Authors's Introduction

The following pages give a true history of the volunteers who served in the Western Army, from Watauga County, N.C. The campaigns and engagements given in which the 58th N.C. Regiment served, include the companies from Watauga Co.

At the commencement of the awful conflict between the two sections--the North and the South--two great statesmen were chosen leaders--Abraham Lincoln, and Jefferson Davis. President Lincoln had decidedly the advantage in every respect. He had under his control twenty-six States, most of which were more populous than the Southern States, and several Territories, and a steady flow of emigration from all Europe,--yes, from all the civilized world. He was President of a rich and well-organized government. He had the United States Treasury, the Army and Navy, and was in possession of all the fortifications, both North and South.

On the other hand, President Davis, the chosen leader of the 11 Southern States, which composed the Confederacy, without money, without an army, without a fleet, without arms, organized a government, and maintained it in the face of all these odds and disadvantages for over four years.

Had the conditions been reversed, what would have been the result? Jefferson Davis was, without doubt, one of the greatest men America has ever produced. The number of troops enlisted in the Confederate States during the war was about 600,000. North Carolina furnished over 150,000. She surrendered at Appomattox, more than twice as many muskets as did any other State, and at Greensboro more of her soldiers were among the paroled, than from any of her sister states. When we took the oath of allegience to support the constitution and laws of the United States at Greensboro, we meant to comply with every condition therein contained. The Southern soldiers returned to their wasted homes and without a parallel, became law-abiding citizens, expecting of course, the protection of the government. But alas! That awful period of Carpet Bag rule, and Reconstruction followed, which for a few years seemed more desperate and aggravating if possible, than the horrors of war. Many of the best men of the State were disfranchised, and some imprisoned. W.W. Holden became Gov. and acted the traitor as no other North Carolinian ever did. He held with his grasp the power to administer justice, and help to raise and defend a helpless and down-trodden people; but instead, he did all in his power to heap reproach and injustice upon the people of his native State. When impeached, tried and found guilty of his treasonable and unlawful acts, his pretended friends failed to come to his relief.

The patriotic people of the "Old North State" threw off the yoke of despotism and oppression, and restored the State to a good and acceptable government.

North Carolina having made such a record in the war between the states. Watauga County, by this sketch, has set up her claim that, according to population, she furnished as many troops as any other county in the State.

It has been my sincere desire to place upon record every soldiers name who enlisted and went forth from Watauga County, to defend his native land, home, and loved ones, and then give the campaigns through which they served, and the many bloody fields upon which they faught. But the lack of information which was to be given by Mr. H. A. Davis of the 1st N.C. Cavalry, and Dr. J. B. Philips of the 37th N.C. infantry, makes it impossible for me to write up the history of those who served in the Eastern Armies. The lists in this sketch are not perfect, having been gotten up from memory, and an imperfect record kept at Boone. It is hoped that this desired information may be obtained and and given in our second volume. I therefore ask of my old comrades who chance to see these pages that they send me the names of those not appearing in the lists or a correction of any error if any has been made. Any information received from any of you will be highly appreciated.

Sincerely Yours,

J.B. MILLER.

CHAPTER I.

Troops From Watauga County.

THESE Companies were mustered into service and joined the 58th Regiment, commanded by John B. Palmer, at Johnson's Depot, Tenn. in the summer of 1862.

Company "D" was organized at Boone, by electing

D. C. Harmon Capt.,
B. F. Baird 1st Lieut.,
W. P. Mast 2nd Lieut.,
D. F. Baird 3rd Lieut.

Capt. Harman resigned in 1862. Then B. F. Baird was promoted to Capt., W. P. Mast to 1st Lieut., D. F. Baird to 2nd Lieut., A. F. Davis elected 3rd Lieut.

Capt. B. F. Baird, after the surrender, returned to his home on Watauga River and conducted his farm and was successful in his efforts, and was one of the best citizens of the county. He was what we might term a model man. In battle he was cool, composed, and thoughtful. He was one of the few men that never dodged when a ball whizzed by him. He was as brave as any who ever marched under a banner for freedom's cause. He died June 21st, 1901, aged 69 Y. 5 M. 13 D.

Lieut. D. F. Baird was twice wounded, first at Chickahominy, then seriously at New Hope Church, Georgia, a minnie ball passing through his breast above the heart. He was also a brave officer. He returned to his home on Watauga River after the surrender and is a prominent citizen of the county, has filled the office of Sheriff, and is now a successful farmer and model citizen.

Names of Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates Co. D.

Company "I" 58th N. C. Troops, Infantry.

Company "I" was organized at Boone by electing

William Miller Capt.,
William Hodges 1st Lieut.,
J. C. McGhee 2nd Lieut.,
James Horton 3rd Lieut.

In 1863 Capt Miller resigned. Then William Hodges was promoted to Capt., J. C. McGhee to 1st Lieut., James Horton to 2nd Lieut., J. B. Miller elected 3rd Lieut.

James Horton died in 1863. J. B. Miller promoted to 2nd Lieut., W. S. Davis elected 3rd Lieut. These officers served till the reorganization by Gen Joseph E. Johnson in March 1865, when Companies "G" and "I" were consolidated. J. R. Norris 2nd Lieut. served till the surrender. Lieuts. J. C. McGhee and W. S. Davis were dropped as supernumerary officers. and went home.

The following list consists of non-commissioned officers and privates, viz:

Names:-Bingham Wm, Bishop Samuel, Brown Wm, Brown John, Brown Richard, Blackburn John, Bently Wm, Bryan John G., Cook Wm, Cottrell C J, Campbell Rufus, Cornett John, Cornett I, Cooper James, Davis Elbert, Davis W S, Davis A F, Davis Asa, Dugger John, Eggers Landrine, Eggers Riley, Eggers Hugh, Eggers John, Eller A P, Fletcher Burt, Farthing E H, Greene Amos, Gragg Smith, Greene Benjamin, Greene Augustin, Hagaman Isaac, Holeman James, Holder Thomas, Holeman Thomas, Hodges Larkin, Hodges Riley, Holder David, Hilliard Bartlett, Hilliard Alfred, Hayes Joseph, Hodges Wm Jr, Horton Wm, Isaacs James, Isaacs Hugh, Isaacs Noah, Johnson John, Johnson Jacob, Johnson Brack, Miller Ephraim, Miller Marshal, Miller Franklin, Miller L D, Miller Calvin, Miller John sen., Miller John, Miller J B, Miller Alfred H, Mitchell Mike, Mitchell Robert, Michael John, Michael Isaac, Moody G W, Marlow John, Norris Thomas, Norris Jacob, Norris John, Oliver John, Potter Levi, Profit Wm, Profit John, Profit Jessee (Died) Swife Willborn, Smith Nelson, Seats Robert E, Tugman James, Tugman B F, Thomas Kire, Trivett Jessee, Trivett Lazarus, Vandyke Elkanah, Vandyke Mannel, Woodring Marcus, Woodring Rufus, Winbarger Hiram, Winbarger Levi, Winbarger Abel, Wilson William, Wilson Bill, Wilson Lemuel, Wilson John.

CHAPTER II.

The Watauga Boys

The Regiment (58th, N.C. Infantry) went into camp at Johnston Depot, (now Johnston city) Tenn. in the summer of 1862 and were drilled and equipped and made ready for active service by the 1st of Sept. when they were removed to Cumberland Gap.

The Regiment, commanded by Col. John B. Palmer was moved to Cumberland Gap in Sept. 1862. The enemy, on the approach of our command, evacuated the gap, spiking their heavy cannon, and throwing them over a precipice so they became useless to the southerners. One very large one we called "Long Tom." Many of the boys had the measles before reaching Cumberland gap and were kept in convalisent camp about ten miles east of the Gap under charge of Dr. Lewis. I remember that several of us applied for permits to go to the command, which the Dr granted, and before we got there our legs began to feel very heavy. To reach our companies we had to assend the steep mountain on the right of the gap to the very top. The higher up the colder the air, when on top and tents fixed we soon become chilled and some of us were not able for duty the next morning. The relapse that followed was much worse than the first attack. On the retreat of the Federal garrison Col. John B. Palmer was placed in command of the "Gap" with his regiment Caper's Georgia Battalion and a battery of artillery, until the prisoners could be paroled and the captured stores rescued, after which it moved into Kentucky, to reinforce Gen. Braxton Bragg, but unexpectedly met Bragg's Army on its retreat. Not long after the retreat of Bragg from Kentucky Col. Palmer was ordered to Big Creek Gap near Jacksboro Tenn. and placed in command with the 55th Georgia, Thornton's Alabama Legion, Kolb's Alabama Battery, and Baird's North Carolina Battalion (cavalry). The 58th North Carolina remained in this Brigade, at this post during the winter of 1862 and 1863. The winter was spent in out post duty guarding this and other passes in the Cumberland mountains, and making several expeditions into Kentucky, most of which were commanded by Capt. Miller. The writer well remembers being along on cue of these expeditions and the strict discipline under which we were subjected. Every man was required to keep his place. No straggling nor "foraging" was allowed when Capt. Miller was in command. It was wise and prudent of the captain, for there were numerous "Bushwhackers" on the ridges watching our every movement, men who neither favored the cause of the North nor the South. They preferred to be allowed to do as they pleased--did not want either army to invade their soil. But those toilsome force marches with their attendent responsibilities proved too much for the brave old veteran, who delighted in such service. He did service in the U.S. Army, when the Cherochee Indians were removed, for which he received a pension until his death. He also volunteered in the Mexican war but his command was never called into active service. After the close of the civil war he moved to Middle Tenn. where he died Mch. the 1st 1908, aged 93 years.

The guard duty while at Big Creek Gap were excessive, and the command suffered severely from privation and exposure which was the cause of many deaths by Pneumonia and relapse of measles.

The lack of necessary hospital accommodations was very much against the Physicians doing their duty in caring for the sick, consequently the death rate while here was appalling. The sincere desire of the author has been to account for every man who gave his life for the lost cause but has, so far, failed to obtain the desired information.

In the summer of 1863 the Brigade was placed under the command of Gen. J. W. Frasier and stationed at Clinton Tenn. and various other points in East Tennessee. While at Clinton the Brigade was ordered to Montacillo Kentucky to oppose a force that was marching in the direction of Knoxville Tenn., but on our approach, they made good their escape and Gen. Frasier returned to Clinton. On this march we crossed the Cumberland mountain at a gap, or rather a slightly elevated plateau north west of Knoxville which extended for many miles--a railroad now passing through the same section through which we marched. The command was next ordered to Bell's Ridge. The object was to look after both Clinton and Knoxville. That is, any approach of the enemy through Cumberland or Big Creek Gaps to Clinton or from Montacillo Kentucky to Knoxville Tenn. Early in Sept. 1863 the Brigade was ordered to reinforce Gen. Bragg, near Chattanooga, when the 58th was assigned to Kelley's Brigade of Preston's Division in Buckner's Corps. In the battle of Chickamauga Sept. 19th 20th the regiment bore a prominant part, and in the charge which captured the strong hold of the enemy on Snodgrass Hill, at the close of that eventful Sunday, the loss in killed and wounded was over half of those carried into action.

"The report of Col. Palmer, made on the succeeding day, gives the names of the killed and wounded, and makes the loss in his regiment killed 46; wounded 114; missing 1; total 161; over 50 per cent of the number carried into action." The above quotation is taken from Maj. Harper's history of the 58th regiment North Carolina troops. Page 8.

"It will be seen by refering to the official reports that the casualities in the regiment exceeded the combined loss of the regiments of the Brigade.

A steel tablet, erected by the Chickamauga National Park Commission, marks the position on the crest reached by the Regiment at sunset, when the prisoners were captured and the battle ended, and bears the following inscription, to wit:

"KELLY'S BRIGADE,

Preston's Division--Buckner's Corps.

COL. JOHN II. KELLY

Sept. 20th 1863, 7 P. M., Last Position.

65th Georgia--Col. R. H. Moore.

5th Kentucky--Col. Hiram Hawkins.

58th North Carolina--Col. J. B. Palmer.

63rd Virginia--Maj. James M. French."

The above quotation from Maj. Harper's History 58th North Carolina Regiment, page 8.

From the foregoing reports, it would seem to those not aquainted with the position of the enemy, that the field officers of the 58th N.C. Reg. were at fault; owing to the excessive loss; but this view would be erroneous, and do them an injustice. It so happened that the position of the 58th fronted and charged the enemy, who were behind a breast work of logs, on top of the hill. They reserved their fire till we were within about forty or fifty yards of their works, when they poured a deadly fire into our ranks, to which the other regiments were not so much exposed. Col. Palmer and Lieut. Col. Kirby at the head of the Regiment--every co. officer was at his post, and occupied the position assigned them. Not an officer nor private shirked duty, to my knowledge; but each stood shoulder to shoulder with their comrades. By a flank movement the right flank of Rosecran' army was cut off and captured 251 surrendering to Kelly's Brigade. Rosecrans' center being broken, his right wing with him in command, was completely routed, and fell back to Chattanooga--Gen. Thomas holding a strong position on Missionary Ridge, long enough to save the army from utter ruin.

Bragg moved forward and invested Chattanooga, almost surrounded the Union army. In this engagement Rosecrans' army numbered 55,000, while the Confederates not more 40,000 including 5,000 reinforcements under Gen. Longstreet from Lee's army. The loss of the Confederates was heavy--not less than 10,000; while the Federal loss was fully 20,000 men, (8,000 of whom were prisoners) besides 49 pieces of artillery, and 15,000 small arms. In this great battle the Watauga boys did their duty one and all.

On the 4th of July 1863 Pemberton surrendered Vicksburg to Grant with a garrison of 30,000 men. Grant and Sherman reinforced Rosecrans at Chattanooga. Longstreet was sent against Gen. Burnside at Knoxville. While Bragg was thus weakened, Grant planned and executed those movements of his forces which resulted in a signal victory for the Federals. On November 25th, Sherman was ordered to attack Bragg's right, which was promptly carried out. The writer well remembers the position of the 58th which was deployed in the ditches at the foot of Missionary Ridge, with orders to fall back to the top of the ridge when the enemy came insight--the land being cleared for about 300 yards in our front. When the federal lines came from the woods, our batteries opened fire from the top of the ridge in our rear, and the earth fairly trembled, and the 58th commenced the retreat up the steep hill to the top of the ridge, a gap being left of about 150 yards for the Regiment to fill; with a battery of two guns. When the Federal lines go within reach, all the boys opened fire, the lines began to waver and turn back. Being rallied by their officers, on they came another volley from our muskets with the aid of battery with grape and canister, and they fall back and move to the right and left--occupying two deep gorges and pressing up with all speed, our men at the head of these gorges tumbled rocks down on this vast host, but on they came, on the right of the position occupied by the 58th they broke our weak line and occupied the top of the hill, a position commanding a considerable distance on our right. We were therefore ordered to fall back and occupy a new position, forming a line of battle across the road near the base of the ridge. here occurred a stubborn fight which was kept up till long after dark.

The opposing repulsed. Bragg was, by request, relieved of the command and superseded by Gen. Joseph E. Johnson. Gen. Bragg has been criticized in the way he conducted this battle, but the great trouble was, that he did not have men enough to oppose the superior force brought against him. Rosecrans' army, before Grant and Sherman reinforced it, out numbered Bragg's by ten or fifteen thousand. After their arrival, they must have had near 100,000 or perhaps more. While Bragg only had about 30,000. The command went into winter quarters at Dalton, Georgia, under Gen. Joseph Johnson.

The Watauga Boys

CHAPTER III.

DALTON TO ATLANTA.

GEN. Joseph E. Johnson occupied a position at Dalton Ga. and there passed the winter of 1863 and 1864 in recruiting, organizing, and equipping the army, raising the number to about 45,000 men. In the spring of 1864, and at the same time Grant put his vast army in motion against Gen. Lee. Sherman advanced on Dalton with a force of about 200,000 men and 254 cannon May the 6th. Finding Johnston's position too strong to be assaulted, Gen. McPherson was sent through Snake Gap to turn it, while Gen. Thomas and Schofield threatened it in front and on the North. The movement was successful. Sherman with his vast numbers could by his flanking in this way force Gen. Johnston to retreat, or his line of communication would be cut off. Gen. Johnston finding his line of retreat about to be cut off, fell back to his fortified position at Resaca. Here he was attacked, and a heavy battle ensued May the 15th. Here the 58th Regiment was placed on the right to prevent the extension of the left wing of Sherman's line, while the battle raged furiously in the center, both lines, being intrenched, we had not long to wait. Col. Dula received orders to charge the extended line. We went a short distance common time, then quick--double quick, and raised the rebel yell and the Federal line gave way. We drove them past their intrenchments, when we were halted and ordered back in reserve, where we remained but a short time, being ordered to strengthen a threatened position near the center. Gen. Johnston finding his rear again threatened retreated across the Resaca river after night. The 58th covering the retreat, was the last troops to cross the river. It was exposed to a terrible cannonade from the enemey's guns Gen. Johnston's rear guard was attacked at Adairsville, where severe skirmishing ensued. He continued his retreat in good order until the 19th when he crossed Etowah river unmolested. Sherman after resting a few days, put his army in motion for Dallas, with a view to turn the difficult pass of Alatoona. On the 25th Gen. Hooker had a severe battle with a part of Hood's and Hardee's corps at New hope church which resulted in nothing advantageous to either the Federals or confederates. The 58th was in the charge made upon the enemy's entrenched position at New Hope Church.

For several days the maneuvering and skirmishing was kept up around and in the vacinity of Dallas, without material advantage to either party. On June the 4th Gen. Johnston retreated to the strong position of Pine, Kenesaw, and Lost mountains.

For several days there was incessant skirmishing. In the meantime the Federal army was reinforced by Gen. Blair, with two divisions of the seventeenth army corps; and the Confederate army by the Georgia militia.

On the 14th of June General Leonida Polk was killed by an exploding Shell, while standing with Generals Johnston and Hardin, on the crest of Pine Mountain, a few paces in the rear of the position occupied by the 58th. After much maneuvering flanking and skirmishing, Sherman decided to attack Johnston. On the 28th Gens Thomas and McPherson made a determined assault on Johnston's works, but were repulsed with terrible slaughter. Sherman, without renewing the attack, the next day renewed his tactics of using his superior numbers in flanking. In other words by fortifying in front of Johnston's line and then moving all his great hosts around threatening his rear--his line of communication. In this way he could compel him to withdraw. Johnston retreated in good order from his position on Kenesaw and crossed the Chattahoochee river July the 4th. The rear guard repulsed an attack and held the enemy in check till the wagon and ambulance trains were safe across the river. The 58th participated in this action, being a part of the rear guard. Both armies rested in comparative quiet, the time being occupied by Sherman in making arrangements for crossing the Chattahoochee, and turning Johnston's position, which had been carefully chosen, and strongly fortified. On the 17th Sherman crossed the Chattahoochee and by the 20th had, by his flank movements, forced Gen. Johnston to occupy the defenses around Atlanta. Here Johnston was, by order of President Davis, superseeded in command by Gen. J. B. Hood. Here ends the campaign from Dalton to Atlanta.

Notwithstanding the great superiority of members Gen. Sherman had, Gen. Johnston had so baffled his movements, that it took him nearly three months to reach Atlanta, a distance of about 100 miles.

While Johnston's loss did not exceed 5,000, that of Sherman was not much less than 60,000. More than Johnston's command.

Alexander H. Stephens in his history of the U.S. says that "Sherman's loss from Dalton to Atlanta, equaled that of Grant's from the Rapidan to Cold Harbor, which was 60,000 men." Johnston had so baffled and stayed Sherman's progress, and had inflicted such loss upon his vast forces, that he could soon have given him battle on something like equal numbers, had he been left in command.

Atlanta was strongly fortified and had the defense been properly conducted Sherman would have suffered great loss before taking it.

The change of commanders had a desperate effect upon the Confederate army.

The Watauga Boys

CHAPTER IV.

DEFENCE OF ATLANTA,

Gen. J. B. Hood took command of the Confederate forces at Atlanta July the 20th. The 58th regiment now belonged to Keynold's brigade. In occupying the fortifications assigned to this brigade, we found the intrenchments filled to overflowing with Georgia militia. The General rode up, and gave the command in an extremely loud voice; "Get out of the ditches 'Milish' and let the veterans in." Gen. Hood immediately assumed the offensive and made several assaults on Sherman's lines. The most determined attack was made on July 22, during which Gen. McPherson was killed, who commanded a strong fortified position on Sherman's left. Hood was repulsed with heavy loss. Hindma's splendid division was badly crippled, which suffered the greatest loss in these engagements.

I here quote from H. D. Northrop's History of the U. S.: "The Confederate loss in the battles of Atlanta was about 12,000 killed, wounded, and prisoners. The loss of the Federals was 3,722."

A. H. Stephens in his history of the U. S. gives the Confederate loss in all the battles of Atlanta; "at about 8,000." Had Gen. Joseph Johnston been kept in command, the loss no doubt, would have been much the heaviest on the Federal side. Hood could not repair these losses. Sherman having perhaps more than twice as many men as Hood, kept extending his lines around the city, fortifying and strengthening his works at every point where an attack would likely be made, and throwing shells into the city. Sherman finally withdrew the left wing of his army and threw it between Hardee's corps and Atlanta which compelled Hood to evacuate the city, which was done on the 1st of Sept. I well remember the night that Sherman evacuated his fortifications. I was on guard duty between the two lines, about midnight they commenced cannonading, and throwing shells into the city. We expected every moment that they, were going to charge our lines, but the cannons al stopped firing, and when daylight came, to our surprise there was not a "Yankee" in our front. We moved forward and inspected the deserted works but in a short time we also left ours and moved to the left where we confronted the enemy at Jonesboro, where we found the enemy occupying a chosen position, fortified on a ridge, which Reynolds' Brigade was ordered to charge. The 58th in this charge advanced further than any of the command and received a terrible enfilading fire. The position being too strong to be taken by our weak force, we fell back to our original position. On the 2nd of September Sherman marched his army near Newman, Ga. where he projected his Tennessee campaign.

We will now leave Sherman in possession of his prize, and go with Hood on his great back track campaign.

The Watauga Boys.

CHAPTER V.

GEN. HOOD'S TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN.

Hood recruited his army to about 35,000 men and started on his Tennessee campaign September the 28th 1864. He marched through Georgia and Northern Alabama. After the fall of Atlanta, Reynol's Brigade was consolidated with Brown's Tennessee Brigade and commanded by Gen. Joseph B. Palmer a gallant officer, under whom the Regiment served until the close of the war. In the march to Nashville the railroad was destroyed in many places, North of Atlanta the garrisons at Resaca and Dalton were captured. The army suffered great privation on this long march from lack of provision and clothing. The writer remembers the less than half ration issued, and the men were compelled to make their ration for the day following by parching corn which continued all night, each mess taking it by turns, keeping all the pans hot all night. The army crossed the Tennessee River at Florence, Ala. Nov. the 2nd, but was unfortunately detained there till the 20th waiting for supplies. The 58th Regiment was in the advance, pushing the retreating enemy, and driving them across Duck River, leaving Columbia in our possession. The 58th, under command of Lt. Col. Silver, was ordered to take possession of the fort the prisoners placed under his charge, while the army advanced on to Franklin, where a bloody battle was fought between Hood and Schofield, Nov. 30th. In this engagement Hood was victorious.

The Regiment under Lieutenant Col. Silver with the prisoners it had captured and others sent to it (all together about 1700) was left as a garrison for the fort, and town, and thus missed the battles of Franklin and Nashville, and later on Hood's disasterous retreat, by being ordered, Dec. 11th to Corinth Miss. with the prisoners.

At Corinth the prisoners were turned over to another command and the 58th was sent Dec. 26th to Okolona Miss. to intercept and dive off a cavalry raid which had cut the railroad near that point. On the return of the remnant of Hood's army the 58th Regiment rejoined the Brigade, still commanded by Gen. Palmer and with it moved by rail to Branchville, S. C. By placing Hood in command at Atlanta, great gloom fell upon the army and now to look upon its shattered columns as it staggers back, it would seem to the most thoughtful, that men in their plight could never be ralied and carried into battle again. But as the campaign advances we see later on that the spirit of patriotism is not crushed when under a commander in whom they can trust.

Confederate money now being worthless the soldiers were, as they well knew, serving their country without pay and living on short ration, still they performed their duty without a murmur.

The Watauga Boys.

CHAPTER VI.

THE LAST CAMPAIGN. THE LAST BATTLE.

We left Sherman at Atlanta where he remained till Nov. 16th. On the night of the 15th Atlanta was burned. he then started on his march of devastation, with a force of 60,000 men for Savannah, sending Gen. Thomas back with his corps to watch Gen. Hood's movements. "Two lines of railhead connect Atlanta with the seaboard, one by Augusta through South Carolina to Charleston, 308 miles; the other through Macon to Savannah, 293 miles. Between these two roads, from 40 to 1000 miles a part, Sherman marched, his wings overlapping them. Two hundred miles of railroad were destroyed, the rails were heated and twisted, every tie, bridge, tank, woodshed, and depot, was burned and every culvert was blown up. All the cotton discovered was burned--about 15,000 bales. All the cattle, horses, mules, hogs and poultry were taken, and either consumed on the way, or brought to Savannah. Private dwellings also were robbed and burned. A tornado's path burnt by fire, could not have been more destructive." (H.D. Northrop's History of the U. S. Page 324 and 325.)

It will be remembered that Sherman had no available force to oppose him on his march to destruction. On Jan. 15th he set out from Savannah to Charleston.

On the 4th of Feb. the remnant of Hood's army confronted Sherman at Branchville S. C., Gen. Johnston being placed in command, was concentrating his forces east of Raleigh. The 58th Regiment commanded by Maj. G.W.F. Harper was sent to Shillings bridge to dispute the passage of the enemy, and delay their crossing North Edisto river till the army could fall back to Columbia. The courier sent to Maj. Harper with orders to retire, having been captured, caused the Maj. to keep up the fight at the bridge, which we held and prevented the enemy from crossing. Keeping up an incessant fire in our front, they extended their line up the river and beyond our right and crossed the river in considerable force, and advanced on our right, and had us nearly cut off from the Columbia road, the only line of retreat. By the skillful maneuvers of Major Harper he got out of the trap with the loss of only two of his men, who were captured. One of those men who were captured in this engagement told me after the surrender, that after they took and pillaged Columbia, that on the march from that place that hundreds of the Federal soldiers were burned to death, where they set fire to the pine orchards, being drunk from the liquor taken at Columbia. On every road the enemy's marched, could be seen, vast columns of smoke, which told of the awful destruction that was going on and which awaited those in Sherman's broad path. In South Carolina, like it had been in Georgia, thousands of the poor were destined to famish, every thing being destroyed on which man or beast could subsist. As Sheridan said of the complete destruction of everything in the Shenandoah valley, "that a crow could not fly over it without taking its rations with it." The citizens offered, and insisted on the Confederate soldiers taking all their substance they could make use of. After the evacuation of Columbia by our small force, Sherman burned the city on the 17th of Feb. Palmer's brigade, to which the 58th belonged, left Columbia Feb. 17th and reached Charlotte on the 23rd from which point a week later, it went by rail to Smithfield, below Raleigh where Gen. Joseph E. Johnston was concentrating his small army, and reorganizing it by consolidating companies and Regiments. he here awaited the approach of Sherman, who was marching on Raleigh by way of Wilmington.

We all knew that we were hemmed up between Grant and Sherman, and that the "jig was about up." But when Gen. Jo Johnston gave orders on the 18th of March, to move out to meet our old enemy (Sherman) the men marched as spiritedly as if they knew that they were going to drive that Yankee host into the Atlantic Ocean. The presence of Gen. Johnston in command, inspired the fullest confidence in the small army.

Gen. Johnston left Smithfield Mch. 18th and made a forced march to Betonsville, where a concentration was affected with Hardee's corps from Charleston, Hoke's Division and other troops from Eastern N. C. Sherman had formed his line of battle in a pine grove, and fortified it behind a fence. Gen. Johnston, on the 19th, after reconoitering the postion of the enemy, drew up his men in line of battle. Palmer's Brigade was selected as the directing column for the Army of Tenn. in the assault on the enemy's line.

The charge was made with great spirit and dash, and the enemy entrenched and with a high fence built in their front, gave way before inflicting great loss on their assailants. The enemy were completely routed. In the pursuit which followed, two Pieces of Artillery, limbering with all haste to the rear, were captured and driven back into our lines with their teams complete. In running down and taking the guns some of the artillerymen were shot while on the chests, and the old pine field was strewn with blankets, provisions and plunder of all sorts thrown away by the flying foe. The rapid pursuit over fences and a deep ravine so scattered the attacking column that a halt was made to reform--this a half a mile or more beyond the entrenchments charged, and there was not an enemy in sight, nor a gun nearby being fired. Before the line was completely adjusted the reserves came up in splendid order. Pettus' Brigade in support of Palmer now took the advance, and in a short time struck the enemy, reinforced in a new position. Our lines having become too short for the circle so extended by pushing back the enemy. Most the Regiment of Palmer's Bridgade, were promptly moved up to fill the gaps in the front line, which was now in the thick pine woods. The 58th N. C. on the left of the Brigade, under the direction of a staff officer, was moved up in support of, and close to, the front line, here passing south, and at the time hotly engage. Firing was also going on the right, extending partly to the rear, but not so near, and a battery of artillery keep up a most aggravating enfilading fire over the Regiment which would have made the position extremely uncomfortable if the gunners had slightly depressed their pieces. As it was, very little could be seen for the smoke which filled the woods, and the ground gently rising toward the battery, their shells for an hour flew almost harmlessly through the timber, some 10 feet over head, and most of them burst in the rear.

Above from Maj. Harper's history of the 58th N.C. Reg. p.14-15.

The enemy extending their left flank, the 58th was moved to the right where the repeated assaults of the enemy were repulsed in heavy force till 8 o'clock at night, when the firing ceased, and at midnight the army resumed the positions of the morning. Gen. Sherman having made a junction with Scholfield, made his forces too great to be opposed by Gen. Johnston, consequently, he fell back in good order unmolested, and reached Greensboro the 16th of Apr. 1865. On the 27th of April General orders announcing the surrender of the army was received. The paroles were distributed to the Regiment May the 2nd which immediately, as an organized body, marched to Statesville, where the troops for Ashe Co. were discharged, and the Companies from Watauga marched by way of Lenoir. Capt. B. F. Baird who had procured a wagon and team at Greensbor, hauled the sick of Co. D. and Co. I. to Boone where they were disbanded. Thus ends the war between the two sections.

Much has been said about the Justice of the lost cause, but time has proven that the cause for which we fought was Just.

The war was gotten up by political schemers North, with a view to obtain the reigns of Government and to grow rich therefrom. A scheme in which they succeeded. Might often overcomes right. In this case it was so. To show their vast strength we quote form anthentic records as follows: The whole number of Confederate soldiers (officers and men) surrendered at the close of the war was 150,000. The number of Union soldiers then in the field, and mustered out of service was 1,050,000. What a contrast!

The great powers of Europe joined together with their great superior strength, overpowered and dismembered Poland, robbed her of her honor, glory, and property, and then divided the spoils--her domain, between them. Was this right? No.

The James and Younger Brothers stopped and robbed trains,--robbed banks, and shot down individuals. Was this right? No! No! a thousand time No!

Neither was it right for W.T. Sherman, Kilpatrick, Stoneman, Sheridan, Grierson, and hundreds of others we might mention, to rob the South. If the U.S. had decided to free the slaves; why did not they free them, and pay the owners, as England did?

The cost of the war--to say nothing of the noble men who fel in the struggle--would have paid for all the slaves and colonized them in Africa, their native country.

Laurels unfairly won quickly wither,
While truth and honesty will live and bloom forever.

I here append an extract from a letter from Mr. E. G. Young, an old comrade of De Kalbe, Tex. who served with us through the campaigns which I have described.

I am an old Confederate soldier. I enlisted in June 1861, at Ocaola, Ark. First went to Memphis, Tenn. then to Fort Pillow, where we were put into the 8th Arkansas, then went to Columbus Ky. We tried to make then pay us, tired to mutiny, and the Colonel cursed and said we slept on government blankets and ate government grub, and then wanted pay.

Some men were captured who had deserted, and were court martialed. Their shirts were pulled off and their hands tied behind them. Each man was hit fifty lashes on his bare back and branded with the letter "D" on right cheek and were drummed out of the brigade.

On the 24th of Dec. we were ordered to Bowling Green Ky. We had bought our Christmas liquor and when our Co. got to Nashville there were not sober men enough to drag the drunken ones out of the car.

We fortified the Bowling Green hill, and when we heard of the fall of Fort Donaldson, Johnston, seeing he was getting into deep water, took us to Corinth. There we had things our way till Johnston fell. Then Beaureguard took command. We came close to getting into a fight Monday evening. We then retreated to Corinth, where I bade the Eighth adieu. Then we joined the Ninth Arkansas and went to Mississippi and had a battle at Balck River Bridge, where our regiment was cut to pieces. I was wounded at Jackson and was in the hospital six months, but returned to the service just before the battle of Chickamauga. I was in that battle and that of Kenesaw Mountain. Was in the 72-days march from Dalton to Atlanta, and in the battles of Atlanta and Jonesboro.

We then started back to Nashville, and from there to Franklin, the bloodiest place I saw during the war. We went from there to Nashville and then to North Carolina. The last time I saw Gen. Hood was when we crossed the Tennessee River. In N. C. we were reorganized, and had the battle of Winesburg.