The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-11-23

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army" and well may this be said OF
the Third or the Forty-frst North Car
oIina Troops. In a great arc, sweeping
from tie Cape Fear to the BIackWater
II was the omnipresent guardian of
the people. A large proportion of its
troopers were natives of the east and
| knew its roads and fords, its swamps
and streams. Picketing an enormous
line, protecting the villages ana settle
ments from forays, gathering sup
plies, and especially forage for the
needs of the army of Virginia and the
| garrisons Of the forts, guarding the
| crossroads and fords, communicating
| with friends in the lines of the enemy
and checking his approach whenever
he dared to advance beyond his gun
| boats, this regiment and its gallant
brethren of similar commands, though
for a long time denied the laurels that
fell upon Stuart and his bold troopers
in their own scene of action, yet daily
and hourly performed service of the
most vital Importance to the mainte-
nance of our communications through
| North Carolina and to the protection
of one of the most important regions
of the country, if not the capital of the
| State itself.
Propositions to have the regiment
| assemble at Garysburg and move
| northward were repeatedly declined
| by the State authorities. But eventu-
| ally the need of cavalry to reinforce
| the right wing of the army at the de-
| fence of Richmond became most
urgent. The impartial historian must
| say that the Importance of maintain
| ing cavalry in full efficiency was hard
| History OF the first n. c. troops, etc.
| ly fully realized in the Army of North
| ern Virginia. 1t was expected to take
| care of itself, and so it did. But as
supplies grew scarce and horses and
men grew gaunt with hunger, few ami
mails could be found to replace the
fiery steeds of the first squadrons, and
such bloody massacres as Bristows
and Brandy Station had wiped out
whole squadrons, never to be replaced.
1t is no wonder then, that when this
regiment finally reached the lines OF
Petersburg it endured labors and
hardships almost unparalleled even in
that dread conflict.
On the other hand, with the wealth
of the world in money, men and horses,
the Federal cavalry, well trained and
supplied with everything possible
| pushed, under Sheridan and Stoneman,
to it's utmost effectiveness in the last
| campaigns
After the fall of Roanoke Island in
February, 1862, Capt. Il. S. fuckers
company, the Wake Rangers" was
sent to guard Weldon bridge, and af-
forwards to picket the Tar from Green
vile nearly TO Washington. There
were at this time other North Carolina
commands on similar duty stationed
to the south: Evans troops between
Newbern and Goldsboro, and Capt.
Nethercutt's cavalry across the Trent
in Jones county.
In November following, Capt. w.
W. Carraway's company, the Macon
Mounted Guards, were on duty at
Kinston, and Capt. Wards company
served for some time, after the capture
of Newbern, in picketing the streams
| of Onslow and vicinity.
On September 28th, 1862, Gov. Il. B..
Vance protested earnestly against call
ing off the regiment to Garysburg, and
said that without the protection OF the
| cavalry the finest provision region OF
| the State would in few days be desc
| lated So enthusiastic was he that he
was moved to exclaim, IF it is not the
| intention of the President TO protect
| US. we must protect ourselves.
| In late October or early November a
| squad of fourteen men Of Go. r., under
| command of Levi j. Pagan, Color
Serg't., was sent on picket about ten
miles from Plymouth, which town was
largely garrisoned by L. 5. troops.
| The darkness of the night, together
with binding rain, rendered it diff
cult to perceive the approach of an
active battalion of infantry from the
enemy's lines, which suddenly sur
rounded and captured the squad Ia
| ken on foot to Plymouth and thence
| by transport vessel TO Newbern, this
small body of prisoners was held in
| captivity, though kindly treated, until
parole, December 4th,
A brilliant exploit performed by the
Rebel Rangers" Goa, subsequently,
il reported by Gen.W. ii. G. Whiting,
| Commanding District of Wilmington.
He says, November 2Sth, 1862, that
Capt Newkirks cavalry and Capt.
| Adams. with a section of a field bat
| terry, destroyed n steam gun-boat Of
| the enemy's on New river Her crew
escaped. but her armament, amInuni-
ton. small arms We're captured.
Shortly afterwards the "Caswell
| Rangers Go. G., rendered brave and
efficient service in repelling the raid of
Gen Foster upon Goldsboro, and was
compIimented for it's GOODNESS in ac-
ton in the report of Col. Stevens, OF the
Engineers, to Gen. Gustayus W. Smith,
commanding.
Another company, that Of Capt.
Tucker. was in the expedition under
Cen j. g. Martin, who, with the nth
y. c. Infantry, Adams artillery and
the respective cavalries of Walker.
Booth and Tucker, made an attack
upon the forces of the enemy at Wash
| ington Tucker assaulted the town
| independently, the other companies
| being under the command of the gal
liant Booth, who received a wound on
that occasion that subsequently
| caused his death.
The enemy was completely driven
out of the town in this brilliant en-
gagement, but the heavy artillery Of
the gnn-boats completely commanded
the whole of Washington, which is sit
| uated upon the river, and as the occu-