The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-09-29

point we moved to Prango Court House,
where Gen. Lee reviewed our division,
and We went into camp and were held
as reserve for three days. Here Col
Mgrchison, after short absence, re-
Joined us and took command of the regi
ment, which was at once sent out on
picket, and captured quite a number of
prisoners who had been cut off from their
command by our cavalry. We then
moved on Madison Court House, and in
approaching Robson river we had a
fierce but short engagement with the
enemy's cavalry, who were soon driven
back. In this engagement we had sew
eral of our best men killed or wounded.
We continued our march until we reached
a point six Mills north of Culpepper
Cou.t House. Here we remained one
day in perfect quietude awaiting some
troops left behind
On 18th We again resumed our march
for Warrenton Springs, on Rappahan-
mock, and reaching there at o'clockp m :,
rested for the night. The next morning
at daylight we crossed the river and
found many deod Yankees and horses
where Stewart had repulsed the enemy
the evening before and was then driving
them in the direction of Rappahannock
Sta ion. Our whole army then became
engaged in destroying the railroad for
a considerable distance, aud after this
work was accomplished, we moged on to
Rappahannock Station and went into
camp. The next morning We took up
line of march for Brandy Station, and
passing through an open space of fields
for more than mile we were subjected
for short time to a very severe in
filading fire from the euemy's artillery,
which caused considerable confusion On
short turn they were attacked by a
line of sharpsh0oters and driven hur-
riedly away and we then moved on
quietly and biyouacked in the vicinity
of Brandy Station and remained there
several days, doing picket duty and
watching the movements of the enemy.
Here a report became currently circu
lated in camp that our Division was to go
west, to reinforce Johnson's army. This
report had such depressing effect upon
our men it was soon pronounced false
from headquarters. Ol November 1St,
we moved our camp two miles west OF
Brandy Station, on the railroad and.
much to our surprise, were ordered TO
build winter quarters. Our rejoicing
over the prospects Of a long rest and a
cessation of hostilities was of short du
ration; for, Just as our cabins were com
'pleted and every officer pridsd himself
upon having the best cabin, orders were
received for our brigade to cross the
river and reinforce Hays Brigade, of our
division, which was then on picket, aud
threatened by an overwhelming force
We were hurried across the river on
pontoon bridges and took position in
strong works which had been built
sometime before to defend the passage
of the river The gr0und in front of our
works vas such that the enemy could
not attack with front more extended
than ours. It was believed By General
Early that a successful resistance could
be made, or if forced to withdraw, we
could re-cross over under the batteries
from the south side. Just at dark Sedg
wick's Corps attacked cur fir mt, aud,
with the assistance Of Russel's and
Upton's Brigade of the SIKH Corps,
carried our works and captured
the two brigades, which had 50
recklessly been exposed. Out of 1000
men engaged on our side ZOO were cap
tured and 1870 killed and wounded. Those
who escaped only reached the south bank
by swimming the river. From our regi-
ment only three commissioned off
escaped viz Lieuts. j NJ Williams, Ed
ward Smith, Of Company q, and Fitz
gerald, Of Company A Those that were
captured were sent to JOhnsOn's Island,
Ohio, where they We're confined until
some time after the war After this
battle General Hoke, having so few men
and not knowing how long it would be
before bis brigade would be exchanged,
obtained permission to carry the remnant
of his brigade to North Carolina to be
recruited by conscripts and those of biz
! old men then at home on sick and
wounded furloughs After reaching
! KlnstOn, n. O., we remained there sew
erat days receiving conscripts, and were
joined by several old men who had been
at home on leave of absence. Our ranks
were soon swelled to almost its usual
size. So few officers being left in our
regiment, officers from other com.
mandS were detailed to assist
us in drilling and getting con-
scripts ready for more active service.
Gen. Hoke not being accustomed to such
inactive business became restless and
obtained permission to attack Newbern.
| On January 30th We advanced on the
city by the Dover road Being reinforc
ed the same day by Corse's and Cling
mans brigades, our men became jubi
liant and seemed anxious for the fight tt
come off. Upon reaching Cores Greek