The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1883-06-06
NEAR WASHINGTON. \. c..
Nov. 5th, 1879. {

MAJOR John ". Moore:
Dear Sir: In compliance with your
request. | herewith transmit my recol-
l~ections of the circumstances attending
the last DAYS Of the existence Of the
Army of Northern Virginia.
On the night Of Saturday. April l.,
1865, my Division occupied a portion Of
the detences around the city Of Peters
burg, my left resting on Otcy's Battery.
near the memorable Crater, my right
extending to the dam on a creek beyond
Battery IS. Ramseur's old Brigade of
North Carolinians being commanded by
Col. W. II. Cox, 2nd North Carolina.
holding appointment as temporary
Brigadier; on their right Archer's Bri-
gade Of Virginia Junior Reserves.
Grimes old Brigade of North Carolin-
ianS. commanded by Col. d. &. Cow
and of the 32d North Carolina. Battles
BRIGADE of Alabamians. commanded by
Col. HobsOn of 5th Alabama. Cooks
BRIGADE of Georgians commanded by
Co. Nash. extending to the left i'll the
order above named, numbering for duty
about 1920 muskets, covering at least
| three and a half miles OF the trenches
/ dIUu1lu j ticISDuIe. Will OllC lIllIu vi
my men constantly on picket duty in
our front, one third kept awake at the
breastvorks during the night, with one
third only off duty at a time. and they
required always to sleep with then ac-
coutrements on and upon their arms.
ready to repel an attack at a moments
warning.
About 10 O'Clock on the night of
April /. 1865. the cannonading from the
artillery and mOrtarS III my front be-
came unusually severe, and at about IL
o'clock the Federals charged. capturing
nv picket line, which consisted Of pits
duo in the earth for protection from
sharp shooters. and occupied by my
soldiers varying in distance from l50 to
300 wards in front Of u main breast
works. took measures Immediately
to r~e-establish this line, which was sue
c~cssfully accomplished, and our pits re-
occupied. About daylight on the 2nd
the enemy again drove in our pickets
and charged Rune's salient at the point
where Battles Brigade was posted,
carving the works for a few hundred
wards on each side of that point. doub-
line and throwing Cooks Brigade back
!; short distance. i hurried the COM
mands of Coils. Coward and Archer -
The point of attack as rapidly as pos
sil,le. charging the enemy who were in
possession of and protected by u ira
verses and bomb proofs (Which were
erected to prevent u line being en-
fladed. and also a. a place of refuge
rom their perpendicular mortar fire.,
and continued gradually to regain ira
verse after traverse Of our captured
works,
Then secured four pieces of artillery
which were placed on our second line OF
works. whose services were invaluable
in checking the advance of the enemy.
thus combining them by grape and can
ister 10 this peculiar point at the salient.
preventing their advancing to attack our
lines in flank or rear Cook and Battle
holding them in check on the left. and
cowand and Archer on the right OF the
captured works, their only point OF
eoress being exposed to the fire OF tie
artillery
regret my inability to recall the
names and thus give honorable mention
70 those gallant artillerists who render
ed me such effective service.
During the forenoon - Brigade.
under command OF Col. . reported
to me for duty and were placed near
the artillery in this second Inc OF earth
works (Which had be constructed to fall
back upon in case OF disaster) to III
first line. Ny dispositions were soon
made to attack the nem.simultaneous-
" at all points-Cowaud and Archer on
the right. Cook and Battle on the left,
who were to drive them from the pro-