Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 4.djvu/289

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CONFEDERATE MILITARY HISTORY.
271

than in the engagement at Reams' Station on the 25th instant. The brigades of Cooke, MacRae and Lane, the last under the temporary command of General Conner, advanced . . . and carried the enemy s works with a steady courage that elicited the warm commendation of their corps and division commanders, and the admiration of the army."

On the 30th of September, Clingman’s brigade was engaged in the desperate attempt to recapture Fort Harrison, and lost in that unfortunate assault more men than it had lost in weeks in the trenches.

Lane’s and MacRae’s brigades formed a part of A. P. Hill’s force in his attack on Warren at Jones farm on September 30th. There Major Wooten’s skirmish line greatly distinguished itself, and the two brigades made many captures. On the 9th, Hoke and Field, supported by Lane and Gary’s cavalry, dispersed a large cavalry force under Kautz and captured all his guns.

In all the movements around Petersburg, the cavalry under Hampton and Dearing, both full of fight and dash, was untiringly engaged. Many changes had occurred in the old North Carolina brigade. Gen. Rufus Barringer commanded the brigade, Colonel Cheek the First regiment, Col. W. P. Roberts the Second, Colonel Baker (until his capture) the Third, Maj. J. H. McNeill the Fifth. Bearing s independent brigade included the Fourth under Colonel Ferebee, and the Sixteenth battalion under Lieut.-Col. J. T. Kennedy.

The brigade of Barringer was engaged at Fisher’s, White Oak swamp and White’s tavern. At White Oak swamp, after General Chambliss was killed, Gen. W. H. F. Lee formed a new line with the First and Second regiments and made good his battle. On the 21st of August, all four of Barringer’s regiments were engaged with Mahone on the Weldon road. After a preliminary success, the cavalry was forced to follow the retirement of the infantry.