The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-06-28
THE DEFENCE OF PETERSBURG.
Correspondence of the Raleigh Confederate.


CAMP RANsoM's BRIGADE, June ~.
Knowing that you take an interest IN all sol
ders. and especially in North Carolina brieades,
have determined to give you an account of the
part taken by Ransom's brigade in the defence
of the .sCockade City"
On Wednesday evening, the 10Th, we were in
camp at Chafin's farm, three miles below Drewry's
Bluff, living magnifcently from the luxurant
gardens, which the troops that had been stationed
there before US had been provdent enough to leave
in fine vegetation, and also the fisheries, with true
soldierly instinct oblivious of the distant roaring
of Lees cannonading.
At 7 o'clock D. m. that day, we received orders
directly from Gen. Lee, to report "without loss of
time, to Gen. Beauregard. We were soon ready
and on the march. The men were in excellent
plight and soon 1t was known all along the lines
That Petersburg was in danger; aud this influence
vas electric, for we all love Petersburg, and
have often heard it said in the brigade, that they
had rather fight for Petersburg and Weldon than
any other places in the Confederacy. [ suppose
that the brigade has inbibed some of this venera-
tioR for noble "lttle Petersburg" from their gal
LIANT commander, Gen. Matt. Ransom, who has fire.
quently said, that should there ever be a battle
around Petersburg, he trusted that his brigade
might participate. The only regret that We have
is that he vas not with
Marching all Wednesday night, we arrived at
Petersburg Thursday morning very early. We
ordered in "a double-quick to the front lines,
at their intersection with the Baxter road, and
placed in position under very heavy fire of ar
tillery and infantry enfladng from the left OF
the front entertainments, which had been taken by
the enemy on the night previous.
In placing the brigade in position, Captain John
e.. Pegram, A. A. G., fell mortally wounded. He
was brave, generous and noble man, combining
in him elements of the gentleman and officer that
rarely met with even in army. From the
day that the brave Barlow fell upon the FIRST battle
ground of Manassas to the present time, there has
not fallen any soldier who CALAMITY died
than did Capt. Pegram. The brigade feels his
loss deeply.
We held this line on Thursday That evening
late, the ecemy charged our lines, only engaging
in our front the 9th North Carolina regiment,
commanded by Mag Love, and were handsomely
repulsed. They charged right up to the works,
but not being able to pierce the Oath, they threw
down their arms and surrendered We rested on
our arms quietly Thursday night, though the left
of our army was constantly engaged in heavy sharp
shooting.
Soon Friday morning | was aroused from deep
sleep, worn almost out from fatigue, by loud cheer
ing Of the enemy on left but waited patiently,
anticipating every moment to hear responsive
yell of defiance from our Southern boys; but soon
stragglers and Immediately after large bodies of
our army rapidly retiring from the left,
saying that the enemy had taken the left of our
lines
This some attribute to the weakness of the lines
held by Maj Gen Bushrod Johnson's old Brigade,
(Tenncssee) but officers in that Brigade affirm that
there was open interval on their left, entirely
unoccupied, into which the yankees crept and filed
Immediately in their rear, thereby necessitatng
their retreat
The only alternative for us, was to form line in
rear, and facing to the enemy, as they were now
seen charging up our captured works; which we
did in perfect order, and awaited their arrival but
they did not attack our new line.
The .24th regiment lost considerably in killed
and wounded in leaving the intrenchments, and the
10Th North Carolina lost some Our new. line held
by on Friday, was unattached during the day,
bat we were exposed to some Smelling.
Friday night at o'clock we received orders to
support Gen. Wise's Brigade on our left, as the
yankees were sorely pressing it. We moved off
Immediately, but upon arriving in Of the posi-
ton held by this Brigade, no one being there to
inform of its retreat Col Faison, commanding
the Brigade, threw forward some scouts and soon
asccrtained that their works were held by the enc
my. The Brigade was then ordered to reta%e
them. Every thing depended upon the charge of
this Brigade, and the men mindful of their Ply
mouth reputation, and thinking of the sufferings to
be cuailed the citizens of Petersburg should the
enemy break our lines, were determined 20 con-
quer or perish in the attempt. They dashed for
ward with yell and the yankees were soon dis
lodged, though We lost heavily in 50 doing.
We captured about four hundred prisoners, with
two stands of eolors the prisoners we took stating
that their two regiments were all killed or captur-
ed. This was brilliant charge and should rank
Ransom's Brigade side by side with Gordons no.
BILE Brigade, Ramseurs and some others of Lees
army which have immortalized themselves upon
the blood-stained fields of Spotsylvania Court
House.
1t would be doing great Injustice were I not to
include the 22nd South Carolina regiment in this
charge. They sustained the we'll Learned reputa-
ton that has been characteristic of South Carolina
troops since the Inauguration of hostilities
In this charge Col j. G. Jones, of the 35th n
C. regiment, and Capt Blackwell Of the same,
were both killed. Col. Jones won immortal re-
nown ir the Plymouth fight, and again distinguish
ed himself in the charge Of his regiment at the
Ware Bottom Church. and sealed his fate in the
last glorious charge of Ransom's brigade. He was
good soldier and true christian, and his memory,
together with the brave Blackwell, will be en-
.balncd in the hearts of all the members of this
brigade who knew their estmable qualities Col
Jones own regiment laments his loss even as mo.
ther "mourns over her first born I have never
seen anything equal to the devotion of his men for
him.
Lieut.. Col Bryson, of the 25th n. c.. also acted
very well, displaying his usual GOODNESS in the
charge of his regiment, though he was wounded
very early in the action, but not dangerously hurt
Maj. love, when his regiment on Friday morning
was forced to fall back displayed traits of soIdierlv