Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 23.djvu/83

 Tfn Fnrt ; i-,>ii,tl Ao/'/A r,/,-,,//,,,/ ///</ //////. 77

Koulhar, with tnstrUCtioftfl to hold the portion, was carried from the ti.-ld. barely in time to pass through the only gap which the enemy had not tilled. In hut a few moments more the left Hank of the reg- iment was driven hack on the right to our works, while the enemv'^ line in our former front came over the works, which had been stub- bornly held by Captain J. C. Grier, of Company F, up to this time. We were overpowered, and the few that were left were made prison- ers, some being knocked down with the- butts of rifles, and Cap- tain (irier throwing away his empty pistol, as several bayonets were presented at his breast, with the demand for his surrender. And this was the end. Three times after we were surrounded the Forty- ninth advanced to the charge, and drove back the constricting foe; but when we charged in one direction, those on the other sides of us closed in upon us, and our efforts availed nothing. A few escaped to prolong their sufferings on the retreat to the place of final sur- render by General Lee. Many were killed, maimed and stricken in that last useless and criminally mismanaged encounter, and the remainder were captured and held until after the last acts in that great drama of war and subjugation.

The details and most of the data for this monograph of the old command have been obtained from Captain Henry A. Chambers, who kindly furnished me the diary he faithfully and accurately kept throughout that stormy period. Accidentally, as I find in reading it over, I have omitted the fact of the wounding of Capt Janies T. Adams, of Company K, in the trenches during the month of July, i S64, by which he was deprived of his leg. Others may have escaped my recollection. I have intended them no slight. I would that I could do justice, full but simple justice, not alone to its officers, but its brave, patriotic, faithful rank and file, so many of whom gave up their lives or carried through life mutilated limbs and bodies. In the midst of exacting duties, I could not refuse to contribute the best I could to perpetuate some memorial of the Forty-ninth Regiment. In ic thirty years since the surrender many, perhaps most, of those who survived the casualties of war, have faced the grim sergeant and swered the roll call beyond. With all such, may their portion be iod's blessing of everlasting peace. With those who yet remain, lay he bless them with prosperity, usefulness and honorable repose .hen age has sapped their energies and wasting strength has un- itted them for further toil. My heart fills with sadness and distress i hen I think of those who poured out their blood as a sacrifice which, .reliance, the world will say was useless. Hut, nay, the lesson of cour-