The 8th NC Regiment was organized at Camp Macon, near Warrenton, NC, in the months of August and September of 1861, with the following field officers: Colonel Henry M. Shaw of Currituck County; Lieutenant Colonel William J. Price of New Hanover County; Major George Williamson of Caswell County; Adjutant J. B. Cherry of Bertie County; Sergeant Major L. G. Thornton of New Hanover County; Assistant Quartermaster Cyrus W. Grandy of Virginia; Assistant Comissary Sergeant H. G. Trader of Hertford County; and, Surgeon, H. P. Ritter of Pasquotank County. The regiment was mustered into the Confederate service on the 13th of September by Colonel Robert Ransom of the 9th NC Regiment, the term of service being for the war. During the stay at Camp Macon our work consisted of drilling, standing guard, and such other duties as necessarily pertain to camp life.

We were not detained long in the camp of instruction near Warrenton. On the 18th of September tents were struck, the regiment having been ordered to Roanoke Island. The trip on the canal and sound on the way from Camp Macon to the island was delightful, it being about the time of full moon, and the weather being fine. We arrived at Roanoke Island on the 21st of September. The first duty after landing was to arrange camp, dig wells, etc. This work took several days. Then drilling and work on the fortifications became the regular duties of the men.

On the 3rd of October the regiment, consisting of about six hundred and fifty (650) men, in company with the 3rd Georgia Regiment and a few other troops, embarked on barges in tow by steamers, on the sound, for the purpose of attacking a force of the enemy then encamped on the narrow strip of land stretching along the seashore, known as Chicamacomico. The attack was made on the 4th of October, and resulted in the capture of the camp and fifty-five (55) prisoners. The 3rd GA Regiment made the attack on the camp, whilst the 8th NC Regiment was to intercept the retreat of the enemy. Accordingly, when the enemy began their retreat the 8th NC Regiment was ordered to proceed towards Hatteras, effect a landing and await the approach of the retreating enemy. We proceeded to a point in Pamlico Sound opposite to where the landing was to be made. The position taken by the barges which conveyed the regiment was about three miles from land. Orders were given to leave the barges and wade to the shore. After wading about one mile, a deep channel, too deep to cross, was met. The order to return to the barges was given. In the meantime the tide began to rise, and by the time the last of the men arrived at the barges the water was up to their armpits and chins. There was some suffering for water on this expedition, the supply carried by the men having been exhausted and no other drinkable being at hand to refill the canteens. On Sunday, October 6th, we returned to camp on Roanoke Island, having spent Saturday on the sound, some of the men having been detailed to assist in moving the captured camp effects of the enemy. After returning to the island the usual drilling and other duties pertaining to camp occupied the time of the men. Also, regular details were made to work on the fortifications then in progress on the island.

On the 29th of October one company (H) of the regiment was ordered on duty in Battery Huger, near the northern extremity of the western side of the island. The remaining nine companies continued in the camp established near Fort Bartow, and did duty as stated above. The first Christmas during the war was passed on the island, nothing unusual occurring except occasional alarms, some true, others false, till the early part of February, 1862. It was known in the latter part of December that the enemy was contemplating an attack on some important point somewhere on the coast. A large fleet at that time was collecting at Fortress Monroe. Every effort was made to put the island in the proper state of defense. The 8th NC Regiment, with the other regiments and troops on the island, was kept constantly at work to be prepared to meet, what then seemed and afterwards proved true, the coming attack.

The enemy's fleet entered Pamlico Sound at Hatteras Inlet on January 13th, and appeared before the island on February the 6th. The morning was foggy and it was near 10 o'clock before the fleet could be seen. No attack was made on that day. On the 7th the fleet drew nearer and bombarded Fort Bartow, and during that afternoon and night succeeded in landing about fifteen thousand (15,000) men. On Saturday, the 8th, at about 7 a.m., the battle began, and continued something over five hours. The enemy had about ten thousand (10,000) men in the engagement, the Confederates about fourteen hundred (1,400), of which latter the 8th NC Regiment furnished five hundred and sixty-eight (568). The enemy crossed what had been supposed to be an impassable marsh, and flanked our little army. Even after having been flanked the 8th NC Regiment stood to its post without wavering till orders came to retire to the north end of the island. The enemy having flanked our army, and considering the great disparity in numbers, the fall of the island was a foregone conclusion. The battle, however, was continued as long as there was any hope of success. In the language of the commander, the surrender did not take place until it appeared "that any further slaughter would have been useless and inhuman."

The Confederates were led by Brig. Gen. Henry A. Wise (VA-absent during the battle), with our Col. Henry M. Shaw as second in command, leading the defense of Roanoke Island. The Federals were led by Brig. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside, soon to be promoted to Major General. In this engagement the 8th NC Regiment lost five (5) killed and seven (7) wounded, Lt. Neill G. Monroe, of Company E, being among the killed. During the time that the regiment was on Roanoke Island fourteen men died of sickness.

After the surrender of the island on the 8th of February, we were held in camp as prisoners of war about two weeks, when we were conveyed by steamers to Elizabeth City, paroled and sent home by way of the Dismal Swamp Canal and Portsmouth. Whilst prisoners in the hands of the enemy we were well treated. Of course we were closely guarded, but no insults were offered. During the first and second weeks of September of 1862, the men having been exchanged, the 8th NC Regiment re-assembled. This time, however, the re-organization was effected at Camp Mangum, on the North Carolina Railroad, a few miles west of Raleigh. The 8th NC Regiment now became a part of Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Clingman's (NC) Brigade.

While at Camp Mangum our regiment attended the funeral of Brig. Gen. Lawrence O. Branch (NC), who had been killed at the battle of Sharpsburg, MD, participating in burying him with military honors.

After occupying Camp Mangum a few weeks, the regiment was ordered to Camp Campbell, near Kinston, early in October. While at Camp Campbell, in addition to the usual camp duties, the regiment did picket duty on Core Creek between New Bern and Kinston. After a few weeks' camp at Camp Campbell, we were ordered to Kinston, where camp was established a short time, when orders came to move to Wilmington, NC. While camping at Kinston one hasty march to Greenville, about forty (40) miles, and a demonstration against New Bern were about the only active duties out of regular camp in which the regiment was ordered to take part.

We arrived at Wilmington in the latter part of November, and pitched tents in Camp Whiting. Nothing of importance occurred while we were at Camp Whiting till about the middle of December, when orders came to proceed to Goldsborough to meet an expedition of the enemy which was advancing from New Bern, along the south side of Neuse River. On the 17th of December the regiment, with the other troops that had been ordered to that point, formed a line of battle on the south side of Neuse River, along the railroad leading to Wilmington, and awaited the approach of the enemy. It was in the afternoon when the enemy made his appearance. After several hours lighting, both artillery and infantry being engaged, the enemy retired, but suceeded in burning the bridge over the Neuse River. In this engagement the 8th NC Regiment lost three (3) killed and six (6) wounded. The regiment then returned, marching from Goldsborough back to Camp Whiting, and went into winter quarters.

The beginning of the year 1863 found the 8th NC Regiment in winter quarters at Camp Whiting, where we continued till the early part of February, when orders came to proceed to Charleston, SC, where camp was pitched on James Island. After camping a few weeks at this place, we were ordered to Savannah, GA, where camp was established on the outskirts of the city. We remained here about ten days, then returned to Charleston. Our tents were pitched in our former camp on James Island, where we remained, with nothing especially important happening, till about the 1st of May, when orders came to return to Wilmington.

On arriving at Wilmington we established camp, known as Camp Ashe, in a large oak grove near Old Topsail Sound, about twelve (12) miles from the city. During the time the regiment camped on James Island quite a number of its strongest men, physically appearing, died from sickness. Swamps and malaria were the most destructive enemies the regiment met on these expeditions. Having established camp near Old Topsail Sound, the men indulged themselves in fishing when not on duty. We remember this camp, which above all others had more the resemblance of being devoted to holiday pleasures than to the more onerous and dangerous duties of soldiers engaged in war. However, in war pleasures do not last long. War is not a fishing frolic. After remaining at Camp Ashe about two months, we were ordered on the 10th of July to strike tents and march to Wilmington, where we boarded the train for Charleston again, arriving at that point on the 13th. The enemy had already gained a footing on Morris Island, and was preparing to attack Battery Wagner. We were now destined to see hard service. With the enemy's land forces advancing slowly on Morris Island, and the iron clad fleet lying outside the bay, it was evident that the transition from the pleasures at Camp Ashe to the trials, hardships, and dangers of soldier life in a regular, long-continued, stubbornly-conducted siege was to be experienced.

The 8th NC Regiment was ordered at once to James Island, and began work on the fortifications west of Morris Island, in sight of Battery Wagner, the objective point of attack of the enemy at the time of our arrival at Charleston. On the 18th of July, when the enemy assaulted Battery Wagner, we were in full view of the deadly conflict. The attack being made after dark, the flashes of the guns could be distinctly seen. The next day, the 19th, we were ordered to Sullivan's Island, where we remained till the 22nd, when the regiment received orders to go to Morris Island.

The nature of the service on Morris Island was such as to render it necessary for the regiments composing the army on that side of Charleston to perform duty alternately. While on the island the men were exposed at all times to the enemy's fire, both from land and sea. An attack had to be prepared for at any instant, either day or night. The men had to be ready for action at any moment. It was no place for rest. The battery, frequently shelled by the enemy's iron clads, had to be repaired. The enemy's ever-active sharpshooters had to be watched. To expose one's self to view meant being shot at with the attending consequences. The men had to keep under cover of the battery or in pits near by, dug in the sand-hills along the beach. Under such circumstances it was necessary to relieve the men once about every seven or eight days.

It was on the 24th that the battery received one of the most terrific bombardments, continuing for several hours, it experienced during the siege. The 8th NC Regiment was in the battery at the time, some of the men being placed in the bomb-proof, some in the sally-port, and some guarding the parapet. On one or two occasions during the heavy shelling the smoke of exploding shells came down through the cover of the sally-port, and at the cessation of the bombardment light could be seen through the cover of the bomb-proof. The shells were of the largest calibre, some of them measuring fifteen (15) inches in diameter. So terrific was the concussion when one exploded near a soldier, the blood would be found in some cases to come out of the ears and nose.

The siege of Battery Wagner lasted fifty-eight (58) days, Morris Island having been evacuated on the 6th of September. During that time the 8th NC Regiment did duty on the island about twenty-one (21) days, viz.: from July 22nd to August the 1st, from August the 8th to the 15th, and from August 22nd to the 29th, the dates being given as approximately correct.

The enemy approached Battery Wagner by constructing parallels, each parallel bringing him nearer to the battery. Five parallels were constructed, which brought the last to within about one hundred (100) yards of the battery. The nearer the approach of the enemy, the more severely trying the service became. The service was hard the first relief the regiment served on the island, but became harder the second and third reliefs. The men had to work night and day. A corps of sharpshooters, consisting of about twenty (20) picked men, who volunteered for the service, was organized in the 8th NC Regiment. They were put in command of Lt. John E. Dugger, of Company F. How well these men did their duty is best expressed by Colonel Harrison in his report on August 12th, he being in command of the battery that week. He says: "My sharpshooters, under Lieutenant Dugger, Eighth North Carolina Regiment, do good work, though the Yankees are very shy and seldom show their heads." The sharpshooters were armed with Whitworth (globe-sighted) rifles, and in addition to their courage were most excellent marksmen.

Sometimes when the men were not on special duty in the battery they would seek relief among the sandhills between Batteries Wagner and Gregg, the two being about three hundred (300) yards apart. The enemy was not long in discovering this, and on more than one occasion gave the sandhills a severe shelling. Occasionally a bomb would strike near a pit dug among the hills and bury the occupants. There were, however, no fatalities in the 8th NC Regiment from that cause.

The living on Morris Island compared favorably with the character of the service. There was no place for cooking. All the rations had to be prepared elsewhere and carried there. The water, too, was bad. It was such as may be found near the ocean beach anywhere along the coast. The number of killed and wounded in the regiment while serving on Morris Island was not great. The nature of the service required nerve and pluck, but not carelessness and recklessness. It was a veritable target practice between sharpshooters every day, and any careless or reckless exposure to the enemy's fire meant work for the ambulance corps. The men were veterans, and therefore understood the value of strictly obeying orders.

When the regiment was assigned to a duty the men knew how to perform it. Among the officers, Capt. Andrew J. Rogers, Company D, was wounded. The gallantry of the men who composed the regiment was never displayed more conspicuously than when defending Battery Wagner. The enemy had determined to take Charleston, "the cradle of the rebellion." The men who defended the city in 1863, were just as determined that it should not be taken. Morris Island had to be abandoned, but every foot gained by the enemy had to be fought for. It was a slow movement, and possessed none of the quickness accompanying the carrying of forts by lassault. The duties performed on Morris Island constitute one chapter in the history of the regiment of which every member may be justly proud.

Morris Island having been abandoned, the 8th NC Regiment was assigned to duty on Sullivan's Island. There was no enemy on the island, and as a consequence the duties were comparatively light. Details of men for the purpose of strengthening the fortifications formed the chief occupation of the regiment. One evening when the regiment was on dress parade in rear of Fort Moultrie the enemy's iron clads came up and gave the fort a heavy bombardment. The parade was cut somewhat short, but no casualties occurred. On the following day the regiment moved to the sandhills towards the eastern extremity of the island. Quarters were erected among the hills with such plank and material as the men could carry from the town, about one mile distant. The regiment remained at this place till the 30th of November, when camp was broken, and we marched to Mount Pleasant, proceeding thence by boat to Charleston, where the train bound for Wilmington, NC, was boarded.

On arriving at Wilmington our journey was continued to Kinston, where we remained about one week, when orders came to move to Petersburg, VA, arriving at that place on the 14th of December. It being evening when we arrived, the regiment was ordered to bivouack in the streets. Accordingly small fires were built in the street near the edge of the sidewalk, whilst the rock pavement served as our sleeping place.

On the following day the regiment marched out of town and established camp about two miles from the city, just beyond what afterwards became celebrated as Hare's Hill. The duties here, consisting of ordinary camp duties and drilling, were light in comparison with the service performed at Charleston. One circumstance is worthy of note, inasmuch as it shows the consideration our Col. Henry M. Shaw had for his men. It was the usual custom when the troops were not on the march to have guards around the camp. This camp was an exception. Col. Shaw decided to trust to the honor of his men and not to have guards. The men seemed to appreciate the motive of the Colonel and very rarely abused the confidence placed in them, notwithstanding the nearness of the city offered many temptations for them to do so. One hurried march down the James River, and return, in the latter part of December, some twenty-five (25) or thirty (30) miles, was made, and then the regiment settled in quarters for the winter.

The greater part of the year 1863 had been spent in the ever memorable defense of Charleston, SC. The year 1864 was destined to bring to the regiment other, but equally severe, duties, hardships and dangers. From January the 1st to the 29th the regiment remained in camp at Petersburg. On the 28th orders were given to prepare three days' rations. On the 29th we marched to the city and took the train which had been prepared to carry us South. We proceeded to Goldsborough, thence to Kinston, where we arrived on the morning of the 30th. It was now evident that the regiment was to form a part of the force which Maj. Gen. George E. Pickett (VA) was to command for the purpose of making a demonstration against New Bern.

Arriving at Kinston on January 30th, the 8th NC Regiment marched some five miles in the direction of New Bern and bivouacked for the night. On the morning of the 31st the march was continued, approaching the enemy's pickets in the evening. Early on the morning of the 1st of February, sometime before daybreak, we were ordered to march. We were now near Bachelor's Creek, over which was a bridge where the enemy had a block house strongly guarded by his pickets. Our advance guard soon had work on its hands. The enemy made a stubborn resistance at the creek. Whilst our advance guard was attempting to effect a crossing and get possession of the bridge, the main body of the regiment, under the command of Col. Henry M. Shaw, was resting by the roadside, about two hundred (200) yards from the blockhouse which guarded the bridge. As the firing was brisk at the creek, quite naturally the bullets came frequently over the regiment in the rear. Col. Shaw was sitting on his horse in the middle of the road. Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Clingman (NC) being close to him. While thus awaiting the capture of the blockhouse and bridge, and apparently not realizing that danger was about him, Col. Shaw was struck in the head by a bullet and instantly killed.

Lt. Col. James M. Whitson succeeded as Colonel of the 8th NC Regiment. By daylight our advanced guard had forced a passage across the creek and secured possession of the bridge, over which we marched in hurried pursuit of the retreating enemy. The pursuit was kept up till we came in range of the enemy's batteries around the town. The line of battle was formed, but it was soon discovered that the enemy's batteries could fire on us from front and flank. One shell struck in the line of the 8th NC Regiment, mortally wounding David Barringer, of Company K. It soon became evident that an attack on the enemy's works could not be undertaken with the least prospect of success. We were ordered to fall back out of range of the enemy's guns, and then began our return to Kinston. The 8th NC Regiment arrived at Kinston on the 3rd, remained there a few days, and then returned to Petersburg.

Speaking of the conduct of his men on the expedition to New Bern, Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Clingman (NC) in his report says: "It gives me pleasure to be able to state that, though exposed on flank and front to artillery fire, threatened constantly with attack by the enemy's cavalry and infantry, the troops under my command performed the movements ordered with as much coolness and precision as I ever saw them on drill." He speaks also in high terms of Colonel Shaw, and gives much praise to the men, stating that there was not a single instance of desertion or straggling from his command during the expedition.

The next duty the 8th NC Regiment was called on to perform was to go on an expedition against Suffolk, VA. The expedition was commanded by Brig. Gen. Matthew W. Ransom (NC). The attack on the enemy was made on the morning of March the 9th. The force of the enemy, which consisted of cavalry and light artillery, soon broke, and a running fight ensued, the enemy retreating through the town to Bernard's Mill, on Black Water. The 8th NC Regiment suffered no loss in this skirmish. The enemy having been driven across the Black Water, no further pursuit was attempted. The regiment then returned to Petersburg.

While we were in this camp a heavy snow fell in March. The 51st NC Regiment, then in camp near us, a branch intervening between the two camps, concluded to surprise and attack the 8th NC Regiment with snowballs. As the men of the 51st NC Regiment were forming their line, preparatory to advancing on us, they were observed. The 8th NC Regiment took in the situation, and as the 51st NC Regiment came yelling towards our camp, met the advancing line of battle at the branch. The snowballing was heavy, and for a while the 8th NC Regiment held its ground, but owing to the superior strength of the 51st NC Regiment, finally had to fall back to its camp. A part of the 51st NC Regiment crossed the branch and followed near our camp, where they met with a repulse. The 8th NC Regiment held its camp and the 51st NC Regiment returned to its quarters. It was an excitable and enjoyable affair.

After returning from Suffolk, and remaining in camp a few weeks, the regiment was temporarily attached to Brig. Gen. Matthew W. Ransom's (NC) Brigade and ordered to go on the expedition commanded by Brig. Gen. Robert F. Hoke (NC) against Plymouth, NC. We left Petersburg, went to Weldon, thence by Rocky Mount to Tarborough by railroad. From Tarborough we marched to Plymouth, arriving before that town on the evening of the 17th of April, driving in the enemy's pickets.

On April 18th our forces drew nearer the town, and on the evening of that day the 8th NC Regiment, with some other regiments of Brig. Gen. Matthew W. Ransom's (NC) Brigade, made a reconnaissance of the enemy's works. The 8th NC Regiment formed in a strip of woods several hundred yards from the main line of fortifications. A battery of artillery was to take position on the left of the 8th NC Regiment. At the order to advance the regiment moved out of the woods into the open field and began pressing and driving the enemy's strong skirmish line. The battery of artillery came in at a rapid run, and taking position at the left of the 8th NC Regiment, about three hundred (300) yards from the enemy's works, opened a rapid fire on the main fort in our front. The gunboats in the river also took part in shelling our battery and line. One shell from a gunboat came over the town, struck the ground about one hundred and fifty (150) yards in front of the 8th NC Regiment, ricocheted and the next time struck the ground in the line of the regiment, exploded, killing and wounding fifteen (15) men of Company H. Three (3) of the men were killed outright, two (2) were mortally wounded, and of the others, some were severely and some slightly wounded. The firing was kept up about two (2) hours, when it ceased, the enemy's forts having been apparently silenced. The wounded were carried to the rear during the action and the dead buried that night.

On the 19th nothing except some skirmishing took place in the forenoon. In the afternoon our regiment, with Brig. Gen. Ransom's brigade, was ordered to move around towards the eastern side of the town and take position down the river from the enemy's works. In attempting to pass Conaby Creek, on that side of the town, a sharp fight occurred at the bridge over the stream. It was about two o'clock at night before the crossing could be effected. The passage of the creek having been forced, the brigade formed with its right resting on the river. The position the 8th NC Regiment held in the brigade placed it directly in front of one of the enemy's forts.

At early dawn on the morning of the 20th the signal rockets went up and the order came to advance. In the meantime a battery of artillery took position in front of the 8th NC Regiment and opened a rapid fire on the fort in our front. The regiment, in fact the whole brigade, as ordered, moved off in common time. Not a rifle was fired, not a word spoken. The artillery was doing its full duty in keeping the enemy's infantry quiet. When the regiment had advanced to within about one hundred and fifty (150) yards of the fort the order to charge was given. The "yell" was raised and the regiment rushed forward to mount the fort. Just at the moment the "yell" was raised the enemy's infantry poured a destructive fire into the ranks of the regiment. Our artillery ceased firing as the regiment approached near the fort. The men rushed on, leaped into the ditch and attempted to scale the fort.

While the men were attempting to climb over the outside of the fort the enemy threw hand grenades into the ditch. Those who were in the ditch had to get out of it. The regiment then swung around to the right and attempted to break through the palisades on that side of the fort. The palisades had loop holes, through which the enemy fired on our line. At this point many of the men were shot through the head. The regiment rushed up to the palisades, and as the enemy pulled their guns out of the loop holes our men put theirs in and fired at those on the inside. Such deadly work could not last long. The 8th NC Regiment swung a little further around to the gate leading to the rear of the fort. The gate was burst open. The regiment rushed in and the fort surrendered. "Three cheers for North Carolina" were given by the regiment, thus announcing that the assault had been successful.

One fort having been captured, the line within was easily taken. But one strong fort (Fort Williams) remained in possession of the enemy. The 8th NC Regiment formed and attempted to storm that. The men charged up to the edge of the surrounding ditch, only to find that it could not be crossed. There was but one of two courses to take, to-wit: either to fall back or surrender. The regiment chose the former. When the retreat began the enemy poured a fearful volley, into the ranks, killing and wounding many of the men. This charge was reckless and unnecessary. It was made under the flush of victory, not by the order of the commanding general. The fort, being surrounded, would have had to surrender anyhow, as it did a few hours afterwards. With the fall of Fort Williams the capture of Plymouth was made complete. It was a brilliant victory, but the 8th NC Regiment paid dearly for its share in it. The regiment lost one hundred and fifty-four (154) men killed and wounded, about one-third of its number. Lt. David P. Langley of Company G was killed; and Capt. Jonas Cook of Company H, and Lt. Littleton J. Thompson of Company F, were among the wounded. Francis J. Perkins of Company A, color-bearer of the regiment, fell mortally wounded on the morning of the 20th. A few days afterwards Jacob R. Earnhardt, Company H, was appointed color-bearer.

To illustrate another phase of war, it may not be without interest to narrate an incident or two that occurred on the battlefield of Plymouth. The following two are, therefore, given:

As the ambulance corps was following the regiment, and having come to the point where the first charge began on the morning of the 20th, one of the first men they found lying on the field was James Misenheimer, of Company H, who was mortally wounded. A member of the corps went to him and asked if he was wounded. He answered yes, that a whole shell had gone through him, and that it was from our own artillery. Poor fellow, he thought that after passing our battery the artillery had shot him. This was a mistake. The artillery fired over the heads of the men. He was shot by the enemy's infantry, the ball passing through the stomach. He said to the one speaking to him: "Tom, is that you?" On being told that it was, he added: "Write to mother and tell her I am killed." He died that day.

Again, color-bearer Perkins was carried to the rear mortally wounded, and as he lay in a barn which had been taken for use for the wounded and dying, in conversation with a friend and member of the regiment, who was with him, he asked what the men thought of his conduct that day. On being told that all were praising him for his gallantry, he then said: "If that is so, if it were not for my sister, I would not mind dying."

Thus, among many others, fell two brave men, their last thoughts wandering far away to their homes, the one thinking of a dear mother living among the hills of Cabarrus County, the other of a dear sister whom he had left at his home in Virginia. How many thousands of similar incidents might be recorded! How many thousands of dying soldiers, whose last thoughts were of loved ones at home, but for whom there were no friends present to receive the parting messages! But, then, such is war.

After a few days' rest at Plymouth the regiment, with the other troops of the expedition, began the march to Washington, NC, which place the enemy abandoned on our approach. Here occurred a sharp skirmish with the rear guard of the enemy. Lt. Wilson S. Caffey, Company I, being among the wounded. From Washington we moved in the direction of New Bern, the 8th NC Regiment crossing the Neuse and Trent Rivers and moving around to the southern side of the town. While maneuvering around New Bern, preparatory to attacking the fortifications, orders came, on the 6th of May, to hasten back to Petersburg. The regiment marched to Kinston, took the train for Weldon, thence to Petersburg. The enemy had made a raid into the country between Weldon and Petersburg, and had destroyed the bridge over the Nottoway River, thus rendering it necessary for us to march part of the way. Hence our return to Petersburg was delayed, but not long enough to be of serious consequence. We arrived there in time to prevent the capture of the city.

On our arrival at Petersburg the regiment, having resumed its place in Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Clingman's (NC) Brigade, was ordered to Drewry's Bluff. The enemy was attempting to cut the communications of Richmond with the South, the chief source for supplying General Robert E. Lee's army with provisions. An army can exist longer without something to shoot than it can without something to eat. A vital point to the life of the Confederacy had been threatened. The communications of Richmond with the South had to be protected. It was evident that there was work ahead for the regiment.

On the 18th skirmishing began, and the line of battle was established. Maj. Gen. Robert Ransom's (NC) Division forming the left, Maj. Gen. Robert F. Hoke's (NC) Division the right, Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Clingman's (NC) and Brig. Gen. Montgomery D. Corse's (VA) Brigades, under the command of Brig. Gen. Alfred H. Colquitt (GA), being held in reserve. Early on the morning of the 16th the battle began, Maj. Gen. Ransom's Division beginning the attack. Soon the roar of artillery and the rattle of musketry extended to the right. Maj. Gen. Hoke's Division became hotly engaged, and Brig. Gen. Johnson's Brigade, of that division, was hard pressed. The reserves were ordered in and the enemy driven back. When the reserves were ordered in the 8th NC Regiment moved forward to the charge with the steadiness characteristic of Carolina's soldiers. The enemy's resistance was stubborn and the regiment suffered severely. Among the wounded was future Governor, at that time Capt. Thomas J. Jarvis, of Company B. During the greater part of the day the roar of battle was incessant. The enemy was driven back and at nightfall the two armies ceased firing. On the 17th, 18th, and 19th skirmishing continued with more or less briskness, the enemy being driven back until he was compelled to establish his line across Bermuda Hundred Neck.

On the 20th the commanding general, General Pierre G. T Beauregard (SC), ordered an advance. The 8th NC Regiment was engaged in the charge, and moved forward under a destructive fire against the enemy's line. The enemy was forced back, but the regiment suffered again severely in both killed and wounded. For five days the regiment had been engaged either in battle or heavy skirmishing against superior numbers. The men in both armies seemed to have been worn out.

After the 20th affairs along the line were comparatively still. Some light skirmishiog was all that occurred to disturb the general quietude that prevailed. General Beauregard in his report of these operations, says: "Too much praise cannot be given to the officers and men who fought the battle of Drewry's Bluff." During the five days' fighting at Drewry's Bluff and Bermuda Hundred Neck the 8th NC Regiment lost between eighty (80) and one hundred (100) officers and men killed and wounded. Among the officers wounded were Capt. Jonas Cook of Company H, and Capt. Amos J. Hines of Company G.

Maj. Gen. Robert F. Hoke's (NC) Division was now ordered to re-inforce General Robert E. Lee's Army, which had just fought the great battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House. On the 30th of May we boarded the train, arriving at Richmond later that day, and thence marching towards Cold Harbor. On May 31st, Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Clingman's (NC) Brigade crossed the Chickahominy River at Gaines's Mill and moved in the direction of the enemy. It was in the afternoon of the 31st that the operations culminating in the battle of Cold Harbor began. The 8th NC Regiment was attacked by the enemy's cavalry in flank and rear, losing a considerable number of men killed, wounded and captured. The regiment had to fall back and take a new position, which was strengthened during the night, preparatory to meeting the expected attack on the following day.

On June the 1st the enemy's infantry advanced in heavy force against our line. The 8th NC Regiment formed the extreme left of Maj. Gen. Hoke's Division, Lt. Gen. Richard H. Anderson's (SC) Division coming next. There was an interval between the left of the regiment and the right of Lt. Gen. Anderson's Division, caused by what was thought to be an impassable swamp. Through that swamp and interval the enemy forced his way. The 8th NC Regiment was attacked in front, flank, and rear. The enemy charged up to the line of works which had been prepared hurriedly during the previous night. A furious fight ensued. The regiment held its line for some time, but was forced back, though not in defeat. The men rallied and in turn charged the enemy. For a while the enemy stood, but finally the pressure became too great. He gave way, but rallied and charged our line a second time. Again the regiment was forced back. Again it rallied and drove the enemy before it. This alternate giving way and rallying continued till it was repeated the sixth or seventh time, when the regiment succeeded in establishing and holding its line, a short distance in rear of the original position held in the morning.

On June 2nd nothing occurred except some light skirmishing. On the morning of June 3rd, at about 5 o'clock, the enemy assaulted our line, but was easily repulsed. The battle of Cold Harbor ended on the 3rd. The 8th NC Regiment lost in this battle, May 31st, June 1st, 2nd and 3rd, something near two hundred and (275) seventy-five officers and men killed, wounded, and captured. Our gallant Lt. Colonel, John R. Murchison, commanding the regiment, was killed on June 1st while leading the second charge. Maj. Rufus A. Barrier being at the hospital, Capt. Pinkney A. Kennerly of Company K, the senior captain, then succeeded in command and gallantly led the regiment in another charge, when the regiment, rushing on, drove the enemy back and re-established the line. The regiment having to fight the enemy in two directions, on flank and in front, was cut to pieces. Among the company officers, Lt. George E. Ritchie, Company H, was wounded, and Capt. Leonard A. Henderson, Company F, was killed in the third charge, while gallantly leading his company.

(It should be stated in justice to Col. James H. Whitson that, having leave of absence to return to his home in Currituck County, and having been captured while there, he was not in the battles of Plymouth and those following, not getting back to the regiment during the war).

After the death of Lt. Colonel Murchison, Maj. Rufus A. Barrier was appointed Lt. Colonel and commanded the regiment till the close of the war.

On June 14th Maj. Gen. Robert F. Hoke's (NC) Division was ordered to Petersburg. The regiment arrived at that point on the 16th, in the afternoon. There was no time to be lost. The enemy was advancing. The line of battle was formed in the works around that city and the approach of the enemy awaited. We were not long in waiting. Our pickets were driven in and our lines assaulted. Two attacks were made, both of which were repulsed. This battle was fought over the same ground where the snowball fight took place in March between the 8th and 51st NC Regiments, the enemy occupying the place where the 8th NC Regiment had camped, the 8th NC Regiment where the 51st NC Regiment had camped.

On the morning of June 17th the firing began early. All forenoon there was heavy skirmishing. About 5 p.m. it was evident that a heavy assault on our line was contemplated. The enemy was massing his troops in our front. Just before dark the assault was made. The enemy succeeded in breaking the line occupied by the brigade on our immediate right and rushed his forces into the breach thus made. The 8th NC Regiment was ordered to assist in driving the enemy out and regaining the line. The work was done quickly and the line re-established. After several hours' fighting the enemy retired, leaving our line unbroken.

On the following morning, June 18th, sometime before day we were ordered to fall back to a new and shorter line. The part of the new line occupied by the 8th NC Regiment was in an open field. The enemy appeared in heavy force, advancing with three lines of battle in our front. It was in the forenoon, in the light of a brilliant June sun, that the lines advanced in a clear open field. If there had not been other and more serious things to consider, the military display might have been looked upon as a grand one. But we were not there to look at military displays. The business our men had in view was to spoil such displays. This they proceeded to do. A heavy fire was opened on the advancing lines. They made a rush for a hollow or ravine in our front, some three or four hundred yards distant, and there established their line. No assault was made on our part of the line on June 18th, but during the greater part of the day the regiment was exposed to a heavy artillery fire, but few casualties, however, happening from that cause. On the 16th and 17th, particularly the 17th, the regiment suffered quite severely in both killed and wounded. The regiment by this time did not number many more than a good sized company.

On June19th the regiment was ordered to take position in the line of works next to the Appomattox River, thus forming the extreme left of the army oa the south side of that river. Here we lived practically in the ground. We walked in ditches, ate in ditches, and slept in pits. The enemy's main line in our front was about three hundred yards distant. The picket lines were much nearer, probably not more than sixty or seventy yards apart. No pickets could be kept out in daytime. Hardly a day passed that the enemy did not fire on us from the battery immediately in our front, or from mortar batteries to our right. On the 30th of July the mine was sprung. One regiment of Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Clingman's (NC) Brigade was ordered to the scene of the explosion. The others that remained had to fill the gap thus made in the line. The men of the 8th NC Regiment stood one yard apart. This thin line was kept up until the regiment that had been drawn out returned.

On the 19th of August the regiment was drawn out of the trenches to take part in attacking a strong force of the enemy that had moved towards the Petersburg &Weldon Railroad. The line of battle was formed and the charge made. The 8th NC Regiment had to advance through a dense thicket, as did the whole brigade, or rather the whole of Maj. Gen. William Mahone's (VA) Division, to which we were attached that day. The division became scattered in the charge and some of the men were captured; some captured and recaptured twice. It was a thorough mixture in the woods. Front and rear seemed to be on all sides. The bullets came from every direction. The victory, however, was on our side. About three thousand (3,000) of the enemy were captured. Maj. Gen. Mahone's Division was ordered to camp in order that the men might be got together. In a few days we were ordered to our old position on the south bank of the Appomattox. In this battle Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Clingman (NC) was badly wounded. The 8th NC Regiment lost several killed, wounded, and captured. Among the wounded was Lt. Harvey C. McAllister of Company H.

We remained in the trenches on the south bank of the Appomattox River till the 29th of September, when Maj. Gen. Robert F. Hoke's (NC) Division was ordered to Richmond. Arriving at that point, the division marched in the direction of Fort Harrison, on the road leading down the James River. On September 30th the brigade was drawn up in line of battle for the purpose of assaulting Fort Harrison, which had been captured by the enemy on the 28th. Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Clingman's (NC) and Brig. Gen. Alfred H. Colquitt's (GA) Brigades were to make the assault directly on the fort, Clingman's leading and Colquitt's following. The enemy was well prepared to receive the assaulting lines. The line having been formed, the charge was ordered. It was a charge in open day, over open ground, about two hundred (200) yards to the fort. The 8th NC Regiment formed behind a low hill. When the order to advance was given the men moved forward with a rapid run. The order was not to fire until the fort was reached. As soon as the forward movement began, and the regiment had got to the top of the little hill, the enemy opened a terrific fire on the advancing line. Before it got to the fort the regiment was almost annihilated.

The regiment went into the assault on Fort Harrison with about one hundred and seventy-five (175) men and officers. That night there were only twenty-five (25), commanded by Lt. John E. Dugger, of Company F. The others were killed, wounded and captured. The color bearer, J. R. Barnhardt, finding that he could not escape capture, tore the old flag that had seen so much service to pieces to keep it from falling into the hands of the enemy. Of the color guard, Robert W. Sawyer of Company K, was killed, and Joseph N. Spence of Company A, was wounded. John V. Fisher of Company H was then appointed color bearer, and carried the flag till the end of the war, Barnhardt having been captured and not getting back to the regiment.

The regiment went into camp for a few days. On the 6th of October orders were given to prepare rations and to get ready to march. Detailed men and others came in after the assault on Fort Harrison, and increased the number of the regiment, but it was still small. At night, soon after dark, we moved out of camp. The next morning, October 7th, we were on the Darbytown Road. Our forces made an attack on the enemy's line. The 8th NC Regiment was held in reserve. For several hours we were exposed to a heavy artillery fire. No casualties occurred that day. We returned in the evening and went into camp.

When the line was re-established after the fall of Fort Harrison the 8th NC Regiment was assigned to duty on that part near the Darbytown Road. We were put to work throwing up breastworks. On the 13th the enemy made a strong demonstration against our line, but did not assault it. On October 27th the enemy made another strong demonstration in our front, but did not assault the line. The skirmishing was heavy, but the regiment did not suffer severely. After the 27th of October the regiment continued in the line near the Darbytown Road until the latter part of December, nothing important occurring, only an occasional light skirmish.

On the 22nd of December we took the train at Richmond, Maj. Gen. Robert F. Hoke's (NC) Division having been ordered to Wilmington, NC. The ride from Richmond to Danville was bitter cold. We were put in boxcars, where it was not possible to have fires. Some of the men suffered very much from the cold. Owing to the lack of transportation, we had to march from Danville to Greensborough. Thence the regiment proceeded by rail to Wilmington, arriving at that place on December 28th.

On our arrival at Wilmington we were ordered to old Camp Whiting till the 12th of January, 1865, at which time the enemy's fleet made its appearance, approaching Fort Fisher the second time. We were ordered to proceed, without delay, to Sugar Loaf, about four miles from Fort Fisher. We arrived at Sugar Loaf on the 13th, and at once commenced throwing up a line of works. About the time of our arrival at Sugar Loaf the enemy succeeded, under protection of his fleet, in landing his forces at Fort Fisher. A strong defensive line was established between our line and the fort, thus cutting off the fort from communication by land. Every foot of ground between our line and the fort was in easy range of the guns of the enemy's fleet. No line of battle could have existed under the enfilading fire of the fleet and exposed to a heavy infantry fire in front, if the attempt should have been made to assault the enemy's line. Hence an assault being impracticable, the force at Sugar Loaf could do nothing more than prepare to meet the enemy, should he attempt to move towards Wilmington. Accordingly, we were worked night and day, until our line presented a strong appearance. In addition to the working on the breastworks, light skirmishing was frequent, and oftentimes we were exposed to heavy firing from the fleet.

On Sunday, January 15th, the assault on Fort Fisher was made. The attack began about 3:30 p.m. and continued about seven hours. While the battle was going on we made a demonstration in the direction of the fort, but nothing could be done. It would have been a sacrifice of men without accomplishing any definite result, except it would have been the destruction of our force.

After the fall of Fort Fisher our regiment continued at Sugar Loaf, strengthening the line, skirmishing occasionally, and frequently receiving the attention of the enemy's fleet, which from its position, just off Carolina Beach, was in easy firing distance of our works. On the 11th of February the enemy attacked our picket line with a strong force, driving in the pickets, but did not assault our works. The skirmishing continued with more or less briskness each day till the 18th, when the regiment received orders to fall back towards Wilmington. This we did to a point within about five miles of the city, where we made a stand and awaited the approach of the enemy. On the night of February 21st our main army withdrew, the 8th NC Regiment following early on the morning of the 22nd, and covering the retreat.

The regiment marched through Wilmington about 10 a.m. As we marched out on one side of the city the enemy came in on the other. The line of march was towards the ferry across Northeast River. The enemy pushed close up to our rear guard. At Smith's Creek, about one mile from the city, he followed so closely that the bridge could not be destroyed. It was then practically a fight from the creek to the river. The enemy had to be held in check to enable our army and wagon train to cross the river. The last mile to the river was hotly contested. The regiment held its ground and retarded the advance of the enemy's force. As the regiment approached the river the enemy pressed the harder, always to be received with sharp firing. When the pontoon across the river was reached the men filed across. As the last man entered the pontoon on the sonth side of the river it was cut loose from that bank, and that end swung around down the river. As the pontoon floated around our rear pickets came across. As our last man left the bridge at the north bank of the river the enemy appeared on the south bank. The pontoon was lost. It could not be got out of the river under fire of the enemy's sharpshooters.

As the regiment crossed the river the men deployed on the north bank. The river having put a stop to the advance of the enemy, a line of pickets was left along the bank, while the remaining part of the regiment moved back about two hundred (200) yards to a small elevation and began throwing up breastworks in line with the part of the army that had preceded us. The 8th NC Regiment never performed finer service than it did in covering the retreat from Wilmington to the Northeast River. The fact that the enemy was pressing us and that our army was retreating had no perceptible effect upon the coolness and deliberation of the men. When the enemy came too close the line was formed and his progress checked. Then the march was resumed till the enemy came too close again. The men seemed to appreciate the importance of the duty they were performing. The safety of the army, and especially of the wagon train, depended upon the steadiness with which they maintained their ground. How well the duty was performed is told above.

After resting a few days at Northeast Cape Fear River, the regiment received orders to go to Kinston, against which place the enemy was marching with a strong force. We arrived at Kinston on the 8th of March, and were ordered to a point called Wyse Fork, a few miles from town, in the direction of New Bern. We were not long in meeting the enemy, and the battle began. The regiment was engaged more or less during the 8th, 9th and 10th, the three days the battle continued. At times the fighting was severe and the regiment lost quite a number of its men.

On the night of March 10th orders came about midnight to march. We then set out for Goldsborough, thence to Smithfield, where we rested a day or two, when orders came to move to Bentonville.

On the 19th of March we effected a union with the Western Army. The battle of Bentonville began in the forenoon, the 8th NC Regiment being held in reserve during that day. On the night of the 19th the regiment established the line on the extreme left of General Joseph E. Johnston's (VA) army. Light skirmishing was all that occurred on the 20th, but on the 21st the enemy made a heavy demonstration against our part of the line, driving in our pickets, though not assaulting the main line. On the night of the 21st our army withdrew towards Smithfield. The 8th NC Regiment being on the extreme left, was the last to come out, leaving before daylight on the morning of the 22nd. Here again, as at Wilmington, the regiment had to protect the rear. The enemy pressed our rear picket guard closely till we crossed the creek nearby on our line of march. After crossing the creek the regiment deployed and began constructing a line of rifle pits along the bank. In the meantime the skirmishing continued, the enemy coming nearer as our rear guard fell back. Sometime after sunrise, while the regiment was at work, a stray shot struck a man from Company I, inflicting a severe flesh wound in the thick part of the thigh. He was the last man the regiment had wounded. The rifle pits along the creek were the last the regiment constructed. We remained there a few hours, then marched to Smithfield. The loss of our regiment at Bentonville was not heavy.

We remained in camp at Smithfield about three weeks, when orders came to prepare for marching. When the order to march was given we proceeded towards Raleigh, passing through that place, thence through Chapel Hill, forming the rear of Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee's (GA) Corps. From Chapel Hill we proceeded to Haw River, which we crossed at Ruffin's mill. The river having swollen on account of the recent rains, it had to be crossed on the rocks above the ford. The water was generally waist deep, sometimes when on a rock not so deep, then deeper as the rock was stepped off. It was rough wading.

When the regiment was crossing the railroad, before arriving at Chapel Hill, Governor Zebulon B. Vance was at that point on a train, bound for some point west. The men seeing the Governor, one of them called out in a loud voice: "Hello, Governor, where are you going?" The Governor, who was taking the situation as cheerfully as he could, replied: "To the western part of the State to prepare a spout for you all to go up." The train moved off. We made no halt.

From Ruffin's Mill we proceeded to the Alamance River, which had become impassable till the 8th NC Regiment got there. The water was up to the armpits of the last men that preceded us, and the river still rising. While at this ford we heard the last hostile cannon that was fired in our part of the army. It was at Haw River, between our own and the enemy's cavalry forces. It being impossible to cross at this ford, we were ordered to Holt's Factory, a short distance up the river, where the ford was not so deep. The regiment crossed here, the water coming up to the cartridge boxes of the men.

Having crossed Alamance River, we proceeded to Bush Hill, now Archdale, Randolph County, where news of General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox was received. In a few days news also came that General Joseph E. Johnston (VA) was capitulating for a surrender to Federal Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman at Durham, NC. On April 26th, the army surrendered, on May 2nd the 8th NC Regiment was paroled, and the men returned to their homes. The war was over.

Thus closed the term of service of the 8th NC Regiment. During the three years and eight months of service about thirteen hundred (1,300) men and officers had enlisted in the regiment. Of that number there were about one hundred and fifty (150) present when the end came. Some were in prison, some were absent on account of sickness and wounds, many were dead, having been killed in battle or died of wounds or disease. During the war, counting skirmishes, battles, and sieges, the regiment had been under fire on or about two hundred separate occasions. In honor to the officers and men who composed the regiment, it is but just to say that they never refused to move forward when ordered, or to rally when pressed back by the enemy. They went where duty called them. The best of soldiers can do no more. The history they made belongs to North Carolina.