Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 23.djvu/175

, 1864-65. UN)

In a h-w days Terry advanced, and wr slowly fell back to Wil- mington. Kirkland's Brigade fighting this time as tin- rear guard, skirmishing behind tin- pin< s. Tin- retreat through the city wax gloomy indeed, lor \\e had many strong personal friends among its kind and hospitable people. Still forming the rearguard of the in- fantry column, our brigade crossed North East river on a pontoon bridge very near the railroad bridge, which was burned. I was directed with two companies of the Seventeenth North Carolina to prevent the enemy from crossing by the railroad bridge, to cover the withdrawal of all our cavalry over the pontoon. At this point we had a spirited affair with the enemy from opposite sides of the river, but he was not allowed to cross until our forces were all safely over on our side, when we quietly rejoined our column on the march to Goldsboro. I remember Lieutenant Wilson G. Lamb, with one of the companies of the Seventeenth, as displaying coolness and conspicuous bravery. Indeed, the entire command at the burning bridge was efficient and brave. Our campaign in the barren tur- pentine peninsula was very uncomfortable. Food was scarce, and we all got smutted by lightwood fires.

In fighting Terry's troops we encountered the first enemy armed with repeating rifles, one of his regiments (I believe the Tenth Con- necticut) having Spencer seven-shooters.

Soon after reaching Goldsboro we moved to Kinston, and General Bragg was reinforced by troops from Hood's army, now commanded by General D. H. Hill.

The enemy came out from Newbern under General Cox, and Bragg advanced to meet him at or near Wise's Fork. Hoke's Division was put in motion in the night, Kirkland's Brigade this time leading, and by a long detour through woods and swamps, completely turned the enemy's right and advanced upon his rear.

About noon on the 8th of March, 1865, Hoke formed his division in line for attack, Kirkland's Brigade on the right, and there was no sign that the enemy knew we were in the dense swamp or pocoson behind him. Hoke summoned all his brigadiers to the extreme right for consultation, and these, with their staff officers, made a party of about twenty mounted officers. The General concluded to extend his line still further to the right, and, thinking we were not discovered by the enemy, moved by the right flank all these horse- men in front, with no skirmish line out, but followed by Colonel John N. Whitford's Battalion of Rangers. Suddenly, while the men were knee-deep in water, a Federal regiment rose up out of the