On the 18th of December, Lieutenant Frank A. Hanner was promoted to 1st Lieutenant, vice Lieutenant McKnight killed. Orderly Sergeant Chas. A. Campbell to 2d Lieutenant, Jr.; Sergeant William M. Paisley was appointed Orderly Sergeant; Corporal C. W. Stratford, Sergeant, and privates Alfred W. Klutts and Rufus B. Gibson were promoted to Corporals.
During the month of December, under special orders No. 72, Lee's headquarters, a general court martial was convened for our (Heth's) division. Capt. J. A. Sloan was detailed as judge-advocate; Col. R. Mayo, of the 47th Virginia regiment, as president, and Sergeant William U. Steiner, of the Grays, appointed recorder. With the exception of a temporary suspension in February and again in March, to accompany our several commands on expeditions made at those times, the court was in regular session at Orange Court-House. In the meanwhile Lieutenant Banner was in command of the Grays.
On the 8th of January, private Chas. W. Westbrooks, our company chaplain, and known as our "fighting parson," was discharged by order of the Secretary of War, and received an appointment as regular chaplain in the army. Charlie preached as he shot without fear and to the mark.
On the 16th of January, private Henry G. Kellogg, at home on surgeon's certificate, was permanently detailed in the commissary department at Salisbury, North Carolina.
On the 18th of February, W. H. Donnell joined the company.
On the 20th, Corporal Thomas J. Rhodes was promoted to Sergeant, and private Richard S. Smith was appointed Corporal.
On the 1st of March, Preston P. Dick joined the company. At the same time private Henry W. Ayer, who joined the Grays in May, 1863, was transferred to company "C," 48th N.C. regiment.
On the 12th, H. Smiley Forbis died of disease at hospital in Lynchburg, Va.
On the 31st, private A. Laffayette Orrell was transferred to the C.S. Navy, "or words to that effect."
On the 13th of April, private Pleasant Ricks died in camp of typhoid fever.