USA > Virginia > Historical sketches of the Nottoway Grays, afterwards Company G, Eighteenth Virginia Regiment, Army of Northern Virginia; > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
We had gotten to the stream in the valley east of the "Chinn" house, with but little loss, when on our left on a high ridge a whole brigade seemed to rise up, as if in a moment, with a bat- tery of artillery on each flank. Their fire of grape and shell and Minie balls raked our line from one end to the other. Under this we had to change front to the left. In doing this, the loss of our men was very great, as indicated by the killing and wound-
.
1
22
ing of ten of the seventeen officers of the Regiment, including Col. Carrington and Adjutant McCulloch. The movement was completed and the line was moving up the intervening ridge run- ning parallel to the one the Federals were occupying. Just as our line approached the crest of this ridge, Captain Irby was wounded by two balls which struck him at the same instant, one in the left breast, the other in the neck, thus disabling him for duty. Private S. B. Sublett was killed; Lieutenant Ferguson, Corporal Tucker, Privates L. E. Hardy and J. W. Clarke were seriously wounded-others slightly.
Two incidents occurred in this battle which serve to illustrate the spirit of the men, the first witnessed by the Captain. As the line was pressing down the hill, the color-bearer was instantly killed. Seeing the colors falling, Color-Corporal E. G. Sydnor snatched the staff from the dying man's hand, before it reached the ground, and bore it bravely through the conflict. For this he was promptly promoted to fill the vacancy, and he bore them till he was killed. No one ever bore them more bravely, nor ever surrendered a life more full of promise.
As Ex-Lieut. Ferguson was lying in a gully severely wounded, a soldier of another command jumped over him, and stopped a minute, thinking he recognized him as an old friend and school- mate. He said, "Is that you Dick ?" Dick's only reply was, "Go on ! go on ! and whip the Yankees !" These two friends did not meet again for years, but when they did, they found that they had met and greeted each other that day for the first time since they were at college together-a hurried greeting it was.
The company, under command of Lieutenant Campbell, went on to Maryland. It took part in the battle of Boonsboro, where overpowering numbers, for the first time, drove back our line, and but for relief coming up there would have been heavy defeat. Here Corporal B. I. Scott, one of the best men in the Regiment, was killed. At the opening of hostilities he was teaching school in Athens, East Tennessee, where the people were much divided on the issue of the war. Hastening to Nottoway, where he had previously lived, he joined the company, giving up at the outset of life an honorable success which seemed almost in his grasp.
In a few days afterwards came the battle of Sharpsburg, when the courage of the men was tested to its utmost strain. In this battle Color-bearer E. Garland Sydnor, of Company G, was killed by a shell. Major Cabell, then in command of the Regi- ment, was near by him and saw him die. He mourned over him as one of the most gallant men who ever carried the colors of the 18th Regiment. He was carefully buried on the field, from whence after the war his remains were removed and brought to the family burying-ground in Nottoway. Of those wounded in these battles no record is left, but when Captain Irby reached the company, about the middle of October, 1862, he found about 25
23
men much worn with hard marching and poorly supplied with clothing and food. The camp was about six miles from Win- chester, on the Harper's Ferry road. Under all their hardships, privations and bereavements, they were still bearing themselves bravely and far more cheerfully than a civilian could have imag- ined. They were not only ragged and hungry, but had attained that highest of all soldierly attainments-they were lousy. If this was any advantage with their other experience, they were veterans indeed. This Egyptian curse was common to all ranks, for the lowest private suffered under it as well as the highest in command. The camp was literally swarming with the vermin.
About the first of November the Camp near Winchester was broken up, and the command moved down via Front Roval and Chester Gap to Culpeper. Burnside, now in command of the Federal army, was moving down the Potomac, threatening another onward move to Richmond. There were indications of a battle at Culpeper, where the command remained several weeks. About the first of December another move took place, our com- mand recrossing at Raccoon Ford, and moving down the Rap- idan, confronted the Federals at Fredericksburg. Camping in one of the hollows between the long hills, the command arranged their shelters. They had no tents. But hardened as they were, they made themselves comfortable during the nights of Decem- ber. They did not have long to wait.
On the morning of the 12th of December, picket firing was heard very early on the Rappahannock opposite Fredericksburg. The whole town and surroundings were covered by the heavy guns of the Federals, and thus they were enabled to place their bridges in position during the night previous and the morning, with little opposition from our forces. Immense masses poured over and filed down the railroad, covered by an embankment. Except at the flanks of the opposing armies, where the hills on either side approached the river, the field between the opposite heights averaged about a mile and a half wide. Company G was about in the centre of the main line at the foot of the hills, which here formed a crescent. The heavy fighting was on the flanks, in sight of us on the right, but not on the left. Though it was the seventh great battle the company had been in, it was the first time we had seen opposing lines taking position, and then attacking and charging to and fro, with artillery in full play. Ensconced in our strong breastworks, which had been thrown up during the early part of the battle, we could see all this on the great day of the battle (the 13th) while we fired not a gun, nor did one seem to be fired at us. The wish was frequently expressed that the enemy would attack us, for we had made every preparation to receive them. After suffering the most signal repulse time and again, at all points, on the night of the 13th, under the cover of thick darkness, the Federal forces retired beyond the river. The morning of the 14th was ushered
.
S
1
24
in by rain and dark clouds, but early in the day the clouds lifted and the sun shone out and revealed to us the blue lines of infantry basking in its light on the opposite hill slopes. Then the former Confederate lines were re-established, and there was a great calm.
Thus ended the campaign of 1862, prolonged far into the win- ter. Our command, as soon as possible, went into winter quarters, made in the best way practicable, with such materials as could be gotten. This camp was at Holladay's farm, about four miles from Fredericksburg. Here Christmas found the company, after a year of unexampled marching and counter-marching, heavy fighting at home and abroad, victorious on many fields, conquered on none.
WINTER QUARTERS AT HOLLADAY'S FARM 1863.
In January, 1863, Captain Irby asked and obtained from the Secretary of War a detail to service in the Commissary Depart- ment .* Since his wound he had been partially paralyzed on one side, and therefore unable to march without suffering great in- convenience. As the feeding of the army was now becoming a serious question, he felt he could do more in a field of service bet- ter suited to his condition. He feels that he can take the liberty to say that he left bearing the respect of all and the love of many of those he had been honored in leading, and in whose priva- tions and labors he had borne a cheerful share.
The company spent the Winter in quarters at Holladay's Farm, in Spottsylvania county, about four miles from Guinney's Station on the R. F. & P. R. R. If anything worthy of mention occur- red during this period, no record can now be found.
We here give narrative of Lieut. Ferguson. He had been honorarily connected with the company since April, 1862, and been with it in all its battles, when not prevented by sickness or wounds. He was elected 3d Lieutenant early in 1863. It would be doing Lieut. Ferguson great injustice to confound him with w hat were called " free-fighters" during the war. Incapacitated by pulmonary disease, induced by an attack of the measles in the first year of the war, he was exempt from service-but so ardent was his zeal, and so great his bravery, he never failed to make his appearance on the eve of battle, when it was possible for him to do so. In this way he had been with the company at Rich- mond, 2d Manassas and Fredericksburg, in the two former of which battles he was wounded. When he appeared on such oc- casions, the "boys" would say, "Dick Ferguson has come, we
* In this department he was made Captain and A. C. S., in June, 1863.
.
25
are going to have another fight." His fighting was done in the ranks, with his musket, where he taught the men that a brave man was not ashamed to stand, although he had once had bars on his collar. His Captain, who knew him so well, does not hesitate to say that he was the completest soldier he ever met. with in the army, and Col. Carrington so pronounced him at the battle of Gettysburg, where he probably fired the last gun dis- charged by Pickett's Division :
R. FERGUSON'S NARRATIVE .- COMPANY G, CAROLINA CAMPAIGN.
Company G, along with Garnett's Brigade, was detached from Pickett's Division at Chester, Va., in the month of April or May (I think), 1863, and sent by rail from Petersburg to Tarboro, N. C. Thence they marched to Greenville and Little Washing- ton, where the Federals were in force and strongly fortified. (I returned to the Command at this point, having been on recruit- ing service for several weeks, with Geo. W. Jones-who joined Company G-and other recruits for the Regiment.)
The weather was warm for the season, and the march fatigue- ing, and considerable time consumed in crossing the wide swamps. On the march the boys enjoyed hugely the sweet potatoes and scuppernong wine, and occasionally a chicken stew. Around Washington the rations were chiefly fresh fish and yellow corn meal, which was cooked without sifting. In addition to this, we had to eat it frequently cold, which made it still more unpalata- ble, as the wagon train had to be kept at a safe distance in the rear, and the cooking was required to be done there. The country, too, being flat, and the rains heavy and frequent, rendered our camp very uncomfortable.
There was no fighting save a little artillery skirmishing, dur- ing which several members of the company made narrow escapes. A good illustration of the bravery and readiness of the men for duty was. here exhibited. Volunteers were called for to go be- yond the outposts and prevent the enemy during the night from cutting down a large tree between one of our batteries and theirs. Lieuts. Muse and Ferguson, with twelve men from Company G, offered their services and spent the night between the picket lines, listening to the conversation of the enemy's pickets, and the continual barking of the dogs, with which to us, the little town seemed filled. At early dawn, according to orders, the squad returned in safety.
We were kept in suspense for several days, expecting either to attack or to be attacked.
But one day after a heavy rain, just at night-fall, we took up the line of retreat, marching all night-and frequently in water from ankle to armpit deep; for orders were given not to suffer
£
26
any of the soldiers to cross the swamps on the foot-bridges. In two days we camped near Tarboro, and in a few days left by railroad for Suffolk.
The most noted part of this trip by railway, was the display of one of the many pranks to which soldiers are given. The gov- ernment had a large corn-sheller, run by steam, at the Tarboro depot. The soldiers, before leaving, threw large quantities of cobs upon the flats, and whenever they passed a person on the roadside, they would commence " shelling him," as they called it. As rude as it was, it was nevertheless amusing to see men and boys, white and black, as well as horses, running pell-mell, to es- cape the volley after volley of cobs which poured forth with a shout from the passing cars.
SUFFOLK CAMPAIGN.
We stopped at Franklin depot, and next day marched off to- ward Suffolk, where we rejoined Longstreet. There.we remained for several days. The country round about had been scoured by the soldiers, and there was little to be had to eat for love or money. Our wagon train had to come across the country from Carolina, consequently we fared poorly. Meat was more plenti- ful than bread. A few peas, which a lucky member of the com- pany found in his rambles, made small division amongst us. We went out on picket duty only once. Found there had been sharp skirmishing and much preparation made for a battle. But after tarrying for a few days, the orders came to move, and at dark, hungry though glad, we set out, and marching all night reached Blackwater a little after sunrise, and crossed on pontoon bridges at South Quay. Here, to our great joy and comfort, we met again our wagon train and cooks, with hot biscuit, coffee and fried ham, in abundance.
Thenee we marched for Petersburg, camping for the first night near Jerusalem, the county seat of Southampton, situated on Nottoway river which we hailed with delight as an old friend.
The next night we camped near Petersburg, and thence marched on toward Richmond, and camped for several days at Rice's Turnout (now Drewry's Bluff) on the R. & P. R. R., and on the very spot now used as a Confederate cemetery. Here the sad tidings came to us of Gen. Jackson's death. When the train stopped and the news spread, stout men that were not much ac- customed to weep, shed tears freely.
GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
From this point we started on the Gettysburg Campaign. We halted for several days in Louisa county. At this camp, consid- erable religious interest was manifested in the Division. Meet- ings were conducted morning and evening chiefly by Rev. Drs. Pryor and Granbery. These were soon interrupted, however,
.
27
by the continuation of the march. We proceeded through Orange, Culpeper, Rappahannock, Fauquier and Loudoun coun- ties, to Snicker's Gap in the Blue Ridge mountains, which we crossed, and then forded the Shenandoah river about sunset. Before we could get established in camp a heavy rain fell. Next morning at sunrise we re-crossed the river, which had swollen con- siderably, and was just fordable by the short men. We lay all that day in line of battle, guarding the gap, but no enemy ap- peared. We waded the river again that evening, and next day proceeded toward Winchester, and thenee to the Potomac, which we crossed at Williamsport.
Here, before going into camp, a sad and solemn scene was en- acted-the shooting of a man by the name of Riley, who had de- serted the Regiment several times. The Division was formed into a hollow square, and the poor man, according to military custom, was marched around with Chaplain Granbery as attend- ant, followed by a guard of twelve men, and preceded by the drum beating the " Dead March." He seemed perfectly calm. He was seated on his coffin, and at the word "fire," fell, pierced by six bullets-half the guns being loaded with blank cartridges.
Thence we moved across the line into Pennsylvania, and camped near a little town, -, until the 2d of July, when we marched up near Gettysburg. The booming of the cannon and the rattle of the musketry told us of the dreadful work going on there.
Our men were in excellent spirits, and kept well together. None of them pillaged in the least, so far as I know. In fact, most of us fared worse in Pennsylvania than in Virginia, because we had no greenbacks with which to buy anything.
On the morning of the 3d July, we moved into position, under the eye of Gen. Lee himself, and were placed in support of Dearing's Battalion of Artillery. For more than two hours we lay in the hot, broiling sun, in the midst of the unceasing roar and whirl and whiz of shot and shell. Some of the men were torn into pieces, others were overcome by the heat.
But at the command, they moved forward steadily and promptly. Company G was deployed as skirmishers, and at the proper time assembled and took. place in line. I remember well, it manœuvred handsomely.
As Adjutant, I was in a situation to know, and can testify to the admirable conduct of the entire Regiment-how they closed up when large gaps were made in the ranks-how orderly they moved forward, driving the enemy-and how the few scattered ones that remained unhurt held their ground, hoping, but in vain, for support, until they were killed or captured by the fresh troops of the Federals, that were pushed forward to support their comrades and restore the broken lines. No charge could have . been more gallant. And looking at it now with calm reflection, after this lapse of years, I think I may say no commendation
.
28
given by writers concerning this celebrated charge of Pickett's Division has ever exceeded the truth.
Sergeant-Major J. C. Gill, formerly of Company G, fell at my side wounded in the loins. While I was endeavoring to aid him and J. C. Webb (also of Company G, who was wounded just below the eye), both of whom died, there was a momentary cessation of the firing. Our scattered men were trying to save themselves from capture by a hasty retreat. I remember to have seen Charles Atkinson, who was wounded, and Ovid Williams, who it is supposed was killed, running back. Seeing, the next instant, the fresh troops in our front, who opened immediately upon our retreating men, and knowing it would be certain death to attempt escape across the open field, I laid down and com- menced firing, and continued until I saw it was useless, and the wounded around begged me to quit as it was only endanger- ing their lives. I then endeavored to pass off as a wounded man, hoping to escape by night, or that our reserves would deliver us; but soon the enemy advanced their lines, and about sunset came around getting up all the wounded ones who could walk. I shall ever remember the heart-rending scene of our brave com- rades, lying wounded upon the ground, and beseeching Col. Car- rington and myself, who were carried from the field together, "Please bring me some water."
Adjutant Ferguson was carried to Johnson's Island and pa- roled a few weeks before the surrender of the army.
-
--
29
RESULTS OF THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.
It is not known definitely how many men went into the bat- tle. But it is known, that only six of those who went in came out unhurt-viz., Lieut. A. D. Crenshaw, Sergt. T. J. Tucker, Privates A. V. Brown, J. T. Hardy, J. D. and J. M. Tunstill. The following were killed or mortally wounded :
Corpl. W. M. Hamilton, H. H. Foster,
J. C. Gill, Sergeant Major of T. J. Gunn, the Regiment, G. H. Jackson,
Jno. Campbell,
H. Overby,
J. W. Eckles,
J. C. Webb, W. O. Williams .- 11.
J. A. Elder,
WOUNDED.
Capt. Archer Campbell,
1st Lieut. E. H. Muse,
Sergt. Jos. A. Goulder,
R. C. Gunn,
Corpl. R. N. Hardaway,
Thos. Gregory,
Corpl. G. B. Seay,
J. Hardaway,
Corpl. A. F. Morgan,
Edmund Irby,
Corpl. L. E. Hardy, F. Q. Marshall,
C. T. Atkinson (taken pris'r),
C. Stith (taken prisoner),
R. H. Cobbs,
J. A. Webb-19.
C. Evers (taken prisoner), .
J. C. Farley,
S. W. Ferguson,
Lieut. Crenshaw mustered his remnant the next morning, but was denied the sad gratification of burying his hero comrades lying on the field or of ministering to the wants of those ready to die. With the exception of G. H. Jackson, who died at Staun- ton from his wound, all of the killed and mortally wounded were left in Pennsylvania, and no one knows their graves, if buried. It may be that some of their bones may have been gathered into Hollywood, near Richmond, since the war. Who knows ? Others, doubtless, have whitened and mingled into dust on the field where they fell, which now the plow-boy, whistling as he plows, turns over as common earth, unconscious that his plow- share is stirring sod hallowed by the blood of as brave men as the Continent has ever known. We will rescue, from the wave of oblivion, if we can, the names of these dead heroes, and deem it a pious task, proud to know that we were honored in having been their comrades. If victory had crowned the Confederate banner, and we were now what we fought to be, would not these men's names have been treasured, and their bones been gath- ered, and their praises sung by a grateful country ? Defeat can never blot out the glory of their deeds in the minds and hearts of those capable of appreciating bravery such as theirs.
This calamity, with discase, which had taken away one of the
£
30
company -- viz., G. W. Foster-hardly left a squad of all that large company, so prominent in the 18th Regiment.
The whole Regiment had suffered likewise, and probably did not now number fifty men for duty. So crippled was it, that it was ordered to the rear, and stationed at Petersburg for guard duty, so that it might have opportunity to recruit. A short time after the Regiment was stationed here, the company was detached from the Regiment, and ordered back to Danville as a guard at the Federal Prison. In this capacity it served till December, 1864. The only incident worthy of note during this period oc- curred during a trip to the famous Andersonville Prison in Georgia, to which place Company G was dispatched in guard of a detachment of Federal prisoners. Having been kept there a week or so, the discipline of the company was so far superior to that of the other Commands stationed there, that a very de- cided effort was made to retain the company as permanent guard, and the citizens, who were very uneasy for fear the prisoners would break out, went so far as to give the company a public . dinner, to effeet an end they deemed so desirable. This effort, however, failed, and the company returned to Virginia.
While Company G was stationed in Danville, the Regiment was again thrown into active service, and engaged in the battle of Drewry's Bluff. In this engagement, Lieutenant-Colonel G. C. Cabell was severely wounded and disabled for active service during the war.
THE TRENCHES-1865.
Little can be recorded of the company during its stay in the trenches between the James and Appomattox rivers. In April, 1865, it was moved to the extreme right of the line, then held by Pickett's Division. Here commenced the series of constant, every-day battles, which continued till the day of the surrender. At the "Five Forks," on the 1st of April, a few miles south of the Southside Railroad, a heavy engagement took place. In this bat- tle, Company G suffered considerably, losing Lieut. A. D. Cren- shaw, shot while waving his hat and leading the company forward; also, R. C. Gunn and B. C. Bouldin-the two former veterans of four years-the latter a new recruit and hardly of age. J. J. O'Neil and G. H. Bowles lost each a leg, and Sergt. J. A. Goulder and J. W. Tunstill were wounded ; also, R. B. Mun- ford and W. H. Reames. It narrowly escaped capture at this time.
1
Then commenced that dreary retreat, during which well nigh every hour witnessed a struggle for existence. Almost in sight of home, with flanks threatened day and night by foes flushed with confidence, this was a sore trial. The second day after the battle of Five Forks, the shattered Command turned their backs
£
31
on their native sod, having passed through Amelia county and reached the county of Prince Edward. Between Rice's Depot and Farmville, at Sailors' Creek, on the 6th of April, Pickett's Division made its last effort, and after a gallant fight yielded to overwhelming numbers.
In this day's battle, Captain Archer Campbell was killed. An eve-witness says he had surrendered and was in the act of un- buckling his sword-belt when he was cut down by one of Sheri- dan's dragoons. A native, of Lunenburg county, the son of a Scotchman, he had lived in Nottoway but a short time before the war broke out. A young man of fine character and habits, and skilled in his trade, he had every prospect of success in life. Singularly modest in his deportment, he had steadily advanced from the ranks to the position of captain, which he held from June, 1863, to his death. Twice wounded in former battles, it was his sad fate to die almost in sight of his native hills, and to be buried (if buried at all) in an unknown grave, by the foes he had faced for four long years. Lieutenant Muse was wounded early in the day, and was carried to the rear by Sergeant G. B. Seay, who both thus escaped capture. These two and a few others who were detailed as skirmishers on the flanks, were all who escaped capture. The rest laid down their arms, submit- ting, with what grace they could, to the prisoner's fate. It was their peculiarly hard lot to be marched by their own homes, through the centre of the county, in which most of them were born. Their families, if apprised of their condition, were not then able to do anything for them. Bound for prison, they left their homes and friends in the hands of the foes they had fought so long. They landed at Point Lookout, where they remained for some time. Some came home to die of prison fe- ver-viz., Edmund Irby and E. G. Gunn ; and C. Stith died on the ship before reaching City Point, and probably the Chesa- peake covers his bones.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.