Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 34.djvu/176

 168 Southern Historical Society Papers.

Times- Dispatch of recent date. I was a member of Captain Nat. A. Sturdivant's battery of Artillery, but was not present at Smith - field; was with those who went to Cherry Grove the day before, and as Mr. Rodgers expressed the wish that some one would give an account of the engagement at Scott's Factory, and as all of our commissioned officers are now dead, this account if given at all must be by some other of those present.

I cannot give the names of other captains of companies engaged, nor the number of the North Carolina Regiment at that time sta- tioned at Ivor, but it was from Clingman's Brigade, and Colonel Jordan was its commander. He (Colonel J.) was in command of the line of the Blackwater.

Our battery was in winter quarters about a mile from Ivor and nearer the river. In some way Col. J. was informed that a gun- boat was expected up the Nansemond River, and that it would be possible for artillery to either capture or destroy it. The force de- spatched for that purpose consisted of the first section of our artil- lery and one small company of infantry (its actual number was forty- seven); also about one dozen cavalrymen, who were to act as pickets.

We remained at Cherry Grove until after high tide, and on our return were met by a cavalryman on top of the hill before reaching the Factory. Had stopped to wait for the pickets to come in. The courier told Captain Sturdivant that the Yankees had landed at Smithfield, and thought there were some two or three hundred of them.

The Yankees were evidently close behind the courier, for he was taken prisoner on reaching the woods on top of the opposite hill.

Mr. Whitfield, the Confederate Congressman from your district, was passing along, and was made prisoner, also.

Having that information, Captain Sturdivant started to go to the junction with the Smithfield Road to prevent being cut off, and wait there for the pickets. With no thought of the enemy being so near, we marched in column, and very soon after the head of the column passed the dwelling houses, we were fired upon from am- bush at a distance of less than two hundred yards.

It was the first time Captain Sturdivant was under fire, and no veteran could have displayed greater coolness. He sat his horse and gave his commands with apparent calmness. It was his de- meanor that put confidence in his men, and all stood at their posts.