The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-07-30
Capture of the Flag of the 1hirtietII
n. c. Regiment at SpOttSylyania,
Court House on May 18th,
1864

Ramseur's, n. c., Brigade Of
Rhodes Division was ordered to take
position in front of the victorious
troops of Hancock's corps, which had
just captured the line of Lees breast
works. known as the Horse Shoe
and also Johnston's Division, breaking
Lees centre and threatening the de-
struction of his army.
Ramseur soon had his men in line
of battle. ready for the deadly conflic-
which was to decide (scme have
thoughO the destiny of Lees army,
also the capture of Richmond, the long
coveted prize of the Yankee army.
At the command of Ramseur the
brigade moved forward, and soon met
the deadly fire of Hancock's men, who
fired at close range from our second
line of breastworks, which they had
just taken. This was the most dead
ly vOlley that any troops ever had to
encounter. The Yankees were behind
good breastworks, calm, cool and VIC
torious, while our men had to charge
up hill through an open field. about
200 yards The enemy reserved his
main fire until we were in about fifty
yards of the works, then poured such
a deadly volley in our ranks that OUT
men fell in lines as if ordered to lie
down. Those who were not ktlled or
wounded were soon up charging and
capturing the IlTSI inc VI OlGdSlNOA A6
and pressing the enemy TO his second
line of works. Just before reaching
their last line, Hancock's men made
desperate effort to hold our men III
check and save the day Then the
struggle was so severe, the men fight
ing hand to hand that one could
scarcely tell friend from foe.
The Goth Regiment was on the eH-
treme right of brigade, with no sup
port and exposed to heavy enf1lade
from Ha/cock on the right, as well as
the front. At this critical moment
Col Bennett moved the 14th regiment
TO support the 30th and as We went
up to their rescue the color bearer Oh
the goth rushed forward amidst the
Yankees and placed his colors on the
last line of breastworks, calling to his
men to rally to their flag, but the
Yankees grabbed the flag and we ha1
a hand to hand contest over IT, In
the struggle the Yankees tore the nag
from its staff and started to the rear
The first man with the flag was shot
dead in about ten steps from inc
works The second man that started
off with it was also shot dead In re"
steps from the first, but the tnlrd mar Iii
succeeded in carrying off the flag WITT.
a thousand bullets flying all around
him The goth regiment then held the
last line of breastworks.
Col. Bennett of the 14th regiment.
then ordered his men to the right anu
tn capt1re the apex of the Horse
shoe" There we had a head-end col
lision with Hancock's corps and aroVe
them from the works, traverse AFTER
traverse until killed, wounded, or
completely exhausted, we had to stop.
nv company was on the right ana
"a injured the last traverse nearest Ihe
toe of the "Horse Shoe" We had
nine men in that traverse and tWelVe
Yankees, some unhurt while others
were either dead or wounded. 1t was
impossible to tell which were the cap
tured-our men or the Yankees-as
there was nothing between us but
come pine poles about ten inches thick
We remained in this position all day'
with both the enemy and our men mr.
ing directly over us. Just before nlgh.
only two of the nine remained. one OF
Company . and one of Company a.
The man of Company c was wounded
in the mouth. AT dark, which closed
the bloody scene, only the man OF
Company a was left.
w. 7. JENKINS.