1864 |
On the 5th MacRae's Brigade, accompanied by other troops, moved out to intercept a column of the enemy moving by the Vaughn road, in the direction of the South Side Railroad, which had reached a point near Armstrong's Mill, on the left bank of Hatcher's Run. Finding the enemy strongly entrenched, we made a demonstration against them which was repulsed with some loss. We were withdrawn after dark and returned to our quarters. On the 7th we were ordered under arms at daylight expecting to attack the enemy, but on account of a very heavy sleet and snowstorm, did not move. On the night of 31 March we were moved to the right and occupied a position in our lines on the right of the Boydton plank road beyond Hatcher's Run, which we held until the night of 2 April, when we began our retreat by a road leading from Five Forks to Southerland Station, closely pursued by the enemy. Reaching Southerland Station on the morning of the 3d, we were so closely pressed as to find it necessary to fight. We therefore selected a position on the brow of a slight hill in an open field and rapidly fortified our line, as well as we could, with bayonets used to break the earth, and such other means as were at command. Before we had succeeded in doing any considerable work the enemy charged our line. His advance was met with a well-delivered and telling volley from our rifles (we had no artillery) and they were driven back with heavy loss. A second attack with strengthened lines was made and again they retreated with greater loss. A third and much heavier column was hurled against our little band; and, after fighting with great desperation, being flanked on our left, we were driven from our lines and retreated in the direction of the Appomattox river with but little, if any, organization. |
1864 |
Since the war a Federal General told General MacGowan, of South Carolina who, being the ranking officer present on this occasion, commanded our line, that this was the most gallantly defended line of any within his knowledge during the war; that we had killed and wounded more of their men than we numbered. Following the course of the river by the nearest accessible road, and often through the woods, crossing Namozine and Deep creeks, we joined General Lee at Goode's Bridge and proceeded thence to Amelia Court House, reaching this point on the 4th and halting for rest and rations. Here General Lee expected to ration his army, having ordered supplies to meet him at this point. In this hope, however, he was greatly disappointed. The authorities at Richmond, in the panic caused by the expected evacuation of the lines around Richmond and Petersburg, ordered the trains to proceed, without stopping, to the capital, for the purpose of moving the government's effects, which they did, carrying with them almost the last hope of the army in the shape of its subsistence, there to be destroyed, or fall into the hands of the enemy. |
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We rested here during the 4th and 5th sending out foraging parties for supplies, which resulted in -- nothing. The troops had now been forty-eight hours without regular rations and the prospect was disheartening. On the night of the 5th we left Amelia Court House, marching westwardly by way of Deatonsville, thence towards Farmville. Approaching High Bridge over the Appotammox river, we encountered a body of cavalry disputing our passage. MacRae's Brigade charged, driving them off and capturing General Gregg, after which we continued the retreat, and crossing the river over the bridge, bivouacked for the night. On the morning of the 7th the retreat was continued. Reaching a commanding position about five miles north from Farmville, a line of battle was formed and fortifications quickly erected. Here we rested until night, when the retreat was continued in the direction of Lynchburg, and by the night of the 8th the army had reached the vicinity of Appomattox Court House. |
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1864 |
On the 9th an advance was begun but, finding the enemy in possession of our only line of retreat, the army was halted pending negotiations for the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. On the 12th, in accordance with the terms agreed upon, the Fifty-second Regiment, together with the remainder of what had been the noble Army of Northern Virginia, marched to a point designated by the commissioners appointed for that purpose, and stacked their arms, deposited their furled banners, gave their parole and took up their line of march for those homes they had fought so bravely to defend through four long years of blood, hardships and toil. |
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NOTE: -- After the regiment had been assigned to a brigade I have not, in many instances, been able to speak of it as a separate command, but it is to be understood that in all cases where the movements of the brigade are spoken of, the Fifty-second Regiment participated. Having no access to records, I have not been able to note casualties with accuracy as to detail, except, in a few cases, where my information is derived from letters written to my wife at the time. John H. Robinson Fayetteville, N.C., 9 April, 1901. |
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