FOURTEENTH REGIMENT NORTH CAROLINA INFANTRY AND GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE
ARMY OF NORTHERN VA.
FOURTEENTH N. C. REGIMENT.--
The beginning of the war was to some a surprise,
But the old Fourteenth at once organized;
The regiment marched to the front along with the first.
And was on the front line when shells began to burst.
It was composed of ten companies of stalwart men,
Who were determined with the enemy to contend;
At Seven Pines and battles below Richmond to Malvern Hill,
The regiment fought with a determined will,
Many of the men gallant and brave
On these battle fields filled bloody graves,
Receiving recruits the regiment again took a start,
Displaying courage and endurance on the Maryland march,
Near Sharpsburg the regiment was in an old road aligned,
And fought the Yankees advancing in three lines;
The boys were conspicuous at the Wilderness, Chancellorsville and Mine Run
And at Spotsylvania and Gettysburg handled their guns,
In the thickest of the fight the regiment would be,
Fought to the finish and surrendered with Lee,
While not pretending to write the history of any special command, the
writer belonged to Co. B. 14th Regiment N. C. Infantry which accounts
for a casual reference to the regiment in these sketches. The regiment
was composed of the following companies--all North Carolinians:
Company A, Halifax County
” B, Davidson ”
” C, Anson ”
” D, Cleveland ”
” E, Wake ”
” F, Buncombe ”
” G, Rockingham ”
” H, Stanley ”
” I, Davidson ”
” K, Wake ”
COMPANY OFFICERS.--Company B, of which I was a member was made up at
Thomasville and the immediate surrounding country. The company was
at first commanded by Capt. Miller, but when the company reorganized
J. H. Lambeth was elected captain, S. Hepler first lieutenant, C.
P. Jones second lieutenant and Alex Leach third lieutenant. Captain
Lambeth was promoted to the position of major and served in that
capacity, until the close of the war. Lieutenant Hepler was wounded
at Sharpsburg, lost an arm and was not with the company very much
afterward. To fill a vacancy M. H. Cross was elected lieutenant.
Lieutenant Jones was killed in battle, Lieutenant Leach’s health failed
in consequence of which he was absent a great deal of the time and
the command of the company devolved upon Lieutenant Cross. Neither
of the lieutenants were promoted to the captaincy. The regiment was
at first commanded by Colonel Daniel, Lieutenant Colonel Lovejoy,
Major Faison and Adjutant Seaton Gales. When the regiment reorganized
Roberts was elected colonel, Bennett lieutenant colonel, Dixon major,
and Marshall adjutant. Roberts and Dixon died and Bennett became
colonel. Johnson lieutenant colonel and J. H. Lambeth major. Rev.
Powers was chaplain all the time. The 2nd, 4th, 14th, 30th and 1st and
3rd consolidated--all N. C. regiments composed a brigade commanded
by Pemberton, Colston, Anderson, Ramseur and Cox consecutively. The
brigade belonged to a Division, commanded by D. H. Hill, Rodes and
Grimes consecutively. The regiment served through the war and was under
the invincible Jackson until his death and was proud of the distinction
of being in an army commanded by the immortal Lee.
UNIQUE CHARACTERS.--In every command there are unique characters,
and the Fourteenth was by no means an exception to the general rule,
for in the regiment were members noted for varied peculiarities or
eccentricities. Surviving soldiers of the regiment will pleasantly
remember Webb of Co. A and Crow of Co. K, Charlie Hall of Co. B and Lee
of Co. G.
There were two great big fellows in the regiment that did not look
hungry but a double daily ration had no charms for them. Their names
were Sergeant Rawly of Co. G and Lieutenant Mitchell of Co. E.
A BRAVE SOLDIER.--At South Mountain the regiment was exposed to a
shower of minnie balls, and was located at the foot of a hill in a
thicket of sprouts, weeds and briers. A call was made for a volunteer
to carry a message through the thick underbrush. In Co. B was an
obscure soldier named Morgan considered a kind of a go easy good for
nothing kind of a fellow, although barefooted he at once responded and
stepped to the front to perform the task without considering it to be
a perilous brave undertaking. He was sustained by nerve and pluck that
stamped him as a brave man worthy of admiration.
COLOR BEARER.--Bennett Russell color bearer of the regiment, who
carried the colors in many hard fought battles, though not a
commissioned officer deserves honorable mention. Although illiterate,
unassuming in manners, plain and not preposessing in appearance.
He was noble, generous and brave,
And imperiled his life his country to save.
AMUSING SCENES.--The wit or humorist was there to contribute his
enlivening influence to vary the sometimes sombre or gloomy conditions
existing in the camp. Sometimes ludicrous incidents would occur to
excite laughter and amusement even when danger was threateningly near.
Imagine soldiers running for life to keep from being captured and
thinking themselves out of danger, swearing that they would not move
another inch if the entire Yankee army pounced down upon them, and a
few shells burst throwing dirt upon them and hissing singing minnie
balls like swarms of bees humming uncomfortably near them, then think
how soon they forget their decided resolution to discontinue running,
start again and fairly burn the wind until again out of harms way. To
one looking on, it is amusing to see the movements and afterwards to
hear their quaint sayings. To the participants it is anything else but
funny, but after it is all over they laugh about it and joke and jeer
each other unmercifully.
In the campaign in the valley the Rebels ran the Yankees many a time,
and occasionally their speed was very much accelerated by their being
in front and the Yankees keeping up close in the rear, and treating
them to volleys of shot and shell.
ON THE CAMPAIGN.--The regiment was conspicuous in the battles of
Williamsburg, Seven Pines, through the battles below Richmond to
Malvern Hill. After coming out of this strenuous campaign the regiment
very much worsted by exposure, disease and loss of killed, wounded and
missing in battle went into camp near Richmond and rested awhile. Many
of its gallant officers and men had fallen to rise no more, and others
were sick or wounded in the hospitals or at home on furlough. Recruits
came to take the places of the absent ones, and very soon the regiment
with the command started on the famous march to Maryland. The regiment
passed through the battlefield of the second Manassas fight and a
gruesome, sickening sight presented itself.
DISTRESSING SCENES.--Dead bodies of Yankee soldiers were strewn thickly
over the field, that in the hasty retreat of the Yankee army and
pursuit of the Southern forces, were left unburied on the field. The
boys endured exposures and hardships galore and many of them had to
succumb. It was necessary to enforce rigid discipline which under the
circumstances was a difficult matter. Many hardships had to be endured
that were apparently unfair and uncalled for but the demands of war
are imperative and must be submitted to. Soldiers in the ranks and
officers in command were compelled to witness distressing scenes, and
were powerless to render assistance to the suffering and dying. On the
march soldiers exhausted fell out of ranks sometimes when there were
no facilities to provide for them, were obliged to take their chances
and often lost their lives for want of attention. On the battlefield
the surging masses intent on the destruction of each other had no
time to give to personal friends however near and dear they might be.
Distressing scenes were witnessed and assistance given when possible to
do so. Sometimes near friends or even brothers were shot down in battle
and the demands so urgent to move forward that the poor dying comrade
had to die without being permitted to listen to the voice of a friend
to comfort him while passing to the unknown land. On two occasions
the Fourteenth was called out to witness the execution of some poor
soldiers belonging to the army pay the penalty of desertion. It is
heartrending to see a comrade shot down in the heat of battle, but it
is a more distressing scene to see a soldier shot at the stake.
BATTLES ENGAGED IN.--At Sharpsburg the regiment was aligned in an old
road near the village and fought the Yankees advancing in three lines
of battle. The regiment was cut to pieces and many were killed, wounded
or missing. The regiment also figured conspicuously in the battles of
Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, Hatchers Run,
Winchester, Mine Run, Cedar Creek and many other battles and skirmishes
down to the surrender at Apomattox.
VICTORY AND DEFEAT.--At Cedar Creek the Fourteenth in one day
experienced the exultation of victory and the humiliation of defeat.
The following lines give a partial description of the exciting
transactions of the day:
Just after dark an order came
To fall in line and answer to our names;
An order then came to move without delay,
And very soon we were marching on the way.
Around the hill our line was strung,
There was no blowing of the fife or beating of the drum,
An order in a whisper came down the line
That no one must talk even in a whisper at any time.
We marched all night with scarcely a stop
So still we could have heard a pencil drop;
We were marching on to a certain doom,
Destined to engage in a battle very soon.
Far to the right we heard the report of a signal gun
And to the left the report of another one,
In front we saw the flash and heard the report of a gun,
And was ordered to move forward in a run.
Forward double quick march was the cry,
And the surprised Yankees did swiftly fly;
They were in their tents their breakfasts cooking
And were by no means for the Rebels looking;
They left meat and vegetables cooking in the pot
And cans of coffee smoking hot.
When they heard the familiar Rebel Yell
There was not one left the tale to tell;
We captured wagon trains, ammunition and men,
Drove prisoners to the rear and put them in a pen,
It was fun to see the Yankees run,
And we hurried them on by firing our guns.
We emptied our cartridge boxes of fifty rounds;
The continued firing made the hills resound,
We ran the Yankees down and pulled them in,
And the way we captured prisoners was a sin,
It is said it is a long lane that has no turning,
And we finally got to the end of our journey,
The enemy was reenforced by another command,
Then we turned and run and raised the sand.
For five long miles under shot and shell
For real swift running we made it tell,
Finally the sun went down and darkness came
And the Yankees ceased their fiery flame.
The armies scattered, ran to and fro,
Not knowing how or where to go,
The enemy halted in the darkness of the night
And our scattered forces continued the flight.
In our hasty retreat we lost in our flight
All we had gained in the morning fight.
The surprise was successful and our victory complete,
If we had been able the prisoners guns and wagon trains to keep.
Fortunes are made and lost in a day,
And battles sometimes won and lost in the same time and way.
After the battle was over we had cause to weep,
And regretted meeting the enemy at Cedar Creek.
DECISIVE BATTLE.--At Gettysburg perhaps a battle which was the turning
point of the war, the elements seemed to be a lurid flame of fire, so
desperate was the conflict and so hot and appalling the work of death
and destruction. The machinery of warfare seemed to be turned loose
and its operators proud of the distinction of handling it in such an
effective manner, enabling it to do its deadly work.
THE ENEMY SURPRISED.--One sultry morning marching orders were received
and the Fourteenth in column with other portions of the command, for
hours marched at quicktime, and sometimes double-quicking. Men overcome
with heat fainted by the wayside, but positive orders to continue
the march were rigidly enforced. Late in the evening the enemy was
surprised and attacked in the rear and a fight ensued beginning the
Chancellorsville engagements.
BATTLE AT CHANCELLORSVILLE.--After dark Jackson and his staff rode
through a piece of woods and was fired upon by his own men, obeying
his own orders, receiving a wound which was the indirect cause of
his death. The soldiers in the regiment distinctly heard the volley
that caused the death of their loved commander. It is said that Lee
seriously remarked upon the death of Jackson that it was a loss of his
right arm. When the fatal shot was fired and Jackson received the death
blow, the hopes of the Confederacy began to wane. General Stewart was
put in command in Jackson’s place and the next day a hotly contested
battle was fought. After being engaged in the battle several hours we
were relieved and orderly falling back. The general came along and
thinking there was a stampede ordered the forces back to the front.
Col. Bennett said to him, “Gen. Stewart we have been relieved by the
Stonewall brigade” adding “I have the most gallant regiment in the
field.” The general then said, “I beg ten thousand pardons” and moved
on leaving the impression on the minds of the soldiers that he was a
chivalrous brave commander. After we had gotten to the foot of the hill
Gen. Ramseur undertook to congratulate the men but was so overcome
with emotion that he said he could not talk. Col. Bennett came to the
rescue saying “I can talk” and in a stentorian tone began to praise the
men. He was cheered to the echo and the surrounding hills and valleys
resounded with the Rebel Yell.
AT APOMATTOX.--The gallant Fourteenth was a fighting regiment and
fought to the finish. At Apomattox though it did not retain the
appearance of its former glory. But few of the tried and true were left
to see for the last time the immortal Lee and with tears in their eyes
hear his farewell address. The regiment broke ranks and turned their
faces southward glad to return to their homes and loved ones, but sad
at the thought of the humiliation of defeat and uncertain about how
they would be treated by their conquerors.
GENERAL OFFICERS.--The short sketch of the few officers of the army of
Northern Virginia who were distinguished for their generalship, heroism
and bravery could be continued by the addition of other names equally
as brave and equally as famous. Scores of them who wore the stars or
bars did many acts of daring and gained many victories by their good
judgment, cool and deliberate maneuvering, but we must not forget the
rank and file for upon the private soldiers the heavy burden fell, and
they usually responded in a manner entirely satisfactory. Honor is due
to the brave men in the ranks who were prompted by duty alone and who
fought so gallantly without reward or the hope of reward.
GENERAL COX was a young man and as an officer presented a fine
appearance, dressed up to date and one not familiar with his ways
would come to the conclusion that he was vain or selfconceited, but
seeing him in the performance of duty in his every day soldier life
would dispel any such illusion. He set an example of neatness, and his
military bearing was not put on but natural. His nature and disposition
were generous, and he looked after the welfare of the men under him and
was not tyrannical in his discipline. When the time came for action
he did not think of soiling his clothes but entered into the thickest
of the fight and unwaveringly stayed with his command and fought to
the finish. He survived the war and has figured conspicuously in the
management of affairs to perpetuate good government and the enforcement
of the law as a just judge on the bench.
GENERAL GRIMES by the casual observer, would not have been selected
from a crowd of officers as a man of extraordinary ability or above the
average as a military commander. Though plain and unassuming he was
a soldier of fighting proclivities and his shrill, clear, fine voice
heard above the din common in the beginning of an engagement was an
inspiration to his men. He was the hero of many battles and lived to
witness the closing scenes of the war and near his home was the victim
of assassination from ambush by parties lying concealed waiting for him.
GENERAL RAMSUER was impetuous, impatient, aggressive and by some
regarded as foolhardy. If fighting was going on he was not satisfied
if he was not permitted to take a hand. He has been known to ride
between our own and the enemy’s picket lines apparently insensible of
danger, and at a time too when a fight was momentarily expected. He was
known and acknowledged as a fighter and his men followed him without
questioning the expediency of his movements. He was tender-hearted to
the extreme and in the presence of his men has been seen to break down
and weep like a child, verifying the old adage that “The brave are
tender-hearted.”
GENERAL RODES was an officer having a commanding appearance. Decision
of character was plainly depicted upon his countenance. It is often
said that a man’s face is an index to his character. The casual
observer looking into the face of the general could not fail to see
stamped there a plain indication of a generous disposition. His cordial
and lovable disposition drew men to him, and his deportment in battle
stamped him as a fearless brave soldier. Cool and collected as he was
in battle, in the engagement in which he was killed just before he
was slain he seemed to be excited as if he had a premonition of his
impending doom, but his sun set in a halo of glory and his name will go
down in history as a hero.
GENERAL D. H. HILL, was a brave commander, had a tender regard for
the welfare of his men and being of a humane disposition looked after
minor details that the most of officers of his rank left entirely to
subordinates. At one time on a march he discovered that many of the
men were barefooted and their feet sore--some of them bleeding. He was
powerless to furnish shoes and issued an order for the soldiers to make
shoes out of rawhides. The order was given with a view of ameliorating
the condition of the men and really did to some extent, but was not
received by the men in the same spirit it was given and they in
ridicule named him “Rawhide.” He was held in high esteem by his men,
and they admired his fighting qualities. In battle he was firm as an
unshaken rock, and the boys said that not a muscle would quiver even
when shells were bursting around him and bullets were cutting close.
GENERAL A. P. HILL was a peer of the bravest and most successful
general officers of his rank who were co-workers with him in the
army of Northern Virginia. He commanded with judgment; maneuvered
and executed with skill and proved himself worthy of the position he
occupied. In the hour of danger he did not waver and in the heat of
battle stood firmly with his men.
GENERAL EWELL was a little, scrawny, weakly looking fellow but a
fighter with a reputation. He succeeded Jackson in command and while
he did not claim to be his equal. The mantle of the famous general
fell upon a worthy one, who did not degrade but kept the command
up to a respectable standard. In an engagement when perhaps many a
commanding officer would have been far enough to the rear to have
protected himself, he was wounded and in consequence of the wound had
to submit to an operation and had his leg amputated, but did not make
his misfortune an excuse to retire from service, but remained with his
command and fought to the finish.
GENERAL EARLY was regarded as rather eccentric, and acquired a
reputation for gaining many battles and losing out in the end. After
bagging his game he seemed not to have the ability to retain it. On one
occasion after driving the Yankees unceremoniously from their position
he passed along and familiarly said to the soldiers, “Boys you walloped
it to ’em this time.” For many weeks he kept his command on the run
either in hot pursuit of the Yankees or running in a stampede from
them. He kept the Yankees in constant dread and did some very effective
work as a commanding officer.
GENERAL STUART was a dashy cavalry general and when he went on the
warpath there was something doing. He with other cavalry officers, such
as Hampton, Mosby, Imboden and others terrorized the Yankees and often
made them hit the grit and burn the wind to get out of the way. The
cavalry force under his leadership very materially assisted the main
army in successfully carrying out its plans on the campaign. General
Stuart took Jackson’s place at Chancellorsville, and successfully
prosecuted the engagement that occurred the day after Jackson’s
unfortunate adventure while riding along the lines, resulting in his
serious wound that disabled him and finally caused his death. He was a
fine looking man and a gallant commanding officer and lost his life in
a cavalry engagement at the Yellow Tavern.
GENERAL LONGSTREET held a high position among the officers of the
army, and in its counsels his fine military mind exerted an influence
towards shaping aggressive campaigns. His command did some hard and
effective fighting. Wherever the tramp of the soldiers in his corps was
heard, Southern soldiers were encouraged and the Federal troops terror
stricken. The Yankees learned of his name and fame and feared him
accordingly.
GENERAL BRECKENRIDGE was tall symmetrical and impressed one in his
presence with his attractive personality. He belonged to a leading
Kentucky family and was in the war prompted by a sense of duty and
loyalty to his country. He was a leading factor in the counsels of the
officers in shaping the character of the military movements.
GENERAL GORDON was a fair type of the Southern gentleman, and his
very appearance indicated soldier qualities of a high order. He was
an educated man and his literary attainments gave him prominence in
the counsels of war held by the general officers. In prosecuting
military movements he called into requisition his fine military talent,
experience, good judgment and discretion. After the war he became
distinguished for his eloquence and became a fine platform lecturer.
GENERAL WHEELER, better known as fighting Jo Wheeler, a good portion
of the time had his headquarters in his saddle, and his command was
expert horseback riders. With his boys he was in his proper element
when chastising the Yankees. It was said that he slipped upon their
blind side and it seemed that all sides were blind for he was liable to
attack them from any point of the compass, and his raids were a great
help to the main army. His command returning home after the surrender
was followed by a gang of looters that stole horses and committed other
depredations claiming to be Wheeler’s men. General Wheeler figured
conspicuously in the Spanish-Cuban war retaining in his old age his
fire and courage as a soldier.
GENERAL JACKSON was a military chieftain whose equal in his special
line or plan of conducting a campaign could not be found in the army.
He never tried to evade a battle when it was in the interest of the
cause he represented to fight, but by his dashing movements often
accomplished by strategy victories that could not have been achieved
in battle. He was loved by officers and men in his command, and they
placed implicit confidence in him. His name and presence cheered them
on to deeds of valor, and the mere rumor in the camp of the enemy that
Jackson was coming made officers and soldiers tremble in their boots.
They feared him as a foe, but respected him for his clever management,
and admired him for his heroism and wonderful achievements.
The name of the illustrious Jackson should have a place
In the history of heroes on the brightest page,
He was a born commander and leader of men,
A terror to his enemies--a beacon light to his friends.
On the march or in battle he moved without fear
Of the world’s greatest generals he was a peer;
His artful maneuvering and quick movements did save
The live of many a soldier brave.
Passing down the line soldiers always could tell
That Jackson was coming by the Rebel yell;
His name and heroism gave hope to the Nation,
And his presence among the soldiers caused an ovation,
When the fatal shot was fired that struck the hero down,
The cause of Southern independence waned and gloom did abound;
The sad news of his wound gave to Lee alarm,
And he mournfully said, I have lost my right arm.
GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE, commander of the army of Northern Virginia,
was in many respects superior to any military chieftain the world has
ever produced. He was a patriot, statesman, scholar, military hero
and consecrated christian gentleman. On one occasion a portion of the
Southern army was facing the enemy in full view of the line of battle.
Dark threatening clouds were near and pelting hailstones and fleaks of
snow were beginning to fall. The soldiers were shivering with cold,
obeying orders issued not to move from their position or build any
fires. The general in a soft tender voice so characteristic of the man
ordered the officers to allow the soldiers to build temporary shelters
with pine brush to shelter them from the hail and snow and to build
fires. In a very short time they were protected from the storm and
fairly comfortable by the blazing fire prepared. He lead the grand
army to victory in battles, and when at last overpowered by superior
numbers he was obliged to surrender, he went down not in disgrace but
glorious in defeat, and when history gives a true record comparing him
with the greatest of military heroes his name will be emblazoned on the
brightest page outshining them all.
In our country’s broad arena no generation ever will see
A military chieftain--an equal of the immortal Lee;
He could have commanded armies backed by wealth and display,
And have been recognized as the greatest general of the day.
While over that army the Stars and Stripes waved
He could have commanded soldiers gallant and brave,
But he sacrificed wealth, position and fame,
And to the rescue of his native home gallantly came.
In victory he was magnanimous heroic and great,
But his luster shined more brilliantly in defeat.
Among the world’s greatest generals he stands at the head,
The greatest military chieftain living or dead.
When his sun went down there was sorrow and gloom
Among the inmates of every Southern home;
He commanded an army of soldiers without a peer
And to every Southern soldier his memory is dear.
RECAPITULATION.--The short sketch of the general officers named closes
the Reminiscences of the war period. There may be some discrepancies
and possibly some errors as everything noticed is quoted from memory,
and a lapse of more than forty years ought to be accepted as a valid
excuse for any mistakes. The narrative is claimed to be true, and the
object of the writer has been to deal fairly and impartially with all
classes referred to.
These general officers leaders in their time,
With gallant subordinates all along the line,
Commanded an army that was complete,
Glorious in victory and defeat.
The world never saw and there never will be
An army to equal the one commanded by Jackson and Lee,
Soldiers in the ranks from the best families came,
And fought for their country and not for a name;
At home they left property, mothers, sisters, sweethearts and wives
To protect these treasures they imperiled their lives
The Union was preserved not alone by Union men,
But by Aliens that came across the cause to defend,
The Stars and Bars folded trailed in the dust,
And the Stars and Stripes waved as it waved at first.
The Southern army overpowered in the struggle lost out,
But left to Southern people an inheritance of which they are proud.
Now all sections of our country fight under one flag,
And when the Southern boy is called for he does not lag.
We love our country no less than before,
But fight for it because we love the Sunny South more.