Here I wish to relate the heroic deed of Private Johnson, (ambulance driver). General Ramseur was seen to fall, and Johnson was ordered by Major Pfohl to go after him, which he did under a terrific fire. He succeded in getting him, but was overtaken and captured on the retreat. General Pegram seeing that the day was lost to the Confederates, ordered the division to fall back, saying: "Men, you must do this in order--firing as you retreat, for your own and the army's saftey demand it." Never was greater heroism displayed by both men and officers than in this terrible retreat. Then the enemy, maddened by recent defeat, and flushed with sudden victory, with their whole line made a furious assault upon our discomfited line, which was driven back in great confusion. In our futile effortrs to stem the tide of battle that threatined to overwhelm us, we lost many brave officers and men. Among the killed was the heroic Pfohl, commander of the regiment. No man ever exhibited in such a time greater coolness, skill and bravery, which excited the admiration of his men. In this fight near Strasburg, Va., ended our last attempt to invade the North by way of the Shenandoah. After this battle, the writer assumed command of the regiment, which he had the honor to hold until 24 March, 1865, when he was severly wounded a Petersburg in an assault on the enemy's lines.
AT PETERSBURG
The command was then sent to Petersburg, went into winter quarters on Hatcher's Run, where it remained all winter, doing very fatiguing picket duty. 16 February, 1865, the regiment engaged the enemy in a very fierce combat on Hatcher's Run. It was here that Captain Byrd Snow fell mortally wounded. He was in command of the regiment during this fight, as brave and true a soldier as ever drew a sword in his country's honor. 24 March, 1865, this regiment, the enemy's works between Fort Steadman and Battery No. 10. Then turning right and left, captured several pieces of artillery and many prisoners. When we were ordered to retreat, the enemy's artillery fire was kept up so continuously, it was almost impossible to get back to our works. However, we brought back about all of our rigiment except the wounded. General Grant in his report, claimed the Confedrate loss was 4,000, but the number of Confederates engaged was not much more than that.
ROBERT F. HOKE, Colonel, promoted to Major-General.
GASTON LEWIS, Colonel, promoted to Brigadier-General.
S. F. FULTON, Colonel, Killed.
JAMES M. LEACH, Lieutenant-Colonel, resigned.
W. L. SCOTT, Lieutenant-Colonel, resigned.
R. K. PEPPER, Lieutenant-Colonel, killed.
B. Y. GRAVES, Lieutenant-Colonel, resigned.
W. S. RANKIN, Lieutenant-Colonel, prisoner.
ALEXANDER MILLER, Lieutenant-Colonel, killed.
J. M. RICHARDSON, Major, resigned.
W. J. PFOHL, Major, killed.
JAMES F. BEALL, Major.
WILLIAM FOY, Adjutant.