The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-12-08

tory" This brigade did its full duty
in the expedition against Washington,
\. c., in April, and the 32nd regiment
is said to have been stationed on duty
nearer to that town than any other
Confederate troops. The failure OF
both of these expeditions was due
chiefly to the inferior artillery and de-
fective ammunition used by the Con-
federates, as clearly shown in Gen.
Hills official report, published in Vol.
XVIII. of the Official Records of The
Union And Confederate Armies" The
troops endured man hardships on these
expeditions, frequently marching for
miles in swamps knee-decp in water
and sleeping co in their wet clothes
when halted at night. On the march
to Washington, and when only few
miles distant, the Send regiment pass
ed country (EpiscopaD church in
which the congregation was then as
sembled, holding their joyous Easter
services (for that day was Easter Sun
day., and the devout and faithful
chaplain of the regiment (Rev. Joseph
w. Murphy obtained permission to
stop long enough to join in singing
one hymn, and then sturdily marched
on How strange a contrast-here was
q congregation quietly worshipping in
their parish church, and passing by
was a body of armed soldiers marching
to battle!
On the 18th of May, 1863, the 32nd
regiment, with the other regiments of
Daniels brigade, left Kinston and went
to Virginia, and remained until the
close of the war a part of the Army
of Northern Virginia" sharing in all
it's glory and victories as well as its
hardships and disasters. Daniels bril-
gade was attached to Rodes's Division,
which had no superior in either the
Confederate or Union army, and was
then composed of Ramseur's North
Carolina) brigade, VERSIONS North
Carolina) brigade and Doles' fGeorgia)
brigade. It's commander. Maj. Gen.
r. +. Rodes. of Alabama, was one of
Lees most trusted officers and was one
of the most competent, considerate
and courageous officers in the Confed-
crate army. His untimely death (kill-
ed at Winchester, Sept. 10th 1864 was
grievous loss.
Shortly after Daniels brigade reach
ed Virginia. Gen. Lee began his prepar-
atoms for the campaign that culminat-
ed in the battle of Gettysburg, and in
this ever memorable campaign the
32nd regiment was most conspicuous
~ complimented and covered itself
with imperishable glory.It was among
the first troops to cross the Potomac in
the invasion of Pennsylvania and was
among the last to re-cross on the re-
treat. On the 27th of June Rodes' di-
vision reached Carlisle, the town farth-
est North ever occupied by any Confed-
crate troops, and occupied the United
States barracks at that place. Large
supplies of cattle. horses, grain and
-four were obtained at Carlisle and on
the march TO that place, but no pri-
vate property of the citizens was forci-
bly, taken. In his official report Gen.
Rodes stated with proper pride that
the good behavior of his troops "as-
tonished the people along the line of
march. These latter very generally
expected to be treated by us with the
| wanton cruelty generally exhibited by
their troops when they are upon our
soil As general rule, they apparent
| ly expected to see their houses burned
down and all their property carried off
or destroyed" This Official testimony
as to the conduct of Confederate troops
when on the enemy's soil should be a
source of pride to every Southerner.
1t was while the Confederates were
enjoying their much needed rest at
Carlisle, that the 32nd regiment was
honored and eompIimented in most
notable and conspicuous manner. Yes.
it was there at Carlisle that this regi-
ment was complimented, out of all the
regiments in the Confederate army.
with the distinguished honor of being
presented and entrusted with the first
flag or standard made according to the
Confederate Congress, few weeks
previous. Congress had adopted con-
d1tionallr new design for the Confed-
crate flag. and an elegant new flag,
made accoding to that design by the
ladies OF Richmond, had been sent to
Gen. Lee for his approval and for him
10 present to the regiment most wor-
thy OF receiving and carrying it. Ac-
cordingly Gen. Lee sent ii to Lieuten-
ant-General Ewell (who then com
mandcd Stonewall Jackson's old corps)
and Gen. Ewell sent it to Major Gener-
al Rodes fhis favorite division com
mander) and Gen. Rodes passed 10 on to
his most favored Brigadier, Gen. Daniel
and he ordered it to be presented to
the 32nd regiment. The presentation
ceremonies were of most enthusiasts
tic character and were appropriate to
the high honor so worthily conferred.
The troops, who were encamped at
Carlisle, were assembled in the lovely
grounds belonging to the L. S. bar
racks to witness the presentation.
which was attended with much speech
making and enthusiastic reioicings.
Oh! it was a grand occasion-In such
striking contrast to the sad scenes wit
messed by the same soldiers, two DAYS
thereafter, on the blood stained
heights of Gettysburg. Yes, the bright
eyes of our brave boys, which then
sparkled with JOY and hope, were soon
glazed with the stony stare of death:
and their joyous shouts and cheers, so
eagerly and SO proudly greeting the
new flag of the young Confederacv,
were so soon changed TO dying groans
and expiring gasps.
The flag was then hoisted above the
roof Of the barracks and unfurled to
the breeze. And thus it was that North
CarOliuianS can hoaef that II y.,ae {ba