Since 1998 - Historical and Genealogical Resources
for the Upper New River Valley of North Carolina and Virginia
COMPANY A-Rowan Co nty-Captain Anderson Ellis.
COMPANY B-Burke County-Captain, J. C. S. McDowell
COMPANY C-Cumberland County-Captain, K. M. Murchison.
COMPANY D-Northampton County-Captain, J. A. Rogers.
COMPANY E-Iredell County-Captain, Parker.
COMPANY F-Guilford County, Captain _______ Watlington.
COMPANY G- Wilkes County, Captain A. H. Martin
COMPANY H -Yadkin, County-Captain, D. S. Cockerham.
COMPANY K [sic]-Columbus Co nty-Captain, W. B. Hampton.
COMPANY K-Granville County-Captain, S. J. Parham.
Each company containing its full quota of men, it proceeded to elect Field Officers, which resulted as follows:
CAPTAIN J. C. S. McDOWELL, of Company B, Colonel,
CAPTAIN K. M. Murchison, of Company C, Lieutenant- Colonel.
Captain A. Ellis, of Company A, Major
Subsequently the following Staff was appointed:
LIEUTENANT W. C. McDaniel, Adjutant, of Company C.
D. R. MURCHISON, Quartermaster.
E.G. GREENLEE, Surgeon.
W. H. TATE, Assistant Surgeon.
REV. JOHN PARIS, Chaplain.
ROBERT G. RUSSELL, Sergeant,-Major.
E.G. BRODIE, Ordnance Sergeant.
J.J. FORNEY, Quarter-master Sergeant.
Thus it will be seen that this regiment was composed of ten companies from different parts of the State. Though high up in numbers, it was made up of god material; many of its officers and men had formerly belonged to the First Volunteers or "Bethel," Seventh and Eighth North Carolina Regiments.
Upon the completion of its organization this regiment was sent to the coast of North Carolina, and after three months service on picket duty, and other duties incident to camp life, it was ordered to the Army of Northern Virginia, and was temporarily placed in Law's Brigade, with the Sixth, Twenty-first and Fifty-seventh North Carolina Regiments, which constituted a part of Hood's Division. Soon after it was assigned to this command, the first battle, of Fredericksburg came off.
Here we "fleshed our maiden sword," and at once covered ourselves with glory. On 13 December, 1862, this regiment, with the Fifty-seventh, being new regiments, were detached and ordered to drive the enemy from a railroad cut, from which they had driven our troops in the early part of the day. At 5 o'clock p. m. this Memorable charge was made in the most gallant manner in the presence of some of our prominent generals, and to use the language of General Hood, our commander, "They pursued the broken enemy across the railroad for a mile into the plains. Although scourged by a galling flank fire, it was not until repeated messengers had been sent to repress their ardor that they were recalled. I verily believe the mad fellows would have gone on in spite of me and the enemy together; and as they returned, some of them were seen weeping with vexation because they had been dragged from the bleeding haunches of the foe, and exclaiming: 'It is because he has no confidence in Carolinians! If we had been some of his Texans he would have let us go on and got some glory.' " Our loss in this battle was comparatively light, considering the, deadly work we were engaged in, but we left some braver men on the field, which served to remind us that in our next it might be our lot to fill a soldier's grave. After this battle we went into winter quarters on the Rappahannock river, and in a short time the campaign of l863 was opened. We were then transferred to General Robert F. Hoke's Brigade which was composed of the Sixth, Twenty-first, Fifty-fourth and Fifty-seventh North Carolina Regiments and assigned to Early's Division, Jackson's Corps. We took part in some of Jackson's strategic movements around Chancellorsville, and were engaged in several "brushes" which were very common at that time. On 3 May our division alone, was sent back to Fredericksburg, a distance of sixteen miles, and took position on Mayre's Heights to prevent a flank movement on General Lee, then at Chancellorsville. On the following day Sedgxvick's Corps, with other troops, crossed the river, and swept us from our position. Soon Rode's Division came to our assistance, and after a 'bloody struggle we regained our former position, and the enemy were driven back across the river. Many of our brave men fell in the battle. It was here that our much-lamented Colonel, J. C. S. McDowell, fell mortally wounded, and on the 8th yielded up his life, "as a holocaust to his country's need." His remains were then taken by a dearfriend to Richmond, and placed in the capital by the side of the immortal Jackson, who had "crossed over the river" at the same time. After the death of Colonel Lieutenant-Colonel Kenneth M. Murchison vvas made a full Colonel, and Captain James A. Rogers, of Company D, was made Major, vice Ellis promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel. Soon we joined the main army, then at Chancellorsville, and were assigned to Ewell's Corps,. and with the army took- tip a line, of march for Culpepper Court House. From thence eve moved northward, passed Little Washington, and moving with the utmost rapidity we soon entered the Valley.
Upon reaching Front Royal, Rodes' Division of our Corps was detached and sent to Berryville, when our division (Early's) with Johnson's, were sent to Winchester. on reaching the vicinity of Winchester our sharpshooters became engaged, and soon drove the enemy into one of their advanced forts, which was very strong. A line of battle was soon formed, and all preparation made for an immediate attack. General Ewell finding it a difficult matter to procure a suitable position for his artillery on the hills commanding the town, spent the day in posting his batteries. The town was strongly fortified, and it was thought that Milroy, with a garrison of 6,000 men, ivould make a desperate effort to hold it. General Ewell at once resolved to storm the works, and Nvith all the artillery from the two divisions opened a galling fire upon their works, and in three hours' time the Federal guns Nvere silenced. At 6 o'clock p. in., Hays' Brigade of our division, made a most gallant charge and carried their redoubts by storm, capturing and killing a good portion of the garrison. Night coming on, Milroy with a handful of his men, deserted their command and fled in wild confusion and reached Harper's Ferry in safety.
In this engagement 2,000 prisoners, equally as many horses, and a vast amount of commissary stores were captured. On 18 June our regiment, then numbering 400 men, was ordered to take these prisoners to Staunton, a distance of 100 miles, and rejoin the army then in Maryland, at a specified time. The Fifty-fourth was thus delvived of a share in the battle of Gettysburg in ivhich the rest of the brigade participated. With as little delay as possible we started enroute for Staunton, marching eighteen miles a day, and guarding prisoners at night, On 3 July, 1863, we returned to Winchester, and in conjunction with a Virginia regiment, were ordered to guard an ordnance train to the arm , then in Pennsylvania. Upon reaching Williamsport it was ascertained that the enemy was making some demonstrations in our front, and we were at once ordered by General Imboden, who was then in command, to take position and repel any attack that might be made upon our wagon train, which had arrived there, but could not cross on account of the high stage of the water in the Potomac.
On the morning of the 6th a strong force of cavalry and artillery advanced on the Hagerstown and Boonsboro roads. Our force being small, four companies under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Ellis, were detached to support our only battery and the remainder of the regiment deployed as sharp-shooters, so as to check any advance of the enemy that might be made on the Boonsboro, road. At 5 o'clock p. m. the enemy advanced their artillery, which was followed by dismounted cavalry, and a fierce, little battle ensued, which lasted for an hour, when they retreated. In this fight 25 were killed and wounded from our regiment, and a good number from the regiment that had joined us. General Imboden guarded our flanks, while Colonel Murchison manoeuvered this little army with much coolness, and soon won the unbounded confidence of his men in his military skill and their admiration for his personal bravery.
On 8 July we again joined the main army at Hagerstown, Md., and with it we again crossed the Potomac. Marching continuously we reached Rapidan Station, and went into camp for a short rest, which was so much needed. From this camp heavy cannonading could be heard in our rear, and we were frequently annoyed by the cavalry dashes on our rear guard. After our rest we moved on Somerville Ford, to check a column of cavalry from crossing; but after a feeble demonstration, they withdrew to Raccoon Ford to reinforce some troops already there, and confronting Johnson's ]Division. We were hurried to that point and assisted in driving them back.
From here we moved to Orange Court House, and after being reviewed by General Lee, we went into camp and were held in reserve for two days. Colonel Murchison, after a short absence, joined us at this place, and took command of the regiment. In a short time we were sent out on picket and captured a good lot of prisoners that had been cut off from their commands.
We then moved on to Madison Court House, and in approaching Rapidan river, had a fierce encounter with the enemy's cavalry, which was soon driven back. We then continued,our march in the direction of Culpepper Court House and upon arriving there had a rest of two days, awaiting some troops to come up. On the 12th we resumed our march for Warrenton Springs and rested for the night. The next morning we crossed the river, and found many dead Yankees and horses where General Stuart had fought them the day before. Ile was then driving them in the direction of Rappahannock Station. Our whole army then began destroying the railroad for some distance, and after this work was accomplished we went on to Rappahannock Station and went into camp. The next day we moved to Brandy Station, and in passing through an open space of fields, we were subjected to a severe enfilading fire, from the horse artillery, which caused some confusion; but the were soon driven off, and we then moved on quietly and bivouacked near Brandy Station.
On 1 November, l863, we moved our camp two miles west of Brandy Station on the railroad, and much to our surprise, we were ordered to build winter quarters; and what rejoicing there was in the anticipation of a long rest and a cessation of hostilities. Those of us who possessed a talent for making ourselves comfortable soon had good cabins, and as every officer was priding himself -upon having the "best," a sudden change in our life of quietude and social enjoyment came over the spirit of our dreams.
On the evening of the 15th our brigade was called out and hurried to the river to reinforce Hays' Brigade of our division, then on picket, and threatened b a heavy force,. Just at dark Ave reached the river, and were hurried across on pontoon bridge, and took position behind some works that had been built to defend the passage of the river. It was thought by General Early that a successful resistance could be made, or if forced to withdraw, it could be done under the batteries from the south side. In a short time Sedgwick's Corps with the assistance of Russell's and Upton's Brigades from the Fifth Corps, took possession of our bridge and the two brigades after some desperate fighting, were overpowered and compelled to surrender.
Out of the 2,000 men engaged and so recklessly exposed, 1,750 were capture and 150 killed and wounded. Those who escaped only reached the south side by swimming the river. From our regiment only three commissioned officers escaped, viz., Lieutenants Edward Smith, Fitzgerald, and the writer of this sketch, who was then carried fifteen miles at night, through a mist of rain and snow, in an unconscious condition, before a change of clothing could be had. Those that were captured were taken to Johnson's Island, Ohio, and were held until after the war.
If the writer is not mistaken, General Hoke was at this time home on a wounded furlough, and upon hearing of this dreadful disaster, came on and obtained permission to take the remnant of his brigade to Kinston, N. C., to be recruited by conscripts, and his old men then at home on sick and wounded furloughs. The, Twenty-first North Carolina of our brigade was absent at the time, being on detached service in North Carolina, and thus escaped capture. The conscripts soon began to pour in from Raleigh, and for three weeks we were engaged in the monotonous business of preparing these men for more active service.
General Hoke, net yet entirely well of his wounds, became restless and obtained permission to "tackle" New Bern. On 30 January, l864, we moved in that direction, by the Dover road, and were. reinforced by Clingman's and Corse's Brigades. Upon reaching Core creek our sharpshooters were thrown out and soon became engaged with the enemy, when they were driven back to Bachelor's creek, where they were well fortified and made a stubborn resistance. Our artillery was soon in position, and a deadly assault was made upon their works, when they fled in much confusion to New Bern, leaving behind several pieces of artillery and a good many prisoners. In this battle our loss in killed and wounded was heavy. Among the killed was Colonel Shaw, of the Eighth North Carolina. We then moved on to New Bern, and finding heavy reinforcements pouring into the city from Plymouth and other points, it was not, deemed advisable to make the attack just at this time, and our little army withdrew; but not until much damage had been done to the enemy. We then returned quietly to Kinston, and remained there, drilling conscripts which were daily coming in until 13 April, when our brigade moved in the direction of Goldsboro, Clingman's and Corse's going in a different direction. This movement somewhat puzzled us, as we knew not "what was up" until we reached Plymouth, when some changes were made in our commands.
The Forty-third North Carolina and Twenty-first. Georgia Regiments were temporarily attached to our brigades. Colonel Mercer, of the Twenty-first Georgia, being senior officer, took command of our brigade (General Hoke commanding the whole army). In the first charge on one of the advanced forts, which was very strong, Colonel Mercer was killed, and his men seeing no chance of getting in under this galling fire, began to waver, when Lieutenant-Colonel W. G. Lewis, of the Forty-third, promptly taking in the critical situation, assumed command, and began to rally the men behind a bluff in a few Yards of the fort. He at once sent for two pieces of artillery, which soon battered down one corner of the fort, and we went in without the loss of a man. This movement evidently saved the life of many a brave man.
From this time Colonel Lewis was in command of our brigade and was soon made Brigadier-General for his heroic conduct on this occasion.
We then moved on the town, and after a feeble demonstration by the enemy it was surrendered 20 April, 1864, with 2,500 prisoners, 100,000 pounds of bacon, 1,000 barrels of flour and a vast amount of other stores. Among these prisoners 22 had formerly belonged to our army, and had gone over to the enemy and taken up arms against us. These. prisoners were sent to Kinston, given a fair trial by court-martial, convicted of high treason, and duly executed by our brigade [*After the war Secretary Stanton had in contemplation calling Gen. Hoke to account but the latter took the initiative by going to Washington and calling on Gen. Grant who promptly stopped the proceedings. -ED..]
After this we went to Washington, N. C. The enemy soon fled destroying a vast amount of stores. At this place we remained several days in perfect quietude. We then moved back to New Bern, where General Hoke expected to add another gem to the diadem of his military fame, but alas! General Lee could no longer do without him and we were hurried to Virginia.
Arriving at Weldon, N. C., it was ascertained that the enemy had torn -tip the railroad and burnt two of our bridges, and we were compelled to march fourteen miles and take the ears again. On 9 May at 6 o'clock p. in., we arrived at Petersburg just in time to save the city. Butler at that time was in possession of the outer works of the city, and had demanded its surrender on the following morning. As soon as we could get in position he was attacked in the most vigorous manner, and soon fled in wild confusion to Drewry's Bluff, and we in hot pursuit until stopped by the heavy shelling from his gunboats. We then crossed the James and took position at Chaffin's farm, and after some sharp picket fighting we were withdrawn and sent to Richmond by steamers. Arriving there, we were sent four miles east of the city, and went into camp for the first time in several days. The next day we again crossed the James river to check a column of cavalry that was supposed to be moving on the coal field railroad. The enemy made but a feeble demonstration, and after some brisk picket fighting they withdrew.
13 July, 1864, eve were ordered back to Drewry's Bluff to reinforce General Beauregard, who was threatened by a heavy force. Upon our arrival there the sharp-shooters became hotly engaged, and at 6 o'clock p. m. General Ransom's Brigade was moved forward and made a most brilliant charge on their works, but by some misunderstanding he was not supported and was compelled to fall back, losing some good officers, himself painfully wounded. The following day hot skirmishing was kept up during the entire day, both armies preparing for bloody work. General Beauregard by this time knew what a superior force in numbers be had to contend against, and displayed great military skill in getting his troops in position.
On the morning of the 17th he moved forward his entire line, and after a most desperate struggle for four hours, he drove them in some disorder to Bermuda Hundreds, under cover of their gunboats in the James and Appomattox rivers. Thus the "bottling up of Butler," so graphically detailed by General Grant, was completed, and the military career of this "Beast and modern Falstaff" was at an end (at least in Virginia).
In this battle our loss was very heavy-3,000 in killed and wounded. Among the killed was our noble Major Rogers, who fell pierced by two balls, while gallantly leading this regiment. Our new men behaved admirably, but being inexperienced a great many were killed.
After this battle our entire regiment, save commissioned officers, were duly exchanged and returned for duty, swelling our ranks to, 700 men. At this time we only had five commissioned officers on duty, and the arduous duty of commanding these men devolved upon them alone.
We remained here several days watching the movements of the enemy. From here we were transported by steamers to Richmond to reinforce General Stuart, who was then fighting a heavy column of cavalry that was making a raid on the city. After a fierce engagement in which General Stuart was killed, the army withdrew, leaving many of their dead and wounded behind them.
We were then ordered to, make a forced march, and again join the main army at Spottsylvania Court House. Upon our arrival there General Lewis received orders from General Lee in his own handwriting to "continue your march by most direct road to Jowls' Mills and Mud Tavern, and join General Ewell's Corps between Stannard Mills and Crutchfield's; lose no time, and bring up your men in good order." This order forced General Lewis to march his men 37 miles that day, which was one of the longest marches in one day an record.
After reporting to General Ewell, we were assigned to Early's Division again, and had the honor of bringing up the retreat to Hanover Junction, and not being pressed at this time by military exigencies, were allowed to spend a quiet Sabbath in camp.
The next morning we moved for Mechanicsville, where we had a brisk skirmish with the cavalry, which was, as usual, own driven back. On 11 June we reached Petersburg and took position in the trenches near the city. This position we did not fancy, as the enemy could "pick at!' us from the slightest exposure. But, much to our comfort and surprise, we only remained in this position four days, when orders were received to be ready to march in a short time.
On the 14th our entire corps took up a line of march for parts unknown to us. After marching some days we reached Charlottesville, and took the cars for Lynchburg to meet Hunter's army then threatening the city, arriving at the latter place at 2 c,'clock p. m. We were moved four miles west of the city and formed a line of battle on the Salem turnpike. Our skirmishers were advanced, and soon attacked the enemy in a spirited manner, and they fell back to Liberty in much confusion, we pressing them so closely they left many wagons, prisoners and commissary stores behind.
On the morning of the 22d we crossed the mountain range at Buford's Still in pursuit, and at Hanging Rock they were intercepted by our cavalry and a brisk little fight took place, in which they lost 200 prisoners, 15 pieces of artillery, 150 horses, and many wagons laden with stores.
The infantry was then so much exhausted from quick marches and hot weather, that the@, were compelled to given up the pursuit and rest a day. This pursuit was still kept up for two days by our cavalry until reinforcements came to their assistance.
On the following day we moved northward. Upon reaching Lexington, our corps was filed to the left for the purpose of passing through the cemetery to pay our respects to the memory of our fallen commander, the brilliant, matchless and immortal Jackson, who had "crossed over the river and rested under the shade of the trees." Upon approaching the grave, arms were reversed and in perfect silence we passed the sacred spot with sadness depicted in every man's face.
After this we crossed the Shenandoah river and moved on to, Mt. Jackson, where Lieutenant-Colonel Ellis, of this regiment, having been exchanged, joined us and took command of the-, regiment. 2 July we passed Middletown and Newtown, and camped in four miles of Winchester. The next day we came in contact with a, considerable force of the enemy and after a brisk skirmish they fled, leaving several pieces of artillery and a good many wagons.
8 July we crossed over into Maryland, "My Maryland," near Shepherdstown, when there was great rejoicing among us, as eye knew the heart of her people, was with us, though then, were bound in fetters. We camped for the night of Sharpsburg. We passed through Boonsboro and Middletown and camped eight miles west of the city. On the 12th we were hurried to Frederick Junction, and forced a passage of the Monocacv, and again the "dogs of war" were turned loose. After a struggle of three hours the enemy with a loss of 1,000 in killed and wounded, and 700 prisoners. Our loss was 450 killed and wounded.
On the 14th we reached Rockville, in the vicinity of Washington City, and at, once formed a line of battle. Our sharpshooters advanced and drove the enemy from his enter where a beautiful view of the city could be bad. Our brigade occupied a position immediately in front, and across the yard, of a most magnificent mansion, upon an elevated plain, from which the dome of the Capitol could be seen. This building was the property of F. P. Blair, (Postmaster General), and was occupied by him until we began to advance upon the city. We remained in this position three days, keeping up a spirited picket fire, which caused great excitement in the city.
For some reason, unknown to us, we withdrew our line without any interference, and moved continuously until we crossed to the south side of the Potomac, and went into camp at Big Springs, which is in a few miles of Leestown. After a rest of two days we moved on, passed Hamilton, and before reaching Snicker's Gap a dash was made upon our wagon train and seventy of our wagons captured, which were soon recaptured with five pieces of the enemy's artillery. We then crossed the Blue Ridge, and camped for the night in eight, miles of Charlestown.
1 September, 1864, we were ordered to Winchester to take the place of Kershaw's Division, which was to be sent to Richmond. Our army was much weakened by the loss of this Division, and it soon met with a series of disasters. At, Winchester we remained five days watching the movements of the enemy, and were occasionally engaged in picket fighting. On the 19th a heavy force of the enemy was burled against, us which was replied till sun down. About, that time the cavalry guarding our flanks were attacked and without being pressed, fled in a shameful manner, causing us to leave our strong works and fall back in some confusion to Strasburg, where we again formed, and all preparations made to receive the enemy, who were rapidly approaching. At 4 o'cl k p. m., on the 22d they made a desperate assault upon us at Fisher's Hill, anal after a struggle of three hours ever were, driven back. Our cavalry being insufficient to protect our flanks, we again had to fall back under cover of darkness to Mt. Jackson. In these battles our loss was unusually heavy in killed, and wounded. Among the killed on the 19th were Major-Geiieral Rodes and Brigadier-General Godwin, the latter commanding our (Hoke's) Brigade, with many other good officers. From Mt. Jackson we moved to Fort Republic, and were reinforced by Rosser's cavalry. The enemy then had halted on the east side of Cedar Creek, and began to, entrench themselves. General Early wishing to redeem his character as a military genius, at once resolved to move back and attack them, and by surprising and giving them an unexpected blow, a victory might be won. While his cavalry and artillery were making a feint on the right, his infantry would fall upon their left.
At midnight our division was ordered to the point of attack, a distance of four miles over a most rugged path on the mountain side. We would sometimes lose our foot-hold and fall down the mountain side, and would have literally to pull ourselves up by bushes, roots or anything projecting from the mountain side. With nothing to sustain us but a determined will and a devotion to the cause in which we were engaged, at 5 o'clock a. m. 19 October, we reached the point of attack, still hidden from the enemy by a heavy fog. We forded and partly swam the ere-ek, and dashed into their camp without firing a gun, capturing 1,500 prisoners and 18 pieces of artillery, while a good many were in bed and asleep. We then fell upon another corps immediately in front of our cavalry, which was soon panic stricken, and fled in dismay, leaving all their artillery behind, which was turned upon the . Our infantry followed on closely for four miles, when General Early gave over the pursuit.
A good number of our men, thinking the enemy, bad fled to Winchester, took advantage of this heavy fog and fell out of ranks and returned to plunder the camp, so rich in spoils. By this outrageous conduct our line was weakened, and Sheridan's cavalry coming to their assistance from Winchester, the enemy rallied and moved back upon us. Our line was then thrown in disorder, and soon retreated in much confusion, and the fruits of this brilliant victory lost. Many of us were soon ridden down by the cavalry and captured, killed or wounded, while our cavalry was of little assistance. The writer of this sketch was painfully wounded in this retreat, and was carried six miles on a horse led by his faithful servant, Billy Williams, before his wound was staunched.
Right here I will digress for one moment: "Billy", as he was known throughout the division, was unlike his race; he seemed to love the excitement of war, and with his young master, saw the sun rise at Bethel and go down at Appomattox. And for the betrayal of a squadron of yankees into our lines, his name was placed upon the rolls of honor in Raleigh.
The enemy recaptured all their prisoners and guns they had lost in the morning and captured from us equally as many as they lost. Major-General Ramseur was killed. Lieutenant-Colonels S. McD.. Tate and A. Ellis, commanding the Sixth and Fifty-fourth North Carolina Regiments, with many other good officers, were severely wounded in this trying disaster. Our brigade suffered intensely in this campaign, losing seven different commanders in the course of six weeks' time.
The battle of Cedar Creek was the last event of importance in the Valley campaign, and practically closed it. The defeat of General Early and the desolation of the Valley by Sheridan made it impossible for an army to remain in that region. These failures caused much feeling of indignation against General Early, and he was soon relieved of his command. The remnant of his army was then placed under command of General J. B. Gordon and sent back to Petersburg. Our division was assigned to General Pegram, and sent nine miles west of the city on the Boydtown Plank road, where we went into some cabins that had been built by other troops for winter quarters. Here we remained three days only, before the enemy began to maneuver in our front, when we were called cut, and in a short time our division and Gordon's (which had just come up) were attacked at Hatcher's Run 6 February, 1865, and a struggle, unprecedented in its fury, and protracted beyond all expectations, was commenced, and we were soon compelled to fall back a short distance. Mahone's and Wilcox's Divisions came to our relief, and by indefatigable exertion we regained our former position, and the enemy fled in confusion. Our loss was very heavy in killed and wounded. Among the killed was our much lamented General, the "gay and gallant" Pegram, who had been married but a few days.
From here we were moved two miles below Petersburg, and placed in Walker's Division, and took positions in the trenches formerly occupied by General Ransom and at some points in a stone's throw of the enemy. Here we bad a long rest, but were much annoyed by the daily shellings from their heavy guns.
At 4:45 a. m., 25 March, 1865, a detail from our brigade and another emerged from our works in column of attack and dashed across the narrow space that separated the two armies, tore away the abatis and rushed into Fort Stedman, completely surprising the garrison and carried the works. Instantly the, captured guns were turned upon the adjacent forts and in a short time a brigade of the enemy was put to flight, and three batteries on our flanks were abandoned, and were for a short time in our possession. In this brilliant, charge many pieces of artillery were taken and spiked, and five hundred prisoners, including one Brigadier-General were captured. General Gordon opened this battle with great spirit and skill,. but was not sustained. The troops on his right made but a feeble demonstration, and were soon repulsed. The enemy in short time recovered from the surprise and poured in a Hurricane of shells into the works they had just lost, at the same time throwing forward a heavy line of infantry, which caused us to fall back, losing many prisoners and a great many killed and wounded. This repulse was followed up and after a stubborn resistance our picket line was taken, and then a hill in the tempest for one, (lay, which was but a prelude to it, final and resistless burst. "The mighty huntsman now had the game secure in his toils, and only awaited the moment of his exhaustion to dispatch him."
On 2 April, 1865, a most terrific bombardment from one end of the line to the other commenced. At the same time the enemy's infantry surged forward like a mighty wave, and rolled up to our works. As one, line recoiled from our deadly fire another would take its place, as though determined to break through by sheer weight of numbers. Our little band, so much exhausted from hard fighting and superhuman exertions, was compelled to fall back in the direction of Appomattox river. Following the river by the most accessible roads, we reached Amelia Court House, thirty-eight miles from where we started. Here General Lee expected to find a quantity of supplies for his troops, but, by an inexcusable blunder of the Richmond authorities the cars passed by with-out stopping to unload the supplies. We then bad been two days without any food, and not a ration to be had. Our disppointment was complete, for the condition we were left in was desperate, and for some, time we were wrapped in disconsolate silence. But for this blunder, General Lee could have preserved his army intact and passed Burkeville in safety before the enemy could have reached there. On the night of the 5th we left Amelia Court House, marching by way of Deatonville in the direction of Farmville. Upon reaching Sailor's creek, and after some desperate fighting and losing some of our best men, we moved on to Gettersville, a distance of four miles, much jaded, footsore, and half starved, and soon became engaged in another desperate fight, in which our lamented Captain A. H. Martin, commanding this regiment, fell instantly killed, while gallantly holding his men to the front. When the enemy reached I his dead bod , they had it decently interred, and -wrote upon an envelop, placing it upon the grave, "Here lies the body of a brave man, Captain Martin, of the Fifty-fourth North Carolina." In this battle our regiment lost more than three-fourths of its men in killed, wounded and prisoners, after which the remnant moved on to Farmville, and found that the enemy had just taken a battery in our front and had in possession of our, line of retreat. General Lee at this critical moment seemed very much exercised, and evinced a desire to lead a charge on them if his men would follow. At once many exclaimed, "No, no, but if You will retire we will do the work." As he rode off, General W. G. Lewis, our brigade commander, so distinguished for his intrepid valor, rallied a few men and led the charge until he, with man others, fell severely wounded, and was unavoidably left in the hands of the enemy,. The writer of this sketch was then acting as his Inspector General, and was the only member of his staff that was left to tell the tale of this bloody tragedy.
This charge was evidently the last one of importance. As the enemy moved on for a stronger position in our front, under cover of darkness, we moved on sluggishly, and at every step some brave man was compelled to step cut of ranks from overpowering fatigue. At 12 o'clock M. we reached the vicinity of Appomattox Court House, and had a few hours of repose, which was so much needed.
On the morning of the 9th an advance was begun, but finding overpowering numbers in our front, and upon all sides, this little army then reduced to something over 8,000 infantry and 3,000 cavalry and artillery actually in line, was halted pending negotiations for its surrender, which was made on that bright Sabbath day. On the succeeding days the rolls were made out and the army paroled in accordance with the terms agreed upon between Generals Lee and Grant. The fragments from the various commands were gathered and marched to a spot designated for that purpose, stacked their arms and deposited a few furled colors. Having received their paroles, our battle and famine-worn soldiers took up the line of march for those homes they had so bravely fought to defend for four long years of blood, hardship and toil.
Thus closes the volume of the bloody record of the Fifty-fourth Regiment of North Carolina troops, and to those of us who still survive, it is indeed pleasant to recall that fearful struggle for independence and to look back upon a series of battles and victories unequalled in history; and every one of us Win speak with pride of the time when he was a soldier in the Army of Northern Virginia.
NOTE.-I have been much indebted to General W. G. Lewis (who has since died) for information; also to Mrs. Paris, who so kindly furnished me with diaries containing data, casualties, etc., that were written by our beloved old Chaplain, the late Rev. John Paris, who was so noted for his piety, and untiring devotion to, the cause in which we were engaged. He was indeed one of God's nobility.
T. MARSHALL WILLIAMS.
FAYETTEVILLE, N. C.
9 April, 1901.