Lane’s brigade consisted of the 7th, 18th, 28th, 33rd and 37th North Carolina. It was first commanded by General L. O. B. Branch, who was killed at Sharpsburg. The 7th and 18th appear upon Colonel Fox’s per centage table, both having in the seven days’ fight lost 56 per cent. The numerical loss for the brigade was 807. At Chancellorsville it had 739 killed and wounded. In the history of this battle by Col. Hamlin, of Maine, the conduct of this brigade is spoken of very highly. In Longstreet’s assault as it moved over the field the two wings of its right regiment parted company, and at the close of the assault were several hundred yards apart. The point of direction for the assaulting column was a small cluster of trees opposite to and in front of Archer’s brigade, and while the rest of the line dressed on this brigade, by some misunderstanding, four and a half regiments of Lane’s dressed to the left. It went some distance beyond the Emmittsburg road, but fell back to that road, where it remained fighting ’till all the rest of the line had given way, when it was withdrawn by General Trimble.
Some time ago a Union veteran in a St. Louis paper gave an account of what came under his observation at Spottsylvania. His command had been repulsed and was being driven by Lane’s brigade, when he was shot down. As the victorious line swept by a Confederate was struck, falling near him. The conduct of a young officer, whose face was radiant with the joy of battle, had attracted his attention, and he asked his wounded neighbor who he was. His reply was, “That’s Capt. Billy McLaurin, of the 18th North Carolina, the bravest man in Lee’s army.”
ARCHER’S BRIGADE.
This superb brigade consisted of three regiments from Tennessee, one regiment and one battalion from Alabama. It suffered very severely the first day; on the third it was gallantly led by Colonel Frye, who says, referring to the close of the assault: “I heard Garnett give a command. Seeing my gesture of inquiry he called out, ‘I am dressing on you.’ A few seconds later he fell dead. A moment later a shot through my thigh prostrated me. The smoke soon became so dense that I could see but little of what was going on before me. A moment later I heard General Pettigrew calling to rally them on the left (referring to a brigade which had just given way). All of the five regimental colors of my command reached the line of the enemy’s works, and many of my officers and men were killed after passing over it.” Colonel Shepherd, who succeeded Colonel Frye in command, said in his official report that every flag in Archer’s brigade, except one, was captured at or within the works of the enemy. This brigade and Pettigrew’s were awarded the honor of serving as a rear guard when the army re-crossed the river.
HOKE’S BRIGADE.
Two of General Early’s brigades made a very brilliant charge on the second day; but being unsupported were forced to fall back. They were Hoke’s North Carolina, commanded by Colonel Avery, who was killed, and Hayes’ Louisiana. They did equally well in every respect, yet one is always praised, the other rarely mentioned. Hoke’s brigade consisted of the 6th, 21st, 54th and 57th. First commanded by Hoke, after his promotion by Godwin, who was killed in the Valley, and then by Gaston Lewis.
The 54th was on detached duty and did not take part in this battle. Mr. Vanderslice, in his fine description of this affair, does full justice to our North Carolina boys, and closes by saying: “It will be noted that while this assault is called that of the ‘Louisiana Tigers,’ the three North Carolina regiments lost more men than the five Louisiana regiments.”
PAY YOUR MONEY AND TAKE YOUR CHOICE.
From a book recently published, entitled, “Pickett and His Men,” the following paragraph is taken: “Pettigrew was trying to reach the post of death and honor, but he was far away and valor could not annihilate space. His troops had suffered cruelly in the battle the day before and their commander had been wounded. They were now led by an officer ardent and brave, but to them unknown.”
Col. Carswell McClellan, who was an officer of Gen. Humphreys’ staff, comparing the assault made by this General at Fredericksburg with that which is known as Pickett’s, says: “As the bugle sounded the ‘charge,’ Gen. Humphreys turned to his staff, and bowing with uncovered head, remarked as quietly and as pleasantly as if inviting them to be seated around his table, ‘Gentlemen, I shall lead this charge. I presume, of course, you will wish to ride with me.’” Now, compare that to Pickett, who was not within a mile of his column when they charged at Gettysburg—Pettigrew and Armistead LED Pickett’s division there. Of this grand assault of Humphreys I can do no better than quote Gen. Hooker’s report: “This attack was made with a spirit and determination seldom, if ever, equalled in war. Seven of Gen. Humphreys’ staff officers started with the charge, five were dismounted before reaching the line where Gen. Couch’s troops were lying, and four were wounded before the assault ceased.”