The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-03-07

Correspondence Charlotte Observer
l have read with much pleasure the
articles in the Observer written by the
late General Rufus Barringer, OH the
brigade of North Carolina cavalry. l
agree with him as to the correctness Of
his articles in general, yet differ with
him as to some particulars in his de-
scription of the fight at Chamberlain 8
Run on the 3lst day Of March, 1865.
AS it is the object of these communica-
tions to obtain facts to be published as
a history of our State troops in the
late war, feel it duty to more fully
describe the part taken by the First
Regiment North Carolina Cavalry in
this celebrated battle. 1 know that
General Barringer was honest in his
convictions; | know of his great love
for his old regiment, and l know that
he would not knowingly write or sup
press anything to detract from its full
share of honor and fame. Yet we all
know that in a battle some officers
have opportunities for observation bet
ter than others, especially when the
battle field is covered with woods and
pine thickets, and divided, as was this
one, by stream wide and almost i'm
passable. So if there is difference in
our description of bis battle, it must
be attributed, first, to our different
opportunities for observation and sec
ondly, to the lapse Of time, which may
equally have impaired our memories.
In this article l purpose to write
only Of the part taken by the First
Regiment, and only that which came
under my personal observation. In the
morning attack upon reaching the
creek we were dismounted and formed
line some hundred and fifty yards
above the ford. Col. McNeill, of the
Fifth Regiment, was also dismounted
and was to cross at the ford. My right
did not connect with his left.
This stream was very much swollen
by recent heavy rains, and at places
was impossible by reason of briars
and swamp underground. In my i'm.
mediate front it was over one hundred
yards wide, and as deep as the men,
waists. On the opposite side and ex.
tending down the creek to about the
right of my regiment was an open field
about fifty yards wide, and beyond
this field thickst of half grown pines
that extended back for a mile to 8
large open field. An old fence ran
between the creek and the first field
the water in some places extending
through it and out into the open land
The road crosses this stream at right
angles one hundred and fifty yards
below. The fight in the forenoon
across this stream was to be made by
the First and Fifth Regiments. The
Fifth was to cross at the ford and the
First at the point above described.
When ordered to advance the Firs
moved forward in an unbroken linz
across the creek and drove the enemy
from our front. We were pursuins
him rapidly up into the pines when
discovered bullets coming from oul
right and rear. ] galloped to the righ
Of my line and found the enemy mov
ing up the creek and in our rear.
The regiment was withdrawn a!
rapidly as possible, yet in good order
and reformed at its original line on thu
West side of the creek. Col. Mcneil
had been repulsed at the ford and i
was some Of the enemy from this poin
that were moving up the creek to Gu
us off. 1t was almost a miracle tha
the regiment was saved from capture
We would certainly have been cut of
had not been on my horse, by which
means l was enabled quickly to fine
out our danger and with equal prompt
ness to provide against it. Our loss il
this action was very slight.
AFTERNOON ATTACK.
In the afternoon the plan was fo
the Second Regiment, Col. Gaines
supported by the Fifth, to attack a
the ford, and for us to cross at tn,
same place as in the morning. Upol
accommodating my front l found tina
the enemy had strengthened his posi-
tion by throwing up rifle pits in tn
edge of the pines. This was reported
to Gems. Barringer and Lee, and appre
ciating fully the magnitude and DANCE
7 of the work assigned me, and also t
provide against being caught in a ira
as in the morning, asked leave t
halt the regiment at the fence on tn
opposite side and not to advance unit
l knew that we would be supported.
For the second time and at the sam