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2 BITS OF WAii HISTORY. short rcii o riir: s- cty - Ff HS *' NORTH (UROLI \ ItfcGIMKNT. WRITTEN BY SIR. T3SHUS B. KILL The Varied tip er ie.no* s of n Gallant R«r<’ ! » < < »:*• .-rue ( avt Irv,by <*t e Vtii, ..(-n >l > u e tit Is the ur tu *»r feue <> the (sights ot Gif* w on •• rti people The Capluse of h ewbern by the eefleraf- Mef.t us -v round Jilch inouU and IViersburg, The Forty-first North Carolina Troops was a regiment of cavalry; in tlje formal enrollment it was known as tlyo'i bird Cavalry, but for a great por tion of its honorable history it was scattered over an extended field of operations and serving as detached companies of cavalry. It. should be understood that the system adopted in numbering the sev eral regiments does not represent the order of the organization of the com panies in behalf of the defense of the State and the rights of the Southern people. For example, ten regiments raised under what was called the “Ten Regi ment Bill,’’ and enlisted “for the war,” as was stated were allowed to ante number all previous volunteer organi zations, most of them having been en rolled for twelve months, although, as a matter of fact, all finally served throughout the struggle. The only exception to this was the First Volun teers (Bethel), afterwards known as the Eleventh. Regiments like the Eighteenth and Twentieth had been in service many months at the forts before being placed in regimental organization; the latter even containing companies fully equip?-ed before the attack upon Sum ter. In like manner many of the com panies which were organized at Kin ston in the fall of 1862. had already seen, large and faithful service, and it is to be hoped that surviving members of these gallant troops, that contribu ted so much to the protection of East ern Carolina, will leave memorials of their valuable services and chivalrous deeds of daring. There was somet hingat traeti ve to t he yqung Southerner in the life of a l>old dragoon; especially among those whose circumstances had made them fearless horsemen, and whose life in the open air and participation in field sports had rendered them the finest re cruits in the world for this form of military duty. Os this class the flower of the young men of the State were the various “Dragoons,” “Mounted Rifles.” and similar bodies composed who bivou acked from the lower James to the Cape Fear, content to serve where duty ealled, under their bold captains. The fall of Hatteras and the fate of Roanoke Island early in the war were unavoidable events, under the circum stances. Without ordnance to con tend against a powerful fleet that stood without range, and shelled at pleasure a garrison practically de fenseless, the fate of Hatteras was sealed. But the capture of Newbern ought not to have occurred at least it need not have taken place in 1862. long be fore the war was twelve months old, if the authorities at Richmond had given it help with half the troops uselessly sent down afterwards. But the importance of the position was hardly apprehended by either side. Certainly a Federal commander of the order of Jackson, or of Sheridan would have cut the great line of sup ply of Lee’s army, the Wilmington & Weldon railroad and overwhelmed Wilmington from the rear. That this was not done, must be at tributed largely to the activity and energy of the Third Cavalry, before and after its formal organization as a regiment, and the other cavalries serv ing in like capacity, or as partisan rangers. The companies were somewhat un equal in size. As the war progressed and the Confederate Congress insisted upon measures of conscript ion. those arriving at military age frequently volunteered in companies containing friends, or raised in special localities. Some of these were from towns or , counties in the hands of the eiiemv, and recruits were not easily available. Other companies wen- stationed at ports favorable for accessions to their ranks Moore's Roster gives 1158 men in the ranks of the regiment, but as the deficiency of that enrollment are well known, if is probable that the number was not less than 1,200 if not more. John A. Baker, of New Hanover, serv ' ing on t lie staff of Major-Gen’l French at that time in command of the de partment of North Carolina, with 'headquarters at Wilmington, was commissioned as Colonel September 3rd, 1862, of the Third North Carolina Cavalry, now designated as the 41st N. (\ Troops. The remaining field officers were not assigned until nearly a year after wards. Alfred M. Waddell having been commissioned l.ieut-Colonel on August 18th. 1 863, and Roger Moore Major on the same date. Previous to that A. M. Waddell had served as Adjutant, and ('apt. Roger Moore as Quarter- Master. Both of these gentlemen were from Wilmington. Upon the res ignation of Col, Waddell, August 10th, 1864 Major Roger Moore was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, and on Decem ber 9th, 1864, ( apt. ('. W. McOlammy, of Company A., was promoted to the vacant Majority. Col. Moore became commanding officer as Col. Baker,who had been taken prisoner by the enemy, June 21st. 1864, did not rejoin the regi ment. but resigned Aug. 10th. 1864. ( apt. Thos, J. Tunstall, of Miss., an other officer who had been serving at headquarters of the Department of North Carolina was made Assistant Quartermaster, Nov. 19th, 1862. Benj. W. Sparks was commissioned Assis tant Surgeon Sept. I t. 1862, and was from Georgia, but on Feb. Ist, 1863, Dr. Benj. M. Walker, of Plymouth was ordered to the regiment as full sur geon. Lieut. John N. Smith, of Texas i served as drill master and also as act ! ing Assistant Comissary Surgeon, j Rev, S. M. Byrd, of Virginia was as i signed as chaplain Oct. 3rd,1864. The following of the non-com mis sioned staff were, Thos. S. Arnnstead, Sergeant Major, Plymouth, (Washing ton county;) Calvin J. Morris, Quarter master Sergeant, (Bertie county;) A. L. Fitzgerald, Ordnance Sergeant, (Caswell county;) Neil M. Buie, Hos pital Steward, (Harnett county;) J. \V. Sorey, Chief Bugler, Martin coun ty;) Levi J. Fagan, of Plymouth, Color Sergeant. The several companies composing the regiment may be briefly named as fol lows: Most of the names of enlisted men can be found in the honorable roll compiled by order ol the State, and known as “Moore s Roster, but that record, it is well known, is imper fect,many rolls having perished, which record the changes incident to time and disease and the casualties of war. Company' A, known originally as the “Rebel Rangers” was from New Han over and had 7 commissioned, 9 non commissioned officers, 2 musicians and privates; total, 153. A. W. Newkirk was commissioned as captain Oct. 19th, 1861; C. W. McClamiuy was promoted to captain from first lieuten ant September 12, 1863, and mibse quently lo Major in 1864 when J). J. Nixon was made captain from first lieutenant. The remaining officers were as successively promoted: Ist lieut., A. C. Ward; and 2nd lients., D. J. Nixon, J no. W. Howard, A. C. Ward, Louis W. Howard, and Robert C. Highsmitli. Company B, the “Gatlin Dragoons,” of Onslow county, had 7 commissioned and 10 non-commissioned officers, and 122 privates; total, 139. E. W. Ward was made captain December 28, 1861, and Bryan Southerland succeeded him November 30, 1863, having been pro moted from second lieutenant. The other officers were first lieutenants L. W. Humphrey, John W. Spicer, and M. F. Langly; second lieutenants Bryan Southerland, (promoted as stated), J. W. Spicer, David W. Simmons, Stephen H. Merton, I). Williams, and M. E. Langly. Company C, the “Caswell Rangers, of Caswell county, had 4 eommmis sioned, 9 non-commissioned officers, and 87 privates; total. 100. Hannon W. Reinhardt was captain, ( February 28, 1862); first lieutenant, John W. Hatch et; second lieutenants, Stephen A. Rice, and James A. Williamson. Company D, the "Highland Rangers” of Barnet county, had 4 commiss.sion ed, 8 non-commissioned officers, and 90 privates; total, 102. Thomas J. Brooks, captain, was coinmisssioned March 5, 1862; first lieutenant, G. W. Behman: second lieutenants, James M. McNeill, and W. M. McNeill. Company* E, the “Macon Mounted Guards” from Lenoir and Craven coun ties chiefly, with members from Pitt and Chatham, had 5 commissioned, 9 non-commissisoned officers, and 64 pri vates; total, 78. W. W. Carravvay and L. H. Hartsfield were captains, the latter commissioned October 7, 1861. I first lieutenant, Isaac Roberts; second lieutenants, Owen A. Palmer, and S. H. Loft in. Company F, the “Davis Dragoons,” from Burke county, had 9 commission ed, 6 non-commissioned officers, (whose names have been preserved), and 96 privates; total, 111. T. George Walton was made captain October 7, 1861, and succeeded by Elisha A. Perkins May 13, 1862. First lieutenants, Hugh ( Bennett and J. C. Tate; second lieuten ants, J. A. Stewart, W. F. Avery, J. Rufus Kincaid, J. A.Conley, and Henry P. Lindsay. Company G, the “Scotland Neck Mounted Riflemen,” from Halifax county had 6 commissioned 7 non commissioned officers, and 108 pri vates; total, 121. Atherton P>. Hill, who was made captain October 9, 1861, was succeeded by Benj. G. Smith promoted from second sergeant. First lieuten ant. Norfleet Smith; second lieuten ants, George A. Higgs, Theodore B. Hyman, and John T. Savage. Company H. the “Humphrey Troops” from Onslow county, had 5 commis sioned, 9 non-commissioned officers, and 85 privates; total, 99. Julius W. Moore was commissioned captain December 10, 1862. First lieutenants, Thos. JL Henderson apd A. G. Haw kins; second lieutenants, Jus. Bryatl and B. W. Trott. Company I, the “Wake Rangers,” from Wake county, had 8 commis sioned, i I non-commissioned officers, and 88 privates; total, 107. Rufus S. Tucker, captain, was commissioned February is, 1862,and on his promotion as major and aid de camp January 24, 1863, David A. Roberson was made captain. First lieutenants, T. Jeffer son Utley and Joseph M. Bowling; second lieutenants, W. W. Clements, J. H. Allison, W. G. Riddick, and Allen R. Rogers; bugler, Jesse Winborne. Company K, the “Clark Skirmishers” of Beaufort and Washington counties, with Martin and Pitt contributing, had 6 commissioned, 10 non-commis sioned officers, and 68 privates; total, 84. Win. Jordan Walker, Geo . W. Ward, and Fred Harding, who was commissioned May 16, 1862, were cap tains. First lieutenants, George W. Ward, Fred Harding, and Wm. Slade; second lieutenants, Wm, Slade, Fred Harding. J. E, Moore, and Burton Ff i I lev, the last two ranking, respec tively, from May 11, and May 16, 1862. O' tGis company the writer had the honor of being first sergeant, having joined its ranks May 16, 1862. ? Ills completes a review of the per , • • 1 of a regiment remarkable for the high spirit and mental and physi cal trength, no less t han for the moral worth and patriotic devotion to duty which characterized it. How many of the names on its official roster and the muster-rolls of the privates in the ranks were honored for bravery in the service during the dark years of the war, or have risen to distinction among those of their fellow-citizens in various sect ions of the State! If has already been intimated that this regiment was a bulwark of pro tection for the great railroad from Weldon to Wilmington, and all that portion of the thirty counties east of it. not completely in the hands of Ih<* enemy, with their combined naval and military power in the great sounds. To many minds the idea of soldierly value is confined to the fleeting hours of the battle-field, and Ihe efficiency of a regiment is measured by the num ber of men cut to pieces or left on the field, although both may occur through unskilful management of commanding officers, and may result, t he New.i »n.t Observer, Saturday, Nov. 23 perhaps, in unnecessary, even value | less slaughter. But there is an infinity of duties be | sides the actual shock of pitched bat tie, on a great scale. Cavalry has well been termed "the eyes and ears of an army,” and well may this be said ot the Third or the Forty-first North Car olina r l roops. In a great arc, sweeping from the ( ape Fear to the Blaekvvater, it was the omnipresent guardian of the people. A large proportion of its troopers were natives of the east and knew its roads and fords, its swamps and streams. Picketing an enormous line, protecting the villages and settler merits from forays, gathering sup plies, and especially forage for the needs of the army of Virginia and the garrisons of the forts, guarding the cross-roads and fords, communicating with friends in the lines of the enemy and cheeking his approach whenever he dared to advance beyond his gun boats, this regiment and its gallant brethren of similar commands, though for a long time denied the laurels that ’fell upon Stuart and his bold troopers in their own scene of action, yet daily and hourly performed service of the most vital importance to the mainte nance of our communications through North Carolina and to the protection of one of the most important regions of the country, if not the capital of the State itself. Propositions to have the regiment assemble at Garysburg and move northward were repeatedly declined by the State authorities. Hut eventu ally the need of cavalry to reinforce Hu- right wing of the army at the de fence of Richmond became most urgent. The impartial historian must say that the importance of maintain ing cavalry in full efficiency was Lard- History of the first N. C. troops., etc. ly fully realized in the Army of North ern Virginia. It was expected to take care of itself, and so it did. But as supplies grew scarce and horses and men grew gaunt with hunger, few ani mals could l>e found to replace the fiery steeds of the first squadrons, and such bloody massacres as Bristows and Brandy Station had wiped out w hole squadrons, never to be replaced. It is no wonder, then, that when this regiment finally reached the lines of Petersburg it endured labors and. hardships almost unparalleled even in that dread conflict. On the other band, with the wealth of the world in money, men and horses, the Federal cavalry, well trained and supplied with everything possible, pushed, under Sheridan and Stoneman, to its utmost effectiveness in the last campaigns. After the fall of Roanoke Island in February, 1862, ('apt. R. S. Tucker’s company, the “Wake Rangers,” was sent to guard Weldon bridge, and af terwards to picket the Tar from Green ville nearly to Washington. There were at this time other North Carolina commands on similar duty stationed to the south: Evans’ troops between Newbern and Goldsboro, and ( apt. Nethercutt’s cavalry across the Trent in Jones county. In November following, ( apt. W. W. Carraway’s company, the Macon Mounted Guards, were on duty at Kinston, ami (apt. Ward’s company served for some time, after the capture of New hern, in picketing the streams of Onslow* and vicinity. (in September 28th, 1862, Gov. /,. B. Vance protested earnestly against call ing off the regiment to Garysburg, anil said that without the protection of the cavalry the finest provision region of the State would in a few days lie deso lated. So enthusiastic was he that he was moved to exclaim, “If if is not the intention of the President to protect us. we must protect ourselves.” In late October or early November a squad of fourteen men of Co. K., under command of Levi J. Fagan, Color Serg’t., was sent on picket about ten miles from Plymouth, which town was largely garrisoned by C. S. troops. The darkness of the’ night, together with a blinding rain, rendered it diffi cult to perceive the approach of an active battaloin of infantry from the enemy's lines, which suddenly sur rounded and captured the squad. Ta ken on foot to Plymouth and thence by transport vessel to Newbern, this small body of prisoners was held in captivity, though kindly treated, until parole, December 4th. A brilliant exploit performed by the "Rebel Rangers,” Co.A., subsequently, is reported by Gen.W. 11. C. Whiting, Commanding District of Wilmington. He says, November 28th, 1862, that C'apt. Newkirk’s cavalry and (apt. Adams’, with a section of a field bat tery, destroyed a steam gun-boat of the enemy’s on New river. Her crew escaped, but her armament, ammuni tion. small arms were captured. Shortly afterwards the “Caswell Rangers.” Co. (’., rendered brave and efficient service in repelling the raid of (fieri. Foster upon Goldsboro, and was complimented for its coolness in ae t ion in the report of Col. Stevens, of the Engineers, to Gen. Gustavos \\. Smith, commanding. Another company, that of ('apt. Tucker, was in the expedition under Gen. J. G. Martin, who, with the 17th N. C. Infantry, Adams’ artillery and the respective cavalries of Walker. Booth and Tucker, made an attack upon the forces of the enemy at Wash ington. Tueker assaulted the town independently, the other companies being under the command of the gal lant Booth, who received a wound on that occasion that subsequently caused his death. The enemy was completely driven out of the town in this brilliant en gagement, but the heavy artillery of the gun-boats completely commanded the whole of W ashington, which is sit uated upon the river, and as the occu pation by Confederate forces involved the entire destruction of the place, without, adequate military result, the command deemed it projier to evacu ate and return to original lines. The Davis “Dragoons,” under Capt. Berk ins, at Big Northeast Bridge, near Jacksonville, met a party of Federal cavalry, killing one captain and five privates and routing the balance with out loss. Seven companies of the regiment were concentrated for operations in Eastern N. C. and on the Virginia bor der early in 1863, and so effectually did the command make its mark that Gen. M. Jenkins, Brigadier commanding on the Black water, proposed a dash of Baker’s Regiment of cavalry upon the enemy’s camp of cavalry on the Wind sor road, four or five miles from Suf folk, Va. Service along the narrow Black water. guarding its fords and tributaries, in volved much exposure to malaria and incessant contact with the enemy. Longstreel issued, preparatory orders for his demonstration against Suffolk, April HJth, and was particular to direct that wires be stretched across the roads leading to Ihe strong cavalry force of the C. S. troops. fin the 21st of the same month, by orders from Richmond, the regiment was attached to Robertson’s brigade, A. N. V., but was placed almost imme diately on detached service on the Black w ater. On June 11th, 1863, ( apt. Milligan, of the Confederate Signal Corps, re ports that with a detachment of the 3rd X. ('. Cavalry he had burned Dil lard’s wharf, on the south side of the river from Jamestown Island. This was a favorite landing place for pred atory incursions of the enemy. Under date of June isth, Gen. D. H. Hill re ports : “i heYankees, with ten regi ments of infantry, two of cavalry and sixteen pieces, have been feebly at tempting to cross the Blaokwate fen* the last five days. They have been re pulsed at all points with ease by the forces of Gen. M. Jenkins, Col. John A. Baker and Col. Alf. Coppens.” The regiment was now in demand in various directions, remaining but a brief jieriod at any point. July Ist it was ordered to Old Church to inter cept raiders coining up the Peninsula and to watch the Pamunkey. Hard service had left about two hundred men of the command without horses. July 18th the regiment was made a part of the division of Maj. Gen. Robt. Ransom. On the 20th of the month Gen, Whiting asked, for it from Gen. Cooper, saying,“l need very much an additional foree of cavalry, can I not have Baker’s regiment from Peters burg? On the22nd he applied for it again to go to Gen. Martin at Kinston to stop raids of the enemy, but the Union forces having appeared at Mur freesboro. the regiment was ordered on the 27th to the Black water to cheek an advance toward Weldon. Tn August it was encamped at Ivor, a station on the road then called Nor folk and Petersburg, now a portion of the Norfolk and Western line. It was about this time that newspa per reports, upon the Gettysburg cam* paign and others, had been full of ex travagant praise for troops of certain other States, but North Carolina had been treated with neglect and even gross injustice. A proposition was made that official reporters should ac company the army, or tit, least that the authentic official reports of officers on the field should be published. This was broughtto the attention of Gen. Lee by the Hon. J. A. Seddon, Secre tary of War, to whom the great com mander replied, on September 9th, 1863, in words which should bring the glow of pride to the heart of every Carolinian. “In the reports of the offi cers justice is done the brave soldiers of North Carolina whose heroism and devotion have illustrated the name of their State on every battlefield in which the army of Northern Virginia has been engaged, but the publication of these reports during the progress of the war would give the enemy infor mation which it is desirable to with hold.” In November the regiment was camped near Weldon, but by the end of the year it was on the ground where it was organized, reporting, on Decem ber 31st, 34 officers and 554 men pres ent for duty, although the rolls have 971 names. Early in the new year, January 9th, 1864, it was engaged in a skimish near Greenville. Toward the end of Janu ary Gen. Lee sent Gen. Picket with live brigades to attack and attempt to re capture New bern. The 41st was a por tion of the cavalry ordered upon the expedition. This cavalry endured great hardships in breaking up the railroad between More head and New bern, in passing around the town and in crossing the river. However this much was accomplished, though the general undertaking was defeated. On April 22nd, Col. Baker was or dered to report to (fieri. Lee for the as signment of the regiment to Gen. J. B. (Jordon's brigade. But when in camp near Weldon it was ordered, (May 3rd,)by Brig. Gen. Walker, to ward New bern, and it took part in the feint executed by Gen. Hoke in that Section. Gen. Hearing, then com manding all the cavalry near New bern, ordered it to Kinston., w hich was reached on the evening of the 7tli of May. Thence by Hoke’s orders, it pro ceeded by the highway to Weldon. The three companies serving in the Department of North Carolina were ordered May 2nd, to join their regi ment, and on the 15th it was required to move with Hoke’s Division to pro tect tin* right flank, in the movement, near Petersburg, of Beauregard against Butler. Gen. Bragg, then in command at Richmond,complained to (Jen. S. Coop er that Baker’s cavalry had been de tained by Beauregard after its orders to protect Richmond, and that thus the safety of the capital had been jeo pardized. Beauregard answers the complaint as follows, and incidentally express his high appreciation of the Carolina troojiers: “Gen. Bragg in his communication lias declared that the Third N. C. (Cavalry)was detained for three weeks without the slwutow of authority; and that by the delays occasioned by in authorized assumptions in the move ments of troops the safety of the capi tal has been jeopardized. I beg leave respectfully to reply that on April 25th, Gen. Bragg authorized me to detain Baker’s cavalry until the Newbern expedition should be com pleted, or until it should he relieved by another. The Newbern expedition terminated May 6th and Col. Baker with his command started immediate ly to Weldon, which he reached on the 10th and thence to Petersburg where he arrived with a portion of the com mand on the 14th. On the same day he proceeded, under my orders, with me to Drewry’s Bluff. At this time Gen. Butler was threat ening the capital w ith a force largely superior to my own. There were with me including Baker’s, but one regi nietit of cavalry and fractions of two others; viz:, the 7th S. C„ and parts of the sth S. C., and 3rd, N. C. They were essential to the protection of the right and left flanks of my command. They participated in the battle of May 16th ot Drewry’s Bluff, and so far from jeopardizing the safety of the capital by delay in the execution of or ders, they contributed essential ser vice to its defense, All the troops which could be spared from the capi tal were being sent to me to defend it on the South side, and it did not oc cur to me to send forward the regi ment to Richmond, merely to be re j turned, for the important purposes al ready indicated. Although the enemy was defeated on the 16th, and driven back to his works at Bermuda Hundred, he still very outnumbered me and held a men acing position dangerous to tin* safety of the enpitnl. 1 did not deem it pru dent and wise therefore, to send it on the 17th to Richmond, but directed it to watch and protect my llank on James river. May 22d. Col. Fercbee, with the Fourth N. (’., having relieved Col. Bil ker, was ordered immediately to re port to Gen. Bragg at Richmond, and he did so on 1 he evening of t lie 23d. The detention was authorized, I respect fully submit, by the exigencies of the east* and demonstrated by the signal service the command rendered on the 16th at Brewery's ltluff.” He asked for a court of inquiry, but Gen. Lee expressed himself as satis fied, dismissed Bragg’s complaint and refused a court. On this occasion Col. Baker repeats that his marches were thirty miles a day, and that as soon as pickets and couriers reached camp under orders at midnight, he started at 3 a. m. Little rest was there for the wearied soldier for the remainder of the bloody strug gle. A few weeks later. June 21st, 1864, the regiment lost Col. Baker by cap ture. He was considerably in advance of the regiment, with but one or two men. It is thus told by the enemy: “June 21st, 1,864, 5:10 p. m. “Then. Lyman to Maj. Gen. Meade: "I have just been to meet Gen. Bar low. About a mile from the railroad (W. & \V. and Petersburg) he engaged dismounted cavalry and two guns; took the Colonel of the Third N. Cavalry, who thinks Early is behind on the railroad.” During the month of August the re organization of the field officers took place, as heretofore referred to, and Maj. Roger Moore (promoted later to Lieutenant Colonel) was left in com mand. The regiment was now in the brigade of Gen. Rufus Barringer, where it remained for the rest of the war. It was in the division of Gen. W. H. F. Lee, under command of Gen. Wade Hampton, commanding the corps of cavalry. It participated in the brilliant at tack on the enemy at Reams’ Station, August 25th, 1804. From Gen. Hamp ton’s report the following is taken: “Gen. Barringer, whom f had sent w ith his brigade to the east of the rail road, reported that he had met a strong foree of infantry with cavalry. 1 ordered him to picket the road strongly and join me with his com mand at Malone's Crossing. * * * Col. Roberts, with his regiment, charged here one line of rifle-pits, car rying it handsomely and capturing from sixty to seventy-five prisoners * * * He struck the rear of the enemy, with Barringer’s brigade in the center of his force. Under a heavy fire of artillery and musketry the line advanced steadily, driving the enemy into his works. Here he made a stub born stand, and for a few moments cheeked our advance, but the spirit of the men was so fine that they charged the breast-works with the utmost gal lantry. carried them and captured the force holding them. This ended the fighting, my men having been engaged twelve hours. We captured 781 pris oners. 25 commissioned officers; buried 143 of the enemy and brought off 66 of their wounded. Our loss was: total killed, 16; wounded, 75; missing. 3. Os these Barringer had 10 killed, 50 wounded, 1 missing. * * * Gen. Barringer commanded Lee’s division to my satisfaction, while his brigade commanders, Col, Davis and Col. Cheek, performed their parts well.” The following letter from Gen. Lee to Governor Vance, in reference to this gallant achievement, will live in his tory as one of the fairest laurels ever won by sons of the Old North State. Under date of August 29, 1864. lie writes: ”1 have frequently been ealled upon to mention the services of North Coro linn soldiers in this army, but their gallantry and conduct were never more deserving of admiration than in the engagement at Reams’ Station on the 25th inst. The brigades oT Generals Cooke. Mc- Rae and Lane, the inst under the com mand of Gen Conner. advanced through a thick abaltis of felled trees, under a heavy fire of musketry and artillery and carried 1 1n* enemies’ works with a steady courage that elicited the warm commendation of their corps and division commanders, and the admiration of tin* army. On the same occasion the brigade of Gen. Barringer Imre a conspicuous part in the operations of the cavalry, which were not less distinguished for bold ness and efficiency than those of the infantry. If men who remain inXoith Caro lina share the spirit of those they have sent to the field, as I doubt not they do, her defense may In* securely in trusted to their hands.” 1 am with great respect. Your obedient servant. R. E. LEE, (Jeneral. His Excellency B. Vance, Governor of North Carolina. The dark and gloomy winter, the last of the war, was now approaching. 'The regiment was now to endure the most extreme hardships of a soldier's life in cold, fatigue, hunger, paiu and anxiety. As the lines drew closer and forage became scarcer, the horses perished and the few must do tin* work of many. The middle of November found the Forty-first, iiißurringer's Brigade, encamped near Gladeross* mill, four miles southwest, of Peters burg, on the Boyd ton road. Constant encounters took place on a small scale, and on December 9th in an action near Bel field, the enemy was handsomely briven back. Gen. Hampton *says in his subsequent report (January 21st, 1865): “The cavalry of the enemy which we met was driven in rapidly with loss and in confusion, and the infantry of the rear guard was gallantry charged. * * * * * The pursuit on our part continued during the remainder of the day, the enemy blockading the road, destroying the bridges and only fighting at the obstacles lie had placed in the road. At Moore’s Mill, we drove him from the bridge, ai ’ j * >'■;** on. we soon met some envs: . cug and dispersing them. The lead .... .ion of the 3rd N. (’. (41st) dashed into the main body of tin* enemy, who were found prepar ing to go into cutup. Find'inr their whole foree there f withdrew to Moore's Mill, two miles bark. *o bivou ac. From this point i notified Gen. Hill of tin* position of the enemy * * * My oilictM’s ,iik| nxt \ iviqJ *1 (! 111 irri illV- losses small 250 to M) prisoners taken.” On March Ist. iso.*, the official report show 7 X officers and 1,298 men present for duty in Barringer’s bri gade, and the fact that this number is actually more than 'one-third of the total cavalry of 1, *'s army, which was reported at 3.701, is a proud evi dence of the devotion t . duty of these gallant men in the d.,r!>e-.t hours. Oil tin* 27th of Man’ll t lie! Sri cade was at Stony ('reel.. The posh ion of Lee’s army* is thus described In Sw inton. the fairest his torian on the I nion side: “The right of Lee's intrenched line running south west from Petersburg covered Hatch er’s Run at the Boydton plank-road. Thence it extended for a considerable distance westward, parellel with Hatcher's Run. and along what is known as the White Oak road. This line directly covered Lee’s main com munication by the Southside railroad. Four miles west of tin* termination of this intrenched front, a detached line running also along the White Oak roml covered an important strategy point, where several roads from the north and south, converging on the White Oak road, from what i- known as the “Five Forks." Sw inton further declares of Lee: “From nis left, northeast of Richmond, to his right, southwest of Petersburg, there were thirty-five miles of breast work'. w hich it, behooved Lee to guard, and all the force remaining to him was 37,000 muskets and a small body of broken-down horses!” • As it became evident that the mea gre numbers of Lee could not longer hold back the immense hosts under Grant, arrangements were quietly made looking to retreat in the only possible direction, the west. (Jen. Fitz Lee relates that on March 28th he was ordered from his position on the extreme left of tin* line north of the James to Petersburg, and to Southerland’s Station, on the South side road, nineteen miles distant, on the 29th. There the divisions of Gen. W. 11. F. Lee, containing Barringer’s brigade, joined him. On March 31st they attacked a very large force of the epemy’s cavalry at Five Forks, killed and wounded many, captured one hundred and drove them to within half a mile of Dinwiddie Court House. While Mumford held the front W. 11. F. Lee and Rosser went to turn their flank, found a stream in the way. with strong de fences, carried the defences, but with loss to Lee and Rosser—and M unford also carried the works in his front. At Hatcher’s Run, a whole eorps of Fed eral infantry attacked two small bri gades of Confederate cavalry. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee further says, “On April 3rd I protected Anderson’s rear and skirmished with the enemy’s ad vance to Amelia C. H. In his lan guage, “At another of the temporary halts upon this march, to check the enemy in the vicinity of Namozine church, that very excellent N. C. bri gade of W. If. F. Lee’s division, suf fered severely. The troops had been placed in motion again to resume tin* march. This brigade was the rear of the column and 1 was obliged to re tain it in position to prevent the en emy from attacking the remainder of the command. While getting in motion, their rap idly arriving forces soon augmented the troops it was so gallantly holding in cheek, and produced a concentra tion impossible for it to resist. Its commander. Brig. (Jen. Barringer, was captured while in the steady discharge of his duties, and his loss was keenly felt by the command.” Os this event the Federal Maj. Gen. Merritt claims (April 3rd) “The com mand moved forward at daylight and occupied the forks which the enemy had abandoned during the night. The First and Third Divisions (U. S.) cav alry marched in pursuit toward Ame lia C. 11. Well’s brigade had a spir ited fight with Barringer’s brigade of rebel cavalry, routing, dispersing or capturing the entire command, in cluding the rebel general himself.” This extraordinary repoVt is more clearly, correctly defined by official re turns* from the commanders more closely engaged. Two entire divisions of cavalry were enveloping the retreat of the Confederates, worn out man and horse, by six day’s inarching and light ing. Another and doubtless more cor rect report from a Federal commander is thefollowing: “April 3rd, at night, went on picket at Five Cross Roads (called by the Confederates Five Forks), distance about twenty miles from Mainozinc church, and by the aid of Maj. Young, Chief of Scouts, cap tured and brought into our lines, Gen. Barringer and part of his staff, the regiment being detached from the bri gade at the time." j The few faithful horse that 'Were left were invaluable in prolonging the retreat to ihe point w lienee Lee ex pected to meet the train of supplies anil ammunition. That by some fatal blunder, this train had been tired and all hope of succor for the starving horses short of Lynchburg must l>e abandoned, is now familiar history. In his last report Gen. Lee says (Ap pamattox, April 12th.' TS6S). “After successive attacks, Anderson’s and Ewell’s corps were captured or driven from their position. The latter gen eral, with both of his division camman ders, Kershaw and Crest is Lee, and liis brigadiers were, taken prisoners. (Jordan, who till the morning aided [Continued on Tliiid Page.] % mmrn heart burn, or nausea. Hood’s Pills rouse the liver, cure biliousness, restore proper digestion, expel accumulated Impurities, cureconslipatlon. 26cents. Prepared only by 0. I. Hood & Co., Lowell, Mass. Your Liver k la oat of or> l\ der if yoa |l\ have bitter Jjtaate, offen jflslve breath, Rf sick haadaoha, f alight fever, weight or full* ness In the itomiih,
The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Nov. 23, 1895, edition 1
2
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