The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-05-08

my came up with our lines at Williams
burg. when an engagement ensued. Our
brigade had passed through the town. but
upon hearing the firing in the rear we
quickly faced about and marched IN the
direction of the engagement. The rain
was pouring and the streets of the town
covered with mud. Women and children
we're wild with excitement, waving band
kerchiefs and banners, and rglng US on
to the conflict. Occasionally we passed
wounded men being borne upon lltters,
The excitement and enthusiasm OF the
men became intense. The air rang with
shouts as we passed forward. We march
ed directly to the field of battle, and
were formed in line, but the sun had
gone down and the mists of night had
gathered over the field. We passed the
night on the field, wet and faint WIN
hunger and fatigue. The night was cold,
but no fires were allowed, and the men
suffered greatly. Some would have died
il they had not kept in motion by stamp
ing, marking time. or crowding together
in groups. This was May ;, 1862.
On the 18th of May we came to the
ChickahCminy river, where we remained
until the battle of Seven Pines, or FAR
Oaks. On May 30 we were called out and
kept under arms, marching and counter
marching, most of the day. About sun
down we went INTO bivOuack and pre-
pared rations for the next day.
May 81. 1862, twenty-five officers and
five hundred and sixty men reported for
duty, and as they moved toward the bat
IL. field of Seven Pines they presented a
splendid picture of manhood, energy and
courage. The brigade was still under
command of Colonel Anderson; the regi-
ment under Major Grimes, General Young
having been sent home on special duty.
Here follows an interesting account Of
the battles Of Seven Pines, Mechanics
Vile, Cold Harbor, Roonsboro, Sharpsburg-
Fredericksburg, Brandy Station, Chancel-
louisville, Gettysburg, SpOttSylvanla
Court House, Sprecker's Gap, Winchester,
Fishers Hill and Cedar Creek. Colonel
Osborne concludes:
On the eth of April Cox's brigade, with
two others, under General Grimes, form
ed line of battle. and hurried to the re-
lief Of General MahOn, whose line was
giving way before the enemy. a charge
was made, and the enemy driven back
and a large number of prisoners captured.
General Lee complimented the men in
person for their gallantry on this occa-
sion. On the Sth the men marched all
uaE-nungfS urea and sore, out Cneertul
and brave. About 9 o'clock that night
heavy firing was heard in front, when the
men were ordered forward. and we
marched most of the night, passing
through the town of Appomattox Court
House before day Sunday morning, the
9th. and engaged in the fight which oc-
Cured near that place. The men were
withdrawn after driving the enemy from
their position, and the division started to
rejoin the main body Of Gordon's corps.
General Grimes rode forward and asked
General Gordon where ne should form his
men. The General answered: ANY
where you please Struck By this an
sWer, Grimes asked for an explanation.
when he was told that the army had
been SURRENDERED by General Lee.
Captain j. b. Forcum, of Company II.
commanded the regiment from the bat
tie Of Fishers Hill until the surrender.
Colonel Osborne having been disabled by
wounds.
FIRING H FIRST SHOT FOR C.. s. A.
Dr.. J. II. Ramsay, of Seaboard, y. c..
wrote Colonel Woodward, of Wilmington.
two years ago:
7 Went from Jackson, Northampton
county. n. c., to Charleston. n. c.. in
March. 1861, With letters Of introduc-
ton from Hon. n. ". Ransom to Mr.. T.
Johnson Pattigrew, then a LAWYER in
Charleston, and later a general in the
confederate army. l also had a letter to