Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 30.djvu/171

 Elliott Grays of Manchester, Va. 163

ARMED WITH BOARDING PIKES.

When the company left Manchester each man was armed with a bowie knife.

After being at Norfolk a few weeks the men were armed with board- ing pikes that is, a wooden pole about eight feet long, with a spike in the end of it, and at the close of six months they received in ad- dition old bore muskets, the locks of which had been changed from flint and steel to percussion.

It was with these poor weapons that the dauntless few faced the splendidly-equipped troops of the North in the seven-days' fight around Richmond. It was not until almost the end of the war that they received the Enfield rifles.

The company served with distinguished valor in nearly all of the engagements of Northern Virginia, and was one of the few compa- nies that had representatives at the surrender at Appomattox. It was stationed on the right of Mahone's Brigade, forming a line of battle when the order to surrender was received.

BEST DRILLED COMPANY.

During the time that this company was stationed at Norfolk it became the best-drilled company in the regiment, and on several occasions won prizes from the other companies. Among the tro- phies captured by this company was a very handsome silk flag, which was given by the ladies of Norfolk for the best-drilled com- pany at that place. This company did all its drilling by signs and tap of the drum.

FIRST MAN WOUNDED.

Henry A. Jordan, now justice of the peace in Manchester, was the first man in this gallant company to be wounded. He was shot in his left leg while skirmishing in White Oak Swamp and seriously wounded, from which wound he has never entirely recovered.

FIRST KILLED.

Charles Rushbrook, of Manchester, was the first man killed in the company. He was shot down at Malvern Hill.

When this company was first organized and mustered into service Louis F. Bossieux was captain, but after being at Norfolk a short while he resigned, in 1862, and Third Lieutenant John S. Whitworth was elected captain, which position he filled with honor and distinc- tion all through the war. At Petersburg he was shot, the ball going