We then passed over the Potomac and went to Little York, Pa., 1 July the two armies again encountered each other, at Gettysburg. On this day the regiment assisted in gaining a very decided victory over the enemy, driving him back in great confusion, through Gettysburg. On the second day we made an assault on the enemy's fortified line and failed.In the general history which will go down to posterity, of course nothing more than a brief and cursory reference can or will be made, to the service of any small command. Yet it is due this gallant brigade (then Hoke's) as also to those who lived not to see the clouds and darkness of other days, to refer briefly to the glorious service of as brave a set of men as the sun ever shone upon. I will in my feeble way, attempt to show how those indomitable patriots demeaned themselves amid the wild carnage of that stricken field. The impressions of the writer, of that memorable day are not a picture of mere fancy, but one of actual experience. Methinks I still hear, through the long vista of years, the rolling echo of those awful accents of battle. After a lapse of thirty-seven years, I recall not without emotion, the incidents of the battle which occurred on that second day at gettysburg, and while life last, will cherish my remembrance of the magnificent courage displayed by our command.
THE ASSAULT ON CEMETERY HEIGHTS
After lying all day under a July sun, suffering with intense heat, and continually annoyed by the enemy's sharpshooters from the heights, from sheer desperation, we hailed with delight the order to again meet the veteran foe, regardless of his advantage in numbers and position. Really, the enemy's artillery, reopening at the going down of the sun, fell like music upon our ears. At the time the assault was made, the enemy had massed heavily in our front, and placed batteries in the rear of his own lines, which were used with fearful effect against us, firing over the heads of his own men. The ground we had to pass over was ascending, but the troops advanced in double quick time, and with a cheer went over the rifle pits in advance of the enemy's main line of works, killing and capturing a few of them--the greater part taking refuge behind the main line of breastworks. Here the fighting was desperate, but like an unbroken wave, our maddened column rushed on, facing a continual stream of fire. After charging almost to the enemy's line, we were compelled to fall back, but only a short distance. The column reformed and charged again, but failed to dislodge the enemy. The brigade held it's ground with unyielding determination--ever keeping afloat our flag to battle and breeze.
SLAUGHTER OF COLOR BREARERS
Four out of five of the color-bearers who dared hold up that flag, went down to a heroic death. As often as the flag went down it was taken up and flaunted in the face of the enemy, holding an impregnable position. The hour was one of horror. Amid the incessant roar of cannon, the din of musketry, and the glare of bursting shells making the darkness intermittent--adding awfulness to the scene--the hoarse shouts of friend and foe, the piteous cries of wounded and dying, one could well imagine, (if it were proper to say it), that "war is hell". Further effort being useless, we were ordered to fall back a short distance under cover. To remain was certain capture, to retreat was almost certain death. Few, except the wounded and dead, were left behind. Here, these brave North Carolinians "stood, few and faint, but fearless still." The enemy did not follow or show any disposition to leave their defenses.