histories of the several regiments and battalions from ...114 northcarolinatroops,1861-65....

TWENTIETH REGIMENT.

1. T. P. Toon, Colonel. 3. John S. Brooks, Lieut.-Colonel.

3. Nelson Slough, Lieut.-Colonel. 4. P. A. Smith, Captain, Co. A.B. C. B. Denson, Captain. Co. E.

TWENTIETH REGinEfiT.

By brigadier-general THOMAS F. TOON.

I cannot write a history of the Twentieth North Carolina

Regiment—initiated at Seven Pines, sacrificed at Gettys-

burg, surrendered at Appomattox—epochs too widely sun-

dered to be bridged over by consecutive history. I can not

record all the great sacrifices made, suffering and privation

borne with unflinching heroism, heroic achievements, bloody

victories, and grand triumphs—instances of individual dar-

ing and unswerving fidelity to duty—after a lapse of thirty-

six years, when so many noble hearts of the Twentieth Regi-

ment have passed to that shore where wars cease, and no his-

tory can invade the ever blissful present. So many too anx-

ious to forget the fitful shadows of that dreata, "too bright to

last," have sealed their lips and refused to speak How can

even a sketch be made ?

I will not attetoipt to make a display of imaginary history,

embellished by thirty-odd years of afterthought, or supply the

deficiencies of facts or memory by substituting circum-

stances which are more pleasing than actual.

Such facts as I can collect I desire to arrange in some order

consistent with happenings. I cannot do justice to a single

brave soldier of the regiment, and can only recollect the

smallest part of that which ought to be written of the noble

Twentieth JSTorth Carolina.

The Twentieth North Carolina Regiment comprised com-

panies from the counties of Brunswick, Columbus, Cabarrus,

Duplin and Sampson, stationed at Smithville and Fort Cas-

well, as follows

:

Captain Jno. S. BeookS;, Brunswick Guards.

Captain J. B. Stanley^ Columbus Guards ISTo. 1.

112 North Carolina Troops, 1861-'65.

Captaijst William H. Toon^ Coluiabus Guards ISTo. 2.

Captain B. Smith^ Columbus Guards No. 3.

Captain Nelson Slough^ (a veteran of the Mexican war)

Cabarrus Guards.

Captain J. B. Atwell^ Cabarrus Black Boys.

Captain C. B. Denson, Duplin Greys.

Captain Uz. Cox, Sampson N"o. 1.

Captain C. L. Chesnut^ Sampson N"o. 2.

Captain Alex. Faison^ Sampson N^o. 3.

18 June, 1861, the organization of the regiment took place

by the election of: Colonel, Alfred Iverson, of Georgia, Post

Commandant; Lieutenant Colonel, Frank Faison, of Samp-

son County, N. C. ; Major, W. H. Toon, of Columbus Coun-

ty, N. C. ; Adjutant, R. P. James, of Duplin County, IST. C.

;

Captain Quartermaster, K. S. Harris, of Cabarrus County,

promoted from Company B ; Captain Commissary, Charles

McDonald, of Company B ; Surgeon, Dr. J. A. Bizzel, of

Sampson County; Assistant Surgeons, W. B. Meares, of

Wilmington, and J. D. Pureell, of Sampson County;

Chaplains, Kev. J. A. Sprunt, of Sampson County, and Rev.

L. A. Bickle, of Cabarrus County; Sergeant Major, D. J.

Broadhurst, of Duplin County.

The following were the promotions and changes and the

Field and Staff officers of the regiment : Colonel Alfred Iver-

son, wounded at Cold Harbor, promoted to Brigadier-General

in 1863 ; Colonel Thomas F. Toon, wounded at Cold Harbor,

Chancellorsville, Spottsylvania and Petersburg, promoted to

Colonel from Captain of Company K, in 1863, and to Briga-

dier-General in 1864 ; Lieutenant-Colonel Franklin J. Faison,

killed at Cold Harbor 27 May, 1862 ; Lieutenant-ColonelWm.H. Toon, resigned December, 1862 ; Lieutenant-Colonel Nel-

son Slough, resigned 26 February, 1863; Major N^elson

Slough, promoted from Captain of Company A ; Major Jno.

S. Brooks, promoted from Captain of Company G, 26 Febru-

ary, 1863, killed at Spottsylvania 12 May, 1864 ; Major D. J.

DeYane, promoted from Captain of Company I; Adjutant

J. F. Ireland promoted to Captain Company D; Adjutant

Ed. S. Moore transferred from Forty-first North Carolina

Twentieth Regiment. 113

(Third Cavalry) ; Sergeant Major, Thos. W. Broadliurst,

Company E;Quartermaster Sergeant, Jas. H. Benton, Com-

pany H ; Orderly to Colonel, Jerry M. Kistler, Company C,

and Benjamin M. Duncan, Company K.

The Regimental Band was composed as follows : Charles

Heebner (leader), D. R. Coleman, Henry Giddens, Jesse W.Lane, Lewis D. Giddens, John B. Lane, Amos A. Campbell,

Thomas Stevenson, Marcus Bradley and James C. Benson

—

from the counties of Cabarrus, Sampson and Wayne. These

faithful men cheered our hearts and beguiled many a wearyhour, and were kind to many a wounded comrade. It was uponthe application of D. R. Coleman for a furlough that General

D. II. Hill endorsed ''shooters before tooters." During the

fall of 1862 the band played "Dixie" one evening at dress

parade. The Yankee band on the other side of the river re-

peated it. The band of the Twentieth played "Yankee Doo-

dle;" then both bands joined in "Home, Sweet Home." There

was many a moist eye when the music ceased.

The Roster of North Carolina Troops gives with some de-

gree of accuracy the changes in commissioned and non-com-

missioned officers of each company, and considerable infor-

mation relative to the killed and wounded, which I do not

deem necessary to insert here. It is a credit to Worth Caro-

lina, showing the laudable desire to perpetuate the names and

deeds of her brave sons, but it is, however, very inaccurate.

The regiment remained on duty at Smithville (now South-

port), Fort Caswell and Wilmington, detailed by companies

or as a whole, until June, 1862. The duties were neither

dangerous or burdensome, in fact the men of the regiment

became restless under their inaction and urged to be sent

where they could take part in the glorious triumphs which

made famous the Army of Virginia, for they, too, longed to

snatch from the shock of battle, the clash of resounding arms,

the sulphurous canopy and din of courageous conflict,

glimpses of the bright laurels the future historian would

weave around the ensanguined brow of those who for their

country "dare to do or die." Whether or not an expression of

this feeling had any effect in hurrying their departure fromthe peaceful shores of ITorth Carolina I do not know. At any

8

114 North Carolina Troops, 1861-65.

rate we left ISTorth Carolina and arrived at Kichmond a few

days before the battle of Seven Pines, one thousand and

twelve strong, rank and file. Placed in Garland's Brigade,

camping on the Williamsburg road, on 31 May, on the left of

Williamsburg road, we were initiated into the realities of a

soldier's life.

Inspired by Rodes on our right and Anderson supporting

and protecting our left, the regiment entered into the fight

with spirit and unfiinching courage. The first man wounded

was Alonzo Williamson, Company K, the ball passing through

him and striking T. F. Toon, then Captain of Company K,

slightly wounding him. W. E. Williamson was also wounded.

During this fight D. H. Hill's Division did the greater part

of the fighting, he losing more than one-third of his effective

strength.

The scene around Mechanicsville 26 June, was not such as

is calculated to cheer raw troops, by any means—dead or

dying artillery horses, booming cannon, shot, shell burst-

ing, and some large white eyes, and occasionally some re-

quests : "Captain, if I am killed, you will find money in myleft-hand breeches pocket to send my body home," shovdng

an interesting realization of surrounding circumstances, but

no fear.

Gaines' Mill, 27 June, 1862, Corporal Kiah P. Harris,

Company A ; Alfred Litaker, Company B ; Corporal W. B.

Collins, Company D ; Corporal Caleb M. Spivey, CompanyD, were killed. Sergeant J. Peterson, Company E; C. C.

Little, Company G, were wounded.

Cold Harbor, 28 June—Fought Sykes' regulars. Gar-land occupied the left of our line, entered in good order andstyle, charged and captured a battery twice—turned it uponthe enemy with telling effect.

I recall the names of Lieutenant-Colonel Prank J. Faison,Captain Llenry C. Smith, Lieiitenant Arthur N. Jones, Cal-vin Meares, Elisha BuUard, Elias Bullard and others. Com-pany C ; Mc Shaw, Donnie Stephens, George S. Eeaves andT. T. Melntire, killed. Captain John S. Brooks, ColonelIverson, Captain T. F. Toon and W. D. Cherry, wounded.

In the Century, Vol. II, "Battles and Leaders of the Civil


War," General S. Garland accords to the Twentieth North

Carolina the honor of deciding the fate of the day hy this

charge mid capture. After the various conflicts mentioned

the regiment returned with the division to camp on the YorkBiver Railroad below Richmond. Left there by General

Lee to watch the remaining force of McOlellan we joined the

army on the march against Pope as soon as those troops left

Westover. In July or August we left camp for the Army of

Northern Virginia and were engaged watching Porter and

holding his force in check while the battle of Manassas was

being fought.

On 14 September, 1862, was fought the battle of

South Mountain, or Boonsboro, which General Hill called

a battle of delusions. When ready to make disposition of his

small force to disp\ite the passage of the Union army at that

Thermopylae, he found Garland at the Mountain House. Hewas directed to the summit of the mountain at Fox's Gap,

his force less than one thousand men. About 9 o'clock he en-

countered Cox's Division, about three times as many. In

this battle the Twentieth was unflinchingly suffering from

the deadly fire of a Union battery. Captain Atwell, of

Company B, with his skinmishers, killed the commanding

ofiicer of the battery, but were unable by reason of the char-

acter of the ground and the force opposed to them to secure

the guns. In this fight Captain Atwell, of Company B, was

killed. He was an intelligent, high-toned gentleman, an able

officer and brave soldier. General Garland's death renders

the place solemnly historic to our brigade. Captain L. T.

Hicks, of Company E, says the enemy came within fifteen

feet before the regiment retreated down the mountain, which

being so steep the enemy fired over our heads. A part of this

company, and several from other companies of the Twentieth,

were separated from the command, during which time their

rations were green corn from the cob. Captain Hicks, by

permission, attached this mixed crowd, of which he had as-

sumed command, to General Hays' troops, and they faithfully

did their duty as brave soldiers. A pet dog belonging to

Hays' men was crazed with the noise and confusion of bat-

tle. A cannon ball cut the top out of a large oak, which in


falling, imprisoned a skulker behind the tree. His cries for

help were answered by the dog. I never saw a poor man's

pants torn so badly since. He suffered more than he would

have had he gone into the fight. At the battle of Sharpsburg

17 Septetoiber, we were at the Bloody Lane which tells its

own story. Assisting our commanding general to do all

he set out to do, worn out with marching, fighting,

starving and suffering, we re-crossed the Potomac and

went into camp at Bunker Hill. Leaving Bunker Hill

30 October, arrived at Upperville 3 November, and

Front Royal 5 November; waded the Shenandoah at

night 6 November, heavy snow on the ground ; then operating

between the forks of the Shenandoah, guarding the passes in

direction of the enemy, and threatening General McClellan's

flank and rear

Tliose friends who so kindly cared for the sick Confederate

soldiers ought to be remembered wherever they were, but weespecially ought to thank Mr. G. W. Timberlake, near Win-chester, for special service to members of my regiment. Whilesick at his house and threatened with capture by an advanc-

ing enemy, he risked his own safety to pilot us through a

mountain road to our army. To her, that noble wife and

mother of that Christian household, to her sweet child and

daughter "Evelyn," a sick soldier's heart will ever turn with

warmest affection and gratitude. Florence Nightingale mayhave more praise, but was never truer or more devoted than

were these fit representatives of the women of the

Valley. Leaving the Valley by route indicated above,

crossed Blue Eidge Mountain, probably at Brown's Gap,and marched to Fredericksburg, thence to Port Royalat Corbin's farm. We spent the Winter, or part of it,

resting, eating government rations and luxuries at sut-

ler's prices when we could afford it, with an occasional boxfrom loved ones at home, when that box could thread the in-

tricacies of transportation then in vogue, and escape the rav-

ages of hungry employes. On 12 December we began to-

cook two days' rations and have them in our haversacks to

move at a moment's warning. Hurrying from camp nearPort Royal we arrived during the night of 13 Decern-

cember in front of Fredericksburg. At Hamilton's Cross-


ing our division was held in reserve. The first man woimdedhere was W. H. Enzor, of Company 0., by a shell. My regi-

ment filled part of the space which was occasioned by Archer's

repulse. The regiment was commanded by Major Nelson

Slough. After months of careful preparation and upon a field

of his own selection, General Burnside was forced to acknowl-

edge Lee master of the situation. Lee in turn generously gave

the credit to his brave soldiers and the honor to God. Backinto Winter quarters again to rest as best we could. Cor-

bin's farm camp was the scene of some changes in our regi-

ment.

Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. Toon resigned February, 1863.

Major !N^. Slough, Senior Captain Jno. S. Brooks and Captain

T. F. Toon, Company K, were ordered before a Board of Ex-

amination, composed of Colonel Christie, Lieutenant-Colonel

R. D. Johnston, of the Twenty-third, and Colonel T. M. Gar-

rett, of the Fifth. Major Slough and Captain Brooks waived

their rights to promotion and requested the board to recom-

mend Captain T. F. Toon for Colonel of the regiment. After

the examination was over, the appointment was accordingly

made. When this recommendation and appointment was en-

dorsed by the officers of the regiment, the office was accepted,

for it was held that the regiment had a right to elect their ownofficers, notwithstanding the effort of the Brigadier-General

to have one of his own selection appointed. The advice and

firm support of General A. M. Scales and Colonel Bynum as

legal advisers are hereby acknowledged in behalf of the of-

ficers of the regiment. Camp duty, drill, picketing the Rap-

pahannock and an occasional general inspection, varied with

snow fights between companies and sometimes regiments, oc-

cupied the remaining Winter and early Spring days. OnWednesday morning, 29 April, we moved from the campnear Grace Church to Hamilton's Crossing.

We remained here until Friday morning, when we began

to move in the direction of Chaneellorsville ; had a skirmish

that day; on Saturday morning relieved General Ramseur's

Brigade, and in doing this came near marching in column

into the Yankee line, caused by thick woods. A volley of

small arms and canister from a gun caused us to change our

118 North Carolina Troops, 186I-'65.

course to the left. We remained in line until 10 o'clock ; then

followed the Catharpin road and overtook the division about

4 p. m. We immediately formed line for that charge which

made Rodes' Division the recipient of unqualified praise

from General Jackson, and our regiment favorably mentioned

by our Brigadier-General. We here occupied the extreme

left of our line on the left of and at right angles to the plank

road, with the Twenty-third North Carolina deployed and

marching by right flank protecting our left. J. J. Pounds,

Company G, asks that this incident be mentioned. He writes

:

''I started when you took yo^ir cap in your hand, waving it

and calling on the men to follow you, led the charge. Mygun got out of order and I ran to you. and reported it. Yousaid: 'This is a bad place to be without a gun. Get another

and go ahead.' Just then George Turner, of Company A,

found a gun. He gave it to me and I overtook you, still in

the lead." I remember the circumstances and the brave, in-

spiring conduct of Jesse Pounds. After the battle rested at

the Little Church at the forks of the road in rear. We were

relieved by General A. P. Hill's troops. May 3, about sunrise,

we moved forward with the second line, and soon became en-

gaged, owing to our front becoming uncovered. This was fu-

rious fighting, a perfect storm of shells and a mist of minie

balls. Here I saw the two Wilsons, of Company F, killed

;

the brother saving the watch from his brother just killed, falls

on his body dead ; tmns in birth, twins in death. I received

one wound early in the morning and before 10 o'clock

two others, and left the field and regiment in commandof Lieutenant-Colonel Slough. I was there long enoughto witness the cool and daring bravery of Lieutenants

Oliver Williams, Company C, McQueen Coleman, Com-pany K ; Lieutenant E. W. Collins, Company D ; MajorJ. S. Brooks, Sergeant Hawes, Corporal M. M. Harrelson,

McD. Ward, Dan Coleman, George Goodman, Lieutenant

Arch Laughon, Coimpany F, and many others. Yea, all onthat battle field deserved honorable memory and mention for

they stood only where men can be found. In addition to the

above named Corporal C. A. Patterson, Company A; Cor-

poral Richard Faulk, Company C ; D. E. Ellis, Company B

;


Josiah Hudson, Company H; Newberne Tew, Company I,

and Thomas A. Morris, Company K, were placed upon the

roll of honor.

The next movement led us to the field of Gettysburg, July

Ist, 2nd and 3rd, 1863. The reports of the battle give

twenty-nine killed and ninety-three wounded in the Twen-tieth Eegiment. General Iverson reports 500 men of his

brigade killed, lying in as good order as if on dress parade^

Why these men were kept in that position when they could

only die without being able to inflict injury on the enemy, I

have been at a loss to understand. Lieutenant Oliver Wil-

liams says: "I was wounded early in the fight. I believe

every man who stood up was either killed or wounded."

itfearly 200 of the regiment were captured, with the colors.

Captain A. H. Galloway, Forty-fifth North Carolina, recap-

tured the flag and a number of our men. General Ewell com-

plimented the troops, who stood till the greater part had fallen

in line of battle.

After Gettysburg the regiment was engaged in an affair

at ITagerstown, while guarding a wagon train. General

Rodes, in his report for 1863, says: "Those soldiers from

Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina, who for weeks kept

their ranks with swollen, bloody and bare feet, are the heroes

of the campaign." "Camping near Madison Court House in

July and near Orange Court Hoiise in August, September

and October, on the Rappahannock river, near Morton's

Ford. At the latter place, 11 October, a detachment from

Johnston's brigade, consisting of the Twentieth North Caro-

lina and five companies of the Twelfth North Carolina, un-

der Colonel Coleman, the whole under command of Colonel

T. F. Toon, Twentieth North Carolina, had a very brilliant

affair with part of Buford's Cavalry. Brigadier General

Lomax arrived and took command. We repulsed the enemyand drove him back across the river. The brigadier was

pleased to report our part in the affair as worthy of honor-

able mention. The following names were forwarded as

worthy to be placed on the roll of honor: Chas. W. Yousts,

Benjamin F. Blackwelder, Company A ; Paul Faggart, Jno.

R. Bradford, J. A. Bradford, M. C. Cline, Company B ; Lieu-


tenant Oliver Williams, Company C ; Jno. Killet, CompanyE ; W. J. Gotten, Company F ; William Simmons and A. S.

Carney, Company G; Ransom G. Hawley, Company H;Chas. H. Hall and Sergeant B. A. Brown, Company I. 26

ISTovember in the trenches at Morton's Ford; 27 ISTovember

moved out of camp, marched to Lociist Grove, skirmished all

day. By order from General Johnston I ihrew out two com-

panies to protect our left, there being a gap be-

tween our left and General Edward Johnson's right.

In the Mine Bun affair both sides wasted a great

deal of powder, but did very little execution. Theremainder of the Winter was spent at Taylorsville, near

Hanover Junction, guarding the railroad bridges over the

ISTorth and South Anna rivers ; we had quite a pleasant timeat this camp, good country, hospitable people, charmingyoung ladies, all conspired to this end. 5 May we started

to the Wilderness, arriving on the 6th. Supported General

Gordon in an attack on General Grant's right; sharply en-

gaged for a short while. Lieutenant B. Watson was killed

;

General Seymour of the Sixth Army Corps, United States of

America, was captured. On the 7th marched through dust

and heat from burning woods ; reached Spottsylvania CourtHouse a short time before sunset. About this time our bri-

gade (General R. D. Johnston's) was placed in GeneralEarly's Division. On the 8th and 9th unimportant movesfor position. On the 10th, about 5 o'clock, Johnston's jSTorth

Carolina Brigade with the other brigades of the division,

charged to recapture the works taken from GeneralDoles by massed lines of the enemy. How we suc-

ceeded and the credit due my regiment on that oc-

casion is best shown by General Lee's letter to the Secretaryof War, a copy of which was sent to my regiment afterwards,

and which is as follows

:

Headquaetbes,Aemy Noethekin' Vieginia^

May 16, 1864.Sie:—Yesterday evening the enemy penetrated a part of

our line and planted his colors upon the temporary breast-


works erected by our troops. He was immediately repulsed,

and among the brave men who met him the Twentieth NorthCarolina, under Colonel T. ¥. Toon, of the brigade, com-

manded by General R. D. Johnston, captured his flag. It

was brought to me by Major Jno. S. Brooks, of that regi-

ment, who received his promotion for gallantry in the battle

of Chaneellorsville, with the request that it be given to Gov-

ernor Vance. I take great pleasure in complying with the

wish of the gallant captors, and respectfully ask that it be

granted, and that these colors be presented to the State of

North Carolina as another evidence of the valor and devotion

that have made her name eminent in the armies of the Con-

federacy.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. E. Lee, General.

Hon. Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.

It is just, in this connection, to bear witness to the daring

bravery of Brigadier-General Johnston, Lieutenant-Colonel

Davis, and Major Rob. Alston, of the Twelfth North Caroli-

,na, in that same charge. On the 11th raining, muddy, disa-

greeable, under ordinary circumstances, but especially so to a

soldier with very scanty means of comfort. On the 12th,

aroused before light, precipitated into the battle before we

could see; met the successful enemy in the first moments of

his temporary triumphs, the first volley we fired the sheet of

flame made doubly visible by the darkness and fog, met that

of the enemy and lighted up the space between. I can now

see George Stepps in the mortal combat, with the color-bearer

of one of the advancing regiments, and Major Jno. S. Brooks

leap wildly into the air, grasp his side, and fall while urg-

ing the Twentieth North Carolina to the hottest conflict we

ever engaged in. We lost no groimd, however, but, with oth-

ers of our attacking column, regained our breastworks and

remained fighting until 9 o'clock at night, when we were with-

drawn. Late that evening. General Johnston was wounded.

I also received a shot in the leg, after it passed through Lieu-

tenant George Bullock's coat sleeve without wounding him.

This, however, disabled me only for a few days. Adjutant


E. S. Moore was also wounded. On the 19th we advanced

against the right of the enemy and had a severe skirmish;

fell back to our line that night. Our brigade brought up

the rear. My regiment was rear guard. The reconnois-

sance in force delayed General Grant for two days and was

of great benefit to General Lee. On the 20th we moved to

Hanover Junction, thence with the army to Second Cold Har-

bor, where we were under artillery fire and some skirmish-

ing. I was assigned command of Johnston's Brigade 4 June.

I think about 15 June General Early was detached and

sent to meet Hunter at Lynchburg. We arrived there

on the evening of the 18th, skirmished with the enemy.

I never could see why we did not attack the enemy at once.

'Next day we pursued the enemy to Liberty, Va. Here

Bryan White was wounded. In spite of heat and

dust almost insupportable the troops marched on an ex-

pedition against Washington down the Valley, Hunter

having left it open by his retreat in the wrong direction.

Passing White Sulphur Springs and jSTatural Bridge without

much time to try the health-giving nature of the one or en-

joy the beauty and sublimity of the other. 4 July enjoyed

the public dinner at Harper's Ferry spread by General Weberfor his command and friends. Fought and defeated General

Lew Wallace at Monocacy Bridge. This was a hard-fought

battle on the field in which we were engaged. Guilford Ed-

wards, one among the best soldiers in the regiment, lost his

leg here. This, I think, was 9 July. On the 10th, passed

through Rockville, saw the Dome of the Capitol, and pushed

the skirmish line, capturing soldiers in long, dress, broad-

cloth coats.

One Yankee prisoner said they were counter jumpers,

clerks in the War Ofiice, hospital rats and stragglers. I knowone thing, I could have easily taken everything in my front if

I had been allowed to continue my advance. Major DeVane,a gallant spirit, urged me to disregard the order to fall backand rush forward, whatever the consequences might be. I

hated to withdraw, but always tried to obey orders. On the

night of the 12th, retreated across the Potomac river, bring-

ing the accumulated proceeds of the campaign in horses, beef


cattle, cannon, etc. For scttne time we destroyed railroads

and marched a countermarch. 20 July we had an affair

with Averill and Orook, in which we were literally run

over. This was near Winchester. I think both retreated

from the battle field. Parts of August and September eating

apple butter and doing picket duty, with just enough skir-

mishing to break the monotony of soldier's life. 19 Septem-

ber fought the battle of Winchester, and in the battle, al-

though Early was defeated, Eamseur's division was not. Weheld our own until ordered to retreat. Early in the morning

the cavalry attacked our pickets. I moved the Twentieth

North Carolina to their support. Charge after charge were

repulsed. When closely pressed with cavalry on both flanks,

I formed a square and retreating in this manner, prevent-

ed capture, until General Wade Hampton came to my rescue

by charging in column those on my left and driving them

back, he enabled me to get my regiment back to the line of

battle.

The "thin gray line" which Bradley Johnston saw on 19

September, 1864, was the Twentieth North Carolina Eegi-

ment, a part of Johnston's North Carolina Brigade.

J. E. Kelly, of Company K, was the hero of the hour.

When the regiment was formed in a square almost sur-

rounded, hard pressed, a shell killed the horse of' Colonel

Toon. He directed Kelly to take charge of his belongings

on the horse. Kelly at that moment was struck in the shoul-

der joint, which caused the loss of his right arm, yet he, whenGeneral Fitzhugh Lee, by a charge on our left, relieved us,

carried everything, saddle, bridle, blanket, and his own gun

and accoutrements, to the hospital, all safe.

J. E. Kelly enlisted from Columbus County, lived in that

county for years after the war. Raised a large family. Someyears since moved to Wilmington. Little did the old veterans

of that patriotic city think that in the breast of that one-

armed hack driver beat a heart as brave as the bravest; as

true as tried steel to his beloved Southland. Such was Jas.

E. Kelly, a Yankee boy; a Southern volunteer; a drummerboy hero of many a hard-fought battle.

October came with its triumphs and defeat in one day. At


Cedar Run, Johnston's North Carolina Brigade was the only

body of organized troops that left the field in order and which

kept firing in retreat until we reached a bridge over the creek

blocked up by wagons, ambulances, horses and men. In all

of the uncertain movements of this army we took part and

there were none who more faithfully discharged their duty.

The disparity in number between the armies contending,

both in infantry and cavalry, was the main cause of the de-

feat of the Army of the Valley. General Early was not a

great commander nor a great general, but brave, headlong and

risky. Leaving the valley we were assigned to picket duty on

the Roanoke river. We encamped on the premises of Mr.

House, and between the hospitalities of his house and that of

Mr. Wyatt (I think that is the name) we spent an enjoyable

Winter. We returned to Hatcher's Run, skirmished and ate

shad for a short time. On 25 March was fought the battle of

Hare's Hill, or Fort Steadman, near Petersburg, Va. Myregiment led the charge on the works. It was a complete

surprise, many were killed coming out of their tents by our

men, using their guns as clubs. Why were we not supported ?

It was reported to us that as soon as we broke the line Pick-

ett's Division would support us.

About 9 o'clock we fell back to our lines after capturing a

good many prisoners. Adjutant Moore was wounded. HereI fought my last battle, being desperately wounded, standing

on our breastworks rallying our troops to resist an expected

attack by the enemy. Dr. Schofield, of Petersburg, was kind

to me. He took me into his own house and my wounds weretenderly dressed by soft hands now clasped in praise on the

other shore. I could not invoke good for myself were I not

to pray for better for those good people. My regiment re-

mained to the last and when the news of the surrender waspromulgated and our skirmishers ordered to halt, Major De-Vane said : "I liated to stop just then, for I was driving the

Yankee skirmishers like sheep." On 9 April, at Appomat-tox, hostilities ceased and the Twentieth Regiment laid downtheir arms by order of their chieftain-—R. E. Lee. Wefought not for slavery. Our rights were denied us. Slavery

was only one of the many aggravating circumstances which


precipitated hostilities. Those who make history ought to

interpret their own acts and be considered the best authority

as to what is history.

The sharpshooters from the regiment deserve especial men-

tion, and acting as a separate command justice requires it.

Under Plato Durham, Benj. Robinson, R. A. Smith, Oliver

Williams and McQueen Coleman, this corps did splendid ser-

vice, and was the most important arm of the service. Someone belonging to this corps ought to write its history, and here

I will couple the name of Fred. D. Bryan with this request,

hoping he will do justice to this gallant corps. Mr. Bryan,

having passed through all of these scenes of conflict, can re-

call its history.

Imperfect as this sketch must be, I will close it, acknowl-

edging favors and help from the following soldiers, partici-

pants in the services of the Twentieth North Carolina : Rev.

Captain D. K. Bennett, Company G, who has passed over the

river since writing me on the subject ; Lieutenant Oliver Wil-

liams, Fair Bluff, IST. C, a veteran of the sharpshooters corps

;

Fred D. Bryan, Marion, S. C, the beardless boy, the daunt-

less hero of the same corps ; Edwin S. Moore, Selma, N. C,Adjutant of the regiment; Captain Louis Hicks, Faisons,

N. C, a quiet, faithful soldier and a good friend ; Rev. J.

Soles (Thirty-sixth North Carolina), Mount Tabor, JST. C.

;

Jesse J. Pounds, Company G, Hamlet, IST. C. His company

ought to remember him with gratitude. Out of nearly fifty

letters written to some members of each company composing

the regiment these are all to which replies have been re-

ceived.

The following brief me;ntion may not be amiss:

Thomas Fentress Toon was born in Columbus County N.

C, 10 June, 1840. Son of Anthony F. Toon, Esq., of Irish

and Welsh extraction, and Mary McMillan Toon, daughter of

Ronald McMillan, of Scotland. 20 May, 1861, he enlisted

as a private in Columbus Guards 'No. 2, a company raised by

his half brother. Captain William H. Toon, who was after-

wards Major and Lieutenant-Colonel of the Twentieth JSTorth

Carolina. After enlistment he returned to Wake Forest Col-

lege and graduated June, 1861. June 17, 1861, elected First


Lieutenant of his company. July 22, 1861, elected Captain of

his company, vice Captain W. H. Toon elected Major. 26

February, 1863, elected Colonel of the Twentieth Kegiment.

31 May, 1864, appointed Brigadier-General, and 4 June

assigned to command of Johnston's JSTorth Carolina Brigade.

He followed the fortunes of Lee, Jackson, Gordon, Early

and Ewell in all important engagements, unless deterred by

some of the five wounds received in battle. Lived in Robe-

son County, ]Sr. C, from 1891 until elected State Superin-

tendent of Public Instruction, 1900.

Lieutenant-Colonel Nelson Slough was a veteran of the

Mexican War, First Lieutenant January, 1847, honorably

discharged Y August, 1848. He was severely wounded in

the leg, the etfects of which were evident in his halting step.

When North Carolina called for troops he promptly raised

a Company in Cabarrus County and offered his services for

her defence. When the Tenth Volunteers was organized,

which regiment was afterwards changed to Twentieth North

Carolina Troops, Captain N. Slough was given the post of

honor as Company A. He followed the fortunes, of the regi-

ment ably and faithfully discharging his duty ; beloved by his

men and respected by his fellow officers for his generous,

genial, and gentlemanly deportment and for his unflinching

bravery in battle.

He was promoted to Major of the regiment, afterwards to

Lieutenant-Colonel, and resigned on account of wounds and

failing health 2 Novejnber, 1863. He was afterwards sheriff

of his county for many years;popular, beloved, and respected.

To those who knew Colonel Slough, I would say "now that

is to say simply for instance" I know no braver soldier or

more faithful officer than this hero of two wars. He died

at the residence of his daughter in Anderson, S. C. in 1900.

John S. Brooks, Captain Company G, born in Greenville,

Pitt Coimt, N. C, 20 October, 1840, killed 12 May, 1864,

at Spottsylvania Court House, Va. At the opening of the

war he raised a company and was elected Captain.

26 February, 1863, he was promoted to Major and Lieu-

tenant-Colonel Slough resigning 2 November, 1863, he was


promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, which position he held at the

time of his death

He was signally honored by General Lee on 10 May, 1864,

as will appear by correspondence published. Loved by all

who knew him ; honored in death, his dirge was sadly, sweetly

chanted by his comrade in arms, Brunswick County's Bard,

Rev. D. K. Bennett.

JSTames deserving to be written on the same page : Lieuten-

ant J. H. Dosier and Lieutenant Oliver Mercer, both of Com-pany G ; Lieutenant Oliver Williams, Company C, now living

at Fair Bluff, Columbus County, N. C.

Thos. r. Toow.

Kaleigh, N. C,9 April, 1901.

histories of the several regiments and battalions from ...114 northcarolinatroops,1861-65....

Documents