USA > North Carolina > Edgecombe County > History of Edgecombe County, North Carolina > Part 19
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After an unsuccessful attempt to capture a train of cars on the way to Newbern to transport Federal troops, the Forty-third Regiment, under command of Colonel Lewis, fell back to Kinston for a few weeks and then marched to Plymouth. The battle of Plymouth, April 18th to 20th, 1864, was of notable interest. Gen- eral Hoke had been given command of the entire forces, with Colonel Lewis still commanding the Forty-third Regiment. Plans of cooperation were made with the Confederate Navy to rescue the "Albemarle," then on the Roanoke River. Colonel Mercer,1 commanding Hoke's brigade, was killed in the charge on the night of the 18th and Colonel Lewis assumed command, and was im- mediately promoted to brigadier general. The fort was captured with the assistance of the "Albemarle" in sinking Federal gun- boats. On the morning of the 20th, General Lewis occupied the western portion of the town and assisted in its capture.
General Lewis's next scene of action was around Washington, North Carolina, and then at Drewry's Bluff, Virginia, May 16, 1864. He still remained in charge of Hoke's old brigade. In writ- ing of the battle of Drewry's Bluff, General Ransom, commanding,
1 Colonel Mercer is buried in the Episcopal Church yard at Tarboro.
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comments especially on the services of General Lewis's command, which he reported was led so gallantly at the "double-quick" against the enemy.
During the year 1864 General Lewis and his brigade were in Northern Virginia and took part in the struggles with Ransom's and Early's divisions. He was with Early in the historic valley of Virginia and engaged in the battles around Petersburg. It was during the battle of Farmville that he received his first wound. He was ordered by his commander to move on Farmville. It being discovered that the Federal troops were there and de- stroying bridges. On their approach the Federal army began firing with artillery. In the morning, however, the enemy had abandoned their position. General Humphreys, major-general of the Federal forces, in writing about the incident, said : "I re- gret to report that Brigadier General Lewis, commanding brigade, Walker's Division, Gordan's Corps, of the Confederate Army, severely wounded, together with other wounded, were left in our hands by the enemy." This happened one day before the sur- render at Appomattox.
The Confederate officers thought him dead upon the battlefield. He was one of the youngest brigadier-generals in the southern army and was several times complimented by General Lee. He recovered from his wound and became chief engineer of the North Carolina State Guards, which position he held until his death, January 7, 1901.
Dr. J. H. Baker, after the disbanding of the First North Caro- lina Regiment, was given charge of the Confederate hospital at Tarboro. He returned to his home to assume charge, where he remained, except for intervals, throughout the war. He was at the battle of Plymouth and assisted in administering medical aid to the wounded in several minor engagements in North Carolina. It was his unfortunate duty to be present at Appomattox during the termination of the civil strife.
The original First Regiment of North Carolina troops con- tributed some valuable assistance to the cause of the South. Edgecombe County's part in this regiment was made notable by John Luther Bridgers, William Gaston Lewis, Whitmel P. Lloyd, of the Bethel Regiment. J. H. Thorpe, of Rocky Mount, and a member of the Edgecombe Guards, and one of the number who
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volunteered to burn the house obstructing the fire of the Confed- erates at Bethel, rose most rapidly from the ranks. Thorpe was a graduate of the State University and a man of considerable promise when he enlisted in Captain Bridgers's company. After the battle of Bethel he was promoted from the ranks to lieutenant and later became captain of Nash County Volunteers.
The name of William Dorsey Pender ever lives in the hearts of brave and loyal men. Possessed with the calm and courageous bearing, he was, of all Edgecombe's loyal men, the one around whom military history has its glory. He gave more than others who did not lose their all. His gift was precious, because in his loss the Confederacy lost a noble leader and Edgecombe a precious son.
He was born in Edgecombe County, February 6, 1834, the son of James Pender, a descendant of Edwin Pender, of Norfolk, Virginia. Dorsey Pender attended the United States Military Academy and graduated in 1854, in the class of which Custis Lee, Stephen D. Lee, J. E. B. Stuart, and others of military fame, were members. His military experience prior to the war between the States was both varied and useful. He at first received a commission in the artillery, and in 1855 he received permission to be transferred to the First Dragoons. In 1858 he received a promotion to first lieutenant. During his service in the United States Army he had had several encounters with the Indians, an active experience in New Mexico, California, Washington, and Oregon with the Apaches, and the original natives around Four Lakes and Spokane Plains. In 1860 he was adjutant of his regi- ment and also acted in the capacity of recruiting officer in Pennsylvania.
In appearance he was not unlike his fellow-leaders from Edge- combe. His manner was pleasing and gentle. He walked with a stately motion, was a gentleman, cultivated, unaffected, and above all a good friend to his fellowman. The idea that one could not be tender at heart and at the same time maintain disci- pline was without foundation. No man ever received more touch- ing tribute from his former comrades than did Pender.
Realizing the conditions that existed in his State, he returned in 1859, and soon afterwards resigned his commission and ac- cepted a captaincy in the Corps of Artillery in the Confederate
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Army. His first duties were as recruiting officer at Baltimore. Orders had been given General Beauregard, at Charleston, to detail an officer to Baltimore for special service. Through some misunderstanding the officer never appeared. General L. P. Walker, Secretary of War, upon being apprised of the fact by Honorable L. T. Wigfall, wrote him that Captain Pender would be sent as inspector of recruits and to superintend the enlistment of men. War had not yet been declared, but all indications pointed that way, and the Confederate States were preparing. Captain Pender, after a few weeks, was removed from Maryland and stationed at Raleigh, where he became drill master in the spring of 1861. Brigadier General Cox received instructions from him in that year.
May 16, 1861, found him moved still nearer the scene of actual encounter, when he was stationed as post commandant at Garys- burg. He became chief mustering officer for all the companies stationed at his camp. Prior to this, however, Captain Pender expressed his desire to resign and to become actively in service. On May 17, 1861, a few days after he had stated his desire by letter to Governor Ellis, he was advised that the Governor wanted him to remain at camp as instructor, since if he left camp it would have to be abandoned. The Thirteenth North Carolina Regiment was organized on this date, which marks the beginning of his active military career. Three of the companies which con- stituted the regiment had been sent to Garysburg and were being drilled under Captain Pender immediately after the State seceded. While at Garysburg the ten companies which constituted the Regiment organized and elected W. D. Pender colonel. This regiment was then known as the Third North Carolina Volunteers, and was completed in organization May 16, 1861. Among the ten companies was Company G, an Edgecombe organization, with J. H. Hyman captain. The regiment was sworn in the service for twelve months. Soon afterwards the regiment took the oath for the duration of the War and had its name changed to the Thirteenth Regiment, North Carolina troops.
The regiment was stationed at Suffolk, Virginia, until June of 1861, when it marched to Ragged Island and camped six miles from Smithfield, Virginia. For several weeks the regiment re- mained here and did picket duty along the James River opposite
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Newport News. During the month of September, 1861, Colonel Pender resigned his command of the Thirteenth Regiment and was given Fisher's old regiment, the Sixth North Carolina, at Manassas. Colonel Pender took command of the Sixth Regiment at Bull Run immediately after the famous battle. In order to be in a safer location, the camp was moved to near Bristow Station of now historic fame. The regiment had suffered from sickness and disease, and as winter was approaching it went into winter quarters at Freestone Point, near Dunfries. Except for the picket duty the winter proved uneventful. About the 8th of March, 1862, the winter camp was burned with an immense amount of baggage, and the troops were transferred to Fredericksburg.
During the latter part of March a large number of Federal troops under Mcclellan were being moved down the Potomac, when the Sixth Regiment received orders to move towards Rich- mond. While in the process of advancing, orders came for the formation of a battle line, but no engagement occurred. The regiment, although it was in readiness, missed the battle of Williamsburg and the skirmish at Yorktown. The first encounter took place at Barhamsville or Eltham's Landing. The enemy was prevented from landing by gunboats in York River.
The regiment assisted then in a defense camp around Richmond, where it remained until the fight at Seven Pines, where the Fed- erals made a persistent stand. While in this engagement Colonel Pender exercised the quickness of a true soldier. He was in danger at the flank and rear of his regiment by Federal troops. In an instant he saved his command by shouting, "By the left flank, file right, double-quick." His regiment was excellently drilled, and, without a mistake, executed the order and thereby escaped the danger of the Federal formation. A brigade adjacent to him was suffering the worse of the engagement and had its forces repulsed. Colonel Pender, with judicious calmness, reor- ganized its ranks. President Davis was upon the field of battle and witnessed the ability of Colonel Pender. He turned to Pender and said, "General Pender, I salute you." Subsequently Colonel Pender became brigadier general and assumed command of General Pettigrew's brigade. Beginning June 3d he was given a greater opportunity to distinguish himself further.
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General Pender's assignment of the Sixth Brigade included the Second Arkansas Battalion, Sixteenth North Carolina, Twenty- second North Carolina, Thirty-fourth North Carolina, Thirty- eighth North Carolina, and the Twenty-second Virginia battalions. He led his men at Beaver Dam and suffered heavy fire at Cold Harbor, and at Cedar Run he proved the tactician that he was and became the pivot upon which defeat was turned into victory. At second Manassas his sword was applied with soldierly force, and here he received a wound. At Mechanicsville he made a decided stand in an attempt to turn the enemy's left for a decisive advantage. At Fredericksburg he received a second wound and praise for himself and all his men. His brigade had been roughly handled when Major General Hill met him. He requested assist- ance of two more regiments of Riley's brigade to turn the position at Ellison's Mill. He received the cooperation of General Riley, and about dark the attack was made through an open plain against a well-fortified embankment. Immediately following this Gen- eral Pender received another wound at the battle of Frazier's Farm. In this engagement General Pender lost eight hundred men. The Federals, however, testified to his fighting qualities.
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By July, 1862, General Pender was in "Stonewall" Jackson's Division, commanding five regiments. In the meantime General Lee had written General Hill to relieve two brigades-that of Pender and of Lane. An explanation of this was probably the fact that the two brigades were to be sent to North Carolina for the protection of Wilmington. On November 21, 1862, Brigadier General Whiting wrote the Secretary of War that in event of the general movements of the enemy causing a concentration of the army near Richmond and a transfer of the troops to North Caro- lina he desired the brigade of Pender and his troops. The facts, however, in the case were soon disclosed in a letter of General Lee's to President Davis. The order for the release of the two brigades was suspended. General Lee wrote:
"I was surprised to learn from General A. P. Hill on my return that the other two North Carolina brigades, Pender's and Lane's, which had been ordered off, were delighted at the suspension of their order. They did not wish to go to North Carolina." The letter was written January 23, 1863, from Camp Fredericksburg, where the army was in winter quarters.
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The next engagement of any consequence that General Pender took active part was at Chancellorsville in the early part of the year 1863. It was here that General Jackson received a fatal wound and was relying on General Pender, who had been a faithful soldier under his command for several months. It is recorded that General Pender was so reserved in demeanor that General Jackson only knew him for his gallantry in battle, the discipline of his troops, and the orderly appearance of his camp.
At Chancellorsville General Jackson, after receiving his wound, recognized General Pender through the darkness, and said, "You must hold your ground, General Pender, you must hold your ground, sir." From the account of General Lee, General Pender held his ground, for in his report he recorded that "General Pender led his brigade to the attack under a destructive fire, bearing the colors of a regiment in his own hands up to and over the entrenchments, with the most distinguished gallantry."
Immediately after the wounding of General A. P. Hill, Gen- eral Pender took command of the "Light Division," receiving a slight wound while in battle. General Lee recommended that he be permanently assigned to this command, because of his quali- ties as an officer, "attentive, industrious, and brave, and has been conspicuous in every battle, and I believe wounded in most :Il of them." He was accordingly promoted to major general May 27, 1863, at the age of twenty-nine, but experienced in the school of war and hardships.
General Pender is best known for his activities, although of short duration, while in command of the "Light Division." Every one knew of him in the Army of Northern Virginia. He was quick to move, alert and forceful, as he was impetuous in attack- ing an enemy. He had the reputation of being never late. His reputation gained credence the few weeks he was actively in com- mand. It was commonly circulated among the army in Virginia that General Lee said Pender was the only man in his army that could fill the place of "Stonewall" Jackson.
General Pender's first great battle after his promotion was at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It was here he met an untimely death.
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On July 1st his division had attacked the enemy and driven him from Seminary Ridge. During the second day General Pender, Lieutenant Colonel Lewis, whose command rested on the left of Pender's division, and Major Englehard were reclining on a large rock pleasantly passing jocular remarks, when a terrific artillery fire opened up from Cemetery Hill and struck the Con- federate lines. An eye witness relates that General Pender, in a most quiet and unassuming manner, raised up and said, "Major, this indicates an assault on our lines, and we will ride to the center of the division." The group rode off preliminary to an attack on Cemetery Hill, and had reached half the distance to the center of the division when General Pender was struck in his leg by a fragment of a shell. He survived the retreat to Staunton, where his leg was amputated July 18th, with subsequent death. His body lies in the beautiful Calvary churchyard at Tarboro, the town which still cherishes his memory.
General G. C. Wharton stated that in a conversation between A. P. Hill and himself General Lee said, "I ought not to have fought the battle of Gettysburg; it was a mistake. But the stakes were so great I was compelled to play; for if we had succeeded, Harrisburg, Baltimore, and Washington were in our hands; and we would have succeeded had Pender lived." The official records give testimony to General Lee's appreciation of his worth as a soldier and as a man. "The loss of Major General Pender," he writes, "is severely felt by the army and the country. He served with this army from the beginning of the war, and took a dis- tinguished part in all its engagements. Wounded on several occa- sions, he never left his command in action until he received the injury which caused his death. His promise and usefulness as an officer were only equaled by the purity and excellence of his private life." This excellent citizen and soldier has been honored by his county and State. Pender County, North Carolina, has been named in his honor, while the local chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy bears his name. Mrs. L. L. Staton, of Tar- boro, contributed a memorial poem in his honor which was read at a meeting of the William Dorsey Pender Chapter, February 3,
GEN. W. D. PENDER
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1915. When General Pender's body was moved to Tarboro for reinterment, a beautiful poem, contributed by William Loftin Hargrave, was sung at the grave. It is worthy of permanent record. "Dulce et decorum est, pro Patria mori." 1
"Soldier, while the Spring so balmy, Sighs in fragrance o'er thy head, While thou sleepest on so calmly, Loving hands adorn thy bed. Let these flowers tell thy story, Bright and brief in dying-blest Let them breathe, Pro Patri mori, Dulce et decorum est.
"In our hearts we proudly cherish, Recollections of thy worth; Noble deeds can never perish- Virtue has immortal birth. Lost to us-but not to glory! Warrior, in thine honor rest! Sweetly rest! Pro Patria mori, Dulce et decorum est.
"Brighter flowers, noble Pender, Mem'ry weaves around thy name. Son of Southland-brave defender, Love is dearer still than Fame. Rest thee-in thy garments gory, War's grim emblem on thy breast, Rest in peace! Pro Patria mori, Dulce et decorum est."
One of the saddest regrets in Edgecombe's history is that no monument has been erected to perpetuate his heroic deeds. The State has also shown its indifference during fifty-six years. A memorial window in Calvary Church enshrines his memory, his grave is marked by a circle of cannon balls placed as a sad memorial by the Edgecombe Guards.
Brigadier General William Ruffin Cox's activities belong to Edgecombe County beginning with 1857. He moved to Edge- combe in this year and became extensively engaged in agriculture. In 1861, when times were excitable and pulses ran high, he con- tributed his knowldege and services to the State. He was a man
1 Horace Odes 8-218. It is sweet and glorious to die for one's country.
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of good education, having been admitted to the bar to practice law. His first service was the assistance rendered in organizing "Ellis Artillery" Company and later organizing a company of infantry. In the meantime he had been commissioned by Governor Ellis major of the Second Regiment of North Carolina troops. This regiment soon entered active service. He was at Chancellors- ville and at Cold Harbor. At Sharpsburg the well-beloved Colonel C. C. Tew was killed, and when Judge W. P. Bynum was advanced next in command Cox was appointed lieutenant-colonel. Soon afterwards Bynum resigned and Cox became colonel of the regi- ment in March, 1863. The part that the Second Regiment played was indeed heroic, having achieved imperishable honors. Acting in command of the regiment Colonel Cox moved into the valley of Virginia. In the spring of 1863 Colonel Cox moved to Chancellorsville driving the enemy from his outposts. They camped so near the enemy that night all orders were given in whispers. Saturday night the charge was made by General Jackson's Corps, when Cox's regiment halted a few feet from Generals Lee and Jackson. Immediately afterwards the Second Regiment was ordered to charge. The order was misunderstood by some. Seven companies of the regiment charged, but going at different directions, the left end going far beyond the breast- works, while the right never reached it. The cause for the trouble was an order given by General Ramsuer. As he neared the Second Regiment, he said: "Forward, Second." The three captains stood half faced to the right observing Cox, who was waiting for his command. The men were at high tension when General Ramseur said: "Forward at once." The three companies got the command first and dashed away at top speed. Cox, taking in the situation, led the remaining companies and succeeded in driving the enemy from his works and silenced his guns. In this battle he was wounded three times.
The next engagement was at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863, but Cox was absent from his regiment on account of his wounds. General Ramsuer paid him a high compliment for his services and named him "the manly and chivalrous Cox."
Cox rejoined his command when it returned from Pennsylvania and took part in the Wilderness and Spottsylvania battles in 1864. After these battles, under command of General Ramsuer,
GEN. W. R. COX
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Lee, and Ewell, he was promoted to brigadier general. His old regiment remained in his brigade. He fought in Early's Division at Castleman's Ford, Winchester, Fisher's Mill and Cedar Creek. His brigade became known as Cox's brigade from the battle of Spottsylvania. His brigade captured more prisoners at Win- chester than it numbered and harrassed thousands in retreat.
His brigade fought through Maryland to Washington and the Shenandoah battle of the fall of 1864. He then returned to the battle scarred field of Northern Virginia, where he waited around Petersburg and took part in the attempt of Gordon's Corps to pierce the enemy's lines at Fort Stedman. It was on this retreat Cox displayed his best soldiership. Governor Vance related that one day during a retreat to the West, when General Lee was taxed to get in line some routed troops, he became elated by the appearance of a small but well organized brigade. He called out to his aide: "What troops are those ?" "Cox's North Carolina brigade," was the reply. General Lee took off his hat and with bowed head said, "God bless North Carolina."
From Petersburg the brigade went to Appomattox, where Gen- eral Cox led the division in the last charge after ordering his brigade to cover the retreat. His men who were retiring were exhausted and well spent, but Cox ordered a halt and a command of "Right about face" was given. With the promptness of veterans they returned and fired a deadly volley into the Fed- eral ranks. Once more the firm Cox ordered, "Ready, aim, fire." This was the last volley fired by any troop of the Army of North- ern Virginia. Defeated but not conquered the gallant Cox bore his eleven wounds and laid down his sword with the soldierly grace of a true hero.
Although the career and achievements of Edgecombe's sons were of conspicuous interest, its military history centers around the performance of its organizations. The county contributed several companies to the service of the Confederate States and many notable events are credited to their achievements. The various companies in the North Carolina Regiments, its officers and part taken in battles, are given in order named :
Company A in First North Carolina or Bethel has already been given. The companies assigned to North Carolina regiments are as follows: Company C, Eighth Regiment; Companies A, C, D,
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Tenth Regiment; Company G, Thirteenth Regiment; Companies I and K, Fifteenth Regiment; Company I, Seventeenth Regi- ment; Company F, Thirtieth Regiment; Company F, Thirty- first Regiment; Company B, Thirty-third Regiment; Company F, Fortieth Regiment; Company E, Forty-third Regiment; Com- pany B, Forty-fourth Regiment, and Company I, of the Seventy- fifth Regiment.
Company C of the Eighth North Carolina Regiment was originally made up from the counties of Edgecombe, Franklin, and New Hanover, and was organized at Warrenton, North Caro- lina, August and September, 1861. Charles H. Barron, of Edge- combe, was commissioned first lieutenant, May 16, 1861, and was promoted to captain February 1, 1863. William J. Baker, of Edgecombe, was second corporal, having enlisted July 9, 1861. J. B. Hill, a private, was soon promoted to sergeant. The county contributed thirty-nine privates out of the total number of ninety-one, in addition to an officer and two noncommissioned officers. The company was mustered in the Eighth Regiment Sep- tember 13th by Colonel Robert Ramson, for the entire war. It received instruction in a camp near Warrenton, and was sta- tioned on Ronoke Island where fortifications were built. In October the regiment embarked on barges to the sound to attack an enemy force along the sea coast at Chicamacomics. The at- tack was made on October 4th and the entire camp and fifty-five prisoners were captured. It remained around Hatteras and Fort Bartow until February, 1862, when an enemy fleet entered Pam- lico Sound and bombarded Fort Bartow, when the regiment re- tired to the north of the island. The island surrendered, and the Eighth Regiment held as prisoners of war and paroled two weeks later. The regiment reassembled September, 1862, one year after its organization, with its former companies remaining intact. It became a part of General F. L. Clingman's brigade, and was stationed around Kinston, Wilmington, and Newbern, spending the winter at Camp Whiting at Goldsboro. At Goldsboro Lieu- tenant Barron was promoted to captain of Company C. In Feb- ruary the regiment was ordered to Charleston, South Carolina, and later to Savannah, Georgia. It later returned to Charleston and then to Wilmington. It saw its first real service on its return to Charleston, July 13, 1863. Here it fought against an ironclad
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