkey at Hanovertown. On the 30th his +advance ran against our brigade, on the left of our lines, at Atlee's +Station, where we entertained him for some little time to his +discomfiture. The next day we had a sharp engagement near Tolopotomy +creek, and on June 1st, they attacked us in heavy force at Pole-Green +church, the skirmish continuing for some time. Our brigade and +regiment suffered considerably from their shells and sharpshooters. + +Lieutenant Chas. A. Campbell was mortally wounded and was carried +to the rear, where he died the next day. Campbell was one of the +"original panel," serving as private until April, 1862, corporal +until August, when he was promoted to sergeant. He was wounded at the +battle of Sharpsburg. On his return to his command, November 1st, he +was appointed Orderly Sergeant, serving as such until the 11th of +December, when he was promoted to Junior 2d Lieutenant. With the +exception of a short furlough from camp at Orange Court-House, he was +always at his post, ready and cheerful at all times to perform his +duties. Soon after he was shot down, he was carried to the field +hospital, where he died and was buried the following day. As he passed +me on his litter, he stretched out his almost pulseless arm and +remarked, "Goodbye, Captain; if I don't come back, tell them I fell +fighting at the front." + + God's peace be with him in his rest, + Lone dweller in the stranger's land. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + +On the 3d of June the two armies were brought face to face at Cold +Harbor, where but two years before "Little Mc" had struggled in vain +for the mastery. + +On the night of the 2d our brigade was placed in line on the extreme +left, with our regiment upon what is known as Pharr's farm. As soon as +we were halted we began to fortify, and by early dawn had constructed +good temporary works. Owing to the dense, heavy body of woods the enemy +were enabled to make near approaches in our front, and previous to +their advance, on the following morning, we could hear distinctly the +orders given by their officers. After some little firing by their +sharpshooters, about 8 o'clock, they began to attack, and kept up their +assaults until late in the evening. Brigade after brigade was hurled +against us, until the ground in our front was literally covered with +their dead and wounded. Their assaults were repulsed along the whole +line. Finally, when the order was given to renew the attack, their men +sullenly and emphatically refused to move forward under our withering +fire. The prisoners we captured denounced and cursed Grant for this +slaughter, and dubbed him the "champion butcher." + +In the evening a battery of artillery was sent to our aid. They came up +at a gallop and endeavored to take position on a slight elevation, in +the skirt of pines, immediately in rear of our regiment. Before they +had time to unlimber, every horse in the battery was shot down. The men +then endeavored to run the guns forward by hand, when nearly all the +men were killed or wounded. One gun only was gotten in position, and it +rendered but little service before it was dismantled. Having been under +constant fire, and firing rapidly all day ourselves--each man averaging +two hundred rounds of cartridges--it became necessary to replenish our +ammunition. An attempt to go to the rear, or to leave our works in any +direction, was almost certain death. Lieut.-Col. Whitfield, who was now +in command of our regiment, disliked to force a detail to go to the +wagons for ammunition, and therefore called for volunteers. A +sufficient number came forward at once, and set out on their perilous +expedition; among the number was private R. F. Hampton, of the Grays. +In due time they all returned, each bringing a supply of cartridges, +but waited some distance back of us for a lull in the firing so as to +run the gauntlet of the sharpshooters to the lines. Several were badly +wounded in making the trip, among the number private R. F. Hampton, who +had almost reached the lines when he was shot down by a sharpshooter, +mortally wounded, and afterwards died of his wounds. During the battle, +private W. J. Hunt was killed, and Dan'l. B. Coltrain and Benjamin +Burnsides severely wounded. Private Hunt, when shot, was standing near +me. We were trying to locate a sharpshooter in our front, who had +become very troublesome by the accuracy of his aim. We had been exposed +in our position but a few moments, when a minie-ball pierced his head, +scattering his brains in my face, and he sunk down lifeless at my feet. +Lieutenant-Colonel Whitfield was severely wounded in the head, and was +carried from the field. The command now devolved upon Capt. Herring, +the senior officer, who acted as Colonel, and Captain Sloan, next in +rank, as Major. + +On the following morning, we found that the enemy, under cover of +darkness, had left our front; and we were moved to the right, and +placed in position immediately at Cold Harbor, with our respective +lines so near as to be able to converse with each other. We remained +here in line of battle, under constant fire; happily, our immediate +command had no serious casualties. Grant used every expedient to break +through our lines, but he had so mercilessly slaughtered and cowed his +men in his first charges at Cold Harbor, that his men refused to charge +a second time. So determined was he to clean us up, at all hazards, +that he remarked he would do so, "if it took him all summer." The +sequel proved that he did not overestimate the time, but the process +cost considerable bloodshed. + +Stanton (Secretary of War) says, officially, that Grant's force, on the +1st of May, was over one hundred and twenty thousand men. Shortly +afterwards, the 9th army corps was sent to him. This army, then +aggregating over one hundred and forty thousand men, with a reserve to +draw from of one hundred and thirty thousand more, in round numbers, +was ruthlessly hurled against Lee's less than fifty thousand men. Lee +had no reserve--the cradle and the grave had long since mustered, and +our ports were closed to mercenary hirelings. Their own historians +prove and show that their "butcher" slaughtered nearly one hundred +thousand men in his "On to Richmond," from the wilds of the +"Wilderness" to the desolated fields of Cold Harbor. In other words, he +sacrificed about twice as many men as Lee had, in order to take a +position he could have taken at first without firing a gun or losing a +man. + +On the 3d of June, Lieut. Frank A. Hanner, who had been for some weeks +confined by disease in the hospital at Richmond, died. He served as +private until April, 1862; at the reorganization of the twelve-months' +troops, he was elected 2d Lieutenant; was promoted to Senior 2d, +September 17th, 1862, and again on the 15th of October, 1863, to 1st +Lieutenant. On the 1st of June, private Joel J. Thorn was appointed +corporal. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + +The Army of the Potomac having now apparently had sufficient amusement +on this portion of its constituted "all summer route," again adopted +"Little Mc's" tactics, "sought water," and on the 12th of June began +its march towards the historic James. + +On the 14th and 15th, by means of his pontoon bridges near Wilcox's +Landing, Grant crossed to the south side of the river. On the evening +of the 15th his advance made a feint demonstration against Petersburg, +and on the 16th made his attack in force. This attack was promptly met, +and successfully repulsed by our forces under Gen. Beauregard. Our +brigade, as yet, in the swamps of the Chickahominy, was almost daily +employed in skirmishes with the enemy's cavalry. On the 15th of June we +came across a large force of cavalry at Gary's farm. They had met a +small force of our cavalry and had been driving them. When we arrived +they dismounted and sent their horses to the rear, formed their lines +and showed fight. After a sharp struggle their lines gave way, and we +pursued them some distance through the woods. Their sharpshooters were +armed with seven shooters, and they used them against us on our advance +with telling effect. When they reached their horses they quickly +remounted and were soon beyond our reach. Orderly Sergeant William M. +Paisley and private Henry J. Coble were wounded. + +We had advanced in line but a short distance, when Sergeant Paisley, at +the head and slightly in advance of his company, was shot by a +sharpshooter, and fell mortally wounded. He was carried from the field +and sent to the hospital in Richmond, there he suffered and lingered +until the 13th of July, when he died in the arms of his broken-hearted +father, who carried his remains to Guilford, and interred them at +Alamance church. He was among the first of Guilford's gallant boys who +went forth to do battle for truth and right. He kept his vows to his +God and his Southland sacred alike, and at his post, on the front line +in the fight, fell wounded to the death. + + "On other brows let careless fame + Her fadeless wreath of laurel twine, + Enough for thee--thy epitaph! + First in the foremost line." + +After this encounter we were granted a short respite until the 21st, +when our cavalry was routed by the enemy at Yellow Tavern, and our +brigade was ordered to their support. When we reached there, we found +in slowly retiring before the enemy in a dense woods. Gen. Cooke at +once ordered forward his sharpshooters, and very soon a spirited fight +began. Our regiment was thrown into line and we began to press them +back. As they had been driving our cavalry they were loth to retire, +and fought us obstinately. Cooke then ordered his whole brigade into +line. They, seeing now that they could not cope with us in fair fight, +set fire to the woods and leaves in our front, and we were forced to +advance through fire and smoke, our men suffering terribly from the +heat, the day, besides, being exceedingly hot. We had been in too many +hot places to be afraid of fire, so we made at them with a yell, and +soon had their lines broken and in rapid retreat, with our cavalry--who +had recovered--in pursuit of them. Our loss was not so great, but the +men experienced great thirst, and many were scorched by the fires; in +some instances the cartridges were exploded in their boxes. + +About the 25th Gen. Butler, having pontooned the James River at Deep +Bottom, crossed a heavy force to the north side. Our brigade was +ordered to reconnoitre this force, and some fighting ensued. We found +them in force and strongly fortified, and an attack was deemed +inadvisable, so we were withdrawn and ordered to Petersburg. We reached +Petersburg on the 1st of July, and were placed on the lines a short +distance from the city, to the left of the Weldon Railroad. + +On the 15th of July, private Daniel W. McConnell was appointed Orderly +Sergeant. + +We remained near Petersburg comparatively quiet until the 26th of July, +when Grant crossed another corps at Deep Bottom, to attack our pontoons +at Drury's Bluff, and prevent Lee from sending re-enforcements to the +north side of the river. Our brigade was ordered back in haste to this +point, and, although the enemy had gained some partial success, we +drove him back and defeated the expedition. As events afterwards +proved, these movements were only feints to draw our troops from +Petersburg to better enable Grant to carry out his plans to make a +breach in our lines in front of Petersburg. Uniform failure had now +rendered him desperate, and Grant concluded the only wise thing now to +do, was to "blow us up." Burnside was duly appointed "blower." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + +On the night of the 28th, Hancock's corps was secretly withdrawn from +the north side, and every preparation was made for the great +forthcoming event. + +Grant had constructed a mine under one of our forts in front of +Petersburg, the main gallery of which was five hundred and twenty-two +feet in length, with eight side galleries; in each of these galleries +was placed about fourteen hundred pounds of powder. Gen. Burnside, in +charge of this new feature of warfare, was to explode the "infernal +machine," and walk into Petersburg with his colored troops, supposedly +unmolested. + +About daylight on the morning of the 30th, this famous mine--afterwards +known as the "crater"--was exploded with a great noise, as of a +"rushing mighty wind, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun +became black." About one hundred of our men and three or four guns were +moved out of their places into the air, and when the smoke cleared away +an opening about one hundred and fifty feet long, sixty feet wide, and +thirty feet deep appeared in place of our earthworks. Simultaneously +with this explosion the enemy opened a terrific fire along their whole +front, and the white division selected for this occasion came slowly +through the abattis up to this _hole_, where they were met by a +merciless fire from our artillery, enfilading them right and left, with +our infantry in their front. They were badly led, and, being +demoralized, they faltered and sought shelter in the crater. Next came +the "nigger" division, and the "colored troops fought bravely," until +the withering fire from our guns created a panic, when into the crater +pell-mell they rushed, white and black, a disordered, mangled, +quivering mass; our shot, shells, balls, and canister creating a +perfect carnival of death. Some few endeavored to leave the crater and +run back, but they were immediately shot down. Those who witnessed the +scene say it was beyond the power of words to describe. Our lines were +soon re-established, and our brigade was sent to relieve the troops +holding the lines where the mine was sprung. Thus ended this "miserable +affair." + +The space between the two lines, as now formed, was so close as to +endanger any exposure whatever, and we had to hug our earthworks very +closely. Our company was in line immediately at the crater. In our +front, and almost under our noses, lay the bloated, festering bodies of +their dead, exposed to the scorching rays of a July sun. To make our +situation still more interesting, it was supposed that the battery on +our right was also mined; and we were daily and nightly in fear of +another explosion, and to be landed--no telling where. We remained in +this position for a week, when Grant asked for a truce to bury his +dead. We were then moved a short distance to our right, where we +remained until about the middle of August. While on these lines, we +literally lived under the ground. We had to pass to and from the front +in covered ways; our rations were all prepared in the rear, and sent to +us. We were compelled to sleep in bomb-proofs to avoid their mortar +shells, with which they enlivened the scene at night. + +On the 18th of August, Warren's corps seized a portion of the Weldon +Railroad near Petersburg, when we were withdrawn from our position in +front of the city and moved to this point. On the 25th, this success +was followed up by an attempt under Gen. Hancock to take possession of +Ream's Station, farther south, on the same road. A. P. Hill's corps was +selected to drive him from this position. On our arrival we were +deployed in line, and ordered to go forward. The undergrowth and fallen +trees over which we had to climb our way retarded our advance, and Gen. +Cooke ordered the 27th and 48th regiments forward first. When they had +gotten sufficiently advanced, he directed the other two regiments of +our brigade, the 46th and 15th, to advance. When we reached the enemy's +works, we found them heavily manned with infantry and artillery. +Nothing daunted, however, we still advanced through shot and shell +until we came to a hand-to-hand fight across the breastworks. The two +other regiments now came up and in a few moments the enemy broke and +fled in confusion, leaving their guns. The colors of the 27th, carried +by Sergeant Richards, of the Orange Guards, were the first seen on +their works. We pursued them, and turned their own guns upon them; but +having no friction primers, we could not use them to advantage. We +captured over two thousand prisoners and twelve pieces of artillery. + +Our loss in this brilliant dash was very heavy, and North Carolina's +troops alone, consisting of Cooke's, McRea's, and Lane's brigades, were +engaged. The 27th regiment came out of the fight with less than +seventy-five men! + +The Grays lost in killed, private John Coltrain; in wounded, Sergeants +William U. Steiner and A. C. Cheely, privates Hardy Ayers, James S. +Scott, Emsley W. Stratford, and Wash. Williams. + +Warren had now made good his hold upon the railroad, and these events +did not materially affect the general result. The enemy's left +gradually reached farther westward, until, in October, it was +established on the left bank of Hatcher's Run, eight miles southwest of +Petersburg. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + +On the 26th of August, we returned to our position in the trenches, +where we remained until the latter part of September. + +On the 16th, Robert T. Heath and James Hacket joined the Grays. + +The casualties in the campaign so far had sadly reduced our ranks. At +the battle of Ream's Station, Capt. Herring, senior officer of the +regiment, was wounded, when Capt. J. A. Sloan, next in rank, took +command of the regiment, and Sergeant Thomas J. Rhodes commanded the +Grays. Our muster-roll on the 31st of August contained sixty names rank +and file. One captain, one sergeant, two corporals, and sixteen +privates were reported for duty. One officer and thirty-five men +absent, wounded, and prisoners; four men on detached service. + +On the 18th of September, private Geo. H. Woolen died while a prisoner +of war at Point Lookout, Md. On the 13th, Samuel E. B. Gray was killed +in the trenches before Petersburg, and on the 27th, private Wm. N. +Kirkman. About the same time, Sergeant Daniel McConnell, while lying +sick in the field hospital in rear of our lines, was seriously injured +by a shell passing through the hospital and so near to him as to cause +a paralysis of his limbs, from which he died. + +On the night of the 28th of September, Butler, with the corps of Birney +and Ord, crossed to the north side of the James, and moved up the +river, with the view of attacking Fort Harrison, near Chapin's Farm. A +portion of his force made a feint upon the Newmarket road, and while +this engagement was in process, a column moved on the fort and captured +it. This resulted in giving to the enemy a secret lodgment on the north +side of the James, and a position very menacing to Richmond. + +On the 20th, we were moved still further to the right; and on the next +day, were engaged in a spirited skirmish near Battery No. 45, on our +advanced lines. Every few days, we were moved still farther to the +right, skirmishing and picketing, until we reached Hatcher's Run, about +the 1st of December. + +About daylight, on the morning of the 27th of October, three corps of +the enemy moved towards the Boydton Plank-Road with a view to turn our +right flank and get possession of the Southside railroad, which was +now Lee's principal communication. When they reached the Boydton road, +they found our troops entrenched at every point. Hancock's corps +continued to advance in the direction of Stony Creek, supposing this +to be the termination of our lines, and thereby creating a gap between +his right and the left of the 5th army corps. Mahone's division, +taking advantage of this opening in their lines, assailed Hancock's +right, and drove Gibbons' division some distance back. Meanwhile, +Hampton with his cavalry began to attack his rear. Our brigade was +moved up the creek (Hatcher's Run) as far as Burgess' Mill, and was +placed in position to be ready on the next morning to charge the enemy +from their position on the other side of the creek. The only means of +crossing the stream was a narrow country bridge, which was guarded by +their sharpshooters, and beyond on the hills, about one hundred yards +off, was posted their artillery. The charge was to be made at +daylight; and with this _pleasant_ prospect before us, you may imagine +we passed a _comfortable_ night in anticipation. When morning came, +our sharpshooters were advanced, and found, to our comfort and +delight, that Grant had withdrawn his troops during the night, and +retraced his steps to their intrenchments in front of Petersburg. He +had been completely frustrated, and thus failed in his flank movement. + +On the following day we were in position on the left of Hatcher's Run, +and as active operations were considered closed for the winter, we +began to build winter quarters. In a short while we had comfortable +cabins, in which we remained quietly until the 8th of December. + +On the 8th of December the 2d army corps, by way of diversion, made a +raid on the Petersburg & Weldon Railroad, and A. P. Hill's corps was +ordered to meet them. On the evening of the 8th we quit our comfortable +quarters, and in the sleet and driving snow, marched until 2 o'clock +a.m. of the 9th, when we bivouacked till morning. We then marched on, +in the bitter cold, to Bellfield, when we found the enemy were +retreating up the Jerusalem Plank-road. From here we were ordered back +to Jarratt's Station to try to intercept them. Just as we reached this +point we encountered a large force of their cavalry. Pegram's artillery +was thrown forward, and our brigade, concealed in the pines, clad with +ice and sleet, was thrown into line as support. + +The enemy were not aware of our presence, and charged upon the +artillery. Our skirmishers received the charge. Seeing that the battery +was supported, they began to retreat. We pursued them across the +railroad and pushed forward rapidly for several miles, hoping to +intercept their infantry, but we found the pursuit useless. As darkness +was now upon us, we halted for the night, and next morning resumed our +march for our camp, which we reached, hungry and almost frozen, on the +13th. + +Grant behaved himself now tolerably well until Sunday morning, February +5th, when, becoming restless, he began one of his periodical movements, +and succeeded in getting very near our lines before we were aware of +his movements. About the middle of the day Davis' Mississippi brigade, +which was a mile to our left, was marched down to our position and +relieved us. We were then marched up the lines some two miles, where we +crossed our works and formed a line outside of them. We then marched to +the front about one mile, when we turned to the right, and forming line +of battle, began to advance and soon struck the skirmish line of the +enemy, which we drove with our line of battle some distance, until we +came in view of their line posted upon a hill in a field behind +earthworks. We were ordered to charge. We started up the hill, and when +we had gone some distance, and seeing the brigade on our left was not +charging with us, we fell back to the edge of the woods. The enemy now +made a strong demonstration on our right flank, and to prevent this +movement we had to fall back to our reserve line, when a Georgia +brigade took the place of ours. As they were ordered forward a portion +of our regiment, among them the Grays, thinking the order came from our +commanding officer, advanced with this brigade and fought through the +remainder of the day. After dark we were returned to our breastworks, +and when we reached them we found that we had been fighting in front of +our former position, and had been moved two miles up the lines to be +marched back again to fight in the place of other troops who had been +moved into our earth works, and almost directly in front of our camp. +[There are some things past finding out and beyond explanation, but as +the deductions of a citizen soldier are at no time of valuable +consideration, I forbear.] + +On the following day we were returned to our quarters, where we enjoyed +quiet and rest until the latter part of March. + +While we were in the heat of the battle of the 5th of February, some +few of the new recruits who had recently joined our brigade, not +exactly fancying the shot and shell which were flying around, thought +the rear was a safer place, and suiting the action to the thought, +"dusted." Gen. Lee with several of his staff was seated on horseback in +rear of our lines and in proximity to the battle, awaiting the issue, +when observing these men crossing the works without their guns, in +seeming alarm and haste, he rode toward them, endeavoring to halt and +return them to their command, when one of the "dusters," in grave +alarm, raised his hands and voice in terror, exclaiming: "Great God, +old man, get out of the way, you don't know nothing," continued his +rapid flight too terrified to recognize or obey chieftain or orders. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + +The Grays were in winter quarters on the left side of Hatcher's Run, +one mile and a half below Burgess' mill. While here we received orders +at midnight on the 24th of March, to be in readiness to move in the +direction of Petersburg. Leaving the sick and wounded to take care of +the camp and the lines in our immediate front, we began our march, not +knowing the cause of this seeming untimely order. After two hours rapid +marching we reached Petersburg, and bivouacked near the water-works. +About daylight we were quietly marched into our trenches in front of +and to the right of Hare's Hill. The troops who had just occupied these +trenches where we now were had been marched out, and were in readiness, +under General Gordon, to make a prearranged sortie upon the Federal +forts on Hare's Hill. + +The attack was made in force about daylight. Our troops gained +possession of the enemy's works, but were soon compelled to abandon +them, owing to the superior force of the enemy and to the fact that our +forces were bewildered in the darkness. + +About two o'clock p.m. we were ordered back to our camp on Hatcher's +Run. Before reaching it, however, we were informed that our sick and +wounded had been routed, and that the enemy was in possession of our +picket line. Gen. Cooke immediately ordered out his sharpshooters, and +by a flank movement drove off the enemy and regained possession of his +line. Next morning the sharpshooters were relieved by the regular +pickets, under command of Capt. John A. Sloan of the Grays, who held +the lines against repeated attacks until the first of April. + +At midnight of the first of April our brigade was relieved by Davis' +Mississippi brigade. Our brigade now crossed the creek and took +position in Fort Evliss. As soon as day dawned the enemy, being on +three sides of us, opened fire upon us with artillery and infantry. +Although protected to some extent, some of our men were killed by their +shells during the morning. In the meanwhile a desperate fight was going +on between fort Evliss, the position we were occupying, and Petersburg. +Our position in the fort was only tenable, provided the troops on our +left held their position. Consequently, the issue of the fight was +awaited by us with much anxiety. Just before sunrise a courier dashed +into the fort with news that the lines had been broken and our troops +were in retreat. We were, in consequence, immediately withdrawn from +our works, and began our retreat from Petersburg. After retreating some +five miles, being pressed sorely by the enemy, two regiments of our +brigade were deployed as skirmishers. + +Arriving now at Southerland's tavern, on the Southside road, we formed +line of battle and awaited the enemy's advance. They soon came up +flushed with success, and attacked with great confidence. But we +repulsed them with heavy loss, capturing many prisoners. Reinforcements +coming up we were flanked and compelled again to retreat. After +following us cautiously for some hours, and night coming on, the enemy +abandoned further pursuit. + +We now endeavored to cross the river so as to join the main army, from +which we had been separated by the break in the lines that morning. We +followed up our retreat until two o'clock that night, when we halted +and rested on our arms until morning. At sunrise we began our +journeyings again, reaching Deep Creek, unmolested, about nine o'clock. +We wandered up this creek about three miles, fording it at this point. +We then endeavored to make Goode's bridge on the Appomattox, but night +overtaking us, we camped at the cross-roads near Goode's bridge, At one +o'clock at night we received marching orders. After three hours hard +marching through fields, bog, and fen, we came upon the advance of the +main army, which had just crossed the Appomattox on a pontoon bridge. +We were delighted to meet our old comrades once more after a three +days' separation. What added to the interest of the occasion in a +private way was the fact that Major Webb had found a canteen full of +_something_, and my ever faithful "Bill" had captured a hen's nest +and scouped in half a dozen or more of eggs. We celebrated our +deliverance and _reunion_. + +At the suggestion of the officers of our regiment, it was agreed, there +being only about seventy men for duty, that we should form a battalion +of two companies, the officers giving up their rank temporarily, and +the non-commissioned officers going into the ranks. Lieut.-Col. J. C. +Webb commanded the battalion. Major Calvin Herring took command of the +first company, and Capt. John A. Sloan took command of the second. This +organization was maintained until the surrender. + +On the night of the fourth we camped at Amelia Court-House, in the +woods just outside of the town, and rested on our arms in line of +battle. The next day was consumed in protecting our wagon trains from +the frequent attacks of the enemy's cavalry. We now continued our +march, fighting by day and retreating by night. Our provision train was +burned by the enemy near Rice's station, and our rations that night +consisted of one quart of corn per man in lieu of meal. The next day we +passed through Farmville. Having been the rear guard for several days, +we were now relieved by Scales' North Carolina brigade. Organization +and discipline was now rapidly giving away. We were skirmishing and +fighting to protect ourselves at every point in a kind of Guerrilla +warfare, every man, for the most part, doing his fighting on his own +hook. + +Saturday night, April the 8th, we camped in about three miles of +Appomattox Court-House. Before day next morning we were hastily ordered +up and moved to the front. We were rapidly marched up the road filled +with ambulances and wagons until we came within full view of Appomattox +Court-House, where we could plainly see the Federal line of battle on +the hills at and beyond the court-house. We were immediately thrown +into line of battle on the right of the road and ordered to hold +ourselves in readiness to advance at any moment. On the front line we +awaited further orders. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + +Reader! The writer said, when he began the "Reminiscences of the +Guilford Grays," that it was not his purpose to undertake the severe +labors of the historian, but to confine himself to the humbler task of +relating what, has been part of his own experience. + +To make the thread of narrative continuous and intelligible, it +deserves to be mentioned, however, that it has been necessary to allude +to portions of the history of those eventful times in which the Grays +were only generally interested, which the circumstance will justify. + +The writer closes this, his last chapter, with the consciousness that +he has been actuated by the very kindest feelings to all, and that if +an intimation has escaped him which may have injuriously touched the +feelings of any one, none such was intended. How he has performed his +work, the reader will judge. This much he will say for himself, that he +has attempted to do it faithfully and--lovingly. + +But little more now remains to be said. The morning of the 9th of April +presented a spectacle never to be forgotten by those who saw it. +General Gordon was at the front with a meagre two thousand men; behind +us smoked the remnants of the wagon-trains; in the rear, drawn up and +ready again to strike, was the shattered wreck of Longstreet's once +grand and noble command. About ten o'clock dispositions were made for +attack, when Gordon was ordered to advance. + +_In vain! Alas, in vain! Ye gallant few!_ Suddenly a _halt_ was +called, a flag of truce appeared upon the scene, hostilities ceased, +and a dreamy sadness filled the April air. The grand old Army of +Northern Virginia was environed! "I have done what I thought best for +you," "the gray-headed man" said to his men. "My heart is too full to +speak, but I wish you all health and happiness." + +The negotiations relating to the surrender had been instituted on the +7th by a note from General Grant to General Lee. The correspondence was +continued until the 9th, when the terms proposed by General Grant were +accepted. + +On the 10th, General Lee issued his farewell address to his army. On +the afternoon of the 11th, the gallant Gordon spoke most eloquently to +the little remnant massed in the open field. + +The sun hid his face in sullen sympathy behind the clouds, night +settled drearily over the camp, and the brave old army fell asleep. + + "Hushed was the roll of the Rebel drum, + The sabres were sheathed and the cannon was dumb; + And Fate, with pitiless hand, had furled + The flag that once challenged the gaze of the world." + +On the 12th, the Army of Northern Virginia was marshaled for the last +time, not to do battle, but to stack its arms and pass out of +existence--forevermore. + +Of the Guilford Grays who were present at the final scene of this +eventful history, the following answered to roll-call: Captain Jno. A. +Sloan, Lieut. Rufus B. Gibson, 1st Sergeant Thomas J. Rhodes, Sergeant +Joel J. Thom; privates Peter M. Brown, Lewis N. Isley, Jas. M. Hardin, +Walter Green, E. Tonkey Sharpe, Geo. W. Lemons, Silas C. Dodson, and +Samuel M. Lipscomb. + +On the 11th, printed certificates, certifying that we were paroled +prisoners of war, were issued and distributed among us, bearing date +April 10th, 1865, Appomattox Court-House, granting us "permission to go +home, and remain there undisturbed." + +Comrades! We entered the service in the bloom of youthful vigor and +hope, with cheerful step and willing heart, leaving happy homes in +peace and prosperity behind. We took the field for a principle as +sacred as ever led a hero to the cannon's mouth, or a martyr to the +place of execution. + +This principle was honor and patriotism; a firm determination to defend +to the last that constitution which our fathers had handed down and +taught us to revere as the only safeguard of our personal rights and +liberties. + +After four long years, we returned to our homes in tattered and +battle-stained garments, footsore, weary, and with aching hearts. We +returned to see poverty, desolation, and ruin; to find the hearts of +our loved ones buried in the graves of the dead Confederacy. Aye! and +we have seen other sorrows. We have seen that constitution subverted +under the forms of law; we have seen the rights of individuals and +communities trampled in the dust without hope of redress. Nay, more! We +have seen the government of the fathers removed from existence, and an +engine of oppression, no longer a Union of States, but a _Nation_, +like the devil-fish of the sea, reaching its hideous and devouring +arms in all directions from one common centre, knowing only one law of +action and of motive--_the insatiate greed of avarice and plunder_. + +But though the Confederacy went down in fire and smoke, in blood and in +tears, that truth, which was the guiding-star of the devoted soldiers +who fought its battles, and of those at home who toiled and prayed for +its success--that truth did not lower its standard or surrender its +sword at Appomattox. We submit to the inevitable. We submit in dignity +and in silence. But because we accept, with becoming minds and conduct, +that subjugation which the fortune of war has entailed upon us, shall +we therefore pronounce the word "craven?" _Shall we now recant?_ Shall +we now solemnly declare that we did not believe what we professed to +fight for? Shall we thus insult, either in word or act, the memories of +the dead heroes--and we dare maintain they died heroes--who sleep on a +thousand hillsides and in the valleys of our common country? + +Should we thus prostrate ourselves to invite the scorn and contempt +which even our enemies would have the right to bestow upon us? _Never!_ +A thousand times never! "Will not history consent, will not mankind +applaud, when we still uphold our principles as right, our cause as +just, our country to be honored, when those principles had for +disciple, that cause for defender, that country for son--Robert Lee? + +"Not to his honor shall extorted tributes carve the shaft or mould the +statute; but a grateful people will in time give of their poverty +gladly that, in pure marble or time-defying bronze, future generations +may see the counterfeit presentment of this man--the ideal and +consummate flower of our civilization; not an Alexander, it may be; nor +Napoleon, nor Timour, nor Churchill--greater far than they, thank +heaven--the brother and the equal of Sidney and of Falkland, of Hampden +and of Washington!" + + "He sleeps all quietly and cold + Beneath the soil that gave him birth, + Then brake his battle-brand in twain + And lay it with him in the earth." + +A word to the survivors of the Guilford Grays, and I close these +reminiscences. From the period of the outbreak of the war in April, +1861, to the surrender of the Confederate army in April, 1865, the +muster-rolls of the Grays have contained one hundred and eighty names. +Of this number, some were transferred to other commands, some were +discharged for physical disabilities and other causes. A large +proportion sleep, unmindful of the rude farmer's ploughshare upon the +fields made memorable by their deeds. Some rest under the shades of the +trees in the quiet cemeteries of your forest-green city, and some in +the sacred churchyards of your historic country. Oh! they suffered a +sad, dark fate--fallen in unsuccessful war! + +On each return of Spring, come and bring flowers, nature's choicest, +and scatter them on their graves. So long as tears fall, come and shed +them there, and show to the world that we, of all men, are not ashamed +of their memories or afraid to vindicate their motives. + +And as we stand upon this hallowed ground, let us bury all animosities +engendered by the war. In the grave there can be no rancorous hates; +between the sleepers there is perpetual truce. Shall the living have +less? Savages, only, perpetuate immortal hates. Then permit no +"barbarian memory of wrong" to lodge in our breasts while we keep +vigils over these graves of our illustrious dead. + +To you who stood by me through all these eventful scenes, and came up +out of the great tribulation, I pray Heaven's choicest blessings ever +attend you--and now--_adieu_. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +THE ROLL. + + +Captain JOHN SLOAN.--Elected Lieutenant-Colonel of the 27th North +Carolina Regiment, September, 1861; promoted to colonelcy December, +1861; resigned April, 1862; died since war. + +1st Lieutenant WILLIAM ADAMS.--Elected Captain, vice Capt. John Sloan +promoted, October 5th, 1861; killed at battle of Sharpsburg September +17th, 1862.[1] + + [1] William Adams was born in Greensboro on the 18th of + February, 1836. In June, 1858, he graduated at the University + of the State. Shortly after his return from the University, + he entered the office of R. P. Dick, Esq., as a student of + the law. He was licensed to practice in the county courts in + December, 1859, and was admitted to the bar at February Term, + 1860, At the formation of the Grays in 1860, he was chosen + and appointed 1st Lieutenant. On the night of the 19th of + April, 1861, he left with the Grays for Fort Macon. On the + 5th of October, 1861, he was unanimously elected to the + captaincy of the Grays, _vice_ Capt. John Sloan, promoted + to Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the 27th Regiment. + + On the 22d of April, the Grays reorganized under the + conscript act, and Capt. Adams was re-elected without + opposition, his men having implicit confidence in his skill, + ability, and courage. At the battle of Sharpsburg, he fell + wounded to the death, a martyr to the cause he loved so well. + Young in years, high in hopes, illustrious in daring and + chivalrous deeds, he fills a soldier's grave in the quiet + country of his native town--mourned by all who knew him. + +2d Lieutenant JAS. T. MOREHEAD, JR.--Resigned April 20th, 1861; +appointed captain in the 45th North Carolina Regiment; promoted to +Lieutenant-Colonel in the 53d Regiment, and after the death of Colonel +Owens, became its Colonel; wounded at Spottsylvania, Gettysburg, and +captured at Hare's Hill. + +2d Jr. Lieutenant JOHN A. GILMER, JR.--Detailed as adjutant of the +27th North Carolina Regt. September, 1861; elected Major December, +1861; promoted to Colonelcy November, 1862; wounded at battle of +Fredericksburg, December 13th, 1862; severely wounded at Bristow, +October 14th, 1863; resigned, on account of wounds, January, 1865. + +LOGAN, JNO. E., M.D.--Entered the service as Surgeon of the Grays; +remained at Fort Macon about four months; appointed Surgeon of the 4th +North Carolina Regiment; transferred to the 14th North Carolina +Regiment, where he served as Surgeon until close of the war. + +1st Sergeant WILLIAM P. WILSON.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; elected 2d +Lieutenant Jr., vice J. A. Gilmer promoted, September, 1861; appointed +Adjutant of 27th North Carolina Regiment, at reorganization of State +troops, April, 1862; died of disease at Greensboro March 3, 1863. + +2d Sergeant JOHN A. SLOAN.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed +Sergeant-Major of the post at Fort Macon May, 1861; elected 2d +Lieutenant January 14, 1862; elected 1st Lieutenant, April 22, 1862; +promoted to Captain September 17, 1862; Judge Advocate of Heth's +Division court-martial; surrendered at Appomattox Court-House. + +3d Sergeant GEO. W. HOWLETT.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; discharged on +account of affection of his eyes July 23, 1862. + +4th Sergeant SAM'L B. JORDAN.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; captured at +battle of New Berne March 14, 1862; exchanged and discharged at +reorganization of State troops April 22, 1862; died since the war. + +1st Corporal THOS. J. SLOAN.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; detached at +General Ransom's Head-Quarters February, 1862; appointed Sergeant +April, 1862; detailed as musician August 1, 1862. + +2d Corporal BENJ. G. GRAHAM.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed +Sergeant January, 1862; appointed Orderly-Sergeant April 22, 1862; +elected 2d Lieutenant September 22, 1862; detailed as Ordnance Officer +December, 1862; resigned November 9, 1864. + +3d Corporal SILAS C. DODSON.--Returned to his home from Fort Macon; +re-enlisted May 16, 1862; detailed as Clerk Commissary Department +December 15, 1862; surrendered at Appomattox Court-House. + +4th Corporal ED. B. CROWSON.--Enlisted April 20, 1801; appointed +Sergeant August 1, 1862; captured at Bristow October 14, 1863; died in +prison at Point Lookout January 23, 1864. + + +Privates: + +AYERS, HARDY.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; wounded at Ream's Station +August 25, 1864; died since the war. + +AYERS, JAMES.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; discharged, for disability May +12, 1862. + +ARCHER, W. D.--Enlisted June 9, 1861; wounded at Sharpsburg September +17, 1862; killed at Fredericksburg December 13, 1862. + +AYER, HENRY W.--Enlisted May 15, 1863; transferred to Company C, 48th +Regiment, North Carolina troops, March 1, 1864; died since the war. + +BRYAN, WILL L.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal September +21, 1862; died of disease in camp near Fredericksburg December 17, +1862. + +BROWN, PETER M.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; severely wounded at +Sharpsburg September 17, 1862; detailed on Provost Guard February 14, +1864; surrendered at Appomattox Court-House. + +BOON, HENRY M.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; captured at Bristow October 14, +1863. + +BOLING, RICH'D G.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; died of disease in General +Hospital, Richmond, Va., January 10, 1863. + +BROWN, R. D.--Enlisted August 1, 1861; died of disease in hospital, +Petersburg, Va., September 21, 1862. + +BURNSIDES, BENJ. F.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; wounded at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; detailed as teamster during 1863; wounded at 2d +Cold Harbor June 3, 1864. + +BURNSIDES, W. W.--Enlisted July 15th, 1861; discharged under Conscript +Act, May 22d, 1862; rejoined the company April 7th, 1863; wounded at +Bristow October 14th, 1863. + +CAMPBELL, CHAS. A.--Enlisted April 20th, 1861; appointed Corporal April +22, 1862; appointed Sergeant August 1, 1862; promoted to +Orderly-Sergeant November 1, 1862; wounded at Sharpsburg September 17, +1862; elected 2d Lieutenant December 18, 1863; killed at Pole Green +Church, on skirmish-line, June 2, 1864. + +COLLINS, JOHN D.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal April 22, +1862; transferred to the color-guard in May; died of disease in camp at +Drury's Bluff, July 16, 1862. + +CHEELY, ALLISON C.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal August +1, 1862; promoted to Sergeant November 1, 1862; detailed as Chief of +Ambulance Corps, September, 1863; wounded at Ream's Station, August 25, +1864 (arm amputated). + +COBLE, ALFRED F.--Enlisted May 4, 1861; killed at Sharpsburg, September +17, 1862. + +COBLE, ROBERT S.--Enlisted May 4, 1861; died of disease at Frederick +City, September 12, 1862. + +COBLE, HENRY I.--Enlisted February 25, 1862; wounded at Bristow, +October 14, 1863; wounded at Gary's Farm, June 15, 1864. + +CLAPP, WILLIAM C.--Enlisted June 11, 1861; died at his home of disease, +August 8, 1862. + +CLAPP, ISRAEL N.--Enlisted June 11, 1861; discharged (for disability) +May 12, 1862; died since the war. + +COOK, WILLIAM.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; died of disease at Greensboro, +N.C., June 5, 1861. + +CHILCUTT, FRANK G.--Enlisted August 1, 1861; wounded at battle of +Wilderness May 5, 1864; (arm amputated.) + +CRIDER, HENRY.--Enlisted April 12, 1862; killed at Bristow October 14, +1863. + +CRUTCHFIELD, PAUL.--Enlisted June 1, 1862, as a substitute for B. N. +Smith; captured at Sharpsburg September 17, 1862; released in October; +captured again at Bristow October 14, 1863. + +COLTRAIN, JOHN.--Enlisted February 27, 1862; captured at Bristow +October 14, 1863; exchanged and returned to his company June 18, 1864; +killed at Ream's Station August 25, 1864. + +CANNADY, JOHN.--Enlisted February 27, 1862; killed at Bristow October +14, 1863; (a christian, a hero, a friend.) + +COLTRAIN, ROB'T. L.--Enlisted February 27, 1862; discharged +(disability) July 23, 1862. + +CLARK, D. LOGAN.--Enlisted February 27, 1862; discharged (disability) +June, 1862. + +CROWSON, CYRUS M.--Enlisted August 4, 1862; wounded at Bristow October +14, 1863; shot through both legs. + +COLTRAIN, DAN'L B.--Enlisted October 20, 1863; wounded at 2d Cold +Harbor June 3, 1864. + +DONNELL, ROB'T. L.--Enlisted May 4, 1861; wounded and captured at +Sharpsburg September 17, 1862; imprisoned at Chester, Pa., where he +died of his wounds November 6, 1862. + +DAVIS, JAS. C.--Enlisted May 4, 1861; died of disease at Fort Macon +September 8, 1861. + +DENNIS, WILLIAM.--Enlisted July 20, 1862. + +DENNIS, JAMES.--Enlisted July 20, 1802; discharged (disability) May 15, +1863. + +DENNIS, WM. D.--Enlisted June 15, 1801; wounded in the face at Bristow, +October 14, 1863. + +DONNELL, WM. H.--Enlisted February 18, 1864. + +DICK, PRESTON P.--Enlisted March 1, 1864. + +EDWARDS, JAMES T.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; killed at Sharpsburg September +17, 1862. + +EDWARDS, JAS. M.--Enlisted March 4, 1862; killed at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862. + +EDWARDS, DAVID H.--Enlisted June 1, 1861; detailed as courier to +General L. O. B. Branch, May 1, 1862; appointed Regiment-Quartermaster +Sergeant, December 1, 1862; captured at Bristow October 14, 1863. + +FORBIS, H. RUFUS.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; captured at Sharpsburg, +September 17, 1802; exchanged and returned to his company November 25; +appointed Corporal December 20, 1862; wounded at Bristow October 14, +1863; died of his wounds in hospital at Richmond, October 27, 1863. + +FORBIS, H. SMILEY.--Enlisted June 15, 1861; died of disease in +Lynchburg, Va., March 12, 1864. + +GORRELL, HENRY C.--Ensign, with rank of Lieutenant; resigned at Fort +Macon, May, 1861; re-entered the service as Captain; killed near +Richmond in a gallant charge at the head of his company, June 21, 1862. + +GIBSON, RUFUS B.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; captured at Sharpsburg; +exchanged and returned to his company November 25, 1862; appointed +Corporal December 18, 1863; wounded at Bristow; elected 2d Lieutenant +November 9, 1864. + +GREENE, WALTER.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed courier to General +Cooke December, 1862; wounded at Bristow; surrendered at Appomattox +Court-House. + +GRETTER, MIKE.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; acting Commissary Sergeant at +Fort Macon; appointed Brigade Commissary-Sergeant March 18, 1862. + +GRAY, SAM'L E. B.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; wounded at Bristow +October 14, 1863; killed on the lines near Petersburg September 13, +1864. + +GANT, JAS. H.--Enlisted August 1, 1861; died of disease in hospital at +Richmond February 24, 1863. + +GREESON, THOS. R.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; captured at Frederick +City September 11, 1862; returned to his company February 10, 1863; +wounded at Wilderness May 5, 1864. + +HANNER, FRANK A.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; elected 2d Lieutenant Jr., +at reorganization of company, April 22, 1862; promoted to Senior 2d +Lieutenant September 17, 1862; promoted to 1st Lieutenant October 15, +1863; died of disease in hospital at Richmond June 3, 1864. + +HIGGINS, ED. B.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; detailed as musician August 1, +1862. + +HUNT, L. G.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; acted as Surgeon of the company at +Fort Macon; appointed Assistant Surgeon of 27th Regiment, North +Carolina troops, June 13, 1862. + +HOOD, ABE.--Enlisted April, 1861; discharged under conscript act May +22, 1862. + +HANNER, W. D.--Discharged under conscript act May 22, 1862. + +HOPKINS, W.--Discharged under conscript act May 22, 1862. + +HAMPTON, ROBERT F.--Enlisted May 4, 1861; wounded at 2d Cold Harbor, +June 3; 1864; died of wounds. + +HARDIN, JAMES M.--Enlisted June 10, 1861; captured at Sharpsburg, +September 17, 1882; wounded at battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, +1863; detailed as teamster, July 7, 1863; returned to duty April 22d, +1864; wounded at battle of the Wilderness, May 5th, 1864; surrendered +at Appomattox. + +HUNT, W. L. J.--Enlisted September 22, 1862, detailed as pioneer +November 25, 1862; killed at 2d Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864. + +HUNTER, S. A.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; killed at battle of Newberne, +March 14, 1862. + +HUNTER, W. F.--Enlisted June 11, 1861; wounded at Bristow October 14, +1863; died of wounds in hospital at Richmond, November 7, 1863. + +HIATT, SAMUEL S.--Enlisted June 15, 1861; wounded at the Wilderness, +May 5, 1864. + +HALL, JAMES S.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease at +Hardyville, S.C., April 14, 1863; buried in Magnolia Cemetery, +Charleston, S.C. + +HEATH, ROBERT F.--Sent to the company from Camp Holmes, Raleigh, North +Carolina, under bounty act, Aug. 16, 1864. + +HACKETT, JAS.--Sent to the company from Camp Holmes, Raleigh, North +Carolina, under bounty act, August 16, 1864. + +HALL, HUGH A.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease in hospital +at Richmond, September 19, 1862. + +HORNEY, WM. A.--Enlisted May 14, 1861; detailed as nurse in hospital +near Danville, Va.; returned to duty November 22, 1863; appointed clerk +at brigade headquarters, December, 1863; wounded at the Wilderness, May +5, 1863 (leg amputated.) + +ISLEY, LEWIS N.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; wounded at Bristow October +14, 1863; surrendered at Appomattox. + +JONES, R. B.--Discharged under conscript act May 22, 1862. + +KLUTTS, ALFRED W.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal December +18, 1863; wounded at Wilderness May 5, 1864. + +KIRKMAN, NEWTON W.--Enlisted March 1, 1862; killed on the lines in +front of Petersburg September 27, 1864. + +KIRKMAN, FRANK N.--Discharged under conscript act May 22, 1862. + +KELLOGG, HENRY G.--Enlisted August 1, 1861; detailed at Brigade +Commissary Department January, 1863, until January, 1864, when, by +special order, he was detailed in Commissary Department at Salisbury, +N.C., under Capt. A. G. Brenizer. + +LINDSAY, R. HENRY--Enlisted April 20, 1861; transferred to Captain +Evans' Cavalry Company May, 1861; died in camp shortly afterwards. + +LINDSAY, ANDREW D.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed +Ordnance-Sergeant of 27th North Carolina Regiment April 1, 1862; served +as such during the entire war; died since the war. + +LINDSAY, JED H. JR.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal 1861; +appointed Sergeant April 22, 1862; promoted to Orderly-Sergeant +September 22, 1862; appointed Adjutant of 45th North Carolina Regiment +November 1, 1862; died since the war. + +LANE, ISAAC F.--Enlisted May 4, 1861; died of disease at Leesburg, +N.C., February 18, 1863; (his remains were carried to Guilford.) + +LINDSEY, ED. B.--Enlisted June 10, 1861; discharged--under age--by +conscript act May 22, 1862; re-entered the service as Lieutenant in 5th +North Carolina Cavalry Regiment; killed in April, 1865. + +LEMONS, GEO. W.--Enlisted August 1, 1861; captured at Bristow October +14, 1863; surrendered at Appomattox. + +LEMONS, JAS. M.--Enlisted May 1, 1862; died of disease at his home +March 1, 1863. + +LINEBERRY, LOUIS S.--Enlisted August 17, 1862, as a substitute for H. +S. Puryear; wounded at Bristow, October 14, 1863; killed at Wilderness, +May 5, 1864. + +LIPSICOMB, SAMUEL B.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; detailed as musician in +regiment band, August 1, 1862; surrendered at Appomattox. + +LLOYD, THOS. E.--Enlisted January 26, 1863, as a substitute for Samuel +Smith. + +MCKNIGHT, JOHN H.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Sergeant at Fort +Macon; elected 2d Lieutenant, Jr., April 22d, 1862; promoted to 1st +Lieutenant September 17, 1862; killed at Bristow October 14, 1863. + +MCDOWELL, J. W.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; wounded at Bristow October +14, 1863. + +MCADOO, WALTER D.--Enlisted May 4, 1861; wounded at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; transferred to 53d North Carolina Regiment February +16, 1863. + +MCLEAN, ROBERT B.--Enlisted June 11, 1861; wounded at Bristow October +14, 1863; wounded at Wilderness May 5, 1864. + +MCLEAN, SAMUEL F.--Enlisted May 6, 1862; killed at Wilderness May 5, +1864. + +MARSH, JAMES M.--Enlisted June 15, 1861; captured at Bristow October +14, 1863; exchanged and returned to company June 18, 1864. + +MCNAIRY, JOHN W.--Enlisted June 15, 1861; wounded at Bristow October +14, 1863 (leg amputated). + +MCLEAN, JOSEPH E.--Enlisted May 6, 1862; wounded at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; detailed on Ambulance corps July 10, 1863. + +MCLAIN, WM. H.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease at +Winchester, Va., October 24, 1862. + +MCFARLAND, WM. H.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; captured at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862. + +MCCONNELL, DANIEL W.--Enlisted July 4, 1863; appointed Orderly-Sergeant +July 15, 1864; killed at Petersburg August, 1864. + +MAY, LEMUEL--Enlisted February 28, 1862; with the exception of a +furlough for 18 days--January 4, 1864, from Orange C.H.--was never +absent from his post. + +MAY, WILLIAM--Enlisted May 6, 1862; wounded at Bristow October 14, +1863. + +MCQUISTON, JOHN F.--Enlisted June 22, 1863. + +NELSON, JOHN W.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; detailed as teamster; died of +disease in hospital, Charleston, S.C., March 17, 1863. + +ORRELL, JAS. A.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; captured at Bristow October 14, +1863. + +ORRELL, A. LAF'T.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; wounded at Bristow October +14, 1863; transferred to Confederate States Navy March 31, 1864. + +OWEN, WILBUR F.--Enlisted June 11, 1861; captured at Bristow October +14, 1863. + +PORTER, CHAS. E.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; discharged (disability) May +12, 1862; died of disease in Greensboro. + +PEARCE, JAS. R.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; captured at Bristow October +14, 1863. + +PURYEAR, H. S.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; substituted Lineberry August 17, +1862. + +PRATHER, L. L.--Enlisted August 1, 1861; wounded at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; discharged (disability) March 26, 1863. + +POE, WM. E.--Enlisted February 28, 1862. + +PAISLEY, WM. M.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed corporal August 1, +1862; Sergeant September 22, 1862; promoted to Orderly-Sergeant +December 18, 1863; mortally wounded at Gary's farm June 15, 1864; died +of wounds in hospital at Richmond July 13, 1864. + +RANKIN, JOS. W.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; wounded at Bristow October 14, +1863; died of wounds in hospital at Richmond October 24, 1863. + +REID, JOHN W.--Enlisted June 16, 1861; transferred to 48th North +Carolina Regiment; promoted to Lieutenant in Company K December 4, +1862. + +RHODES, THOS. J.--Enlisted June 25, 1861; appointed Corporal, December +17, 1862; Sergeant, February 20, 1864; promoted to Orderly-Sergeant, +September, 1864; surrendered at Appomattox. + +RICKS, PLEAS. A.--Enlisted May 1, 1862, as a substitute for Jno. E. +Wharton; died of disease in hospital at Lynchburg, Va., March 12, 1864. + +SLOAN, GEO. J.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; died of disease at Fort Macon, +July 31, 1861. + +SMITH, JOHN H.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease at +Petersburg, August 8, 1862. + +STERLING, ED. G.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; died of disease in +Greensboro, September 28, 1861. + +STEINER, WM. U.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal June 1861; +Sergeant, April 22, 1862; wounded at Bristow, October 14, 1863; +Recorder for Heth Division Court-Martial; wounded at Ream's Station, +August 25, 1864. + +SWEITZ, EDWARD--Enlisted April 20, 1861, as a substitute for J. H. +Tarpley. + +STRATFORD, C. W.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; appointed Corporal, August 1, +1862; Sergeant, December 18, 1863; wounded at Bristow, October 14, +1863; wounded at Wilderness, May 5, 1864. + +STRATFORD, EMSLEY F.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; wounded at Ream's Station, +October 25, 1864. + +SUMMERS, WM. M.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; wounded at Bristow, October 14, +1863. + +SCOTT, JAS. S.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; wounded at Ream's Station August +25, 1864; wounded on the lines near Burgess' Mills; died of wounds May +6, 1865. + +SILER, JOHN R.--Enlisted July 18, 1862; wounded at Wilderness May 5, +1864. + +STANLEY, ANDY L.--Enlisted June 11, 1861; captured at Bristow, October +14, 1863. (The "Champion Forager" of Cooke's N.C. Brigade.) + +SMITH, RICHARD S.--Enlisted August 8, 1862; wounded at Bristow October +14, 1863; appointed Corporal February 20, 1864. + +SMITH, SAMUEL--Enlisted August 8, 1862; broken down in health he +furnished a substitute in the person of Thomas E. Lloyd January 26, +1863. + +SMITH, B. N.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; substituted Paul Crutchfield +June 6, 1862. + +SMITH, R. LEYTON--Enlisted February 28, 1862; killed at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862. + +STORY, WM. C.--Enlisted June 11, 1861; appointed Corporal March 21, +1863; detailed on Color-guard; complimented in special orders for +gallantry at Bristow; wounded at Spottsylvania Court-House May 10, +1864; appointed Ensign, with rank of Lieutenant, June 1864. + +SEATS, WM.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease at Winchester, +Va., January, 1863. + +SOCKWELL, JOHN T.--Enlisted August 1, 1861; killed at Bristow October +14, 1863. + +SHEPPARD, PAISLEY--Enlisted February 28, 1862; captured at Bristow +October 14, 1863; died while prisoner at Camp Lookout. + +SHULER, EMSLEY F.--Enlisted May 6, 1862; wounded and disabled at +Bristow October 14, 1863. + +SHARPE, E. TONKEY--Enlisted May 7, 1863; detailed as Provost Guard +April 26, 1864; surrendered at Appomattox. + +TATE, ROBERT B.--Enlisted June 11, 1861; wounded at Wilderness May 5, +1864; died of wounds June (?), 1864. + +THOM, JOEL J.--Enlisted May 10, 1862; appointed Corporal June 1, 1864; +appointed Sergeant 1864; surrendered at Appomattox. + +WILEY, JAS. R.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; discharged (disability) +February 7, 1863. + +UNDERWOOD, W. W.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; wounded at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; died of wounds in hospital at Richmond September +29, 1863. + +WHARTON, JOHN E.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; substituted P. A. Ricks May +1, 1861; organized a company soon thereafter and re-entered the service +as Captain in 5th North Carolina Cavalry. + +WORRELL, R. B.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; captured at Bristow October +14, 1863. + +WEATHERLY, ROBERT D.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal +November 1, 1862; appointed Sergeant-Major of 27th North Carolina +Regiment March 27, 1863, mortally wounded at Bristow October 14, 1863; +died of wounds in hospital at Richmond October 24, 1863; buried at +Greensboro, N.C. + +WEIR, SAMUEL PARK--Entered the service as Chaplain of the Grays April +20, 1861; transferred in May, 1862, to take position of Lieutenant in +46th Regiment, North Carolina troops; killed, instantly, at +Fredericksburg December 13, 1862. + +WESTBROOKS, CHAS. W.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; performed the duties of +soldier and Chaplain until December 20, 1862; appointed Corporal August +1, 1862; appointed Chaplain in P.A.C.S.A. January 8, 1864. + +WOODBURN, T. M.--Enlisted June 10, 1861; captured at Bristow October +14, 1863. + +WILSON, JAS. L.--Enlisted July 19, 1861; captured at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; exchanged November 25, 1862; wounded at Wilderness +May 5, 1864. + +WINFREE, W. C.--Enlisted February, 1862; discharged under Conscript Act +May 22, 1862. + +WILLIAMS, WASH. J.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; wounded at Wilderness +May 5, 1864; wounded at Ream's Station August 25, 1864. + +WINBOURNE, STEPH. D.--Enlisted April 28, 1862. + +WOOLEN, GEO. H.--Enlisted April 28, 1862; captured at Bristow, October +14, 1863; died in prison at Point Lookout, September 18, 1864. + +YOUNG, SAM'L. S.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; killed at Sharpsburg, +September 17. 1862. + +BROWN, JOS. E.--Served with the company until June, 1861. + +BROOKS, THOS. D.--Served with the company until June, 1861. + +ROBINSON, SAMUEL--Served with the company until June, 1861. + +ERWIN, FRANK.--Served with the company until June, 1861. + +DUVALL W. G.--Served with the company until June, 1861. + +GREGORY, GEO. H.--Enlisted in 12th Virginia Artillery and served +through the war. + +ALBRIGHT, JAS. W.--Entered the service in May, 1862; served as Ordnance +Officer in 12th Virginia Artillery. + +PRITCHETT, JNO. A.--Resigned as Lieutenant, April 19, 1861, and did not +re-enter the service. + +CAUSEY, W. W.--Did not go into service. + +COLE, JAS. R.--Left his studies at Trinity College, and served with the +company at Fort Macon until June, 1861, when he joined his brother's +cavalry company. + +BOURNE, W. C.--Was Orderly-Sergeant in ante-bellum days resigned at +outbreak of the war. + +KIRKPATRICK, DAVID N.--Did not go into service. + +LAMB, MABEN--Did not go into service. + +MORING, WM. P.--Did not go into service. + +MOREHEAD, JOS. M.--Did not go into service. + +TARPLEY, J. H.--Substituted Ed. Sweitz April 20, 1861. + +FITZER, JOS. H.--Did not enter the service. + +DONNELL, JNO. D.--Did not enter the service. + +HUBER, OTTO--Did not enter the service. + +GUNDLING, DAVID--Did not enter the service. + + + + +BATTLES + + in which the Grays (Company B, 27th North Carolina troops) + participated in from 1861 to 1865. + + + New Berne, N.C. March 14, 1862. + Seven Days' Battles Around Richmond June 26 to July 27, 1862. + Harper's Ferry, Va. September 15, 1862. + Sharpsburg, Md. September 17, 1862. + Fredericksburg, Va. December 13, 1862. + Bristow Station, Va. October 14, 1863. + Mine Run, Va. November 27 to December 3, 1863. + Wilderness, Va. May 5 and 6, 1864. + Graves' Farm, Va. May 10, 1864. + Spottsylvania Court-House, Va. May 12, 1864. + Attlee's Station, Va. May 30, 1864. + Pole Green Church, Va. June 2, 1864. + Cold Harbor (2d), Va. June 3, 1864. + Gary's Farm, Va. June 15, 1864. + Yellow Tavern, Va. August 21, 1864. + Ream's Station, Va. August 25, 1864. + Bellfield, Va. December 9, 1864. + Hatcher's Run, Va. February 5, 1865. + Fort Euliss, Va. March 30 to April 2, 1865. + Sutherland's Tavern, Va. April 2, 1865. + + + + +A Card to the Public. + + +Last May I issued to our people a card in which I stated that it was my +purpose to prepare and publish a work to be entitled: "North Carolina +in the War between the States." I also stated that "the effort will be +made to give, in a connected form, all the events pertaining to the +history of the war, so far as they relate to North Carolina." + +Since the publication of the card, I have been steadily engaged in the +work proposed. Owing to the aid of many friends, and the material +furnished by them, together with the rich supply of documents to be had +here (Washington), and the material which I had already collected +myself, I have been able to make more rapid progress than I anticipated +when I began my undertaking. + +If no unforeseen event occurs, I expect to have the work ready for the +printer in the summer of 1883. + +I again _earnestly_ request all friends who desire to see vindicated +the name and fame of those gallant North Carolinians who aided in our +great struggle for Constitutional freedom, to send me any material they +may have on hand, or any information in their possession which they may +judge would be of interest. + +"Let those who made the history tell it as it was." + + Address-- + JOHN A. SLOAN, + No. 1426 33d Street, + WASHINGTON, D.C. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Reminiscences of the Guilford Grays, +Co. B., 27th N.C. Regiment, by John A. 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B, 27Th N.C. Regiment, +by John A. 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Regiment, by John A. Sloan + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Reminiscences of the Guilford Grays, Co. B., 27th N.C. Regiment + +Author: John A. Sloan + +Release Date: November 7, 2013 [EBook #44124] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GUILFORD GRAYS *** + + + + +Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter"><img width="370" height="550" id="coverpage" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="cover"></div> + +<h1> +REMINISCENCES +<br> +<span class="smaller">OF THE</span> +<br> +<span class="bigger">GUILFORD GRAYS,</span> +<br> +<span class="smaller">CO. B, 27TH N.C. REGIMENT,</span> +</h1> + +<div class="titlepage"> +<br> +<p class="ctr"> +BY JOHN A. SLOAN. +</p> + +<br> +<p class="ctrsmaller"> +WASHINGTON, D.C.:<br> +R. O. POLKINHORN, PRINTER.<br> +1883. +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="med"> + + +<h2> +CONTENTS. +</h2> + +<table summary="Contents"> +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#I">CHAPTER I.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="txt">Organization of the Grays — General Joab Hiatt — Original members —  +Election of Officers — Drill — Arms received — First public parade + — "Jake Causey" — Exercises at Edgeworth — May Queen; presentation +of banner.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#II">CHAPTER II.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="txt">The Greys celebrate Fourth of July — Visit the Orange Guards at +Hillsboro — Dinner and Ball — Celebrate 22d February at Greenboro — The +"boom" of War — Secession of the Gulf States — Correspondence between +Gov. Ellis and Secretary Holt — Organization of the Confederacy at +Montgomery — We celebrate our own Anniversary — Our Visitors — The +Ladies — Feasting and Dancing — "Call" on Gov. Ellis for troops — Ellis' +Response.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#III">CHAPTER III.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="txt">Effect of Lincoln's call for troops — Gov. Ellis convenes the +Legislature — The Greys ordered to report at Goldsboro with three +days rations — Ordered to report at Fort Macon — Ladies' Aid Society + — Political excitement — North Carolina Secedes — New recruits — The +Greys sworn in — Arrival at Fort Macon — Latham's Woodpeckers — Assigned +to the 9th Regiment — Assigned finally to the 27th Regiment — Deaths + — New recruits — Routine duty at the Fort — Sports and Past-times.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">Election of Regimental Officers — Ordered to New Berne — Burnside +approaches — Fleet arrives on the 12th — The morning of the 14th — The +Battle — The retreat — At Kinston — Changes and promotions — Expiration of +enlistments — Regiment reorganized — Grays reorganized as Company B —  +Election of commissioned and non-commissioned officers.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#V">CHAPTER V.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">More recruits — Sam'l Park Weir — Leave North Carolina for Virginia — The +Seven Pines — The seven days fight — Malvern Hill.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="txt">Marching in the rain — From Drury's Bluff to Petersburg — Riddling the +"Daniel Webster" — Shelling McClellan's camp — Ordered to Richmond — At +Rapidan Station — Discharges and deaths — Regimental Band formed — First +Maryland campaign — Across the Potomac — Two Grays captured — Lost in +the woods — Turn up in Loudon County, Va. — At Harper's Ferry — Surrender +of Harper's Ferry.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">Battle of Sharpsburg — The 27th Regiment in the fight — Complimentary +notice by President Davis, Gen. Lee and others — Cook's heroism —  +Casualties — Captain Wm. Adams — Recross the Potomac — Rest at Occoquan + — Election of Officers to fill vacancies — Deaths.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">McClellan moves Southward — Our march through the Valley — At Upperville + — Return to Paris — Cedar Mountain — Col. Cooke promoted — Major J. A. +Gilmer made Colonel — On to Fredericksburg — Incidents on the march —  +Burnside advances — Battle of Fredericksburg — Casualties.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#IX">CHAPTER IX.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">Muster Roll of Grays in December, 1862 — Ordered to Richmond — To +Petersburg — Take cars for North Carolina — At Burgaw — The sweet potato +vine — On to Charleston, S.C. — The Alligators of Pocataligo — In camp +at Coosawhatchie — More deaths — Return to North Carolina — On the old +grounds near Kinston.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#X">CHAPTER X.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">The affair at Bristow Station.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XI">CHAPTER XI.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">The affair at Bristow — Gallant conduct of Color-Guard W. C. Story —  +Losses of the Grays — Lieut. McKnight killed — Sergeant-Major R. D. +Weatherly mortally wounded — The affair a criminal blunder — President +Davis' comments — The surprise at Kelly's Ford — Meade crosses the +Rapidan — Lee advances — Meade's retreat — In winter quarters near +Orange Court-House.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XII">CHAPTER XII.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">Company promotions — Our "Fighting Parson" appointed Chaplain — New +recruits — Transfers — Deaths — Virginia Xmas hospitality — Visited by +Rev. J. H. Smith, of Greensboro.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">Relative strength of the two armies in May — Their respective positions + — The Wilderness — Private Williams receives a wound — Casualties.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">The enemy re-enforced by Burnside's Corps — Heth and Wilcox overpowered + — Critical situation — General Lee charges with the Texas Brigade — Enemy +routed — Longstreet wounded — Night march — Moving towards Spottsylvania +Court-House — Fortifying at Spottsylvania.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XV">CHAPTER XV.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">Barlow's attack upon our left — The little brick church — The enemy's +advance on Ewell at the salient — Gen. Lee exposes himself — Terrific +conflict — Heth's Division moved to the left — The enemy repulsed — Rest +for a few days — Grant's desperate attack on the 18th.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">Grant abandons his plans — Moves towards Bowling Greene — On the road to +Hanover Junction — Weary marches — A. "Georgy" soldier's costume — His +idea of Music and Medicine — Anecdote of General Grant — Grant changes +his tactics — Engagement at Attlee's Station — Brush at Tolopotomy +Creek — Skirmish at Pole — Green Church — Lieut. Campbell mortally +wounded.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">The army at Cold Harbor — Battle at Pharr's farm — Casualties — At Cold +Harbor — Lieut. Frank Hanner's death.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">Marching towards the James — Our Brigade in the Chickahominy Swamps —  +Cavalry skirmish at Hawe's Shops — Sergeant W. M. Paisley mortally +wounded — Ordered to support the cavalry on the 21st. — Fighting under +difficulties — On the lines near Petersburg.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XIX">CHAPTER XIX.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">The Crater — Warren's corps seize the Weldon Railroad — The 27th at +Ream's Station — The Grays lose heavily — Warren holds the railroad.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XX">CHAPTER XX.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">In the trenches before Petersburg — Casualties — The Federals cross +to the north side of the James — Skirmish near Battery No. 45 — At +Hatcher's Run — At Burgess' Mill — In line of battle — Building winter +quarters — On a raid at Bellfield — The enemy in full flight — Grant +creeping up on our lines.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XXI">CHAPTER XXI.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">In winter quarters at Hatcher's Run — A midnight tramp — An affair at +Hare's Hill — Our picket line in the hands of the enemy — Recaptured —  +At Fort Euliss — Our lines broken — The retreat — Fight at Sutherland's +Tavern — Sorely pressed — Reach Deep Creek — Camp near Goode's Bridge + — We celebrate — Reorganization of the regiment — A halt at Amelia +Court-House — Wagon trains attacked and burned — Every man for +himself — Reach Appomattox — In line of battle — Awaiting orders.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XXII">CHAPTER XXII.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">To the reader — The morning of the 9th — Preparations to attack — A flag +of truce — Negotiations between Generals Grant and Lee — The surrender + — The Guilford Grays present at Appomattox — Comrades — Closing scene + — Retrospect.</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="chpt"><a href="#XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII.</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="txt">The names of all who were at any time on our rolls, and a sketch of +the military record of each member — Battles fought.</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<hr class="short"> +<div class="figcenter"><img width="175" height="39" src="images/preface.jpg" alt="Preface"></div> + + + +<p> +I hope no one will think that I aspire to the severe dignity of a +historian in these rambling reminiscences which are to follow. I am +well content to take an humbler part. With the political questions of +the past, with the conduct of politicians and statesmen, with the +skill of military leaders, with the criticism of campaigns, with the +causes and effects of the civil war, I have here no concern, much less +with the personal interests and rivalries of individuals. But for +all this, the writer hopes that these contributions will not be +unfavorably received by those who were actors in the scenes which are +here recalled. He hopes that what is lacking of the general history of +those eventful times will be compensated for in the details touching +the history of the Guilford Grays themselves. +</p> + +<p> +From the period when our company was called into the field by Gov. +Ellis, down to the surrender at Appomattox, the writer kept a record +of those events which came under his own observation, and which he +thought might prove useful and interesting in future time. "<i lang="la">Forsan et haec olim meminisse juvabit.</i>" +</p> + +<p> +These records up to the capture of Newberne were lost, and for this +period of our history I have relied principally upon my memory. From +the battle of Newberne to the final catastrophe, I have accurate notes +of the most important events and incidents in which the Grays +participated and shared. +</p> + +<p> +To the memory of my comrades who fell, and as a testimonial to those +who survive, these reminiscences are dedicated. To the derelict in +duty, if such there may have been, the writer will have naught to say. +Let their names stand forever in the shadows of oblivion. +</p> + +<p class="sig"> +JOHN A. SLOAN. +</p> + + + + +<p class="booktitle"> +REMINISCENCES OF THE GUILFORD GRAYS. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="I"> </a> +CHAPTER I. +</h2> + + +<p> +In the year eighteen hundred and sixty the military spirit was rife in +the South. The clouds were threatening. No one knew what a day would +bring forth. The organization, the equipment and drill of volunteer +companies was, accordingly, the order of the times. The first assembly +to perfect the organization of the Guilford Grays was held in the +court-house in Greensboro, N.C., on the evening of the 9th of +January, 1860. The meeting was presided over by General Joab +Hiatt—now deceased—a favorite and friend of the young men. Gen. +Hiatt won his military laurels as commander of the militia, in the +piping times of peace. Whoever has seen him arrayed in the gorgeous +uniform of a militia brigadier on the field of the general muster +cannot fail to recall his commanding presence. He was the proper man +to fill the chair at our first meeting. James W. Albright (who is +still in the flesh) acted as secretary. The usual committees were +appointed. A constitution and by-laws were drafted and adopted. The +constitution provided for a volunteer company of infantry, to be known +as the Guilford Grays. Each member was required to sign the +constitution and by-laws. The following is a complete list of the +signers, in the order of their signatures: +</p> + +<p> +John A. Sloan, William P. Wilson, Thomas J. Sloan, Jos. M. Morehead, +John Sloan, David Gundling, Henry C. Gorrel, William U. Steiner, Otto +Huber, James R. Pearce, Jas. T. Morehead, Jr., P. B. Taylor, Chas. A. +Campbell, J. H. Tarpley, William Adams, James W. Albright, Maben Lamb, +James Thomas, Edward G. Sterling, Jos. H. Fetzer, William P. Moring, +Wilbur F. Owen, George H. Gregory, David N. Kirkpatrick, Andrew D. +Lindsay, John Donnell, Benjamin G. Graham, W. W. Causey, William L. +Bryan, Chas. E. Porter, John D. Smith, James R. Cole, John H. +McKnight, Jed. H. Lindsay, Jr., W. C. Bourne, John A. Gilmer, Jr., +Samuel B. Jordan. +</p> + +<p> +The foregoing persons signed the constitution and by-laws on the 9th +of January, 1860, when the company was first organized, and are +entitled to the honor of being the "original panel." +</p> + +<p> +The company was organized by the election of the following +commissioned and non-commissioned officers, viz.: +</p> + +<p> +John Sloan, Captain; William Adams, 1st Lieutenant; James T. Morehead, +2d Lieutenant; John A. Pritchett, 3d Lieutenant; Henry C. Gorrell, +Ensign (with rank of Lieutenant); W. C. Bourne, Orderly Sergeant; +William P. Wilson, 2d Sergeant; Samuel B. Jordan, 3d Sergeant; Geo. W. +Howlett, 4th Sergeant; Thos. J. Sloan, Corporal; Benjamin G. Graham, +2d Corporal; George H. Gregory, 3d Corporal; Silas C. Dodson, 4th +Corporal. +</p> + +<p> +The following musicians were selected from the colored troops: +</p> + +<p> +Jake Mebane, fifer; Bob Hargrove, kettle-drummer; Cæsar Lindsay, +base-drummer. +</p> + +<p> +The anniversary of the battle of Guilford Court-House is an honored +day among the people of old Guilford. It was the turning point in the +future of Lord Cornwallis. When the Earl of Chatham heard the defeat +announced in the House of Parliament, he exclaimed: "One more such +victory would ruin the British." This battle was fought by General +Greene on the 15th of March, 1781. On this anniversary, the 15th of +March, 1860, our officers received their commissions from Governor +Ellis. This is the date of our formal organization. +</p> + +<p> +Friday night of each week was set apart for the purpose of drill and +improvement. Our drill-room was in the second story of Tate's old +cotton factory, where we were instructed in the various manœuvers +and evolutions, as then laid down in Scott's tactics. +</p> + +<p> +Early in April we received our arms, consisting of fifty stand of old +flint-and-steel, smooth-bore muskets, a species of ordnance very +effective at the breech. They were supposed to have descended from +1776, and to have been wrested by order of the Governor from the worms +and rust of the Arsenal at Fayettsville. By the first of May we had +received our handsome gray uniforms from Philadelphia. These uniforms, +which we so gaily donned and proudly wore, consisted of a frock coat, +single-breasted, with two rows of State buttons, pants to match, with +black stripe, waist belt of black leather, cross belt of white +webbing, gray cap with pompon. +</p> + +<p> +Our first public parade was a day long to be remembered. It occurred +on the 5th day of May, 1860. The occasion was the coronation of a May +queen in the grove at Edgeworth Female Seminary. The Grays were +invited by the ladies to lend their presence at the celebration, and +it was whispered that we were to be the recipients of a banner. +</p> + +<p> +It will be readily imagined that we were transported with the +anticipation of so joyous a day. We did our best to make ourselves +perfect in the drill and manual—for would not all eyes be upon us? +The day came at last, and at 10 a.m. we assembled in front of the +court-house. The roll was called and no absentees noted. The uniforms +were immaculate, our officers wore the beautiful swords presented to +them by the fair ladies of Greensboro Female College, the musket +barrels and bayonets flashed and gleamed in the glorious May sunshine, +and with high heads in jaunty caps, and with the proud military step, +as we supposed it ought to be, we marched now in single file, and now +in platoons, down the street towards the Edgeworth grounds, keeping +time to the music of "Old Jake," whose "spirit-stirring fife" never +sounded shriller, and whose <em>rainbow-arched</em> legs never bore him +with such grandeur. +</p> + +<p> +When we arrived at our destination, we found the beautiful green +grounds, which were tastefully decorated, already filled with happy +spectators. The young ladies, whose guests we were to be, were formed +in procession, and were awaiting the arrival of the Queen and her +suite. The appearance of this distinguished cortege on the scene was +the signal for the procession to move. +</p> + +<p> +The following was the order of procession: +</p> + +<p> +First. Fourteen of her maids of honor. +</p> + +<p> +Second. Ten Floras, with baskets of flowers, which they scattered in +the pathway. +</p> + +<p> +Third. Sceptre and crown-bearer. +</p> + +<p> +Fourth. The Queen, with Lady Hope and the Archbishop on either side. +</p> + +<p> +Fifth. Two maids of honor. +</p> + +<p> +Sixth. Ten pages. +</p> + +<p> +Seventh. The Military (Grays). +</p> + +<p> +As the Queen advanced to the throne, erected in the centre of the +grove, the young ladies greeted her with the salutation: +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"You are the fairest, and of beauty rarest,</div> +<div>And you our Queen shall be."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +Lady Hope (Miss Mary Arendell) addressed the Queen: +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +"O, maiden fair, with light brown hair!" +</p> + +<p> +The Archbishop (Miss Hennie Erwin) then proceeded to the crowning +ceremony, and Miss Mary Morehead was crowned Queen of May. +</p> + +<p> +After these pleasant and ever-to-be-remembered ceremonies, the Queen +(Miss Mamie) in the name of the ladies of the seminary, presented to +the Grays a handsome silk flag, in the following happy speech: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p> +"In the name of my subjects, the fair donors of Edgeworth, I +present this banner to the Guilford Grays. Feign would we have +it a "banner of peace," and have inscribed upon its graceful +folds "peace on earth and good-will to man;" for our womanly +natures shrink from the horrors of war and bloodshed. But we +have placed upon it the "oak," fit emblem of the firm heroic +spirits over which it is to float. Strength, energy, and decision +mark the character of the sons of Guilford, whuse noble sires +have taught their sons to know but one fear—the fear of doing +wrong."<span class="asterisk"> * * * * * *</span> +</p> +</div> + +<p> +Cadet R. O. Sterling, of the N.C. Military Institute, received the +banner at the hands of the Queen, and, advancing, placed it in the +hands of Ensign H. C. Gorrell, who accepted the trust as follows: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p> +"Most noble Queen, on the part of the Guilford Grays I accept this +beautiful banner, for which I tender the thanks of those whom I +represent. Your majesty calls to remembrance the days of 'Auld +Lang Syne,' when the banners of our country proudly and +triumphantly waved over our own battle-field, and when our +fathers, on the soil of old Guilford, 'struck for their altars and +their fires.' Here, indeed, was fought the great battle of the +South; here was decided the great struggle of the Revolution; here +was achieved the great victory of American over British +generalship; here was evidenced the great military talent and +skill of Nathaniel Greene, the blacksmith boy, whose immortal name +our town bears. +</p> + +<p> +"If any earthly pride be justifiable, are not the sons of Guilford +entitled to entertain it? If any spot on earth be appropriate +for the presentation of a "banner of peace," where will you find +it, if it be not here, five miles from the battle-field of +Martinsville; here at Guilford Court-House in the boro of Nathaniel +Greene; here in the classic grounds of old Edgeworth, surrounded +with beauty and intelligence; in the presence of our wives, our +sisters, and our sweethearts. And who could more appropriately +present this banner than your majesty and her fair subjects? You +are the daughter of a Revolutionary mother to whom we would render +all the honor due— +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>'No braver dames had Sparta,</div> +<div>No nobler matrons Rome.</div> +<div>Then let us laud and honor them,</div> +<div>E'en in their own green homes.'</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +"They have passed from the stage of earthly action, and while we +pay to their memories the grateful tribute of a sigh, we would +again express our thanks to their daughters for this beautiful +banner, and as a token of our gratitude, we, the Guilford Grays, +do here beneath its graceful folds pledge our lives, our fortunes, +and our sacred honor, and swear for them to live, them to love, +and, if need be, for them to die. +</p> + +<p> +"Noble Queen, we render to you, and through you to your subjects, +our hearty, sincere, and lasting thanks for this entertainment; +and to the rulers, in your vast domain, for the privilege of +trespassing upon their provinces which lie under their immediate +supervision. +</p> + +<p> +"In time of war, or in time of peace, in prosperity or adversity, +we would have you ever remember the Guilford Grays—for be assured +your memories will ever be cherished by them." +</p> +</div> + +<p> +This beautiful banner was designed by Dr. D. P. Weir and executed in +Philadelphia—the size is 6 feet by 5, being made of heavy blue silk. +On the one side is a painting in oils, representing the coat-of-arms +of North Carolina encircled by a heavy wreath of oak leaves and +acorns. Above is a spread eagle with scroll containing the motto, "E +Pluribus Unum," a similar scroll below with words, "Greensboro, North +Carolina." The other side, similar in design, except within the wreath +the words, "Presented by the Ladies of Edgeworth Female Seminary, May +5th, 1860;" on the scroll above, "Guilford Grays," and on scroll +below, "Organized March 5th, 1860," all edged with heavy yellow silk +fringe, cord and tassel blue and gold, the staff of ebony, surmounted +with a heavily plated battle axe. This flag is still preserved and in +the writer's possession. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="II"> </a> +CHAPTER II. +</h2> + + +<p> +More than a year in advance of the National Paper, attributed to Mr. +Jefferson, the people of Mecklenburg County declared themselves a free +people and took the lead in throwing off the British yoke. On the 4th +day of July, 1776, the National Declaration, adopting (?) some of the +language of the Mecklenburg convention, "rang out" the glad tidings +"that these United Colonies are, and, of right, ought to be, +<em>free</em> and <em>independent</em> States." +</p> + +<p> +To celebrate the "glorious fourth," the good people of Alamance County +unveiled and dedicated a monument at Alamance church to the memory of +Colonel Arthur Forbis, a gallant officer of the North Carolina troops, +who fell mortally wounded at the battle of Guilford, March 25th, 1781. +By invitation of the committee—Rev. C. H. Wiley and Dr. D. P. +Weir—the Grays participated. Invitations of this kind were never +declined. The day was intensely hot, and the distance from Greensboro +being too far for a march in those days, wagons were furnished for our +transportation. The exercises of the occasion were opened with prayer +by Rev. E. W. Caruthers. He was followed by Gov. John M. Morehead, +who, taking the sword which the brave Forbis had carried while he was +an officer, with it lifted the veil from the monument. The Governor's +remarks were just such as those who knew him would have expected of +him. The exercises were closed by Rev. Samuel Paisley, that venerable +man of God. The Grays, after firing a salute and performing such +duties as were required, returned to Greensboro, having spent an +interesting "fourth." +</p> + +<p> +On the 1st of October, in the same year, we visited by invitation the +Orange Guards, a military organization at Hillsboro, N.C. The +occasion was their fifth anniversary. We took the morning train to +Hillsboro, and in a few hours reached our destination. We found the +Guards at the depot awaiting our arrival. Lieutenant John W. Graham, +on behalf of the Guards, received us with a most cordial welcome. +Lieutenant James T. Morehead, Jr., responded upon the part of the +Grays. We were then escorted to quarters, which were prepared for us, +at the Orange Hotel, where we enjoyed the delicacies, luxuries, and +liquids so bountifully "set out" at this famed hostelry, then presided +over by the genius of Messrs. Hedgpeth and Stroud. In the afternoon we +were escorted to the Hillsboro Military Institute, and gave the young +gentlemen there an opportunity of observing our <em>superior</em> skill, +both in the manual and the evolutions. At night the chivalry and +beauty of "ye ancient borough" assembled in the Odd Fellows' hall to +do us honor at a ball, +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"And then the viols played their best;</div> +<div class="i1">Lamps above and laughs below.</div> +<div>Love me sounded like a jest,</div> +<div class="i1">Fit for yes, or fit for no."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +As Aurora began to paint the East in rosy colors of the dawn, we +boarded the train for home. Some with aching heads, some with aching +hearts. +</p> + +<p> +The Orange Guards were closely and intimately associated with us +during the entire four years of the war. We entered the service about +the same time, at the same place, and served in the same regiment. Our +friendships were there renewed, and many, so many, are the memories +sweet and sad, which we mutually share. Our marches, our wants, our +abundance, our sorrows, and our rejoicings—each and all, they were +common to us both. In love and allegiance to our native State we +marched forth to take our places among her gallant sons, be it for +weal or woe; hand-in-hand together till Appomattox Court-House, we +struggled and endured. There like a vesture no longer for use, we +folded and laid away our tattered and battle-stained banner, to be +kept forever sacred, in the sepulchre of a lost cause. +</p> + +<p> +My diary intimates no occasion for even a "skirmish" until the 22d of +February, 1861, when we again donned the gray to honor the memory of +"George W." and his little hatchet. We were entertained during the day +with an address at the court-house by Jas. A. Long, Esq., on the +all-absorbing <em>question</em> of the times. +</p> + +<p> +The Congress of the United States had assembled as usual in December, +and was at this time in session. The clouds surcharged with sectional +hate and political fanaticism were now lowering over us, and the +distant mutterings of that storm which had been heard so long, and +against which the wise and patriotic had given solemn warning, +foreboded evil times. South Carolina had already, on the 20th of +December, adopted her ordinance of secession; Mississippi on the 9th +of January; Florida followed on the 10th, Alabama on the 11th, Georgia +on the 18th, Louisiana on the 26th, and Texas on the 1st of February. +</p> + +<p> +Events now crowded upon each other with the rapidity of a drama. On +the 10th of January, 1861, Governor Ellis telegraphed Hon. Warren +Winslow of North Carolina, at Washington, to call on General Winfield +Scott and <em>demand</em> of him to know if he had been instructed to +garrison the forts of North Carolina. The Governor stated that he was +informed that it was the purpose of the Administration to coerce the +seceded States, and that troops were already on their way to garrison +the Southern forts. On the 12th, Governor Ellis addressed the +following letter to President Buchanan: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p> +"Your Excellency will pardon me for asking whether the United +States forts in this State will be garrisoned with Federal troops +during your administration. Should I receive assurances that no +troops will be sent to this State prior to the 4th of March next, +then all will be peace and quiet here, and the property of the +United States will be protected as heretofore. If, however, I am +unable to get such assurances, I will not undertake to answer for +the consequences. Believing your Excellency to be desirous of +preserving the peace, I have deemed it my duty to yourself, as +well as to the people of North Carolina, to make the foregoing +inquiry, and to acquaint you with the state of the public mind +here." +</p> +</div> + +<p> +On the 15th day of January, J. Holt, Secretary of War (<em>ad +interim</em>), in behalf of the President, replied as follows: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p> +"It is not his (Buchanan's) purpose to garrison the forts to which +you refer, because he considers them entirely safe under the +shelter of that <em>law-abiding</em> sentiment for which the people +of North Carolina have ever been distinguished." +</p> +</div> + +<p> +The congress of delegates from the seceded States convened at +Montgomery, Alabama, on the 4th of February, 1861, and on the 9th, +Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, was chosen by this body for +President, and Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia, for Vice President +of the Confederate States. On the 18th of February Mr. Davis was +inaugurated and the Provisional Government was instituted. +</p> + +<p> +On the 4th of March, "at the other end of the avenue," Abraham +Lincoln, nominated by a sectional convention, elected by a sectional +vote, and that the vote of a minority of the people, was inducted into +office. +</p> + +<p> +Eager now were the inquiries as to the probabilities of a war between +the sections. Everything was wrapped in the greatest uncertainty. +North Carolina still adhered to the Union. +</p> + +<p> +The anniversary of our company occurring on the 15th of March, which +was now near at hand, we determined to celebrate the occasion. We +accordingly issued invitations to the Rowan Rifles, of Salisbury, the +Blues and Grays, of Danville, Va., and the Orange Guards, of +Hillsboro, to be present with us. The Danville Grays, commanded by +Capt. Claiburne, arrived on the evening of the 14th, the Rowan Rifles, +Capt. McNeely, accompanied by Prof. Neave's brass band, greeted us on +the morning of the 15th; the Orange Guards, Capt. Pride Jones, brought +up the rear a few hours afterwards. Our visiting companies were +welcomed, and the hospitalities of the city extended in an appropriate +address by our then worthy Mayor, A. P. Eckel, Esq. Special addresses +of welcome were made to the Danville companies by John A. Gilmer, Jr.; +to the Rowan Rifles, by Lieut. James T. Morehead, Jr.; and to the +Orange Guards, by Lieut. Wm. Adams. Having formed a battalion, under +the command of Col. R. E. Withers, who had accompanied the Danville +companies, we paraded the streets some hours. We repaired, by +invitation of Prof. Sterling, to the Edgeworth grounds, where we found +a bountiful lunch ready for us, prepared by the hospitable hostess. +From Edgeworth we marched to the college, and passed in review before +the bright eyes and smiling faces of the assembled beauty of that +institution. At night our guests were entertained at a sumptuous +collation in Yates' Hall, prepared by the ladies of our city. After we +had refreshed the inner man, and regaled ourselves at the groaning +tables, we moved, by way of a temporary bridge, constructed from the +third-story window of the Yates building to the large hall in the +Garrett building adjacent. Here, under the soul-stirring music +discoursed by the Salisbury band, the feet began to twinkle and sound +in quadrille, and continued until +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"The jagged, brazen arrows fell</div> +<div>Athwart the feathers of the night."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +On the next day all departed for their homes. Ah! who surmised so soon +to leave them again, and on so different a mission! +</p> + +<p> +We now pass from these holiday reflections, which are germane only to +the introduction of these reminiscences, and arrive at the period when +our <em>law-abiding</em> old State called her sons to arms; when we +pledged our <em>most</em> sacred honor in the cause of freedom, and +willingly made the sacrifice:— +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"All these were men, who knew to count,</div> +<div>Front-faced, the cost of honor—</div> +<div>Nor did shrink from its full payment."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +On Friday, the 12th day of April, 1861, General G. T. Beauregard, then +in command of the provisional forces of the Confederate States at +Charleston, S.C., opened fire upon Fort Sumter. Then, on the 15th, +came the proclamation of Mr. Lincoln, calling for 75,000 troops. As +this levy could only mean war, Virginia determined to cast her lot +with the Confederate States, and, accordingly, on the 17th added +herself to their number. +</p> + +<p> +This proclamation was the out-burst of the storm, and with lightning +speed the current of events rushed on to the desolating war so soon to +ensue. +</p> + +<p> +On the 16th of April, Governor Ellis received from Mr. Cameron, +Secretary of War, the following telegram, viz.: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p class="ralign"> +<span class="sc">War Department</span>, +<br><span class="sc">Washington, D.C.</span>, <em>April 15th, 1861</em>. +</p> + +<p> +<span class="sc">To J. W. Ellis</span>: +</p> + +<p> +Call made on you by to-night's mail for two regiments of military +for immediate service. +</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="sc">Simon Cameron</span>, +<br><em>Secretary of War</em>. +</p> +</div> + +<p> +<em>Governor</em> Ellis immediately telegraphed back the following +reply: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p class="ralign"> +<span class="sc">Executive Department</span>, +<br><span class="sc">Raleigh, N.C.</span>, <em>April 15th, 1861</em>. +</p> + +<p> +<span class="sc">To Simon Cameron</span>, +<br><em>Secretary of War</em>. +</p> + +<p> +<span class="sc">Sir</span>: Your dispatch is received, and if genuine, +which its extraordinary character leads me to doubt, I have to say in +reply, that I regard that levy of troops made by the administration for +the purpose of subjugating the States of the South as in violation of +the Constitution, and as a gross usurpation of power. I can be no party +to this wicked violation of the laws of the country, and to this war +upon the liberties of a free people. <em>You can get no troops from +North Carolina.</em> I will reply more in detail when I receive your +"call." +</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="sc">John W. Ellis</span>, +<br><em>Governor of North Carolina</em>. +</p> +</div> + +<p> +It is to be remarked that as early as the 19th of March, Senator Thos. +L. Clingman had dispatched Gov. Ellis, to wit: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p> +"It is believed that the North Carolina forts will immediately be +garrisoned by Lincoln." +</p> +</div> + + + +<h2> +<a name="III"> </a> +CHAPTER III. +</h2> + + +<p> +Mr. Lincoln's "call" for troops excited indignation and alarm +throughout the South; and "law-abiding" North Carolina had now to +decide what it was her duty to do. +</p> + +<p> +On the 17th of April, Gov. Ellis issued a proclamation convening the +General Assembly to meet in special session on the first day of May. +</p> + +<p> +On the evening of the day of the issuing of the proclamation, Capt. +John Sloan, commanding the Grays, received orders from Gov. Ellis, "to +report with his company, with three days' rations, at Goldsboro, N.C." +This order was countermanded on the following morning, "to report to +Col. C. C. Tew, commanding the garrison at Fort Macon." +</p> + +<p> +In obedience to this order the Guilford Grays, on Friday night, April +18th, 1861, left Greensboro for Fort Macon. Thus the Rubicon was +crossed; thus did North Carolina find herself in armed conflict with +the United States; and thus were the Guilford Grays precipitated in +the contest in which they were to suffer and endure for four long +years. +</p> + +<p> +Our departure was the occasion of different and conflicting emotions. +The Grays, young, ardent, and full of enthusiasm, were the most +light-hearted and happy of all, and marched with as little thought of +coming trouble, as if on the way to some festive entertainment. Not so +with mothers, sisters, and sweethearts—for except our captain, none +of as were married—nature seemed to have granted to these a vision of +the future, which was denied to us, and while they cheered us on with +encouraging words, there was manifest in their expression a deep but +silent under-current of sad forebodings, not unaccompanied with tears. + We marched to the depot with drums beating, and with <em>that</em> flag +flying, which but twelve months before the girls had given us as a +"banner of peace." +</p> + +<p> +Previous to our departure on Friday night the company assembled in the +court-house, when Lieut. John A. Pritchett and Orderly Sergeant W. H. +Bourne, resigned their offices. John A. Gilmer, Jr., was elected to +fill the vacancy of lieutenant, and Wm. P. Wilson that of orderly +sergeant. +</p> + +<p> +The following is the roll of members who left for Fort Macon on the +night mentioned: +</p> + +<p> +John Sloan, Captain; William Adams, 1st Lieutenant; James T. Morehead, +Jr., 2d Lieutenant; John A. Gilmer, Jr., 3d Lieutenant; John E. Logan, +M. D., Surgeon; Henry C. Gorrell, Ensign; William P. Wilson, Orderly +Sergeant; John A. Sloan, 2d Sergeant; Geo. W. Howlett, 3d Sergeant; +Samuel B. Jordan, 4th Sergeant; Thos. J. Sloan, Corporal; Benjamin G. +Graham, 2d Corporal; Edward M. Crowson, 3d Corporal; J. Harper +Lindsay, Jr., 4th Corporal. Privates: Hardy Ayres, James Ayers, +William L. Bryan, Peter M. Brown, John D. Collins, Allison C. Cheely, +Chas. A. Campbell, H. Rufus Forbis, Rufus B. Gibson, Walter Green, +Frank A. Hanner, Alfred W. Klutts, Andrew D. Lindsay, John H. +McKnight, J. W. McDowell, James R. Pearce, Chas. E. Porter, William U. +Steiner, Edw. G. Sterling, John E. Wharton, Richard B. Worrell, Robert +D. Weatherly, Samuel P. Weir, A. Lafayette Orrell, James Gray, Samuel +Robinson, J. Frank Erwin, Joseph E. Brown, Edward Switz, Thos. D. +Brooks, W. G. Duvall. +</p> + +<p> +A few days after our departure, the ladies of Greensboro organized a +committee, consisting of Mrs. D. P. Weir, Mrs. R. G. Sterling, Mrs. T. +M. Jones, Mrs. A. P. Eckel, and Mrs. J. A. Gilmer, to see that we were +supplied with provisions and such clothing as was needful, and nobly +did these blessed ladies—three of whom have since "crossed the River; +resting under the shade on the other side"—perform their work of +love. We were constantly receiving boxes, containing, not only every +comfort, but luxuries and dainties, from this committee, in addition +to those sent us by the dear ones in our private homes. +</p> + +<p> +In the meanwhile our newspapers and politicians were urging immediate +action upon the part of our State. The following quotation from <cite>The +Patriot</cite> of May 2d, 1861, will serve to show the state of public +opinion at that time. <cite>The Patriot</cite> says: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p> +"Our streets are filled with excited crowds, and addresses were +made during the day by Governor Morehead, Hons. R. C. Puryear, +John A. Gilmer, Sr., Rob't. P. Dick, and Thomas Settle. These +speeches all breathed the spirit of resistance to tyrants, and our +people were told that the time had come for North Carolina to make +common cause with her brethren of the South in driving back the +abolition horde." +</p> +</div> + +<p> +On the 20th day of May, 1861 (being the 86th anniversary of the +Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence), North Carolina severed her +relations with the Federal Union, and made "common cause with her +brethren of the South." +</p> + +<p> +During the months of May and June our company received many volunteer +recruits, all, with one or two exceptions, coming from Guilford +County. Below are their names and the dates of their enlistment: +</p> + +<p> +Edward B. Higgins, J. T. Edwards, H. M. Boon, Richard G. Boling, L. G. +Hunt. John W. Nelson, Jas. A. Orrell, Chas. W. Westbrooks, Jos. W. +Rankin, C. W. Stratford, William M. Summers and Jas. S. Scott, on the +first of May. A. F. Coble, R. S. Coble, Robert L. Donnell, Mike +Gretter, G. D. Hines, Robert A. Hampton, Isaac F. Lane, Walter D. +McAdoo, on the 4th, Wash. D. Archer, on the 9th of June. James M. +Hardin, T. M. Woodburn, on the 10th. Wilbur F. Owen, Hal Puryear, +Rob't. B. McLean, Edward B. Lindsay, S. A. Hunter, W. I. L. Hunt, W. +C. Clapp, Israel N. Clapp, Jas. C. Davis, David H. Edwards, W. C. +Story, Andy L. Stanley, Rob't. B. Tate, on the 11th, Jas. M. Marsh on +the 13th, John W. McNairy, H. Smiley Forbis, William Dennis, John W. +Reid on the 15th, Thos. J. Rhodes on the 25th, and on the 19th of +July, Jas. L. Wilson. +</p> + +<p> +A large majority of the members of the Grays were sworn in, some two +months after our arrival at the Fort, as twelve months State troops. +Some few at this time returned to their homes, and others enlisted in +different commands. Ensign H. C. Gorrell returned to Greensboro, +raised a company for active service, was elected its captain, and +assigned to the 2d North Carolina regiment. He was killed June 21st, +1862, while gallantly leading a charge against one of the enemy's +strongholds on the Chickahominy. Our surgeon, Dr. John E. Logan, +remained with us about four months as surgeon of the post. He was then +assigned to the 4th North Carolina Regiment in active service, and, +later during the war, to the 14th North Carolina, where he served as +surgeon until the close of the war. +</p> + +<p> +The war fever had now reached its height, and companies were forming +throughout the State, and rapidly hastening to Virginia, which was +soon to become the theatre of active operations. In the meanwhile, the +seat of government was transferred from Montgomery, Alabama, to +Richmond, Va., where, on the 20th day of July, 1861, the first +Confederate Congress convened. +</p> + +<p> +On our arrival at Fort Macon, on the night of the 20th of April, we +found our old friends, the Orange Guards, also the Goldsboro Rifles +and the Wilson Light Infantry, in quiet possession of the citadel. The +United States garrison, consisting of Sergeant Alexander, supported by +one six-pounder mounted on the inner parapet to herald the rising of +the sun, and the going down of the same, had surrendered on the 11th, +without bloodshed, to Capt. Pender, of Beaufort. The sergeant was +paroled, and allowed to leave the fort with his flag and side-arms. +The ordnance was retained. On the next morning we saw floating from +the flagstaff over the fort the Pine Tree flag, with the rattlesnake +coiled around the base. This was the State flag. About ten days +afterwards for some cause, and by what authority is not known, the +State flag was pulled down and a Confederate flag run up in its place. +North Carolina had not yet seceded, and this was looked upon as an +unwarrantable assumption of command, and some of our company left for +home, but returned when the State afterwards seceded. +</p> + +<p> +A few weeks afterwards our garrison was reinforced by Capt. Latham's +(artillery) "Woodpeckers," from Craven. This command received its very +appropriate nickname from the fact that, when they entered the fort, +they wore very tight-fitting scarlet caps. (This company, with a +detail from the 27th N.C. Regiment, did splendid service at the +battle of Newberne.) +</p> + +<p> +Some time in June we were assigned to the 9th North Carolina regiment; +but, for some reason unknown to us, we were taken from this regiment, +and another company substituted. On the 22d we were placed, with five +other companies, in a battalion, commanded by Col. Geo. B. Singletary. +Our position was retained in this battalion until some time in +September, when we were assigned to the 27th North Carolina regiment, +which was organized with Col. Singletary as Colonel, Capt. John Sloan +(of the Grays) Lieut.-Colonel, and Lieut. Thomas C. Singletary as +Major. Seven companies of this regiment were then in camp near +Newberne, and the remaining three companies—one of which was the +Grays, and designated in the regiment as Company "B"—were on detached +service at Fort Macon, where we remained until the 28th of February, +1862. +</p> + +<p> +Owing to the promotion of Capt. Sloan to the Lieut.-Colonelcy of the +regiment, Lieut. William Adams was elected captain of the Grays and +Sergeant William P. Wilson elected 3d Lieutenant. +</p> + +<p> +Private William Cook died in Greensboro of typhoid fever, on the 5th +of June, having been a member of the company about one month. +</p> + +<p> +On the 31st of July, private George J. Sloan, after severe illness, +died at the fort. +</p> + +<p> +On the 1st of August the following new members enlisted, viz.: Jno. T. +Sockwell, R. D. Brown, Frank G. Chilcutt, George W. Lemons, James H. +Gant, Richard Smith, and L. L. Prather. +</p> + +<p> +Our special employment at the Fort, outside of the military routine, +and to relieve its tedium, was "totin" sand bags. Thad Coleman was our +chief of ordnance, and as the duties of this office were important and +imperative, Sergeant Howlett and Private A. D. Lindsay were detailed +as assistants or aids-de-camp. While waiting the arrival of our +artillery to equip the fort, Capt. Guion, our civil engineer, +instructed our chief of ordnance and his aids to erect embrasures and +traverses, of sand bags, on the parapets. The bags were first tarred, +then filled with sand and carried by the men to the parapets. This +interesting recreation was indulged in during the dog-days of the +hottest August that our boys ever experienced. At the early dawn of +every morning, upon the parapet, with a pair of opera glasses, +intensely scanning the horizon of the deep, deep blue sea, might have +been observed the inclined form of Capt. Guion, on the look-out for a +United States man-of-war. But whether a man-of-war or the +"idly-flapping" sail of some crab hunter hove in sight, the order for +more sand bags was placed on file at the ordnance department. We built +traverses day after day. We pulled them down and built them up again, +exactly as they were before. At length the raw material, of bag, +failed, and Sergeant-aid-de-camp Howlett was dispatched under sealed +orders to Greensboro on some mysterious errand. We employed our +leisure time which we now enjoyed (thanks to the bag failure and the +mysterious errand of Sergeant Howlett), in citing delinquents to +appear before a court-martial of High Privates, which we now +organized. Among the culprits were Sergeant Howlett and private +Summers. It had transpired that Sergeant Howlett's mysterious errand +had been to fill a requisition, made by Capt. Guion and approved by +Lieut. Coleman, chief of ordnance, for a Grover and Baker sewing +machine (extra size) to be employed in the furtherance of the tarred +sand-bag business. The prisoner was tried, convicted, and sentenced to +change his sleeping quarters to No. 14½. This casemate was occupied +by Harper Lindsay, Ed. Higgins, Tom. Sloan, Jim. Pearce, and McDowell. +Any man was entitled to all the sleep he could get in these quarters. +</p> + +<p> +Private Summers, who had obtained leave to visit home on what he +represented as <em>urgent</em> business, was also arraigned in due form. +The charges and specifications amounted substantially to this, that he +went home to see his sweetheart. He was permitted by the Court to +defend with counsel. "Long" Coble appeared for him, and in his +eloquent appeal for mercy—in which his legs and arms played the +principal part of the argument—he compared the prisoner to a little +ship, which had sailed past her proper anchorage at home and cast her +lines at a neighbor's house. The evidence being circumstantial he was +acquitted, but was ever known afterwards as "Little Ship" Summers. He +served faithfully during the entire war; has anchored <em>properly</em> +since, and the little "crafts" around his happy home indicate that he +has laid the keels for a navy. +</p> + +<p> +Running the "blockade" to Beaufort was another favorite amusement. The +popular and sable boatman for this "secret service" was Cæsar Manson. +Cæsar's knowledge of the waters of the sound was full and accurate, +and his pilotage around the "pint o' marsh" was unerring. Privates +McDowell, Jim Pearce, and Ed Higgins employed Cæsar a dark, rainy +night on one of these secret expeditions to Beaufort. Owing to the fog +on the sound and the <em>fog</em> in the boat, the return of the party +was delayed till late in the night. The faithful sentinel, Mike Wood +(of the Goldsboro Rifles), being on post at the wharf that night, and +this fact being known to prudent Cæsar, he steered for the creek to +avoid him. As these festive revellers were wading ashore, Mike, +hearing the splashing in the water, sung out, "who comes there!" +receiving no reply, he cocked his gun, and became very emphatic. +Pearce, knowing that Mike would shoot, answered very <em>fluently</em>, +while in the water to his waist, "don't you shoot me, Mike Wood, I am +coming in as fast as I can." Mike escorted the party to head quarters, +and they performed some one else's guard duty for several days. +</p> + +<p> +We must not forget to mention our genial commissary, Capt. King, and +his courteous assistant, Mike Gretter, of the Grays. "Billy" King and +his little cosey quarters were just outside the fort, and so +convenient of a cold frosty morning, to call upon him and interview +his <em>vial</em> of distilled fruit, hid away in the corner. <em>Vive le +Roi, Billie.</em> +</p> + +<p> +On the 8th of September, private James Davis died at the fort. +</p> + +<p> +On September the 28th, private Ed. Sterling, who was absent on +furlough, died at his home in Greensboro, N.C. +</p> + +<p> +On the 25th of October, the U.S. Steamer "Union" was wrecked off +Bogue Banks near the fort. Her crew was brought to the fort and +confined there for a short time. What is of more interest was, that we +received valuable stores from the wreck, among others, elegant hair +mattresses, which now took the place of our shucks and straw. +</p> + +<p> +These days at the fort were our halcyon days, as the dark hours were +to us yet unborn. The war had been so far a mere frolic. In the +radiant sunshine of the moment, it was the amusing phase of the +situation, not the tragic, that impressed us. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="IV"> </a> +CHAPTER IV. +</h2> + + +<p> +On the 7th of November, Lieut.-Col. John Sloan was ordered to report +for duty, to his regiment at Newberne. Some time in December Col. +George Singletary resigned and Lieut.-Col. John Sloan was elected +colonel of the regiment; Maj. T. C. Singletary was elected +Lieutenant-Colonel, and Lieut. John A. Gilmer, of the Grays—who had +been acting as adjutant of the regiment at Newberne—was elected +Major. The promotion of Lieut. Gilmer made a vacancy in the offices of +our company, and Sergeant John A. Sloan—at the time sergeant-major of +the fort—was elected to fill it. +</p> + +<p> +On the 28th of February, 1862, we were ordered to join our regiment +then encamped at Fort Lane, on the Neuse River, below Newberne, North +Carolina. About mid-day we filed through the sally-port and bade a +long and sad farewell to Fort Macon. We were transported by boat to +Morehead City, and thence by rail to Newberne. We arrived at Fort Lane +late in the evening, and in the pouring rain, marched to our quarters. +Our position in camp was assigned us, and we began to make ourselves +comfortable in our new home. We had much baggage, more than would have +been allowed an entire corps a year afterwards. Every private had a +trunk, and every mess a cooking-stove, to speak nothing of the extras +of the officers. All this portable property we turned over to Gen. +Burnside, later in the season, for want of convenient transportation. +</p> + +<p> +We had scarcely made ourselves snug in our winter quarters when we +learned that a large land and naval force, conjoined under command of +Gen. Burnside, was approaching Newberne. The fleet arrived in Neuse +River on the 12th of March, and the land forces were in our front on +the following day. On the night of the 13th we left our quarters and +moved down the south bank of the Neuse a short distance, where we were +placed in line of battle, in entrenchments which had previously been +constructed under the orders of Gen. L. O. B. Branch, commanding our +forces—our regiment being the extreme left of the lines, and resting +upon the river. The morning of the 14th broke raw and cold, the fog +was so dense that we could not see fifty yards beyond our works. As +soon as it lifted, a skirmish began upon the right of our lines +between the opposing pickets. About the same time the gunboats, which +were creeping slowly up the river, began to shell the woods. Under +cover of this random firing the land forces advanced. Our pickets +along the entire line were rapidly driven in, and the battle of +Newberne began. It is not my purpose here to venture a description of +this engagement or to make any remarks by way of criticism. +</p> + +<p> +After repeated attacks, the right of the Confederate lines gave way, +which exposed our portion of the lines to an enfilade fire; the enemy +took immediate advantage of their success, and were now endeavoring to +turn our flank and get in our rear. We were ordered to fall back a +short distance, and made a stand a few hundred yards to the rear in +the woods. Meanwhile the guns in Fort Lane had been silenced by the +shots from the enemy's fleet; this gave the boats an unobstructed +passage to Newberne. Had they succeeded in reaching Newberne ahead of +us, they would have destroyed the bridges and thus cut off our +retreat, and forced a surrender of our entire command. Under these new +and trying circumstances, a devil-may-care retreat was ordered, with +instructions to reform at the depot in Newberne. We stood not upon the +order of going but "went," rivaling in speed the celerity of the famed +North Carolina militia at the battle of Guilford Court-House. +</p> + +<p> +Before leaving our entrenchments, private S. H. Hunter was struck by a +fragment of shell, which had exploded near us, and killed. This was +the only casualty in our company and the first. Poor Hunter was struck +on the head and rendered unconscious. He was carried from the field +and brought with us to Kinston in an ambulance, but died on the way. +His remains were conveyed under escort to Greensboro. Sergeant Samuel +B. Jordan was captured on the retreat. He was exchanged and paroled +afterwards, but his term of enlistment having expired, he did not +again enlist. +</p> + +<p> +The company, or at least a portion of it, reformed at the depot in +Newberne. From here we continued our retreat unmolested to Kinston, +where we arrived at a late hour in the night. +</p> + +<p> +While at the depot in Newberne a special train was ordered for the +transportation of the sick and wounded. Some few others apparently +healthy and able-bodied, but constitutionally exhausted, sought +shelter on this train. Among these was my <em>body-guard</em> "Bill," +who, with prudential forecast, had secured a berth early in the action +and "held his ground" until the train reached Greensboro. Bill says he +simply went home to inform "mar's" Robert that "mar's" John was safe +and "untouched." He returned in due season and enlisted with me +"durin" the war, was faithful to the end, and is part of our history. +</p> + +<p> +We remained in and around Kinston performing picket duty on the roads +leading toward Newberne until the 22d of March. About the 25th we +changed our camp to "Black-jack," and on the 29th we moved to +Southwest Church. +</p> + +<p> +The muster-roll of our company at this period contained one hundred +and twenty names, but of this number, owing to the measles, +whooping-cough, itch, and other "diseases dire," only seventy-three +were reported for duty. +</p> + +<p> +On the 18th of March, Mike Gretter was detached and appointed brigade +commissary sergeant, in which position he served during the entire +war. On the 1st of April, A. D. Lindsay—a graduate of the sand-bag +department of Fort Macon—was appointed Ordnance Sergeant of our +regiment. About the 20th of April, our 1st Lieutenant, James T. +Morehead, Jr., resigned, to accept the position of captain in the 45th +North Carolina regiment. He was afterwards elected lieutenant-colonel +of the 53d regiment, and after the death of Col. Owens, was promoted +to the colonelcy. Colonel Morehead was wounded at Spottsylvania +Court-House, Gettysburg, and Hares' Hill, at which latter place he was +made a prisoner in a gallant charge of his command, and was held until +after the war. +</p> + +<p> +Private John W. Nelson was detailed as permanent teamster to +regimental quarter-master, some time in April, and acted as such until +the 17th of March, 1863, when he died in the hospital at Charleston, +S. C. +</p> + +<p> +The expiration of the term of enlistment of the twelve months' men was +now near at hand; and to provide measures to levy new troops, and to +hold those already in the field, President Davis was authorized by an +act of Congress "to call out and place in the military service for +three years all white male residents between the ages of 18 and 35 +years, and to continue those already in the field until three years +from the date of enlistment, but those under 18 years and over 35 were +to remain 90 days." Under this act our company lost privates R. B. +Jones, W. D. Hanner, W. Hopkins, W. C. Winfree, and W. Burnsides, all +of whom were over 35 years of age. W. Burnsides rejoined us in April, +1863. Private John E. Wharton substituted P. A. Ricks on the 1st of +May, and returned to Guilford, where he raised a company and +re-entered the service as its commandant. Private Ed. Lindsey, who +left us, being under 18 years of age, was made a lieutenant in Capt. +Wharton's company. Ed. was killed in the month of April 1865. +</p> + +<p> +On the 16th of April, the 27th North Carolina regiment reorganized. +Major John R. Cooke, who was at that time chief of artillery on Gen. +Holmes' staff, was elected colonel, R. W. Singletary re-elected +lieutenant-colonel, and John A. Gilmer, Jr., re-elected major. The +regiment was then assigned to Gen. Robert Ransom's Brigade, under +whose command we remained until the 1st of June. +</p> + +<p> +On the 22d of April, our company reorganized as company "B." William +Adams was re-elected captain, John A. Sloan was elected 1st +lieutenant, John H. McKnight 2d lieutenant, and Frank A. Hanner, 2d +lieutenant junior; Benjamin G. Graham was appointed orderly sergeant, +Samuel B. Jordan (still prisoner) 2d sergeant, Thos. J. Sloan, 3d +sergeant, George W. Howlett, 4th sergeant, Will U. Steiner, 5th +sergeant, Ed B. Crowson, 1st corporal, Jed H. Lindsay, Jr., 2d +corporal, John D. Collins, 3d corporal, and Chas. A. Campbell, 4th +corporal. Lieutenant W. P. Wilson declined re-election in the company +to accept the position of adjutant of the regiment, tendered him by +Col. Cooke, which office he filled with much credit to himself and +regiment. He died in Greensboro on March 3d, 1863, after a severe +illness. +</p> + +<p> +From the 4th to the 7th of May, we assisted in tearing up and +destroying the A. & N.C. Railroad from Kinston to Core Creek. We made +up our minds if Burnside pursued us again, he should come slowly, and +on foot. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="V"> </a> +CHAPTER V. +</h2> + + +<p> +From February to the tenth of May, the following men had joined our +company: Benjamin Burnsides, Henry Coble, R. L. Coltrain, John +Coltrain, D. L. Clark, John Cannady, W. W. Underwood, Jas. Hall, Jas. +R. Wiley, Hugh Hall, Wash. Williams, Lewis N. Isley, Stephen D. +Winbourne, W. W. McLean, Geo. H. Woolen, Wm. McFarland, Sam'l Young, +Lemuel May, Thos. L. Greeson, Rasper Poe, B. N. Smith, J. M. Edwards, +John H. Smith, R. L. Smith, Wm. Seats, Paisley Sheppard, Newton +Kirkman, James Lemons, Wm. Horney, Silas C. Dodson (rejoined), Jas. E. +McLean, Wm. May, S. F. McLean, E. F. Shuler, and J. J. Thom. +</p> + +<p> +Samuel Park Weir, who had acted as chaplain to our company, in +connection with his duties as a private soldier, was transferred, in +May, to the 46th North Carolina regiment, to accept the office of +Lieutenant in one of the companies of that regiment. When the war +commenced, Sam was at the Theological Seminary in Columbia, S.C. +Leaving his studies, he shouldered his musket and entered the ranks of +the Grays in April, 1861. At the battle of Fredericksburg, Dec. 13th, +1862, as his regiment was passing in our rear, at the foot of Marye's +Hill, Sam halted a moment to speak to Col. Gilmer, who had been +wounded as we were moving into our position, and was advising him to +leave the field. While thus conversing with the colonel and the +writer, he was struck by a minie-ball, and instantly killed, falling +lifeless at our feet. His remains were carried to Greensboro, and +buried in the Presbyterian burying-grounds. +</p> + +<p> +On the front line, he crossed the silent stream, leaving behind him +the fragrant memory of a name engraven to remain in the affections of +his comrades, and an example of modesty, purity, courage, and devotion +to principle unsurpassed. He sleeps the sleep of the blessed, and no +spot of earth contains a more gallant soldier, a truer patriot, or a +more faithful and sincere friend— +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"Sleep, soldier! Still, in honored rest,</div> +<div class="i1">Your truth and valor wearing:</div> +<div>The bravest are the tenderest—</div> +<div class="i1">The loving are the daring."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +On the 31st of May we folded our tents, made our preparations for a +hasty adieu to North Carolina, and left Kinston for the seat of war in +Virginia. We reached Richmond about one o'clock on the first of June. +As we neared the city, we could hear distinctly the guns of the battle +of Seven Pines, and as soon as we reached the depot, we were ordered +to the battle-field. We were marched rapidly through Richmond, all +anxious to take part in the battle now raging. Before we arrived on +the field, the fight had been fought and won, and our services were +not called for. +</p> + +<p> +On the following day we were assigned to Gen. J. G. Walker's brigade, +and ordered into camp at Drury's Bluff, where we remained, +constructing fortifications, until the latter part of June. While in +camp here, B. N. Smith substituted Paul Crutchfield. Dr. L. G. Hunt, +acting surgeon of our company, was appointed assistant surgeon of the +regiment. "Gwyn," with his amiable and handsome hospital steward, C. +M. Parks, of the Orange Guards, continued to prescribe "them thar +pills" until the war ended. +</p> + +<p> +On the 27th of June, 1862, the memorable "Seven Days' Fight" around +Richmond began. The Grays formed a portion of the reserve under Gen. +Holmes, and were marched from battle-field to battle-field, receiving +the shells of the enemy, and acting as targets for their sharp +shooters. On the 29th, Gen. Holmes crossed from the south side of the +James River, and on the 30th, being re-enforced by Gen. Wise's +brigade, moved down the river road with a view to gain, near to +Malvern Hill, a position which would command the supposed route of +McClellan's retreating army. We were posted on this road at New +Market, which was supposed to be the route McClellan would pursue in +his retreat to the James. Our generals and their guides, being +ignorant of the country, subsequently learned there was another road +running by the Willis church which would better serve the purpose of +the retreating foe, and we were moved to a position on this road. Here +we remained under the fire of the enemy's gun-boats, whose huge, +shrieking shells crashing through the trees and bursting in our midst, +inspired a degree of terror not justified by their effectiveness. The +dust created by our march gave the enemy a knowledge of our position, +and caused the gun-boats to open this heavy fire upon us. Instead of +finding the enemy a straggling mass, as had been reported, they were +entrenched between West's house and Malvern Hill, commanding our +position with an open field between us. +</p> + +<p> +General Holmes' artillery opened fire upon the enemy's infantry, which +immediately gave way, and simultaneously their batteries, of +twenty-five or thirty guns, and their gun-boats made a cross-fire upon +us. Their force, both in infantry and artillery, being vastly superior +to ours, any attempt upon our part to make an assault being considered +worse than useless, we were withdrawn at night-fall. The enemy kept up +their cannonading until after dark. +</p> + +<p> +On the 1st of July, late in the afternoon, line of battle was formed +and orders were issued for a general advance at a given signal, and +the bloody battle of Malvern Hill began. Several determined efforts +were made to storm Crews Hill; "brigades advanced bravely across the +open field raked by the fire of a hundred cannon and the muskets of +large bodies of infantry. Some were broken and gave way; others +approached close to the guns, driving back the infantry, compelling +the advance batteries to retire to escape capture and mingling their +dead with those of the enemy. For want of co-operation the assaults of +the attacking columns were too weak to break the enemy's line, and +after struggling gallantly, sustaining and inflicting great loss, they +were compelled successively to retire. The firing continued until +after 9 p.m., but no decided result was gained. At the cessation of +firing several fragments of different commands were lying down and +holding their ground within a short distance of the enemy's line, and +as soon as the fighting ceased an informal truce was established by +common consent. Parties from both armies, with lanterns and litters, +wandered over the field seeking for the wounded, whose groans could +not fail to move with pity the hearts of friends and foe." McClellan +withdrew with his army during the night, and hastily retreated to +Harrison's landing on the James. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="VI"> </a> +CHAPTER VI. +</h2> + + +<p> +Early on the next morning the rain began to fall in torrents, and +continued for forty-eight hours, rendering the roads almost +impassable. It was reported that the enemy were crossing the James, +and we were ordered back to our camp near Drury's Bluff. About +sun-down we commenced our weary and hard march. Our men were worn out +by continuous marching and loss of sleep, still we plodded along, +reaching our camp, 17 miles distant, about 3 o'clock in the morning +thoroughly drenched. Col. Cooke had gone ahead of us, and having +aroused the men left in charge of the camp, had great blazing fires in +front of our tents awaiting our arrival. +</p> + +<p> +On the 6th, we left Drury's Bluff and marched to Petersburg, spending +a day there; on the morning of the 8th we were ordered to Fort +Powhatan on the James below City Point. About daylight on the morning +of the 11th we were placed in ambush on a high bluff on the river with +instructions to fire into any vessel that might attempt to pass. We +had not been long in our position when a transport called the "Daniel +Webster" was spied approaching us. When she steamed up opposite us, +the batteries which had accompanied us let loose the "dogs of war," +and riddled her cabins and hull. She floated off down the river +disabled, but we had no means of knowing what damage we had done to +the crew. Very soon the gun-boats below opened fire upon us, and, for +a mile below, the woods and banks of the river were alive with shot +and shell. We withdrew our artillery and made a similar attempt the +next day, but found no game. +</p> + +<p> +We returned to Petersburg and remained in camp there until the 19th of +August, picketing up and down the James River. +</p> + +<p> +On the 31st of July we were sent down the river as support to the +artillery which had been ordered to Coggins' Point to shell McClellan's +camp. On the night of the 1st of August we had about fifty pieces of +our artillery in position; we could not show ourselves in the daytime, +as the enemy had their balloons up and could almost see the "promised +land" around Richmond. About 2 o'clock in the morning we opened fire +upon McClellan's camp on the opposite bank of the river. His camp fires +and the lights from the shipping in the river formed a grand panorama. +After a few shots from our artillery, these lights quickly disappeared. +We kept up a constant fire for several hours, withdrew, and at daylight +took up the line of march for Petersburg. After we had retired far out +of reach of their guns, the enemy opened the valves of their ordnance +and belched forth sounds infernal, but their gunpowder and iron was all +wasted upon imaginary forces. +</p> + +<p> +On the 20th of August we were ordered to Richmond, remaining there, +at Camp Lee, until the 26th, when we boarded the train for Rapidan +Station, on the Orange & Alexandria Railroad. We remained in camp at +this point until the 1st of September. +</p> + +<p> +Sergeant Geo. W. Howlett, being disabled for service in the field on +account of his eyes, left us on the 23d of July. Private R. L. +Coltrain was discharged by surgeon's certificate about the same time. +Corporal John D. Collins, on detail as one of the color-guard—and +who, in the absence of the regular color-guard of the regiment, had +carried our flag in the battles around Richmond—died of typhoid +fever, while we were encamped at Drury's Bluff. On the 8th of August, +private W. C. Clapp died at his home, and private John H. Smith at the +hospital in Petersburg. On the 17th, Hal Puryear substituted a most +excellent soldier in the person of Louis Lineberry. About this time a +regimental band was formed, and the Grays furnished as their quota: +Ed. B. Higgins, Samuel Lipsicomb, and Thomas J. Sloan; each of whom +became excellent "tooters." +</p> + +<p> +After the series of engagements at Bull Run and on the Plains of +Manassas, the condition of Maryland encouraged the belief that the +presence of our army would excite some active demonstration upon the +part of her people, and that a military success would regain Maryland. +Under these considerations, it was decided by our leaders to cross +the army of Northern Virginia into Western Maryland, and then, by +threatening Pennsylvania, to induce the Federal army to withdraw from +our territory to protect their own. +</p> + +<p> +Gen. J. G. Walker, our brigadier—now in command of the division—ordered +us from our camp at Rapidan Station, on the morning of September 1st, +and we set out with the army of Northern Virginia on what is termed +the "first Maryland campaign." Our first day's march halted us at +Warrenton. On the 4th, we reached the battle-field of Manassas, finding +many of the enemy's dead still unburied, from the engagement a few days +previous. On the 5th, we passed through the villages of Haymarket and +New Baltimore, and rested at Leesburg on the evening of the 6th. +McClellan was ignorant of Lee's plans, and his army remained in close +vicinity to the lines of fortifications around Washington, until the +sixth. Early next morning (Sunday), we forded the Potomac at Noland's +Ferry, and were occupying the shores of "My Maryland." Our band struck +up the "tune," but the citizens we came in contact with did not seem +disposed to "come." We had evidently crossed at the wrong ford. On the +next day, the 8th, we arrived at a small place called Buckettown, where +we rested until the morning of the ninth. About 10 o'clock, we reached +Frederick city; here we found the main army, and our division was +assigned to Gen. Longstreet's corps. In a skirmish with the enemy's +cavalry, near the city, Jas. A. Orrell and Thos. R. Greeson were +captured. +</p> + +<p> +On the night of the 9th, we, in company with our division, were +quietly marched to the mouth of the Monocacy river to destroy the +aqueduct. We were tramping all night and accomplished nothing; the +manœuver, as it afterward appeared, was but a feint to draw the +attention of the enemy away from the movements of "Stonewall's" corps, +then marching on Harper's Ferry. About daylight next morning we found +ourselves again in the vicinity of Buckettown; we proceeded some 5 +miles further, where we formed a line of battle, and rested on our +arms in this position all day in full view of the enemy, who were +posted on the hills beyond us, and to the east of Buckettown. As soon +as night came, we started off hurriedly in the direction of Frederick; +having gone in this course some three miles we countermarched and took +the road for Point of Rocks on the Potomac. Just as day was breaking, +on the morning of the 12th, after a rapid march, we reached Point of +Rocks and recrossed the Potomac. We were completely bewildered as to +our course, and no one seemed to know what all this manœuvering +would lead to. During the day, we ascertained we were on the road +leading to Harper's Ferry, but our course was so repeatedly changed +that we had but this consolation, that "if we did not know where we +were, or where we were going, the Yankees didn't, for the Devil +himself could not keep track of us." At night we reached Hillsboro, in +Loudon County. Va., and camped near there. On the 13th, we were in the +vicinity of Harper's Ferry, and at night took possession of Loudon +Heights, on the east side of the Shenandoah, and were in readiness to +open fire upon Harper's Ferry. General McLaws had been ordered to +seize Maryland Heights, on the north side of the Potomac, opposite +Harper's Ferry. Finding them in possession of the enemy, he assailed +their works and carried them; they retreated to Harper's Ferry, and on +the 14th, its investment by our forces was complete. As soon as we +gained our position, which was accomplished by a circuitous route up +the steep and ragged mountain, the enemy in and around Harper's Ferry +opened fire upon us from their batteries. Owing to the extreme +elevation, most of their shells fell short; a few burst over us, but +did no damage. The batteries attached to our division were carried by +hand to the top of the Heights, and placed in position. Early on the +morning of the 15th, the attack upon the garrison began. Stonewall +Jackson's batteries opened fire from Bolivar Heights, in conjunction +with ours and the artillery on Maryland Heights; in about two hours, +"by the grace of God," as Jackson had foretold, the garrison, +consisting of 11,000 men, surrendered. Seventy-three pieces of +artillery, 13,000 small arms, and a large quantity of military stores +fell into our hands. +</p> + +<p> +On the night of the 15th we made our descent from the Heights, crossed +the mountain and resumed our march. About midday of the 16th we +reached Shepherdstown, crossed the Potomac and went into camp near +Sharpsburg, Maryland. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="VII"> </a> +CHAPTER VII. +</h2> + + +<p> +On the morning of the 17th of September, just before day-break, we +were aroused from our slumbers and moved to a position in line of +battle on the extreme right of the Confederate lines. At early dawn +the enemy opened their artillery from both sides of the Antietam, the +heaviest fire being directed against our left. Under cover of this +fire a large force of infantry attacked Gen. Jackson's division, and +for some time the conflict raged with fury and alternate success. Gen. +Early, in command of Ewell's division, was sent to their support, when +Jackson's division was withdrawn, its ammunition being nearly +exhausted. The battle was now renewed with great violence, and the +troops of McLaws and J. G. Walker were brought from the right. With +these re-enforcements Gen. Early attacked resolutely the large force +opposed to him, and drove them back in some confusion beyond the +position our troops had occupied at the beginning of the engagement. +This attack upon our left was speedily followed by one in heavy force +on the centre, and our regiment was double-quicked one and a half +miles to near the centre, and placed in line about one mile to the +left of the town of Sharpsburg. +</p> + +<p> +The gallant and conspicuous part which the 27th regiment took in the +fight, Capt. Graham, of the Orange Guards, describes graphically as +follows: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p> +"Forming in a corn-field we advanced under a heavy fire of grape +and canister at a quick step up a little rise and halted at a rail +fence, our right considerably advanced. After holding this +position for half an hour or more our front was changed so as to +be on a line with the other troops. In the meantime we had +suffered heavily, and I think had inflicted equally as much +damage. [On this first advance Capt. Adams was shot down.] About 1 +o'clock the enemy having retired behind the hill upon which they +were posted, and none appearing within range in our front, Col. +Cooke ordered us to fall back some twenty steps in the corn and +lie down so as to draw them on; he, in the meantime, regardless of +personal danger from sharpshooters, remained at the fence beside a +small tree. After remaining there some 20 minutes, the enemy +attempted to sneak up a section of artillery to the little woods +upon our left. Colonel Cooke, watching the movement, ordered the +four left companies of our regiment up to the fence and directed +them to fire upon this artillery. At the first fire, before they +had gotten into position, nearly every horse and more than half +the men fell, and the infantry line which had moved up to support +them showed evident signs of wavering. Col. Cooke seeing this, and +having received orders to charge if opportunity offered, +immediately ordered a charge. Without waiting a second word of +command we leaped the fence and 'made at them,' and soon we had +captured three guns and had the troops opposed to us in full +retreat. A battery posted near a little brick church upon a hill +to our left was playing sad havoc with us, but supposing that +would be taken by the troops upon our left—who we concluded were +charging with us—we still pursued the flying foe. Numbers of them +surrendered to us and they were ordered to the rear. We pushed on +and soon wheeled to the right, drove down their line, giving them +all the while an enfilade fire, and succeeded in breaking six +regiments who fled in confusion. After pushing on this way for a +while we found ourselves opposed by a large body of troops behind +a stone wall in a corn-field. Stopping to contend with these, we +found that we were almost out of ammunition. Owing to this fact, +and not being supported in our charge, we were ordered to fall +back to our original position. This of course was done at +double-quick. As we returned we experienced the perfidy of those +who had previously surrendered to us, and whom we had not taken +time to disarm. They, seeing that we were not supported, attempted +to form a line in our rear, and in a few minutes would have done +so. As it was we had to pass between two fires: a part of the +troops having been thrown back to oppose our movement on their +flank, and these supposed prisoners having formed on the other +side. A bloody lane indeed it proved to us. Many a brave man lost +his life in that retreat. At some points the lines were not sixty +yards distant on either side. Arriving at our original position, +we halted and reformed behind the rail fence. We opened fire with +the few remaining cartridges we had left and soon checked the +advance of the enemy, who did not come beyond the line which they +occupied in the morning. In a short while all our ammunition was +exhausted. Courier after courier was sent after ammunition, but +none was received. Four or five times during the afternoon, +couriers came from Gen. Longstreet, telling Col. Cooke to hold his +position at all hazards, 'as it was the key to the whole line.' +Cooke's reply was, 'tell Gen. Longstreet to send me some +ammunition. I have not a cartridge in my command, but I will hold +my position at the point of the bayonet.'" +</p> +</div> + +<p> +Mr. Davis, in his history, says: "<em>Col. Cooke, with the 27th +North Carolina regiment, stood boldly in line without a +cartridge.</em>" +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p> +"About 5 o'clock in the afternoon we were relieved, and moved to +the rear about one mile. After resting half an hour and getting +fresh ammunition, we were again marched to the front, and placed in +line in the rear of the troops who had relieved us. Here we were +subjected to a severe shelling, but had no chance to return the +fire. After nightfall we rejoined our division on the left, and +with them bivouaced upon the battle-field." +</p> +</div> + +<p> +General R. E. Lee, in his report of this battle, makes complimentary +mention of our regiment, and says, further, "this battle was fought by +less than forty thousand men on our side, all of whom had undergone +the greatest labors and hardships in the field and on the march. +Nothing could surpass the determined valor with which they met the +large army of the enemy, fully supplied and equipped, and the result +reflected the highest credit on the officers and men engaged." +</p> + +<p> +General McClellan, in his official report, states that he had in +action in the battle 87,184 men of all arms. Lee's entire strength was +35,255. "These 35,000 Confederates were the very flower of the army of +northern Virginia, who, with indomitable courage and inflexible +tenacity, wrestled for the mastery in the ratio of one to three of +their adversaries; at times it appeared as if disaster was inevitable, +but succor never failed, and night found Lee's lines unbroken and his +army still defiant. The drawn battle of Sharpsburg was as forcible an +illustration of southern valor and determination as was furnished +during the whole period of the war, when the great disparity in +numbers between the two armies is considered. +</p> + +<p> +The Grays went into this battle with 32 men, rank and file. Capt. +William Adams, privates Jas. E. Edwards, A. F. Coble, James M. +Edwards, R. Leyton Smith and Samuel Young were killed on the field. +Privates Peter M. Brown, Benjamin Burnsides and Robert L. Donnell were +badly wounded and fell into the hands of the enemy. R. L. Donnell died +of his wounds at Chester, Pa., November 6th, 1862. Privates W. D. +Archer, Walter D. McAdoo, J. E. McLean, Samuel F. McLean, L. L. +Prather and W. W. Underwood were wounded and sent to the hospital. W. +W. Underwood died of his wounds September 29th, 1862. Privates Paul +Crutchfield, H. Rufus Forbis, Rufus B. Gibson, James M. Hardin, James +L. Wilson and William McFarland were exchanged and returned to their +company the following November, except McFarland, who was reported +dead. +</p> + +<p> +On account of the forced and continuous march from Rapidan, many of +our men from sheer exhaustion and sickness were compelled to fall out +of ranks, among them some of the best soldiers in the company. +</p> + +<p> +Captain Adams, as before stated, fell early in the action. He was +carried from the field and buried in the cemetery at Shepherdstown. +His remains were afterwards removed and interred in the cemetery at +Greensboro. He was a brave and gallant officer, and fell front-faced +with his armor on. The other members of the company who were killed, +wrapped in their martial garb, sleep in some unknown grave, on the +spot where they fell, amid the carnage and gore of the battle-field: +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"Whether unknown or known to fame—</div> +<div>Their cause and country still the same—</div> +<div class="i1">They died, and wore the gray."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +On the 18th we occupied the position of the preceding day. Our ranks +were increased during the day, and our general forces were augmented +by the arrival of troops; but our army was in no condition to take the +offensive, and the army of McClellan had been too severely handled to +justify a renewal of the attack, consequently the day passed without +any hostile demonstrations. During the night our army was withdrawn +from Sharpsburg, and at day-break on the morning of the 19th we +recrossed the Potomac at Shepherdstown. After fording the river, we +halted a short distance on the hills near by, and were engaged in +drying our clothing and making a breakfast from our scanty rations of +pop-corn and hard tack, when a force of the enemy, (Porter's corps,) +who had the temerity to cross the river in pursuit, made their +appearance. Gen. A. P. Hill, in charge of the rear guard of the army, +met them, made a charge upon them and drove them into the river. In +his report of this engagement he says: "The broad surface of the +Potomac was blue with the floating bodies of our foe. But few escaped +to tell the tale. By their own account they lost three thousand men, +killed and drowned. Some two hundred prisoners were taken." +</p> + +<p> +The condition of our troops now demanding repose, we were ordered to +the Occoquan, near Martinsburg. On our march another attempt to harass +our rear was reported, and we were sent back to the vicinity of +Shepherdstown; finding "all quiet on the Potomac," the march was again +resumed at night, and on the 21st we went into camp near Martinsburg. +After spending a few days here we were moved to the neighborhood of +Bunker Hill and Winchester, and remained in camp until the 23d of +October. +</p> + +<p> +On the 22d of September, while in camp near Martinsburg, the Grays +proceeded to fill the offices made vacant by the battle of the 17th. +Lieut. J. A. Sloan was promoted to captain; 2d Lieut. McKnight to 1st +Lieutenant; Frank A. Hanner to 2d Lieutenant; and Sergeant B. G. +Graham to junior 2d Lieutenant. J. Harper Lindsay was appointed +orderly sergeant. Corporals Wm. M. Paisley and A. C. Cheely were made +Sergeants. Privates R. D. Weatherly, Thos. J. Rhodes and H. Rufus +Forbis were appointed corporals. +</p> + +<p> +On the 8th of September, private R. D. Brown died at the hospital in +Petersburg, Va.; on the 12th, private R. L. Coble, at Frederick City, +Md.; on the 19th, Hugh Hall in hospital at Richmond; and on the 24th, +privates Wm. Seats and Wm. H. McLean died in hospital at Winchester, +Va. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="VIII"> </a> +CHAPTER VIII. +</h2> + + +<p> +About the middle of October, McClellan moved his army across the +Potomac, east of the Blue Ridge, and bent his course southward. Later +in the month, he began to incline eastwardly from the mountains, and +finally concentrated his forces in the neighborhood of Warrenton, +Virginia. On the 7th of November he was relieved of the command of the +army of the Potomac, and Gen. Burnside, "under Federal dispensation," +became his successor. The indications were that Fredericksburg was +again to be occupied. Gen. Lee, with his usual foresight, divining his +purpose, promptly made such disposition as was necessary to forestall +him. McLaw's and Ransom's divisions were ordered to proceed at once to +that city. +</p> + +<p> +On the morning of the 23d we broke up our camp at Winchester, and +after a long but pleasant day's march, reached the vicinity of +Millwood; from thence we journeyed on to Paris, in Loudon County. Our +march through this Arcadia of Virginia, with its picturesque scenery, +and along those splendid and wonderful turnpikes, as they stretched +out before us, formed a panorama never to be forgotten. The giant +hills stood around like sentinels wrapped in their everlasting +silence; behind these, still bolder hills, and again behind these, the +blueness of the distant mountains. The day was glad with the golden +brightness of an October sun, and as I gazed upon these mountains, +clothed in their autumnal beauty, and in their everlasting fixity of +repose, I could but contrast this grandeur and silence with the too +recent scenes of blood and tumult upon the hills of Antietam. How +brief, how insignificant is man's existence! Encamped so high above +the world filled us with a sense of exaltation and awe. Fires were +soon lighted, and the men, weary with marching, wrapped in their +blankets, stretched themselves upon the ground to sleep, perchance to +dream of firesides in distant homes where— +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"Belike sad eyes with tearful strain,</div> +<div class="i1">Gazed northward very wistfully</div> +<div>For him that ne'er would come again."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +The next morning broke cold and threatening. We resumed our march and +had proceeded but a few miles when the rain began to fall. Later in +the day it came down in torrents, and the wind was blowing gales. +About dark, in the midst of this storm, we were halted in a large +hickory grove on the side of the Blue Ridge, near the small village of +Upperville. Our men comprehended the situation at once, and, though +thoroughly drenched and chilled, soon had their axes ringing in the +forest, and large log fires were ablaze over the camp. The storm +continued with fury all night, to sleep was impossible, and we were +forced to pass the most disagreeable night we had ever experienced. +</p> + +<p> +On the 29th we retraced our steps to Paris. On the following morning, +acting as an escort to a foraging party, we proceeded to Middleboro. +At night we returned to camp, rich in wagon loads of corn and +provender, also securing a large lot of fine beeves. On the next day, +leaving Paris, we moved by way of Salem in the direction of Culpepper +Court-House, which place we reached on the 2d of November, and +remained there until the 4th. Sergeant Harper Lindsay, while here, +accepted the position of adjutant of the 45th North Carolina regiment, +and Sergeant Chas. Campbell was promoted to orderly sergeant in his +stead. +</p> + +<p> +On the night of the 4th, after a tiresome day's march, we went into +camp on the top of Cedar Mountain. We were halted on a bleak and +barren hill with no fuel within our reach. Col. Cooke, under the +circumstances, suspended "special orders" in reference to destroying +private property, and gave the men permission to burn the rails from +the fences near by. For this necessary disobedience some spiteful +person reported him and he was placed in arrest, from which he was +released next day without a court martial. After our company had made +its fires and were busy trying to make a supper from their scanty +rations, I strolled over to Cooke's headquarters and found him sitting +moodily over <em>his</em> fire of <em>rails</em>. We began to discuss the +officers of the brigade, and while he was idly turning a splinter he +held in his fingers, it fell from his hand and stuck upright in the +ground. He turned quickly to me, slapped me on the back and laughingly +said: "John, that is an omen of good luck." I surmised to what he had +reference—a probability of his promotion had been whispered—and +replied, I did not take much stock in splinters, but I hoped in this +instance the omen might be realized. In a few moments, several men +from the regiment, with their canteens, passed near us and one of +them, a lank, lean soldier, inquired of Cooke if he could tell him +where the spring of water was. With some irritability in his tone he +replied, "<em>No</em>, go hunt for it." The thirsty questioner, possibly +recognizing him, made no reply, but turned away thinking, no doubt, +under other circumstances, he would have answered him differently. The +soldier had gone but a short distance when Cooke called him back, +apologized for his hasty speech and indifference, and informed him +kindly where he could find the water. +</p> + +<p> +Not many days afterwards the splinter omen was interpreted, and Col. +John E. Cooke, of the 27th North Carolina regiment (though junior +colonel of the brigade), was promoted for gallantry to brigadier +general, and assigned to the command of Gen. J. G. Walker's brigade, +who was transferred to the Mississippi department. I have introduced +these incidents, merely to illustrate the noble traits of character of +this gallant and courteous gentleman and soldier, who was acknowledged +by Gen. Lee himself to be <em>the</em> brigadier of his army. Of his +services with his North Carolina brigade history already leaves him +a record. He is a man of chivalric courage, and possesses that +magnanimity of heart which ever wins the affections of a soldier. He +was beloved by his entire command. A truer sword was not drawn in +defence of the South and her cause, and a more untarnished blade never +returned to its scabbard when the unhappy conflict was over. +</p> + +<p> +Upon the promotion of Col. Cooke—Lieut.-Col. Singletary having +resigned on account of wounds—Major John A. Gilmer was promoted to +Colonel, Capt. George F. Whitefield, of Company C, to Lieutenant-Colonel, +and Capt. Jos. C. Webb, of the Orange Guards, to Major. The brigades +in our division were also changed, and under the reassignment of +regiments, Cooke's command consisted entirely of North Carolina troops, +and was <em>well known</em> in Lee's army as "<em>Cooke's North Carolina +Brigade</em>." +</p> + +<p> +On the 8th of November we were moved to Madison Court-House, where we +remained until the 18th. About the 15th the army of the Potomac was +reported in motion, and their gun-boats and transports had entered +Aquia Creek in their "on to Fredericksburg." On the morning of the +18th, our division received marching orders, and we also set out for +Fredericksburg. The weather was very cold, and our march was made +through rain and sleet; the ground was frozen, and some of our men +being barefooted, their feet cut by the ice, left their bloody tracks +along the route. The men, under all these hardships and exposures, +were in excellent spirits, and no one escaped their gibes and jokes. +Every few miles, growing in the corner of the fences and in the old +field, the persimmon tree ever dear to a North Carolinian's soul +appeared, and immediately discipline was forgotten, ranks broken, and +the tree besieged. Sam Hiatt once remarked that the green persimmon +was invaluable to an ordinary soldier, as a few of them would always +draw his stomach to the proportions suited to a Confederate ration. On +long marches the brigades marched by turns to the front. On one +occasion, while we were seated on both sides of the road waiting for +the rear brigades to pass to the front, a young and clever officer of +our command, who had assiduously cultivated his upper lip, and by the +aid of various tonsorial applications made pretense of possessing a +mustache, stepped out into the middle of the road and commenced, as is +usual with beginners, to toy with his hairs; presently a rough +specimen of a soldier came trotting along astride of a pack mule, and +as he neared the officer he halted his steed with a loud and long +"whoa!" Leaning forward, with a quizzical look, he politely but firmly +requested the officer "to please remove that mustache from the main +highway and allow him and his mule to pass." [The mustache was +<em>raze-rd</em> at Fredericksburg.] +</p> + +<p> +On the 23d we reached the vicinity of Fredericksburg, and employed +the interval—before the advance made by the enemy on the 11th of +December—in strengthening our line, which reached from the +Rappahannock, about one mile above Fredericksburg, along the hills in +rear of that city to the Richmond & Fredericksburg Railroad. +</p> + +<p> +About 11 o'clock on the morning of the 13th, Burnside, "whose turn +it now was to wrestle with General Lee," massed his forces under cover +of the houses of Fredericksburg and moved forward with his grand +divisions to seize Marye's and Willis' Hills— +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="i4">"With a hundred thousand men</div> +<div class="i4">For the Rebel slaughter-pen,</div> +<div>And the blessed Union flag a-flying o'er him."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +At the foot of Marye's Hill ran the Telegraph Road along which, for +some four hundred yards, is a stone revetment. On the crest of the +hill, at intervals, in pits, were posted nine guns of the Washington +artillery, under Col. Walton. Three regiments of Cobb's brigade and +commanded by him, were in position behind this stone wall at the foot +of the hill. Some two hundred yards in a ravine, and immediately +behind the Washington artillery, lay our (Cooke's) brigade. About one +o'clock all the guns on Stafford Heights were directed against our +guns on Marye's Hill, endeavoring to draw their fire so as to cover +the advance of their infantry. Our artillery, instead of replying, +remained silent until their infantry had deployed, when they poured a +storm of canister into them. French's division came first, and they +were swept away before the deployment was completed. The battle now +lulled for some twenty minutes, when the enemy "entered the ring" with +Hancock to the front. +</p> + +<p> +About this time our brigade was moved to the crest of the hill. The +46th, 48th and 15th regiments were halted on the hill on the line of +the batteries, while our regiment (27th), in the midst of a terrific +fire, passed rapidly through the Washington artillery, and +double-quicked down the steep incline into the Telegraph Road and +joined in the fire. During our advance Col. Gilmer was severely +wounded in the leg, but succeeded in reaching the foot of the hill. +</p> + +<p> +Hancock was repulsed with terrible slaughter. Gen. Cobb had been +previously killed, and Gen. Kershaw now took command of the troops in +the road. After we had reached our position behind the stone wall, +Gen. Cooke received a severe wound in the head and was carried from +the field. The command of the brigade now devolved upon Col. Hall of +the 46th regiment, who moved his and the other regiments of the +brigade into the Telegraph Road. The enemy now made his third effort, +when Howard's and Sturgis' and Getty's divisions advanced bravely to +the desperate work assigned them. We took heavy toll from their +columns, and, like their predecessors, they fell back in confusion. +Lastly came the sixth and final assault by Humphrey's division, of +Hooker's corps, and charge it did, as game as death. They, too, had to +bite the dust, and their broken and shattered columns fled in disorder +to the city, leaving the field strewn with their slain. +</p> + +<p> +About 9 o'clock we threw forward our pickets and, in the darkness, +many of their raw recruits came into our lines, their guns and +accoutrements perfectly new; some of them had not fired a shot and +could scarcely tell their nativity. +</p> + +<p> +We remained in line of battle during the night, expecting and hoping +for a renewal of the assault on the next day. The 14th (Sunday) came, +however, and went away without a renewal. On the 15th we were moved a +few hundred yards farther to our left, and remained in this position +until the morning of the 16th, when it was discovered that the enemy, +availing himself of the darkness of the night, had recrossed the +river. +</p> + +<p> +"A river has always been considered a good line of defence by most +writers on the art of war, provided certain principles be observed in +defending. When Napoleon crossed the Danube, in 1809, in the presence +of the Archduke Charles, who was a good general, he was forced to +retreat to the islands of Lobau and Enzersdorf, after the bloody days +of Essling. Had not the Archduke assumed the offensive so +<em>vigorously</em>, the Emperor's loss would not have been so great, +and he could have remained on the left bank." This later "Essling" +army was fairly and terribly beaten, forced to recross the river, +after great loss of life and labor, and was spared (thanks to his +bridges and darkness of the night) utter annihilation. +</p> + +<p> +Burnside testified, before the committee on the conduct of the war, +that he had, in round numbers, one hundred thousand men, all of whom +were engaged in this battle, and that he failed because it was found +impossible to get the men up to the works; that the Confederates' fire +was too hot for them. Of Lee's forces, only about twenty thousand men +were actively engaged. The casualties in our company, owing to the +protection afforded us by the stone wall behind which we were posted, +were comparatively few. Private William D. Archer, a splendid specimen +of a soldier, was killed; Privates James M. Hardin severely, and Frank +G. Chilcutt slightly, wounded. On the 16th, we were removed to near +Hamilton's Crossing, and remained in camp there until the 3d day of +January, 1863. While here, some of our officers and men were in +demand, and Lieut. B. G. Graham was detailed as brigade ordnance +officer. Silas C. Dodson was appointed clerk in the commissary +department under Major Hays, and David H. Edwards, quartermaster-sergeant. +On the 4th of December, Private John W. Reid was transferred to the +48th North Carolina regiment, having been elected to the position of +lieutenant in one of its companies. On the 17th, Corporal Will L. +Bryan, having contracted a severe cold on the march from Madison +Court-House, died in camp. Private Thos. J. Rhodes was appointed +corporal in his stead. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="IX"> </a> +CHAPTER IX. +</h2> + + +<p> +The muster-roll of the Grays, in camp near Fredericksburg, numbered, +on the 31st day of December, for duty, two commissioned officers, four +sergeants, four corporals, and thirty-eight privates; on detached +service, six privates; sick (present), three privates; sick and +wounded (absent) twenty-three privates; total present and absent, rank +and file, eighty-nine. +</p> + +<p> +On the third of January, 1863, we were ordered to hold ourselves in +readiness to march, and about 10 o'clock we were on the road leading +towards Richmond. The first day's march found us encamped on the +Telegraph Road, 15 miles from Fredericksburg. We arrived at Richmond +on the 6th, passed through the city, and made camp on the Richmond & +Petersburg turnpike. The following day we registered at Petersburg, +camping just outside of the city limits, and remaining there until the +14th. Next morning (15th) we boarded the cars for North Carolina, and +reached the city of Goldsboro on the evening cf the 16th—being our +first visit to the State since our summary expulsion from Newberne by +Burnside. +</p> + +<p> +The 19th found us on the outskirts of the straggling little village of +Kenansville; thence onward, we marched through a sparsely-settled +country to South Washington, where we remained until the 1st of +February. From South Washington, we moved about 7 miles eastward to +the scattered town of Burgaw, where we remained until the 20th. +</p> + +<p> +It was here at Burgaw that our foot-sore and weary boys found realized +those blissful dreams which sometimes hover over the hard couch of a +soldier and lure him into the fable land of unknown joys from which he +hears +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +"The horns of Elfland faintly blowing." +</p> + +<p> +It was here that we found the sweet potato, the perfectly cultured +sweet potato, as it only grows and ripens in that portion of eastern +North Carolina. Imagine, if you can, the solid comfort—after the many +hardships and adventures of the bustling year of 1862—it would afford +a native Carolina "Cornfed," to be able to sit down under his own +pines +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"An' hear among their furry boughs</div> +<div>The baskin' West wind purr contented,"</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +and occupy his leisure moments in roasting a genuine yam. There were +no armed blue-coats here, like little Miss Muffet's spider, to +frighten us away. We were in a land untouched as yet by the foot of +war; no war-dog had bayed here—it was still the domain of ancient +peace; and the little villages slept in the hollows of the pine-clad +hills, or perched in security upon the uplands. It was also at that +delightful season of the year when the women and children were no +longer vexed with the cares of agricultural pursuits. The sweet potato +crop had been dug, the virgin dip had been scooped out of the last +box, and nothing now remained but to enjoy in peace the products of +honest industry. +</p> + +<p> +On the night of the 20th we left these plaintive pines, marched to +Wilmington, and were soon aboard of the cars destined for Charleston, +S.C. About mid-day of the 22d—after slight detentions at Marion +Court-House and Florence—we arrived at the depot in Charleston. +While here awaiting orders—the men remaining upon the open flat +cars—several impudent and inquisitive idlers, necessary adjuncts to +every depot, gathered around us. Among them happened to be a +well-dressed, dapper fellow, in his home-guard-suit-of-gray and +snow-white "b'iled" shirt. Being of an inquisitive nature, and seeking +information, he had the rashness to address Jim Pearce, and inquire of +him: "<em>Whose command? Where are you stationed, sir?</em>" Jim, who +was sitting on the edge of the car, idly dangling his feet, seemed to +"take him in" at once, and rising to the dignity of a full-fledged +veteran, replied (very feelingly): "<em>Stationed! Stationed, sir! +Stationed, the H—l-fire!</em> We have chased and been chased by the +Yankees from beyond the shores of Maryland to this city, and we are +<em>still</em> on the wing!" As the cars moved off, Jim gave him a +quizzical lookout of his left eye, smiled, and faintly whispered +"stationed?" +</p> + +<p> +It is a peculiar trait of the faculty of memory that it is very prone +to gather up the "unconsidered trifles of life," and to let slip many +of its apparently more important events. But my reader must remember +that war is not all tragedy,—that there are smiles as well as tears +in the drama. +</p> + +<p> +The evening of the 23d found us at Pocataligo, a small railway station +on the Charleston & Savannah Railroad. Remaining here a few days, we +next located at Coosawhatchie, another depot, eight miles away, and +about sixty miles from Charleston. Having an ample supply of tents, we +laid out a regular camp; with no battle to fight, and very light +picket duty to perform, we passed a quiet and pleasant time, until the +23d of April. The country around Coosawhatchie is low and marshy; the +lakes and streams abound with alligators; the forests of live-oak, +shrouded and festooned with a gray moss, present a weird and +picturesque appearance; the products are rice, pinders, and grits; the +pasturage is confined to a few lean, lank cattle, called by the +natives "high-walk." We relied upon the markets of Charleston and +Savannah for our commissary stores, and the morning train rarely +failed to bring us fresh shad. Our provident surgeon had a good supply +of wet groceries, which sustained our <em>sick</em>, and our stay in +South Carolina wore pleasantly, having no special fighting to do. +</p> + +<p> +While in camp at Coosawhatchie, the writer and a comrade (Maj. Webb) +mounted our horses one bright Sunday morning to enjoy the charming +beauty of the day, and the invigorating influences of the sea air. +After riding for about two hours over the level country with its +monotonous aspect, we came suddenly and unexpectedly upon one of those +charming country seats, which were once the pride and delight of the +landed proprietor. The mansion, situated upon a gentle elevation, was +of old-time construction with the wide hall, large rooms and broad +staircases, and colonade of immense pillars supporting the roof of the +front porch. It was embowered in thick clusters of live oaks which +stood round in a kind of outer park, while the inner park was composed +of terraces covered with flowers and shrubbery, while thickets of rose +gardens seemed to stretch in every direction. An aged negro was the +only living being about the place. He told us that the place was +called "Roseland;" that old massa was dead; that the two boys were in +the army, and that Miss Minnie was at school in Raleigh, N.C. +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"A merry place, 'tis said, in days of yore:</div> +<div>But something ails it now."—</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +Vandal hands had done their accustomed work. The beautiful grounds +were sadly disfigured; the shrubbery was broken down; the crops and +forage had been gathered by alien hands, and only the poor ghost +remained of this once peaceful and happy home. +</p> + +<p> +During our encampment in South Carolina, we were notified of the death +of private R. G. Boling, at hospital in Richmond. Jas. H. Gant died on +the 18th of February; about the same time, Isaac F. Lane died at +Leesburg, N.C.; his remains were carried to Guilford. On the 1st of +March, James M. Lemons died at his home. On the 14th of April, Jas. S. +Hall died in hospital at Hardyville, S.C., and was buried in the +cemetery at Charleston. +</p> + +<p> +Private Sam Smith, unfit for active service, substituted Jas. E. +Lloyd, and private Jas. R. Wiley was discharged upon surgeon's +certificate on the 7th of February. +</p> + +<p> +On the 27th of March, corporal R. D. Weatherly was promoted to +sergeant-major of the regiment, and private William C. Story was +appointed corporal in his stead. +</p> + +<p> +On the 23d of April, we received orders to return to North Carolina. +We left Coosawhatchie the same day, arrived at Charleston, S.C., the +following day, and on the 25th reached Wilmington, N.C. We remained +in camp near Wilmington until the 5th of May, when we moved to +Magnolia. Remaining here a few days, we were moved to Goldsboro; from +here we were ordered to our old tramping-grounds near Kinston, where +we arrived on the 16th. Meanwhile, a detachment of the enemy from +Newberne, on a raiding expedition, had encountered General Ransom's +brigade near Gum Swamp. General Ransom undertook to drive them within +their lines, and made a feint upon Newberne. We formed a portion of +the troops engaged in this expedition, and succeeded in driving the +enemy within their lines, and destroying the block-houses they had +made for their defence. We gained nothing by this tramping, except a +few cases of malarial fever, occasioned by our swamp-wading. With the +exception of an occasional skirmish with the enemy's cavalry on +Batchelor's Creek, there is nothing worthy of mention during our +encampment in the vicinity of Kinston. We remained here until the 5th +of June, when once more we received orders to proceed to Virginia. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="X"> </a> +CHAPTER X. +</h2> + + +<p> +In the latter part of April, 1863, the Army of the Potomac, under the +command of Major-General Hooker, occupied its position in front of +Fredericksburg. Here he constructed a formidable line of earthworks; +from which secure position, he purposed to move on General Lee's +flank. With this view, he crossed the Rappahannock and took position +at Chancellorsville. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile, General Lee, watching him, was entrenched on the line of +hills south of the Rappahannock, near Fredericksburg. +</p> + +<p> +On the 2d of May, these two confronting armies met each other, and +commenced the memorable engagements of Chancellorsville. "On this +field the star of Confederate destiny reached its zenith, when the +immortal Jackson fell wounded at the head of his victorious troops; it +began to set on the 10th of May, when Jackson was no more." +</p> + +<p> +General Lee, deeming the true policy now to take the aggressive, at +once set to work to manœuver so as to draw Hooker's army from +Fredericksburg, and remove hostilities beyond the Potomac. +</p> + +<p> +In pursuance of this design, our army—now reorganized into three +corps, respectively commanded by Lieutenant-Generals Longstreet, +Ewell, and A. P. Hill—early in June moved northward, with the view of +marching into Maryland and Pennsylvania. On our arrival at Richmond, +on the 6th of June, we were assigned to Heth's division of A. P. +Hill's corps—which corps still occupied the lines in front of +Fredericksburg, the corps of Ewell and Longstreet having advanced as +far as Culpepper Court-House. On the night of the 13th, Hooker retired +from his position, and on the 14th the corps of A. P. Hill left for +the valley. At the urgent request of General Elzey, in command at +Richmond, our brigade (Cooke's) was retained there, and Davis' +Mississippi brigade was assigned to Heth's division in our stead; +through which circumstance, we failed to participate in the +Pennsylvania campaign and to share in the fatal battle of Gettysburg. +</p> + +<p> +On the 9th of June we were sent to the South Anna bridge, on the +Virginia Central road, to repel a threatened attack from the enemy's +cavalry. Remaining here until the 11th, we returned to Richmond, and +were ordered to Chapin's Bluff, on the James. John F. McQuiston joined +the company here. We remained at the Bluff only a few days, when we +were again returned to Richmond, and camped in the vicinity until the +8th of July. On the 11th, we moved to Taylorsville, on the R. & F.R.R. +Remaining here until the 1st of August, we moved to Fredericksburg, +and picketed the various fords on the Rappahannock. On the 28th, we +retraced our steps to Taylorsville, went into camp in pine forest near +the railroad, and passed the time quietly until the 24th of September. +</p> + +<p> +On the 13th of July, the shattered remnant of our army recrossed the +Potomac into Virginia. General Meade, now in command of the Federal +troops, advanced east of the mountains, and General Lee, so as to +confront him, moved his army, and established a line of defence along +the Rapidan River. In this position the two armies remained, in +comparative quiet, about two months. Early in October, General Lee, +with Ewell's and Hill's corps, crossed the Rapidan to attack Meade's +flank, or force him to retire from his position. +</p> + +<p> +The Grays, having been encamped at Gordonsville since the 24th of +September, were ordered to rejoin their corps, and on the 9th of +October we left Gordonsville, marching <em>via</em> Madison Court-House, +where we camped on the 10th. On Sunday morning (11th), we reached +Culpepper Court-House. Just before our arrival it was ascertained that +Meade was on the farther side of the Rappahannock River, which would +render it necessary for our troops to make another flank movement. On +Monday, the 12th, therefore, we started for Warrenton. Passing near +Salem, we camped that night at Amisville. The next day, passing +Warrenton Springs, we reached Warrenton. On the morning of the 14th, +we resumed our march, and about ten o'clock we came upon a little +place called Grinage. Here we found the deserted camp of the enemy. +Their camp-fires were still burning, many articles of camp equipage +were lying around, everything showing that a panic had seized them and +that their retreat was hasty and terrified. We hastened on in pursuit, +at a rapid rate, capturing their stragglers at every turn. At the same +time, we knew that Ewell was driving another corps of the enemy on our +right up the Orange & Alexandria Railroad. Our men were in the highest +spirits, confident not only of victory, but of destroying or capturing +everything in front of us. We knew the river in their rear was +swollen, and possibly the bridges gone, and there would be no outlet +for them. Governor Vance's faithful ship, the "Advance," had come in +"heavily laden," and we were proudly and splendidly dressed in some of +the gray cloth of its cargo, which, but a few days before, we had +received; our hopes were buoyant, our rations plentiful, and it is +easy to imagine with what pace we kept up the pursuit. Reasonable +expectations doomed to a speedy and bitter disappointment! +</p> + +<p> +After keeping up the pursuit at this rapid rate for some three hours +along the main road leading to Bristoe station, our brigade filed out +into the woods upon our right when we arrived within a short distance +of the station. Cooke's brigade formed the advance of the pursuing +column, Kirkland's brigade followed, then came the remainder of A. P. +Hill's corps. At the time we filed to our right in the woods, Kirkland's +brigade moved up and filed off to the left of the road; the rest of our +corps was halted and <em>remained</em> in the road in the rear. Our +brigade (Cooke's) was immediately thrown into line of battle, the 46th +N.C. regiment on the extreme right, the 15th N.C. next, the 27th N.C. +next, and the 48th N.C. next, with their left resting upon the main +road. In this position we were ordered to move forward. Advancing some +five hundred yards through a dense forest of pines, we were halted near +a small stream in an open field. About 800 yards in our front and to +our left upon a hill, we could see several brigades of the enemy; while +in the road in their front a large wagon train was hurriedly moving +off. About this time a battery of guns concealed in the woods opened a +heavy fire upon our right flank, seemingly to cover the retreat of +their wagon train. Just then a courier from Gen. Heth handed to Gen. +Cooke orders from Gen. Hill to advance; in the meanwhile a message was +received from Col. Hall, commanding our right flank, informing Gen. +Cooke that the enemy had driven in his skirmishers and was pressing him +on his flank. Thereupon Cooke sent Heth's courier back to him with the +information that the enemy were in force upon his right, and before he +could advance that his flank must be protected. The courier from Gen. +Heth returned a second time with orders to advance, and while +delivering the orders one of Gen. Lee's staff-officers rode up, and +being informed of our situation, said to Cooke that <em>he</em> would go +to Gen. Hill for him. Before he had time to reach Gen. Hill, a courier +arrived <em>direct</em> from Hill to Gen. Cooke with orders to <em>advance +at once</em>. Cooke replied, "I will do so, and if I am flanked I will +face about and cut my way out," and immediately gave the command +"forward!" Advancing at a quick step up a slight elevation we came in +full view of the enemy. Simultaneous with our advance five pieces of +our artillery, posted in the main road upon our left, opened fire on +the enemy in sight, who retired apparently in confusion. +</p> + +<p> +About 800 yards in the valley in our front ran the track of the Orange +& Alexandria Railroad. The road here formed an embankment from six to +eight feet high, extending far enough to overlap our brigade and a +portion of Kirkland's on our left. The space between us and the +railroad was a barren, open field, descending with a gradual declivity +to the railroad embankment. Across and beyond the railroad about 300 +yards, upon a considerable elevation, were extensive woods and +thickets; here the enemy had posted their artillery. In front of +these woods, and on the face of the hill descending to the railroad +embankment, was posted what we then supposed was the enemy's skirmish +line, but which proved to be a decoy, for the troops which had retired +at the firing of our artillery in the road, and a large body of those +who had been retreating before Ewell, had stretched themselves behind +the railroad embankment, forming their real line of battle, which +consisted of the entire second corps and one division of the 5th corps +of Meade's army. +</p> + +<p> +We had advanced rapidly some 25 yards when our regiment, being +slightly in advance, was halted until the regiments upon our right and +left came up. Here we discovered for the first time the real position +of the enemy behind the railroad embankment. We were going down the +hill; they, secure behind the bank, had only to lie down on the slope, +rest their muskets on the track of the railroad and sweep the open +field as we attacked. The attack was made. +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"Not tho' the soldier knew,</div> +<div>Some one had blundered:</div> +<div>Their's not to make reply,</div> +<div>Their's not to reason why,</div> +<div>Their's but to do and die;</div> +<div>Into the Valley of Death,</div> +<div>Into the mouth of Hell,</div> +<div>Stormed at with shot and shell,</div> +<div>Marched the six hundred."</div></div></div></div> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XI"> </a> +CHAPTER XI. +</h2> + + +<p> +We had scarcely emerged from the woods and began to advance down the +hill, when Gen. Cooke, in command of the brigade, was shot and fell +from his horse severely wounded. Col. Gilmer, in command of our +regiment, was shot down about the same moment. The command of the +brigade now devolved upon Col. Hall, of the 46th N.C. regiment, and +the command of our regiment fell upon Lieut.-Col. Whitfield. We were +now suffering from the terrific fire of the enemy's artillery posted +in the thickets on the elevation beyond the railroad, and from the +murderous fire of their infantry in safe position behind the +embankment. Col. Whitfield seeing that our entire force would soon be +annihilated by the concentrated fire of the enemy, reported to Col. +Hall that the brigade must either retreat or make a charge. Col. Hall +thought a charge was the best to be done, and Col. Whitfield gave the +order to advance. In a moment we were double-quicking down the hill, +our men falling at every step. When we came to within a few yards of +the railroad, the enemy rose up from behind the embankment and poured +a volley into our ranks which almost swept the remnant of us out of +existence. At this juncture some of our company sought shelter in a +little shanty on our left, where they were afterwards captured by the +enemy. Col. Whitfield was now shot down, and Major Webb assumed the +command. In our perilous condition but two courses were open, either +to surrender or to take our chance in a retreat up the hill, the +descent of which had been so disastrous. Major Webb chose the latter +and gave the order to fall back. +</p> + +<p> +During our advance our colors were cut down three times. The third +time they were caught up by corporal William C. Story, of the Grays, +on the color-guard, and carried by him during the rest of the fight. +For his gallantry upon this occasion he was complimented in special +orders, and was afterwards appointed ensign of the regiment, with the +rank of lieutenant. The cause of the war may be forgotten, but the +achievements of each soldier are the common property and common glory +of the country, and are imperishable. The calm and cool courage +displayed by this young lad of Guilford, who bore so well the brunt of +this hard-fought field is worthy of the heroes who fell at Culloden. +He bore the flag of his country's trust until the surrender. He +returned to his home broken down in health, and in a few months +surrendered to his last enemy—Death! In the quiet church yard at +Tabernacle, in the southeastern part of Guilford, Story sleeps near +those who loved him. In this consecrated spot may memory come to +embalm his name, and love bedew with her fondest tears the turf which +wraps his clay. +</p> + +<p> +We continued to fall back, under a continuous deadly fire, until we +had passed the brow of the hill, and were under shelter. +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"They that had fought so well</div> +<div>Came back from the mouth of Hell—</div> +<div class="i1">All that was left of them."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +During the night the enemy continued their retreat toward Centreville. +We, with litters and canteens of water, repaired to the battle-field +to care for our wounded, where "Death wagged his slim jaws gleefully +over his feast," and gorged himself with many more victims ere the +dawn of the 15th. +</p> + +<p> +The Grays went into this battle with three commissioned officers, four +Sergeants, four Corporals, and fifty-two privates. +</p> + +<p> +Killed: First Lieutenant John H. McKnight; privates John Cannady, +Henry Crider, and John T. Sockwell were killed on the field. +</p> + +<p> +Wounded: Capt. John A. Sloan, Corporal C. W. Stratford, Sergeant Chas. +A. Campbell; privates Emsley F. Shuler, W. Burnsides, Henry G. Coble, +Lewis N. Isley, Wm. D. Dennis, L. L. Lineberry, J. W. McDowell, Robt. +B. McLean, William May, Cyrus Crowson, A. L. Orrell, Rufus B. Gibson, +Samuel Gray, R. S. Smith, W. M. Summers, were wounded. Sergeant E. M. +Crowson was wounded, taken prisoner, and died of his wounds at Point +Lookout, Jan. 23, 1864. Private H. Rufus Forbis died of his wounds at +Richmond, Oct. 27, 1863. Joseph E. Rankin died of wounds, October 24. +W. F. Hunter died of his wounds, Nov. 7, and John W. McNairy lost a +leg. +</p> + +<p> +Prisoners: Sergeant W. U. Steiner (wounded and captured); privates H. +M. Boon, Paul Crutchfield, Jno. Coltrain, Geo. W. Lemons, James M. +Marsh, James A. Orrell, Wilbur F. Owen, Jas. R. Pearce, Andrew L. +Stanley, Paisley Sheppard, T. M. Woodburn, R. B. Worrell, Geo. H. +Woolen, Thos. R. Greeson, and Jas. L. Wilson were captured and carried +to Point Lookout. +</p> + +<p> +Walter Greene, who was detached as courier to Gen. Cooke, was shot +from his horse, and severely but not seriously wounded. +</p> + +<p> +Sergeant-Major Robert D. Weatherly was mortally wounded, and died of +his wounds in Richmond, October 24, 1863. He served in the ranks of +the Grays from their organization as private and corporal, until the +21st of March, when he received the appointment of Sergeant-Major of +our regiment. Bob was a noble boy, and bravest of the brave. Fear was +no word in his vocabulary. He was always at his post, and though +slight in stature, his form was ever seen in the thickest of the +fight. His remains were carried to Greensboro, and buried in the +Presbyterian church-yard. +</p> + +<p> +John H. McKnight, at the outbreak of the war, was quietly pursuing his +studies at Trinity College. When we received our orders to go to Fort +Macon, he left his books and joined his company at the depot, on the +night of the 19th of April, 1861, and served as private, corporal, and +sergeant until September 17th, when he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. +He fell at Bristoe mortally wounded, foremost in the charge; was left +on the field, and captured by the enemy. On the morning of the 15th, +we found his body in the thicket beyond the railroad, where the enemy +had left him to die. Here we buried him. His remains were afterwards +removed, and interred in the cemetery at Greensboro. +</p> + +<p> +These two noble boys sleep among their loved ones, where, each +returning spring, loving hands may plant the flowers which speak of +the resurrection of the true and just, and of the land where eternal +summer reigns. +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"May young April o'er their lowly mounds</div> +<div>Shake the violets from her hair,</div> +<div>And glorious June with fervid kiss</div> +<div>Ever bid the roses blossom there."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +A worse-managed affair than this fight at Bristoe Station did not take +place during the war. With the rest of our corps in the rear, at a +moment's call, Cooke's and Kirkland's North Carolina brigades were +made to fight this battle alone. President Davis characterized it "as +a rash and ill-conducted affair." Col. Taylor says that "too few of +our corps was engaged; it was unpardonable mismanagement, and there +was no earthly excuse for it." Gen. Lee said to the officer who +essayed to explain to him this occurrence: "Bury your <em>poor +dead</em>, and say nothing more about it." +</p> + +<p> +This terminated Gen. Lee's attempt to bring on a pitched battle with +Gen. Meade. +</p> + +<p> +On the following day we were busy burying our dead. Our wounded were +all cared for, and sent off in ambulances and wagons. On the 16th, we +were employed in destroying the railroad track, which we did most +effectually, as far down as Rappahannock Station. On the 19th, we +crossed the Rappahannock River, went into camp, and remained until the +6th of November. +</p> + +<p> +On the 7th, our forces met with another surprise at Kelley's Ford, on +the Rappahannock River, which resulted in the loss of several hundred +of our men and some few pieces of artillery. The loss of this position +made it necessary to abandon the design of our making an attack, and +on the 9th we were withdrawn to near Culpepper Court-House; at night +we fell back across Robertson River. This position not being regarded +as favorable, we returned to the south side of the Rapidan on the +following night. We picketed along this river, above Rapidan Station, +until the 26th of November. +</p> + +<p> +At this time, the army under Gen. Meade crossed the Rapidan, and we +were busy getting ready for a counter-move, as he was supposed to be +moving down the river. At the dawn of day, on the 27th, we were on our +way to meet Meade's army. The weather was intensely cold, and our men +suffered greatly. +</p> + +<p> +We proceeded to advance towards Fredericksburg. In the evening we met +the enemy, and had quite a skirmish, losing several men from the +regiment. On Saturday, a position was selected on the line of Mine +Run, and in a short while we were strongly entrenched, and anxious for +the enemy to attack us. On Monday, the 30th, the enemy being in our +immediate front, we certainly expected an attack. They were found to +be busily entrenching, also, and Tuesday passed without any +demonstration. +</p> + +<p> +As Gen. Meade seemed reluctant to bring on an engagement, Gen. Lee +determined to assail him; consequently, during the night, he made +necessary arrangements for a grand battle. When dawn broke over the +hills on the morning of the 2d of December, Meade's camps were found +deserted, and his army fast making their way back to the river. We +immediately made pursuit, but he had too much the start and reached +the north side of the Rapidan before we could overtake him. Both +armies then retired to their original positions on the Rapidan. We +returned to our winter quarters which we had prepared, about 3½ +miles south-east from Orange C.H. We were then, in turn, employed +in picketing along the Rapidan until the 4th of February, when we +were relieved by Kirkland's North Carolina brigade, and we again +sought shelter in our log cabins. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XII"> </a> +CHAPTER XII. +</h2> + + +<p> +On the 18th of December, Lieutenant Frank A. Hanner was promoted to +1st Lieutenant, vice Lieutenant McKnight killed. Orderly Sergeant +Chas. A. Campbell to 2d Lieutenant, Jr.; Sergeant William M. Paisley +was appointed Orderly Sergeant; Corporal C. W. Stratford, Sergeant, +and privates Alfred W. Klutts and Rufus B. Gibson were promoted to +Corporals. +</p> + +<p> +During the month of December, under special orders No. 72, Lee's +headquarters, a general court martial was convened for our (Heth's) +division. Capt. J. A. Sloan was detailed as judge-advocate; Col. R. +Mayo, of the 47th Virginia regiment, as president, and Sergeant +William U. Steiner, of the Grays, appointed recorder. With the +exception of a temporary suspension in February and again in March, to +accompany our several commands on expeditions made at those times, the +court was in regular session at Orange Court-House. In the meanwhile +Lieutenant Banner was in command of the Grays. +</p> + +<p> +On the 8th of January, private Chas. W. Westbrooks, our company +chaplain, and known as our "fighting parson," was discharged by order +of the Secretary of War, and received an appointment as regular +chaplain in the army. Charlie preached as he shot without fear and to +the mark. +</p> + +<p> +On the 16th of January, private Henry G. Kellogg, at home on surgeon's +certificate, was permanently detailed in the commissary department at +Salisbury, North Carolina. +</p> + +<p> +On the 18th of February, W. H. Donnell joined the company. +</p> + +<p> +On the 20th, Corporal Thomas J. Rhodes was promoted to Sergeant, and +private Richard S. Smith was appointed Corporal. +</p> + +<p> +On the 1st of March, Preston P. Dick joined the company. At the same +time private Henry W. Ayer, who joined the Grays in May, 1863, was +transferred to company "C," 48th N.C. regiment. +</p> + +<p> +On the 12th, H. Smiley Forbis died of disease at hospital in +Lynchburg, Va. +</p> + +<p> +On the 31st, private A. Laffayette Orrell was transferred to the C.S. +Navy, "or words to that effect." +</p> + +<p> +On the 13th of April, private Pleasant Ricks died in camp of typhoid +fever. +</p> + +<p> +On the 25th, E. Tonkey Sharpe was detached, by order of Gen. Heth, for +duty with the provost guard. +</p> + +<p> +On our return from the Mine Run "freeze-out," we planned, built, and +improved our winter quarters, and soon had a city of log cabins. It +was now our turn to watch the wary "yank" on the borders of the +Rapidan, and we picketed up and down the stream in the cold and ice +until early in February, when Kirkland's N.C. brigade was sent to our +relief. +</p> + +<p> +While we were in camp near Orange Court-House in December, 1863, the +good mothers, wives, and daughters of Virginia, with the ready hands +and loving hearts that had always characterized them from the +beginning to the end of the fearful struggle, bethought themselves to +give Lee's army a Christmas dinner. Every pantry, turkey-roost, and +hog-pen in the dear old State was called upon to furnish its quota for +the feast. Our infinitesimal ration dimmed with the prospect, and we +looked forward to that day, which ever stirs all the better and +sweeter impulses of our humanity, with longing desires. In our log +cabins we lay upon our hard beds and dreamed of its past celebrations, +of its anthems and its carols; we thought of its bays and its wreaths +of evergreen; its sprigs of holly in the parlor, and the sacred +immortelles around the portraits of the lost ones; its gift-giving and +all those interchanges of tokens that make friendship sweet; its +suppressions of self; its lessons of generosity, and its going out to +others. Need you wonder, under these circumstances, that Lee's hungry +rebels were all anticipation. The day was ushered in with a snow +storm, but, nothing daunted, our brigade wagon was soon on its way +to the depot to receive our share of the feast; but, unfortunately, +these same pantrys, turkey-roosts, and hog-pens had been invaded so +often before that our part of the grand dinner assumed microscopic +proportions, and the wagon returned with about a half-bushel measure +of dissected gobblers—our Christmas dinner! +</p> + +<p class="ctr"> +"O, ever thus, from childhood's hour"— +</p> + +<p> +Early in February we received a most delightful and interesting visit +from Greensboro's eminent divine, Rev. J. Henry Smith, who preached +for as in the large log tabernacle erected by the boys for divine +service. During his visit the cry of the "Philistines be upon you" +from the other side of the river was heard, and we were ordered out to +resist the threatened attack. The parson exhibited an eagerness to +become a "soldier of Lee" for the occasion. After spending two days +and nights of bitter cold weather on the banks of the Rapidan, the +enemy making no further demonstrations, we were returned to our +quarters. +</p> + +<p> +On the 26th of February, three formidable columns of cavalry, under +the command respectively of Generals Kilpatrick, Custer, and Col. +Dahlgren, proceeded by different routes towards Richmond to surprise +and, if possible, capture the city; and, if successful, to sack and +burn the city, pillage the buildings, and kill "old Jeff Davis and his +cabinet." In the meanwhile two corps of the enemy crossed the river +and proceeded to Madison Court-House; their object being, by a feint, +to cover their cavalry demonstration upon Richmond. Two days later +another army corps left for Madison, and our corps (Hill's) was +ordered to follow them. We left our camp before day on the morning of +March 1st and reached Madison late in the evening, after a long and +weary march in the rain and mud. On our arrival we found that the +enemy had retired, and were returning to their former position on the +Rapidan. The weather turned very cold during the night, and the next +morning we retraced our steps through snow and ice to our camp, the +men suffering greatly from fatigue and cold. We remained quietly in +our winter quarters until the 4th of May. +</p> + +<p> +Sometime in March, 1864, Major-General Ulysses S. Grant was appointed +Lieutenant-General and assumed command of the armies of the United +States. In April he made his headquarters at Culpepper Court-House, and +took personal command of the army of the Potomac. During the months of +March and April re-enforcements were gathered from the four quarters +of the globe and sent to this army. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XIII"> </a> +CHAPTER XIII. +</h2> + + +<p> +On the 1st day of May, the official return of the Army of the Potomac +showed, present for duty, one hundred and forty-one thousand one +hundred and sixty men, of all arms. General Lee had, in round numbers, +sixty-four thousand men. +</p> + +<p> +I give the relative strength of the two armies, in order that the +reader may have a proper appreciation of the difficulties which beset +our army in thwarting the designs of our wily adversary, in the +campaign we were now just entering. That the brilliant genius of our +immortal Lee, made amends for paucity in numbers, and proved more than +a match for brutal force, the bloody field extending from the +Wilderness to the James River will attest. +</p> + +<p> +On the 3d of May, our army held the south bank of the Rapidan River. +Its right rested near the mouth of Mine Run; its left extended as far +as Liberty Mills, on the road to Gordonsville. Grant, with his main +body encamped in Culpepper County, occupied the north hank of the +Rapidan. On the 4th of May, Grant crossed his forces to the south +side, and began his advance into the "Wilderness." +</p> + +<p> +Running eastwardly to Fredericksburg, from Orange Court-House, are two +parallel roads; the one nearest the river is called the "Stone +Turnpike," and the other the "Plank-Road." +</p> + +<p> +As soon as Grant's movements were known, our army was put in motion. +On the morning of the 4th, our division (Heth's) and Wilcox's, of A. +P. Hill's corps, moved eastwardly along the "Plank-Road." Simultaneously +Ewell's corps moved on the stone turnpike. That night we bivouacked at +Verdiersville, near where we fought the battle of Mine Run. +</p> + +<p> +The "Wilderness" is an almost impenetrable thicket of undergrowth; and +our sagacious Lee resolved to fight Grant in these pathless woods, +where their artillery would be least available, and where their +massive columns would be most embarrassed in their movements. +</p> + +<p> +On the morning of the 5th, we resumed our march, with Kirkland's +brigade, of our division, in front. About one o'clock, our +advance-guard came upon a body of the enemy, and a spirited musketry +fire was opened in our front. Kirkland's brigade at once deployed on +both sides of the "Plank-Road," and Cooke's brigade was thrown into +line of battle with our regiment (27th), on the left of the road. +About three o'clock, our skirmishers were driven in by a massive +column of the enemy, who advanced firing rapidly. Thus commenced the +"Wilderness" fight; and the bloody contest continued until near +sundown. +</p> + +<p> +This stubborn and heroic resistance was made by the divisions of +Heth's and Wilcox's, fifteen thousand strong, against the repeated +assaults of four divisions of Hancock's and one division of Sedgwick's +corps, numbering about forty-five thousand men. After dark, we were +relieved by Kirkland's brigade. As we were retiring from our position, +we got into a country-road, parallel to the "Plank-Road," and had +proceeded but a short distance, when my attention was directed to a +similar body of troops, marching quietly in the road with us; the +night was very dark, and it was difficult to distinguish friend from +foe. I felt some anxiety, as they seemed to possess uniform knapsacks +and were of better appearance than our men, to know who they were. I +therefore approached their column, and found to my utter astonishment +that they were "blue-coats." I immediately rushed to Col. Whitfield, +and informed him of our situation. He replied, "Impossible!" On close +inspection, he found that they were really Federal troops. He drew his +pistol, and, in a surprised and excited manner, called out: "Yes, they +are Yankees! Shoot them, boys! Shoot them!" Some few guns were fired; +but as the surprise was so great both upon our part and that of our +"Yankee brethren," a hasty retreat was made on both sides, and each +soon lost the other in the darkness. They were evidently on the wrong +road "to get out of the Wilderness." +</p> + +<p> +We soon reached the "Plank-Road," and were marched to the rear about +one and a-half miles to a ridge, upon which our line was established. +Our men began at once to fortify; and while we had no implements for +the purpose, we succeeded, by the aid of our bayonets and tin-cups, to +build what proved to be on the following day a great protection. +</p> + +<p> +During the progress of the battle on the 5th, there came a lull in the +firing and an almost deathlike stillness prevailed, as though the god +of war had stopped a minute to take a long breath, and pull himself +together for a fresh start. Presently, a sharp, quick report of a +rifle from the other side broke the stillness. Simultaneously with the +report, private Wash Williams was struck and painfully wounded. He +uttered a long, loud yell, which seemed to reverberate up and down the +lines for at least a mile. Almost immediately afterwards, a gun was +fired from our side, and some one on the Yankee line mimicked the cry +of Williams perfectly. This incident created general laughter on both +sides, thus giving the opposing forces an idea of each other's +position, and the contest opened in good earnest. +</p> + +<p> +Our casualties in this, the first of the series of battles of this +campaign, were as follows: Privates Sam'l F. McLean and Louis +Lineberry were killed. Sergeant C. W. Stratford, Corporal A. W. +Klutts, privates Frank G. Chilcutt, William Horney, R. B. Tate, Jas. +M. Hardin, Wash. Williams, Thos. R. Greeson, Sam'l Hiatt, John R. +Siler, and Jas. L. Wilson were wounded. Chilcutt lost an arm, Horney +lost a leg, and R. B. Tate died of his wounds in July, 1864. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XIV"> </a> +CHAPTER XIV. +</h2> + + +<p> +At dawn on the morning of the 6th the enemy, having been re-enforced +by the 9th army corps under Gen. Burnside, and a fresh division +commanded by Wadsworth, advanced. +</p> + +<p> +The intervening space between the position now held by our brigade, +and the point at which we fought on the 5th, was occupied by our +(Hill's) corps camped in irregular order, and in no condition for an +assault; consequently, when the enemy made their advance and attacked, +these forces were thrown into confusion and driven back to the line +where our brigade had formed the night previous. After a severe +contest a portion of Heth's and Wilcox's divisions were overpowered +and forced to fall back; our brigade, under protection of our hastily +constructed earthworks, held its position. The condition of affairs +was now assuming a very critical phase, when Kershaw's brigade of +South Carolinians, of Longstreet's corps, arrived upon the scene and +for a short while arrested their further advance. The repulsed +portions of our divisions were in considerable disorder, and the +battle began to rage with intense fury. +</p> + +<p> +General Lee, anxious and appreciating the impending crisis, rode up +with hat in hand, dashed among the men, and calling upon them to +rally, said he would lead the charge. The reins of his horse were +seized by the men and he was told he must go "to the rear," or they +would not go forward. Being evidently touched at this manifestation of +anxiety upon the part of his men the great, grand, and towering old +hero waved his hand and retired. In a few moments Anderson's gallant +Texas boys came up at a double-quick, deployed into line of battle, +and, with Longstreet at their head, went forward with a yell. Major +Webb, while standing on our works cheering, was severely wounded and +retired to the rear. In a short while the ground lost by our troops +was recovered, and the enemy forced back to the position originally +held by them. General Longstreet now took the defensive, and about +mid-day made an attack on their rear and left flank. The assault +resulted in their utter rout, and they were forced back some distance +in rear of the lines occupied by them on the 5th. So far, this +movement was a complete success, and Longstreet began preparations to +follow up his advantages with a flank movement by the Brock road. +</p> + +<p> +While advancing at the head of Gen. Jenkins' brigade, a portion of his +flanking column, which had continued through the woods in the former +charge, mistaking the brigade for the enemy fired into them, killing +Gen. Jenkins, and seriously wounding Gen. Longstreet. This unfortunate +and strange fatality checked our forward movement, and afforded the +enemy time and opportunity to rally and reform behind their +entrenchments. +</p> + +<p> +At dark we began to move slowly to the right, and after we had +proceeded about one mile a rebel yell, as if a rushing mighty wind, +rolled down upon us from the right of our lines. Our army now was in a +continuous line of battle, and the cheering was taken up spontaneously +by brigade after brigade until it swelled into one exulting roar of +defiance. At first it seemed like the soft murmuring of the wind in +the tree tops, and as it came nearer it made one vast tempest of +sound, and thus it swayed back and forth for some time. Its effect was +tragic in the extreme, and I readily recall the sensation it produced +upon all at the time. The enemy's pickets thought we were making a +grand charge and fled so precipitately to their main line that, as the +prisoners we captured the next day informed us, they were fired into +by their own men and many of them killed. +</p> + +<p> +On the morning of the 7th an advance was made and Grant was found to +have retired from his line of works on his right. We had several +skirmishes, and desultory firing continued during the day. +</p> + +<p> +He now attempted by a flank movement to secure possession of +Spottsylvania Court-House, and Warren's corps, of his advance guard, +marched out of the Wilderness by the Brock road. On his arrival at the +Po River, on the following day, he found in his path, ready to dispute +his passage, Gen. R. H. Anderson's division of Longstreet's corps. +Each army, now forming on its advance guard as a nucleus, swung round, +and on the 9th confronted each other in line of battle. +</p> + +<p> +On our march on the 8th we were interrupted by several skirmishes, and +were frequently shelled by the enemy. In the evening we reached +Spottsylvania Court-House, and were placed in line, without regard to +alignment, a short distance to the left of the court-house building, +where we at once proceeded to fortify. We were moved afterwards to +different parts of the lines, but finally took our position not far +from where we first halted. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XV"> </a> +CHAPTER XV. +</h2> + + +<p> +On the 10th Barlow's division made an attack upon our left and +obtained temporary possession of a portion of Ewell's line. Gen. Lee +said that these lines must be re-established, if he had to attend to +it in person. Our (Heth's) division was called upon to do the work. We +received our orders and were soon in readiness. Advancing cautiously +for some little time, we came upon the enemy about one mile this side +of a branch of the Po, we deployed into line and began to push them +back. They finally halted in some earth-works, freshly thrown up, in +front of Mrs. Graves' house, in front of which was a large open field. +As soon as we got into the road running parallel to these works, we +were halted and reformed, and, after some little delay, we were +ordered to charge their works and drive them away. We charged across +the open field under a heavy fire of artillery from their batteries on +the hills beyond the little stream, which ran a short distance in the +rear of their earth-works. Before we reached the works they, deeming +"prudence the better part of valor," fled and made good their retreat, +leaving behind them one piece of artillery, their dead and wounded, +and several prisoners. We remained several hours at their works under +a heavy shelling; some few of the shells exploding in our ranks. Gen. +Cooke was slightly wounded in the charge, and Ensign W. C. Story, +after we reached the works. We were finally withdrawn and marched back +to our position on the main lines, after we had recovered the lost +ground and forced the enemy to relinquish their temporary advantage. +The 11th was passed in comparative quiet, with the exception of our +usual salutation from the enemy's batteries. They made daily practice +on our works, and endeavored to batter down and destroy the buildings +in the village. They appeared to have a special spite at the little +brick church immediately in rear of our regiment, occupied by our +surgeon (Dr. Hunt) as a <em>dispensary</em>. "Gwin" had hardly "opened +up" when a wicked shell came thundering through the gable, and he +concluded to vacate, which he did in considerable disorder. When we +quit our lines the little church was sadly in need of a contribution +box. +</p> + +<p> +During the night of the 11th the enemy, under the cover of the dense +woods, advanced without discovery, and massed a large force in Ewell's +front at the point known as the "salient," which was occupied by Gen. +Edward Johnson's division. On the next morning at daylight these +troops vigorously attacked and overran this portion of our lines and +captured most of the division, including its commander, who was +quietly enjoying his breakfast. +</p> + +<p> +General Lee at once hurried troops from our right and left, and made +dispositions to dispute their further progress. As Harris' Mississippi +brigade was coming up at double quick, Gen. Lee, already in a very +exposed position, now joined them and started to the front with them. +The minies were flying fast and thick, and shot and shell ploughing +the ground and bursting in the air. As they neared the lines a +round-shot struck immediately in front of the grand old chieftain, and +caused him to halt and take breath. The officers and men now plead and +insisted that he should retire from this exposed position. He, in his +calm manner, his feelings exhibiting a purity and nobleness of heart +never witnessed in any hero of ancient or modern time, replied: "If +you will promise to drive <em>those people</em> from our works I will go +back." The brigade quickly shouted the promise, and in a moment +commenced the most terrific musketry-fire that took place during the +war. +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p> +"From the side of the salient in the possession of the Federals, +and the new line forming the base of the triangle occupied by the +Confederates, poured forth, from continuous lines of hissing fire, +an incessant hail of deadly missiles. No living man nor thing +could stand within the doomed space embraced within those angry +lines; even large trees were felled, their trunks cut in twain by +the bullets of small arms. Never did the troops on either side +display greater valor and determination. After several +hand-to-hand conflicts, while we failed to dislodge the enemy, the +assault which threatened such serious consequences was checked, +and the result of the advantage to the enemy was limited to the +possession of the narrow space of the salient and the capture of +Johnson's division. The loss of this fine body of troops was +seriously felt by Gen. Lee, and, though his army was sadly reduced +by this and a week's incessant fighting, his lines, thus forcibly +rectified, proved thereafter impregnable." +</p> +</div> + +<p> +While this desperate attack was going on, our (Heth's) division and +Mahone's were moved to the left near the Fredericksburg road, to make +a feint and create a diversion. We leaped over our works, and formed +inside of them, to make the movement, and bravely did the boys move +off, although nothing is so demoralizing to troops as to leave +breastworks to do battle inside of them. We attacked the enemy, and +drove them from two lines into a third. Finding that they were getting +re-enforcements, and in a fortified position, we were gradually +withdrawn to our former position on the main lines. +</p> + +<p> +Several days of comparative quiet now ensued, during which time Grant +was refurnishing his decimated brigades with heavy re-enforcements +from Washington. In his official report to the 39th Congress, he said: +"The time from the 13th to the 18th was consumed in manœuvering and +awaiting the arrival of re-enforcements." +</p> + +<p> +After covering the entire front of our army with <em>double</em> lines, +he still had a large reserve force with which to extend his flank and +compel a corresponding move upon our part, in order to keep between +him and Richmond. +</p> + +<p> +On the 18th, Gen. Grant made his final and desperate attack, by +hurling division after division against our lines. He commenced the +attack in the morning, and soon the battle became continuous along the +lines, and raged with the utmost fury and desperation. The cannon's +shot and shell seemed winged with impetuous rage, and with hissing red +flame bellowed through the air and over hill and plain, withering and +blasting everything in their flight. War had now indeed stalked forth +unmasked from his infernal den. In the smoke and carnage, Grant drove +his troops mercilessly up to the slaughter, but it produced no +impression, and the hopeless task was relinquished. +</p> + +<p> +We had now completed twelve days of battle at Spottsylvania, and at no +time, day or night, did the firing on the lines entirely cease. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XVI"> </a> +CHAPTER XVI. +</h2> + + +<p> +General Grant, giving up all hope of succeeding in his plans by direct +assault, on the night of the 20th began a flank movement in the +direction of Bowling Green, hoping thereby to interpose between our +army and the long-coveted Richmond. On the 21st, Wright's corps began +the initiative and moved southward. +</p> + +<p> +To counteract and defeat this new purpose, General Lee, at midnight, +dispatched Longstreet's corps on the road leading to Hanover Junction. +On the day and night of the 21st, Ewell's and Hill's (our) corps +marched for the same point. +</p> + +<p> +The twelve long days and nights, in the trenches at Spottsylvania, of +weary watching and desperate fighting, was telling on our men, and +nothing but the indomitable courage and hope of success, which at all +times and under all circumstances characterized the starved and ragged +Confederates, sustained them. They placed every confidence in their +great and good leader, and looked forward to the time when the +sunlight of this hope, with its golden radiance, would remove the veil +and permit them to look out on the long and lovely paths that wind, +amid beauty, to the far-off but glittering temples of their dreams, +and find them realities. +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"What can we not endure,</div> +<div>When pains are lessened by the hope of cure?"</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +During the day and the night of the 22d, we continued our toilsome +march. +</p> + +<p> +On these long marches, to prevent straggling, we are frequently halted +for a rest, and this opportunity is taken by those who have fallen +back to catch up with their commands. Any one passing through the +troops at this time, be he officer or private, had to run the gauntlet +of the gibes and witticisms of the men. On one occasion, while thus +resting, a very tall, lean, lank soldier of the 5th "Georgy Regiment," +appeared in the road, dragging along his weary length. His long black +tousled hair hung in uncombed ringlets from the holes in his rimless +hat; his coat or jacket, a very scant pattern of gray jeans, seemed to +be widely at variance with his copperas-colored breeches, as the +leather strings attached to them by thorns, to serve as "gallasses," +failed to effect a compromise between the two; the pants, from his +oft-repeated restings, had been badly attacked and routed in the rear, +and, from long use, "swunk up" in apparent fright from his sockless +pedal extremities, whose coverings of untanned leather were held +together by a withe as a shoe-string. In form and stature, he was +modeled strictly after the heron. His avoirdupois gave evidence of +unswerving observance of forty days' Lenten season, and that in soul +and body he had, and was now, wrestling with that plague incident and +concomitant to the experience of every soldier, called the "dia-ree." +</p> + +<p> +As he approached near where our regimental band was seated, at the +head of the regiment, he appeared to halt from sheer exhaustion, and, +as he did so, he came to an order and leaned in rest upon his gun. +Near him stood, leaning on his drum, the tall bass-drum beater (Bill +Burroughs) of the band. Bill was a fellow of "infinite jest," and +possessed one of those large souls, full of sympathy and concern for +the woes of others. He turned to this gaunt straggler, supposing him +to be "somebody's darling," and entered into conversation with him. +The "poor fellow" in detail related his hairbreadth escapes from +battle, hunger, exposure, &c. When he had scarcely told all, Bill +remarked to him that he ought to take notes for some <em>future +historian</em>, and by all means to keep a diary. He raised his head, +and as his eyes dimmed with the starting tear, now coursing down his +bronzed and furrowed cheek, he replied, "Lord! stranger, that's what +ails me now, I have had <em>it</em> nigh-on-to four months." The +generous <em>cords</em> of Burroughs' haversack and canteen were +unloosed and their gratuitous contents speedily disappeared. The order +was now given to "fall in." The "Georgy" fellow shouldered his gun, +and Bill swung his big drum on his back. Just as they parted the +soldier extended his long bony fingers and grasped the hand of his +Good Samaritan, thanked him kindly, and, in subdued tones of feigned +grief, said: "My stranger friend, I am so much obleeged to you; can +you not further oblige me by picking a tune for a sick man on that +<em>thare instrument</em>." Thus agreeably employed our history leaves +them—and we return to the course of our story. +</p> + +<p> +On the morning of the 23d we reached the North Anna River in advance +of the enemy, and about daylight crossed to the south side. Warren's +corps crossed at Jericho ford without opposition. Hancock's corps +attempted to cross lower down, at the county bridge. Our brigade +obstinately resisted them, and they did not succeed in crossing until +the 24th. +</p> + +<p> +General Cooke relates an interesting incident which occurred during +the progress of Grant's army to the North Anna, as told by a prominent +citizen of Caroline County, Va., who was captured by Grant in the +march. He says: "Grant had halted at a house on the roadside with a +number of his officers around him with whom he was discussing with +deep interest the movements in progress. During the discussion Grant +pulled out his watch, and opening it, said: 'Gentlemen, if we do not +hear firing in ten minutes we will <em>at last</em> have gotten ahead of +Lee!' He stood quietly, watch in hand, an occasional remark, only, +breaking the silence, when, scarcely five minutes having elapsed, the +booming of guns was heard in the direction of Hanover Junction. He +closed his watch and impatiently remarked, 'I'll be <em>damned</em> if +he has not beaten us again!' And so it was, as our brigade was at the +time resisting Hancock." +</p> + +<p> +General Lee, on the next day, did not further dispute in force the +crossing of the enemy, but formed his lines with his left resting on +Little River, and his right near the North Anna below the enemy, +covering Hanover Junction. Here he awaited attack. +</p> + +<p> +Owing to our well-selected position, Grant could not get at our +flanks; and to take us by direct assault, after his bitter experience +at Spottsylvania, caused him to "pause, ponder, study, and plan." +</p> + +<p> +Perceiving he had made a blunder, and that his army was in a position +of much peril, he, on the night of the 26th, recrossed to the north +side of the river, and made another <em>detour</em> to the eastward, as +far down as the Pamunkey River. +</p> + +<p> +On the 28th he crossed the Pamunkey at Hanovertown. On the 30th his +advance ran against our brigade, on the left of our lines, at Atlee's +Station, where we entertained him for some little time to his +discomfiture. The next day we had a sharp engagement near Tolopotomy +creek, and on June 1st, they attacked us in heavy force at Pole-Green +church, the skirmish continuing for some time. Our brigade and +regiment suffered considerably from their shells and sharpshooters. +</p> + +<p> +Lieutenant Chas. A. Campbell was mortally wounded and was carried +to the rear, where he died the next day. Campbell was one of the +"original panel," serving as private until April, 1862, corporal +until August, when he was promoted to sergeant. He was wounded at the +battle of Sharpsburg. On his return to his command, November 1st, he +was appointed Orderly Sergeant, serving as such until the 11th of +December, when he was promoted to Junior 2d Lieutenant. With the +exception of a short furlough from camp at Orange Court-House, he was +always at his post, ready and cheerful at all times to perform his +duties. Soon after he was shot down, he was carried to the field +hospital, where he died and was buried the following day. As he passed +me on his litter, he stretched out his almost pulseless arm and +remarked, "Goodbye, Captain; if I don't come back, tell them I fell +fighting at the front." +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>God's peace be with him in his rest,</div> +<div>Lone dweller in the stranger's land.</div></div></div></div> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XVII"> </a> +CHAPTER XVII. +</h2> + + +<p> +On the 3d of June the two armies were brought face to face at Cold +Harbor, where but two years before "Little Mc" had struggled in vain +for the mastery. +</p> + +<p> +On the night of the 2d our brigade was placed in line on the extreme +left, with our regiment upon what is known as Pharr's farm. As soon as +we were halted we began to fortify, and by early dawn had constructed +good temporary works. Owing to the dense, heavy body of woods the enemy +were enabled to make near approaches in our front, and previous to +their advance, on the following morning, we could hear distinctly the +orders given by their officers. After some little firing by their +sharpshooters, about 8 o'clock, they began to attack, and kept up their +assaults until late in the evening. Brigade after brigade was hurled +against us, until the ground in our front was literally covered with +their dead and wounded. Their assaults were repulsed along the whole +line. Finally, when the order was given to renew the attack, their men +sullenly and emphatically refused to move forward under our withering +fire. The prisoners we captured denounced and cursed Grant for this +slaughter, and dubbed him the "champion butcher." +</p> + +<p> +In the evening a battery of artillery was sent to our aid. They came up +at a gallop and endeavored to take position on a slight elevation, in +the skirt of pines, immediately in rear of our regiment. Before they +had time to unlimber, every horse in the battery was shot down. The men +then endeavored to run the guns forward by hand, when nearly all the +men were killed or wounded. One gun only was gotten in position, and it +rendered but little service before it was dismantled. Having been under +constant fire, and firing rapidly all day ourselves—each man averaging +two hundred rounds of cartridges—it became necessary to replenish our +ammunition. An attempt to go to the rear, or to leave our works in any +direction, was almost certain death. Lieut.-Col. Whitfield, who was now +in command of our regiment, disliked to force a detail to go to the +wagons for ammunition, and therefore called for volunteers. A +sufficient number came forward at once, and set out on their perilous +expedition; among the number was private R. F. Hampton, of the Grays. +In due time they all returned, each bringing a supply of cartridges, +but waited some distance back of us for a lull in the firing so as to +run the gauntlet of the sharpshooters to the lines. Several were badly +wounded in making the trip, among the number private R. F. Hampton, who +had almost reached the lines when he was shot down by a sharpshooter, +mortally wounded, and afterwards died of his wounds. During the battle, +private W. J. Hunt was killed, and Dan'l. B. Coltrain and Benjamin +Burnsides severely wounded. Private Hunt, when shot, was standing near +me. We were trying to locate a sharpshooter in our front, who had +become very troublesome by the accuracy of his aim. We had been exposed +in our position but a few moments, when a minie-ball pierced his head, +scattering his brains in my face, and he sunk down lifeless at my feet. +Lieutenant-Colonel Whitfield was severely wounded in the head, and was +carried from the field. The command now devolved upon Capt. Herring, +the senior officer, who acted as Colonel, and Captain Sloan, next in +rank, as Major. +</p> + +<p> +On the following morning, we found that the enemy, under cover of +darkness, had left our front; and we were moved to the right, and +placed in position immediately at Cold Harbor, with our respective +lines so near as to be able to converse with each other. We remained +here in line of battle, under constant fire; happily, our immediate +command had no serious casualties. Grant used every expedient to break +through our lines, but he had so mercilessly slaughtered and cowed his +men in his first charges at Cold Harbor, that his men refused to charge +a second time. So determined was he to clean us up, at all hazards, +that he remarked he would do so, "if it took him all summer." The +sequel proved that he did not overestimate the time, but the process +cost considerable bloodshed. +</p> + +<p> +Stanton (Secretary of War) says, officially, that Grant's force, on the +1st of May, was over one hundred and twenty thousand men. Shortly +afterwards, the 9th army corps was sent to him. This army, then +aggregating over one hundred and forty thousand men, with a reserve to +draw from of one hundred and thirty thousand more, in round numbers, +was ruthlessly hurled against Lee's less than fifty thousand men. Lee +had no reserve—the cradle and the grave had long since mustered, and +our ports were closed to mercenary hirelings. Their own historians +prove and show that their "butcher" slaughtered nearly one hundred +thousand men in his "On to Richmond," from the wilds of the +"Wilderness" to the desolated fields of Cold Harbor. In other words, he +sacrificed about twice as many men as Lee had, in order to take a +position he could have taken at first without firing a gun or losing a +man. +</p> + +<p> +On the 3d of June, Lieut. Frank A. Hanner, who had been for some weeks +confined by disease in the hospital at Richmond, died. He served as +private until April, 1862; at the reorganization of the twelve-months' +troops, he was elected 2d Lieutenant; was promoted to Senior 2d, +September 17th, 1862, and again on the 15th of October, 1863, to 1st +Lieutenant. On the 1st of June, private Joel J. Thorn was appointed +corporal. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XVIII"> </a> +CHAPTER XVIII. +</h2> + + +<p> +The Army of the Potomac having now apparently had sufficient amusement +on this portion of its constituted "all summer route," again adopted +"Little Mc's" tactics, "sought water," and on the 12th of June began +its march towards the historic James. +</p> + +<p> +On the 14th and 15th, by means of his pontoon bridges near Wilcox's +Landing, Grant crossed to the south side of the river. On the evening +of the 15th his advance made a feint demonstration against Petersburg, +and on the 16th made his attack in force. This attack was promptly met, +and successfully repulsed by our forces under Gen. Beauregard. Our +brigade, as yet, in the swamps of the Chickahominy, was almost daily +employed in skirmishes with the enemy's cavalry. On the 15th of June we +came across a large force of cavalry at Gary's farm. They had met a +small force of our cavalry and had been driving them. When we arrived +they dismounted and sent their horses to the rear, formed their lines +and showed fight. After a sharp struggle their lines gave way, and we +pursued them some distance through the woods. Their sharpshooters were +armed with seven shooters, and they used them against us on our advance +with telling effect. When they reached their horses they quickly +remounted and were soon beyond our reach. Orderly Sergeant William M. +Paisley and private Henry J. Coble were wounded. +</p> + +<p> +We had advanced in line but a short distance, when Sergeant Paisley, at +the head and slightly in advance of his company, was shot by a +sharpshooter, and fell mortally wounded. He was carried from the field +and sent to the hospital in Richmond, there he suffered and lingered +until the 13th of July, when he died in the arms of his broken-hearted +father, who carried his remains to Guilford, and interred them at +Alamance church. He was among the first of Guilford's gallant boys who +went forth to do battle for truth and right. He kept his vows to his +God and his Southland sacred alike, and at his post, on the front line +in the fight, fell wounded to the death. +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"On other brows let careless fame</div> +<div class="i1">Her fadeless wreath of laurel twine,</div> +<div>Enough for thee—thy epitaph!</div> +<div class="i1">First in the foremost line."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +After this encounter we were granted a short respite until the 21st, +when our cavalry was routed by the enemy at Yellow Tavern, and our +brigade was ordered to their support. When we reached there, we found +in slowly retiring before the enemy in a dense woods. Gen. Cooke at +once ordered forward his sharpshooters, and very soon a spirited fight +began. Our regiment was thrown into line and we began to press them +back. As they had been driving our cavalry they were loth to retire, +and fought us obstinately. Cooke then ordered his whole brigade into +line. They, seeing now that they could not cope with us in fair fight, +set fire to the woods and leaves in our front, and we were forced to +advance through fire and smoke, our men suffering terribly from the +heat, the day, besides, being exceedingly hot. We had been in too many +hot places to be afraid of fire, so we made at them with a yell, and +soon had their lines broken and in rapid retreat, with our cavalry—who +had recovered—in pursuit of them. Our loss was not so great, but the +men experienced great thirst, and many were scorched by the fires; in +some instances the cartridges were exploded in their boxes. +</p> + +<p> +About the 25th Gen. Butler, having pontooned the James River at Deep +Bottom, crossed a heavy force to the north side. Our brigade was +ordered to reconnoitre this force, and some fighting ensued. We found +them in force and strongly fortified, and an attack was deemed +inadvisable, so we were withdrawn and ordered to Petersburg. We reached +Petersburg on the 1st of July, and were placed on the lines a short +distance from the city, to the left of the Weldon Railroad. +</p> + +<p> +On the 15th of July, private Daniel W. McConnell was appointed Orderly +Sergeant. +</p> + +<p> +We remained near Petersburg comparatively quiet until the 26th of July, +when Grant crossed another corps at Deep Bottom, to attack our pontoons +at Drury's Bluff, and prevent Lee from sending re-enforcements to the +north side of the river. Our brigade was ordered back in haste to this +point, and, although the enemy had gained some partial success, we +drove him back and defeated the expedition. As events afterwards +proved, these movements were only feints to draw our troops from +Petersburg to better enable Grant to carry out his plans to make a +breach in our lines in front of Petersburg. Uniform failure had now +rendered him desperate, and Grant concluded the only wise thing now to +do, was to "blow us up." Burnside was duly appointed "blower." +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XIX"> </a> +CHAPTER XIX. +</h2> + + +<p> +On the night of the 28th, Hancock's corps was secretly withdrawn from +the north side, and every preparation was made for the great +forthcoming event. +</p> + +<p> +Grant had constructed a mine under one of our forts in front of +Petersburg, the main gallery of which was five hundred and twenty-two +feet in length, with eight side galleries; in each of these galleries +was placed about fourteen hundred pounds of powder. Gen. Burnside, in +charge of this new feature of warfare, was to explode the "infernal +machine," and walk into Petersburg with his colored troops, supposedly +unmolested. +</p> + +<p> +About daylight on the morning of the 30th, this famous mine—afterwards +known as the "crater"—was exploded with a great noise, as of a +"rushing mighty wind, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun +became black." About one hundred of our men and three or four guns were +moved out of their places into the air, and when the smoke cleared away +an opening about one hundred and fifty feet long, sixty feet wide, and +thirty feet deep appeared in place of our earthworks. Simultaneously +with this explosion the enemy opened a terrific fire along their whole +front, and the white division selected for this occasion came slowly +through the abattis up to this <em>hole</em>, where they were met by a +merciless fire from our artillery, enfilading them right and left, with +our infantry in their front. They were badly led, and, being +demoralized, they faltered and sought shelter in the crater. Next came +the "nigger" division, and the "colored troops fought bravely," until +the withering fire from our guns created a panic, when into the crater +pell-mell they rushed, white and black, a disordered, mangled, +quivering mass; our shot, shells, balls, and canister creating a +perfect carnival of death. Some few endeavored to leave the crater and +run back, but they were immediately shot down. Those who witnessed the +scene say it was beyond the power of words to describe. Our lines were +soon re-established, and our brigade was sent to relieve the troops +holding the lines where the mine was sprung. Thus ended this "miserable +affair." +</p> + +<p> +The space between the two lines, as now formed, was so close as to +endanger any exposure whatever, and we had to hug our earthworks very +closely. Our company was in line immediately at the crater. In our +front, and almost under our noses, lay the bloated, festering bodies of +their dead, exposed to the scorching rays of a July sun. To make our +situation still more interesting, it was supposed that the battery on +our right was also mined; and we were daily and nightly in fear of +another explosion, and to be landed—no telling where. We remained in +this position for a week, when Grant asked for a truce to bury his +dead. We were then moved a short distance to our right, where we +remained until about the middle of August. While on these lines, we +literally lived under the ground. We had to pass to and from the front +in covered ways; our rations were all prepared in the rear, and sent to +us. We were compelled to sleep in bomb-proofs to avoid their mortar +shells, with which they enlivened the scene at night. +</p> + +<p> +On the 18th of August, Warren's corps seized a portion of the Weldon +Railroad near Petersburg, when we were withdrawn from our position in +front of the city and moved to this point. On the 25th, this success +was followed up by an attempt under Gen. Hancock to take possession of +Ream's Station, farther south, on the same road. A. P. Hill's corps was +selected to drive him from this position. On our arrival we were +deployed in line, and ordered to go forward. The undergrowth and fallen +trees over which we had to climb our way retarded our advance, and Gen. +Cooke ordered the 27th and 48th regiments forward first. When they had +gotten sufficiently advanced, he directed the other two regiments of +our brigade, the 46th and 15th, to advance. When we reached the enemy's +works, we found them heavily manned with infantry and artillery. +Nothing daunted, however, we still advanced through shot and shell +until we came to a hand-to-hand fight across the breastworks. The two +other regiments now came up and in a few moments the enemy broke and +fled in confusion, leaving their guns. The colors of the 27th, carried +by Sergeant Richards, of the Orange Guards, were the first seen on +their works. We pursued them, and turned their own guns upon them; but +having no friction primers, we could not use them to advantage. We +captured over two thousand prisoners and twelve pieces of artillery. +</p> + +<p> +Our loss in this brilliant dash was very heavy, and North Carolina's +troops alone, consisting of Cooke's, McRea's, and Lane's brigades, were +engaged. The 27th regiment came out of the fight with less than +seventy-five men! +</p> + +<p> +The Grays lost in killed, private John Coltrain; in wounded, Sergeants +William U. Steiner and A. C. Cheely, privates Hardy Ayers, James S. +Scott, Emsley W. Stratford, and Wash. Williams. +</p> + +<p> +Warren had now made good his hold upon the railroad, and these events +did not materially affect the general result. The enemy's left +gradually reached farther westward, until, in October, it was +established on the left bank of Hatcher's Run, eight miles southwest of +Petersburg. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XX"> </a> +CHAPTER XX. +</h2> + + +<p> +On the 26th of August, we returned to our position in the trenches, +where we remained until the latter part of September. +</p> + +<p> +On the 16th, Robert T. Heath and James Hacket joined the Grays. +</p> + +<p> +The casualties in the campaign so far had sadly reduced our ranks. At +the battle of Ream's Station, Capt. Herring, senior officer of the +regiment, was wounded, when Capt. J. A. Sloan, next in rank, took +command of the regiment, and Sergeant Thomas J. Rhodes commanded the +Grays. Our muster-roll on the 31st of August contained sixty names rank +and file. One captain, one sergeant, two corporals, and sixteen +privates were reported for duty. One officer and thirty-five men +absent, wounded, and prisoners; four men on detached service. +</p> + +<p> +On the 18th of September, private Geo. H. Woolen died while a prisoner +of war at Point Lookout, Md. On the 13th, Samuel E. B. Gray was killed +in the trenches before Petersburg, and on the 27th, private Wm. N. +Kirkman. About the same time, Sergeant Daniel McConnell, while lying +sick in the field hospital in rear of our lines, was seriously injured +by a shell passing through the hospital and so near to him as to cause +a paralysis of his limbs, from which he died. +</p> + +<p> +On the night of the 28th of September, Butler, with the corps of Birney +and Ord, crossed to the north side of the James, and moved up the +river, with the view of attacking Fort Harrison, near Chapin's Farm. A +portion of his force made a feint upon the Newmarket road, and while +this engagement was in process, a column moved on the fort and captured +it. This resulted in giving to the enemy a secret lodgment on the north +side of the James, and a position very menacing to Richmond. +</p> + +<p> +On the 20th, we were moved still further to the right; and on the next +day, were engaged in a spirited skirmish near Battery No. 45, on our +advanced lines. Every few days, we were moved still farther to the +right, skirmishing and picketing, until we reached Hatcher's Run, about +the 1st of December. +</p> + +<p> +About daylight, on the morning of the 27th of October, three corps of +the enemy moved towards the Boydton Plank-Road with a view to turn our +right flank and get possession of the Southside railroad, which was now +Lee's principal communication. When they reached the Boydton road, they +found our troops entrenched at every point. Hancock's corps continued +to advance in the direction of Stony Creek, supposing this to be the +termination of our lines, and thereby creating a gap between his right +and the left of the 5th army corps. Mahone's division, taking advantage +of this opening in their lines, assailed Hancock's right, and drove +Gibbons' division some distance back. Meanwhile, Hampton with his +cavalry began to attack his rear. Our brigade was moved up the creek +(Hatcher's Run) as far as Burgess' Mill, and was placed in position to +be ready on the next morning to charge the enemy from their position on +the other side of the creek. The only means of crossing the stream was +a narrow country bridge, which was guarded by their sharpshooters, and +beyond on the hills, about one hundred yards off, was posted their +artillery. The charge was to be made at daylight; and with this +<em>pleasant</em> prospect before us, you may imagine we passed a +<em>comfortable</em> night in anticipation. When morning came, our +sharpshooters were advanced, and found, to our comfort and delight, +that Grant had withdrawn his troops during the night, and retraced his +steps to their intrenchments in front of Petersburg. He had been +completely frustrated, and thus failed in his flank movement. +</p> + +<p> +On the following day we were in position on the left of Hatcher's Run, +and as active operations were considered closed for the winter, we +began to build winter quarters. In a short while we had comfortable +cabins, in which we remained quietly until the 8th of December. +</p> + +<p> +On the 8th of December the 2d army corps, by way of diversion, made a +raid on the Petersburg & Weldon Railroad, and A. P. Hill's corps was +ordered to meet them. On the evening of the 8th we quit our comfortable +quarters, and in the sleet and driving snow, marched until 2 o'clock +a.m. of the 9th, when we bivouacked till morning. We then marched on, +in the bitter cold, to Bellfield, when we found the enemy were +retreating up the Jerusalem Plank-road. From here we were ordered back +to Jarratt's Station to try to intercept them. Just as we reached this +point we encountered a large force of their cavalry. Pegram's artillery +was thrown forward, and our brigade, concealed in the pines, clad with +ice and sleet, was thrown into line as support. +</p> + +<p> +The enemy were not aware of our presence, and charged upon the +artillery. Our skirmishers received the charge. Seeing that the battery +was supported, they began to retreat. We pursued them across the +railroad and pushed forward rapidly for several miles, hoping to +intercept their infantry, but we found the pursuit useless. As darkness +was now upon us, we halted for the night, and next morning resumed our +march for our camp, which we reached, hungry and almost frozen, on the +13th. +</p> + +<p> +Grant behaved himself now tolerably well until Sunday morning, February +5th, when, becoming restless, he began one of his periodical movements, +and succeeded in getting very near our lines before we were aware of +his movements. About the middle of the day Davis' Mississippi brigade, +which was a mile to our left, was marched down to our position and +relieved us. We were then marched up the lines some two miles, where we +crossed our works and formed a line outside of them. We then marched to +the front about one mile, when we turned to the right, and forming line +of battle, began to advance and soon struck the skirmish line of the +enemy, which we drove with our line of battle some distance, until we +came in view of their line posted upon a hill in a field behind +earthworks. We were ordered to charge. We started up the hill, and when +we had gone some distance, and seeing the brigade on our left was not +charging with us, we fell back to the edge of the woods. The enemy now +made a strong demonstration on our right flank, and to prevent this +movement we had to fall back to our reserve line, when a Georgia +brigade took the place of ours. As they were ordered forward a portion +of our regiment, among them the Grays, thinking the order came from our +commanding officer, advanced with this brigade and fought through the +remainder of the day. After dark we were returned to our breastworks, +and when we reached them we found that we had been fighting in front of +our former position, and had been moved two miles up the lines to be +marched back again to fight in the place of other troops who had been +moved into our earth works, and almost directly in front of our camp. +[There are some things past finding out and beyond explanation, but as +the deductions of a citizen soldier are at no time of valuable +consideration, I forbear.] +</p> + +<p> +On the following day we were returned to our quarters, where we enjoyed +quiet and rest until the latter part of March. +</p> + +<p> +While we were in the heat of the battle of the 5th of February, some +few of the new recruits who had recently joined our brigade, not +exactly fancying the shot and shell which were flying around, thought +the rear was a safer place, and suiting the action to the thought, +"dusted." Gen. Lee with several of his staff was seated on horseback in +rear of our lines and in proximity to the battle, awaiting the issue, +when observing these men crossing the works without their guns, in +seeming alarm and haste, he rode toward them, endeavoring to halt and +return them to their command, when one of the "dusters," in grave +alarm, raised his hands and voice in terror, exclaiming: "Great God, +old man, get out of the way, you don't know nothing," continued his +rapid flight too terrified to recognize or obey chieftain or orders. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXI"> </a> +CHAPTER XXI. +</h2> + + +<p> +The Grays were in winter quarters on the left side of Hatcher's Run, +one mile and a half below Burgess' mill. While here we received orders +at midnight on the 24th of March, to be in readiness to move in the +direction of Petersburg. Leaving the sick and wounded to take care of +the camp and the lines in our immediate front, we began our march, not +knowing the cause of this seeming untimely order. After two hours rapid +marching we reached Petersburg, and bivouacked near the water-works. +About daylight we were quietly marched into our trenches in front of +and to the right of Hare's Hill. The troops who had just occupied these +trenches where we now were had been marched out, and were in readiness, +under General Gordon, to make a prearranged sortie upon the Federal +forts on Hare's Hill. +</p> + +<p> +The attack was made in force about daylight. Our troops gained +possession of the enemy's works, but were soon compelled to abandon +them, owing to the superior force of the enemy and to the fact that our +forces were bewildered in the darkness. +</p> + +<p> +About two o'clock p.m. we were ordered back to our camp on Hatcher's +Run. Before reaching it, however, we were informed that our sick and +wounded had been routed, and that the enemy was in possession of our +picket line. Gen. Cooke immediately ordered out his sharpshooters, and +by a flank movement drove off the enemy and regained possession of his +line. Next morning the sharpshooters were relieved by the regular +pickets, under command of Capt. John A. Sloan of the Grays, who held +the lines against repeated attacks until the first of April. +</p> + +<p> +At midnight of the first of April our brigade was relieved by Davis' +Mississippi brigade. Our brigade now crossed the creek and took +position in Fort Evliss. As soon as day dawned the enemy, being on +three sides of us, opened fire upon us with artillery and infantry. +Although protected to some extent, some of our men were killed by their +shells during the morning. In the meanwhile a desperate fight was going +on between fort Evliss, the position we were occupying, and Petersburg. +Our position in the fort was only tenable, provided the troops on our +left held their position. Consequently, the issue of the fight was +awaited by us with much anxiety. Just before sunrise a courier dashed +into the fort with news that the lines had been broken and our troops +were in retreat. We were, in consequence, immediately withdrawn from +our works, and began our retreat from Petersburg. After retreating some +five miles, being pressed sorely by the enemy, two regiments of our +brigade were deployed as skirmishers. +</p> + +<p> +Arriving now at Southerland's tavern, on the Southside road, we formed +line of battle and awaited the enemy's advance. They soon came up +flushed with success, and attacked with great confidence. But we +repulsed them with heavy loss, capturing many prisoners. Reinforcements +coming up we were flanked and compelled again to retreat. After +following us cautiously for some hours, and night coming on, the enemy +abandoned further pursuit. +</p> + +<p> +We now endeavored to cross the river so as to join the main army, from +which we had been separated by the break in the lines that morning. We +followed up our retreat until two o'clock that night, when we halted +and rested on our arms until morning. At sunrise we began our +journeyings again, reaching Deep Creek, unmolested, about nine o'clock. +We wandered up this creek about three miles, fording it at this point. +We then endeavored to make Goode's bridge on the Appomattox, but night +overtaking us, we camped at the cross-roads near Goode's bridge, At one +o'clock at night we received marching orders. After three hours hard +marching through fields, bog, and fen, we came upon the advance of the +main army, which had just crossed the Appomattox on a pontoon bridge. +We were delighted to meet our old comrades once more after a three +days' separation. What added to the interest of the occasion in a +private way was the fact that Major Webb had found a canteen full of +<em>something</em>, and my ever faithful "Bill" had captured a hen's nest +and scouped in half a dozen or more of eggs. We celebrated our +deliverance and <em>reunion</em>. +</p> + +<p> +At the suggestion of the officers of our regiment, it was agreed, there +being only about seventy men for duty, that we should form a battalion +of two companies, the officers giving up their rank temporarily, and +the non-commissioned officers going into the ranks. Lieut.-Col. J. C. +Webb commanded the battalion. Major Calvin Herring took command of the +first company, and Capt. John A. Sloan took command of the second. This +organization was maintained until the surrender. +</p> + +<p> +On the night of the fourth we camped at Amelia Court-House, in the +woods just outside of the town, and rested on our arms in line of +battle. The next day was consumed in protecting our wagon trains from +the frequent attacks of the enemy's cavalry. We now continued our +march, fighting by day and retreating by night. Our provision train was +burned by the enemy near Rice's station, and our rations that night +consisted of one quart of corn per man in lieu of meal. The next day we +passed through Farmville. Having been the rear guard for several days, +we were now relieved by Scales' North Carolina brigade. Organization +and discipline was now rapidly giving away. We were skirmishing and +fighting to protect ourselves at every point in a kind of Guerrilla +warfare, every man, for the most part, doing his fighting on his own +hook. +</p> + +<p> +Saturday night, April the 8th, we camped in about three miles of +Appomattox Court-House. Before day next morning we were hastily ordered +up and moved to the front. We were rapidly marched up the road filled +with ambulances and wagons until we came within full view of Appomattox +Court-House, where we could plainly see the Federal line of battle on +the hills at and beyond the court-house. We were immediately thrown +into line of battle on the right of the road and ordered to hold +ourselves in readiness to advance at any moment. On the front line we +awaited further orders. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXII"> </a> +CHAPTER XXII. +</h2> + + +<p> +Reader! The writer said, when he began the "Reminiscences of the +Guilford Grays," that it was not his purpose to undertake the severe +labors of the historian, but to confine himself to the humbler task of +relating what, has been part of his own experience. +</p> + +<p> +To make the thread of narrative continuous and intelligible, it +deserves to be mentioned, however, that it has been necessary to allude +to portions of the history of those eventful times in which the Grays +were only generally interested, which the circumstance will justify. +</p> + +<p> +The writer closes this, his last chapter, with the consciousness that +he has been actuated by the very kindest feelings to all, and that if +an intimation has escaped him which may have injuriously touched the +feelings of any one, none such was intended. How he has performed his +work, the reader will judge. This much he will say for himself, that he +has attempted to do it faithfully and—lovingly. +</p> + +<p> +But little more now remains to be said. The morning of the 9th of April +presented a spectacle never to be forgotten by those who saw it. +General Gordon was at the front with a meagre two thousand men; behind +us smoked the remnants of the wagon-trains; in the rear, drawn up and +ready again to strike, was the shattered wreck of Longstreet's once +grand and noble command. About ten o'clock dispositions were made for +attack, when Gordon was ordered to advance. +</p> + +<p> +<em>In vain! Alas, in vain! Ye gallant few!</em> Suddenly a <em>halt</em> +was called, a flag of truce appeared upon the scene, hostilities +ceased, and a dreamy sadness filled the April air. The grand old Army +of Northern Virginia was environed! "I have done what I thought best +for you," "the gray-headed man" said to his men. "My heart is too full +to speak, but I wish you all health and happiness." +</p> + +<p> +The negotiations relating to the surrender had been instituted on the +7th by a note from General Grant to General Lee. The correspondence was +continued until the 9th, when the terms proposed by General Grant were +accepted. +</p> + +<p> +On the 10th, General Lee issued his farewell address to his army. On +the afternoon of the 11th, the gallant Gordon spoke most eloquently to +the little remnant massed in the open field. +</p> + +<p> +The sun hid his face in sullen sympathy behind the clouds, night +settled drearily over the camp, and the brave old army fell asleep. +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"Hushed was the roll of the Rebel drum,</div> +<div>The sabres were sheathed and the cannon was dumb;</div> +<div>And Fate, with pitiless hand, had furled</div> +<div>The flag that once challenged the gaze of the world."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +On the 12th, the Army of Northern Virginia was marshaled for the last +time, not to do battle, but to stack its arms and pass out of +existence—forevermore. +</p> + +<p> +Of the Guilford Grays who were present at the final scene of this +eventful history, the following answered to roll-call: Captain Jno. A. +Sloan, Lieut. Rufus B. Gibson, 1st Sergeant Thomas J. Rhodes, Sergeant +Joel J. Thom; privates Peter M. Brown, Lewis N. Isley, Jas. M. Hardin, +Walter Green, E. Tonkey Sharpe, Geo. W. Lemons, Silas C. Dodson, and +Samuel M. Lipscomb. +</p> + +<p> +On the 11th, printed certificates, certifying that we were paroled +prisoners of war, were issued and distributed among us, bearing date +April 10th, 1865, Appomattox Court-House, granting us "permission to go +home, and remain there undisturbed." +</p> + +<p> +Comrades! We entered the service in the bloom of youthful vigor and +hope, with cheerful step and willing heart, leaving happy homes in +peace and prosperity behind. We took the field for a principle as +sacred as ever led a hero to the cannon's mouth, or a martyr to the +place of execution. +</p> + +<p> +This principle was honor and patriotism; a firm determination to defend +to the last that constitution which our fathers had handed down and +taught us to revere as the only safeguard of our personal rights and +liberties. +</p> + +<p> +After four long years, we returned to our homes in tattered and +battle-stained garments, footsore, weary, and with aching hearts. We +returned to see poverty, desolation, and ruin; to find the hearts of +our loved ones buried in the graves of the dead Confederacy. Aye! and +we have seen other sorrows. We have seen that constitution subverted +under the forms of law; we have seen the rights of individuals and +communities trampled in the dust without hope of redress. Nay, more! We +have seen the government of the fathers removed from existence, and an +engine of oppression, no longer a Union of States, but a <em>Nation</em>, +like the devil-fish of the sea, reaching its hideous and devouring arms +in all directions from one common centre, knowing only one law of +action and of motive—<em>the insatiate greed of avarice and +plunder</em>. +</p> + +<p> +But though the Confederacy went down in fire and smoke, in blood and in +tears, that truth, which was the guiding-star of the devoted soldiers +who fought its battles, and of those at home who toiled and prayed for +its success—that truth did not lower its standard or surrender its +sword at Appomattox. We submit to the inevitable. We submit in dignity +and in silence. But because we accept, with becoming minds and conduct, +that subjugation which the fortune of war has entailed upon us, shall +we therefore pronounce the word "craven?" <em>Shall we now recant?</em> +Shall we now solemnly declare that we did not believe what we professed +to fight for? Shall we thus insult, either in word or act, the memories +of the dead heroes—and we dare maintain they died heroes—who sleep on +a thousand hillsides and in the valleys of our common country? +</p> + +<p> +Should we thus prostrate ourselves to invite the scorn and contempt +which even our enemies would have the right to bestow upon us? +<em>Never!</em> A thousand times never! "Will not history consent, will +not mankind applaud, when we still uphold our principles as right, our +cause as just, our country to be honored, when those principles had for +disciple, that cause for defender, that country for son—Robert Lee? +</p> + +<p> +"Not to his honor shall extorted tributes carve the shaft or mould the +statute; but a grateful people will in time give of their poverty +gladly that, in pure marble or time-defying bronze, future generations +may see the counterfeit presentment of this man—the ideal and +consummate flower of our civilization; not an Alexander, it may be; nor +Napoleon, nor Timour, nor Churchill—greater far than they, thank +heaven—the brother and the equal of Sidney and of Falkland, of Hampden +and of Washington!" +</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>"He sleeps all quietly and cold</div> +<div class="i1">Beneath the soil that gave him birth,</div> +<div>Then brake his battle-brand in twain</div> +<div class="i1">And lay it with him in the earth."</div></div></div></div> + +<p> +A word to the survivors of the Guilford Grays, and +I close these reminiscences. From the period of the +outbreak of the war in April, 1861, to the surrender +of the Confederate army in April, 1865, the muster-rolls +of the Grays have contained one hundred and +eighty names. Of this number, some were transferred +to other commands, some were discharged for physical +disabilities and other causes. A large proportion sleep, +unmindful of the rude farmer's ploughshare upon the +fields made memorable by their deeds. Some rest under +the shades of the trees in the quiet cemeteries of +your forest-green city, and some in the sacred churchyards +of your historic country. Oh! they suffered a +sad, dark fate—fallen in unsuccessful war! +</p> + +<p> +On each return of Spring, come and bring flowers, +nature's choicest, and scatter them on their graves. So +long as tears fall, come and shed them there, and show +to the world that we, of all men, are not ashamed of +their memories or afraid to vindicate their motives. +</p> + +<p> +And as we stand upon this hallowed ground, let us +bury all animosities engendered by the war. In the +grave there can be no rancorous hates; between the +sleepers there is perpetual truce. Shall the living have +less? Savages, only, perpetuate immortal hates. Then +permit no "barbarian memory of wrong" to lodge in +our breasts while we keep vigils over these graves of +our illustrious dead. +</p> + +<p> +To you who stood by me through all these eventful +scenes, and came up out of the great tribulation, I pray +Heaven's choicest blessings ever attend you—and now—<i lang="fr">adieu</i>. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +<a name="XXIII"> </a> +CHAPTER XXIII. +<br><br> +<span class="small"> +THE ROLL. +</span> +</h2> + + +<p class="hang"> +Captain <span class="sc">John Sloan</span>.—Elected Lieutenant-Colonel of the 27th +North Carolina Regiment, September, 1861; promoted to colonelcy +December, 1861; resigned April, 1862; died since war. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +1st Lieutenant <span class="sc">William Adams</span>.—Elected Captain, vice Capt. +John Sloan promoted, October 5th, 1861; killed at battle of Sharpsburg +September 17th, 1862.<a href="#note1" name="noteref1"><small>[1]</small></a> +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +2d Lieutenant <span class="sc">Jas. T. Morehead, Jr.</span>—Resigned April 20th, +1861; appointed captain in the 45th North Carolina Regiment; promoted +to Lieutenant-Colonel in the 53d Regiment, and after the death of +Colonel Owens, became its Colonel; wounded at Spottsylvania, +Gettysburg, and captured at Hare's Hill. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +2d Jr. Lieutenant <span class="sc">John A. Gilmer, Jr.</span>—Detailed as adjutant of +the 27th North Carolina Regt. September, 1861; elected Major December, +1861; promoted to Colonelcy November, 1862; wounded at battle of +Fredericksburg, December 13th, 1862; severely wounded at Bristow, +October 14th, 1863; resigned, on account of wounds, January, 1865. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Logan, Jno. E., M.D.</span>—Entered the service as Surgeon of the +Grays; remained at Fort Macon about four months; appointed Surgeon of +the 4th North Carolina Regiment; transferred to the 14th North Carolina +Regiment, where he served as Surgeon until close of the war. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +1st Sergeant <span class="sc">William P. Wilson</span>.—Enlisted April 20, 1861; +elected 2d Lieutenant Jr., vice J. A. Gilmer promoted, September, 1861; +appointed Adjutant of 27th North Carolina Regiment, at reorganization +of State troops, April, 1862; died of disease at Greensboro March 3, +1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +2d Sergeant <span class="sc">John A. Sloan</span>.—Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed +Sergeant-Major of the post at Fort Macon May, 1861; elected 2d +Lieutenant January 14, 1862; elected 1st Lieutenant, April 22, 1862; +promoted to Captain September 17, 1862; Judge Advocate of Heth's +Division court-martial; surrendered at Appomattox Court-House. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +3d Sergeant <span class="sc">Geo. W. Howlett</span>.—Enlisted April 20, 1861; +discharged on account of affection of his eyes July 23, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +4th Sergeant <span class="sc">Sam'l B. Jordan</span>.—Enlisted April 20, 1861; +captured at battle of New Berne March 14, 1862; exchanged and +discharged at reorganization of State troops April 22, 1862; died since +the war. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +1st Corporal <span class="sc">Thos. J. Sloan</span>.—Enlisted April 20, 1861; +detached at General Ransom's Head-Quarters February, 1862; appointed +Sergeant April, 1862; detailed as musician August 1, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +2d Corporal <span class="sc">Benj. G. Graham</span>.—Enlisted April 20, 1861; +appointed Sergeant January, 1862; appointed Orderly-Sergeant April 22, +1862; elected 2d Lieutenant September 22, 1862; detailed as Ordnance +Officer December, 1862; resigned November 9, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +3d Corporal <span class="sc">Silas C. Dodson</span>.—Returned to his home from Fort +Macon; re-enlisted May 16, 1862; detailed as Clerk Commissary +Department December 15, 1862; surrendered at Appomattox Court-House. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +4th Corporal <span class="sc">Ed. B. Crowson</span>.—Enlisted April 20, 1801; +appointed Sergeant August 1, 1862; captured at Bristow October 14, +1863; died in prison at Point Lookout January 23, 1864. +</p> + +<dl> +<dt class="notelabel"><a name="note1"> </a> +<a href="#noteref1"><small>[1]</small></a></dt> +<dd class="notetext">William Adams was born in Greensboro on the 18th of +February, 1836. In June, 1858, he graduated at the University of the +State. Shortly after his return from the University, he entered the +office of R. P. Dick, Esq., as a student of the law. He was licensed to +practice in the county courts in December, 1859, and was admitted to the +bar at February Term, 1860, At the formation of the Grays in 1860, he +was chosen and appointed 1st Lieutenant. On the night of the 19th of +April, 1861, he left with the Grays for Fort Macon. On the 5th of +October, 1861, he was unanimously elected to the captaincy of the Grays, +<em>vice</em> Capt. John Sloan, promoted to Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the +27th Regiment.</dd> + + +<dd class="notetext">On the 22d of April, the Grays reorganized under +the conscript act, and Capt. Adams was re-elected without opposition, +his men having implicit confidence in his skill, ability, and courage. +At the battle of Sharpsburg, he fell wounded to the death, a martyr to +the cause he loved so well. Young in years, high in hopes, illustrious +in daring and chivalrous deeds, he fills a soldier's grave in the quiet +country of his native town—mourned by all who knew him.</dd></dl> + + +<p class="ctrtoppad"> +Privates: +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Ayers, Hardy.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; wounded at Ream's +Station August 25, 1864; died since the war. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Ayers, James.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; discharged, for +disability May 12, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Archer, W. D.</span>—Enlisted June 9, 1861; wounded at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; killed at Fredericksburg December 13, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Ayer, Henry W.</span>—Enlisted May 15, 1863; transferred to Company +C, 48th Regiment, North Carolina troops, March 1, 1864; died since the +war. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Bryan, Will L.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal +September 21, 1862; died of disease in camp near Fredericksburg +December 17, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Brown, Peter M.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; severely wounded at +Sharpsburg September 17, 1862; detailed on Provost Guard February 14, +1864; surrendered at Appomattox Court-House. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Boon, Henry M.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; captured at Bristow +October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Boling, Rich'd G.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; died of disease in +General Hospital, Richmond, Va., January 10, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Brown, R. D.</span>—Enlisted August 1, 1861; died of disease in +hospital, Petersburg, Va., September 21, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Burnsides, Benj. F.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; wounded at +Sharpsburg September 17, 1862; detailed as teamster during 1863; +wounded at 2d Cold Harbor June 3, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Burnsides, W. W.</span>—Enlisted July 15th, 1861; discharged under +Conscript Act, May 22d, 1862; rejoined the company April 7th, 1863; +wounded at Bristow October 14th, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Campbell, Chas. A.</span>—Enlisted April 20th, 1861; appointed +Corporal April 22, 1862; appointed Sergeant August 1, 1862; promoted to +Orderly-Sergeant November 1, 1862; wounded at Sharpsburg September 17, +1862; elected 2d Lieutenant December 18, 1863; killed at Pole Green +Church, on skirmish-line, June 2, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Collins, John D.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal +April 22, 1862; transferred to the color-guard in May; died of disease +in camp at Drury's Bluff, July 16, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Cheely, Allison C.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed +Corporal August 1, 1862; promoted to Sergeant November 1, 1862; +detailed as Chief of Ambulance Corps, September, 1863; wounded at +Ream's Station, August 25, 1864 (arm amputated). +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Coble, Alfred F.</span>—Enlisted May 4, 1861; killed at Sharpsburg, +September 17, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Coble, Robert S.</span>—Enlisted May 4, 1861; died of disease at +Frederick City, September 12, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Coble, Henry I.</span>—Enlisted February 25, 1862; wounded at +Bristow, October 14, 1863; wounded at Gary's Farm, June 15, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Clapp, William C.</span>—Enlisted June 11, 1861; died at his home of +disease, August 8, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Clapp, Israel N.</span>—Enlisted June 11, 1861; discharged (for +disability) May 12, 1862; died since the war. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Cook, William.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; died of disease at +Greensboro, N.C., June 5, 1861. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Chilcutt, Frank G.</span>—Enlisted August 1, 1861; wounded at battle +of Wilderness May 5, 1864; (arm amputated.) +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Crider, Henry.</span>—Enlisted April 12, 1862; killed at Bristow +October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Crutchfield, Paul.</span>—Enlisted June 1, 1862, as a substitute for +B. N. Smith; captured at Sharpsburg September 17, 1862; released in +October; captured again at Bristow October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Coltrain, John.</span>—Enlisted February 27, 1862; captured at +Bristow October 14, 1863; exchanged and returned to his company June +18, 1864; killed at Ream's Station August 25, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Cannady, John.</span>—Enlisted February 27, 1862; killed at Bristow +October 14, 1863; (a christian, a hero, a friend.) +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Coltrain, Rob't. L.</span>—Enlisted February 27, 1862; discharged +(disability) July 23, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Clark, D. Logan.</span>—Enlisted February 27, 1862; discharged +(disability) June, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Crowson, Cyrus M.</span>—Enlisted August 4, 1862; wounded at Bristow +October 14, 1863; shot through both legs. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Coltrain, Dan'l B.</span>—Enlisted October 20, 1863; wounded at 2d +Cold Harbor June 3, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Donnell, Rob't. L.</span>—Enlisted May 4, 1861; wounded and captured +at Sharpsburg September 17, 1862; imprisoned at Chester, Pa., where he +died of his wounds November 6, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Davis, Jas. C.</span>—Enlisted May 4, 1861; died of disease at Fort +Macon September 8, 1861. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Dennis, William.</span>—Enlisted July 20, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Dennis, James.</span>—Enlisted July 20, 1802; discharged +(disability) May 15, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Dennis, Wm. D.</span>—Enlisted June 15, 1801; wounded in the face at +Bristow, October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Donnell, Wm. H.</span>—Enlisted February 18, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Dick, Preston P.</span>—Enlisted March 1, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Edwards, James T.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; killed at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Edwards, Jas. M.</span>—Enlisted March 4, 1862; killed at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Edwards, David H.</span>—Enlisted June 1, 1861; detailed as courier +to General L. O. B. Branch, May 1, 1862; appointed +Regiment-Quartermaster Sergeant, December 1, 1862; captured at Bristow +October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Forbis, H. Rufus.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; captured at +Sharpsburg, September 17, 1802; exchanged and returned to his company +November 25; appointed Corporal December 20, 1862; wounded at Bristow +October 14, 1863; died of his wounds in hospital at Richmond, October +27, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Forbis, H. Smiley.</span>—Enlisted June 15, 1861; died of disease in +Lynchburg, Va., March 12, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Gorrell, Henry C.</span>—Ensign, with rank of Lieutenant; resigned +at Fort Macon, May, 1861; re-entered the service as Captain; killed +near Richmond in a gallant charge at the head of his company, June 21, +1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Gibson, Rufus B.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; captured at +Sharpsburg; exchanged and returned to his company November 25, 1862; +appointed Corporal December 18, 1863; wounded at Bristow; elected 2d +Lieutenant November 9, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Greene, Walter.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed courier to +General Cooke December, 1862; wounded at Bristow; surrendered at +Appomattox Court-House. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Gretter, Mike.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; acting Commissary +Sergeant at Fort Macon; appointed Brigade Commissary-Sergeant March 18, +1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Gray, Sam'l E. B.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; wounded at +Bristow October 14, 1863; killed on the lines near Petersburg September +13, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Gant, Jas. H.</span>—Enlisted August 1, 1861; died of disease in +hospital at Richmond February 24, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Greeson, Thos. R.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; captured at +Frederick City September 11, 1862; returned to his company February 10, +1863; wounded at Wilderness May 5, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hanner, Frank A.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; elected 2d +Lieutenant Jr., at reorganization of company, April 22, 1862; promoted +to Senior 2d Lieutenant September 17, 1862; promoted to 1st Lieutenant +October 15, 1863; died of disease in hospital at Richmond June 3, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Higgins, Ed. B.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; detailed as musician +August 1, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hunt, L. G.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; acted as Surgeon of the +company at Fort Macon; appointed Assistant Surgeon of 27th Regiment, +North Carolina troops, June 13, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hood, Abe.</span>—Enlisted April, 1861; discharged under conscript +act May 22, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hanner, W. D.</span>—Discharged under conscript act May 22, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hopkins, W.</span>—Discharged under conscript act May 22, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hampton, Robert F.</span>—Enlisted May 4, 1861; wounded at 2d Cold +Harbor, June 3; 1864; died of wounds. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hardin, James M.</span>—Enlisted June 10, 1861; captured at +Sharpsburg, September 17, 1882; wounded at battle of Fredericksburg, +December 13, 1863; detailed as teamster, July 7, 1863; returned to duty +April 22d, 1864; wounded at battle of the Wilderness, May 5th, 1864; +surrendered at Appomattox. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hunt, W. L. J.</span>—Enlisted September 22, 1862, detailed as +pioneer November 25, 1862; killed at 2d Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hunter, S. A.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; killed at battle of +Newberne, March 14, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hunter, W. F.</span>—Enlisted June 11, 1861; wounded at Bristow +October 14, 1863; died of wounds in hospital at Richmond, November 7, +1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hiatt, Samuel S.</span>—Enlisted June 15, 1861; wounded at the +Wilderness, May 5, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hall, James S.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease at +Hardyville, S.C., April 14, 1863; buried in Magnolia Cemetery, +Charleston, S.C. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Heath, Robert F.</span>—Sent to the company from Camp Holmes, +Raleigh, North Carolina, under bounty act, Aug. 16, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hackett, Jas.</span>—Sent to the company from Camp Holmes, Raleigh, +North Carolina, under bounty act, August 16, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Hall, Hugh A.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease in +hospital at Richmond, September 19, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Horney, Wm. A.</span>—Enlisted May 14, 1861; detailed as nurse in +hospital near Danville, Va.; returned to duty November 22, 1863; +appointed clerk at brigade headquarters, December, 1863; wounded at the +Wilderness, May 5, 1863 (leg amputated.) +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Isley, Lewis N.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; wounded at +Bristow October 14, 1863; surrendered at Appomattox. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Jones, R. B.</span>—Discharged under conscript act May 22, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Klutts, Alfred W.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal +December 18, 1863; wounded at Wilderness May 5, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Kirkman, Newton W.</span>—Enlisted March 1, 1862; killed on the +lines in front of Petersburg September 27, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Kirkman, Frank N.</span>—Discharged under conscript act May 22, +1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Kellogg, Henry G.</span>—Enlisted August 1, 1861; detailed at +Brigade Commissary Department January, 1863, until January, 1864, when, +by special order, he was detailed in Commissary Department at +Salisbury, N.C., under Capt. A. G. Brenizer. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Lindsay, R. Henry</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; transferred to +Captain Evans' Cavalry Company May, 1861; died in camp shortly +afterwards. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Lindsay, Andrew D.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed +Ordnance-Sergeant of 27th North Carolina Regiment April 1, 1862; served +as such during the entire war; died since the war. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Lindsay, Jed H. Jr.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed +Corporal 1861; appointed Sergeant April 22, 1862; promoted to +Orderly-Sergeant September 22, 1862; appointed Adjutant of 45th North +Carolina Regiment November 1, 1862; died since the war. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Lane, Isaac F.</span>—Enlisted May 4, 1861; died of disease at +Leesburg, N.C., February 18, 1863; (his remains were carried to +Guilford.) +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Lindsey, Ed. B.</span>—Enlisted June 10, 1861; discharged—under +age—by conscript act May 22, 1862; re-entered the service as +Lieutenant in 5th North Carolina Cavalry Regiment; killed in April, +1865. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Lemons, Geo. W.</span>—Enlisted August 1, 1861; captured at Bristow +October 14, 1863; surrendered at Appomattox. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Lemons, Jas. M.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1862; died of disease at his +home March 1, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Lineberry, Louis S.</span>—Enlisted August 17, 1862, as a substitute +for H. S. Puryear; wounded at Bristow, October 14, 1863; killed at +Wilderness, May 5, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Lipsicomb, Samuel B.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; detailed as +musician in regiment band, August 1, 1862; surrendered at Appomattox. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Lloyd, Thos. E.</span>—Enlisted January 26, 1863, as a substitute +for Samuel Smith. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">McKnight, John H.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Sergeant +at Fort Macon; elected 2d Lieutenant, Jr., April 22d, 1862; promoted to +1st Lieutenant September 17, 1862; killed at Bristow October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">McDowell, J. W.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; wounded at Bristow +October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">McAdoo, Walter D.</span>—Enlisted May 4, 1861; wounded at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; transferred to 53d North Carolina Regiment February +16, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">McLean, Robert B.</span>—Enlisted June 11, 1861; wounded at Bristow +October 14, 1863; wounded at Wilderness May 5, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">McLean, Samuel F.</span>—Enlisted May 6, 1862; killed at Wilderness +May 5, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Marsh, James M.</span>—Enlisted June 15, 1861; captured at Bristow +October 14, 1863; exchanged and returned to company June 18, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">McNairy, John W.</span>—Enlisted June 15, 1861; wounded at Bristow +October 14, 1863 (leg amputated). +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">McLean, Joseph E.</span>—Enlisted May 6, 1862; wounded at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; detailed on Ambulance corps July 10, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">McLain, Wm. H.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease at +Winchester, Va., October 24, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">McFarland, Wm. H.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; captured at +Sharpsburg September 17, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">McConnell, Daniel W.</span>—Enlisted July 4, 1863; appointed +Orderly-Sergeant July 15, 1864; killed at Petersburg August, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">May, Lemuel</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; with the exception of +a furlough for 18 days—January 4, 1864, from Orange C.H.—was never +absent from his post. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">May, William</span>—Enlisted May 6, 1862; wounded at Bristow October +14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">McQuiston, John F.</span>—Enlisted June 22, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Nelson, John W.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; detailed as teamster; +died of disease in hospital, Charleston, S.C., March 17, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Orrell, Jas. A.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; captured at Bristow +October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Orrell, A. Laf't.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; wounded at Bristow +October 14, 1863; transferred to Confederate States Navy March 31, +1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Owen, Wilbur F.</span>—Enlisted June 11, 1861; captured at Bristow +October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Porter, Chas. E.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; discharged +(disability) May 12, 1862; died of disease in Greensboro. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Pearce, Jas. R.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; captured at Bristow +October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Puryear, H. S.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; substituted Lineberry +August 17, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Prather, L. L.</span>—Enlisted August 1, 1861; wounded at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; discharged (disability) March 26, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Poe, Wm. E.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Paisley, Wm. M.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed corporal +August 1, 1862; Sergeant September 22, 1862; promoted to +Orderly-Sergeant December 18, 1863; mortally wounded at Gary's farm +June 15, 1864; died of wounds in hospital at Richmond July 13, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Rankin, Jos. W.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; wounded at Bristow +October 14, 1863; died of wounds in hospital at Richmond October 24, +1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Reid, John W.</span>—Enlisted June 16, 1861; transferred to 48th +North Carolina Regiment; promoted to Lieutenant in Company K December +4, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Rhodes, Thos. J.</span>—Enlisted June 25, 1861; appointed Corporal, +December 17, 1862; Sergeant, February 20, 1864; promoted to +Orderly-Sergeant, September, 1864; surrendered at Appomattox. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Ricks, Pleas. A.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1862, as a substitute for +Jno. E. Wharton; died of disease in hospital at Lynchburg, Va., March +12, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Sloan, Geo. J.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; died of disease at +Fort Macon, July 31, 1861. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Smith, John H.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease at +Petersburg, August 8, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Sterling, Ed. G.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; died of disease in +Greensboro, September 28, 1861. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Steiner, Wm. U.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal +June 1861; Sergeant, April 22, 1862; wounded at Bristow, October 14, +1863; Recorder for Heth Division Court-Martial; wounded at Ream's +Station, August 25, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Sweitz, Edward</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861, as a substitute for +J. H. Tarpley. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Stratford, C. W.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; appointed Corporal, +August 1, 1862; Sergeant, December 18, 1863; wounded at Bristow, +October 14, 1863; wounded at Wilderness, May 5, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Stratford, Emsley F.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; wounded at Ream's +Station, October 25, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Summers, Wm. M.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; wounded at Bristow, +October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Scott, Jas. S.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; wounded at Ream's +Station August 25, 1864; wounded on the lines near Burgess' Mills; died +of wounds May 6, 1865. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Siler, John R.</span>—Enlisted July 18, 1862; wounded at Wilderness +May 5, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Stanley, Andy L.</span>—Enlisted June 11, 1861; captured at Bristow, +October 14, 1863. (The "Champion Forager" of Cooke's N.C. Brigade.) +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Smith, Richard S.</span>—Enlisted August 8, 1862; wounded at Bristow +October 14, 1863; appointed Corporal February 20, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Smith, Samuel</span>—Enlisted August 8, 1862; broken down in health +he furnished a substitute in the person of Thomas E. Lloyd January 26, +1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Smith, B. N.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; substituted Paul +Crutchfield June 6, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Smith, R. Leyton</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; killed at +Sharpsburg September 17, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Story, Wm. C.</span>—Enlisted June 11, 1861; appointed Corporal +March 21, 1863; detailed on Color-guard; complimented in special orders +for gallantry at Bristow; wounded at Spottsylvania Court-House May 10, +1864; appointed Ensign, with rank of Lieutenant, June 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Seats, Wm.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease at +Winchester, Va., January, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Sockwell, John T.</span>—Enlisted August 1, 1861; killed at Bristow +October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Sheppard, Paisley</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; captured at +Bristow October 14, 1863; died while prisoner at Camp Lookout. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Shuler, Emsley F.</span>—Enlisted May 6, 1862; wounded and disabled +at Bristow October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Sharpe, E. Tonkey</span>—Enlisted May 7, 1863; detailed as Provost +Guard April 26, 1864; surrendered at Appomattox. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Tate, Robert B.</span>—Enlisted June 11, 1861; wounded at Wilderness +May 5, 1864; died of wounds June (?), 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Thom, Joel J.</span>—Enlisted May 10, 1862; appointed Corporal June +1, 1864; appointed Sergeant 1864; surrendered at Appomattox. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Wiley, Jas. R.</span>—Enlisted February 28, 1862; discharged +(disability) February 7, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Underwood, W. W.</span>—Enlisted February 28, +1862; wounded at Sharpsburg September 17, 1862; died of wounds in +hospital at Richmond September 29, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Wharton, John E.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; +substituted P. A. Ricks May 1, 1861; organized a company soon thereafter +and re-entered the service as Captain in 5th North Carolina Cavalry. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Worrell, R. B.</span>—Enlisted April 20, 1861; +captured at Bristow October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Weatherly, Robert D.</span>—Enlisted April 20, +1861; appointed Corporal November 1, 1862; appointed Sergeant-Major of +27th North Carolina Regiment March 27, 1863, mortally wounded at Bristow +October 14, 1863; died of wounds in hospital at Richmond October 24, +1863; buried at Greensboro, N.C. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Weir, Samuel Park</span>—Entered the service as +Chaplain of the Grays April 20, 1861; transferred in May, 1862, to take +position of Lieutenant in 46th Regiment, North Carolina troops; killed, +instantly, at Fredericksburg December 13, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Westbrooks, Chas. W.</span>—Enlisted May 1, 1861; +performed the duties of soldier and Chaplain until December 20, 1862; +appointed Corporal August 1, 1862; appointed Chaplain in P.A.C.S.A. +January 8, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Woodburn, T. M.</span>—Enlisted June 10, 1861; +captured at Bristow October 14, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Wilson, Jas. L.</span>—Enlisted July 19, 1861; captured at +Sharpsburg September 17, 1862; exchanged November 25, 1862; wounded at +Wilderness May 5, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Winfree, W. C.</span>—Enlisted February, 1862; +discharged under Conscript Act May 22, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Williams, Wash. J.</span>—Enlisted February 28, +1862; wounded at Wilderness May 5, 1864; wounded at Ream's Station +August 25, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Winbourne, Steph. D.</span>—Enlisted April 28, 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Woolen, Geo. H.</span>—Enlisted April 28, 1862; +captured at Bristow, October 14, 1863; died in prison at Point Lookout, +September 18, 1864. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Young, Sam'l. S.</span>—Enlisted February 28, +1862; killed at Sharpsburg, September 17. 1862. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Brown, Jos. E.</span>—Served with the company until June, 1861. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Brooks, Thos. D.</span>—Served with the company until June, 1861. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Robinson, Samuel</span>—Served with the company until June, 1861. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Erwin, Frank.</span>—Served with the company until June, 1861. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Duvall W. G.</span>—Served with the company until June, 1861. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Gregory, Geo. H.</span>—Enlisted in 12th Virginia Artillery and served through the war. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Albright, Jas. W.</span>—Entered the service in May, 1862; served as Ordnance Officer in 12th Virginia Artillery. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Pritchett, Jno. A.</span>—Resigned as Lieutenant, +April 19, 1861, and did not re-enter the service. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Causey, W. W.</span>—Did not go into service. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Cole, Jas. R.</span>—Left his studies at Trinity College, and served with the company at Fort Macon until June, 1861, when he +joined his brother's cavalry company. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Bourne, W. C.</span>—Was Orderly-Sergeant in +ante-bellum days resigned at outbreak of the war. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Kirkpatrick, David N.</span>—Did not go into service. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Lamb, Maben</span>—Did not go into service. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Moring, Wm. P.</span>—Did not go into service. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Morehead, Jos. M.</span>—Did not go into service. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Tarpley, J. H.</span>—Substituted Ed. Sweitz April 20, 1861. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Fitzer, Jos. H.</span>—Did not enter the service. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Donnell, Jno. D.</span>—Did not enter the service. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Huber, Otto</span>—Did not enter the service. +</p> + +<p class="hang"> +<span class="sc">Gundling, David</span>—Did not enter the service. +</p> + + + + +<h2> +BATTLES +</h2> + +<p class="ctr"> +in which the Grays (Company B, 27th North Carolina troops) +participated in from 1861 to 1865. +</p> + +<table summary="battles"> +<tr> +<td>New Berne, N.C.</td> +<td class="r">March 14, 1862.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Seven Days' Battles Around Richmond</td> +<td class="r">June 26 to July 27, 1862.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Harper's Ferry, Va.</td> +<td class="r">September 15, 1862.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Sharpsburg, Md.</td> +<td class="r">September 17, 1862.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Fredericksburg, Va.</td> +<td class="r">December 13, 1862.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Bristow Station, Va.</td> +<td class="r">October 14, 1863.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Mine Run, Va.</td> +<td class="r">November 27 to December 3, 1863.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Wilderness, Va.</td> +<td class="r">May 5 and 6, 1864.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Graves' Farm, Va.</td> +<td class="r">May 10, 1864.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Spottsylvania Court-House, Va.</td> +<td class="r">May 12, 1864.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Attlee's Station, Va.</td> +<td class="r">May 30, 1864.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Pole Green Church, Va.</td> +<td class="r">June 2, 1864.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Cold Harbor (2d), Va.</td> +<td class="r">June 3, 1864.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Gary's Farm, Va.</td> +<td class="r">June 15, 1864.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Yellow Tavern, Va.</td> +<td class="r">August 21, 1864.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Ream's Station, Va.</td> +<td class="r">August 25, 1864.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Bellfield, Va.</td> +<td class="r">December 9, 1864.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Hatcher's Run, Va.</td> +<td class="r">February 5, 1865.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Fort Euliss, Va.</td> +<td class="r">March 30 to April 2, 1865.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>Sutherland's Tavern, Va.</td> +<td class="r">April 2, 1865.</td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<br> +<div class="figcenter"><img width="350" height="33" src="images/card.jpg" alt="A Card to the Public."></div> + + +<p> +Last May I issued to our people a card in which I stated that it was my +purpose to prepare and publish a work to be entitled: "North Carolina +in the War between the States." I also stated that "the effort will be +made to give, in a connected form, all the events pertaining to the +history of the war, so far as they relate to North Carolina." +</p> + +<p> +Since the publication of the card, I have been steadily engaged in the +work proposed. Owing to the aid of many friends, and the material +furnished by them, together with the rich supply of documents to be had +here (Washington), and the material which I had already collected +myself, I have been able to make more rapid progress than I anticipated +when I began my undertaking. +</p> + +<p> +If no unforeseen event occurs, I expect to have the work ready for the +printer in the summer of 1883. +</p> + +<p> +I again <em>earnestly</em> request all friends who desire to see +vindicated the name and fame of those gallant North Carolinians who +aided in our great struggle for Constitutional freedom, to send me any +material they may have on hand, or any information in their possession +which they may judge would be of interest. +</p> + +<p> +"Let those who made the history tell it as it was." +</p> + +<p class="indent"> + Address— +<br><span class="indent1">John A. Sloan</span>, +<br><span class="indent2">No. 1426 33d Street,</span> +<br><span class="indent3">Washington, D.C.</span> +</p> +<br> +<div class="tn"> +<p class="ctr"> +Transcriber's Note: +</p> + +<p> +Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. +</p> + +<p> +Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have been retained as +printed. +</p> +</div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Reminiscences of the Guilford Grays, +Co. B., 27th N.C. Regiment, by John A. 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Regiment, by John A. Sloan + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Reminiscences of the Guilford Grays, Co. B., 27th N.C. Regiment + +Author: John A. Sloan + +Release Date: November 7, 2013 [EBook #44124] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GUILFORD GRAYS *** + + + + +Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive) + + + + + + +Transcriber's Note: Minor typographical errors have been corrected +without note. Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have +been retained as printed. Words printed in italics are noted with +underscores: _italics_. + + + +REMINISCENCES OF THE GUILFORD GRAYS, + +CO. B, 27TH N.C. REGIMENT, + + +BY JOHN A. SLOAN. + + +WASHINGTON, D.C.: +R. O. POLKINHORN, PRINTER. +1883. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER I. + +Organization of the Grays--General Joab Hiatt--Original members-- +Election of Officers--Drill--Arms received--First public parade +--"Jake Causey"--Exercises at Edgeworth--May Queen; presentation +of banner. + + +CHAPTER II. + +The Greys celebrate Fourth of July--Visit the Orange Guards at +Hillsboro--Dinner and Ball--Celebrate 22d February at Greenboro--The +"boom" of War--Secession of the Gulf States--Correspondence between +Gov. Ellis and Secretary Holt--Organization of the Confederacy at +Montgomery--We celebrate our own Anniversary--Our Visitors--The +Ladies--Feasting and Dancing--"Call" on Gov. Ellis for troops--Ellis' +Response. + + +CHAPTER III. + +Effect of Lincoln's call for troops--Gov. Ellis convenes the +Legislature--The Greys ordered to report at Goldsboro with three +days rations--Ordered to report at Fort Macon--Ladies' Aid Society +--Political excitement--North Carolina Secedes--New recruits--The +Greys sworn in--Arrival at Fort Macon--Latham's Woodpeckers--Assigned +to the 9th Regiment--Assigned finally to the 27th Regiment--Deaths +--New recruits--Routine duty at the Fort--Sports and Past-times. + + +CHAPTER IV. + +Election of Regimental Officers--Ordered to New Berne--Burnside +approaches--Fleet arrives on the 12th--The morning of the 14th--The +Battle--The retreat--At Kinston--Changes and promotions--Expiration of +enlistments--Regiment reorganized--Grays reorganized as Company B-- +Election of commissioned and non-commissioned officers. + + +CHAPTER V. + +More recruits--Sam'l Park Weir--Leave North Carolina for Virginia--The +Seven Pines--The seven days fight--Malvern Hill. + + +CHAPTER VI. + +Marching in the rain--From Drury's Bluff to Petersburg--Riddling the +"Daniel Webster"--Shelling McClellan's camp--Ordered to Richmond--At +Rapidan Station--Discharges and deaths--Regimental Band formed--First +Maryland campaign--Across the Potomac--Two Grays captured--Lost in +the woods--Turn up in Loudon County, Va.--At Harper's Ferry--Surrender +of Harper's Ferry. + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Battle of Sharpsburg--The 27th Regiment in the fight--Complimentary +notice by President Davis, Gen. Lee and others--Cook's heroism-- +Casualties--Captain Wm. Adams--Recross the Potomac--Rest at Occoquan +--Election of Officers to fill vacancies--Deaths. + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +McClellan moves Southward--Our march through the Valley--At Upperville +--Return to Paris--Cedar Mountain--Col. Cooke promoted--Major J. A. +Gilmer made Colonel--On to Fredericksburg--Incidents on the march-- +Burnside advances--Battle of Fredericksburg--Casualties. + + +CHAPTER IX. + +Muster Roll of Grays in December, 1862--Ordered to Richmond--To +Petersburg--Take cars for North Carolina--At Burgaw--The sweet potato +vine--On to Charleston, S.C.--The Alligators of Pocataligo--In camp +at Coosawhatchie--More deaths--Return to North Carolina--On the old +grounds near Kinston. + + +CHAPTER X. + +The affair at Bristow Station. + + +CHAPTER XI. + +The affair at Bristow--Gallant conduct of Color-Guard W. C. Story-- +Losses of the Grays--Lieut. McKnight killed--Sergeant-Major R. D. +Weatherly mortally wounded--The affair a criminal blunder--President +Davis' comments--The surprise at Kelly's Ford--Meade crosses the +Rapidan--Lee advances--Meade's retreat--In winter quarters near +Orange Court-House. + + +CHAPTER XII. + +Company promotions--Our "Fighting Parson" appointed Chaplain--New +recruits--Transfers--Deaths--Virginia Xmas hospitality--Visited by +Rev. J. H. Smith, of Greensboro. + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +Relative strength of the two armies in May--Their respective positions +--The Wilderness--Private Williams receives a wound--Casualties. + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +The enemy re-enforced by Burnside's Corps--Heth and Wilcox overpowered +--Critical situation--General Lee charges with the Texas Brigade--Enemy +routed--Longstreet wounded--Night march--Moving towards Spottsylvania +Court-House--Fortifying at Spottsylvania. + + +CHAPTER XV. + +Barlow's attack upon our left--The little brick church--The enemy's +advance on Ewell at the salient--Gen. Lee exposes himself--Terrific +conflict--Heth's Division moved to the left--The enemy repulsed--Rest +for a few days--Grant's desperate attack on the 18th. + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +Grant abandons his plans--Moves towards Bowling Greene--On the road to +Hanover Junction--Weary marches--A. "Georgy" soldier's costume--His +idea of Music and Medicine--Anecdote of General Grant--Grant changes +his tactics--Engagement at Attlee's Station--Brush at Tolopotomy +Creek--Skirmish at Pole--Green Church--Lieut. Campbell mortally +wounded. + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +The army at Cold Harbor--Battle at Pharr's farm--Casualties--At Cold +Harbor--Lieut. Frank Hanner's death. + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +Marching towards the James--Our Brigade in the Chickahominy Swamps-- +Cavalry skirmish at Hawe's Shops--Sergeant W. M. Paisley mortally +wounded--Ordered to support the cavalry on the 21st.--Fighting under +difficulties--On the lines near Petersburg. + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +The Crater--Warren's corps seize the Weldon Railroad--The 27th at +Ream's Station--The Grays lose heavily--Warren holds the railroad. + + +CHAPTER XX. + +In the trenches before Petersburg--Casualties--The Federals cross +to the north side of the James--Skirmish near Battery No. 45--At +Hatcher's Run--At Burgess' Mill--In line of battle--Building winter +quarters--On a raid at Bellfield--The enemy in full flight--Grant +creeping up on our lines. + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +In winter quarters at Hatcher's Run--A midnight tramp--An affair at +Hare's Hill--Our picket line in the hands of the enemy--Recaptured-- +At Fort Euliss--Our lines broken--The retreat--Fight at Sutherland's +Tavern--Sorely pressed--Reach Deep Creek--Camp near Goode's Bridge +--We celebrate--Reorganization of the regiment--A halt at Amelia +Court-House--Wagon trains attacked and burned--Every man for +himself--Reach Appomattox--In line of battle--Awaiting orders. + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +To the reader--The morning of the 9th--Preparations to attack--A flag +of truce--Negotiations between Generals Grant and Lee--The surrender +--The Guilford Grays present at Appomattox--Comrades--Closing scene +--Retrospect. + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +The names of all who were at any time on our rolls, and a sketch of +the military record of each member--Battles fought. + + + + +Preface. + + +I hope no one will think that I aspire to the severe dignity of a +historian in these rambling reminiscences which are to follow. I am +well content to take an humbler part. With the political questions of +the past, with the conduct of politicians and statesmen, with the +skill of military leaders, with the criticism of campaigns, with the +causes and effects of the civil war, I have here no concern, much less +with the personal interests and rivalries of individuals. But for +all this, the writer hopes that these contributions will not be +unfavorably received by those who were actors in the scenes which are +here recalled. He hopes that what is lacking of the general history of +those eventful times will be compensated for in the details touching +the history of the Guilford Grays themselves. + +From the period when our company was called into the field by Gov. +Ellis, down to the surrender at Appomattox, the writer kept a record of +those events which came under his own observation, and which he thought +might prove useful and interesting in future time. "_Forsan et haec +olim meminisse juvabit._" + +These records up to the capture of Newberne were lost, and for this +period of our history I have relied principally upon my memory. From +the battle of Newberne to the final catastrophe, I have accurate notes +of the most important events and incidents in which the Grays +participated and shared. + +To the memory of my comrades who fell, and as a testimonial to those +who survive, these reminiscences are dedicated. To the derelict in +duty, if such there may have been, the writer will have naught to say. +Let their names stand forever in the shadows of oblivion. + + JOHN A. SLOAN. + + + + +REMINISCENCES OF THE GUILFORD GRAYS. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +In the year eighteen hundred and sixty the military spirit was rife in +the South. The clouds were threatening. No one knew what a day would +bring forth. The organization, the equipment and drill of volunteer +companies was, accordingly, the order of the times. The first assembly +to perfect the organization of the Guilford Grays was held in the +court-house in Greensboro, N.C., on the evening of the 9th of +January, 1860. The meeting was presided over by General Joab +Hiatt--now deceased--a favorite and friend of the young men. Gen. +Hiatt won his military laurels as commander of the militia, in the +piping times of peace. Whoever has seen him arrayed in the gorgeous +uniform of a militia brigadier on the field of the general muster +cannot fail to recall his commanding presence. He was the proper man +to fill the chair at our first meeting. James W. Albright (who is +still in the flesh) acted as secretary. The usual committees were +appointed. A constitution and by-laws were drafted and adopted. The +constitution provided for a volunteer company of infantry, to be known +as the Guilford Grays. Each member was required to sign the +constitution and by-laws. The following is a complete list of the +signers, in the order of their signatures: + +John A. Sloan, William P. Wilson, Thomas J. Sloan, Jos. M. Morehead, +John Sloan, David Gundling, Henry C. Gorrel, William U. Steiner, Otto +Huber, James R. Pearce, Jas. T. Morehead, Jr., P. B. Taylor, Chas. A. +Campbell, J. H. Tarpley, William Adams, James W. Albright, Maben Lamb, +James Thomas, Edward G. Sterling, Jos. H. Fetzer, William P. Moring, +Wilbur F. Owen, George H. Gregory, David N. Kirkpatrick, Andrew D. +Lindsay, John Donnell, Benjamin G. Graham, W. W. Causey, William L. +Bryan, Chas. E. Porter, John D. Smith, James R. Cole, John H. +McKnight, Jed. H. Lindsay, Jr., W. C. Bourne, John A. Gilmer, Jr., +Samuel B. Jordan. + +The foregoing persons signed the constitution and by-laws on the 9th +of January, 1860, when the company was first organized, and are +entitled to the honor of being the "original panel." + +The company was organized by the election of the following +commissioned and non-commissioned officers, viz.: + +John Sloan, Captain; William Adams, 1st Lieutenant; James T. Morehead, +2d Lieutenant; John A. Pritchett, 3d Lieutenant; Henry C. Gorrell, +Ensign (with rank of Lieutenant); W. C. Bourne, Orderly Sergeant; +William P. Wilson, 2d Sergeant; Samuel B. Jordan, 3d Sergeant; Geo. W. +Howlett, 4th Sergeant; Thos. J. Sloan, Corporal; Benjamin G. Graham, +2d Corporal; George H. Gregory, 3d Corporal; Silas C. Dodson, 4th +Corporal. + +The following musicians were selected from the colored troops: + +Jake Mebane, fifer; Bob Hargrove, kettle-drummer; Caesar Lindsay, +base-drummer. + +The anniversary of the battle of Guilford Court-House is an honored +day among the people of old Guilford. It was the turning point in the +future of Lord Cornwallis. When the Earl of Chatham heard the defeat +announced in the House of Parliament, he exclaimed: "One more such +victory would ruin the British." This battle was fought by General +Greene on the 15th of March, 1781. On this anniversary, the 15th of +March, 1860, our officers received their commissions from Governor +Ellis. This is the date of our formal organization. + +Friday night of each week was set apart for the purpose of drill and +improvement. Our drill-room was in the second story of Tate's old +cotton factory, where we were instructed in the various manoeuvers +and evolutions, as then laid down in Scott's tactics. + +Early in April we received our arms, consisting of fifty stand of old +flint-and-steel, smooth-bore muskets, a species of ordnance very +effective at the breech. They were supposed to have descended from +1776, and to have been wrested by order of the Governor from the worms +and rust of the Arsenal at Fayettsville. By the first of May we had +received our handsome gray uniforms from Philadelphia. These uniforms, +which we so gaily donned and proudly wore, consisted of a frock coat, +single-breasted, with two rows of State buttons, pants to match, with +black stripe, waist belt of black leather, cross belt of white +webbing, gray cap with pompon. + +Our first public parade was a day long to be remembered. It occurred +on the 5th day of May, 1860. The occasion was the coronation of a May +queen in the grove at Edgeworth Female Seminary. The Grays were +invited by the ladies to lend their presence at the celebration, and +it was whispered that we were to be the recipients of a banner. + +It will be readily imagined that we were transported with the +anticipation of so joyous a day. We did our best to make ourselves +perfect in the drill and manual--for would not all eyes be upon us? +The day came at last, and at 10 a.m. we assembled in front of the +court-house. The roll was called and no absentees noted. The uniforms +were immaculate, our officers wore the beautiful swords presented to +them by the fair ladies of Greensboro Female College, the musket +barrels and bayonets flashed and gleamed in the glorious May sunshine, +and with high heads in jaunty caps, and with the proud military step, +as we supposed it ought to be, we marched now in single file, and now +in platoons, down the street towards the Edgeworth grounds, keeping +time to the music of "Old Jake," whose "spirit-stirring fife" never +sounded shriller, and whose _rainbow-arched_ legs never bore him with +such grandeur. + +When we arrived at our destination, we found the beautiful green +grounds, which were tastefully decorated, already filled with happy +spectators. The young ladies, whose guests we were to be, were formed +in procession, and were awaiting the arrival of the Queen and her +suite. The appearance of this distinguished cortege on the scene was +the signal for the procession to move. + +The following was the order of procession: + +First. Fourteen of her maids of honor. + +Second. Ten Floras, with baskets of flowers, which they scattered in +the pathway. + +Third. Sceptre and crown-bearer. + +Fourth. The Queen, with Lady Hope and the Archbishop on either side. + +Fifth. Two maids of honor. + +Sixth. Ten pages. + +Seventh. The Military (Grays). + +As the Queen advanced to the throne, erected in the centre of the +grove, the young ladies greeted her with the salutation: + + "You are the fairest, and of beauty rarest, + And you our Queen shall be." + +Lady Hope (Miss Mary Arendell) addressed the Queen: + + "O, maiden fair, with light brown hair!" + +The Archbishop (Miss Hennie Erwin) then proceeded to the crowning +ceremony, and Miss Mary Morehead was crowned Queen of May. + +After these pleasant and ever-to-be-remembered ceremonies, the Queen +(Miss Mamie) in the name of the ladies of the seminary, presented to +the Grays a handsome silk flag, in the following happy speech: + + "In the name of my subjects, the fair donors of Edgeworth, I + present this banner to the Guilford Grays. Feign would we have + it a "banner of peace," and have inscribed upon its graceful + folds "peace on earth and good-will to man;" for our womanly + natures shrink from the horrors of war and bloodshed. But we + have placed upon it the "oak," fit emblem of the firm heroic + spirits over which it is to float. Strength, energy, and decision + mark the character of the sons of Guilford, whuse noble sires + have taught their sons to know but one fear--the fear of doing + wrong." * * * * * * + +Cadet R. O. Sterling, of the N.C. Military Institute, received the +banner at the hands of the Queen, and, advancing, placed it in the +hands of Ensign H. C. Gorrell, who accepted the trust as follows: + + "Most noble Queen, on the part of the Guilford Grays I accept this + beautiful banner, for which I tender the thanks of those whom I + represent. Your majesty calls to remembrance the days of 'Auld + Lang Syne,' when the banners of our country proudly and + triumphantly waved over our own battle-field, and when our + fathers, on the soil of old Guilford, 'struck for their altars and + their fires.' Here, indeed, was fought the great battle of the + South; here was decided the great struggle of the Revolution; here + was achieved the great victory of American over British + generalship; here was evidenced the great military talent and + skill of Nathaniel Greene, the blacksmith boy, whose immortal name + our town bears. + + "If any earthly pride be justifiable, are not the sons of Guilford + entitled to entertain it? If any spot on earth be appropriate + for the presentation of a "banner of peace," where will you find + it, if it be not here, five miles from the battle-field of + Martinsville; here at Guilford Court-House in the boro of Nathaniel + Greene; here in the classic grounds of old Edgeworth, surrounded + with beauty and intelligence; in the presence of our wives, our + sisters, and our sweethearts. And who could more appropriately + present this banner than your majesty and her fair subjects? You + are the daughter of a Revolutionary mother to whom we would render + all the honor due-- + + 'No braver dames had Sparta, + No nobler matrons Rome. + Then let us laud and honor them, + E'en in their own green homes.' + + "They have passed from the stage of earthly action, and while we + pay to their memories the grateful tribute of a sigh, we would + again express our thanks to their daughters for this beautiful + banner, and as a token of our gratitude, we, the Guilford Grays, + do here beneath its graceful folds pledge our lives, our fortunes, + and our sacred honor, and swear for them to live, them to love, + and, if need be, for them to die. + + "Noble Queen, we render to you, and through you to your subjects, + our hearty, sincere, and lasting thanks for this entertainment; + and to the rulers, in your vast domain, for the privilege of + trespassing upon their provinces which lie under their immediate + supervision. + + "In time of war, or in time of peace, in prosperity or adversity, + we would have you ever remember the Guilford Grays--for be assured + your memories will ever be cherished by them." + +This beautiful banner was designed by Dr. D. P. Weir and executed in +Philadelphia--the size is 6 feet by 5, being made of heavy blue silk. +On the one side is a painting in oils, representing the coat-of-arms +of North Carolina encircled by a heavy wreath of oak leaves and +acorns. Above is a spread eagle with scroll containing the motto, "E +Pluribus Unum," a similar scroll below with words, "Greensboro, North +Carolina." The other side, similar in design, except within the wreath +the words, "Presented by the Ladies of Edgeworth Female Seminary, May +5th, 1860;" on the scroll above, "Guilford Grays," and on scroll +below, "Organized March 5th, 1860," all edged with heavy yellow silk +fringe, cord and tassel blue and gold, the staff of ebony, surmounted +with a heavily plated battle axe. This flag is still preserved and in +the writer's possession. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +More than a year in advance of the National Paper, attributed to Mr. +Jefferson, the people of Mecklenburg County declared themselves a free +people and took the lead in throwing off the British yoke. On the 4th +day of July, 1776, the National Declaration, adopting (?) some of the +language of the Mecklenburg convention, "rang out" the glad tidings +"that these United Colonies are, and, of right, ought to be, _free_ and +_independent_ States." + +To celebrate the "glorious fourth," the good people of Alamance County +unveiled and dedicated a monument at Alamance church to the memory of +Colonel Arthur Forbis, a gallant officer of the North Carolina troops, +who fell mortally wounded at the battle of Guilford, March 25th, 1781. +By invitation of the committee--Rev. C. H. Wiley and Dr. D. P. +Weir--the Grays participated. Invitations of this kind were never +declined. The day was intensely hot, and the distance from Greensboro +being too far for a march in those days, wagons were furnished for our +transportation. The exercises of the occasion were opened with prayer +by Rev. E. W. Caruthers. He was followed by Gov. John M. Morehead, +who, taking the sword which the brave Forbis had carried while he was +an officer, with it lifted the veil from the monument. The Governor's +remarks were just such as those who knew him would have expected of +him. The exercises were closed by Rev. Samuel Paisley, that venerable +man of God. The Grays, after firing a salute and performing such +duties as were required, returned to Greensboro, having spent an +interesting "fourth." + +On the 1st of October, in the same year, we visited by invitation the +Orange Guards, a military organization at Hillsboro, N.C. The +occasion was their fifth anniversary. We took the morning train to +Hillsboro, and in a few hours reached our destination. We found the +Guards at the depot awaiting our arrival. Lieutenant John W. Graham, +on behalf of the Guards, received us with a most cordial welcome. +Lieutenant James T. Morehead, Jr., responded upon the part of the +Grays. We were then escorted to quarters, which were prepared for us, +at the Orange Hotel, where we enjoyed the delicacies, luxuries, and +liquids so bountifully "set out" at this famed hostelry, then presided +over by the genius of Messrs. Hedgpeth and Stroud. In the afternoon we +were escorted to the Hillsboro Military Institute, and gave the young +gentlemen there an opportunity of observing our _superior_ skill, both +in the manual and the evolutions. At night the chivalry and beauty of +"ye ancient borough" assembled in the Odd Fellows' hall to do us honor +at a ball, + + "And then the viols played their best; + Lamps above and laughs below. + Love me sounded like a jest, + Fit for yes, or fit for no." + +As Aurora began to paint the East in rosy colors of the dawn, we +boarded the train for home. Some with aching heads, some with aching +hearts. + +The Orange Guards were closely and intimately associated with us +during the entire four years of the war. We entered the service about +the same time, at the same place, and served in the same regiment. Our +friendships were there renewed, and many, so many, are the memories +sweet and sad, which we mutually share. Our marches, our wants, our +abundance, our sorrows, and our rejoicings--each and all, they were +common to us both. In love and allegiance to our native State we +marched forth to take our places among her gallant sons, be it for +weal or woe; hand-in-hand together till Appomattox Court-House, we +struggled and endured. There like a vesture no longer for use, we +folded and laid away our tattered and battle-stained banner, to be +kept forever sacred, in the sepulchre of a lost cause. + +My diary intimates no occasion for even a "skirmish" until the 22d of +February, 1861, when we again donned the gray to honor the memory of +"George W." and his little hatchet. We were entertained during the day +with an address at the court-house by Jas. A. Long, Esq., on the +all-absorbing _question_ of the times. + +The Congress of the United States had assembled as usual in December, +and was at this time in session. The clouds surcharged with sectional +hate and political fanaticism were now lowering over us, and the +distant mutterings of that storm which had been heard so long, and +against which the wise and patriotic had given solemn warning, +foreboded evil times. South Carolina had already, on the 20th of +December, adopted her ordinance of secession; Mississippi on the 9th +of January; Florida followed on the 10th, Alabama on the 11th, Georgia +on the 18th, Louisiana on the 26th, and Texas on the 1st of February. + +Events now crowded upon each other with the rapidity of a drama. On the +10th of January, 1861, Governor Ellis telegraphed Hon. Warren Winslow +of North Carolina, at Washington, to call on General Winfield Scott and +_demand_ of him to know if he had been instructed to garrison the forts +of North Carolina. The Governor stated that he was informed that it was +the purpose of the Administration to coerce the seceded States, and +that troops were already on their way to garrison the Southern forts. +On the 12th, Governor Ellis addressed the following letter to President +Buchanan: + + "Your Excellency will pardon me for asking whether the United + States forts in this State will be garrisoned with Federal troops + during your administration. Should I receive assurances that no + troops will be sent to this State prior to the 4th of March next, + then all will be peace and quiet here, and the property of the + United States will be protected as heretofore. If, however, I am + unable to get such assurances, I will not undertake to answer for + the consequences. Believing your Excellency to be desirous of + preserving the peace, I have deemed it my duty to yourself, as + well as to the people of North Carolina, to make the foregoing + inquiry, and to acquaint you with the state of the public mind + here." + +On the 15th day of January, J. Holt, Secretary of War (_ad interim_), +in behalf of the President, replied as follows: + + "It is not his (Buchanan's) purpose to garrison the forts to which + you refer, because he considers them entirely safe under the + shelter of that _law-abiding_ sentiment for which the people of + North Carolina have ever been distinguished." + +The congress of delegates from the seceded States convened at +Montgomery, Alabama, on the 4th of February, 1861, and on the 9th, +Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, was chosen by this body for +President, and Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia, for Vice President +of the Confederate States. On the 18th of February Mr. Davis was +inaugurated and the Provisional Government was instituted. + +On the 4th of March, "at the other end of the avenue," Abraham +Lincoln, nominated by a sectional convention, elected by a sectional +vote, and that the vote of a minority of the people, was inducted into +office. + +Eager now were the inquiries as to the probabilities of a war between +the sections. Everything was wrapped in the greatest uncertainty. +North Carolina still adhered to the Union. + +The anniversary of our company occurring on the 15th of March, which +was now near at hand, we determined to celebrate the occasion. We +accordingly issued invitations to the Rowan Rifles, of Salisbury, the +Blues and Grays, of Danville, Va., and the Orange Guards, of +Hillsboro, to be present with us. The Danville Grays, commanded by +Capt. Claiburne, arrived on the evening of the 14th, the Rowan Rifles, +Capt. McNeely, accompanied by Prof. Neave's brass band, greeted us on +the morning of the 15th; the Orange Guards, Capt. Pride Jones, brought +up the rear a few hours afterwards. Our visiting companies were +welcomed, and the hospitalities of the city extended in an appropriate +address by our then worthy Mayor, A. P. Eckel, Esq. Special addresses +of welcome were made to the Danville companies by John A. Gilmer, Jr.; +to the Rowan Rifles, by Lieut. James T. Morehead, Jr.; and to the +Orange Guards, by Lieut. Wm. Adams. Having formed a battalion, under +the command of Col. R. E. Withers, who had accompanied the Danville +companies, we paraded the streets some hours. We repaired, by +invitation of Prof. Sterling, to the Edgeworth grounds, where we found +a bountiful lunch ready for us, prepared by the hospitable hostess. +From Edgeworth we marched to the college, and passed in review before +the bright eyes and smiling faces of the assembled beauty of that +institution. At night our guests were entertained at a sumptuous +collation in Yates' Hall, prepared by the ladies of our city. After we +had refreshed the inner man, and regaled ourselves at the groaning +tables, we moved, by way of a temporary bridge, constructed from the +third-story window of the Yates building to the large hall in the +Garrett building adjacent. Here, under the soul-stirring music +discoursed by the Salisbury band, the feet began to twinkle and sound +in quadrille, and continued until + + "The jagged, brazen arrows fell + Athwart the feathers of the night." + +On the next day all departed for their homes. Ah! who surmised so soon +to leave them again, and on so different a mission! + +We now pass from these holiday reflections, which are germane only to +the introduction of these reminiscences, and arrive at the period when +our _law-abiding_ old State called her sons to arms; when we pledged +our _most_ sacred honor in the cause of freedom, and willingly made the +sacrifice:-- + + "All these were men, who knew to count, + Front-faced, the cost of honor-- + Nor did shrink from its full payment." + +On Friday, the 12th day of April, 1861, General G. T. Beauregard, then +in command of the provisional forces of the Confederate States at +Charleston, S.C., opened fire upon Fort Sumter. Then, on the 15th, +came the proclamation of Mr. Lincoln, calling for 75,000 troops. As +this levy could only mean war, Virginia determined to cast her lot +with the Confederate States, and, accordingly, on the 17th added +herself to their number. + +This proclamation was the out-burst of the storm, and with lightning +speed the current of events rushed on to the desolating war so soon to +ensue. + +On the 16th of April, Governor Ellis received from Mr. Cameron, +Secretary of War, the following telegram, viz.: + + WAR DEPARTMENT, + WASHINGTON, D.C., _April 15th, 1861_. + + TO J. W. ELLIS: + + Call made on you by to-night's mail for two regiments of military + for immediate service. + + SIMON CAMERON, + _Secretary of War_. + +_Governor_ Ellis immediately telegraphed back the following reply: + + EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, + RALEIGH, N.C., _April 15th, 1861_. + + TO SIMON CAMERON, + _Secretary of War_. + + SIR: Your dispatch is received, and if genuine, which its + extraordinary character leads me to doubt, I have to say in reply, + that I regard that levy of troops made by the administration for + the purpose of subjugating the States of the South as in violation + of the Constitution, and as a gross usurpation of power. I can be + no party to this wicked violation of the laws of the country, and + to this war upon the liberties of a free people. _You can get no + troops from North Carolina._ I will reply more in detail when I + receive your "call." + + JOHN W. ELLIS, + _Governor of North Carolina_. + +It is to be remarked that as early as the 19th of March, Senator Thos. +L. Clingman had dispatched Gov. Ellis, to wit: + + "It is believed that the North Carolina forts will immediately be + garrisoned by Lincoln." + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +Mr. Lincoln's "call" for troops excited indignation and alarm +throughout the South; and "law-abiding" North Carolina had now to +decide what it was her duty to do. + +On the 17th of April, Gov. Ellis issued a proclamation convening the +General Assembly to meet in special session on the first day of May. + +On the evening of the day of the issuing of the proclamation, Capt. +John Sloan, commanding the Grays, received orders from Gov. Ellis, "to +report with his company, with three days' rations, at Goldsboro, N.C." +This order was countermanded on the following morning, "to report to +Col. C. C. Tew, commanding the garrison at Fort Macon." + +In obedience to this order the Guilford Grays, on Friday night, April +18th, 1861, left Greensboro for Fort Macon. Thus the Rubicon was +crossed; thus did North Carolina find herself in armed conflict with +the United States; and thus were the Guilford Grays precipitated in +the contest in which they were to suffer and endure for four long +years. + +Our departure was the occasion of different and conflicting emotions. +The Grays, young, ardent, and full of enthusiasm, were the most +light-hearted and happy of all, and marched with as little thought of +coming trouble, as if on the way to some festive entertainment. Not so +with mothers, sisters, and sweethearts--for except our captain, none of +as were married--nature seemed to have granted to these a vision of the +future, which was denied to us, and while they cheered us on with +encouraging words, there was manifest in their expression a deep but +silent under-current of sad forebodings, not unaccompanied with tears. +We marched to the depot with drums beating, and with _that_ flag +flying, which but twelve months before the girls had given us as a +"banner of peace." + +Previous to our departure on Friday night the company assembled in the +court-house, when Lieut. John A. Pritchett and Orderly Sergeant W. H. +Bourne, resigned their offices. John A. Gilmer, Jr., was elected to +fill the vacancy of lieutenant, and Wm. P. Wilson that of orderly +sergeant. + +The following is the roll of members who left for Fort Macon on the +night mentioned: + +John Sloan, Captain; William Adams, 1st Lieutenant; James T. Morehead, +Jr., 2d Lieutenant; John A. Gilmer, Jr., 3d Lieutenant; John E. Logan, +M. D., Surgeon; Henry C. Gorrell, Ensign; William P. Wilson, Orderly +Sergeant; John A. Sloan, 2d Sergeant; Geo. W. Howlett, 3d Sergeant; +Samuel B. Jordan, 4th Sergeant; Thos. J. Sloan, Corporal; Benjamin G. +Graham, 2d Corporal; Edward M. Crowson, 3d Corporal; J. Harper +Lindsay, Jr., 4th Corporal. Privates: Hardy Ayres, James Ayers, +William L. Bryan, Peter M. Brown, John D. Collins, Allison C. Cheely, +Chas. A. Campbell, H. Rufus Forbis, Rufus B. Gibson, Walter Green, +Frank A. Hanner, Alfred W. Klutts, Andrew D. Lindsay, John H. +McKnight, J. W. McDowell, James R. Pearce, Chas. E. Porter, William U. +Steiner, Edw. G. Sterling, John E. Wharton, Richard B. Worrell, Robert +D. Weatherly, Samuel P. Weir, A. Lafayette Orrell, James Gray, Samuel +Robinson, J. Frank Erwin, Joseph E. Brown, Edward Switz, Thos. D. +Brooks, W. G. Duvall. + +A few days after our departure, the ladies of Greensboro organized a +committee, consisting of Mrs. D. P. Weir, Mrs. R. G. Sterling, Mrs. T. +M. Jones, Mrs. A. P. Eckel, and Mrs. J. A. Gilmer, to see that we were +supplied with provisions and such clothing as was needful, and nobly +did these blessed ladies--three of whom have since "crossed the River; +resting under the shade on the other side"--perform their work of +love. We were constantly receiving boxes, containing, not only every +comfort, but luxuries and dainties, from this committee, in addition +to those sent us by the dear ones in our private homes. + +In the meanwhile our newspapers and politicians were urging immediate +action upon the part of our State. The following quotation from _The +Patriot_ of May 2d, 1861, will serve to show the state of public +opinion at that time. _The Patriot_ says: + + "Our streets are filled with excited crowds, and addresses were + made during the day by Governor Morehead, Hons. R. C. Puryear, + John A. Gilmer, Sr., Rob't. P. Dick, and Thomas Settle. These + speeches all breathed the spirit of resistance to tyrants, and our + people were told that the time had come for North Carolina to make + common cause with her brethren of the South in driving back the + abolition horde." + +On the 20th day of May, 1861 (being the 86th anniversary of the +Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence), North Carolina severed her +relations with the Federal Union, and made "common cause with her +brethren of the South." + +During the months of May and June our company received many volunteer +recruits, all, with one or two exceptions, coming from Guilford +County. Below are their names and the dates of their enlistment: + +Edward B. Higgins, J. T. Edwards, H. M. Boon, Richard G. Boling, L. G. +Hunt. John W. Nelson, Jas. A. Orrell, Chas. W. Westbrooks, Jos. W. +Rankin, C. W. Stratford, William M. Summers and Jas. S. Scott, on the +first of May. A. F. Coble, R. S. Coble, Robert L. Donnell, Mike +Gretter, G. D. Hines, Robert A. Hampton, Isaac F. Lane, Walter D. +McAdoo, on the 4th, Wash. D. Archer, on the 9th of June. James M. +Hardin, T. M. Woodburn, on the 10th. Wilbur F. Owen, Hal Puryear, +Rob't. B. McLean, Edward B. Lindsay, S. A. Hunter, W. I. L. Hunt, W. +C. Clapp, Israel N. Clapp, Jas. C. Davis, David H. Edwards, W. C. +Story, Andy L. Stanley, Rob't. B. Tate, on the 11th, Jas. M. Marsh on +the 13th, John W. McNairy, H. Smiley Forbis, William Dennis, John W. +Reid on the 15th, Thos. J. Rhodes on the 25th, and on the 19th of +July, Jas. L. Wilson. + +A large majority of the members of the Grays were sworn in, some two +months after our arrival at the Fort, as twelve months State troops. +Some few at this time returned to their homes, and others enlisted in +different commands. Ensign H. C. Gorrell returned to Greensboro, +raised a company for active service, was elected its captain, and +assigned to the 2d North Carolina regiment. He was killed June 21st, +1862, while gallantly leading a charge against one of the enemy's +strongholds on the Chickahominy. Our surgeon, Dr. John E. Logan, +remained with us about four months as surgeon of the post. He was then +assigned to the 4th North Carolina Regiment in active service, and, +later during the war, to the 14th North Carolina, where he served as +surgeon until the close of the war. + +The war fever had now reached its height, and companies were forming +throughout the State, and rapidly hastening to Virginia, which was +soon to become the theatre of active operations. In the meanwhile, the +seat of government was transferred from Montgomery, Alabama, to +Richmond, Va., where, on the 20th day of July, 1861, the first +Confederate Congress convened. + +On our arrival at Fort Macon, on the night of the 20th of April, we +found our old friends, the Orange Guards, also the Goldsboro Rifles +and the Wilson Light Infantry, in quiet possession of the citadel. The +United States garrison, consisting of Sergeant Alexander, supported by +one six-pounder mounted on the inner parapet to herald the rising of +the sun, and the going down of the same, had surrendered on the 11th, +without bloodshed, to Capt. Pender, of Beaufort. The sergeant was +paroled, and allowed to leave the fort with his flag and side-arms. +The ordnance was retained. On the next morning we saw floating from +the flagstaff over the fort the Pine Tree flag, with the rattlesnake +coiled around the base. This was the State flag. About ten days +afterwards for some cause, and by what authority is not known, the +State flag was pulled down and a Confederate flag run up in its place. +North Carolina had not yet seceded, and this was looked upon as an +unwarrantable assumption of command, and some of our company left for +home, but returned when the State afterwards seceded. + +A few weeks afterwards our garrison was reinforced by Capt. Latham's +(artillery) "Woodpeckers," from Craven. This command received its very +appropriate nickname from the fact that, when they entered the fort, +they wore very tight-fitting scarlet caps. (This company, with a +detail from the 27th N.C. Regiment, did splendid service at the +battle of Newberne.) + +Some time in June we were assigned to the 9th North Carolina regiment; +but, for some reason unknown to us, we were taken from this regiment, +and another company substituted. On the 22d we were placed, with five +other companies, in a battalion, commanded by Col. Geo. B. Singletary. +Our position was retained in this battalion until some time in +September, when we were assigned to the 27th North Carolina regiment, +which was organized with Col. Singletary as Colonel, Capt. John Sloan +(of the Grays) Lieut.-Colonel, and Lieut. Thomas C. Singletary as +Major. Seven companies of this regiment were then in camp near +Newberne, and the remaining three companies--one of which was the +Grays, and designated in the regiment as Company "B"--were on detached +service at Fort Macon, where we remained until the 28th of February, +1862. + +Owing to the promotion of Capt. Sloan to the Lieut.-Colonelcy of the +regiment, Lieut. William Adams was elected captain of the Grays and +Sergeant William P. Wilson elected 3d Lieutenant. + +Private William Cook died in Greensboro of typhoid fever, on the 5th +of June, having been a member of the company about one month. + +On the 31st of July, private George J. Sloan, after severe illness, +died at the fort. + +On the 1st of August the following new members enlisted, viz.: Jno. T. +Sockwell, R. D. Brown, Frank G. Chilcutt, George W. Lemons, James H. +Gant, Richard Smith, and L. L. Prather. + +Our special employment at the Fort, outside of the military routine, +and to relieve its tedium, was "totin" sand bags. Thad Coleman was our +chief of ordnance, and as the duties of this office were important and +imperative, Sergeant Howlett and Private A. D. Lindsay were detailed +as assistants or aids-de-camp. While waiting the arrival of our +artillery to equip the fort, Capt. Guion, our civil engineer, +instructed our chief of ordnance and his aids to erect embrasures and +traverses, of sand bags, on the parapets. The bags were first tarred, +then filled with sand and carried by the men to the parapets. This +interesting recreation was indulged in during the dog-days of the +hottest August that our boys ever experienced. At the early dawn of +every morning, upon the parapet, with a pair of opera glasses, +intensely scanning the horizon of the deep, deep blue sea, might have +been observed the inclined form of Capt. Guion, on the look-out for a +United States man-of-war. But whether a man-of-war or the +"idly-flapping" sail of some crab hunter hove in sight, the order for +more sand bags was placed on file at the ordnance department. We built +traverses day after day. We pulled them down and built them up again, +exactly as they were before. At length the raw material, of bag, +failed, and Sergeant-aid-de-camp Howlett was dispatched under sealed +orders to Greensboro on some mysterious errand. We employed our +leisure time which we now enjoyed (thanks to the bag failure and the +mysterious errand of Sergeant Howlett), in citing delinquents to +appear before a court-martial of High Privates, which we now +organized. Among the culprits were Sergeant Howlett and private +Summers. It had transpired that Sergeant Howlett's mysterious errand +had been to fill a requisition, made by Capt. Guion and approved by +Lieut. Coleman, chief of ordnance, for a Grover and Baker sewing +machine (extra size) to be employed in the furtherance of the tarred +sand-bag business. The prisoner was tried, convicted, and sentenced to +change his sleeping quarters to No. 14-1/2. This casemate was occupied +by Harper Lindsay, Ed. Higgins, Tom. Sloan, Jim. Pearce, and McDowell. +Any man was entitled to all the sleep he could get in these quarters. + +Private Summers, who had obtained leave to visit home on what he +represented as _urgent_ business, was also arraigned in due form. The +charges and specifications amounted substantially to this, that he went +home to see his sweetheart. He was permitted by the Court to defend +with counsel. "Long" Coble appeared for him, and in his eloquent appeal +for mercy--in which his legs and arms played the principal part of the +argument--he compared the prisoner to a little ship, which had sailed +past her proper anchorage at home and cast her lines at a neighbor's +house. The evidence being circumstantial he was acquitted, but was ever +known afterwards as "Little Ship" Summers. He served faithfully during +the entire war; has anchored _properly_ since, and the little "crafts" +around his happy home indicate that he has laid the keels for a navy. + +Running the "blockade" to Beaufort was another favorite amusement. The +popular and sable boatman for this "secret service" was Caesar Manson. +Caesar's knowledge of the waters of the sound was full and accurate, +and his pilotage around the "pint o' marsh" was unerring. Privates +McDowell, Jim Pearce, and Ed Higgins employed Caesar a dark, rainy night +on one of these secret expeditions to Beaufort. Owing to the fog on the +sound and the _fog_ in the boat, the return of the party was delayed +till late in the night. The faithful sentinel, Mike Wood (of the +Goldsboro Rifles), being on post at the wharf that night, and this fact +being known to prudent Caesar, he steered for the creek to avoid him. As +these festive revellers were wading ashore, Mike, hearing the splashing +in the water, sung out, "who comes there!" receiving no reply, he +cocked his gun, and became very emphatic. Pearce, knowing that Mike +would shoot, answered very _fluently_, while in the water to his waist, +"don't you shoot me, Mike Wood, I am coming in as fast as I can." Mike +escorted the party to head quarters, and they performed some one else's +guard duty for several days. + +We must not forget to mention our genial commissary, Capt. King, and +his courteous assistant, Mike Gretter, of the Grays. "Billy" King and +his little cosey quarters were just outside the fort, and so convenient +of a cold frosty morning, to call upon him and interview his _vial_ of +distilled fruit, hid away in the corner. _Vive le Roi, Billie._ + +On the 8th of September, private James Davis died at the fort. + +On September the 28th, private Ed. Sterling, who was absent on +furlough, died at his home in Greensboro, N.C. + +On the 25th of October, the U.S. Steamer "Union" was wrecked off +Bogue Banks near the fort. Her crew was brought to the fort and +confined there for a short time. What is of more interest was, that we +received valuable stores from the wreck, among others, elegant hair +mattresses, which now took the place of our shucks and straw. + +These days at the fort were our halcyon days, as the dark hours were +to us yet unborn. The war had been so far a mere frolic. In the +radiant sunshine of the moment, it was the amusing phase of the +situation, not the tragic, that impressed us. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +On the 7th of November, Lieut.-Col. John Sloan was ordered to report +for duty, to his regiment at Newberne. Some time in December Col. +George Singletary resigned and Lieut.-Col. John Sloan was elected +colonel of the regiment; Maj. T. C. Singletary was elected +Lieutenant-Colonel, and Lieut. John A. Gilmer, of the Grays--who had +been acting as adjutant of the regiment at Newberne--was elected +Major. The promotion of Lieut. Gilmer made a vacancy in the offices of +our company, and Sergeant John A. Sloan--at the time sergeant-major of +the fort--was elected to fill it. + +On the 28th of February, 1862, we were ordered to join our regiment +then encamped at Fort Lane, on the Neuse River, below Newberne, North +Carolina. About mid-day we filed through the sally-port and bade a +long and sad farewell to Fort Macon. We were transported by boat to +Morehead City, and thence by rail to Newberne. We arrived at Fort Lane +late in the evening, and in the pouring rain, marched to our quarters. +Our position in camp was assigned us, and we began to make ourselves +comfortable in our new home. We had much baggage, more than would have +been allowed an entire corps a year afterwards. Every private had a +trunk, and every mess a cooking-stove, to speak nothing of the extras +of the officers. All this portable property we turned over to Gen. +Burnside, later in the season, for want of convenient transportation. + +We had scarcely made ourselves snug in our winter quarters when we +learned that a large land and naval force, conjoined under command of +Gen. Burnside, was approaching Newberne. The fleet arrived in Neuse +River on the 12th of March, and the land forces were in our front on +the following day. On the night of the 13th we left our quarters and +moved down the south bank of the Neuse a short distance, where we were +placed in line of battle, in entrenchments which had previously been +constructed under the orders of Gen. L. O. B. Branch, commanding our +forces--our regiment being the extreme left of the lines, and resting +upon the river. The morning of the 14th broke raw and cold, the fog +was so dense that we could not see fifty yards beyond our works. As +soon as it lifted, a skirmish began upon the right of our lines +between the opposing pickets. About the same time the gunboats, which +were creeping slowly up the river, began to shell the woods. Under +cover of this random firing the land forces advanced. Our pickets +along the entire line were rapidly driven in, and the battle of +Newberne began. It is not my purpose here to venture a description of +this engagement or to make any remarks by way of criticism. + +After repeated attacks, the right of the Confederate lines gave way, +which exposed our portion of the lines to an enfilade fire; the enemy +took immediate advantage of their success, and were now endeavoring to +turn our flank and get in our rear. We were ordered to fall back a +short distance, and made a stand a few hundred yards to the rear in +the woods. Meanwhile the guns in Fort Lane had been silenced by the +shots from the enemy's fleet; this gave the boats an unobstructed +passage to Newberne. Had they succeeded in reaching Newberne ahead of +us, they would have destroyed the bridges and thus cut off our +retreat, and forced a surrender of our entire command. Under these new +and trying circumstances, a devil-may-care retreat was ordered, with +instructions to reform at the depot in Newberne. We stood not upon the +order of going but "went," rivaling in speed the celerity of the famed +North Carolina militia at the battle of Guilford Court-House. + +Before leaving our entrenchments, private S. H. Hunter was struck by a +fragment of shell, which had exploded near us, and killed. This was +the only casualty in our company and the first. Poor Hunter was struck +on the head and rendered unconscious. He was carried from the field +and brought with us to Kinston in an ambulance, but died on the way. +His remains were conveyed under escort to Greensboro. Sergeant Samuel +B. Jordan was captured on the retreat. He was exchanged and paroled +afterwards, but his term of enlistment having expired, he did not +again enlist. + +The company, or at least a portion of it, reformed at the depot in +Newberne. From here we continued our retreat unmolested to Kinston, +where we arrived at a late hour in the night. + +While at the depot in Newberne a special train was ordered for the +transportation of the sick and wounded. Some few others apparently +healthy and able-bodied, but constitutionally exhausted, sought shelter +on this train. Among these was my _body-guard_ "Bill," who, with +prudential forecast, had secured a berth early in the action and "held +his ground" until the train reached Greensboro. Bill says he simply +went home to inform "mar's" Robert that "mar's" John was safe and +"untouched." He returned in due season and enlisted with me "durin" the +war, was faithful to the end, and is part of our history. + +We remained in and around Kinston performing picket duty on the roads +leading toward Newberne until the 22d of March. About the 25th we +changed our camp to "Black-jack," and on the 29th we moved to +Southwest Church. + +The muster-roll of our company at this period contained one hundred +and twenty names, but of this number, owing to the measles, +whooping-cough, itch, and other "diseases dire," only seventy-three +were reported for duty. + +On the 18th of March, Mike Gretter was detached and appointed brigade +commissary sergeant, in which position he served during the entire +war. On the 1st of April, A. D. Lindsay--a graduate of the sand-bag +department of Fort Macon--was appointed Ordnance Sergeant of our +regiment. About the 20th of April, our 1st Lieutenant, James T. +Morehead, Jr., resigned, to accept the position of captain in the 45th +North Carolina regiment. He was afterwards elected lieutenant-colonel +of the 53d regiment, and after the death of Col. Owens, was promoted +to the colonelcy. Colonel Morehead was wounded at Spottsylvania +Court-House, Gettysburg, and Hares' Hill, at which latter place he was +made a prisoner in a gallant charge of his command, and was held until +after the war. + +Private John W. Nelson was detailed as permanent teamster to +regimental quarter-master, some time in April, and acted as such until +the 17th of March, 1863, when he died in the hospital at Charleston, +S. C. + +The expiration of the term of enlistment of the twelve months' men was +now near at hand; and to provide measures to levy new troops, and to +hold those already in the field, President Davis was authorized by an +act of Congress "to call out and place in the military service for +three years all white male residents between the ages of 18 and 35 +years, and to continue those already in the field until three years +from the date of enlistment, but those under 18 years and over 35 were +to remain 90 days." Under this act our company lost privates R. B. +Jones, W. D. Hanner, W. Hopkins, W. C. Winfree, and W. Burnsides, all +of whom were over 35 years of age. W. Burnsides rejoined us in April, +1863. Private John E. Wharton substituted P. A. Ricks on the 1st of +May, and returned to Guilford, where he raised a company and +re-entered the service as its commandant. Private Ed. Lindsey, who +left us, being under 18 years of age, was made a lieutenant in Capt. +Wharton's company. Ed. was killed in the month of April 1865. + +On the 16th of April, the 27th North Carolina regiment reorganized. +Major John R. Cooke, who was at that time chief of artillery on Gen. +Holmes' staff, was elected colonel, R. W. Singletary re-elected +lieutenant-colonel, and John A. Gilmer, Jr., re-elected major. The +regiment was then assigned to Gen. Robert Ransom's Brigade, under +whose command we remained until the 1st of June. + +On the 22d of April, our company reorganized as company "B." William +Adams was re-elected captain, John A. Sloan was elected 1st +lieutenant, John H. McKnight 2d lieutenant, and Frank A. Hanner, 2d +lieutenant junior; Benjamin G. Graham was appointed orderly sergeant, +Samuel B. Jordan (still prisoner) 2d sergeant, Thos. J. Sloan, 3d +sergeant, George W. Howlett, 4th sergeant, Will U. Steiner, 5th +sergeant, Ed B. Crowson, 1st corporal, Jed H. Lindsay, Jr., 2d +corporal, John D. Collins, 3d corporal, and Chas. A. Campbell, 4th +corporal. Lieutenant W. P. Wilson declined re-election in the company +to accept the position of adjutant of the regiment, tendered him by +Col. Cooke, which office he filled with much credit to himself and +regiment. He died in Greensboro on March 3d, 1863, after a severe +illness. + +From the 4th to the 7th of May, we assisted in tearing up and +destroying the A. & N.C. Railroad from Kinston to Core Creek. We made +up our minds if Burnside pursued us again, he should come slowly, and +on foot. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +From February to the tenth of May, the following men had joined our +company: Benjamin Burnsides, Henry Coble, R. L. Coltrain, John +Coltrain, D. L. Clark, John Cannady, W. W. Underwood, Jas. Hall, Jas. +R. Wiley, Hugh Hall, Wash. Williams, Lewis N. Isley, Stephen D. +Winbourne, W. W. McLean, Geo. H. Woolen, Wm. McFarland, Sam'l Young, +Lemuel May, Thos. L. Greeson, Rasper Poe, B. N. Smith, J. M. Edwards, +John H. Smith, R. L. Smith, Wm. Seats, Paisley Sheppard, Newton +Kirkman, James Lemons, Wm. Horney, Silas C. Dodson (rejoined), Jas. E. +McLean, Wm. May, S. F. McLean, E. F. Shuler, and J. J. Thom. + +Samuel Park Weir, who had acted as chaplain to our company, in +connection with his duties as a private soldier, was transferred, in +May, to the 46th North Carolina regiment, to accept the office of +Lieutenant in one of the companies of that regiment. When the war +commenced, Sam was at the Theological Seminary in Columbia, S.C. +Leaving his studies, he shouldered his musket and entered the ranks of +the Grays in April, 1861. At the battle of Fredericksburg, Dec. 13th, +1862, as his regiment was passing in our rear, at the foot of Marye's +Hill, Sam halted a moment to speak to Col. Gilmer, who had been +wounded as we were moving into our position, and was advising him to +leave the field. While thus conversing with the colonel and the +writer, he was struck by a minie-ball, and instantly killed, falling +lifeless at our feet. His remains were carried to Greensboro, and +buried in the Presbyterian burying-grounds. + +On the front line, he crossed the silent stream, leaving behind him +the fragrant memory of a name engraven to remain in the affections of +his comrades, and an example of modesty, purity, courage, and devotion +to principle unsurpassed. He sleeps the sleep of the blessed, and no +spot of earth contains a more gallant soldier, a truer patriot, or a +more faithful and sincere friend-- + + "Sleep, soldier! Still, in honored rest, + Your truth and valor wearing: + The bravest are the tenderest-- + The loving are the daring." + +On the 31st of May we folded our tents, made our preparations for a +hasty adieu to North Carolina, and left Kinston for the seat of war in +Virginia. We reached Richmond about one o'clock on the first of June. +As we neared the city, we could hear distinctly the guns of the battle +of Seven Pines, and as soon as we reached the depot, we were ordered +to the battle-field. We were marched rapidly through Richmond, all +anxious to take part in the battle now raging. Before we arrived on +the field, the fight had been fought and won, and our services were +not called for. + +On the following day we were assigned to Gen. J. G. Walker's brigade, +and ordered into camp at Drury's Bluff, where we remained, +constructing fortifications, until the latter part of June. While in +camp here, B. N. Smith substituted Paul Crutchfield. Dr. L. G. Hunt, +acting surgeon of our company, was appointed assistant surgeon of the +regiment. "Gwyn," with his amiable and handsome hospital steward, C. +M. Parks, of the Orange Guards, continued to prescribe "them thar +pills" until the war ended. + +On the 27th of June, 1862, the memorable "Seven Days' Fight" around +Richmond began. The Grays formed a portion of the reserve under Gen. +Holmes, and were marched from battle-field to battle-field, receiving +the shells of the enemy, and acting as targets for their sharp +shooters. On the 29th, Gen. Holmes crossed from the south side of the +James River, and on the 30th, being re-enforced by Gen. Wise's +brigade, moved down the river road with a view to gain, near to +Malvern Hill, a position which would command the supposed route of +McClellan's retreating army. We were posted on this road at New +Market, which was supposed to be the route McClellan would pursue in +his retreat to the James. Our generals and their guides, being +ignorant of the country, subsequently learned there was another road +running by the Willis church which would better serve the purpose of +the retreating foe, and we were moved to a position on this road. Here +we remained under the fire of the enemy's gun-boats, whose huge, +shrieking shells crashing through the trees and bursting in our midst, +inspired a degree of terror not justified by their effectiveness. The +dust created by our march gave the enemy a knowledge of our position, +and caused the gun-boats to open this heavy fire upon us. Instead of +finding the enemy a straggling mass, as had been reported, they were +entrenched between West's house and Malvern Hill, commanding our +position with an open field between us. + +General Holmes' artillery opened fire upon the enemy's infantry, which +immediately gave way, and simultaneously their batteries, of +twenty-five or thirty guns, and their gun-boats made a cross-fire upon +us. Their force, both in infantry and artillery, being vastly superior +to ours, any attempt upon our part to make an assault being considered +worse than useless, we were withdrawn at night-fall. The enemy kept up +their cannonading until after dark. + +On the 1st of July, late in the afternoon, line of battle was formed +and orders were issued for a general advance at a given signal, and +the bloody battle of Malvern Hill began. Several determined efforts +were made to storm Crews Hill; "brigades advanced bravely across the +open field raked by the fire of a hundred cannon and the muskets of +large bodies of infantry. Some were broken and gave way; others +approached close to the guns, driving back the infantry, compelling +the advance batteries to retire to escape capture and mingling their +dead with those of the enemy. For want of co-operation the assaults of +the attacking columns were too weak to break the enemy's line, and +after struggling gallantly, sustaining and inflicting great loss, they +were compelled successively to retire. The firing continued until +after 9 p.m., but no decided result was gained. At the cessation of +firing several fragments of different commands were lying down and +holding their ground within a short distance of the enemy's line, and +as soon as the fighting ceased an informal truce was established by +common consent. Parties from both armies, with lanterns and litters, +wandered over the field seeking for the wounded, whose groans could +not fail to move with pity the hearts of friends and foe." McClellan +withdrew with his army during the night, and hastily retreated to +Harrison's landing on the James. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +Early on the next morning the rain began to fall in torrents, and +continued for forty-eight hours, rendering the roads almost +impassable. It was reported that the enemy were crossing the James, +and we were ordered back to our camp near Drury's Bluff. About +sun-down we commenced our weary and hard march. Our men were worn out +by continuous marching and loss of sleep, still we plodded along, +reaching our camp, 17 miles distant, about 3 o'clock in the morning +thoroughly drenched. Col. Cooke had gone ahead of us, and having +aroused the men left in charge of the camp, had great blazing fires in +front of our tents awaiting our arrival. + +On the 6th, we left Drury's Bluff and marched to Petersburg, spending +a day there; on the morning of the 8th we were ordered to Fort +Powhatan on the James below City Point. About daylight on the morning +of the 11th we were placed in ambush on a high bluff on the river with +instructions to fire into any vessel that might attempt to pass. We +had not been long in our position when a transport called the "Daniel +Webster" was spied approaching us. When she steamed up opposite us, +the batteries which had accompanied us let loose the "dogs of war," +and riddled her cabins and hull. She floated off down the river +disabled, but we had no means of knowing what damage we had done to +the crew. Very soon the gun-boats below opened fire upon us, and, for +a mile below, the woods and banks of the river were alive with shot +and shell. We withdrew our artillery and made a similar attempt the +next day, but found no game. + +We returned to Petersburg and remained in camp there until the 19th of +August, picketing up and down the James River. + +On the 31st of July we were sent down the river as support to the +artillery which had been ordered to Coggins' Point to shell McClellan's +camp. On the night of the 1st of August we had about fifty pieces of +our artillery in position; we could not show ourselves in the daytime, +as the enemy had their balloons up and could almost see the "promised +land" around Richmond. About 2 o'clock in the morning we opened fire +upon McClellan's camp on the opposite bank of the river. His camp fires +and the lights from the shipping in the river formed a grand panorama. +After a few shots from our artillery, these lights quickly disappeared. +We kept up a constant fire for several hours, withdrew, and at daylight +took up the line of march for Petersburg. After we had retired far out +of reach of their guns, the enemy opened the valves of their ordnance +and belched forth sounds infernal, but their gunpowder and iron was all +wasted upon imaginary forces. + +On the 20th of August we were ordered to Richmond, remaining there, +at Camp Lee, until the 26th, when we boarded the train for Rapidan +Station, on the Orange & Alexandria Railroad. We remained in camp at +this point until the 1st of September. + +Sergeant Geo. W. Howlett, being disabled for service in the field on +account of his eyes, left us on the 23d of July. Private R. L. +Coltrain was discharged by surgeon's certificate about the same time. +Corporal John D. Collins, on detail as one of the color-guard--and +who, in the absence of the regular color-guard of the regiment, had +carried our flag in the battles around Richmond--died of typhoid +fever, while we were encamped at Drury's Bluff. On the 8th of August, +private W. C. Clapp died at his home, and private John H. Smith at the +hospital in Petersburg. On the 17th, Hal Puryear substituted a most +excellent soldier in the person of Louis Lineberry. About this time a +regimental band was formed, and the Grays furnished as their quota: +Ed. B. Higgins, Samuel Lipsicomb, and Thomas J. Sloan; each of whom +became excellent "tooters." + +After the series of engagements at Bull Run and on the Plains of +Manassas, the condition of Maryland encouraged the belief that the +presence of our army would excite some active demonstration upon the +part of her people, and that a military success would regain Maryland. +Under these considerations, it was decided by our leaders to cross +the army of Northern Virginia into Western Maryland, and then, by +threatening Pennsylvania, to induce the Federal army to withdraw from +our territory to protect their own. + +Gen. J. G. Walker, our brigadier--now in command of the division--ordered +us from our camp at Rapidan Station, on the morning of September 1st, +and we set out with the army of Northern Virginia on what is termed +the "first Maryland campaign." Our first day's march halted us at +Warrenton. On the 4th, we reached the battle-field of Manassas, finding +many of the enemy's dead still unburied, from the engagement a few days +previous. On the 5th, we passed through the villages of Haymarket and +New Baltimore, and rested at Leesburg on the evening of the 6th. +McClellan was ignorant of Lee's plans, and his army remained in close +vicinity to the lines of fortifications around Washington, until the +sixth. Early next morning (Sunday), we forded the Potomac at Noland's +Ferry, and were occupying the shores of "My Maryland." Our band struck +up the "tune," but the citizens we came in contact with did not seem +disposed to "come." We had evidently crossed at the wrong ford. On the +next day, the 8th, we arrived at a small place called Buckettown, where +we rested until the morning of the ninth. About 10 o'clock, we reached +Frederick city; here we found the main army, and our division was +assigned to Gen. Longstreet's corps. In a skirmish with the enemy's +cavalry, near the city, Jas. A. Orrell and Thos. R. Greeson were +captured. + +On the night of the 9th, we, in company with our division, were +quietly marched to the mouth of the Monocacy river to destroy the +aqueduct. We were tramping all night and accomplished nothing; the +manoeuver, as it afterward appeared, was but a feint to draw the +attention of the enemy away from the movements of "Stonewall's" corps, +then marching on Harper's Ferry. About daylight next morning we found +ourselves again in the vicinity of Buckettown; we proceeded some 5 +miles further, where we formed a line of battle, and rested on our +arms in this position all day in full view of the enemy, who were +posted on the hills beyond us, and to the east of Buckettown. As soon +as night came, we started off hurriedly in the direction of Frederick; +having gone in this course some three miles we countermarched and took +the road for Point of Rocks on the Potomac. Just as day was breaking, +on the morning of the 12th, after a rapid march, we reached Point of +Rocks and recrossed the Potomac. We were completely bewildered as to +our course, and no one seemed to know what all this manoeuvering +would lead to. During the day, we ascertained we were on the road +leading to Harper's Ferry, but our course was so repeatedly changed +that we had but this consolation, that "if we did not know where we +were, or where we were going, the Yankees didn't, for the Devil +himself could not keep track of us." At night we reached Hillsboro, in +Loudon County. Va., and camped near there. On the 13th, we were in the +vicinity of Harper's Ferry, and at night took possession of Loudon +Heights, on the east side of the Shenandoah, and were in readiness to +open fire upon Harper's Ferry. General McLaws had been ordered to +seize Maryland Heights, on the north side of the Potomac, opposite +Harper's Ferry. Finding them in possession of the enemy, he assailed +their works and carried them; they retreated to Harper's Ferry, and on +the 14th, its investment by our forces was complete. As soon as we +gained our position, which was accomplished by a circuitous route up +the steep and ragged mountain, the enemy in and around Harper's Ferry +opened fire upon us from their batteries. Owing to the extreme +elevation, most of their shells fell short; a few burst over us, but +did no damage. The batteries attached to our division were carried by +hand to the top of the Heights, and placed in position. Early on the +morning of the 15th, the attack upon the garrison began. Stonewall +Jackson's batteries opened fire from Bolivar Heights, in conjunction +with ours and the artillery on Maryland Heights; in about two hours, +"by the grace of God," as Jackson had foretold, the garrison, +consisting of 11,000 men, surrendered. Seventy-three pieces of +artillery, 13,000 small arms, and a large quantity of military stores +fell into our hands. + +On the night of the 15th we made our descent from the Heights, crossed +the mountain and resumed our march. About midday of the 16th we +reached Shepherdstown, crossed the Potomac and went into camp near +Sharpsburg, Maryland. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +On the morning of the 17th of September, just before day-break, we +were aroused from our slumbers and moved to a position in line of +battle on the extreme right of the Confederate lines. At early dawn +the enemy opened their artillery from both sides of the Antietam, the +heaviest fire being directed against our left. Under cover of this +fire a large force of infantry attacked Gen. Jackson's division, and +for some time the conflict raged with fury and alternate success. Gen. +Early, in command of Ewell's division, was sent to their support, when +Jackson's division was withdrawn, its ammunition being nearly +exhausted. The battle was now renewed with great violence, and the +troops of McLaws and J. G. Walker were brought from the right. With +these re-enforcements Gen. Early attacked resolutely the large force +opposed to him, and drove them back in some confusion beyond the +position our troops had occupied at the beginning of the engagement. +This attack upon our left was speedily followed by one in heavy force +on the centre, and our regiment was double-quicked one and a half +miles to near the centre, and placed in line about one mile to the +left of the town of Sharpsburg. + +The gallant and conspicuous part which the 27th regiment took in the +fight, Capt. Graham, of the Orange Guards, describes graphically as +follows: + + "Forming in a corn-field we advanced under a heavy fire of grape + and canister at a quick step up a little rise and halted at a rail + fence, our right considerably advanced. After holding this + position for half an hour or more our front was changed so as to + be on a line with the other troops. In the meantime we had + suffered heavily, and I think had inflicted equally as much + damage. [On this first advance Capt. Adams was shot down.] About 1 + o'clock the enemy having retired behind the hill upon which they + were posted, and none appearing within range in our front, Col. + Cooke ordered us to fall back some twenty steps in the corn and + lie down so as to draw them on; he, in the meantime, regardless of + personal danger from sharpshooters, remained at the fence beside a + small tree. After remaining there some 20 minutes, the enemy + attempted to sneak up a section of artillery to the little woods + upon our left. Colonel Cooke, watching the movement, ordered the + four left companies of our regiment up to the fence and directed + them to fire upon this artillery. At the first fire, before they + had gotten into position, nearly every horse and more than half + the men fell, and the infantry line which had moved up to support + them showed evident signs of wavering. Col. Cooke seeing this, and + having received orders to charge if opportunity offered, + immediately ordered a charge. Without waiting a second word of + command we leaped the fence and 'made at them,' and soon we had + captured three guns and had the troops opposed to us in full + retreat. A battery posted near a little brick church upon a hill + to our left was playing sad havoc with us, but supposing that + would be taken by the troops upon our left--who we concluded were + charging with us--we still pursued the flying foe. Numbers of them + surrendered to us and they were ordered to the rear. We pushed on + and soon wheeled to the right, drove down their line, giving them + all the while an enfilade fire, and succeeded in breaking six + regiments who fled in confusion. After pushing on this way for a + while we found ourselves opposed by a large body of troops behind + a stone wall in a corn-field. Stopping to contend with these, we + found that we were almost out of ammunition. Owing to this fact, + and not being supported in our charge, we were ordered to fall + back to our original position. This of course was done at + double-quick. As we returned we experienced the perfidy of those + who had previously surrendered to us, and whom we had not taken + time to disarm. They, seeing that we were not supported, attempted + to form a line in our rear, and in a few minutes would have done + so. As it was we had to pass between two fires: a part of the + troops having been thrown back to oppose our movement on their + flank, and these supposed prisoners having formed on the other + side. A bloody lane indeed it proved to us. Many a brave man lost + his life in that retreat. At some points the lines were not sixty + yards distant on either side. Arriving at our original position, + we halted and reformed behind the rail fence. We opened fire with + the few remaining cartridges we had left and soon checked the + advance of the enemy, who did not come beyond the line which they + occupied in the morning. In a short while all our ammunition was + exhausted. Courier after courier was sent after ammunition, but + none was received. Four or five times during the afternoon, + couriers came from Gen. Longstreet, telling Col. Cooke to hold his + position at all hazards, 'as it was the key to the whole line.' + Cooke's reply was, 'tell Gen. Longstreet to send me some + ammunition. I have not a cartridge in my command, but I will hold + my position at the point of the bayonet.'" + +Mr. Davis, in his history, says: "_Col. Cooke, with the 27th North +Carolina regiment, stood boldly in line without a cartridge._" + + "About 5 o'clock in the afternoon we were relieved, and moved to + the rear about one mile. After resting half an hour and getting + fresh ammunition, we were again marched to the front, and placed in + line in the rear of the troops who had relieved us. Here we were + subjected to a severe shelling, but had no chance to return the + fire. After nightfall we rejoined our division on the left, and + with them bivouaced upon the battle-field." + +General R. E. Lee, in his report of this battle, makes complimentary +mention of our regiment, and says, further, "this battle was fought by +less than forty thousand men on our side, all of whom had undergone +the greatest labors and hardships in the field and on the march. +Nothing could surpass the determined valor with which they met the +large army of the enemy, fully supplied and equipped, and the result +reflected the highest credit on the officers and men engaged." + +General McClellan, in his official report, states that he had in +action in the battle 87,184 men of all arms. Lee's entire strength was +35,255. "These 35,000 Confederates were the very flower of the army of +northern Virginia, who, with indomitable courage and inflexible +tenacity, wrestled for the mastery in the ratio of one to three of +their adversaries; at times it appeared as if disaster was inevitable, +but succor never failed, and night found Lee's lines unbroken and his +army still defiant. The drawn battle of Sharpsburg was as forcible an +illustration of southern valor and determination as was furnished +during the whole period of the war, when the great disparity in +numbers between the two armies is considered. + +The Grays went into this battle with 32 men, rank and file. Capt. +William Adams, privates Jas. E. Edwards, A. F. Coble, James M. +Edwards, R. Leyton Smith and Samuel Young were killed on the field. +Privates Peter M. Brown, Benjamin Burnsides and Robert L. Donnell were +badly wounded and fell into the hands of the enemy. R. L. Donnell died +of his wounds at Chester, Pa., November 6th, 1862. Privates W. D. +Archer, Walter D. McAdoo, J. E. McLean, Samuel F. McLean, L. L. +Prather and W. W. Underwood were wounded and sent to the hospital. W. +W. Underwood died of his wounds September 29th, 1862. Privates Paul +Crutchfield, H. Rufus Forbis, Rufus B. Gibson, James M. Hardin, James +L. Wilson and William McFarland were exchanged and returned to their +company the following November, except McFarland, who was reported +dead. + +On account of the forced and continuous march from Rapidan, many of +our men from sheer exhaustion and sickness were compelled to fall out +of ranks, among them some of the best soldiers in the company. + +Captain Adams, as before stated, fell early in the action. He was +carried from the field and buried in the cemetery at Shepherdstown. +His remains were afterwards removed and interred in the cemetery at +Greensboro. He was a brave and gallant officer, and fell front-faced +with his armor on. The other members of the company who were killed, +wrapped in their martial garb, sleep in some unknown grave, on the +spot where they fell, amid the carnage and gore of the battle-field: + + "Whether unknown or known to fame-- + Their cause and country still the same-- + They died, and wore the gray." + +On the 18th we occupied the position of the preceding day. Our ranks +were increased during the day, and our general forces were augmented +by the arrival of troops; but our army was in no condition to take the +offensive, and the army of McClellan had been too severely handled to +justify a renewal of the attack, consequently the day passed without +any hostile demonstrations. During the night our army was withdrawn +from Sharpsburg, and at day-break on the morning of the 19th we +recrossed the Potomac at Shepherdstown. After fording the river, we +halted a short distance on the hills near by, and were engaged in +drying our clothing and making a breakfast from our scanty rations of +pop-corn and hard tack, when a force of the enemy, (Porter's corps,) +who had the temerity to cross the river in pursuit, made their +appearance. Gen. A. P. Hill, in charge of the rear guard of the army, +met them, made a charge upon them and drove them into the river. In +his report of this engagement he says: "The broad surface of the +Potomac was blue with the floating bodies of our foe. But few escaped +to tell the tale. By their own account they lost three thousand men, +killed and drowned. Some two hundred prisoners were taken." + +The condition of our troops now demanding repose, we were ordered to +the Occoquan, near Martinsburg. On our march another attempt to harass +our rear was reported, and we were sent back to the vicinity of +Shepherdstown; finding "all quiet on the Potomac," the march was again +resumed at night, and on the 21st we went into camp near Martinsburg. +After spending a few days here we were moved to the neighborhood of +Bunker Hill and Winchester, and remained in camp until the 23d of +October. + +On the 22d of September, while in camp near Martinsburg, the Grays +proceeded to fill the offices made vacant by the battle of the 17th. +Lieut. J. A. Sloan was promoted to captain; 2d Lieut. McKnight to 1st +Lieutenant; Frank A. Hanner to 2d Lieutenant; and Sergeant B. G. +Graham to junior 2d Lieutenant. J. Harper Lindsay was appointed +orderly sergeant. Corporals Wm. M. Paisley and A. C. Cheely were made +Sergeants. Privates R. D. Weatherly, Thos. J. Rhodes and H. Rufus +Forbis were appointed corporals. + +On the 8th of September, private R. D. Brown died at the hospital in +Petersburg, Va.; on the 12th, private R. L. Coble, at Frederick City, +Md.; on the 19th, Hugh Hall in hospital at Richmond; and on the 24th, +privates Wm. Seats and Wm. H. McLean died in hospital at Winchester, +Va. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +About the middle of October, McClellan moved his army across the +Potomac, east of the Blue Ridge, and bent his course southward. Later +in the month, he began to incline eastwardly from the mountains, and +finally concentrated his forces in the neighborhood of Warrenton, +Virginia. On the 7th of November he was relieved of the command of the +army of the Potomac, and Gen. Burnside, "under Federal dispensation," +became his successor. The indications were that Fredericksburg was +again to be occupied. Gen. Lee, with his usual foresight, divining his +purpose, promptly made such disposition as was necessary to forestall +him. McLaw's and Ransom's divisions were ordered to proceed at once to +that city. + +On the morning of the 23d we broke up our camp at Winchester, and +after a long but pleasant day's march, reached the vicinity of +Millwood; from thence we journeyed on to Paris, in Loudon County. Our +march through this Arcadia of Virginia, with its picturesque scenery, +and along those splendid and wonderful turnpikes, as they stretched +out before us, formed a panorama never to be forgotten. The giant +hills stood around like sentinels wrapped in their everlasting +silence; behind these, still bolder hills, and again behind these, the +blueness of the distant mountains. The day was glad with the golden +brightness of an October sun, and as I gazed upon these mountains, +clothed in their autumnal beauty, and in their everlasting fixity of +repose, I could but contrast this grandeur and silence with the too +recent scenes of blood and tumult upon the hills of Antietam. How +brief, how insignificant is man's existence! Encamped so high above +the world filled us with a sense of exaltation and awe. Fires were +soon lighted, and the men, weary with marching, wrapped in their +blankets, stretched themselves upon the ground to sleep, perchance to +dream of firesides in distant homes where-- + + "Belike sad eyes with tearful strain, + Gazed northward very wistfully + For him that ne'er would come again." + +The next morning broke cold and threatening. We resumed our march and +had proceeded but a few miles when the rain began to fall. Later in +the day it came down in torrents, and the wind was blowing gales. +About dark, in the midst of this storm, we were halted in a large +hickory grove on the side of the Blue Ridge, near the small village of +Upperville. Our men comprehended the situation at once, and, though +thoroughly drenched and chilled, soon had their axes ringing in the +forest, and large log fires were ablaze over the camp. The storm +continued with fury all night, to sleep was impossible, and we were +forced to pass the most disagreeable night we had ever experienced. + +On the 29th we retraced our steps to Paris. On the following morning, +acting as an escort to a foraging party, we proceeded to Middleboro. +At night we returned to camp, rich in wagon loads of corn and +provender, also securing a large lot of fine beeves. On the next day, +leaving Paris, we moved by way of Salem in the direction of Culpepper +Court-House, which place we reached on the 2d of November, and +remained there until the 4th. Sergeant Harper Lindsay, while here, +accepted the position of adjutant of the 45th North Carolina regiment, +and Sergeant Chas. Campbell was promoted to orderly sergeant in his +stead. + +On the night of the 4th, after a tiresome day's march, we went into +camp on the top of Cedar Mountain. We were halted on a bleak and barren +hill with no fuel within our reach. Col. Cooke, under the +circumstances, suspended "special orders" in reference to destroying +private property, and gave the men permission to burn the rails from +the fences near by. For this necessary disobedience some spiteful +person reported him and he was placed in arrest, from which he was +released next day without a court martial. After our company had made +its fires and were busy trying to make a supper from their scanty +rations, I strolled over to Cooke's headquarters and found him sitting +moodily over _his_ fire of _rails_. We began to discuss the officers of +the brigade, and while he was idly turning a splinter he held in his +fingers, it fell from his hand and stuck upright in the ground. He +turned quickly to me, slapped me on the back and laughingly said: +"John, that is an omen of good luck." I surmised to what he had +reference--a probability of his promotion had been whispered--and +replied, I did not take much stock in splinters, but I hoped in this +instance the omen might be realized. In a few moments, several men from +the regiment, with their canteens, passed near us and one of them, a +lank, lean soldier, inquired of Cooke if he could tell him where the +spring of water was. With some irritability in his tone he replied, +"_No_, go hunt for it." The thirsty questioner, possibly recognizing +him, made no reply, but turned away thinking, no doubt, under other +circumstances, he would have answered him differently. The soldier had +gone but a short distance when Cooke called him back, apologized for +his hasty speech and indifference, and informed him kindly where he +could find the water. + +Not many days afterwards the splinter omen was interpreted, and Col. +John E. Cooke, of the 27th North Carolina regiment (though junior +colonel of the brigade), was promoted for gallantry to brigadier +general, and assigned to the command of Gen. J. G. Walker's brigade, +who was transferred to the Mississippi department. I have introduced +these incidents, merely to illustrate the noble traits of character of +this gallant and courteous gentleman and soldier, who was acknowledged +by Gen. Lee himself to be _the_ brigadier of his army. Of his services +with his North Carolina brigade history already leaves him a record. He +is a man of chivalric courage, and possesses that magnanimity of heart +which ever wins the affections of a soldier. He was beloved by his +entire command. A truer sword was not drawn in defence of the South and +her cause, and a more untarnished blade never returned to its scabbard +when the unhappy conflict was over. + +Upon the promotion of Col. Cooke--Lieut.-Col. Singletary having +resigned on account of wounds--Major John A. Gilmer was promoted to +Colonel, Capt. George F. Whitefield, of Company C, to Lieutenant-Colonel, +and Capt. Jos. C. Webb, of the Orange Guards, to Major. The brigades +in our division were also changed, and under the reassignment of +regiments, Cooke's command consisted entirely of North Carolina troops, +and was _well known_ in Lee's army as "_Cooke's North Carolina +Brigade_." + +On the 8th of November we were moved to Madison Court-House, where we +remained until the 18th. About the 15th the army of the Potomac was +reported in motion, and their gun-boats and transports had entered +Aquia Creek in their "on to Fredericksburg." On the morning of the +18th, our division received marching orders, and we also set out for +Fredericksburg. The weather was very cold, and our march was made +through rain and sleet; the ground was frozen, and some of our men +being barefooted, their feet cut by the ice, left their bloody tracks +along the route. The men, under all these hardships and exposures, +were in excellent spirits, and no one escaped their gibes and jokes. +Every few miles, growing in the corner of the fences and in the old +field, the persimmon tree ever dear to a North Carolinian's soul +appeared, and immediately discipline was forgotten, ranks broken, and +the tree besieged. Sam Hiatt once remarked that the green persimmon +was invaluable to an ordinary soldier, as a few of them would always +draw his stomach to the proportions suited to a Confederate ration. On +long marches the brigades marched by turns to the front. On one +occasion, while we were seated on both sides of the road waiting for +the rear brigades to pass to the front, a young and clever officer of +our command, who had assiduously cultivated his upper lip, and by the +aid of various tonsorial applications made pretense of possessing a +mustache, stepped out into the middle of the road and commenced, as is +usual with beginners, to toy with his hairs; presently a rough +specimen of a soldier came trotting along astride of a pack mule, and +as he neared the officer he halted his steed with a loud and long +"whoa!" Leaning forward, with a quizzical look, he politely but firmly +requested the officer "to please remove that mustache from the main +highway and allow him and his mule to pass." [The mustache was +_raze-rd_ at Fredericksburg.] + +On the 23d we reached the vicinity of Fredericksburg, and employed +the interval--before the advance made by the enemy on the 11th of +December--in strengthening our line, which reached from the +Rappahannock, about one mile above Fredericksburg, along the hills in +rear of that city to the Richmond & Fredericksburg Railroad. + +About 11 o'clock on the morning of the 13th, Burnside, "whose turn +it now was to wrestle with General Lee," massed his forces under cover +of the houses of Fredericksburg and moved forward with his grand +divisions to seize Marye's and Willis' Hills-- + + "With a hundred thousand men + For the Rebel slaughter-pen, + And the blessed Union flag a-flying o'er him." + +At the foot of Marye's Hill ran the Telegraph Road along which, for +some four hundred yards, is a stone revetment. On the crest of the +hill, at intervals, in pits, were posted nine guns of the Washington +artillery, under Col. Walton. Three regiments of Cobb's brigade and +commanded by him, were in position behind this stone wall at the foot +of the hill. Some two hundred yards in a ravine, and immediately +behind the Washington artillery, lay our (Cooke's) brigade. About one +o'clock all the guns on Stafford Heights were directed against our +guns on Marye's Hill, endeavoring to draw their fire so as to cover +the advance of their infantry. Our artillery, instead of replying, +remained silent until their infantry had deployed, when they poured a +storm of canister into them. French's division came first, and they +were swept away before the deployment was completed. The battle now +lulled for some twenty minutes, when the enemy "entered the ring" with +Hancock to the front. + +About this time our brigade was moved to the crest of the hill. The +46th, 48th and 15th regiments were halted on the hill on the line of +the batteries, while our regiment (27th), in the midst of a terrific +fire, passed rapidly through the Washington artillery, and +double-quicked down the steep incline into the Telegraph Road and +joined in the fire. During our advance Col. Gilmer was severely +wounded in the leg, but succeeded in reaching the foot of the hill. + +Hancock was repulsed with terrible slaughter. Gen. Cobb had been +previously killed, and Gen. Kershaw now took command of the troops in +the road. After we had reached our position behind the stone wall, +Gen. Cooke received a severe wound in the head and was carried from +the field. The command of the brigade now devolved upon Col. Hall of +the 46th regiment, who moved his and the other regiments of the +brigade into the Telegraph Road. The enemy now made his third effort, +when Howard's and Sturgis' and Getty's divisions advanced bravely to +the desperate work assigned them. We took heavy toll from their +columns, and, like their predecessors, they fell back in confusion. +Lastly came the sixth and final assault by Humphrey's division, of +Hooker's corps, and charge it did, as game as death. They, too, had to +bite the dust, and their broken and shattered columns fled in disorder +to the city, leaving the field strewn with their slain. + +About 9 o'clock we threw forward our pickets and, in the darkness, +many of their raw recruits came into our lines, their guns and +accoutrements perfectly new; some of them had not fired a shot and +could scarcely tell their nativity. + +We remained in line of battle during the night, expecting and hoping +for a renewal of the assault on the next day. The 14th (Sunday) came, +however, and went away without a renewal. On the 15th we were moved a +few hundred yards farther to our left, and remained in this position +until the morning of the 16th, when it was discovered that the enemy, +availing himself of the darkness of the night, had recrossed the +river. + +"A river has always been considered a good line of defence by most +writers on the art of war, provided certain principles be observed in +defending. When Napoleon crossed the Danube, in 1809, in the presence +of the Archduke Charles, who was a good general, he was forced to +retreat to the islands of Lobau and Enzersdorf, after the bloody days +of Essling. Had not the Archduke assumed the offensive so _vigorously_, +the Emperor's loss would not have been so great, and he could have +remained on the left bank." This later "Essling" army was fairly and +terribly beaten, forced to recross the river, after great loss of life +and labor, and was spared (thanks to his bridges and darkness of the +night) utter annihilation. + +Burnside testified, before the committee on the conduct of the war, +that he had, in round numbers, one hundred thousand men, all of whom +were engaged in this battle, and that he failed because it was found +impossible to get the men up to the works; that the Confederates' fire +was too hot for them. Of Lee's forces, only about twenty thousand men +were actively engaged. The casualties in our company, owing to the +protection afforded us by the stone wall behind which we were posted, +were comparatively few. Private William D. Archer, a splendid specimen +of a soldier, was killed; Privates James M. Hardin severely, and Frank +G. Chilcutt slightly, wounded. On the 16th, we were removed to near +Hamilton's Crossing, and remained in camp there until the 3d day of +January, 1863. While here, some of our officers and men were in +demand, and Lieut. B. G. Graham was detailed as brigade ordnance +officer. Silas C. Dodson was appointed clerk in the commissary +department under Major Hays, and David H. Edwards, quartermaster-sergeant. +On the 4th of December, Private John W. Reid was transferred to the +48th North Carolina regiment, having been elected to the position of +lieutenant in one of its companies. On the 17th, Corporal Will L. +Bryan, having contracted a severe cold on the march from Madison +Court-House, died in camp. Private Thos. J. Rhodes was appointed +corporal in his stead. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +The muster-roll of the Grays, in camp near Fredericksburg, numbered, +on the 31st day of December, for duty, two commissioned officers, four +sergeants, four corporals, and thirty-eight privates; on detached +service, six privates; sick (present), three privates; sick and +wounded (absent) twenty-three privates; total present and absent, rank +and file, eighty-nine. + +On the third of January, 1863, we were ordered to hold ourselves in +readiness to march, and about 10 o'clock we were on the road leading +towards Richmond. The first day's march found us encamped on the +Telegraph Road, 15 miles from Fredericksburg. We arrived at Richmond +on the 6th, passed through the city, and made camp on the Richmond & +Petersburg turnpike. The following day we registered at Petersburg, +camping just outside of the city limits, and remaining there until the +14th. Next morning (15th) we boarded the cars for North Carolina, and +reached the city of Goldsboro on the evening cf the 16th--being our +first visit to the State since our summary expulsion from Newberne by +Burnside. + +The 19th found us on the outskirts of the straggling little village of +Kenansville; thence onward, we marched through a sparsely-settled +country to South Washington, where we remained until the 1st of +February. From South Washington, we moved about 7 miles eastward to +the scattered town of Burgaw, where we remained until the 20th. + +It was here at Burgaw that our foot-sore and weary boys found realized +those blissful dreams which sometimes hover over the hard couch of a +soldier and lure him into the fable land of unknown joys from which he +hears + + "The horns of Elfland faintly blowing." + +It was here that we found the sweet potato, the perfectly cultured +sweet potato, as it only grows and ripens in that portion of eastern +North Carolina. Imagine, if you can, the solid comfort--after the many +hardships and adventures of the bustling year of 1862--it would afford +a native Carolina "Cornfed," to be able to sit down under his own +pines + + "An' hear among their furry boughs + The baskin' West wind purr contented," + +and occupy his leisure moments in roasting a genuine yam. There were +no armed blue-coats here, like little Miss Muffet's spider, to +frighten us away. We were in a land untouched as yet by the foot of +war; no war-dog had bayed here--it was still the domain of ancient +peace; and the little villages slept in the hollows of the pine-clad +hills, or perched in security upon the uplands. It was also at that +delightful season of the year when the women and children were no +longer vexed with the cares of agricultural pursuits. The sweet potato +crop had been dug, the virgin dip had been scooped out of the last +box, and nothing now remained but to enjoy in peace the products of +honest industry. + +On the night of the 20th we left these plaintive pines, marched to +Wilmington, and were soon aboard of the cars destined for Charleston, +S.C. About mid-day of the 22d--after slight detentions at Marion +Court-House and Florence--we arrived at the depot in Charleston. +While here awaiting orders--the men remaining upon the open flat +cars--several impudent and inquisitive idlers, necessary adjuncts +to every depot, gathered around us. Among them happened to be a +well-dressed, dapper fellow, in his home-guard-suit-of-gray and +snow-white "b'iled" shirt. Being of an inquisitive nature, and seeking +information, he had the rashness to address Jim Pearce, and inquire of +him: "_Whose command? Where are you stationed, sir?_" Jim, who was +sitting on the edge of the car, idly dangling his feet, seemed to "take +him in" at once, and rising to the dignity of a full-fledged veteran, +replied (very feelingly): "_Stationed! Stationed, sir! Stationed, the +H--l-fire!_ We have chased and been chased by the Yankees from beyond +the shores of Maryland to this city, and we are _still_ on the wing!" +As the cars moved off, Jim gave him a quizzical lookout of his left +eye, smiled, and faintly whispered "stationed?" + +It is a peculiar trait of the faculty of memory that it is very prone +to gather up the "unconsidered trifles of life," and to let slip many +of its apparently more important events. But my reader must remember +that war is not all tragedy,--that there are smiles as well as tears +in the drama. + +The evening of the 23d found us at Pocataligo, a small railway station +on the Charleston & Savannah Railroad. Remaining here a few days, we +next located at Coosawhatchie, another depot, eight miles away, and +about sixty miles from Charleston. Having an ample supply of tents, we +laid out a regular camp; with no battle to fight, and very light +picket duty to perform, we passed a quiet and pleasant time, until the +23d of April. The country around Coosawhatchie is low and marshy; the +lakes and streams abound with alligators; the forests of live-oak, +shrouded and festooned with a gray moss, present a weird and +picturesque appearance; the products are rice, pinders, and grits; the +pasturage is confined to a few lean, lank cattle, called by the +natives "high-walk." We relied upon the markets of Charleston and +Savannah for our commissary stores, and the morning train rarely +failed to bring us fresh shad. Our provident surgeon had a good supply +of wet groceries, which sustained our _sick_, and our stay in South +Carolina wore pleasantly, having no special fighting to do. + +While in camp at Coosawhatchie, the writer and a comrade (Maj. Webb) +mounted our horses one bright Sunday morning to enjoy the charming +beauty of the day, and the invigorating influences of the sea air. +After riding for about two hours over the level country with its +monotonous aspect, we came suddenly and unexpectedly upon one of those +charming country seats, which were once the pride and delight of the +landed proprietor. The mansion, situated upon a gentle elevation, was +of old-time construction with the wide hall, large rooms and broad +staircases, and colonade of immense pillars supporting the roof of the +front porch. It was embowered in thick clusters of live oaks which +stood round in a kind of outer park, while the inner park was composed +of terraces covered with flowers and shrubbery, while thickets of rose +gardens seemed to stretch in every direction. An aged negro was the +only living being about the place. He told us that the place was +called "Roseland;" that old massa was dead; that the two boys were in +the army, and that Miss Minnie was at school in Raleigh, N.C. + + "A merry place, 'tis said, in days of yore: + But something ails it now."-- + +Vandal hands had done their accustomed work. The beautiful grounds +were sadly disfigured; the shrubbery was broken down; the crops and +forage had been gathered by alien hands, and only the poor ghost +remained of this once peaceful and happy home. + +During our encampment in South Carolina, we were notified of the death +of private R. G. Boling, at hospital in Richmond. Jas. H. Gant died on +the 18th of February; about the same time, Isaac F. Lane died at +Leesburg, N.C.; his remains were carried to Guilford. On the 1st of +March, James M. Lemons died at his home. On the 14th of April, Jas. S. +Hall died in hospital at Hardyville, S.C., and was buried in the +cemetery at Charleston. + +Private Sam Smith, unfit for active service, substituted Jas. E. +Lloyd, and private Jas. R. Wiley was discharged upon surgeon's +certificate on the 7th of February. + +On the 27th of March, corporal R. D. Weatherly was promoted to +sergeant-major of the regiment, and private William C. Story was +appointed corporal in his stead. + +On the 23d of April, we received orders to return to North Carolina. +We left Coosawhatchie the same day, arrived at Charleston, S.C., the +following day, and on the 25th reached Wilmington, N.C. We remained +in camp near Wilmington until the 5th of May, when we moved to +Magnolia. Remaining here a few days, we were moved to Goldsboro; from +here we were ordered to our old tramping-grounds near Kinston, where +we arrived on the 16th. Meanwhile, a detachment of the enemy from +Newberne, on a raiding expedition, had encountered General Ransom's +brigade near Gum Swamp. General Ransom undertook to drive them within +their lines, and made a feint upon Newberne. We formed a portion of +the troops engaged in this expedition, and succeeded in driving the +enemy within their lines, and destroying the block-houses they had +made for their defence. We gained nothing by this tramping, except a +few cases of malarial fever, occasioned by our swamp-wading. With the +exception of an occasional skirmish with the enemy's cavalry on +Batchelor's Creek, there is nothing worthy of mention during our +encampment in the vicinity of Kinston. We remained here until the 5th +of June, when once more we received orders to proceed to Virginia. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +In the latter part of April, 1863, the Army of the Potomac, under the +command of Major-General Hooker, occupied its position in front of +Fredericksburg. Here he constructed a formidable line of earthworks; +from which secure position, he purposed to move on General Lee's +flank. With this view, he crossed the Rappahannock and took position +at Chancellorsville. + +Meanwhile, General Lee, watching him, was entrenched on the line of +hills south of the Rappahannock, near Fredericksburg. + +On the 2d of May, these two confronting armies met each other, and +commenced the memorable engagements of Chancellorsville. "On this +field the star of Confederate destiny reached its zenith, when the +immortal Jackson fell wounded at the head of his victorious troops; it +began to set on the 10th of May, when Jackson was no more." + +General Lee, deeming the true policy now to take the aggressive, at +once set to work to manoeuver so as to draw Hooker's army from +Fredericksburg, and remove hostilities beyond the Potomac. + +In pursuance of this design, our army--now reorganized into three +corps, respectively commanded by Lieutenant-Generals Longstreet, +Ewell, and A. P. Hill--early in June moved northward, with the view of +marching into Maryland and Pennsylvania. On our arrival at Richmond, +on the 6th of June, we were assigned to Heth's division of A. P. +Hill's corps--which corps still occupied the lines in front of +Fredericksburg, the corps of Ewell and Longstreet having advanced as +far as Culpepper Court-House. On the night of the 13th, Hooker retired +from his position, and on the 14th the corps of A. P. Hill left for +the valley. At the urgent request of General Elzey, in command at +Richmond, our brigade (Cooke's) was retained there, and Davis' +Mississippi brigade was assigned to Heth's division in our stead; +through which circumstance, we failed to participate in the +Pennsylvania campaign and to share in the fatal battle of Gettysburg. + +On the 9th of June we were sent to the South Anna bridge, on the +Virginia Central road, to repel a threatened attack from the enemy's +cavalry. Remaining here until the 11th, we returned to Richmond, and +were ordered to Chapin's Bluff, on the James. John F. McQuiston joined +the company here. We remained at the Bluff only a few days, when we +were again returned to Richmond, and camped in the vicinity until the +8th of July. On the 11th, we moved to Taylorsville, on the R. & F.R.R. +Remaining here until the 1st of August, we moved to Fredericksburg, +and picketed the various fords on the Rappahannock. On the 28th, we +retraced our steps to Taylorsville, went into camp in pine forest near +the railroad, and passed the time quietly until the 24th of September. + +On the 13th of July, the shattered remnant of our army recrossed the +Potomac into Virginia. General Meade, now in command of the Federal +troops, advanced east of the mountains, and General Lee, so as to +confront him, moved his army, and established a line of defence along +the Rapidan River. In this position the two armies remained, in +comparative quiet, about two months. Early in October, General Lee, +with Ewell's and Hill's corps, crossed the Rapidan to attack Meade's +flank, or force him to retire from his position. + +The Grays, having been encamped at Gordonsville since the 24th of +September, were ordered to rejoin their corps, and on the 9th of +October we left Gordonsville, marching _via_ Madison Court-House, +where we camped on the 10th. On Sunday morning (11th), we reached +Culpepper Court-House. Just before our arrival it was ascertained that +Meade was on the farther side of the Rappahannock River, which would +render it necessary for our troops to make another flank movement. On +Monday, the 12th, therefore, we started for Warrenton. Passing near +Salem, we camped that night at Amisville. The next day, passing +Warrenton Springs, we reached Warrenton. On the morning of the 14th, +we resumed our march, and about ten o'clock we came upon a little +place called Grinage. Here we found the deserted camp of the enemy. +Their camp-fires were still burning, many articles of camp equipage +were lying around, everything showing that a panic had seized them and +that their retreat was hasty and terrified. We hastened on in pursuit, +at a rapid rate, capturing their stragglers at every turn. At the same +time, we knew that Ewell was driving another corps of the enemy on our +right up the Orange & Alexandria Railroad. Our men were in the highest +spirits, confident not only of victory, but of destroying or capturing +everything in front of us. We knew the river in their rear was +swollen, and possibly the bridges gone, and there would be no outlet +for them. Governor Vance's faithful ship, the "Advance," had come in +"heavily laden," and we were proudly and splendidly dressed in some of +the gray cloth of its cargo, which, but a few days before, we had +received; our hopes were buoyant, our rations plentiful, and it is +easy to imagine with what pace we kept up the pursuit. Reasonable +expectations doomed to a speedy and bitter disappointment! + +After keeping up the pursuit at this rapid rate for some three hours +along the main road leading to Bristoe station, our brigade filed out +into the woods upon our right when we arrived within a short distance +of the station. Cooke's brigade formed the advance of the pursuing +column, Kirkland's brigade followed, then came the remainder of A. P. +Hill's corps. At the time we filed to our right in the woods, +Kirkland's brigade moved up and filed off to the left of the road; the +rest of our corps was halted and _remained_ in the road in the rear. +Our brigade (Cooke's) was immediately thrown into line of battle, the +46th N.C. regiment on the extreme right, the 15th N.C. next, the 27th +N.C. next, and the 48th N.C. next, with their left resting upon the +main road. In this position we were ordered to move forward. Advancing +some five hundred yards through a dense forest of pines, we were halted +near a small stream in an open field. About 800 yards in our front and +to our left upon a hill, we could see several brigades of the enemy; +while in the road in their front a large wagon train was hurriedly +moving off. About this time a battery of guns concealed in the woods +opened a heavy fire upon our right flank, seemingly to cover the +retreat of their wagon train. Just then a courier from Gen. Heth handed +to Gen. Cooke orders from Gen. Hill to advance; in the meanwhile a +message was received from Col. Hall, commanding our right flank, +informing Gen. Cooke that the enemy had driven in his skirmishers and +was pressing him on his flank. Thereupon Cooke sent Heth's courier back +to him with the information that the enemy were in force upon his +right, and before he could advance that his flank must be protected. +The courier from Gen. Heth returned a second time with orders to +advance, and while delivering the orders one of Gen. Lee's +staff-officers rode up, and being informed of our situation, said to +Cooke that _he_ would go to Gen. Hill for him. Before he had time to +reach Gen. Hill, a courier arrived _direct_ from Hill to Gen. Cooke +with orders to _advance at once_. Cooke replied, "I will do so, and if +I am flanked I will face about and cut my way out," and immediately +gave the command "forward!" Advancing at a quick step up a slight +elevation we came in full view of the enemy. Simultaneous with our +advance five pieces of our artillery, posted in the main road upon our +left, opened fire on the enemy in sight, who retired apparently in +confusion. + +About 800 yards in the valley in our front ran the track of the Orange +& Alexandria Railroad. The road here formed an embankment from six to +eight feet high, extending far enough to overlap our brigade and a +portion of Kirkland's on our left. The space between us and the +railroad was a barren, open field, descending with a gradual declivity +to the railroad embankment. Across and beyond the railroad about 300 +yards, upon a considerable elevation, were extensive woods and +thickets; here the enemy had posted their artillery. In front of +these woods, and on the face of the hill descending to the railroad +embankment, was posted what we then supposed was the enemy's skirmish +line, but which proved to be a decoy, for the troops which had retired +at the firing of our artillery in the road, and a large body of those +who had been retreating before Ewell, had stretched themselves behind +the railroad embankment, forming their real line of battle, which +consisted of the entire second corps and one division of the 5th corps +of Meade's army. + +We had advanced rapidly some 25 yards when our regiment, being +slightly in advance, was halted until the regiments upon our right and +left came up. Here we discovered for the first time the real position +of the enemy behind the railroad embankment. We were going down the +hill; they, secure behind the bank, had only to lie down on the slope, +rest their muskets on the track of the railroad and sweep the open +field as we attacked. The attack was made. + + "Not tho' the soldier knew, + Some one had blundered: + Their's not to make reply, + Their's not to reason why, + Their's but to do and die; + Into the Valley of Death, + Into the mouth of Hell, + Stormed at with shot and shell, + Marched the six hundred." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +We had scarcely emerged from the woods and began to advance down the +hill, when Gen. Cooke, in command of the brigade, was shot and fell +from his horse severely wounded. Col. Gilmer, in command of our +regiment, was shot down about the same moment. The command of the +brigade now devolved upon Col. Hall, of the 46th N.C. regiment, and +the command of our regiment fell upon Lieut.-Col. Whitfield. We were +now suffering from the terrific fire of the enemy's artillery posted +in the thickets on the elevation beyond the railroad, and from the +murderous fire of their infantry in safe position behind the +embankment. Col. Whitfield seeing that our entire force would soon be +annihilated by the concentrated fire of the enemy, reported to Col. +Hall that the brigade must either retreat or make a charge. Col. Hall +thought a charge was the best to be done, and Col. Whitfield gave the +order to advance. In a moment we were double-quicking down the hill, +our men falling at every step. When we came to within a few yards of +the railroad, the enemy rose up from behind the embankment and poured +a volley into our ranks which almost swept the remnant of us out of +existence. At this juncture some of our company sought shelter in a +little shanty on our left, where they were afterwards captured by the +enemy. Col. Whitfield was now shot down, and Major Webb assumed the +command. In our perilous condition but two courses were open, either +to surrender or to take our chance in a retreat up the hill, the +descent of which had been so disastrous. Major Webb chose the latter +and gave the order to fall back. + +During our advance our colors were cut down three times. The third +time they were caught up by corporal William C. Story, of the Grays, +on the color-guard, and carried by him during the rest of the fight. +For his gallantry upon this occasion he was complimented in special +orders, and was afterwards appointed ensign of the regiment, with the +rank of lieutenant. The cause of the war may be forgotten, but the +achievements of each soldier are the common property and common glory +of the country, and are imperishable. The calm and cool courage +displayed by this young lad of Guilford, who bore so well the brunt of +this hard-fought field is worthy of the heroes who fell at Culloden. +He bore the flag of his country's trust until the surrender. He +returned to his home broken down in health, and in a few months +surrendered to his last enemy--Death! In the quiet church yard at +Tabernacle, in the southeastern part of Guilford, Story sleeps near +those who loved him. In this consecrated spot may memory come to +embalm his name, and love bedew with her fondest tears the turf which +wraps his clay. + +We continued to fall back, under a continuous deadly fire, until we +had passed the brow of the hill, and were under shelter. + + "They that had fought so well + Came back from the mouth of Hell-- + All that was left of them." + +During the night the enemy continued their retreat toward Centreville. +We, with litters and canteens of water, repaired to the battle-field +to care for our wounded, where "Death wagged his slim jaws gleefully +over his feast," and gorged himself with many more victims ere the +dawn of the 15th. + +The Grays went into this battle with three commissioned officers, four +Sergeants, four Corporals, and fifty-two privates. + +Killed: First Lieutenant John H. McKnight; privates John Cannady, +Henry Crider, and John T. Sockwell were killed on the field. + +Wounded: Capt. John A. Sloan, Corporal C. W. Stratford, Sergeant Chas. +A. Campbell; privates Emsley F. Shuler, W. Burnsides, Henry G. Coble, +Lewis N. Isley, Wm. D. Dennis, L. L. Lineberry, J. W. McDowell, Robt. +B. McLean, William May, Cyrus Crowson, A. L. Orrell, Rufus B. Gibson, +Samuel Gray, R. S. Smith, W. M. Summers, were wounded. Sergeant E. M. +Crowson was wounded, taken prisoner, and died of his wounds at Point +Lookout, Jan. 23, 1864. Private H. Rufus Forbis died of his wounds at +Richmond, Oct. 27, 1863. Joseph E. Rankin died of wounds, October 24. +W. F. Hunter died of his wounds, Nov. 7, and John W. McNairy lost a +leg. + +Prisoners: Sergeant W. U. Steiner (wounded and captured); privates H. +M. Boon, Paul Crutchfield, Jno. Coltrain, Geo. W. Lemons, James M. +Marsh, James A. Orrell, Wilbur F. Owen, Jas. R. Pearce, Andrew L. +Stanley, Paisley Sheppard, T. M. Woodburn, R. B. Worrell, Geo. H. +Woolen, Thos. R. Greeson, and Jas. L. Wilson were captured and carried +to Point Lookout. + +Walter Greene, who was detached as courier to Gen. Cooke, was shot +from his horse, and severely but not seriously wounded. + +Sergeant-Major Robert D. Weatherly was mortally wounded, and died of +his wounds in Richmond, October 24, 1863. He served in the ranks of +the Grays from their organization as private and corporal, until the +21st of March, when he received the appointment of Sergeant-Major of +our regiment. Bob was a noble boy, and bravest of the brave. Fear was +no word in his vocabulary. He was always at his post, and though +slight in stature, his form was ever seen in the thickest of the +fight. His remains were carried to Greensboro, and buried in the +Presbyterian church-yard. + +John H. McKnight, at the outbreak of the war, was quietly pursuing his +studies at Trinity College. When we received our orders to go to Fort +Macon, he left his books and joined his company at the depot, on the +night of the 19th of April, 1861, and served as private, corporal, and +sergeant until September 17th, when he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. +He fell at Bristoe mortally wounded, foremost in the charge; was left +on the field, and captured by the enemy. On the morning of the 15th, +we found his body in the thicket beyond the railroad, where the enemy +had left him to die. Here we buried him. His remains were afterwards +removed, and interred in the cemetery at Greensboro. + +These two noble boys sleep among their loved ones, where, each +returning spring, loving hands may plant the flowers which speak of +the resurrection of the true and just, and of the land where eternal +summer reigns. + + "May young April o'er their lowly mounds + Shake the violets from her hair, + And glorious June with fervid kiss + Ever bid the roses blossom there." + +A worse-managed affair than this fight at Bristoe Station did not take +place during the war. With the rest of our corps in the rear, at a +moment's call, Cooke's and Kirkland's North Carolina brigades were +made to fight this battle alone. President Davis characterized it "as +a rash and ill-conducted affair." Col. Taylor says that "too few of +our corps was engaged; it was unpardonable mismanagement, and there +was no earthly excuse for it." Gen. Lee said to the officer who +essayed to explain to him this occurrence: "Bury your _poor dead_, +and say nothing more about it." + +This terminated Gen. Lee's attempt to bring on a pitched battle with +Gen. Meade. + +On the following day we were busy burying our dead. Our wounded were +all cared for, and sent off in ambulances and wagons. On the 16th, we +were employed in destroying the railroad track, which we did most +effectually, as far down as Rappahannock Station. On the 19th, we +crossed the Rappahannock River, went into camp, and remained until the +6th of November. + +On the 7th, our forces met with another surprise at Kelley's Ford, on +the Rappahannock River, which resulted in the loss of several hundred +of our men and some few pieces of artillery. The loss of this position +made it necessary to abandon the design of our making an attack, and +on the 9th we were withdrawn to near Culpepper Court-House; at night +we fell back across Robertson River. This position not being regarded +as favorable, we returned to the south side of the Rapidan on the +following night. We picketed along this river, above Rapidan Station, +until the 26th of November. + +At this time, the army under Gen. Meade crossed the Rapidan, and we +were busy getting ready for a counter-move, as he was supposed to be +moving down the river. At the dawn of day, on the 27th, we were on our +way to meet Meade's army. The weather was intensely cold, and our men +suffered greatly. + +We proceeded to advance towards Fredericksburg. In the evening we met +the enemy, and had quite a skirmish, losing several men from the +regiment. On Saturday, a position was selected on the line of Mine +Run, and in a short while we were strongly entrenched, and anxious for +the enemy to attack us. On Monday, the 30th, the enemy being in our +immediate front, we certainly expected an attack. They were found to +be busily entrenching, also, and Tuesday passed without any +demonstration. + +As Gen. Meade seemed reluctant to bring on an engagement, Gen. Lee +determined to assail him; consequently, during the night, he made +necessary arrangements for a grand battle. When dawn broke over the +hills on the morning of the 2d of December, Meade's camps were found +deserted, and his army fast making their way back to the river. We +immediately made pursuit, but he had too much the start and reached +the north side of the Rapidan before we could overtake him. Both +armies then retired to their original positions on the Rapidan. We +returned to our winter quarters which we had prepared, about 3-1/2 +miles south-east from Orange C.H. We were then, in turn, employed +in picketing along the Rapidan until the 4th of February, when we +were relieved by Kirkland's North Carolina brigade, and we again +sought shelter in our log cabins. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +On the 18th of December, Lieutenant Frank A. Hanner was promoted to +1st Lieutenant, vice Lieutenant McKnight killed. Orderly Sergeant +Chas. A. Campbell to 2d Lieutenant, Jr.; Sergeant William M. Paisley +was appointed Orderly Sergeant; Corporal C. W. Stratford, Sergeant, +and privates Alfred W. Klutts and Rufus B. Gibson were promoted to +Corporals. + +During the month of December, under special orders No. 72, Lee's +headquarters, a general court martial was convened for our (Heth's) +division. Capt. J. A. Sloan was detailed as judge-advocate; Col. R. +Mayo, of the 47th Virginia regiment, as president, and Sergeant +William U. Steiner, of the Grays, appointed recorder. With the +exception of a temporary suspension in February and again in March, to +accompany our several commands on expeditions made at those times, the +court was in regular session at Orange Court-House. In the meanwhile +Lieutenant Banner was in command of the Grays. + +On the 8th of January, private Chas. W. Westbrooks, our company +chaplain, and known as our "fighting parson," was discharged by order +of the Secretary of War, and received an appointment as regular +chaplain in the army. Charlie preached as he shot without fear and to +the mark. + +On the 16th of January, private Henry G. Kellogg, at home on surgeon's +certificate, was permanently detailed in the commissary department at +Salisbury, North Carolina. + +On the 18th of February, W. H. Donnell joined the company. + +On the 20th, Corporal Thomas J. Rhodes was promoted to Sergeant, and +private Richard S. Smith was appointed Corporal. + +On the 1st of March, Preston P. Dick joined the company. At the same +time private Henry W. Ayer, who joined the Grays in May, 1863, was +transferred to company "C," 48th N.C. regiment. + +On the 12th, H. Smiley Forbis died of disease at hospital in +Lynchburg, Va. + +On the 31st, private A. Laffayette Orrell was transferred to the C.S. +Navy, "or words to that effect." + +On the 13th of April, private Pleasant Ricks died in camp of typhoid +fever. + +On the 25th, E. Tonkey Sharpe was detached, by order of Gen. Heth, for +duty with the provost guard. + +On our return from the Mine Run "freeze-out," we planned, built, and +improved our winter quarters, and soon had a city of log cabins. It +was now our turn to watch the wary "yank" on the borders of the +Rapidan, and we picketed up and down the stream in the cold and ice +until early in February, when Kirkland's N.C. brigade was sent to our +relief. + +While we were in camp near Orange Court-House in December, 1863, the +good mothers, wives, and daughters of Virginia, with the ready hands +and loving hearts that had always characterized them from the +beginning to the end of the fearful struggle, bethought themselves to +give Lee's army a Christmas dinner. Every pantry, turkey-roost, and +hog-pen in the dear old State was called upon to furnish its quota for +the feast. Our infinitesimal ration dimmed with the prospect, and we +looked forward to that day, which ever stirs all the better and +sweeter impulses of our humanity, with longing desires. In our log +cabins we lay upon our hard beds and dreamed of its past celebrations, +of its anthems and its carols; we thought of its bays and its wreaths +of evergreen; its sprigs of holly in the parlor, and the sacred +immortelles around the portraits of the lost ones; its gift-giving and +all those interchanges of tokens that make friendship sweet; its +suppressions of self; its lessons of generosity, and its going out to +others. Need you wonder, under these circumstances, that Lee's hungry +rebels were all anticipation. The day was ushered in with a snow +storm, but, nothing daunted, our brigade wagon was soon on its way +to the depot to receive our share of the feast; but, unfortunately, +these same pantrys, turkey-roosts, and hog-pens had been invaded so +often before that our part of the grand dinner assumed microscopic +proportions, and the wagon returned with about a half-bushel measure +of dissected gobblers--our Christmas dinner! + + "O, ever thus, from childhood's hour"-- + +Early in February we received a most delightful and interesting visit +from Greensboro's eminent divine, Rev. J. Henry Smith, who preached +for as in the large log tabernacle erected by the boys for divine +service. During his visit the cry of the "Philistines be upon you" +from the other side of the river was heard, and we were ordered out to +resist the threatened attack. The parson exhibited an eagerness to +become a "soldier of Lee" for the occasion. After spending two days +and nights of bitter cold weather on the banks of the Rapidan, the +enemy making no further demonstrations, we were returned to our +quarters. + +On the 26th of February, three formidable columns of cavalry, under +the command respectively of Generals Kilpatrick, Custer, and Col. +Dahlgren, proceeded by different routes towards Richmond to surprise +and, if possible, capture the city; and, if successful, to sack and +burn the city, pillage the buildings, and kill "old Jeff Davis and his +cabinet." In the meanwhile two corps of the enemy crossed the river +and proceeded to Madison Court-House; their object being, by a feint, +to cover their cavalry demonstration upon Richmond. Two days later +another army corps left for Madison, and our corps (Hill's) was +ordered to follow them. We left our camp before day on the morning of +March 1st and reached Madison late in the evening, after a long and +weary march in the rain and mud. On our arrival we found that the +enemy had retired, and were returning to their former position on the +Rapidan. The weather turned very cold during the night, and the next +morning we retraced our steps through snow and ice to our camp, the +men suffering greatly from fatigue and cold. We remained quietly in +our winter quarters until the 4th of May. + +Sometime in March, 1864, Major-General Ulysses S. Grant was appointed +Lieutenant-General and assumed command of the armies of the United +States. In April he made his headquarters at Culpepper Court-House, and +took personal command of the army of the Potomac. During the months of +March and April re-enforcements were gathered from the four quarters +of the globe and sent to this army. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +On the 1st day of May, the official return of the Army of the Potomac +showed, present for duty, one hundred and forty-one thousand one +hundred and sixty men, of all arms. General Lee had, in round numbers, +sixty-four thousand men. + +I give the relative strength of the two armies, in order that the +reader may have a proper appreciation of the difficulties which beset +our army in thwarting the designs of our wily adversary, in the +campaign we were now just entering. That the brilliant genius of our +immortal Lee, made amends for paucity in numbers, and proved more than +a match for brutal force, the bloody field extending from the +Wilderness to the James River will attest. + +On the 3d of May, our army held the south bank of the Rapidan River. +Its right rested near the mouth of Mine Run; its left extended as far +as Liberty Mills, on the road to Gordonsville. Grant, with his main +body encamped in Culpepper County, occupied the north hank of the +Rapidan. On the 4th of May, Grant crossed his forces to the south +side, and began his advance into the "Wilderness." + +Running eastwardly to Fredericksburg, from Orange Court-House, are two +parallel roads; the one nearest the river is called the "Stone +Turnpike," and the other the "Plank-Road." + +As soon as Grant's movements were known, our army was put in motion. +On the morning of the 4th, our division (Heth's) and Wilcox's, of A. +P. Hill's corps, moved eastwardly along the "Plank-Road." Simultaneously +Ewell's corps moved on the stone turnpike. That night we bivouacked at +Verdiersville, near where we fought the battle of Mine Run. + +The "Wilderness" is an almost impenetrable thicket of undergrowth; and +our sagacious Lee resolved to fight Grant in these pathless woods, +where their artillery would be least available, and where their +massive columns would be most embarrassed in their movements. + +On the morning of the 5th, we resumed our march, with Kirkland's +brigade, of our division, in front. About one o'clock, our +advance-guard came upon a body of the enemy, and a spirited musketry +fire was opened in our front. Kirkland's brigade at once deployed on +both sides of the "Plank-Road," and Cooke's brigade was thrown into +line of battle with our regiment (27th), on the left of the road. +About three o'clock, our skirmishers were driven in by a massive +column of the enemy, who advanced firing rapidly. Thus commenced the +"Wilderness" fight; and the bloody contest continued until near +sundown. + +This stubborn and heroic resistance was made by the divisions of +Heth's and Wilcox's, fifteen thousand strong, against the repeated +assaults of four divisions of Hancock's and one division of Sedgwick's +corps, numbering about forty-five thousand men. After dark, we were +relieved by Kirkland's brigade. As we were retiring from our position, +we got into a country-road, parallel to the "Plank-Road," and had +proceeded but a short distance, when my attention was directed to a +similar body of troops, marching quietly in the road with us; the +night was very dark, and it was difficult to distinguish friend from +foe. I felt some anxiety, as they seemed to possess uniform knapsacks +and were of better appearance than our men, to know who they were. I +therefore approached their column, and found to my utter astonishment +that they were "blue-coats." I immediately rushed to Col. Whitfield, +and informed him of our situation. He replied, "Impossible!" On close +inspection, he found that they were really Federal troops. He drew his +pistol, and, in a surprised and excited manner, called out: "Yes, they +are Yankees! Shoot them, boys! Shoot them!" Some few guns were fired; +but as the surprise was so great both upon our part and that of our +"Yankee brethren," a hasty retreat was made on both sides, and each +soon lost the other in the darkness. They were evidently on the wrong +road "to get out of the Wilderness." + +We soon reached the "Plank-Road," and were marched to the rear about +one and a-half miles to a ridge, upon which our line was established. +Our men began at once to fortify; and while we had no implements for +the purpose, we succeeded, by the aid of our bayonets and tin-cups, to +build what proved to be on the following day a great protection. + +During the progress of the battle on the 5th, there came a lull in the +firing and an almost deathlike stillness prevailed, as though the god +of war had stopped a minute to take a long breath, and pull himself +together for a fresh start. Presently, a sharp, quick report of a +rifle from the other side broke the stillness. Simultaneously with the +report, private Wash Williams was struck and painfully wounded. He +uttered a long, loud yell, which seemed to reverberate up and down the +lines for at least a mile. Almost immediately afterwards, a gun was +fired from our side, and some one on the Yankee line mimicked the cry +of Williams perfectly. This incident created general laughter on both +sides, thus giving the opposing forces an idea of each other's +position, and the contest opened in good earnest. + +Our casualties in this, the first of the series of battles of this +campaign, were as follows: Privates Sam'l F. McLean and Louis +Lineberry were killed. Sergeant C. W. Stratford, Corporal A. W. +Klutts, privates Frank G. Chilcutt, William Horney, R. B. Tate, Jas. +M. Hardin, Wash. Williams, Thos. R. Greeson, Sam'l Hiatt, John R. +Siler, and Jas. L. Wilson were wounded. Chilcutt lost an arm, Horney +lost a leg, and R. B. Tate died of his wounds in July, 1864. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +At dawn on the morning of the 6th the enemy, having been re-enforced +by the 9th army corps under Gen. Burnside, and a fresh division +commanded by Wadsworth, advanced. + +The intervening space between the position now held by our brigade, +and the point at which we fought on the 5th, was occupied by our +(Hill's) corps camped in irregular order, and in no condition for an +assault; consequently, when the enemy made their advance and attacked, +these forces were thrown into confusion and driven back to the line +where our brigade had formed the night previous. After a severe +contest a portion of Heth's and Wilcox's divisions were overpowered +and forced to fall back; our brigade, under protection of our hastily +constructed earthworks, held its position. The condition of affairs +was now assuming a very critical phase, when Kershaw's brigade of +South Carolinians, of Longstreet's corps, arrived upon the scene and +for a short while arrested their further advance. The repulsed +portions of our divisions were in considerable disorder, and the +battle began to rage with intense fury. + +General Lee, anxious and appreciating the impending crisis, rode up +with hat in hand, dashed among the men, and calling upon them to +rally, said he would lead the charge. The reins of his horse were +seized by the men and he was told he must go "to the rear," or they +would not go forward. Being evidently touched at this manifestation of +anxiety upon the part of his men the great, grand, and towering old +hero waved his hand and retired. In a few moments Anderson's gallant +Texas boys came up at a double-quick, deployed into line of battle, +and, with Longstreet at their head, went forward with a yell. Major +Webb, while standing on our works cheering, was severely wounded and +retired to the rear. In a short while the ground lost by our troops +was recovered, and the enemy forced back to the position originally +held by them. General Longstreet now took the defensive, and about +mid-day made an attack on their rear and left flank. The assault +resulted in their utter rout, and they were forced back some distance +in rear of the lines occupied by them on the 5th. So far, this +movement was a complete success, and Longstreet began preparations to +follow up his advantages with a flank movement by the Brock road. + +While advancing at the head of Gen. Jenkins' brigade, a portion of his +flanking column, which had continued through the woods in the former +charge, mistaking the brigade for the enemy fired into them, killing +Gen. Jenkins, and seriously wounding Gen. Longstreet. This unfortunate +and strange fatality checked our forward movement, and afforded the +enemy time and opportunity to rally and reform behind their +entrenchments. + +At dark we began to move slowly to the right, and after we had +proceeded about one mile a rebel yell, as if a rushing mighty wind, +rolled down upon us from the right of our lines. Our army now was in a +continuous line of battle, and the cheering was taken up spontaneously +by brigade after brigade until it swelled into one exulting roar of +defiance. At first it seemed like the soft murmuring of the wind in +the tree tops, and as it came nearer it made one vast tempest of +sound, and thus it swayed back and forth for some time. Its effect was +tragic in the extreme, and I readily recall the sensation it produced +upon all at the time. The enemy's pickets thought we were making a +grand charge and fled so precipitately to their main line that, as the +prisoners we captured the next day informed us, they were fired into +by their own men and many of them killed. + +On the morning of the 7th an advance was made and Grant was found to +have retired from his line of works on his right. We had several +skirmishes, and desultory firing continued during the day. + +He now attempted by a flank movement to secure possession of +Spottsylvania Court-House, and Warren's corps, of his advance guard, +marched out of the Wilderness by the Brock road. On his arrival at the +Po River, on the following day, he found in his path, ready to dispute +his passage, Gen. R. H. Anderson's division of Longstreet's corps. +Each army, now forming on its advance guard as a nucleus, swung round, +and on the 9th confronted each other in line of battle. + +On our march on the 8th we were interrupted by several skirmishes, and +were frequently shelled by the enemy. In the evening we reached +Spottsylvania Court-House, and were placed in line, without regard to +alignment, a short distance to the left of the court-house building, +where we at once proceeded to fortify. We were moved afterwards to +different parts of the lines, but finally took our position not far +from where we first halted. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +On the 10th Barlow's division made an attack upon our left and +obtained temporary possession of a portion of Ewell's line. Gen. Lee +said that these lines must be re-established, if he had to attend to +it in person. Our (Heth's) division was called upon to do the work. We +received our orders and were soon in readiness. Advancing cautiously +for some little time, we came upon the enemy about one mile this side +of a branch of the Po, we deployed into line and began to push them +back. They finally halted in some earth-works, freshly thrown up, in +front of Mrs. Graves' house, in front of which was a large open field. +As soon as we got into the road running parallel to these works, we +were halted and reformed, and, after some little delay, we were +ordered to charge their works and drive them away. We charged across +the open field under a heavy fire of artillery from their batteries on +the hills beyond the little stream, which ran a short distance in the +rear of their earth-works. Before we reached the works they, deeming +"prudence the better part of valor," fled and made good their retreat, +leaving behind them one piece of artillery, their dead and wounded, +and several prisoners. We remained several hours at their works under +a heavy shelling; some few of the shells exploding in our ranks. Gen. +Cooke was slightly wounded in the charge, and Ensign W. C. Story, +after we reached the works. We were finally withdrawn and marched back +to our position on the main lines, after we had recovered the lost +ground and forced the enemy to relinquish their temporary advantage. +The 11th was passed in comparative quiet, with the exception of our +usual salutation from the enemy's batteries. They made daily practice +on our works, and endeavored to batter down and destroy the buildings +in the village. They appeared to have a special spite at the little +brick church immediately in rear of our regiment, occupied by our +surgeon (Dr. Hunt) as a _dispensary_. "Gwin" had hardly "opened +up" when a wicked shell came thundering through the gable, and he +concluded to vacate, which he did in considerable disorder. When we +quit our lines the little church was sadly in need of a contribution +box. + +During the night of the 11th the enemy, under the cover of the dense +woods, advanced without discovery, and massed a large force in Ewell's +front at the point known as the "salient," which was occupied by Gen. +Edward Johnson's division. On the next morning at daylight these +troops vigorously attacked and overran this portion of our lines and +captured most of the division, including its commander, who was +quietly enjoying his breakfast. + +General Lee at once hurried troops from our right and left, and made +dispositions to dispute their further progress. As Harris' Mississippi +brigade was coming up at double quick, Gen. Lee, already in a very +exposed position, now joined them and started to the front with them. +The minies were flying fast and thick, and shot and shell ploughing +the ground and bursting in the air. As they neared the lines a +round-shot struck immediately in front of the grand old chieftain, and +caused him to halt and take breath. The officers and men now plead and +insisted that he should retire from this exposed position. He, in his +calm manner, his feelings exhibiting a purity and nobleness of heart +never witnessed in any hero of ancient or modern time, replied: "If +you will promise to drive _those people_ from our works I will go +back." The brigade quickly shouted the promise, and in a moment +commenced the most terrific musketry-fire that took place during the +war. + + "From the side of the salient in the possession of the Federals, + and the new line forming the base of the triangle occupied by the + Confederates, poured forth, from continuous lines of hissing fire, + an incessant hail of deadly missiles. No living man nor thing + could stand within the doomed space embraced within those angry + lines; even large trees were felled, their trunks cut in twain by + the bullets of small arms. Never did the troops on either side + display greater valor and determination. After several + hand-to-hand conflicts, while we failed to dislodge the enemy, the + assault which threatened such serious consequences was checked, + and the result of the advantage to the enemy was limited to the + possession of the narrow space of the salient and the capture of + Johnson's division. The loss of this fine body of troops was + seriously felt by Gen. Lee, and, though his army was sadly reduced + by this and a week's incessant fighting, his lines, thus forcibly + rectified, proved thereafter impregnable." + +While this desperate attack was going on, our (Heth's) division and +Mahone's were moved to the left near the Fredericksburg road, to make +a feint and create a diversion. We leaped over our works, and formed +inside of them, to make the movement, and bravely did the boys move +off, although nothing is so demoralizing to troops as to leave +breastworks to do battle inside of them. We attacked the enemy, and +drove them from two lines into a third. Finding that they were getting +re-enforcements, and in a fortified position, we were gradually +withdrawn to our former position on the main lines. + +Several days of comparative quiet now ensued, during which time Grant +was refurnishing his decimated brigades with heavy re-enforcements +from Washington. In his official report to the 39th Congress, he said: +"The time from the 13th to the 18th was consumed in manoeuvering and +awaiting the arrival of re-enforcements." + +After covering the entire front of our army with _double_ lines, he +still had a large reserve force with which to extend his flank and +compel a corresponding move upon our part, in order to keep between him +and Richmond. + +On the 18th, Gen. Grant made his final and desperate attack, by +hurling division after division against our lines. He commenced the +attack in the morning, and soon the battle became continuous along the +lines, and raged with the utmost fury and desperation. The cannon's +shot and shell seemed winged with impetuous rage, and with hissing red +flame bellowed through the air and over hill and plain, withering and +blasting everything in their flight. War had now indeed stalked forth +unmasked from his infernal den. In the smoke and carnage, Grant drove +his troops mercilessly up to the slaughter, but it produced no +impression, and the hopeless task was relinquished. + +We had now completed twelve days of battle at Spottsylvania, and at no +time, day or night, did the firing on the lines entirely cease. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + +General Grant, giving up all hope of succeeding in his plans by direct +assault, on the night of the 20th began a flank movement in the +direction of Bowling Green, hoping thereby to interpose between our +army and the long-coveted Richmond. On the 21st, Wright's corps began +the initiative and moved southward. + +To counteract and defeat this new purpose, General Lee, at midnight, +dispatched Longstreet's corps on the road leading to Hanover Junction. +On the day and night of the 21st, Ewell's and Hill's (our) corps +marched for the same point. + +The twelve long days and nights, in the trenches at Spottsylvania, of +weary watching and desperate fighting, was telling on our men, and +nothing but the indomitable courage and hope of success, which at all +times and under all circumstances characterized the starved and ragged +Confederates, sustained them. They placed every confidence in their +great and good leader, and looked forward to the time when the +sunlight of this hope, with its golden radiance, would remove the veil +and permit them to look out on the long and lovely paths that wind, +amid beauty, to the far-off but glittering temples of their dreams, +and find them realities. + + "What can we not endure, + When pains are lessened by the hope of cure?" + +During the day and the night of the 22d, we continued our toilsome +march. + +On these long marches, to prevent straggling, we are frequently halted +for a rest, and this opportunity is taken by those who have fallen +back to catch up with their commands. Any one passing through the +troops at this time, be he officer or private, had to run the gauntlet +of the gibes and witticisms of the men. On one occasion, while thus +resting, a very tall, lean, lank soldier of the 5th "Georgy Regiment," +appeared in the road, dragging along his weary length. His long black +tousled hair hung in uncombed ringlets from the holes in his rimless +hat; his coat or jacket, a very scant pattern of gray jeans, seemed to +be widely at variance with his copperas-colored breeches, as the +leather strings attached to them by thorns, to serve as "gallasses," +failed to effect a compromise between the two; the pants, from his +oft-repeated restings, had been badly attacked and routed in the rear, +and, from long use, "swunk up" in apparent fright from his sockless +pedal extremities, whose coverings of untanned leather were held +together by a withe as a shoe-string. In form and stature, he was +modeled strictly after the heron. His avoirdupois gave evidence of +unswerving observance of forty days' Lenten season, and that in soul +and body he had, and was now, wrestling with that plague incident and +concomitant to the experience of every soldier, called the "dia-ree." + +As he approached near where our regimental band was seated, at the head +of the regiment, he appeared to halt from sheer exhaustion, and, as he +did so, he came to an order and leaned in rest upon his gun. Near him +stood, leaning on his drum, the tall bass-drum beater (Bill Burroughs) +of the band. Bill was a fellow of "infinite jest," and possessed one of +those large souls, full of sympathy and concern for the woes of others. +He turned to this gaunt straggler, supposing him to be "somebody's +darling," and entered into conversation with him. The "poor fellow" in +detail related his hairbreadth escapes from battle, hunger, exposure, +&c. When he had scarcely told all, Bill remarked to him that he ought +to take notes for some _future historian_, and by all means to keep a +diary. He raised his head, and as his eyes dimmed with the starting +tear, now coursing down his bronzed and furrowed cheek, he replied, +"Lord! stranger, that's what ails me now, I have had _it_ nigh-on-to +four months." The generous _cords_ of Burroughs' haversack and canteen +were unloosed and their gratuitous contents speedily disappeared. The +order was now given to "fall in." The "Georgy" fellow shouldered his +gun, and Bill swung his big drum on his back. Just as they parted the +soldier extended his long bony fingers and grasped the hand of his Good +Samaritan, thanked him kindly, and, in subdued tones of feigned grief, +said: "My stranger friend, I am so much obleeged to you; can you not +further oblige me by picking a tune for a sick man on that _thare +instrument_." Thus agreeably employed our history leaves them--and we +return to the course of our story. + +On the morning of the 23d we reached the North Anna River in advance +of the enemy, and about daylight crossed to the south side. Warren's +corps crossed at Jericho ford without opposition. Hancock's corps +attempted to cross lower down, at the county bridge. Our brigade +obstinately resisted them, and they did not succeed in crossing until +the 24th. + +General Cooke relates an interesting incident which occurred during the +progress of Grant's army to the North Anna, as told by a prominent +citizen of Caroline County, Va., who was captured by Grant in the +march. He says: "Grant had halted at a house on the roadside with a +number of his officers around him with whom he was discussing with deep +interest the movements in progress. During the discussion Grant pulled +out his watch, and opening it, said: 'Gentlemen, if we do not hear +firing in ten minutes we will _at last_ have gotten ahead of Lee!' He +stood quietly, watch in hand, an occasional remark, only, breaking the +silence, when, scarcely five minutes having elapsed, the booming of +guns was heard in the direction of Hanover Junction. He closed his +watch and impatiently remarked, 'I'll be _damned_ if he has not beaten +us again!' And so it was, as our brigade was at the time resisting +Hancock." + +General Lee, on the next day, did not further dispute in force the +crossing of the enemy, but formed his lines with his left resting on +Little River, and his right near the North Anna below the enemy, +covering Hanover Junction. Here he awaited attack. + +Owing to our well-selected position, Grant could not get at our +flanks; and to take us by direct assault, after his bitter experience +at Spottsylvania, caused him to "pause, ponder, study, and plan." + +Perceiving he had made a blunder, and that his army was in a position +of much peril, he, on the night of the 26th, recrossed to the north +side of the river, and made another _detour_ to the eastward, as far +down as the Pamunkey River. + +On the 28th he crossed the Pamunkey at Hanovertown. On the 30th his +advance ran against our brigade, on the left of our lines, at Atlee's +Station, where we entertained him for some little time to his +discomfiture. The next day we had a sharp engagement near Tolopotomy +creek, and on June 1st, they attacked us in heavy force at Pole-Green +church, the skirmish continuing for some time. Our brigade and +regiment suffered considerably from their shells and sharpshooters. + +Lieutenant Chas. A. Campbell was mortally wounded and was carried +to the rear, where he died the next day. Campbell was one of the +"original panel," serving as private until April, 1862, corporal +until August, when he was promoted to sergeant. He was wounded at the +battle of Sharpsburg. On his return to his command, November 1st, he +was appointed Orderly Sergeant, serving as such until the 11th of +December, when he was promoted to Junior 2d Lieutenant. With the +exception of a short furlough from camp at Orange Court-House, he was +always at his post, ready and cheerful at all times to perform his +duties. Soon after he was shot down, he was carried to the field +hospital, where he died and was buried the following day. As he passed +me on his litter, he stretched out his almost pulseless arm and +remarked, "Goodbye, Captain; if I don't come back, tell them I fell +fighting at the front." + + God's peace be with him in his rest, + Lone dweller in the stranger's land. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + +On the 3d of June the two armies were brought face to face at Cold +Harbor, where but two years before "Little Mc" had struggled in vain +for the mastery. + +On the night of the 2d our brigade was placed in line on the extreme +left, with our regiment upon what is known as Pharr's farm. As soon as +we were halted we began to fortify, and by early dawn had constructed +good temporary works. Owing to the dense, heavy body of woods the enemy +were enabled to make near approaches in our front, and previous to +their advance, on the following morning, we could hear distinctly the +orders given by their officers. After some little firing by their +sharpshooters, about 8 o'clock, they began to attack, and kept up their +assaults until late in the evening. Brigade after brigade was hurled +against us, until the ground in our front was literally covered with +their dead and wounded. Their assaults were repulsed along the whole +line. Finally, when the order was given to renew the attack, their men +sullenly and emphatically refused to move forward under our withering +fire. The prisoners we captured denounced and cursed Grant for this +slaughter, and dubbed him the "champion butcher." + +In the evening a battery of artillery was sent to our aid. They came up +at a gallop and endeavored to take position on a slight elevation, in +the skirt of pines, immediately in rear of our regiment. Before they +had time to unlimber, every horse in the battery was shot down. The men +then endeavored to run the guns forward by hand, when nearly all the +men were killed or wounded. One gun only was gotten in position, and it +rendered but little service before it was dismantled. Having been under +constant fire, and firing rapidly all day ourselves--each man averaging +two hundred rounds of cartridges--it became necessary to replenish our +ammunition. An attempt to go to the rear, or to leave our works in any +direction, was almost certain death. Lieut.-Col. Whitfield, who was now +in command of our regiment, disliked to force a detail to go to the +wagons for ammunition, and therefore called for volunteers. A +sufficient number came forward at once, and set out on their perilous +expedition; among the number was private R. F. Hampton, of the Grays. +In due time they all returned, each bringing a supply of cartridges, +but waited some distance back of us for a lull in the firing so as to +run the gauntlet of the sharpshooters to the lines. Several were badly +wounded in making the trip, among the number private R. F. Hampton, who +had almost reached the lines when he was shot down by a sharpshooter, +mortally wounded, and afterwards died of his wounds. During the battle, +private W. J. Hunt was killed, and Dan'l. B. Coltrain and Benjamin +Burnsides severely wounded. Private Hunt, when shot, was standing near +me. We were trying to locate a sharpshooter in our front, who had +become very troublesome by the accuracy of his aim. We had been exposed +in our position but a few moments, when a minie-ball pierced his head, +scattering his brains in my face, and he sunk down lifeless at my feet. +Lieutenant-Colonel Whitfield was severely wounded in the head, and was +carried from the field. The command now devolved upon Capt. Herring, +the senior officer, who acted as Colonel, and Captain Sloan, next in +rank, as Major. + +On the following morning, we found that the enemy, under cover of +darkness, had left our front; and we were moved to the right, and +placed in position immediately at Cold Harbor, with our respective +lines so near as to be able to converse with each other. We remained +here in line of battle, under constant fire; happily, our immediate +command had no serious casualties. Grant used every expedient to break +through our lines, but he had so mercilessly slaughtered and cowed his +men in his first charges at Cold Harbor, that his men refused to charge +a second time. So determined was he to clean us up, at all hazards, +that he remarked he would do so, "if it took him all summer." The +sequel proved that he did not overestimate the time, but the process +cost considerable bloodshed. + +Stanton (Secretary of War) says, officially, that Grant's force, on the +1st of May, was over one hundred and twenty thousand men. Shortly +afterwards, the 9th army corps was sent to him. This army, then +aggregating over one hundred and forty thousand men, with a reserve to +draw from of one hundred and thirty thousand more, in round numbers, +was ruthlessly hurled against Lee's less than fifty thousand men. Lee +had no reserve--the cradle and the grave had long since mustered, and +our ports were closed to mercenary hirelings. Their own historians +prove and show that their "butcher" slaughtered nearly one hundred +thousand men in his "On to Richmond," from the wilds of the +"Wilderness" to the desolated fields of Cold Harbor. In other words, he +sacrificed about twice as many men as Lee had, in order to take a +position he could have taken at first without firing a gun or losing a +man. + +On the 3d of June, Lieut. Frank A. Hanner, who had been for some weeks +confined by disease in the hospital at Richmond, died. He served as +private until April, 1862; at the reorganization of the twelve-months' +troops, he was elected 2d Lieutenant; was promoted to Senior 2d, +September 17th, 1862, and again on the 15th of October, 1863, to 1st +Lieutenant. On the 1st of June, private Joel J. Thorn was appointed +corporal. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + +The Army of the Potomac having now apparently had sufficient amusement +on this portion of its constituted "all summer route," again adopted +"Little Mc's" tactics, "sought water," and on the 12th of June began +its march towards the historic James. + +On the 14th and 15th, by means of his pontoon bridges near Wilcox's +Landing, Grant crossed to the south side of the river. On the evening +of the 15th his advance made a feint demonstration against Petersburg, +and on the 16th made his attack in force. This attack was promptly met, +and successfully repulsed by our forces under Gen. Beauregard. Our +brigade, as yet, in the swamps of the Chickahominy, was almost daily +employed in skirmishes with the enemy's cavalry. On the 15th of June we +came across a large force of cavalry at Gary's farm. They had met a +small force of our cavalry and had been driving them. When we arrived +they dismounted and sent their horses to the rear, formed their lines +and showed fight. After a sharp struggle their lines gave way, and we +pursued them some distance through the woods. Their sharpshooters were +armed with seven shooters, and they used them against us on our advance +with telling effect. When they reached their horses they quickly +remounted and were soon beyond our reach. Orderly Sergeant William M. +Paisley and private Henry J. Coble were wounded. + +We had advanced in line but a short distance, when Sergeant Paisley, at +the head and slightly in advance of his company, was shot by a +sharpshooter, and fell mortally wounded. He was carried from the field +and sent to the hospital in Richmond, there he suffered and lingered +until the 13th of July, when he died in the arms of his broken-hearted +father, who carried his remains to Guilford, and interred them at +Alamance church. He was among the first of Guilford's gallant boys who +went forth to do battle for truth and right. He kept his vows to his +God and his Southland sacred alike, and at his post, on the front line +in the fight, fell wounded to the death. + + "On other brows let careless fame + Her fadeless wreath of laurel twine, + Enough for thee--thy epitaph! + First in the foremost line." + +After this encounter we were granted a short respite until the 21st, +when our cavalry was routed by the enemy at Yellow Tavern, and our +brigade was ordered to their support. When we reached there, we found +in slowly retiring before the enemy in a dense woods. Gen. Cooke at +once ordered forward his sharpshooters, and very soon a spirited fight +began. Our regiment was thrown into line and we began to press them +back. As they had been driving our cavalry they were loth to retire, +and fought us obstinately. Cooke then ordered his whole brigade into +line. They, seeing now that they could not cope with us in fair fight, +set fire to the woods and leaves in our front, and we were forced to +advance through fire and smoke, our men suffering terribly from the +heat, the day, besides, being exceedingly hot. We had been in too many +hot places to be afraid of fire, so we made at them with a yell, and +soon had their lines broken and in rapid retreat, with our cavalry--who +had recovered--in pursuit of them. Our loss was not so great, but the +men experienced great thirst, and many were scorched by the fires; in +some instances the cartridges were exploded in their boxes. + +About the 25th Gen. Butler, having pontooned the James River at Deep +Bottom, crossed a heavy force to the north side. Our brigade was +ordered to reconnoitre this force, and some fighting ensued. We found +them in force and strongly fortified, and an attack was deemed +inadvisable, so we were withdrawn and ordered to Petersburg. We reached +Petersburg on the 1st of July, and were placed on the lines a short +distance from the city, to the left of the Weldon Railroad. + +On the 15th of July, private Daniel W. McConnell was appointed Orderly +Sergeant. + +We remained near Petersburg comparatively quiet until the 26th of July, +when Grant crossed another corps at Deep Bottom, to attack our pontoons +at Drury's Bluff, and prevent Lee from sending re-enforcements to the +north side of the river. Our brigade was ordered back in haste to this +point, and, although the enemy had gained some partial success, we +drove him back and defeated the expedition. As events afterwards +proved, these movements were only feints to draw our troops from +Petersburg to better enable Grant to carry out his plans to make a +breach in our lines in front of Petersburg. Uniform failure had now +rendered him desperate, and Grant concluded the only wise thing now to +do, was to "blow us up." Burnside was duly appointed "blower." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + +On the night of the 28th, Hancock's corps was secretly withdrawn from +the north side, and every preparation was made for the great +forthcoming event. + +Grant had constructed a mine under one of our forts in front of +Petersburg, the main gallery of which was five hundred and twenty-two +feet in length, with eight side galleries; in each of these galleries +was placed about fourteen hundred pounds of powder. Gen. Burnside, in +charge of this new feature of warfare, was to explode the "infernal +machine," and walk into Petersburg with his colored troops, supposedly +unmolested. + +About daylight on the morning of the 30th, this famous mine--afterwards +known as the "crater"--was exploded with a great noise, as of a +"rushing mighty wind, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun +became black." About one hundred of our men and three or four guns were +moved out of their places into the air, and when the smoke cleared away +an opening about one hundred and fifty feet long, sixty feet wide, and +thirty feet deep appeared in place of our earthworks. Simultaneously +with this explosion the enemy opened a terrific fire along their whole +front, and the white division selected for this occasion came slowly +through the abattis up to this _hole_, where they were met by a +merciless fire from our artillery, enfilading them right and left, with +our infantry in their front. They were badly led, and, being +demoralized, they faltered and sought shelter in the crater. Next came +the "nigger" division, and the "colored troops fought bravely," until +the withering fire from our guns created a panic, when into the crater +pell-mell they rushed, white and black, a disordered, mangled, +quivering mass; our shot, shells, balls, and canister creating a +perfect carnival of death. Some few endeavored to leave the crater and +run back, but they were immediately shot down. Those who witnessed the +scene say it was beyond the power of words to describe. Our lines were +soon re-established, and our brigade was sent to relieve the troops +holding the lines where the mine was sprung. Thus ended this "miserable +affair." + +The space between the two lines, as now formed, was so close as to +endanger any exposure whatever, and we had to hug our earthworks very +closely. Our company was in line immediately at the crater. In our +front, and almost under our noses, lay the bloated, festering bodies of +their dead, exposed to the scorching rays of a July sun. To make our +situation still more interesting, it was supposed that the battery on +our right was also mined; and we were daily and nightly in fear of +another explosion, and to be landed--no telling where. We remained in +this position for a week, when Grant asked for a truce to bury his +dead. We were then moved a short distance to our right, where we +remained until about the middle of August. While on these lines, we +literally lived under the ground. We had to pass to and from the front +in covered ways; our rations were all prepared in the rear, and sent to +us. We were compelled to sleep in bomb-proofs to avoid their mortar +shells, with which they enlivened the scene at night. + +On the 18th of August, Warren's corps seized a portion of the Weldon +Railroad near Petersburg, when we were withdrawn from our position in +front of the city and moved to this point. On the 25th, this success +was followed up by an attempt under Gen. Hancock to take possession of +Ream's Station, farther south, on the same road. A. P. Hill's corps was +selected to drive him from this position. On our arrival we were +deployed in line, and ordered to go forward. The undergrowth and fallen +trees over which we had to climb our way retarded our advance, and Gen. +Cooke ordered the 27th and 48th regiments forward first. When they had +gotten sufficiently advanced, he directed the other two regiments of +our brigade, the 46th and 15th, to advance. When we reached the enemy's +works, we found them heavily manned with infantry and artillery. +Nothing daunted, however, we still advanced through shot and shell +until we came to a hand-to-hand fight across the breastworks. The two +other regiments now came up and in a few moments the enemy broke and +fled in confusion, leaving their guns. The colors of the 27th, carried +by Sergeant Richards, of the Orange Guards, were the first seen on +their works. We pursued them, and turned their own guns upon them; but +having no friction primers, we could not use them to advantage. We +captured over two thousand prisoners and twelve pieces of artillery. + +Our loss in this brilliant dash was very heavy, and North Carolina's +troops alone, consisting of Cooke's, McRea's, and Lane's brigades, were +engaged. The 27th regiment came out of the fight with less than +seventy-five men! + +The Grays lost in killed, private John Coltrain; in wounded, Sergeants +William U. Steiner and A. C. Cheely, privates Hardy Ayers, James S. +Scott, Emsley W. Stratford, and Wash. Williams. + +Warren had now made good his hold upon the railroad, and these events +did not materially affect the general result. The enemy's left +gradually reached farther westward, until, in October, it was +established on the left bank of Hatcher's Run, eight miles southwest of +Petersburg. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + +On the 26th of August, we returned to our position in the trenches, +where we remained until the latter part of September. + +On the 16th, Robert T. Heath and James Hacket joined the Grays. + +The casualties in the campaign so far had sadly reduced our ranks. At +the battle of Ream's Station, Capt. Herring, senior officer of the +regiment, was wounded, when Capt. J. A. Sloan, next in rank, took +command of the regiment, and Sergeant Thomas J. Rhodes commanded the +Grays. Our muster-roll on the 31st of August contained sixty names rank +and file. One captain, one sergeant, two corporals, and sixteen +privates were reported for duty. One officer and thirty-five men +absent, wounded, and prisoners; four men on detached service. + +On the 18th of September, private Geo. H. Woolen died while a prisoner +of war at Point Lookout, Md. On the 13th, Samuel E. B. Gray was killed +in the trenches before Petersburg, and on the 27th, private Wm. N. +Kirkman. About the same time, Sergeant Daniel McConnell, while lying +sick in the field hospital in rear of our lines, was seriously injured +by a shell passing through the hospital and so near to him as to cause +a paralysis of his limbs, from which he died. + +On the night of the 28th of September, Butler, with the corps of Birney +and Ord, crossed to the north side of the James, and moved up the +river, with the view of attacking Fort Harrison, near Chapin's Farm. A +portion of his force made a feint upon the Newmarket road, and while +this engagement was in process, a column moved on the fort and captured +it. This resulted in giving to the enemy a secret lodgment on the north +side of the James, and a position very menacing to Richmond. + +On the 20th, we were moved still further to the right; and on the next +day, were engaged in a spirited skirmish near Battery No. 45, on our +advanced lines. Every few days, we were moved still farther to the +right, skirmishing and picketing, until we reached Hatcher's Run, about +the 1st of December. + +About daylight, on the morning of the 27th of October, three corps of +the enemy moved towards the Boydton Plank-Road with a view to turn our +right flank and get possession of the Southside railroad, which was +now Lee's principal communication. When they reached the Boydton road, +they found our troops entrenched at every point. Hancock's corps +continued to advance in the direction of Stony Creek, supposing this +to be the termination of our lines, and thereby creating a gap between +his right and the left of the 5th army corps. Mahone's division, +taking advantage of this opening in their lines, assailed Hancock's +right, and drove Gibbons' division some distance back. Meanwhile, +Hampton with his cavalry began to attack his rear. Our brigade was +moved up the creek (Hatcher's Run) as far as Burgess' Mill, and was +placed in position to be ready on the next morning to charge the enemy +from their position on the other side of the creek. The only means of +crossing the stream was a narrow country bridge, which was guarded by +their sharpshooters, and beyond on the hills, about one hundred yards +off, was posted their artillery. The charge was to be made at +daylight; and with this _pleasant_ prospect before us, you may imagine +we passed a _comfortable_ night in anticipation. When morning came, +our sharpshooters were advanced, and found, to our comfort and +delight, that Grant had withdrawn his troops during the night, and +retraced his steps to their intrenchments in front of Petersburg. He +had been completely frustrated, and thus failed in his flank movement. + +On the following day we were in position on the left of Hatcher's Run, +and as active operations were considered closed for the winter, we +began to build winter quarters. In a short while we had comfortable +cabins, in which we remained quietly until the 8th of December. + +On the 8th of December the 2d army corps, by way of diversion, made a +raid on the Petersburg & Weldon Railroad, and A. P. Hill's corps was +ordered to meet them. On the evening of the 8th we quit our comfortable +quarters, and in the sleet and driving snow, marched until 2 o'clock +a.m. of the 9th, when we bivouacked till morning. We then marched on, +in the bitter cold, to Bellfield, when we found the enemy were +retreating up the Jerusalem Plank-road. From here we were ordered back +to Jarratt's Station to try to intercept them. Just as we reached this +point we encountered a large force of their cavalry. Pegram's artillery +was thrown forward, and our brigade, concealed in the pines, clad with +ice and sleet, was thrown into line as support. + +The enemy were not aware of our presence, and charged upon the +artillery. Our skirmishers received the charge. Seeing that the battery +was supported, they began to retreat. We pursued them across the +railroad and pushed forward rapidly for several miles, hoping to +intercept their infantry, but we found the pursuit useless. As darkness +was now upon us, we halted for the night, and next morning resumed our +march for our camp, which we reached, hungry and almost frozen, on the +13th. + +Grant behaved himself now tolerably well until Sunday morning, February +5th, when, becoming restless, he began one of his periodical movements, +and succeeded in getting very near our lines before we were aware of +his movements. About the middle of the day Davis' Mississippi brigade, +which was a mile to our left, was marched down to our position and +relieved us. We were then marched up the lines some two miles, where we +crossed our works and formed a line outside of them. We then marched to +the front about one mile, when we turned to the right, and forming line +of battle, began to advance and soon struck the skirmish line of the +enemy, which we drove with our line of battle some distance, until we +came in view of their line posted upon a hill in a field behind +earthworks. We were ordered to charge. We started up the hill, and when +we had gone some distance, and seeing the brigade on our left was not +charging with us, we fell back to the edge of the woods. The enemy now +made a strong demonstration on our right flank, and to prevent this +movement we had to fall back to our reserve line, when a Georgia +brigade took the place of ours. As they were ordered forward a portion +of our regiment, among them the Grays, thinking the order came from our +commanding officer, advanced with this brigade and fought through the +remainder of the day. After dark we were returned to our breastworks, +and when we reached them we found that we had been fighting in front of +our former position, and had been moved two miles up the lines to be +marched back again to fight in the place of other troops who had been +moved into our earth works, and almost directly in front of our camp. +[There are some things past finding out and beyond explanation, but as +the deductions of a citizen soldier are at no time of valuable +consideration, I forbear.] + +On the following day we were returned to our quarters, where we enjoyed +quiet and rest until the latter part of March. + +While we were in the heat of the battle of the 5th of February, some +few of the new recruits who had recently joined our brigade, not +exactly fancying the shot and shell which were flying around, thought +the rear was a safer place, and suiting the action to the thought, +"dusted." Gen. Lee with several of his staff was seated on horseback in +rear of our lines and in proximity to the battle, awaiting the issue, +when observing these men crossing the works without their guns, in +seeming alarm and haste, he rode toward them, endeavoring to halt and +return them to their command, when one of the "dusters," in grave +alarm, raised his hands and voice in terror, exclaiming: "Great God, +old man, get out of the way, you don't know nothing," continued his +rapid flight too terrified to recognize or obey chieftain or orders. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + +The Grays were in winter quarters on the left side of Hatcher's Run, +one mile and a half below Burgess' mill. While here we received orders +at midnight on the 24th of March, to be in readiness to move in the +direction of Petersburg. Leaving the sick and wounded to take care of +the camp and the lines in our immediate front, we began our march, not +knowing the cause of this seeming untimely order. After two hours rapid +marching we reached Petersburg, and bivouacked near the water-works. +About daylight we were quietly marched into our trenches in front of +and to the right of Hare's Hill. The troops who had just occupied these +trenches where we now were had been marched out, and were in readiness, +under General Gordon, to make a prearranged sortie upon the Federal +forts on Hare's Hill. + +The attack was made in force about daylight. Our troops gained +possession of the enemy's works, but were soon compelled to abandon +them, owing to the superior force of the enemy and to the fact that our +forces were bewildered in the darkness. + +About two o'clock p.m. we were ordered back to our camp on Hatcher's +Run. Before reaching it, however, we were informed that our sick and +wounded had been routed, and that the enemy was in possession of our +picket line. Gen. Cooke immediately ordered out his sharpshooters, and +by a flank movement drove off the enemy and regained possession of his +line. Next morning the sharpshooters were relieved by the regular +pickets, under command of Capt. John A. Sloan of the Grays, who held +the lines against repeated attacks until the first of April. + +At midnight of the first of April our brigade was relieved by Davis' +Mississippi brigade. Our brigade now crossed the creek and took +position in Fort Evliss. As soon as day dawned the enemy, being on +three sides of us, opened fire upon us with artillery and infantry. +Although protected to some extent, some of our men were killed by their +shells during the morning. In the meanwhile a desperate fight was going +on between fort Evliss, the position we were occupying, and Petersburg. +Our position in the fort was only tenable, provided the troops on our +left held their position. Consequently, the issue of the fight was +awaited by us with much anxiety. Just before sunrise a courier dashed +into the fort with news that the lines had been broken and our troops +were in retreat. We were, in consequence, immediately withdrawn from +our works, and began our retreat from Petersburg. After retreating some +five miles, being pressed sorely by the enemy, two regiments of our +brigade were deployed as skirmishers. + +Arriving now at Southerland's tavern, on the Southside road, we formed +line of battle and awaited the enemy's advance. They soon came up +flushed with success, and attacked with great confidence. But we +repulsed them with heavy loss, capturing many prisoners. Reinforcements +coming up we were flanked and compelled again to retreat. After +following us cautiously for some hours, and night coming on, the enemy +abandoned further pursuit. + +We now endeavored to cross the river so as to join the main army, from +which we had been separated by the break in the lines that morning. We +followed up our retreat until two o'clock that night, when we halted +and rested on our arms until morning. At sunrise we began our +journeyings again, reaching Deep Creek, unmolested, about nine o'clock. +We wandered up this creek about three miles, fording it at this point. +We then endeavored to make Goode's bridge on the Appomattox, but night +overtaking us, we camped at the cross-roads near Goode's bridge, At one +o'clock at night we received marching orders. After three hours hard +marching through fields, bog, and fen, we came upon the advance of the +main army, which had just crossed the Appomattox on a pontoon bridge. +We were delighted to meet our old comrades once more after a three +days' separation. What added to the interest of the occasion in a +private way was the fact that Major Webb had found a canteen full of +_something_, and my ever faithful "Bill" had captured a hen's nest +and scouped in half a dozen or more of eggs. We celebrated our +deliverance and _reunion_. + +At the suggestion of the officers of our regiment, it was agreed, there +being only about seventy men for duty, that we should form a battalion +of two companies, the officers giving up their rank temporarily, and +the non-commissioned officers going into the ranks. Lieut.-Col. J. C. +Webb commanded the battalion. Major Calvin Herring took command of the +first company, and Capt. John A. Sloan took command of the second. This +organization was maintained until the surrender. + +On the night of the fourth we camped at Amelia Court-House, in the +woods just outside of the town, and rested on our arms in line of +battle. The next day was consumed in protecting our wagon trains from +the frequent attacks of the enemy's cavalry. We now continued our +march, fighting by day and retreating by night. Our provision train was +burned by the enemy near Rice's station, and our rations that night +consisted of one quart of corn per man in lieu of meal. The next day we +passed through Farmville. Having been the rear guard for several days, +we were now relieved by Scales' North Carolina brigade. Organization +and discipline was now rapidly giving away. We were skirmishing and +fighting to protect ourselves at every point in a kind of Guerrilla +warfare, every man, for the most part, doing his fighting on his own +hook. + +Saturday night, April the 8th, we camped in about three miles of +Appomattox Court-House. Before day next morning we were hastily ordered +up and moved to the front. We were rapidly marched up the road filled +with ambulances and wagons until we came within full view of Appomattox +Court-House, where we could plainly see the Federal line of battle on +the hills at and beyond the court-house. We were immediately thrown +into line of battle on the right of the road and ordered to hold +ourselves in readiness to advance at any moment. On the front line we +awaited further orders. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + +Reader! The writer said, when he began the "Reminiscences of the +Guilford Grays," that it was not his purpose to undertake the severe +labors of the historian, but to confine himself to the humbler task of +relating what, has been part of his own experience. + +To make the thread of narrative continuous and intelligible, it +deserves to be mentioned, however, that it has been necessary to allude +to portions of the history of those eventful times in which the Grays +were only generally interested, which the circumstance will justify. + +The writer closes this, his last chapter, with the consciousness that +he has been actuated by the very kindest feelings to all, and that if +an intimation has escaped him which may have injuriously touched the +feelings of any one, none such was intended. How he has performed his +work, the reader will judge. This much he will say for himself, that he +has attempted to do it faithfully and--lovingly. + +But little more now remains to be said. The morning of the 9th of April +presented a spectacle never to be forgotten by those who saw it. +General Gordon was at the front with a meagre two thousand men; behind +us smoked the remnants of the wagon-trains; in the rear, drawn up and +ready again to strike, was the shattered wreck of Longstreet's once +grand and noble command. About ten o'clock dispositions were made for +attack, when Gordon was ordered to advance. + +_In vain! Alas, in vain! Ye gallant few!_ Suddenly a _halt_ was +called, a flag of truce appeared upon the scene, hostilities ceased, +and a dreamy sadness filled the April air. The grand old Army of +Northern Virginia was environed! "I have done what I thought best for +you," "the gray-headed man" said to his men. "My heart is too full to +speak, but I wish you all health and happiness." + +The negotiations relating to the surrender had been instituted on the +7th by a note from General Grant to General Lee. The correspondence was +continued until the 9th, when the terms proposed by General Grant were +accepted. + +On the 10th, General Lee issued his farewell address to his army. On +the afternoon of the 11th, the gallant Gordon spoke most eloquently to +the little remnant massed in the open field. + +The sun hid his face in sullen sympathy behind the clouds, night +settled drearily over the camp, and the brave old army fell asleep. + + "Hushed was the roll of the Rebel drum, + The sabres were sheathed and the cannon was dumb; + And Fate, with pitiless hand, had furled + The flag that once challenged the gaze of the world." + +On the 12th, the Army of Northern Virginia was marshaled for the last +time, not to do battle, but to stack its arms and pass out of +existence--forevermore. + +Of the Guilford Grays who were present at the final scene of this +eventful history, the following answered to roll-call: Captain Jno. A. +Sloan, Lieut. Rufus B. Gibson, 1st Sergeant Thomas J. Rhodes, Sergeant +Joel J. Thom; privates Peter M. Brown, Lewis N. Isley, Jas. M. Hardin, +Walter Green, E. Tonkey Sharpe, Geo. W. Lemons, Silas C. Dodson, and +Samuel M. Lipscomb. + +On the 11th, printed certificates, certifying that we were paroled +prisoners of war, were issued and distributed among us, bearing date +April 10th, 1865, Appomattox Court-House, granting us "permission to go +home, and remain there undisturbed." + +Comrades! We entered the service in the bloom of youthful vigor and +hope, with cheerful step and willing heart, leaving happy homes in +peace and prosperity behind. We took the field for a principle as +sacred as ever led a hero to the cannon's mouth, or a martyr to the +place of execution. + +This principle was honor and patriotism; a firm determination to defend +to the last that constitution which our fathers had handed down and +taught us to revere as the only safeguard of our personal rights and +liberties. + +After four long years, we returned to our homes in tattered and +battle-stained garments, footsore, weary, and with aching hearts. We +returned to see poverty, desolation, and ruin; to find the hearts of +our loved ones buried in the graves of the dead Confederacy. Aye! and +we have seen other sorrows. We have seen that constitution subverted +under the forms of law; we have seen the rights of individuals and +communities trampled in the dust without hope of redress. Nay, more! We +have seen the government of the fathers removed from existence, and an +engine of oppression, no longer a Union of States, but a _Nation_, +like the devil-fish of the sea, reaching its hideous and devouring +arms in all directions from one common centre, knowing only one law of +action and of motive--_the insatiate greed of avarice and plunder_. + +But though the Confederacy went down in fire and smoke, in blood and in +tears, that truth, which was the guiding-star of the devoted soldiers +who fought its battles, and of those at home who toiled and prayed for +its success--that truth did not lower its standard or surrender its +sword at Appomattox. We submit to the inevitable. We submit in dignity +and in silence. But because we accept, with becoming minds and conduct, +that subjugation which the fortune of war has entailed upon us, shall +we therefore pronounce the word "craven?" _Shall we now recant?_ Shall +we now solemnly declare that we did not believe what we professed to +fight for? Shall we thus insult, either in word or act, the memories of +the dead heroes--and we dare maintain they died heroes--who sleep on a +thousand hillsides and in the valleys of our common country? + +Should we thus prostrate ourselves to invite the scorn and contempt +which even our enemies would have the right to bestow upon us? _Never!_ +A thousand times never! "Will not history consent, will not mankind +applaud, when we still uphold our principles as right, our cause as +just, our country to be honored, when those principles had for +disciple, that cause for defender, that country for son--Robert Lee? + +"Not to his honor shall extorted tributes carve the shaft or mould the +statute; but a grateful people will in time give of their poverty +gladly that, in pure marble or time-defying bronze, future generations +may see the counterfeit presentment of this man--the ideal and +consummate flower of our civilization; not an Alexander, it may be; nor +Napoleon, nor Timour, nor Churchill--greater far than they, thank +heaven--the brother and the equal of Sidney and of Falkland, of Hampden +and of Washington!" + + "He sleeps all quietly and cold + Beneath the soil that gave him birth, + Then brake his battle-brand in twain + And lay it with him in the earth." + +A word to the survivors of the Guilford Grays, and I close these +reminiscences. From the period of the outbreak of the war in April, +1861, to the surrender of the Confederate army in April, 1865, the +muster-rolls of the Grays have contained one hundred and eighty names. +Of this number, some were transferred to other commands, some were +discharged for physical disabilities and other causes. A large +proportion sleep, unmindful of the rude farmer's ploughshare upon the +fields made memorable by their deeds. Some rest under the shades of the +trees in the quiet cemeteries of your forest-green city, and some in +the sacred churchyards of your historic country. Oh! they suffered a +sad, dark fate--fallen in unsuccessful war! + +On each return of Spring, come and bring flowers, nature's choicest, +and scatter them on their graves. So long as tears fall, come and shed +them there, and show to the world that we, of all men, are not ashamed +of their memories or afraid to vindicate their motives. + +And as we stand upon this hallowed ground, let us bury all animosities +engendered by the war. In the grave there can be no rancorous hates; +between the sleepers there is perpetual truce. Shall the living have +less? Savages, only, perpetuate immortal hates. Then permit no +"barbarian memory of wrong" to lodge in our breasts while we keep +vigils over these graves of our illustrious dead. + +To you who stood by me through all these eventful scenes, and came up +out of the great tribulation, I pray Heaven's choicest blessings ever +attend you--and now--_adieu_. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +THE ROLL. + + +Captain JOHN SLOAN.--Elected Lieutenant-Colonel of the 27th North +Carolina Regiment, September, 1861; promoted to colonelcy December, +1861; resigned April, 1862; died since war. + +1st Lieutenant WILLIAM ADAMS.--Elected Captain, vice Capt. John Sloan +promoted, October 5th, 1861; killed at battle of Sharpsburg September +17th, 1862.[1] + + [1] William Adams was born in Greensboro on the 18th of + February, 1836. In June, 1858, he graduated at the University + of the State. Shortly after his return from the University, + he entered the office of R. P. Dick, Esq., as a student of + the law. He was licensed to practice in the county courts in + December, 1859, and was admitted to the bar at February Term, + 1860, At the formation of the Grays in 1860, he was chosen + and appointed 1st Lieutenant. On the night of the 19th of + April, 1861, he left with the Grays for Fort Macon. On the + 5th of October, 1861, he was unanimously elected to the + captaincy of the Grays, _vice_ Capt. John Sloan, promoted + to Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the 27th Regiment. + + On the 22d of April, the Grays reorganized under the + conscript act, and Capt. Adams was re-elected without + opposition, his men having implicit confidence in his skill, + ability, and courage. At the battle of Sharpsburg, he fell + wounded to the death, a martyr to the cause he loved so well. + Young in years, high in hopes, illustrious in daring and + chivalrous deeds, he fills a soldier's grave in the quiet + country of his native town--mourned by all who knew him. + +2d Lieutenant JAS. T. MOREHEAD, JR.--Resigned April 20th, 1861; +appointed captain in the 45th North Carolina Regiment; promoted to +Lieutenant-Colonel in the 53d Regiment, and after the death of Colonel +Owens, became its Colonel; wounded at Spottsylvania, Gettysburg, and +captured at Hare's Hill. + +2d Jr. Lieutenant JOHN A. GILMER, JR.--Detailed as adjutant of the +27th North Carolina Regt. September, 1861; elected Major December, +1861; promoted to Colonelcy November, 1862; wounded at battle of +Fredericksburg, December 13th, 1862; severely wounded at Bristow, +October 14th, 1863; resigned, on account of wounds, January, 1865. + +LOGAN, JNO. E., M.D.--Entered the service as Surgeon of the Grays; +remained at Fort Macon about four months; appointed Surgeon of the 4th +North Carolina Regiment; transferred to the 14th North Carolina +Regiment, where he served as Surgeon until close of the war. + +1st Sergeant WILLIAM P. WILSON.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; elected 2d +Lieutenant Jr., vice J. A. Gilmer promoted, September, 1861; appointed +Adjutant of 27th North Carolina Regiment, at reorganization of State +troops, April, 1862; died of disease at Greensboro March 3, 1863. + +2d Sergeant JOHN A. SLOAN.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed +Sergeant-Major of the post at Fort Macon May, 1861; elected 2d +Lieutenant January 14, 1862; elected 1st Lieutenant, April 22, 1862; +promoted to Captain September 17, 1862; Judge Advocate of Heth's +Division court-martial; surrendered at Appomattox Court-House. + +3d Sergeant GEO. W. HOWLETT.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; discharged on +account of affection of his eyes July 23, 1862. + +4th Sergeant SAM'L B. JORDAN.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; captured at +battle of New Berne March 14, 1862; exchanged and discharged at +reorganization of State troops April 22, 1862; died since the war. + +1st Corporal THOS. J. SLOAN.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; detached at +General Ransom's Head-Quarters February, 1862; appointed Sergeant +April, 1862; detailed as musician August 1, 1862. + +2d Corporal BENJ. G. GRAHAM.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed +Sergeant January, 1862; appointed Orderly-Sergeant April 22, 1862; +elected 2d Lieutenant September 22, 1862; detailed as Ordnance Officer +December, 1862; resigned November 9, 1864. + +3d Corporal SILAS C. DODSON.--Returned to his home from Fort Macon; +re-enlisted May 16, 1862; detailed as Clerk Commissary Department +December 15, 1862; surrendered at Appomattox Court-House. + +4th Corporal ED. B. CROWSON.--Enlisted April 20, 1801; appointed +Sergeant August 1, 1862; captured at Bristow October 14, 1863; died in +prison at Point Lookout January 23, 1864. + + +Privates: + +AYERS, HARDY.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; wounded at Ream's Station +August 25, 1864; died since the war. + +AYERS, JAMES.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; discharged, for disability May +12, 1862. + +ARCHER, W. D.--Enlisted June 9, 1861; wounded at Sharpsburg September +17, 1862; killed at Fredericksburg December 13, 1862. + +AYER, HENRY W.--Enlisted May 15, 1863; transferred to Company C, 48th +Regiment, North Carolina troops, March 1, 1864; died since the war. + +BRYAN, WILL L.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal September +21, 1862; died of disease in camp near Fredericksburg December 17, +1862. + +BROWN, PETER M.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; severely wounded at +Sharpsburg September 17, 1862; detailed on Provost Guard February 14, +1864; surrendered at Appomattox Court-House. + +BOON, HENRY M.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; captured at Bristow October 14, +1863. + +BOLING, RICH'D G.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; died of disease in General +Hospital, Richmond, Va., January 10, 1863. + +BROWN, R. D.--Enlisted August 1, 1861; died of disease in hospital, +Petersburg, Va., September 21, 1862. + +BURNSIDES, BENJ. F.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; wounded at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; detailed as teamster during 1863; wounded at 2d +Cold Harbor June 3, 1864. + +BURNSIDES, W. W.--Enlisted July 15th, 1861; discharged under Conscript +Act, May 22d, 1862; rejoined the company April 7th, 1863; wounded at +Bristow October 14th, 1863. + +CAMPBELL, CHAS. A.--Enlisted April 20th, 1861; appointed Corporal April +22, 1862; appointed Sergeant August 1, 1862; promoted to +Orderly-Sergeant November 1, 1862; wounded at Sharpsburg September 17, +1862; elected 2d Lieutenant December 18, 1863; killed at Pole Green +Church, on skirmish-line, June 2, 1864. + +COLLINS, JOHN D.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal April 22, +1862; transferred to the color-guard in May; died of disease in camp at +Drury's Bluff, July 16, 1862. + +CHEELY, ALLISON C.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal August +1, 1862; promoted to Sergeant November 1, 1862; detailed as Chief of +Ambulance Corps, September, 1863; wounded at Ream's Station, August 25, +1864 (arm amputated). + +COBLE, ALFRED F.--Enlisted May 4, 1861; killed at Sharpsburg, September +17, 1862. + +COBLE, ROBERT S.--Enlisted May 4, 1861; died of disease at Frederick +City, September 12, 1862. + +COBLE, HENRY I.--Enlisted February 25, 1862; wounded at Bristow, +October 14, 1863; wounded at Gary's Farm, June 15, 1864. + +CLAPP, WILLIAM C.--Enlisted June 11, 1861; died at his home of disease, +August 8, 1862. + +CLAPP, ISRAEL N.--Enlisted June 11, 1861; discharged (for disability) +May 12, 1862; died since the war. + +COOK, WILLIAM.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; died of disease at Greensboro, +N.C., June 5, 1861. + +CHILCUTT, FRANK G.--Enlisted August 1, 1861; wounded at battle of +Wilderness May 5, 1864; (arm amputated.) + +CRIDER, HENRY.--Enlisted April 12, 1862; killed at Bristow October 14, +1863. + +CRUTCHFIELD, PAUL.--Enlisted June 1, 1862, as a substitute for B. N. +Smith; captured at Sharpsburg September 17, 1862; released in October; +captured again at Bristow October 14, 1863. + +COLTRAIN, JOHN.--Enlisted February 27, 1862; captured at Bristow +October 14, 1863; exchanged and returned to his company June 18, 1864; +killed at Ream's Station August 25, 1864. + +CANNADY, JOHN.--Enlisted February 27, 1862; killed at Bristow October +14, 1863; (a christian, a hero, a friend.) + +COLTRAIN, ROB'T. L.--Enlisted February 27, 1862; discharged +(disability) July 23, 1862. + +CLARK, D. LOGAN.--Enlisted February 27, 1862; discharged (disability) +June, 1862. + +CROWSON, CYRUS M.--Enlisted August 4, 1862; wounded at Bristow October +14, 1863; shot through both legs. + +COLTRAIN, DAN'L B.--Enlisted October 20, 1863; wounded at 2d Cold +Harbor June 3, 1864. + +DONNELL, ROB'T. L.--Enlisted May 4, 1861; wounded and captured at +Sharpsburg September 17, 1862; imprisoned at Chester, Pa., where he +died of his wounds November 6, 1862. + +DAVIS, JAS. C.--Enlisted May 4, 1861; died of disease at Fort Macon +September 8, 1861. + +DENNIS, WILLIAM.--Enlisted July 20, 1862. + +DENNIS, JAMES.--Enlisted July 20, 1802; discharged (disability) May 15, +1863. + +DENNIS, WM. D.--Enlisted June 15, 1801; wounded in the face at Bristow, +October 14, 1863. + +DONNELL, WM. H.--Enlisted February 18, 1864. + +DICK, PRESTON P.--Enlisted March 1, 1864. + +EDWARDS, JAMES T.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; killed at Sharpsburg September +17, 1862. + +EDWARDS, JAS. M.--Enlisted March 4, 1862; killed at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862. + +EDWARDS, DAVID H.--Enlisted June 1, 1861; detailed as courier to +General L. O. B. Branch, May 1, 1862; appointed Regiment-Quartermaster +Sergeant, December 1, 1862; captured at Bristow October 14, 1863. + +FORBIS, H. RUFUS.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; captured at Sharpsburg, +September 17, 1802; exchanged and returned to his company November 25; +appointed Corporal December 20, 1862; wounded at Bristow October 14, +1863; died of his wounds in hospital at Richmond, October 27, 1863. + +FORBIS, H. SMILEY.--Enlisted June 15, 1861; died of disease in +Lynchburg, Va., March 12, 1864. + +GORRELL, HENRY C.--Ensign, with rank of Lieutenant; resigned at Fort +Macon, May, 1861; re-entered the service as Captain; killed near +Richmond in a gallant charge at the head of his company, June 21, 1862. + +GIBSON, RUFUS B.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; captured at Sharpsburg; +exchanged and returned to his company November 25, 1862; appointed +Corporal December 18, 1863; wounded at Bristow; elected 2d Lieutenant +November 9, 1864. + +GREENE, WALTER.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed courier to General +Cooke December, 1862; wounded at Bristow; surrendered at Appomattox +Court-House. + +GRETTER, MIKE.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; acting Commissary Sergeant at +Fort Macon; appointed Brigade Commissary-Sergeant March 18, 1862. + +GRAY, SAM'L E. B.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; wounded at Bristow +October 14, 1863; killed on the lines near Petersburg September 13, +1864. + +GANT, JAS. H.--Enlisted August 1, 1861; died of disease in hospital at +Richmond February 24, 1863. + +GREESON, THOS. R.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; captured at Frederick +City September 11, 1862; returned to his company February 10, 1863; +wounded at Wilderness May 5, 1864. + +HANNER, FRANK A.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; elected 2d Lieutenant Jr., +at reorganization of company, April 22, 1862; promoted to Senior 2d +Lieutenant September 17, 1862; promoted to 1st Lieutenant October 15, +1863; died of disease in hospital at Richmond June 3, 1864. + +HIGGINS, ED. B.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; detailed as musician August 1, +1862. + +HUNT, L. G.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; acted as Surgeon of the company at +Fort Macon; appointed Assistant Surgeon of 27th Regiment, North +Carolina troops, June 13, 1862. + +HOOD, ABE.--Enlisted April, 1861; discharged under conscript act May +22, 1862. + +HANNER, W. D.--Discharged under conscript act May 22, 1862. + +HOPKINS, W.--Discharged under conscript act May 22, 1862. + +HAMPTON, ROBERT F.--Enlisted May 4, 1861; wounded at 2d Cold Harbor, +June 3; 1864; died of wounds. + +HARDIN, JAMES M.--Enlisted June 10, 1861; captured at Sharpsburg, +September 17, 1882; wounded at battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, +1863; detailed as teamster, July 7, 1863; returned to duty April 22d, +1864; wounded at battle of the Wilderness, May 5th, 1864; surrendered +at Appomattox. + +HUNT, W. L. J.--Enlisted September 22, 1862, detailed as pioneer +November 25, 1862; killed at 2d Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864. + +HUNTER, S. A.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; killed at battle of Newberne, +March 14, 1862. + +HUNTER, W. F.--Enlisted June 11, 1861; wounded at Bristow October 14, +1863; died of wounds in hospital at Richmond, November 7, 1863. + +HIATT, SAMUEL S.--Enlisted June 15, 1861; wounded at the Wilderness, +May 5, 1864. + +HALL, JAMES S.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease at +Hardyville, S.C., April 14, 1863; buried in Magnolia Cemetery, +Charleston, S.C. + +HEATH, ROBERT F.--Sent to the company from Camp Holmes, Raleigh, North +Carolina, under bounty act, Aug. 16, 1864. + +HACKETT, JAS.--Sent to the company from Camp Holmes, Raleigh, North +Carolina, under bounty act, August 16, 1864. + +HALL, HUGH A.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease in hospital +at Richmond, September 19, 1862. + +HORNEY, WM. A.--Enlisted May 14, 1861; detailed as nurse in hospital +near Danville, Va.; returned to duty November 22, 1863; appointed clerk +at brigade headquarters, December, 1863; wounded at the Wilderness, May +5, 1863 (leg amputated.) + +ISLEY, LEWIS N.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; wounded at Bristow October +14, 1863; surrendered at Appomattox. + +JONES, R. B.--Discharged under conscript act May 22, 1862. + +KLUTTS, ALFRED W.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal December +18, 1863; wounded at Wilderness May 5, 1864. + +KIRKMAN, NEWTON W.--Enlisted March 1, 1862; killed on the lines in +front of Petersburg September 27, 1864. + +KIRKMAN, FRANK N.--Discharged under conscript act May 22, 1862. + +KELLOGG, HENRY G.--Enlisted August 1, 1861; detailed at Brigade +Commissary Department January, 1863, until January, 1864, when, by +special order, he was detailed in Commissary Department at Salisbury, +N.C., under Capt. A. G. Brenizer. + +LINDSAY, R. HENRY--Enlisted April 20, 1861; transferred to Captain +Evans' Cavalry Company May, 1861; died in camp shortly afterwards. + +LINDSAY, ANDREW D.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed +Ordnance-Sergeant of 27th North Carolina Regiment April 1, 1862; served +as such during the entire war; died since the war. + +LINDSAY, JED H. JR.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal 1861; +appointed Sergeant April 22, 1862; promoted to Orderly-Sergeant +September 22, 1862; appointed Adjutant of 45th North Carolina Regiment +November 1, 1862; died since the war. + +LANE, ISAAC F.--Enlisted May 4, 1861; died of disease at Leesburg, +N.C., February 18, 1863; (his remains were carried to Guilford.) + +LINDSEY, ED. B.--Enlisted June 10, 1861; discharged--under age--by +conscript act May 22, 1862; re-entered the service as Lieutenant in 5th +North Carolina Cavalry Regiment; killed in April, 1865. + +LEMONS, GEO. W.--Enlisted August 1, 1861; captured at Bristow October +14, 1863; surrendered at Appomattox. + +LEMONS, JAS. M.--Enlisted May 1, 1862; died of disease at his home +March 1, 1863. + +LINEBERRY, LOUIS S.--Enlisted August 17, 1862, as a substitute for H. +S. Puryear; wounded at Bristow, October 14, 1863; killed at Wilderness, +May 5, 1864. + +LIPSICOMB, SAMUEL B.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; detailed as musician in +regiment band, August 1, 1862; surrendered at Appomattox. + +LLOYD, THOS. E.--Enlisted January 26, 1863, as a substitute for Samuel +Smith. + +MCKNIGHT, JOHN H.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Sergeant at Fort +Macon; elected 2d Lieutenant, Jr., April 22d, 1862; promoted to 1st +Lieutenant September 17, 1862; killed at Bristow October 14, 1863. + +MCDOWELL, J. W.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; wounded at Bristow October +14, 1863. + +MCADOO, WALTER D.--Enlisted May 4, 1861; wounded at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; transferred to 53d North Carolina Regiment February +16, 1863. + +MCLEAN, ROBERT B.--Enlisted June 11, 1861; wounded at Bristow October +14, 1863; wounded at Wilderness May 5, 1864. + +MCLEAN, SAMUEL F.--Enlisted May 6, 1862; killed at Wilderness May 5, +1864. + +MARSH, JAMES M.--Enlisted June 15, 1861; captured at Bristow October +14, 1863; exchanged and returned to company June 18, 1864. + +MCNAIRY, JOHN W.--Enlisted June 15, 1861; wounded at Bristow October +14, 1863 (leg amputated). + +MCLEAN, JOSEPH E.--Enlisted May 6, 1862; wounded at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; detailed on Ambulance corps July 10, 1863. + +MCLAIN, WM. H.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease at +Winchester, Va., October 24, 1862. + +MCFARLAND, WM. H.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; captured at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862. + +MCCONNELL, DANIEL W.--Enlisted July 4, 1863; appointed Orderly-Sergeant +July 15, 1864; killed at Petersburg August, 1864. + +MAY, LEMUEL--Enlisted February 28, 1862; with the exception of a +furlough for 18 days--January 4, 1864, from Orange C.H.--was never +absent from his post. + +MAY, WILLIAM--Enlisted May 6, 1862; wounded at Bristow October 14, +1863. + +MCQUISTON, JOHN F.--Enlisted June 22, 1863. + +NELSON, JOHN W.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; detailed as teamster; died of +disease in hospital, Charleston, S.C., March 17, 1863. + +ORRELL, JAS. A.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; captured at Bristow October 14, +1863. + +ORRELL, A. LAF'T.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; wounded at Bristow October +14, 1863; transferred to Confederate States Navy March 31, 1864. + +OWEN, WILBUR F.--Enlisted June 11, 1861; captured at Bristow October +14, 1863. + +PORTER, CHAS. E.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; discharged (disability) May +12, 1862; died of disease in Greensboro. + +PEARCE, JAS. R.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; captured at Bristow October +14, 1863. + +PURYEAR, H. S.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; substituted Lineberry August 17, +1862. + +PRATHER, L. L.--Enlisted August 1, 1861; wounded at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; discharged (disability) March 26, 1863. + +POE, WM. E.--Enlisted February 28, 1862. + +PAISLEY, WM. M.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed corporal August 1, +1862; Sergeant September 22, 1862; promoted to Orderly-Sergeant +December 18, 1863; mortally wounded at Gary's farm June 15, 1864; died +of wounds in hospital at Richmond July 13, 1864. + +RANKIN, JOS. W.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; wounded at Bristow October 14, +1863; died of wounds in hospital at Richmond October 24, 1863. + +REID, JOHN W.--Enlisted June 16, 1861; transferred to 48th North +Carolina Regiment; promoted to Lieutenant in Company K December 4, +1862. + +RHODES, THOS. J.--Enlisted June 25, 1861; appointed Corporal, December +17, 1862; Sergeant, February 20, 1864; promoted to Orderly-Sergeant, +September, 1864; surrendered at Appomattox. + +RICKS, PLEAS. A.--Enlisted May 1, 1862, as a substitute for Jno. E. +Wharton; died of disease in hospital at Lynchburg, Va., March 12, 1864. + +SLOAN, GEO. J.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; died of disease at Fort Macon, +July 31, 1861. + +SMITH, JOHN H.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease at +Petersburg, August 8, 1862. + +STERLING, ED. G.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; died of disease in +Greensboro, September 28, 1861. + +STEINER, WM. U.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal June 1861; +Sergeant, April 22, 1862; wounded at Bristow, October 14, 1863; +Recorder for Heth Division Court-Martial; wounded at Ream's Station, +August 25, 1864. + +SWEITZ, EDWARD--Enlisted April 20, 1861, as a substitute for J. H. +Tarpley. + +STRATFORD, C. W.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; appointed Corporal, August 1, +1862; Sergeant, December 18, 1863; wounded at Bristow, October 14, +1863; wounded at Wilderness, May 5, 1864. + +STRATFORD, EMSLEY F.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; wounded at Ream's Station, +October 25, 1864. + +SUMMERS, WM. M.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; wounded at Bristow, October 14, +1863. + +SCOTT, JAS. S.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; wounded at Ream's Station August +25, 1864; wounded on the lines near Burgess' Mills; died of wounds May +6, 1865. + +SILER, JOHN R.--Enlisted July 18, 1862; wounded at Wilderness May 5, +1864. + +STANLEY, ANDY L.--Enlisted June 11, 1861; captured at Bristow, October +14, 1863. (The "Champion Forager" of Cooke's N.C. Brigade.) + +SMITH, RICHARD S.--Enlisted August 8, 1862; wounded at Bristow October +14, 1863; appointed Corporal February 20, 1864. + +SMITH, SAMUEL--Enlisted August 8, 1862; broken down in health he +furnished a substitute in the person of Thomas E. Lloyd January 26, +1863. + +SMITH, B. N.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; substituted Paul Crutchfield +June 6, 1862. + +SMITH, R. LEYTON--Enlisted February 28, 1862; killed at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862. + +STORY, WM. C.--Enlisted June 11, 1861; appointed Corporal March 21, +1863; detailed on Color-guard; complimented in special orders for +gallantry at Bristow; wounded at Spottsylvania Court-House May 10, +1864; appointed Ensign, with rank of Lieutenant, June 1864. + +SEATS, WM.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; died of disease at Winchester, +Va., January, 1863. + +SOCKWELL, JOHN T.--Enlisted August 1, 1861; killed at Bristow October +14, 1863. + +SHEPPARD, PAISLEY--Enlisted February 28, 1862; captured at Bristow +October 14, 1863; died while prisoner at Camp Lookout. + +SHULER, EMSLEY F.--Enlisted May 6, 1862; wounded and disabled at +Bristow October 14, 1863. + +SHARPE, E. TONKEY--Enlisted May 7, 1863; detailed as Provost Guard +April 26, 1864; surrendered at Appomattox. + +TATE, ROBERT B.--Enlisted June 11, 1861; wounded at Wilderness May 5, +1864; died of wounds June (?), 1864. + +THOM, JOEL J.--Enlisted May 10, 1862; appointed Corporal June 1, 1864; +appointed Sergeant 1864; surrendered at Appomattox. + +WILEY, JAS. R.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; discharged (disability) +February 7, 1863. + +UNDERWOOD, W. W.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; wounded at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; died of wounds in hospital at Richmond September +29, 1863. + +WHARTON, JOHN E.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; substituted P. A. Ricks May +1, 1861; organized a company soon thereafter and re-entered the service +as Captain in 5th North Carolina Cavalry. + +WORRELL, R. B.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; captured at Bristow October +14, 1863. + +WEATHERLY, ROBERT D.--Enlisted April 20, 1861; appointed Corporal +November 1, 1862; appointed Sergeant-Major of 27th North Carolina +Regiment March 27, 1863, mortally wounded at Bristow October 14, 1863; +died of wounds in hospital at Richmond October 24, 1863; buried at +Greensboro, N.C. + +WEIR, SAMUEL PARK--Entered the service as Chaplain of the Grays April +20, 1861; transferred in May, 1862, to take position of Lieutenant in +46th Regiment, North Carolina troops; killed, instantly, at +Fredericksburg December 13, 1862. + +WESTBROOKS, CHAS. W.--Enlisted May 1, 1861; performed the duties of +soldier and Chaplain until December 20, 1862; appointed Corporal August +1, 1862; appointed Chaplain in P.A.C.S.A. January 8, 1864. + +WOODBURN, T. M.--Enlisted June 10, 1861; captured at Bristow October +14, 1863. + +WILSON, JAS. L.--Enlisted July 19, 1861; captured at Sharpsburg +September 17, 1862; exchanged November 25, 1862; wounded at Wilderness +May 5, 1864. + +WINFREE, W. C.--Enlisted February, 1862; discharged under Conscript Act +May 22, 1862. + +WILLIAMS, WASH. J.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; wounded at Wilderness +May 5, 1864; wounded at Ream's Station August 25, 1864. + +WINBOURNE, STEPH. D.--Enlisted April 28, 1862. + +WOOLEN, GEO. H.--Enlisted April 28, 1862; captured at Bristow, October +14, 1863; died in prison at Point Lookout, September 18, 1864. + +YOUNG, SAM'L. S.--Enlisted February 28, 1862; killed at Sharpsburg, +September 17. 1862. + +BROWN, JOS. E.--Served with the company until June, 1861. + +BROOKS, THOS. D.--Served with the company until June, 1861. + +ROBINSON, SAMUEL--Served with the company until June, 1861. + +ERWIN, FRANK.--Served with the company until June, 1861. + +DUVALL W. G.--Served with the company until June, 1861. + +GREGORY, GEO. H.--Enlisted in 12th Virginia Artillery and served +through the war. + +ALBRIGHT, JAS. W.--Entered the service in May, 1862; served as Ordnance +Officer in 12th Virginia Artillery. + +PRITCHETT, JNO. A.--Resigned as Lieutenant, April 19, 1861, and did not +re-enter the service. + +CAUSEY, W. W.--Did not go into service. + +COLE, JAS. R.--Left his studies at Trinity College, and served with the +company at Fort Macon until June, 1861, when he joined his brother's +cavalry company. + +BOURNE, W. C.--Was Orderly-Sergeant in ante-bellum days resigned at +outbreak of the war. + +KIRKPATRICK, DAVID N.--Did not go into service. + +LAMB, MABEN--Did not go into service. + +MORING, WM. P.--Did not go into service. + +MOREHEAD, JOS. M.--Did not go into service. + +TARPLEY, J. H.--Substituted Ed. Sweitz April 20, 1861. + +FITZER, JOS. H.--Did not enter the service. + +DONNELL, JNO. D.--Did not enter the service. + +HUBER, OTTO--Did not enter the service. + +GUNDLING, DAVID--Did not enter the service. + + + + +BATTLES + + in which the Grays (Company B, 27th North Carolina troops) + participated in from 1861 to 1865. + + + New Berne, N.C. March 14, 1862. + Seven Days' Battles Around Richmond June 26 to July 27, 1862. + Harper's Ferry, Va. September 15, 1862. + Sharpsburg, Md. September 17, 1862. + Fredericksburg, Va. December 13, 1862. + Bristow Station, Va. October 14, 1863. + Mine Run, Va. November 27 to December 3, 1863. + Wilderness, Va. May 5 and 6, 1864. + Graves' Farm, Va. May 10, 1864. + Spottsylvania Court-House, Va. May 12, 1864. + Attlee's Station, Va. May 30, 1864. + Pole Green Church, Va. June 2, 1864. + Cold Harbor (2d), Va. June 3, 1864. + Gary's Farm, Va. June 15, 1864. + Yellow Tavern, Va. August 21, 1864. + Ream's Station, Va. August 25, 1864. + Bellfield, Va. December 9, 1864. + Hatcher's Run, Va. February 5, 1865. + Fort Euliss, Va. March 30 to April 2, 1865. + Sutherland's Tavern, Va. April 2, 1865. + + + + +A Card to the Public. + + +Last May I issued to our people a card in which I stated that it was my +purpose to prepare and publish a work to be entitled: "North Carolina +in the War between the States." I also stated that "the effort will be +made to give, in a connected form, all the events pertaining to the +history of the war, so far as they relate to North Carolina." + +Since the publication of the card, I have been steadily engaged in the +work proposed. Owing to the aid of many friends, and the material +furnished by them, together with the rich supply of documents to be had +here (Washington), and the material which I had already collected +myself, I have been able to make more rapid progress than I anticipated +when I began my undertaking. + +If no unforeseen event occurs, I expect to have the work ready for the +printer in the summer of 1883. + +I again _earnestly_ request all friends who desire to see vindicated +the name and fame of those gallant North Carolinians who aided in our +great struggle for Constitutional freedom, to send me any material they +may have on hand, or any information in their possession which they may +judge would be of interest. + +"Let those who made the history tell it as it was." + + Address-- + JOHN A. SLOAN, + No. 1426 33d Street, + WASHINGTON, D.C. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Reminiscences of the Guilford Grays, +Co. B., 27th N.C. Regiment, by John A. Sloan + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GUILFORD GRAYS *** + +***** This file should be named 44124.txt or 44124.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/1/2/44124/ + +Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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