Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 28.djvu/18

 12 Southern Historical Society Papers.

Dinwiddie Courthouse, fighting all the way, and then back to Five Forks, fighting all day. At Five Forks we had a hard battle. The fighting force of the enemy was 3,100 infantry, and all of Sheridan's cavalry. Pickett's division constituted all the infantry of the Con- federates.

The writer of this article was captured at this place, and thus ended his career as a Confederate soldier. What I have written is from memory.

I will mention several of the members of the original company (Brunswick Guards), viz: James A. Riddick was the only member of the original company who ever held a commission after it was disbanded, and placed in Company H, 53d regiment. He was elected lieutenant, and made a capable and efficient officer.

Adolphus Johnson, one of the color guards at the battle of Get- tysburg, was killed upholding his flag. He was the last one of the guards to carry the colors, and bore them to the stone wall.

Fenton Williams was in only two battles of the war Seven Pines and Gettysburg. He was severely wounded at Seven Pines, and sent to the hospital, where he contracted small-pox. He was killed in his first day's service after leaving the hospital, at the battle of Gettysburg.

I will add an extract from a letter received by the writer of these lines from Captain J. L. Latan6, who commanded our company:

"Of my opinion of the men as soldiers of the 'Old Brunswick Guards ' I cannot be too strong in words of praise, for, as I said on a former occasion, they were never called on to perform any duty day or night that it was not done most cheerfully, without a mur- mur or complaint, entirely subject to discipline, and to a man, as far as I can remember, doing what was ordered by those in author- ity. When I forget them and their deeds of heroism, may a just and righteous God forget me.

"(Signed.) JOHN L. LATANE, "Late Captain Company H, jjd Regiment

Virginia Volunteers. ' '

THE ROLL OF MEMBERS.

The following is a roll of the officers and members of the Bruns- wick Guards, who first saw service in the 5th Virginia battalion, and later in company H, 53d Virginia regiment: