The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-04-27
regiments of equal merit, all North Caro-

regiments of equal merit, all North Caro-
olinians and Virginians.
After my promotion to Brigadier Gen
eral that gallant soldier, Captain James
l.. Gaines, assistant adjutant general of
the brigade, was comm ssioned colonel,
and he rode at its head during all the
trying times around Five Forks until he
fell dangerously wounded, losing an arm
at Chamberlain Run, on the 31st
March. Under his leadership the regi-
ment added If possible another star to
its already perfect wreath. After Gaines
was wounded the regiment was COM
manded by Capt ]. Z. Lockhart, a gall
liant officer, formerly Of my old squad
ron, Co. "K." Lockhart, / am told, led
it through all the engagements following
Chamberlain's Run, and under his COM
mand the regiment lost none of its pres
tige for gallantry and devotion to duty.
| distinctly remember that in our re-
treat from Petersburg l passed the regi-
ment on the road, and its great loss both
in splendid officers and gallant men made
such an impression upon me that 1 wept
like child. Its losses had been so
many that l scarcely recognized it. I'm
der Lockhart, it kept up it's organiza-
ton until the capture and dispersal Of
Gen. Barringer's brigade, April Sd. Then
what was left of it, with some scattering
remnants of the other regiments of the
brigade, reported to me by orders from
General Lee, and became a part of my
brigade until the surrender at Appomat-
tox
APPENDIX.
My brigade was made up of the 4th
n. G. cavalry, the 10th n. G. battalion
of cavalry, the Sth regiment of Georgia
cavalry, a part Of the last named regi-
ment being on detached service.
The staff officers assigned to me were
as follows:
Capt. Theodore s. Garnett, Of Virginia,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Capt. VIM. c. Coughenour, Of North
Carolina, Inspector General.
Lieut.. Jas. E. Webb Alabama, Or
dnance officer.
Lieut.. w. +. Holcombe, Virginia, Aide
de Camp.
When l assumed command of the bri-
gade it was greatly wanting in organiza-
ton and discipline, but its material was
equal to any brigade in both officers and
men, and it behaved with exceptional
galantry from the time our lines were
broken at Petersburg until we finally sur
rendered at Appoma ttOx; especially at
NamaZene Greek, on April the 3rd, a
part Of it stood as firmly as the immortal
300 at ThermOpylae, their bearing and
splendid courage stemming the tide Of
a great stampede and saving a part
of our cavalry from an SYNONYMOUS
flight. In fact, the little brigade did more
than its share from the White Oak road
to Appomattox, and on the morning OF
the surrender it was ordered to the front
on the right Of our lines. 1t faithfully
and bravely responded to the last call,
and with the remnant of the Second, took
the last guns captured by the army of
Northern Virginia, and l am sure they
fired the last shots as well.
Immediately after the capture Of the
guns-our Napoleans-the brigade was
withdrawn from the field by order of
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, commanding the ca
valry, disbanded and directed by him to
return to their homes if they could, and
I remember that he said that the army
had surrendered.
I remember further that saw white
flag borne down the lines, and l am
sure that after That there was no more
firing from either cannon or small arms.
/ desire to add that 1 had an eff
fcient and faithful staff. Lieut.. Hol-
combe was disabled on the White Oak
road near Petersburg about the time
our lines were broken. The gallant
Lieut.. Webb, ever watchful and faith
full, remained with his ordnance train to
the last, and Captain Coughenour, whose
courage was ever conspicuous, was dam
gerously wounded near me not far from
Jetersville, Va, and while delivering to
me a message. My assistant adjutant
general, Captain Theodore S. Garnett,
was ever by my side, brave to a fault,
faithful and loyal. and he was with me
to the last; and although a mere boy. his
wise counsel and steady nerve rendered
me valuable service always.
w. =. ROBERTS.
Victoria, E, c., March 81, 1897.