Tarheels During the Civil War

Monday, November 29, 2010

Official Report of Roswell Ripley for Seven Days Battles

Report of Brigadier General Roswell Ripley on the Seven Days battles around Richmond.

Hdqrs. Fifth Brigade, D.H. Hill's Division,
Near Richmond, Va., July 11th, 1862.


Major: I have the honor to report that on the morning of Thursday, June 26, the brigade under my command, consisting of the First and Third Regiments North Carolina troops and Forty-fourth and Forty-eighth Regiments of Georgia Volunteers, marched from its position near the Williamsburg Road, about 5 miles from Richmond, to a point in the vicinity of the batteries commanding the bridge over the Chickahominy River, on the Mechanicsville turnpike.
With other troops at that point the brigade lay waiting orders until near 4 p.m., when it was ordered to cross the Chickahominy in advance of the division, and effect a junction with the troops of Maj. Gen. A.P. Hill's command, then moving down the Chickahominy in the direction of Mechanicsville. The order was executed and the infantry crossed at once, forming line of battle across the road leading to the village, about half a mile in advance of the bridge. Upon communicating with Gen. A.P. Hill I was informed that the enemy had a strong and well-served battery and force in position near Ellison's Mill, something over a mile to the east of the road, to attack which he had sent Brigadier-General Pender's brigade by the right and other troops to the left, and it was arranged that my brigade was to co-operate. The enemy had opened on the Mechanicsville road and was rapidly verifying the range. My brigade changed front and advanced to the brow of the hill opposite the enemy's battery, expecting, if possible, to use artillery in the attack. While the troops were in motion I received orders to assault the enemy from General Lee and also from Maj. Gen. D.H. Hill, the latter of whom directed me to send two regiments to support General Pender, on my right, and attack the battery in my front with the remainder of my force. The Forty-fourth Georgia, under Col. Robert A. Smith, and the First North Carolina, under Col. [M.S.] Stokes,  marched at once to the right, while the Forty-eighth Georgia, under Col. [William] Gibson, and  Third North Carolina, under Colonel [Gaston] Meares, moved to a position in front of the enemy on their left.
Meanwhile the passage of the Chickahominy by the artillery had been impeded by the broken bridges, and night coming on and it being deemed important to attack the position at once, the advance was ordered along the whole line. General Pender's brigade and the two regiments of my own advanced rapidly on the right, while the remainder of my command moved against the front, driving back the enemy from his advanced positions and closing in upon the batteries and their heavy infantry supports, all of which poured upon our troops a heavy and incessant fire of shell, canister, and musketry. The ground was ragged and intersected by ditches and hedges and covered with abatis a short distance in front of the position to be assaulted. A mill-race, with scarped banks, and in some places waist deep in water, ran along the front of the enemy at a distance ranging from 50 to 100 yards. To this position our troops succeeded in advancing, notwithstanding the fire of the enemy was exceedingly heavy and our loss extremely severe. Of the Forty-fourth Georgia Col. Robert A. Smith and Lieutenant-Colonel [John B.] Estes fell wounded, the former mortally, besides 2 captains and 10 lieutenants killed and wounded. Of the First North Carolina Colonel Stokes was mortally, and Lieutenant-Colonel [John A.] McDowell severely, wounded, and Major [T.L.] Skinner killed, with 6 captains and lieutenants of the regiment killed and wounded, including the adjutant. The Forty-eighth Georgia and Third North Carolina had a more advantageous position, and suffered less severely than the former regiments, although the Third lost its Major (Edward Savage), wounded. The loss of non-commissioned officers and privates was heavy in the extreme, amounting in the Forty-fourth Georgia to 321 and in the First North Carolina to 133.
Near dark Capt. A. Burnet Rhett's battery of artillery, attached to my command, succeeded in crossing the broken bridges over the Chickahominy, and was located directly in front of the enemy at about 1,200 yards distance. Captain Rhett opened an effective fire, and soon relieved our infantry from the storm of shell and canister which had been poured upon them. It was soon re-enforced by another battery, and a fire was kept up on the enemy until late in the evening.
Some time after nightfall, after the cannonade, our troops were withdrawn to a point of woods a few hundred yards' distance, near the angle of our line of battle, which position was held by the Third North Carolina and Forty-eighth Georgia and a portion of General Pender's brigade. The fragments of the First North Carolina and Forty-fourth Georgia were rallied some distance in the rear under some difficulty, owing to the loss of all their field and many of their company officers, who fell while gallantly performing their duty.
During the night the enemy was engaged destroying and removing his stores, but the darkness and the intricacies of the position prevented an attack by our troops.
At about 12 o'clock Colonel Colquitt's brigade advanced to within supporting distance of my command.
At about 2.30 on the morning of the 27th my own and Colonel Colquitt's brigade were relieved by Generals Featherston and Pryor, and moved to a position near and beyond Mechanicsville, on the turnpike, where they remained, under a fire of shot and shell from the enemy's batteries along that road until the latter were turned by our troops in advance or silenced by our artillery. The brigade then moved forward with the division on the road to Cold Harbor, and was held for a short time in reserve after arriving at that point. It then consisted of the Third North Carolina and Forty-eighth Georgia, with a battalion of the First North Carolina, under Capt. H.A. Brown, and but a fragment of the Forty-fourth Georgia, which had been sadly cut up. Some portions of both the latter regiments were, as I have been informed, ordered by General Lee to act as a guard at the Chickahominy Bridge, on the Mechanicsville turnpike.
In the afternoon the brigade was ordered to the front to take position on the left of the line, which had been formed, and moved to the point designated. The country was densely wooded, and in some places covered with morass, and the movement was executed with some difficulty. In searching for position for the command I found some portion of our own troops already in front of the line which I was to occupy, and receiving a message from Brig. Gen. R.H. Anderson that support was required, I sent the Forty-eighth Georgia to the right of the position occupied by our own division to act in that capacity. The Third North Carolina and the battalion of the First remained upon the left. During the various movements in the thick woods and swamps a certain portion of the Third North Carolina became separated from the body of the regiment.
During this while the brigade, as well as the rest of the division, was under a heavy fire of artillery, but suffered comparatively little, being sheltered from view and partially from fire. 
Before dark the masses of the enemy appeared in the vicinity of the command, apparently endeavoring to turn our left. In this he was checked by the fire of our artillery and the charges made upon him by troops of different divisions and brigades in succession. These, from the nature of the ground, were more or less separate movements. The battalion of the Third North Carolina, under Colonel Meares, and of the First North Carolina, under Captain Brown, took part, doing good service. The Forty-eighth Georgia, from its position, was masked by the troops in front and did not get into close action.
The loss in this battle from the brigade was comparatively small.
During the night the troops remained on the field, and moved early the following morning, with the division in advance, toward the Grapevine Bridge, which had been destroyed by the enemy in his retreat during the night. It bivouacked within 1 1/2 miles of that point during Saturday and Sunday.
On Monday, July 1, it moved with the division early across the repaired bridge, and followed the route of the enemy's retreat until he was found in position on the farther side of White Oak Swamp Creek. Here it was brought to withing supporting distance of the artillery of the division, which engaged the enemy until night-fall, driving him from his position and enabling the pioneers to repair the bridge, over which we crossed on Tuesday morning, and followed the retreat of the enemy until our army came up with him in position at Malvern Hill.
Taking different positions during the morning, in the afternoon the brigade advanced, under orders from the major-general commanding division, through a heavy fire of artillery, to a dense wood in close proximity of the enemy's position, where it lay for a time in reserve.
At about 5 o'clock it was ordered to take position in a jungle near the hill upon which the enemy was established and to the left of General Anderson's brigade, which it did in the following order: The Forty-eighth Georgia was on the right, the Third North Carolina, the Forty-fourth Georgia (about 170 men of which had rallied and been brought by Captain Beck and other officers), and the First North Carolina on the left under Lieutenant-Colonel [William P.] Bynum, of the Second, who had been detached from the command of the First Regiment.
In obedience to the orders of General Hill I ordered a reconnaissance of the enemy's position, and found him immediately in our front in strong force, with a battery well advanced toward us and supported by strong lines of infantry. The number of his guns could only be judged of by the rapidity of his fire, owing to the nature of the country.
At about 6.30 or 7 o'clock an attack was made by the troops on our right, and we were, with the other brigades in advance, ordered by General Hill to move forward at once and attack the enemy. Gordon's and Anderson's brigades were on my right, and the troops of the three mounted the hill in a gallant manner. At its brow our troops were met with a furious fire of shot, shell, and musketry; officers and men fell fast, but they maintained their ground, opening and keeping up a severe fire upon the enemy in return, before which his advanced battery fell back and his troops wavered. He pressed hard upon our left, however, and while moving his regiment to its supports the gallant and accomplished Col. Gaston Meares, of the Third North Carolina Regiment, fell. Meanwhile Garland's and Colquitt's brigade had been advanced and made good the action on the right.
Darkness, however, was rapidly approaching, and, not knowing the extent of the enemy's suffering, the troops fell back to the road near the brow of the hill; other portions withdrew to the cover of the rising ground, and the night coming on, there was much confusion from the loss of officers and the nature of the country. Dense, dark, and in many places marshy, observation could reach but a short distance, quick movement was impossible, and in the din of battle the voice could be heard but a few yards.
Fresh troops were ordered forward, and the troops of the brigade were collected in parties by such officers as they fell in with. A portion remained in the vicinity of the field during the night, and the remainder, with portions of other brigades of the division having been collected, were retired a short distance on the Charles City road. During the night the enemy fell away from the hardly contested field.
On Wednesday morning the brigade was reformed at the church in front of the battle-field and with the division, whence it marched a short distance to the bivouac, at and near which it remained until the movement of the 9th to its present vicinity.
The movements and actions of the brigade under my command during the six days' operations of the army being but a constituent portion of those of the division and army, a more detailed report is believed unnecessary.
The aggregate force which entered the series of engagements on June 26 was 2,366, including pioneers and the ambulance corps. Of this our loss has been 45 officers and 844 non commissioned officers and privates in killed, wounded, and missing, the latter class numbering but 30. Seven out of 11 field officers fell killed and wounded while leading on their regiments, and of the 7, 4 are dead. To the memory of these the country will give that meed of consideration which is the reward of brave men battling in such a cause as ours.
Three colonels of four, all brave and accomplished officers- Col. M.S. Stokes, of the First North Carolina; Col. Gaston Meares of the Third North Carolina, and Col. Robert A. Smith of the Forty-fourth Georgia- have sealed their devotion with their lives. Their conduct on the field was beyond praise, and in their loss their regiments and the service have suffered severely. Maj. Skinner, of the First North Carolina, died in a like manner. Lieutenant-Colonel McDowell, of the First North Carolina, and Lieutenant-Colonel Estes (the former severely and the latter slightly) were both wounded in the front of the battle. Of the surviving officers, Colonel Gibson and Lieut.-Col. R.W. Carswell, of the Forty-eighth Georgia, led their regiment in the actions in which it was engaged. Lieutenant-Colonel De Rosset and Captain Thruston, acting field officers of the Third North Carolina, behaved with credit to themselves, and made good, to as full extent as possible, the loss sustained in their gallant colonel. Capt. H.A. Brown, of the First North Carolina, rallied the troops of his regiment, with other officers, after all the field officers had been lost, and led the regiment until relieved by Lieutenant-Colonel Bynum. Capts. J.W. Beck and Samuel P. Lumpkin, of the Forty-fourth Georgia, marched with the brigade with the fragment of the regiment on the 27th and served through the subsequent actions. But 179 of this regiment were unhurt at the action at Ellison's Mill of those who entered.
I was attended during the engagements by my staff, Capt. Leo D. Walker, assistant adjutant-general, and Lieut. F.G. Ravenel, aide-de-camp. Lieutenant Ravenel, after behaving with most distinguished gallantry at Ellison's Mill and Cold Harbor, was killed while leading on the troops of the right of the brigade, in the very front, at the battle of Malvern Hill. Of all who have fallen during this series of engagements none braver have sealed their devotion to our cause. Major Mitchell, brigade commissary, was also on the field and rendered valuable services.
In conclusion I beg to remark that the troops of this brigade, arriving at Richmond just after the battle of Seven Pines, were ordered immediately to the front, and performed picket and outpost duty, with slight intermission, until the march toward Mechanicsville. Two of the regiments, the First and Third North Carolina, had been some time in service but not in action. The Forty-fourth and Forty-eighth Georgia were new troops, and it is perhaps to be regretted, as the whole were brigaded for the first time, that some more opportunity could not have been afforded for perfecting their organization and discipline as a brigade. Nevertheless, the mass of the troops did their duty well, and although there were exceptions, from respect to those gallant officers and men who upheld bravely the honor of their flag, those who strayed from the field of duty I leave to their own consciences and the condemnation of their comrades.
I have the honor to inclose a return and lists of the killed and wounded and the reports of regimental commanders so far as they have been received.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
R.S. Ripley,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.


Series I, Vol. X1. (Part II) Chapter XXIII, Pgs. 647-651.



Saturday, November 20, 2010

First North Carolina Regiment at Big Bethel

Official Report of Col. D.H. Hill of the First Regiment North Carolina Volunteers at Big Bethel, June 12, 1861.

Sir: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to orders from the Colonel commanding, I marched on the 6th instant, with my regiment and four pieces of Major Randolph's battery, from Yorktown, on the Hampton road, to Bethel Church, nine miles from Hampton. We reached there after dark on a wet night, and slept without tents. Early on the morning of the 7th I made a reconnaissance of the ground, preparatory to fortifying. I found a branch of Back River on our front, and encircling our right flank. On our left was a dense and almost impassable wood, except about one hundred and fifty yards of old field. The breadth of the road, a thick wood, and narrow cultivated field covered our rear. The nature of the ground determined me to make an inclosed work, and I had the invaluable aid of Lieutenant-Colonel Lee, of my regiment, in its plan and construction. Our position had the inherent defect of being commanded by an immense field immediately in front of it, upon which the masses of the enemy might be rapidly deployed. Presuming that an attempt would be made to carry the bridge across the stream, a battery was made for its especial protection, and Major Randolph placed his guns so as to sweep all the approaches to it. The occupation of two commanding eminences beyond the creek and on our right would have greatly strengthened our position, but our force was to weak to admit of the occupation of more than one of them. A battery was laid out on it for one of Randolph's howitzers. We had only twenty-five spades, six axes, and three picks, but these were busily plied all day and night of the 7th and all day on the 8th. On the afternoon of the 8th I learned that a marauding party of the enemy was within a few miles of us. I called for a party of thirty-four men to drive them back. Lieutenant Roberts, of Company F, of my regiment, promptly responded, and in five minutes his command was en route. I detached Major Randolph with one howitzer to join them, and Lieutenant-Colonel Lee, First Regiment North Carolina Volunteers, requested and was granted permission to take command of the whole. After a march of five miles they came across the marauders busy over the spoils of a plundered house. A shell soon put the plunderers to flight, and they were chased over New Market Bridge, where our little force was halted, in consequence of the presence of a considerable body situated on the other side. Lieutenant-Colonel Lee brought in one prisoner. How many of the enemy were killed and wounded is not known. None of our command was hurt. Soon after Lieutenant-Colonel Lee left a citizen came dashing in with the information that seventy-five marauders were on the Back River road. I called for Captain McDowell's Company (E). of the First Regiment North Carolina Volunteers, and in three minutes it was in hot pursuit. Lieutenant West, of the Howitzer Battalion, with one piece, was detached to join them, and Major Lane, of my regiment, volunteered to assume command of the whole. After a weary march they encountered, dispersed, and chased the wretches over the New Market Bridge - this being the second race on the same day over the New Market course, in both of which the Yankees reached the goal first. Major Lane brought in one prisoner. Reliable citizens reported that two cart loads and one buggy load of wounded were taken into Hampton. We had not a single man killed or wounded. Colonel Magruder came up that evening and assumed command.
On Sunday, the 9th, a fresh supply of tools enabled us to put more men to work, and, when not engaged in religious duties, the men worked vigorously on the intrenchments. We were aroused at 3 o'clock on Monday morning for a general advance upon the enemy, and marched three and a half miles, when we learned that the foe, in large force, was within a few hundred yards of us. We fell back hastily upon our intrenchments, and awaited the arrival of our invaders. Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart, of the Third Virginia Regiment, having come with some one hundred and eighty men, was stationed on the hill on the extreme right, beyond creek, and Company G, of my regiment, was also thrown over the stream to protect the howitzer under Captain Brown. Captain Bridgers, Company A, First North Carolina Regiment, took post in the dense woods beyond and to the left of the road. Major Montague, with three companies of his battalion, was ordered up from the rear, and took post on our right, beginning at the church and extending along the entire front on that side. This fine body of men and the gallant command of Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart worked with great rapidity, and in an hour had constructed temporary shelters against the enemy's fire. Just at 9 o'clock a.m., the heavy columns of the enemy were seen approaching rapidly and in good order, but when Randolph opened upon them at 9.15 their organization was completely broken up. The enemy promptly replied with his artillery, firing briskly but wildly. He made an attempt at deployment on our right of the road, under cover of some houses and a paling. He was, however, promptly driven back by our artillery, a Virginia company - the Life Guards - and Companies B and G of my regiment. The enemy attempted no deployment within musketry range during the day, except under cover of woods, fences, or paling. Under cover of the trees he moved a strong column to an old ford, some three-quarters of a mile below, where I had placed a picket of some forty men. Colonel Magruder sent Captain Werth's company, of Montague's command, with one howitzer, under Sergeant Crane, to drive back this column, which was done by a single shot from the howitzer. Before this a priming wire had been broken in the vent of the howitzer commanded by Captain Brown, and rendered it useless.
A force estimated at one thousand five hundred was now attempting to outflank us and get in the rear of Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart's small command. He was accordingly directed to fall back, and the whole of our advanced troops were withdrawn. At this critical moment I directed Lieutenant-Colonel Lee to call Captain Bridgers out of the swamp, and ordered him to reoccupy the nearest advanced work, and I ordered Captain Ross, Company C, First Regiment North Carolina Volunteers, to the support of Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart. These two captains, with their companies, crossed over to Randolph's battery, under a most heavy fire, in a most gallant manner. As Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart had withdrawn, Captain Ross was detained at the church, near Randolph's battery. Captain Bridgers, however, crossed over and drove the zouaves out of the advanced howitzer battery, and reoccupied it. It is impossible to overestimate this service. It decided the action in our favor. 
In obedience to orders from Colonel Magruder, Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart marched back, and, in spite of the presence of a foe ten times his superior in number, resumed in the most heroic manner the possession of his intrenchments. A fresh howitzer was carried across and placed in the battery, and Captain Avery, of Company G, was directed to defend it at all hazards.
We were now as secure as at the beginning of the fight, and as yet had no man killed. The enemy, finding himself foiled on our right flank, next made his final demonstration on our left. A strong column, supposed to consist of volunteers from different regiments, and under command of Captain Winthrop, aide-de-camp to General Butler, crossed over the creek and appeared at the angle on our left. Those in advance had put on our distinctive badge of a white band around the cap, and they cried out repeatedly, "Don't fire." This ruse was practiced to enable the whole column to get over the creek and form in good order. They now began to cheer most lustily, thinking that our work was open at the gorge, and that they could get in by a sudden rush. Companies B and C, however, dispelled the illusion by a cool, deliberate, and well directed fire. Colonel Magruder sent over portions of Companies G, C, and H of my regiment to our support, and now began as cool firing on our side as was ever witnessed. 
The three field officers of the regiment were present, and but few shots were fired without their permission, the men repeatedly saying, "May I fire!" "I think I can bring him." They were all in high glee, and seemed to enjoy it as much as boys do rabbit-shooting.  Captain Winthrop, while most gallantly urging on his men, was shot through the heart, when all rushed back with the utmost precipitation. So far as my observation extended he was the only one of the enemy who exhibited even an approximation to courage during the whole day.
The fight at the angle lasted but twenty minutes. It completely discouraged the enemy, and he made no further effort at assault. The house in front, which had served as a hiding place for the enemy, was now fired by a shell from a howitzer, and the outhouses and palings were soon in a blaze. As all shelter was now taken from him, the enemy called in his troops, and started back for Hampton. As he had left sharpshooters behind him in the woods on our left, the dragoons could not advance, until Captain Hoke, of Company K, First North Carolina Volunteers, had thoroughly explored them. As soon as he gave the assurance of the road being clear, Captain Douthatt, with some one hundred dragoons, in compliance with Colonel Magruder's orders, pursued. The enemy in his haste threw away hundreds of canteens, haversacks, overcoats, &c.; even the dead were thrown out of the wagons. The pursuit soon became a chase, and for the third time the enemy won the race over the New Market course. The bridge was torn up behind him and our dragoons returned to camp. There were not quite eight hundred of my regiment engaged in the fight, and not one-half of these drew trigger during the day. All remained manfully at the posts assigned them, and not a man in the regiment behaved badly. The companies not engaged were as much exposed and rendered equal service with those participating in the fight. They deserve equally the thanks of the country. In fact, it is the most trying ordeal to which soldiers can be subjected, to receive a fire which their orders forbid them to return. Had a single company left its post our works would have been exposed; and the constancy and discipline of the unengaged companies cannot be too highly commended. A detachment of fifteen cadets from the North Carolina Military Institute defended the howitzer under Lieutenant Hudnall, and acted with great coolness and determination.
I cannot speak in too high terms of my two field officers, Lieutenant-Colonel Lee and Major Lane. Their services have been of the highest importance since taking the field to the present moment. My thanks, too, are due, in an especial manner, to Lieut. J.M. Poteat, adjutant, and Lieut. J.W. Ratchford, aide, both of them cadets of the North Carolina Institute at Charlotte. The latter received a contusion in the forehead from a grape shot, which nearly cost him his life. Captain Bridgers' company, A; Lieutenant Owens, commanding Company B; Captain Ross, Company C; Captain Ashe, Company D; Captain McDowell, Company E; Captain Starr, Company F; Captain Avery, Company G; Captain Huske, Company H; Lieutenant Whitaker, commanding Company I; Captain Hoke, Company K, displayed great coolness, judgment, and efficiency.  Lieutenant Gregory is highly spoken of by Major Lane for soldierly bearing on the 8th. Lieutenants Cook and McKethan, Company H, crossed over under a heavy fire to the assistance of the troops attacked on the left. So did Lieutenant Cohen, Company C. Lieutenant Hoke has shown great zeal, energy, and judgment as an engineer officer on various occasions.
Corporal George Williams, Privates Henry L. Wyatt, Thomas Fallan, and John Thorpe, Company A, volunteered to burn the house which concealed the enemy. They behaved with great gallantry. Wyatt was killed and the other three recalled. 
Sergeant Thomas J. Stewart and Private William McDowell, Company A, reconnoitered the position of the enemy, and went far in advance of our troops. Private J.W. Potts, of Company B, is specially mentioned by his company commander; so are Sergeant William Elmo, Company C; Sergeants C.L. Watts, W.H. McDade, , Company D; Sergeant J.M. Young, Corporal John Dingler, Privates G.H.A. Adams, R.V. Gudger, G.W. Werley, John C. Wright, T.Y. Little, J.F. Jenkins, Company E; R.W. Stedman, M.E. Dye, H.E. Benton, J.B. Smith, Company F; G.W. Buhmann, James C. McRae, Company H.
Casualties. - Private Henry L. Wyatt, Company K, mortally wounded; Lieut. J.W. Ratchford, contusion; Private Council Rodgers, Company H, severely wounded; Private Charles Williams, Company H, severely wounded; Private S. Patterson, Company D, slightly wounded; Private William White, Company K, wounded; Private Peter Poteat, Company G, slightly wounded.
I cannot close this too elaborate report without speaking in the highest terms of admiration of the Howitzer Battery and its most accomplished commander, Major Randolph. He has no superior as an artillerist in any country, and his men displayed the utmost skill and coolness. The left howitzer, under Lieutenant Hudnall, being nearest my works, came under my special notice. Their names are as follows:
Lieutenant Hudnall commanding (wounded), Sergeant S.B. Hughes, G.H. Pendleton, R.P. Pleasants, William M. Caldwell, George W. Hobson, William McCarthy, H.C. Shook (wounded), L.W. Timberlake, George P. Hughes, John Worth (wounded), D.B. Clark.
Permit me, in conclusion, to pay a well deserved compliment to the First Regiment North Carolina Volunteers. Their patience under trial, perseverance under toil, and courage under fire have seldom been surpassed by veteran troops. Often working night and day - sometimes without tents and cooking utensils - a murmur has never escaped them to my knowledge. They have done a large portion of the work on the intrenchments at Yorktown, as well as those at Bethel. Had all of the regiments in the field worked with the same spirit, there would not be an assailable point in Virginia. After the battle they shook hands affectionately with the spades, calling them "clever fellows and good friends." 
The men are influenced by high moral and religious sentiments, and their conduct has furnished another example of the great truth that he who fears God will ever do his duty to his country.
The Confederates had in all about one thousand two hundred men in the action. The enemy had the regiments of Colonel Duryea (zouaves), Colonel Carr, Colonel Allen, Colonel Bendix, and Colonel Wardrop (Massachusetts), from Old Point Comfort, and five companies of Phelps' regiment from Newport News. We had never more than three hundred actively engaged at any one time. The Confederate loss was eleven wounded; of these, one mortally. The enemy must have lost some three hundred. I could not, without great disparagement of their courage, place their loss at a lower figure. It is inconceivable that five thousand men should make so precipitate a retreat without having sustained at least this much of a reverse.
Let us devoutly thank the living God for His wonderful interposition in our favor, and evince our gratitude by the exemplariness of our lives.
With great respect,
D.H. Hill,
Colonel First Regiment North Carolina Volunteers


Colonel J.B. Magruder, Commander York line.


Series I. Vol. II., Chapter IX, Pgs. 93-97.



Petersburg Campaign February 28, 1865

North Carolina Order of Battle, Operations around Petersburg and Richmond, VA, February 28, 1865.

Second Corps

Grimes' Division

Cox's Brigade
1st North Carolina
2d North Carolina
3rd North Carolina
4th North Carolina
14th North Carolina
30th North Carolina

Cowand's Brigade
32d North Carolina
43rd North Carolina
45th North Carolina
53rd North Carolina
2d North Carolina Battalion

Johnston's Division

Lea's Brigade
5th North Carolina
12th North Carolina
20th North Carolina
23rd North Carolina
1st North Carolina Battalion

Lewis' Brigade
6th North Carolina
21st North Carolina
54th North Carolina
57th North Carolina

Third Corps

Davis' Division

Cooke's Brigade
15th North Carolina
27th North Carolina
46th North Carolina
48th North Carolina
55th North Carolina

MacRae's Brigade
11th North Carolina
26th North Carolina
44th North Carolina
47th North Carolina
52d North Carolina

Lane's Division

Barry's Brigade
7th North Carolina
18th North Carolina
28th North Carolina
33rd North Carolina
37th North Carolina

Scales' Brigade
13th North Carolina
16th North Carolina
22d North Carolina
34th North Carolina
38th North Carolina

Anderson's Corps

Ransom's Brigade
24th North Carolina
25th North Carolina
35th North Carolina
49th North Carolina
56th North Carolina

Cavalry Corps

W.H.F. Lee's Division

Barringer's Brigade
1st North Carolina Cavalry
2d North Carolina Cavalry
3rd North Carolina Cavalry
5th North Carolina Cavalry

Dearing's Brigade
4th North Carolina Cavalry
16th North Carolina Cavalry Battalion

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Battle of Averasboro

North Carolina Order of Battle, Battle of Averasboro, NC, March 15-16, 1862.

Hardee's Forces

Taliaferro's Division

Elliott's Brigade
2d Battalion North Carolina Local Defense

Battle of Wyse Fork

North Carolina Order of Battle, Battle of Wyse Fork, Kinston, NC, March 7-10, 1865.

Department of North Carolina (Bragg)

Hoke's Division

Clingman's Brigade
8th North Carolina
31st North Carolina
51st North Carolina
61st North Carolina

Kirkland's Brigade
17th North Carolina
42d North Carolina
66th North Carolina

Taylor's Contingent
1st North Carolina Heavy Artillery
36th North Carolina (2d NC Artillery)
13th North Carolina Light Artillery (1 Co.)

Holland's Contingent
40th North Carolina (3rd NC Artillery)

Whitford's Brigade
67th North Carolina
68th North Carolina

Artillery
13th Battalion North Carolina Light Artillery (2 Cos.)

Army of Tennessee Contingent (D.H. Hill)

North Carolina Junior Reserves Brigade (attached)
70th North Carolina (1st Junior Reserves)
71st North Carolina (2d Junior Reserves)
72d North Carolina (3rd Junior Reserves)
20th Battalion North Carolina Junior Reserves

Wilmington Campaign

North Carolina Order of Battle, Wilmington Campaign (Fort Anderson, Town Creek, Sugar Loaf ), Feb.  11-22, 1865.

Sugar Loaf
Hoke's Division

Clingman's Brigade
8th North Carolina
31st North Carolina
51st North Carolina
61st North Carolina

Kirkland's Brigade
17th North Carolina
42d North Carolina
66th North Carolina

Artillery
3rd Battalion North Carolina Light Artillery (2 Cos.)
1st North Carolina Artillery (10th NCST) (2 Cos.)

Fort Anderson
Artillery
3rd Battalion North Carolina Light Artillery (2 Cos.)

Hedrick's Brigade
40th North Carolina (3rd NC Artillery) (6 Cos.)
36th North Carolina (2nd NC Artillery (remnants)
1st Battalion North Carolina Heavy Artillery (4 Cos.)
71st North Carolina (2nd NC Junior Reserves)
Capt. MacDougald'd unattached Company
Coast Guard Company

Wilmington
Armory Guards
Co.B
7th Regiment Home Guard
8th North Carolina Senior Reserves
13th Battalion North Carolina Light/Heavy Artillery (1 Co.)
68th North Carolina (1 Co.)
McDougald's Company (detachment)

Battle of Nashville

North Carolina Order of Battle, Battle of Nashville, TN December 15-16, 1864.

Army of Tennessee

Lee's Corps

Brown's and Reynold's Brigades
60th North Carolina

Stewart's Corps

French's Division

Ector's Brigade
29th North Carolina
39th North Carolina

Battle of Franklin

North Carolina Order of Battle, Battle of Franklin, TN, November 30, 1864.

Army of Tennessee

Stewart's Corps

French's Division

Ector's Brigade
29th North Carolina
39th North Carolina

Atlanta Campaign

North Carolina Order of Battle, Atlanta Campaign May 7-June 27, 1864.

Army of Tennessee

Hood's Corps

Stevenson's Division

Reynold's Brigade
58th North Carolina
60th North Carolina

Polk's Corps

French's Division

Ector's Brigade
29th North Carolina
39th North Carolina

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Chattanooga Campaign

North Carolina Order of Battle, Chattanooga, TN campaign, October-November, 1864.

Army of Tennessee

Hardee's Corps

Buckner's Division

Reynold's Brigade
58th North Carolina
60th North Carolina

Wheeler's Cavalry Corps

Wharton's Division

Harrison's Brigade
6th North Carolina Cavallry

Second Battle of Fort Fisher

North Carolina Order of Battle, Second Battle of Fort Fisher, January 13-15, 1865.

Fort Fisher Garrison (Lamb)
1st Battalion North Carolina Heavy Artillery (1 Co.)
3rd Battalion North Carolina Light Artillery (1 Co.)
1st North Carolina Artillery (10th NCT) (2 Cos.)
13th Battalion North Carolina Light Artillery (1 Co.)
2nd North Carolina Artillery (36th NCT) (10 Cos.)
3rd North Carolina Artillery (40th NCT) (4 Cos.)

First Battle of Fort Fisher

North Carolina Order of Battle, First Battle of Fort Fisher, as well as Sugar Loaf Line and other Wilmington defenses December, 1864.

Fort Fisher Garrison (Lamb)

1st North Carolina Heavy Artillery Battalion
1st Battalion North Carolina Junior Reserves (3 Cos.)
3rd Battalion North Carolina Light Artillery
4th Battalion North Carolina Junior Reserves (4 Cos.)
7th Battalion North Carolina Junior Reserves (3 Cos.)
8th Battalion North Carolina Junior Reserves (3 Cos.)
1st North Carolina Artillery (2 Cos.)
13th Battalion North Carolina Light Artillery
2d North Carolina Artillery (36th NCT) (5Cos.)
3rd North Carolina Artillery (40th NCT) (2 Cos.)

Troops at Wilmington
6th Battalion North Carolina Troops
Hahr's North Carolina Battalion
Allen's Company Local Defense
Sneed's Company Local Defense

Sugar Loaf Line
Hoke's Division

Kirkland's Brigade
17th North Carolina
42d North Carolina
66th North Carolina

1st North Carolina Artillery (10th NCT) (2 Cos.)

Connally's North Carolina Brigade of Reserves
4th Battalion North Carolina Junior Reserves (4 Cos.)
7th Battalion North Carolina Junior Reserves (3 Cos.)
8th Battalion North Carolina Junior Reserves (3 Cos.)
8th Battalion North Carolina Senior Reserves (5 Cos.)

Fort Anderson Garrison
3rd North Carolina Artillery (40th NCT) (1 Co.)

Fort Pender Garrison
3rd North Carolina Light Artillery (1 Co.)

Fort Caswell Garrison
2d North Carolina Artillery (36th NCT)
1st Battalion North Carolina Heavy Artillery (3 Cos.)

Fort Campbell Garrison
1st Battalion North Carolina Heavy Artillery (1 Co.)
3rd North Carolina Artillery (40th NCT) (1 Co.)

Petersburg Campaign December 31, 1864

North Carolina Order of Battle, operations around Petersburg, VA, December 31, 1864.

First Corps Artillery

Cabell's Battalion
Manly's (NC) Battery

Haskell's Battalion
Flanner's (NC) Battery

Second Corps (Gordon)

Rodes (Grimes) Division

Cox's Brigade
1st North Carolina
2d North Carolina
3rd North Carolina
4th North Carolina
14th North Carolina
30th North Carolina

Cowand's (Grimes) Brigade
32d North Carolina
43rd North Carolina
45th North Carolina
53rd North Carolina
2d North Carolina Battalion

Pegram's (Early's) Division

Johnston's Brigade
5th North Carolina
12th North Carolina
20th North Carolina
23rd North Carolina
1st North Carolina Battalion

Lewis' Brigade
6th North Carolina
21st North Carolina
54th North Carolina
57th North Carolina

Hill's Third Corps

Heth's Division

Davis' Brigade
55th North Carolina

MacRae's Brigade
11th North Carolina
26th North Carolina
44th North Carolina
47th North Carolina
52d North Carolina

Cooke's Brigade
15th North Carolina
27th North Carolina
46th North Carolina
48th North Carolina

Wilcox's Division

Lane's Brigade
7th North Carolina
18th North Carolina
28th North Carolina
33rd North Carolina
37th North Carolina

Scales' Brigade
13th North Carolina
16th North Carolina
22d North Carolina
34th North Carolina
38th North Carolina

Third Corps Artillery

Poague's Battalion
Williams' (NC) Battery

Anderson's Corps

Hoke's Division

Clingman's Brigade
8th North Carolina
31st North Carolina
51st North Carolina
61st North Carolina

Kirkland's Brigade
17th North Carolina
42d North Carolina
66th North Carolina

Johnson's Division

Ransom's Brigade
24th North Carolina
25th North Carolina
35th North Carolina
49th North Carolina
56th North Carolina

Anderson's Corps Artillery

Blount's Battalion
Cummings' (NC) Battery
Miller's (NC) Battery

Hampton's Cavalry Corps

Butler's Division

Dearing's Brigade
4th North Carolina Cavalry
16th North Carolina Cavalry Battalion

W.H.F. Lee's Division

Barringer's Brigade
1st North Carolina Cavalry
2d North Carolina Cavalry
3rd North Carolina Cavalry
5th North Carolina Cavalry

Monday, November 1, 2010

Petersburg Campaign November 30, 1864

North Carolina Order of Battle, operations around Petersburg, for November 30, 1864.

Longstreet's First Corps

Alexander's Corps Artillery

Cabell's Battalion
Manly's (NC) Battery

Haskell's Battalion
Branch (NC) Battery

Second Corps (Early)

Grimes' Division
Cox' Brigade
1st North Carolina
2nd North Carolina
3rd North Carolina
4th North Carolina
14th North Carolina
30th North Carolina

Cowand's Brigade
32nd North Carolina
43rd North Carolina
45th North Carolina
53rd North Carolina
2nd North Carolina Battalion

Pegram's Division
Brown's Brigade
6th North Carolina
21st North Carolina
54th North Carolina
57th North Carolina

Johnston's Brigade
5th North Carolina
12th North Carolina
20th North Carolina
23rd North Carolina
1st North Carolina Sharpshooter Battalion


Hilll's Third Corps


Heth's Division


Davis' Brigade
55th North Carolina


MacRae's Brigade
11th North Carolina
26th North Carolina
44th North Carolina
47th North Carolina
52nd North Carolina


Cooke's Brigade
15th North Carolina
27th North Carolina
46th North Carolina
48th North Carolina


Wilcox's Division


Lane's Brigade (Cowan)
7th North Carolina
18th North Carolina
28th North Carolina
33rd North Carolina
37th North Carolina


Scales' Brigade (Lowrance)
13th North Carolina
16th North Carolina
22nd North Carolina
34th North Carolina
38th North Carolina


Walker's Corps Artillery


Poague's Battalion
Charlotte (NC) Battery


Anderson's Corps


Hoke's Division


Clingman's Brigade
8th North Carolina
31st North Carolina
51st North Carolina
61st North Carolina


Kirkland's Brigade
17th North Carolina
42nd North Carolina
66th North Carolina


Johnson's Division


Ransom's Brigade
24th North Carolina
25th North Carolina
35th North Carolina
49th North Carolina
56th North Carolina


Cavalry Corps (Hampton)


W.H.F. Lee's Division


Barringer's Brigade
1st North Carolina Cavalry
2nd North Carolina Cavalry
3rd North Carolina Cavalry
5th North Carolina Cavalry


Dearing's Brigade
4th North Carolina Cavalry
16th North Carolina Cavalry Battalion