The next day, 31st, we went into bivouac and rested all day Sunday, saddened by the absence of many, many, of our brave and beloved comrades, who had fallen in the series of conflicts through which we had just passed. Among those who fell was our beloved Colonel, Saunders F. Fulton, a man who was absolutely without fear, and who evidently belived he was not to be killed in battle. 1 September, we took up a line of march to Ox Hill, where we again grappled in a death stuggle with our old enemy. When we first met them, the Federals seemed greatly suprised and confused, and the carnage in their ranks was terrible. Here Major-General Kearney, of the Federal army, was killed and fell into our hands. During this battle a terrific thunder storm prevailed, the rain coming down in torrents, making it quite difficult to keep our powder dry. The Federals were again overwhelmingly defeated, and hurled into their fortifications around Washington. Our loss in this engagement was comparatively small.
CAPTURE OF HARPER'S FERRY
After this battle Jackson's Corps took up the line of march to Martinsburg Va. and form this place swept down on Harper's Ferry capturing it with it's entire garrison, General D. H. Miles commanding the garrison. Our loss was almost nothing. After this we made a forced march to Sharpsburg, Md., where we arrived 17 September, and engaged in that brilliant and bloody battle. Although sorely pressed, the line of the Twenty-First Regiment was broken only once during the fight. After falling back a short distance and reforming, we again charged, repulsing every attack of the enemy. Our loss here was considerable. 13 December we engaged in the great battle of Fredericksburg and assisted in driving and pursuing the enemy into the plains below, who had penetrated an interval in our lines near Hamilton's Crossing. I believe this was the only charge made by the Confederates in this fight. The loss of the enemy in this charge was very great, while ours was comparatively small. Here it was said that General Lee complimented Colonel Hoke who commanded the brigade. At any rate he was made Brigadier-General soon after this fight.
CHANCELLORSVILLE
In May, 1863, engaged in the great battle of Chancellorsville, assisting in the attack on General Sedgwick's flank, forcing him into the bend of the Rapppahannock river, where his whole command would have been captured; but night coming on he made his escape across the river. In this fight we lost many valuable officers and men. At this time the brigade was composed of the following regiments: Sixth, Twenty-First, Fifty-Forth, Fifty-Seventh North Carolina Troops. After this battle our corps, commanded by General Ewell, who succeeded the lamented Jackson, again took up line of march to the valley of Virginia, where the Twenty-First assisted in the capture of Winchester and Martinsburg with many thousand prisoners and a great many pieces of artillery, many thousand small arms, wagon trains and many stores. The loss of the regiment and entire command was very small.