of Early’s division were called to the front, and these uniting their efforts to those of the other troops, Meade’s men were driven back with great loss. Only one of Early’s three brigades contained any North Carolina troops. That was Trimble s brigade, commanded by a North Carolina colonel, R. F. Hoke. In this brigade were the Twenty-first North Carolina and the First battalion. General Early says of the charge of this brigade: I ordered Hoke to advance to his [Archer’s] support. This was done in gallant style, and Hoke found the enemy in possession of the trench (which had been occupied by General Archer’s brigade). . . . Hoke attacked the enemy vigorously and drove them from the woods and trench to the railroad in front, in which there were reserves. He followed up his attack and drove the enemy from the railroad, which was a strong position, some distance, capturing a considerable number of prisoners. Colonel Scales says this charge made Colonel Hoke a brigadier-general, although it nearly cost him his life; for his horse fell from a shell wound and threw his rider. The animal, however, immediately rose and dashed off, dragging Colonel Hoke, whose foot was caught in the stirrup. He was rescued by Colonel Gates men. Colonel Gates said of the Twenty-first North Carolina: "The Tarheels moved them down in files."[1]
Pender’s brigade, stationed to Lane’s left, was not exposed to so severe an ordeal as Lane s. When the skirmishers and sharpshooters in his front became too annoying, his Twenty-second regiment, Major Cole, drove them away. Colonel McElroy, with the Sixteenth North Carolina, was posted in advance of the line near the rail road cut to support a battery. While there, and with his left entirely unprotected, a brigade of Federals took him unawares and captured an officer and fifteen men who had been thrown out as flankers. General Law, of Hood’s division, saw the danger that the battery and regiment
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- ↑ Scales address in Fredericksburg.
