Third North Carolina at Bartlett's Mill

Official report of Colonel S.D. Thruston of the action at Barlett's Mill, VA, November 27, 1863.

Report of Col. Stephen D. Thruston, Third North Carolina Infantry.


December 4, 1863.
Lieutenant: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by my regiment in the battle of November 27, near Bartlett's Mill:
On the morning of November 27, having slept the previous night in the trenches, my regiment with the rest of the brigade took up the line of march along the public road crossing Bartlett's Mill and running east of Mine Run. Having crossed Mine Run at Bartlett's Mill, proceeded about 2 miles, when the head of the column (my regiment being the fourth battalion in order of battle) was fired upon by the sharpshooters of the enemy. I immediately received orders to load and throw out skirmishers to feel the enemy. This order was accordingly obeyed by sending forward First Lieut. George W. Ward with the regular detail of skirmishers, connecting his line with that of the regiments on my right. This line pushed forward until it came upon a heavy line of the enemy's skirmishers, when Lieutenant Ward informed me of the fact and of his inability to hold his position. I then ordered my left company, commanded by Capt. John B. Brown, to his support, and a second company, commanded by First Lieut. J.W. Stokley, was held as a reserve to both.
Captain Brown, assuming command of the first and second detachments of skirmishers, now formed on one line, vigorously pushed forward, driving the enemy's sharpshooters back, and discovered the enemy drawn up in force in the edge of a field and under a rail fence. Captain Brown here received one volley from the main line and was in turn driven in. Just here the skirmishers were withdrawn except the regular detail, and the line of battle was formed in a ravine behind, about 400 yards from and in a diagonal line with this road.
I here received an order that the Thirty-seventh Virginia (on my left) should move farther to the left, and that as soon as that was done I should close to the left and go immediately forward. Before this order could be obeyed, and after the Thirty-seventh had moved off to the left, the whole right of the brigade moved forward, and I then received the order to forward with it, thus changing my guide to the right instead of to the left, as previously ordered, and leaving a space of 300 or 400 yards between my left and the Thirty-seventh Virginia unoccupied.
My regiment immediately moved forward in as perfect order as the thick undergrowth and nature of the ground would admit, meeting the enemy just where their line crossed the road. Here the action was quite sharp for a short time, when the men with a yell charged the position, driving in confusion three strong lines of the enemy before them. The pursuit was followed for about 800 yards, when I discovered the enemy turning my left.
I immediately changed front, but three companies on the right, not hearing the command, did not follow the movement, and afterward formed on the First North Carolina Regiment, on my right, with six companies, my left company having been thrown out previously to aid the Thirty-seventh Virginia. I changed front so as to meet the flanking party, but being largely outnumbered, retired to the field beyond the road, where a temporary work had been thrown up of rails and such material as could be hastily gotten together. Here I met the brigade commander, and being soon joined by the Thirty-seventh Virginia, was ordered to remain in that position, with sharpshooters thrown well forward. I remained here until an order was received to form in line with the rest of the brigade on the road. This being done, rested for four or five hours, when we moved on beyond Mine Run, and bivouacked for the night.
The officers and men behaved with their usual coolness and courage, and where all acted well no distinction can be made.
The accompanying list of casualties will show with what determination the men entered the contest.
I cannot speak in too high terms of my lieutenant-colonel (Parsley) and Major Ennett for their coolness and precision in discharge of their respective duties; and my thanks are due to First Lieutenant Mallett, acting adjutant, who had his horse killed under him while conveying my orders, for the faithful performance of his duties.
Respectfully submitted.
S.D. Thruston,
Colonel Third North Carolina Infantry.
Lieut. McHenry Howard,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Steuart's Brigade.


Series I Vol. XXIX (Part I) Ch. XLI. Pgs. 866-867.

Second North Carolina Battalion during Mine Run Campaign

Report of Capt. Edward Smith, Second North Carolina Battalion.
December 4, 1864.


Captain: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations and conduct of the Second North Carolina Battalion, and casualties occurring therein, from November 27, to December 3, 1863, inclusive, while at Mine Run, Va.:
The battalion was exposed both to musketry and shelling during the time above stated, and acted very well, suffering the following loss.*
Respectfully submitted.
Ed. Smith,
Captain, Comdg. Second North Carolina Battalion.


Capt. J.H. White,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.




Series I Vol. XXIX (Part I) Ch. XLI Pg. 884.

First North Carolina at Bartlett's Mill

Official Report of actions of First North Carolina Troops at Bartlett's Mill.

Report of Capt. Louis C. Latham, First North Carolina Infantry.
December 8, 1863.


Lieutenant: I have the honor to herewith forward to you my official report of the loss sustained by the First North Carolina Troops in the engagement of the 27th ultimo, near Bartlett's Mill.
After leaving the intrenchments occupied by the brigade on Thursday night, the regiment crossed at the mill and halted on the opposite bank to rest. From here the line of march was taken up and continued for about 2 miles, keeping the main road running east to Fredericksburg, when the head of the column was suddenly fired into by a party of the enemy's skirmishers deployed in the woods to our left. The line was immediately halted, fronted, and ordered to load. Companies A and B were thrown out as skirmishers and advanced into the woods. At this point quite a brisk fire was kept up, and occasionally a shot from the enemy's battery passed over the road.
The fire on the line of skirmishers considerably slackening, the direction of our line of battle was changed, the First Regiment, together with the rest of the brigade, being formed in another road, cutting that on which we were marching nearly at right angles, the First occupying the center.
From this position, at 2 p.m., the order was given to forward. The road was crossed in good order, and the line dashed up to a rail fence which bounded an uncultivated field of about 10 acres on the south side, behind which the enemy's skirmishers were concealed, driving them back upon the main line drawn up behind the fence on the north side. The regiment then charged across this field, routing the enemy in disorder from their position. We followed them into the woods about 150 yards, when, our left becoming detached from the right of the Third North Carolina (that regiment having moved by the left to connect with the Thirty-seventh Virginia), it was thought necessary to fall back upon the position originally occupied by the enemy. It was here that Lieutenant-Colonel Brown was wounded and quit the field.
The command devolving upon myself, and the enemy again advancing, I ordered a second charge, driving the enemy in disorder before us and inflicting heavy punishment upon his ranks. Had not our ammunition at this time unfortunately given out, the battery stationed in our front would have fallen into our hands. I sent at different times two messengers  to the rear (Lieutenant day and Sergeant-Major Allen) for a fresh supply of cartridges, both messengers returning with the reply that none could be obtained. I formed the line in rear of the south fence as a support to the cannon stationed in the road, and held the position until relieved by a portion of General Doles' brigade.
Night having set in, I had our wounded and those left by the enemy removed from the field.
From the aspect of the ground over which we fought, I am of the opinion that the enemy must have suffered severely, losing at least three to our one, though from the report of prisoners their number largely exceeded ours. 
I regret extremely that we were in a great degree deprived of the courage and skill of Brigadier-General Steuart, whose attention was occupied at a much more important point on our left.
I have no special mention to make of any particular officer or soldier. Where all acted so well, to single out any individual would be doing injustice to his comrades.
The casualties, of which a statement has been forwarded, amount to 5 killed and 50 wounded.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
L.C. Latham,
Captain, Commanding First North Carolina Troops.


Series I Vol. XXIX (Part I) Ch. XLI. Pgs. 864

Mine Run Campaign

North Carolina Order of Battle, Mine Run Campaign, VA., November 7-December 2, 1863.

Second Corps (Early)

Early's Division (Hays)

Hoke's Brigade (Godwin)
6th North Carolina
21st North Carolina
54th North Carolina
57th North Carolina
1st North Carolina Battalion

Johnson's Division

Steuart's Brigade
1st North Carolina
3rd North Carolina

Rodes' Division

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

Ramseur's Brigade
2d North Carolina
4th North Carolina
14th North Carolina
30th North Carolina

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

Hill's Third Corps

Heth's Division

Davis' Brigade
55th North Carolina

Kirkland'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 (Walker)

Poague's Battalion
Graham's (North Carolina) Artillery

Haskell's Battalion
Branch (North Carolina) Artillery
Rowan (North Carolina) Artillery

Reserve Artillery
Cabell's Battalion
Manly's (North Carolina) Battery

Cavalry Corps

Hampton's Division

Gordon's Brigade
1st North Carolina Cavalry
2d North Carolina Cavalry
4th North Carolina Cavalry
5th North Carolina Cavalry