Newspapers / Forest City Courier (Forest … / July 12, 1928, edition 1 / Page 12
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Reminiscences of Capt. Lawson Harrill COMMANDER, CO. I, 56TH REGIMENT, N. C. T„ 1862-65 CHAPTER TWO Ordered to Goldsboro August 8, 1862, the 56th was ord ered to Goldsboro. The next three months were spent marching and counter-marching between Golds boro, Warsaw, Magnolia, Wilming ton, the seacoast, Tarboro, etc. We took one trip in the rain on flat cars. Smoke from rich pine wood used in the engine blew full upon us. When we reached camp soap and water were scarce ,we had no change of clothing. The figure, size, or roll call revealed a man's identity.East of Tarboro, on November 4th, Vance, our recently elected governor, vis ited us. He was wearing a high silk hat and was greeted with "Come out of that hat! We know who you are in there because we see your feet sticking out." Vance enjoyed the joke as much as the men. November 5, expected attack from General Foster—had skirmishing. November 6, had pursued enemy to Hamilton, N. C. Next day we had several inches of snow. I was unwill ing for the half dozen barefooted men to march through it, and with difficulty secured a wagon for them. On November 15, we crossed Roa noke River at Hill's Ferry, near Pal myra. We marched through Bertie county to Murfreesboro. We were es corted through the town by Col. Wheeler, (Author of North Carolina History) and his cavalry. November 19, crossed the Nottaway River, marched to Franklin, Va., and six miles beyond. We were without food. I failed to secure any supplies from the commissary but was invited to sup with my Colonel, which I declin ed to do. We remained at Franklin, Va., for several weeks. Attack Gunboat December 8. A detachment from my company under Lieutenant Sweezy, who never saw anything too big for him to fight, attacked a small gunboat in Blackwater River and forced it to withdraw. My men being on a bluff had the advantage. January 17, 1863. Returned to Goldsboro, N. C., and were ordered to the front on picket duty at Mag nolia. January 20th went to Kenans ville. Here the brigade of General M. W. Ransom was formed by plac ing the 24th, 25th, 35th, 49th and 56th Regiments under his command. February 22. Ordered to Wilming ton, thence to Old Topsail Sound (Feb. 24) where we drilled until March 23, when we started to Kins ton, arriving April 1. April 17 we crossed Neuse River and by the 19th reached Wise's Fork, where we lay in line of battle. At this time the Federals were occupying Newbern. x Ordered to Gum Swamp April 24th, Companies I, E and G, j all under my command, were order ed to Gum Swamp, ten miles east of Kinston. On the 28th we were at tacked by four Regiments, at least 1,600 men, while my force was 165. We held our position on the east side of the swamp for about two hours, then crossed to the west side and fought until darkness closed the bat tle. We lost one officer, Lieutenant Lutterloh, and three men killed. En emy's loss, ten killed and eighteen wounded. Next morning Adjutant E. J. Hale wrote an account of the skirmish and published it in the Fay etteville Observer. He says "Capt. Harrill, Company I, commanded dur ing the first of the fight and until the arrival of Colonel Faison. He is certainly one of the coolest men I ever saw, and award him all praise for the admirable handling of his little force while in command Our officers and men behaved most admirably, not one leaving his post or straggling in any way . . . .The force of the enemy in our front con sisted of six regiments of infantry and a squadron of cavalry." (For an ' other account see North Carolina Regiments, Vol. 111, Page 323.) We remained near Wise's Fork un til May 21, when my company was again on picket duty, one mile south of the railroad at a crossing of Gum Swamp. During the night the enemy passed in rear of my position, and attacked our regiment where the first battle of Gum Swamp was fought. After the battle I withdrew my company, crossed the enemy's trail through the swamp, and after hours of wandering joined our Reg iment at Wise's Fork. About half of the Regiment was captured. Com pany I did not lose a single man. Forced March to Richmond At this time the enemy was threat ning Richmond from both sides of the James River. To meet emergen cies our brigade was moved rapidly from place to place. May 28, to Pe tersburg; 29, Richmond; June 2 Pe tersburg; June 13, Drewry's bluff; 17, Petersburg; 21, Halfway House. June 26, we had a night march to Seven Pines to meet a column of the enemy coming from White House. June 2, we met a large force of Fed erals, partly new recruits, near Bot tom's Bridfee,' and had the longest running fight that I saw daring the war. We advanced eight or ten miles ( rapidly, often at double quick, but the enemy outran us to the shelter of their gunboat on York River. July 11 we were at Petersburg; 28 at Weldon, N. C.; August 1, Garys burg, N. C.; August 12, Halifax, 13th, Hamilton; 16th ordered back to Garysburg. About the last of August '63, my company with others, was ordered to Wilkes County, N. C., to break up the gang of deserters and lawless characters, whose refuge was in the « mountains. We arrested a large num ber and sent them to the army. These men were from several states. After Deserters in North Carolina My company was in Wilkes, Ashe, Alleghany and Randolph counties un til January 1, 1864, when the Regi ment was assembled at Goldsboro, where we drilled until ordered to Kinston, about the 28th, 29 and 31st we advanced toward Newbern. Feb ruary Ist, we moved at 2 a. m. and captured an outpost on Bachelor s Creek, my company on skirmish line took several prisoners. One man, hid den in the grass, threw up his hands as we came near. James Nelon was in the act of shooting him when I struck down the gun with my sword. We made a rush for the railroad bridge, hoping to cut off the enemy, but failed, then closed in around Newbern and spent the day in sight of their fortifications, then were sent back to Kinston. February 7th, sent to Weldon by train; 26th to Franklin, Va.; March 9, to Suffolk, where we captured a number of prisoners and returned to Franklin; 12th, by train to Weldon. We then camped at Garysburg for drilling, also muster, and inspection for January and February, by Col onel Faison. Here I had my first ex perience in drilling a regiment. We left Tarboro April 14, and the next day the march to Plymouth began. The 49th Regiment being absent on special duty, the Bth Regiment was placed in Ransom's Brigade until its return. Battle of Plymouth We reached the vicinity of Ply mouth on Sunday, April 17. Brigadi er General R. F. Hoke, commanded this expedition. Under him were his own brigade, Colonel Lewis, com manding, Kempers Virginia Brigade; General M. W. Ransom's Brigade; Deering's Cavalry, Branch's and oth er artillery. The engagement began Sunday i evening, the enemy opening fire with artillery. My company was de ployed as skirmishers on the Wash ington Road and drove the Yankee skirmishers within their breasworks. April 18. The position of my com mand was changed to the south front of the enemy's fortifications. About 5 p. m. a staff officer rode up to our Commander with General Ran som's compliments, and said, "Send me Capt. Harrill's Company." We were sent forward to engage the ene my's pickets and drove them in. The Yankee artillery opened fire, and we sheltered behind stumps and logs, as best we could, to avoid the heavy fire of grape shot hurled at us. We lay down and all the artillery on both sides opened fire, the shot and shell passing over us. The artillery duel is described in North Carolina History, Vol. V, page 179, as follows: "The action commenced about sunset. The night being perfectly clear with a full moon, every object was visible. The sight was magnificent. The screaming, hissing shells, meeting and passing each other like blazing comets with their burning fuses and would burst with frightful noise, scattering their fragments as thick as hail." April 19. Our position was chang ed several times. At dark we march ed' to east of Plymouth. About mid night we reached Conaby Creek where the bridge had been destroyed by the enemy. We crossed the creek on a pontoon bridge and took posi tion in an open field in front of strong fortifications. Advance on Plymouth April 20th. We advanced on the THE FOREST CITY COURIER, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1928. town at day break. My company was | ordered to keep close to the river, as sharpshooters, without regard to the | movements of the regiment. We crossed a swamp through water hip-deep, advanced through yards and gardens, to the crossing of Jeff erson Street, where we came into range of heavy infantry fire. T. R. Campbell, Samuel Green, J. P. Pli:l --beck, H. W. Price, R. H. Wall and Housen Harrill were wounded. The latter still carries a minnie-ball in his leg as a souvenir. William Daves, Co. I, color guard (with the regi ment) was instantly killed. Advancing, we reached Battery Worth, fired into the open rear door, whereupon the occupants surrender ed. Taking the prisoners with us we turned to the left. About seventy-five yards in that direction brought us to the rear of the right wing of the enemy's fortifications, full of Fed eral soldiers, who promptly surrend ered. We marched our prisoners, (Double our own number) into the western end of Water Street and re quired them to sit or lie down. Thus we had opened the way for Lewis' men to enter the town from the west side without firing a shot. Part Taken By Harrill's Men The quotations given below bear upon this engagement and the part taken by my men. North Carolina Regiments, Volume 5, page 188: "Company I of the 6th Regiment, under Captain Harrill, was sent in advance of the Regiment with orders to keep along the river was thus the first company to enter the town, and about "sunrise captured 20 artillery ists who were serving the 200 pound gun intended for the Albemarle, which was proceeding up the river with our line and secured Captain Jbr Economical Tr&ntporimHcn JEjgpi^ Urue Distinction with Bo dj by Fisher Ihe Coach only $585 The Touring y|QC Of all the reasons contribute steel construction. And in or Roadster ~ ing to the tremendous public every Chevrolet closed body T^e ' acceptance of the Bigger and there is provided the uphol- Coupe t/v v Better Chevrolet none is more stery of rich pattern, the hard- The 4-Door important than the fact that ware of period design, and the Sedan Ul v | it offers the distinction, safety attractive color harmonies The Convertible and comfort of Body by which are such important. Sport Fisher. factors in true motor car Cabriolet 01/3 Not only do Chevrolet-Fisher distinction. The Imperial s*7l £ bodies reveal outstanding When you examine the Chev- Landau llv beauty of line, detail and fin- rolet coach you will realize Light Delivery SQ7C ish, but they provide the how impressively it embodies (Chassis only). Oid added strength and safety of these fundamentals of fine car Utilitv Truck Fisher's famous hardwood and quality. Come in today! (Chassis only) jZI) All prices f. o. b. Flint, Mich. M n IV t ff /// \ \ Model Chevrolet Company FOREST CITY, N. QUAL ITY AT LOW COST Cook from furth«r opposition of any moment." North Carolina Regiments, Vol. 111, page 340, 342, 343: "Company I pressed 4 straightforward sweeping ev erything before them between Water Street and the river bank "The part assigned Harrill's men un der their fearless leader had been ef fectually accomplished. Through wat er hip deep they crossed the canal and swamjL. and keeping near the river, passing around houses and bursting through garden and yard fences, they reached the rear of Bat tery containing the 200 pounder specially provided to antici pate the coming of our iron clad "Al bemarle." One volley was sufficient. The white flag was run up and the battery with some „ twenty artillery men surrendered to him. Taking the prisoners with them from this bat tery on the river they immediately [charged to their left and thus struck in the flank and rear the right sec jtion of the enemy's line of battle [occupying the breasworks here on Water street facing up the river. His demand to surrender was promptly complied with and while Harrill here gathered in his prisoners largely out numbering his own rank and file, Lewis' men, who had held the atten tion of the enemy in their front, came in at a double quick over the cause-way leading through the swamp on the west of Plymouth, passed Har rill's position and joined Graham's ! detachment." General Wessels, commander of the United States forces, says: "At daybreak the following day, 20th of April, while my right front was ser iously threatened, the enemy advanc ed rapidly against my left, assault ing and carrying the line in that quarter, penetrating the town along J Dr. RALPH R the river and capturing Battery Dentist Worth." Telephone i sh (To be continued) New Pool fe Buii di mm ■"■■"" INSURANCE {• ' _ m j BROWN INSURANOH AGENCY w. U mom V Bwd^Buflffiag MMH ALniOMM BOILING SPRINGS JUNIOR COLLEGE / offers this year courses in college work as well as the regular four-year high school course. 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Forest City Courier (Forest City, N.C.)
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July 12, 1928, edition 1
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