was killed by a Minie ball this day, immediately upon reaching the outer line of works.

Col. Shooter was twenty-six years of age, a native of Marion District, South Carolina, where he was just entering upon the practice of law, at the commencement of the war. He was a graduate of the South Carolina Military Academy, where he grounded himself in the elements of civil and military usefulness, and figured with distinction. At the formation of the First regiment, South Carolina volunteers, known as "Gregg's Old Regiment," he entered the service as a lieutenant. On the reorganization of the regiment, he was elected captain of a company from Marion, which he continued to command until his promotion to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the First regiment, in the spring of 1864. He was with the brigade in all its battles, except Sharpsburg, until the day of his death, acting, usually, as a field-officer, and at the Wilderness, as commander of his regiment.

He was a most gallant and efficient officer. He drilled accurately, disciplined carefully, fought obstinately and coolly. He deserves especial praise for his handling of his regiment, on the 5th of May, at the Wilderness. The regiment was, for a length of time, without support on right or left, and receiving the concentrated fire of an immensely more numerous enemy. So great became the pressure on the flanks, so evident the fact that they were not to be reinforced, that an officer of his regiment urged him to withdraw a space. He positively refused. The pressure increasing, and he, consulting that officer, the latter repeated his advice. "I know we are all about to be destroyed," said Col. Shooter, "but I cannot consent to retire." He then sent the officer out to reconnoitre. He did so, who was only confirmed in his opinion. "I cannot, will not yield," cried Col. Shooter. He approached the officer a third time, and consulted him. The latter reconnoitered again, and reported as before. Nearly half of the regiment were hors de combat, and the Federals sweeping almost around the handful of wearied survivors. Then he reluctantly withdrew, and just in time to save his command. He renewed the battle at another point.

When shot down at Spottsylvania, he ordered the men

who stopped to assist him, to go on and leave him. He knew he was to die, he said; but he died with his eyes fixed on victory!

Col. Shooter possessed great quickness of perception, clearness of reasoning, and energy of action. With such a mind, and the impetus of an ardent ambition, there can be little doubt that he would have risen to very high distinction both in the army and in civil life. His loss was deeply felt throughout the brigade. We buried him where he fell.

CHAPTER XIII.

FROM MAY 12 TO JULY 1, 1864. BATTLES OF JERICHO FORD, RIDDLE'S SHOP, AND ON THE WELDON RAILROAD.

ON the night of the 13th, we were roused, for some reason unknown to us, but were only compelled to sit up and listen to a rambling picket-fire on the outer line. The next day we spent quietly, until late in the afternoon, when we were marched east of the Court House, and halted by a little church that stands perhaps half a mile therefrom. We slept in the rain. On Sunday, 15th, we had divine service in the brigade. The rain continued. We were this day, or the next, again moved to the west side of the Court House, and placed in the works, just at the point we had left to join the battle of the 12th. Here we remained several days, awaiting the movements of the enemy. Our picket line was perhaps three hundred yards in front. We picketed by detail—having about an eighth of the privates on at once, commanded by a captain from the regiments successively, and the detail from each regiment, by a lieutenant, except that regiment which furnished the captain for the whole. The rifle-pits in which the line lay were about ten paces apart, with three or four men in each pit. Usually, one or two men were allowed to sleep in a pit. No sleep was allowed officers.

In the regular line of battle at the works, one-third of the men were required to remain awake all night, and the whole line was aroused at three in the morning. This, as may be supposed, was to prevent any surprise on the part of the enemy. There was scarcely any firing in our immediate front, except on the left of the brigade, where there was pretty sharp practice in an open field. Rations were cooked by details, at the wagon-train, some two miles in our rear, and brought up to us. Corn-bread and bacon

was the usual issue, with a small quantity of coffee. We often ate the meat raw, and the bread was little more. The latter was generally sour on the second day, and gave heartburn of the most distressing character-to say nothing of diarrhoea, which we considered as a matter of

course.

The next event of any importance occurred on the 19th. Lieut. Gen. Ewell, with a portion of his corps, marched rapidly around the right of the enemy, and attacked his wagon trains. Unfortunately, the roads were so heavy, from the almost continuous rains of a week, that Ewell was able to carry very little artillery, and his men were badly exhausted by the march. However, on the afternoon of the 19th, we heard artillery and musketry on the left, and in front of the Confederate lines. The Light division was immediately ordered to fall in, and, after a few minutes, was set in motion.

Gen. Lee now made his appearance. Thomas's brigade was marched by the flank across the works, and, after it, Scales' brigade. Our skirmishers advanced upon the Federal skirmish line, cheering and firing. The prospect was rather serious. We knew that the enemy had works even superior to our own, and their artillery could rake us in front and on the flank, as we moved on them. The Federal skirmishers ran into their breastworks, shouting back defiance to the Confederates. "Charge your charge cried they, feeling perfectly secure. The "charge" was charged." Some firing was kept up with small-arms, and the enemy threw a few shell at us, but no farther advance was made on our part. Ewell had now evidently gotten on Grant's flank. The firing was very rapid. McGowan's brigade was only stretched along the works

not "

towards the left. At dark, all the rest of the division was recalled. The movement was, probably, only intended as a demonstration, to distract the attention of the enemy from Ewell. At night, we were moved still farther to the left, and placed in the new inner line, about in rear of the hard-fought corner of the Twelfth, in place of Ewell's troops. These last came in scatteringly, about midnight, giving every one his own account of their doings. Only one thing was plain, and that was dreadfully plain-the flank movement had failed. I know too little of it to have, much less to express, an opinion. our last position before daylight, inner, instead of the outer, line. day and night of the 20th.

We returned nearly to only we were now on the Here we lay during the

(21st,) we were moved a Soon a sharp fire sprang

On the afternoon of Friday, little east of the Court House. up in front of the works, then occupied by Anderson's division, and we were ordered across them. There we found a part, or perhaps the whole, of our division. Scales' brigade was already pressing upon the Federal works, hurrahing and firing. The latter replied to them with both musketry and artillery, the benefit of which last extended even to us. What the North Carolina brigade accomplished I do not remember, beyond the driving of the enemy's skirmishers. We were formed in line in their rear, but were carried back to our works about dark, without having been engaged or having suffered any casualties that were reported.

Soon after dark, we were again put in motion, eastward and southward, marching rapidly until about midnight. It was now well understood that Grant had abandoned the direct attack on Spottsylvania, and was continuing the movement by the left flank towards Richmond. At dawn we proceeded southward, marching until we struck the North Anna river, near Noel Station. We crossed by a bridge and bivouacked about a mile from the river. The Fourteenth regiment was sent out on picket at the river, but there was no collision with the enemy. Early on the morning of the 23d, we continued the southeastward movement, covering the march of our corps. But we had not. gone more than two or three miles, when we were halted.

Great numbers of wagons and pieces of artillery passed us rapidly. We were next ordered back the route we had just come. On arriving near our last night's bivouac, we were. again halted for two or three hours. It was now noon. During this time the rest of the corps artillery and baggage-train passed us. Cavalry reported the advance of the enemy from Jericho Ford, on the North Anna. We were put in line along the Central railroad, and Orr's Rifles sent forward towards the river to meet them. This they did, before long, and retired upon us with a slight loss. Now we were marched along the road pursued by the troops and trains, for the distance of two or three miles. At this point we met Gen. Hill and the rest of our division returning to us. A line was formed across a field, by the roadside, and skirmishers were thrown out; but, after a little, we were again carried back up the road, towards the river. The division, on reaching a point about where I spoke of the line being formed soon after noon, was halted, fronted, dressed, and ordered to throw down the rail fence in front. There was no longer any doubt of battle. It was now about five o'clock. Gen. W. H. Lee, of the cavalry, came up at this time and talked with Gen. Wilcox. I heard the latter question him as to the position and force of the enemy. He replied that there were two good brigades of Federal cavalry just this side of the river, cooking rations and making themselves comfortable. To rout them would be no great work for a division of infantry. The advance was ordered forward almost immediately. Lane's brigade was on the right of the division, then ours, then Thomas's; Scales' was held in reserve, I think. I am not sure of the order of the regiments in our brigade. I know that the Twelfth was on the left, the First next it, the Fourteenth next it, and, I think, the Thirteenth was next, and the Rifles on the extreme right.

We advanced in line, crossing a wheat-field, then a deep cut in the railroad, then a wheat-field, and then struck a body of woods. The edge of this wood ran obliquely to us, which will serve to account for the splitting of our line. The skirmishers in front began firing as the left of the brigade reached the woods. We passed into it, the