The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-04-11

was sent TO North Carolina with leileF
from Gen. Lee very complimentary to
North Carolina troops. After the re-
capture Of the line Of breast-wOrks the
brigade was again withdrawn, occupying
Its position in reserve until the line held
by Maj. Gen. Edward Johnson was
carried by the enemy. Johnston's brig
ade was ordered to re-take that line Of
works. The enemy had crossed over
where the Stonewall brigade had been
located and, after penetrating 200 yards
inside the Confederate line with three
lines of battle, were occupying q thin
piece OF woods just in rear of the Stone
wall brigade line and the angle from
which Edward Johnsons division had
been driven. The brigade made charge
in the woods and was confronted with
three lines Of battle. not more than fifty
yards apart, and there could not have
been less than 5000 men in the three
lines. The insufficient number of men
to meet such n force was so apparent
that when the brigade struck the enemy's
first line, an officer from a New York
regiment dashed out and demanded the
surrender of the brigade. he was i'm
mediately shot down; and another came
up to the brigade with like command,
only to share the same fate. Instead OF
surrendering, an officer Of the command
seized the colors Of the 23rd regiment
and the brigade was ordered to charge.
They charged, driving back the left Of
the cnemy's line. and passed on entering
the angle Of the breast-wOrks, out of
which they drove the enemy and re-
captured that part OF the line The
whole Confederate line was then restored
by the aid OF other troops Gen. John
ston, while making observations from the
top of the brea st-works in the angle. was
shot in the head and carried from the
field. In the charge to re-establish Gen.
Lees lime at the point known as the
Salient, Col Garrett, Of the Ord, was
killed. Col. w. s. Davis, Of the 18th n.
c.. was placed temporarily in command
OF the 23rd regiment about this
time. Individual incidents are not
lacking, only the facts and circum-
stances are not in hand, TO give promi-
nent place to certain persons in these
critical attacks. We would mention that
Corporal +. 5. Hart, of Company d,
was flag bearer of the 23rd at Spotsyl-
vania, as he had been in previous en-
gagements. In the hands of Hart.
while he was able to be ION his pegs"
that flag was never lowered except
once, and that was when he was knocked
down with the breech of a gun by a
Federal. The second Cold Harbor battle
was not participated in by the 23rd, but
about this time it, with the Brigade, was
detached from Lees army and sent into
the valley under Early to meet, Hunter.
Capt. Frank Bennett, Of Arson county.
was acting colonel of the regiment, and
n that celebrated campaign the command
was spoken Of as Bennett and his in
vincibles." 1t has been impossible, and
will be, to report accurately the losses Of
the regiment in the campaign just closed.
or IN that now just opening before our
command. The career Of General Robert
ID. Johnston's brigade, in the brilliant
campaign with Early is but a history Of
the Ord regiment. which constantly
haired its fortunes through it all-thencc
again to the lines at Petersburg, and
down to the end. The next fighting done
by the brigade was as part Of Earlys
command in that truly great march
on Washington city. The brigade was in
all the battles Of that command, AMI
made the flank movement with Gordons
division at Bell Grove and Cedar Creek.
In this battle it had hand to hand
conflict with the Sixth Army Corps. It
captured, with the aid of Battles
brigade Of Alabama. six pieces of artil-
lery, which were CALAMITY defended by
the artillerymen who died at their posts
rather than surrender. The brigade was
ordered to take position in front Of Mid.
dleburg, where ii remained during the
day. having skirmishing with cavalry in
the front. That evening Gen Sheridan.
having taken command OF the Federal
troops. made his attack on the left
lank Of the Confederate line.
The brigade was in position where it
could see the line as it broke first at the
point held by Gordon's brigade. and then
at that held by Ramseur's brigade. Those
brigades retired from the field in great
confusion. Johnston's brigade was the
only organized body that retired from
the presence Of the enemy with its line
unbroken, halting and firing repeatedly
as they were pressed upon. being the
only organized force then OF the Confed-
crate army After falling back near Ce-
dar Greek. General Pegram sent an Or
der TO Johnston 'to cross the bridge
anu follow the ROAD TOWARDS SIraSDurS.
General Johnston sent a message to him
that it would be impossible to cross the
bridge, as the breastworks built by the
enemy commanded the bridge complete
ly. and that the enemy would occupy
them before he (Johnston) could cross;
but that he could cross below and pre-
serve his brigade intact. second staff
officer from Gen. Pegram commanded
Johnston TO bring his brigade across the
bridge just under the command of those
Ibreastworks which, i'm the meantime,
had become occupied by the enemy;
and thus. while the brigade was attempt
ing to cross the bridge, hot fire was
poured into their line from the breast
works. Being totally unprotected and at
the mercy OF the enemy, the brigade fell
into confusion, and retreated under COW
er Of the darkness. On the retreat up
the valley, the brigade was covering the
rear, followed by Sheridan's cavalry, in
the flush Of victory and determined to put
the Confederates to rout, If possible.
Thus was the command, from morning
until night followed and borried nv n