.....Well may North Carolina be proud of the part taken by her sons in the war between the States—proud of the large number of full regiments furnished, and of the promptness and willingness with which they were kept full, as shot, shell and saber thinned their ranks; proud of their gallantry on the battle field, of their patient endurance in camp and on the march; of their steadiness and reliability under all circumstances. Truly she has good cause to be proud of her sons. But of the long list of gallant regiments which marched away from her soil, none shed greater luster on the mother State than the Forty-sixth (Infantry) the subject of this sketch.
.....Others may have been as brave, others as patient and true, but few, if any, united all these virtues, which, combined with the perfect harmony prevailing among its officers and men all through those bloody years, entitle it to a topmost place in the record of the many faithful ones.
.....The writer (a boy in the early 60’s) has little more than memory to rely on in outlining the experiences of his regiment A third of a century casts a mist of uncertainty about even these historic events of the long ago, which is his apology for any errors as to dates, or other inaccuracies which may appear.
.....Promoted to the line from the Quartermaster's Department after much of the history of the Forty-sixth was made, he gives, prior to that event, the story as heard from participants, not having been an eye-witness of some of the facts narrated.
.....The many acts of individual gallantry, then so brilliant and conspicuous, have in large measure, faded from his memory, leaving but a shadowy recollection of a group of heroes, bound together as a band of brothers, vieing with eath other on the battlefield, affectionately helping each other on the march and in camp, or tenderly caring for each other in the hospital.
.....The memory, indistinct though it be, of the daily, hourly sacrifices of these gallant ones brings even now the tears to his eyes as he recalls how, on the weary march, the last crust or the blood warm contents of the canteen were divided with those less fortunate—how, in the winter, on the bleak hillsides of Virginia, those begrimed, unkempt knights sat in the blinding smoke about the camp fires, all through the long nights, lest if they lay on the threadbare blankets they should be frozen at reveille—and above all, how those thin, grey lines marched gallantly to their death in unbroken, unwavering ranks, closing up the gaps made by shot and shell, as they rushed onward to their graves.
.....Grand and glorious record is that of the hosts of the South which emblazons the page of history with a brilliancy surpassed only by that bloodless, but no less heroic battle of life, when returned to their blasted homes, they began the struggle for bread and raiment for loved ones, absolutely empty handed.
.....What success has crowned their efforts is best illustrated in the well-filled barns, the numberless tall factory chimneys, and the busy marts of numerous populous cities all over the once Southern Confederacy.

ORGANIZATION OF THE REGIMENT.

.....The Forty-sixth North Carolina Infantry had its birth in March, 1862, at Camp Mangum, a camp of rendezvous and instruction four miles from Raleigh, and was composed of ten companies, as follows:
Company A—From Robeson County—Captain, R. M. Norment
Company B—From Rowan  and Burke—Captain, W. L. Saunders.
Company C—From Warren—Captain W. A. Jenkins.
Company D—From Richmond—Captain, Calvin Stewart
Company E—From Granville—Captain, R. J. Mitchell.
Company F—From Randolph—Captain, A. C. McAlister.
Company G—From Randolph—Captain, R. P. Troy.
Company H—From Moore—Captain, N. McK. McNeill.
Company I—From Sampson—Captain, Owen Holmes.
Company K—From Catawba—Captain, A. T. Boat.

The organization of the field and staff was as follows:
E. D. Hall, Colonel, Wilmington.
W. A. Jenkins, Lieutenant-Colonel, Warrenton.
R. J. Mitchell, Major, Oxford.
S. T. Green, Surgeon, Warren county.
V. O. Thompson, Assistant Surgeon, Warren county.
J. A. Marsh, Quartermaster, Randolph county.
G. Holmes, Commissary, Sampson county.
Richard Mallett, Adjutant, Cumberland county.
T. S. Troy, Sergeant-Major, Randolph county.
J. M. Waddill, Quartermaster Sergeant, Warrenton.
O. P. Shell, Commissary Sergeant, Warrenton.
T. C. Hussey, Hospital Steward, Missouri.

....The changes occurring in the composition of the field and staff from the organization until the final end at Appomattox were as follows:

.....Resignations—Colonel E. D. Hall, November, 1863; Lieutenant-Colonel W. A. Jenkins, August, 1863; Major
R. J. Mitchell, June, 1862; S. T. Green, Surgeon,----------; J. A. Marsh, Quartermaster, March, 1864; Major R. M. Norment, 11 September, 1862.
.....Deaths—Lieutenant Richard Mallett, killed August, 1863.
.....Promotions—Captain W. L. Saunders, Company B, to be Major, 1 October, 1862; to be Lieutenant-Colonel, 1 January, 1863; to be Colonel, 1 January, 1864; Captain R. M. Norment, Company A, to be Major, 4 August, 1862; Captain A. C. McAlister, Company F, to be Major, 1 January, 1864; to be Lieutenant-Colonel about June, 1863; Captain N. McK. McNeill, Company H, to be Major, 18 March, 1864; Surgeon Jenkins, of Charleston, S. C. appointed* surgeon upon the resignation of Surgeon S. T. Green; Sergeant-Major T. S. Troy, to be Second Lieutenant of Company F., succeeded by T. W. Wright, of Wilmington; Quartermaster-Sergeant, J. M. Waddill, to be Second Lieutenant Company B. September, 1864.
.....For a few weeks after its organization the regiment remained at Camp Mangum, receiving instruction in the art of war at the hands of sundry drill masters, removing thence to Goldsboro, N. C, when after a stay of a few weeks it was hurried to Richmond, Va., arriving there on the day of the battle of Seven Pines.
.....Near Richmond the Forty-sixth was brigaded with the following commands, under Brigadier-General J. G. Walker, as follows: Twenty-seventh North Carolina Regiment, Forty-eighth North Carolina Regiment, Third Arkansas Regiment, Thirtieth Virginia Regiment, Second Georgia Battalion, Cooper's Battery of Artillery.
.....Previous to the Seven Days battles the regiment was stationed at Drewry's Bluff in support of the batteries at that place, when it was recalled to Richmond and sent to strengthen the army already engaged in the struggle with McClellan, which resulted in that officer's now historic "Change of Base."
.....During these trying days the regiment was but little under fire, being usually in reserve, though it sustained a few casualties at Malvern Hill from the shells of the gunboats in the river.
.....Pending the removal of the Federal army to its new field of operations in Maryland, the Forty-sixth occupied various positions around Richmond, mainly at Hanover Junction.
.....The larger portion of the Confederate army had proceeded northward before marching orders were received to follow, and thus was lost the opportunity of a participation in the brilliant victory at Second Manassas.
.....Following the main body, the regiment marched toward Rapidan Station, where it bivouacked for some days—thence on toward Culpepper, encamping on the battlefield of Cedar Run; thence on to Warrenton, passing over the field of Second Manassas, over which lay scattered hundreds of dead bodies, rotting in the sun—thence to Leesburg and beyond, crossing the Potomac at "The Upper Ford" to the music of "My Maryland" from hundreds of soldiers' throats.
.....At Buckeyetown, Md., a halt was made, at which place the tired and footsore men rested for three days, moving thence to Frederick City, Md. Thence the regiment moved at night, in a southeasterly direction, for the destruction of something in the nature of an acqueduct or canal lock (the Monocacy Bridge), but exactly what it was, few in the regiment knew, as the night was pitch dark and the country totally unknown.
.....Nothing was accomplished, however, and at dawn a hurried movement southward, was begun, continuing all day end far into the succeeding night, when the Potomac was again crossed at a ford near Point-of-Rocks just before daylight. This ford will ever be remembered as one of the many impossibilities (?) triumphed over by Lee's foot cavalry.
.....The chill of the water, the multitude of boulders which literally covered the bottom of the river, coupled with the depth of the stream (which came to the shoulders of the shorter men) all served to impress this bit of experience indelibly upon the memories of those who took that early morning dip.
.....Here, in the early gray of the dawn, by some mistake, the Forty-sixth received a volley from one of General Ransom's regiments, resulting in a few minor casualties.
.....Having rested for a day on the Virginia shore, line of march was taken up for Harper's Ferry, where the regiment took part in the operations, resulting in the surrender of that stronghold with 11,000 prisoners, with slight loss to the Confederates.
.....From Harper's Ferry the command moved to Shepherds-town, Va., arriving on 16 September, crossed immediately over into Maryland and was once more united with the Army of Northern Virginia.
.....In the great battle of the 17th, near Sharpsburg, Md., the Forty-sixth bore a conspicuous part, calling forth from the division commander especial mention of its gallant colonel and staff for distinguished bravery and coolness under fire, as well as for the line, which received the shock of battle like veterans of an hundred fields.          
.....It was said by an eye-witness of one of the charges of the Forty-sixth, in which a force of the enemy was driven from its position and his guns captured, that 'Tie hoped for their own sakes that the Forty-sixth North Carolina would soon learn the difference between the deliberation of a dress parade and a charge over an open field in the face of largely superior numbers." During the day the regiment occupied several different positions of importance and great danger, in which on every occasion it exhibited that steadiness and cool" ness which was to. characterize its record all through the eventful years to follow. Space allotted to this sketch forbids details of this or other engagements in which the regiment participated. The losses for the day aggregated about eighty, being fully one-fourth of the number in line. It is proper to explain, in view of the small number of men in line at Sharpsburg, that this was the first forced march undertaken by the regiment, and in the mad rush from Harper's Ferry to Sharpsburg, many of the men were physically unequal to the task and fell by the wayside from exhaustion, rejoining the regiment, some during the engagement, others coming up during the next two or three days.
.....The Potomac was again crossed on the night of 18 September with the army in perfect order, and position taken up near Martinsburg, where for several days the men were engaged in destroying railway tracks and bridges in that vicinity.
The next stop of importance was at Winchester, where a stay of two or three weeks was made. Here, in this then land of plenty, the men revelled in the best of fresh beef, vegetables, fruits, not forgetting the honey, needing nothing for the stomach's sake, save "salt," which commanded a price near its weight in gold.
.....A short time after Sharpsburg General J. G. Walker, who had commanded the brigade, was promoted to a division in the West, and Brigadier-General John R. Cooke was assigned to the command and held this position to the close of the war.
.....The men of the Forty-sixth parted with General Walker with unusual regret, having learned, in the brief period in which he commanded the brigade, to regard him with the highest esteem, for his care of the force under his command, as well as for his courage and coolness under the most trying conditions.
.....General Cooke assumed command of the brigade almost a stranger to the men of the Forty-sixth, and many a doubt was expressed as to the ability of "that kid" (as he was at first called) to handle the brigade, being almost boyish in his appearance.
.....A year or less thereafter all doubts had vanished, for "that kid" had proven his ability on many occasions. It is doubtful if any general officer in the army, with the exception of Lee and Jackson, was more beloved by the men of his command than was John R. Cooke. Young, brave, generous and kindly in his dealings with officers and men, there ever existed the strongest ties between commander and men, which lasted to the end. No braver cavalier ever rode to death than General Cooke.
.....From Winchester the next move was down the valley and through Ashby's Gap, encamping for several days at Upperville, on the top of the Blue Ridge.
.....From Upperville, on 31 October, the command moved in the direction of Culpepper Court House, stopping for a brief rest at Orleans.
.....Marching by easy stages, pausing here and there for a day or two, the regiment made its way to Fredericksburg, arriving in front of that place 22 November. The last five days was a forced march in a continuous downpour of rain.
.....The experiences of the men on this march across Virginia were very severe—poorly clad, many barefooted—little or no camp equipage and with an almost unprecedented spell of bad weather, all conspired to the utterance of some bad language, which history does not require should be reproduced literally.
.....From 22 March to 11 December the regiment remained in camp two or three miles from Fredericksburg, when it took position at the foot of the heights fronting the little city, and immediately behind the stone wall on Marye's Heights.
Here it awaited the attack of Burnside, and bore a full •hare in that historic slaughter. In comparative security, protected by the wall about breast high, all day long it shot down the brave men who charged again and again across the level plain in front, vainly yet most gallantly striving to accomplish an impossibility. The loss in the regiment in killed and wounded during the day was seventy-one. Among the wounded was Colonel W. L. Saunders, shot by a minie ball through the mouth. It was related by those near the Colonel, that during a lull in the firing, he was enjoying a hearty laugh at some remark when the minie entered the wide open mouth, making its exit through the cheek. It was said to have been the most abruptly ended laugh heard during the war.
.....Among the lamented dead in this engagement was Lieutenant Samuel P. Weir, a young officer of great promise—a gentleman and a Christian.
.....The command remained in front of Fredericksburg until 3 January, 1863, when orders were received to move to a new camp ground, a mile away, which had been carefully prepared the day before.
.....Accordingly, the men moved the next morning loaded down with rude benches, tables, tubs, etc.—such accumulation of conveniencies as come, no one knows how, in a camp of some days. Instead of moving a mile, as was expected, the next stop with any semblance of permanency was at Holly Shelter near Wilmington, N. C, which found the men in much lighter marching order, having laid aside their burdens of benches, buckets, tables, etc. Holly Shelter proved a haven of repose after the Virginia campaign. Some weeks were spent in this vicinity, the time being divided between Holly Shelter, Burgaw and Wilmington.
.....From this agreeable stay the regiment was called to Charleston, S. C, on 8 April, where a stay of a few days was made at the "Four Mile House," whence the command moved to Pocataligo, S. C, a camp dubbed by the regimental wit as "The Devil's Misery Hole."
.....Insects in millions invaded the camp by day and night, developing a biting and stinging power hitherto unknown to the up-country men composing the regiment.
.....Rations were scarce and Commissary Sergeant Shell made affidavit before Sergeant-Major Troy that "thirteen typical South Carolina cattle yielded only eleven hundred pounds of blue beef."
.....With shouts of joy, the regiment bade adieu to Pocataligo about 20 April, proceeding to Topsail Sound, near Wilmington, where the usual army ration was totally disregarded for the luscious oyster, to be had in the sound for the getting.
.....8 May camp was broken and the regiment moved to Goldsboro, from whence it took a bloodless part in the Kinston campaign.
.....6 June the command left North Carolina for Virginia, where it was stationed near Hanover Junction.
.....Various camps were occupied near Richmond, the brigade being stationed here for the protection of the city, while the main army marched to Gettysburg.
.....Nothing of interest occurred here except a most brilliant engagement at South Anna bridge, between Company B, of the Forty-sixth, supporting a battery, and a force of Union cavalry, about 6 July, in which that company covered itself with glory. Thirty-three fresh graves were counted on the Federal position of the engagement Loss in Company B, four killed and ten wounded.
.....Late in July, 1863, found the regiment near Fredericks-burg, where it remained until 30 August. During this time the death of Adjutant Mallett, at the hands of deserters from another regiment, whom he was endeavoring to arrest, cast a gloom over the entire regiment.
.....This gallant young officer had endeared himself to every member of the regiment by his excellent bearing in the field, as well as the genial good nature manifested in his daily duties in camp. A detail under Lieutenant Mallett had been sent in pursuit of the party of deserters. By some means he became separated from most of his small force and coming up with the refugees he, with his usual fearlessness, rode up to them, demanding their surrender, when one of the party shot the noble fellow dead.
.....1 September, 1863, the regiment bade a final adieu to Fredericksburg, proceeding by the way of Guinea's Station to Taylor8ville, where it remained some days, when on 25 September orders were received to repair to Gordonsville, where a quiet sojourn was had until 9 October, removing on that day to Madison Court House, this being the first day's march in the fatal flank movement to Bristoe. On this date Cooke's brigade (now composed of North Carolina regiments, as follows, Fifteenth, Twenty-seventh, Forty-sixth, Forty-eighth and Fifty-fifth) was attached to General Harry Heth's Division, and was thus attached until the close. The Division was composed of following brigades: Cooked North Carolina, Kirkland's North Carolina, Davis* Mississippi, Archer's Tennessee, Walker's Virginia. Heth's Division formed a part of A. P. Hill's Corps, composed of the divisions of Heth, Wilcox and Anderson.
.....From 9 to 14 October the command made a series of most difficult marches over the ridges and across the rapid running streams which characterize the foothills of the Blue Ridge—in the effort to reach Manassas ahead of Mea<de, who was being pressed toward that point by General Lee.
.....Much of the distance was covered at night, over such roads as language fails to describe.
.....On the morning of 14 October, Cooke's Brigade took the advance and in the afternoon struck the Union forces in a strong position behind the railway embankment at Bristoe Station, with a number of field guns on the eminence in the rear. Before any support came up General Cooke, under orders, immediately attacked with great gallantry. In the charge made by this devoted brigade, the gallant Cooke fell, shot in the forehead, when the command devolved on Colonel E. D. Hall, of the Forty-sixth.
.....The unequal struggle was waged, with no result, save the loss of valuable lives; indeed a disaster was only averted by a rapid change of front by the Forty-sixth under Colonel Hall'8 immediate lead by which the enemy's left flank movement was checked. This movement, made under a heavy fire from both infantry and artillery, elicited great praise, and added new laurels to the record of the Forty-sixth for steadiness and deliberation. The effort to dislodge the enemy from his position proving futile, the command was withdrawn in good order, out of rifle shot, which position it held until the next morning, by which time the enemy had disappeared.
.....It was said that General Lee most severely criticised General A. P. Hill for this blunder—that of sending a force of only two small brigades (Cooke's and Kirkland's) against overwhelming odds strongly intrenched, with ten or twelve regiments in reserve, who never fired a gun. Such a course was then, and is yet unaccountable, on the part of a commanding officer of undeniable ability.
.....In this unfortunate affair the Forty-sixth had about sixty casualties—the configuration of the ground over which it fought only saving it from a much severer loss.
.....On 18 October the command crossed the Rappahannock on pontoons, which were necessary, the river being much swollen, and went into what was at the time supposed to be winter quarters.
.....About this time the Forty-sixth lost its brilliant Colonel, E. D. Hall, who resigned to accept a civil office in North Carolina. Col. Hall had brought the regiment up to a high standard in every respect—a brave man, a good disciplinarian, the service lost, in his resignation, a most valuable and efficient officer—and it was with much regret that his regiment bade him farewell. On the hillside, near the Rapidan, huts were built and the men proceeded to make themselves comfortable, but the hope of a winter's rest was rudely dissipated by being suddenly ordered, on 8 November, to a position two miles from Culpepper Court House to oppose Meade's threatened advance, who had already captured a large portion of Hoke's and Hayes* Brigades. Expectations of a general engagement were not realized, and 12 November found the Forty-sixth in camp near Rapidan Station, on the south bank of the river, from which on 27 of November it again moved to confront Meade at Mine Run. Here the army entrenched and awaited the attack, which never came. The artillery was at times engaged, and there were a few casualties in the brigade, but no loss in the Forty-sixth.
.....From this date until 8 February, 1864, the regiment occupied its winter quarters near Rapidan, the monotony varied         
by one or two bloodless and brief expeditions to the left wing of the army, caused by Federal cavalry demonstrations.
.....On 8 February, new quarters near Orange Court House having been constructed, the command again moved. This camp was the best yet occupied, in a well-wooded and watered section, and the severe winter of 1863-'64—what remained of it—was spent here in comparative comfort
.....The monotony here was unbroken by any event worth recording save possibly the great battle of "The Snow," which took place on 23 March, the snow being about fifteen inches deep and is thus chronicled. On the morning of this eventful day, the Twenty-seventh North Carolina challenged to mortal combat the Forty-sixth North Carolina. As the two regiments were getting into position, a long line of gray skirmishers from the direction of Kirkland's camp announced the fact that Cooke's command was to defend itself from the onslaught of that gallant brigade. Hastily sending word to the other Cooke regiments to come to the support, the Twenty-seventh and Forty-sixth rushed upon Kirkland.
.....For an hour the fight raged furiously, ending in the utter rout of the brave Kirklandites who were driven pell mell out of their quarters, the victors appropriating to their own use and behoof all the cooking utensils to be found therein. That evening orders were issued to company commanders to see that all such utensils were promptly returned.
.....Diligent search was made, but as every man found in possession of a cooking vessel vowed that "he had owned it for many months," it is doubtful if a single article was ever returned.
.....The Kirkland men being dissatisfied, sent a formal challenge to Cooke, for a "settlement" the next day, which was had in a ceremonious way in presence of an immense crowd of onlookers, including a number of general officers with their staffs from other commands.
.....The result was disastrous in the extreme, to Cooke's command, which was utterly routed, losing nearly one-half its officers and men as prisoners of war, who were confined and informed that they would be detained until the "skillets" were produced, but the approach of night and the increasing cold frustrated this purpose and all hands returned to their huts, good friends. A number of minor casualties resulted from this wholesale fun, but only one of a serious nature.
.....On 30 March, Governor Z. B. Vance addressed the brigade, closing with a series of anecdotes, which sent the men to their quarters in excellent good humor. It was observed that the Governor did not once allude to Holden and his adherents, these being the then absorbing topics in North Carolina.
.....The months of March and April witnessed a series of revivals of religion throughout the army. It was hoped that the Forty-sixth derived great and lasting good from these meetings, more to be prized than any earthly blessing.
.....1 May found the regiment with comparatively full ranks, and by the restored health of the sick and wounded, numbering over 500 strong. The efficient Colonel, W. L. Saunders, who had succeeded Colonel Hall, having lent his best energies during the winter to bring it up to a high state of discipline, it marched away from its comfortable quarters on 4 May, 1864, in better condition than ever to meet the trials and struggles of its last and most terrible campaign.
.....On 5 May, in the dense undergrowth of the "Wilderness," the Union army was encountered—the Forty-sixth being in line immediately on the plank road, Company B being in the road. The record of that day of butchery has often been written. A butchery pure and simple it was, unrelieved by any of the arts of war in which the exercise of military skill and tact robs the hour of some of its horrors. It was a mere slugging match in a dense thicket of small growth, where men but a few yards apart fired through the brushwood for hours, ceasing only when exhaustion and night commanded a rest
.....The fight in General Cooked front was opened by the gallant Wishart with his skirmishers, who in the dense brush, ran right into the enemy before he knew their whereabouts, receiving a volley at but a few paces distance, which laid low more than half our number, including their fearless commander severely wounded.
.....All during that terrible afternoon, the Forty-sixth held its own, now gaining, now losing—resting at night on the ground over which it had fought, surrounded by the dead and wounded of both sides. Early on the morning of the 6th, the bat* tie was renewed with increased vigor by the enemy who had received reinforcements during the night, and it was not long before the heavier weight of the Union attack began to slowly press back the decimated Confederate line. Matters were assuming a serious aspect when Longstreet's Corps, fresh from the west, with Lee at its head, trotted through the weakened line and forming under fire, soon had the enemy checked, driving him back to his original position. The writer had the pleasure of witnessing this glorious scene—the most soul-inspiring sight the imagination can conceive, and one never to be forgotten.
.....The night of the 6th the list of casualties was hastily made up—possibly not accurate—as follows: Forty-sixth North Carolina, killed 39, wounded 251, total 290, out of an effective strength of 540 men. The following were instantly killed: Captain N. N. Fleming, of Company B; Lieutenant George Horah, of Company B; Lieutenant J. A. B. Blue, of Company H; Lieutenant T. S. Troy, of Company G. Wounded: Colonel W. L. Saunders, Captain A. T. Bost, of Company K; Lieutenant F. M. Wishart, of Company A; Lieutenant T. G. Jenkins, of Company C.
.....After the 6th, Grants famous left flank movement began; the Forty-sixth on the front line almost daily until Appomattox.
.....On 10 May, the regiment was again engaged at Spottsylvania Court House, where Cooke's Brigade made a most brilliant and successful charge on the enemy's batteries—loss not heavy, except in Company C, (Captain S. W. Jones) who lost three killed and eight wounded. Officers wounded: Captain S. W. Jones, of Company C; Lieutenant Routh, of Company K, mortally.
.....Again on 12 May was the Forty-sixth engaged—-suffering slightly. From the 12th to 19th, the Forty-sixth was continuously in line, confronting the enemy—with small loss.
.....The continual lateral movement of both armies brought them near Mechanicsville, on 28 May, being a series of skirmishings to this date.
.....On 2 and 3 June the entire brigade did some handsome work near Mechanicsville, receiving the highest encomiums from the Richmond Examiner which was said to have praise only for Virginians.
.....From 3 to 12 June, the Forty-sixth well entrenched, confronted the enemy at very close quarters—so close that conversation could be carried on between the opposing forces.
.....12 June, the sidelong movement was resumed. 15 June the regiment was engaged in White Oak Swamp for some hours—losing about twenty-five men. Here it was that Lieutenant Robert A. Small, of Company G, met his death. Few nobler spirits "passed over the river" during those terrible years than that of Lieutenant Small—a Christian and one of nature's noblemen.
.....18 June the command crossed the James river, above Drewry's Bluff, and occupied a position near Petersburg, in the entrenchments.
.....The line of march of the regiment, from the beginning of the campaign, was as follows: Along the Fredericksburg turnpike to "The Wilderness"—thence to Spottsylvania Court House, Hanover Junction via Brooke turnpike to new Mechanicsville—thence via "Nine Mile Road," Williams-burg road, Charles City road, Darbytown road, River road, across Drewry's Bluff pontoon bridge to the Richmond and Petersburg turnpike, thence to Petersburg—a path marked at almost every step with blood.
.....From 19 June to 22 August, the regiment occupied various positions on the front lines near Petersburg, being moved hither and thither as emergency required.
.....22 August the Forty-sixth took part in a brilliant affair, on the extreme right of the lines, on the Weldon Railway, driving from their works two lines of the enemy, but was checked in its mad rush at the third line by a withering fire of grape and canister—under which a number of gallant spirits sank to rise no more, among others Captain L. Branson, Company F, shot through the body by a grape shot
.....25 August, one of the most desperate actions of the year was fought at Reams Station, mainly by Cooke's and Kirkland's Brigades. The enemy was strongly fortified with a quantity of artillery. Two brigades of Wilcox's Division had failed to drive them, when Cooke's and Kirkland's were sent forward, and in a most terrific storm of thunder and lightning, steadily advanced over the field, facing a deadly fire, and with a yell carried everything before them, capturing seven stands of colors, nine guns, 2,100 prisoners and a large quatity of camp equipage.
.....The bayonet was freely used in this affair, and Lieutenant-Colonel A. C. McAlister distinguished himself by his daring in leading the regiment to the muzzles of the cannon.
.....Loss in the Forty-sixth, seventy-three killed and wounded. Among the wounded were Captain H. R. KcKinney, of Company A; Captain A. T. Bost, of Company K; Captain Troy, of Company G; Lieutenant T. R. Price, of Company C; Lieutenant M. N. Smyer (both eyes shot out) ; Lieutenant J. W. Brock, of Company G.
......After Reams Station the regiment returned to the lines around Petersburg, occupying different positions until December, when winter quarters were built on Hatcher's Run, near Burgess' mill, about ten miles from Petersburg and immediately in front of the enemy.
.....About 7 December took place the famous Bellfield expedition, noted for the suffering endured by the men from cold and exposure, which continued for five days.
.....From 7 December to 4 February the Forty-sixth remained in winter quarters, with little to vary the monotony.
.....5 February, 1865, took place the affair at Hatcher's Run, in which the regiment was engaged, with some loss, among the killed being Lieutenant J. W. Brock, of Company G, by a shell.
.....27 February Lieutenant-Colonel A. C. McAlister was detached from the regiment and with the writer as Adjutant, assumed command of a force of about six hundred men and was assigned to duty in the counties of Randolph, Chatham, Montgomery and Moore, North Carolina. This force was composed of the Seventh North Carolina, Major James G. Harris commanding, and two companies each from the Fifteenth, Twenty-seventh, Forty-sixth, Forty-eighth and Fifty-fifth North Carolina Regiments, designed for the protection of that section from raiding parties of the enemy, as also to preserve order in enforcing the Conscript Act. This force was actively employed until General Johnson's army arrived near Greensboro, when it was attached to General D. H. Hill's Division until paroled by General Sherman.
.....An episode of this bit of service was a lively engagement in the streets of Greensboro with a portion of Wheeler's disorganized cavalry, which undertook to capture the Government stores in the warehouses, and incidentally the town generally. The cavalry was driven out, but not without a number of casualties to both sides.
.....By reason of the above mentioned detail service, the writer can give no particulars of the regiment's experience from Petersburg to Appomattox from personal knowledge. Those whose duties kept them at the front near Petersburg state that the morning when Lee's lines near Hatcher's Run were broken, the Forty-sixth, with the balance of Cooke's Brigade, retired in its usual good order.
.....On the retreat to Appomattox its experiences were those of the army generally, continued fighting and starvation. Ever ready to do its duty, no apparent disaster, however great it seemed, shook its steady column, and up to the supreme moment at Appomattox its unity was preserved, its men, those whom the bullet and disease had spared, answering promptly ''here," when the final roll call was had.
.....At Appomattox the remnant of this band of heroes laid down their arms to take them up no more forever, and the Forty-sixth North Carolina passed into history with not one member who but feels a just pride in its record, upon which rests no blemish. At the surrender the regiment was commanded by Colonel W. L. Saunders. Its strength is not recorded, but the whole Cooke's Brigade numbered 70 officers and 490 men. Official Records Union and Confederate Armies, Vol. 95, p. 1278.
.....Its torn and tattered battle flag which waved in triumph over many a bloody scene, was never lowered until by order of the immortal Lee it was laid down forever, but not in disgrace or shame, for about its folds shone the glories of Malvern Hill, Harper's Ferry, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Bristoe, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Mechanicsville, Cold Harbor, White Oak Swamp, Petersburg, Beams Station, Davis* Farm and Hatcher's Run.
.....Not many remain to tell the story of its bivouacs, marches and battles, its patience and endurance, its hardships and sufferings for three years of hard service Soon none will remain, but its glory is as fadeless as is that of "Lee's Army," whose fortunes and misfortunes it shared to the end.

OFFICERS OF THE FORTY-SIXTH.
(Compiled mainly from memory.)

.....Company A—R. M. Norment, Captain, promoted, succeeded by Lieutenant H. R. McKinney, a New Yorker by birth, but a staunch believer in States Rights, who served faithfully to the end, wounded several times. The regiment had no more capable or efficient officer. First Lieutenant Frank M. Wish-art, for many months, was commander of the regimental skirmish line. (The writer, during the latter months of the war, was intimately associated with Lieutenant Wishart, then Captain of Company B, and testifies to his absolute indifference to danger and his total ignorance of fear, laughing and joking under fire as in camp, always wanting to "get at 'em.") He survived the war only to be treacherously murdered by Henry Berry Lowry. Upon the promotion of Lieut. Wishart to Captaincy of Company B, his brother, Wellington Wishart, became First Lieutenant. He is remembered as the most silent man in the regiment, and as brave as he was silent Sergeant J. H. Freeman was promoted to be Second Lieutenant and John Hammond from Ensign.
.....Company B—Captain W. L. Saunders having been advanced to a Majority, Lieutenant N. N. Fleming became Captain and served as such until his death on the field at the Wilderness, when Lieutenant Frank M. Wishart, of Company A, was elected Captain, serving in that capacity until the close. Second Lieutenant George Horah, having been advanced to First Lieutenancy, was instantly killed at the Wilderness. Sergeant W. B. Lowrance was promoted to Second Lieutenant and was transferred to another regiment James T. Pearson and John J. Stewart were also promoted to Lieutenant    Quartermaster-Sergeant J. M. Waddill was promoted to be Second Lieutenant, serving as such until sent on detached service under Lieutenant-Colonel A. C. McAlister.
.....Company C—Upon the promotion of Captain W. A. Jenkins, Lieutenant Stephen W. Jones became Captain, serving gallantly in that capacity until the close. Lieutenants, W. A. J. Nicholson, Samuel M. Southerland, Leon S. Mabry, Thomas R. Price and Thomas G. Jenkins. The latter two were several times wounded in discharge of duty.
.....Company D—Captain Colin Stewart was with his company in the one capacity from the organization to the final ending, and (I think) never received a wound. Daniel Stewart and S. M. Thomas were successively First Lieutenant, and Hugh Middleton, Malloy Patterson, John A. McPhail and John W. Roper were Second Lieutenants.
.....Company E—Captain R. J. Mitchell having been promoted to Major, Lieutenant R. L. Heflin became Captain, and later resigned, being succeeded by Lieutenant Jesse F. Heflin, who served as Captain until the close—a steady, brave, capable officer, ever at his post, in camp or field. James Meadows, First Lieutenant, resigned and was succeeded by Second Lieutenant J. J. Walker. James Wheeler, John C. Russell and Henry C. Latta became Second Lieutenants.
.....Company F—Captain A. C. McAlister, promoted to Major, Lieutenant Thomas A. Branson was advanced to Captaincy, losing his life on the field at Davis' Farm, near Petersburg, 1864, when Sergeant M. M. Teague, a gallant young fellow, was promoted Captain. His Lieutenants were J. A. Spencer and R. D. McCotter. James A. Marsh, originally First Lieutenant, was made A. Q. M. 17 April, 1862. Samuel P. Weir, killed at Fredericksburg, was Second Lieutenant in this company.
.....Company G—Upon the resignation of Captain R. P. Troy, Lieutenant O. W. Carr was advanced to Captain, and remained in command until the close—always at the post of duty, alike in the service of his country or his God. Ransom H. Steen, First Lieutenant, was succeeded by R. S. Small, and T. S. Troy, who fell at the Wilderness and was succeeded as Second Lieutenant by J. W. Brock, killed at Hatcher's Run 5 February, 1865, and Robert W. Stinson also killed at Petersburg.
.....Company H—The promotion of Captain N. McK. McNeill to Major, led to the advance of Lieutenant George Wilcox to a Captaincy, serving until the close. Charles C. Goldston, First Lieutenant, having resigned, J. A. Blue succeeded him and fell at the Wilderness, being succeeded by Lieutenant N. A. McNeill, who also shared the fortunes of the company to the end. John N. McNeill became Second Lieutenant 3 September, 1863.
.....Company I—Captain Owen Holmes commanded the company from beginning to the end—was in nearly every engagement, with never a wound, if memory is not at fault. First Lieutenant O. P. White has (I think) the same unusual record. John C. Wright, Second Lieutenant, was succeeded by Thomas Owens. John D. Herring, Minson McLamb and Isaiah Herring were also Second Lieutenants.
.....Company K—Captain A. T. Bost (if memory be not at fault) fell at Reams Station, and was succeeded by his brother, R. A. Bost, who, as Captain, receiving a severe face wound, was disabled thereby. No steadier men ever faced a firing line than these two. First Lieutenant A. Routh was mortally wounded while charging a battery at Spottsylvania 10 May, 1864. Second Lieutenant M. N. Smyer was mortally wounded at Reams Station 25 August, 1864. Lieutenants J. M. Hoover and Sidney Shuford were then in command until the close.
.....In commenting on certain names here mentioned, it will be borne in mind that by reason of longer acquaintance or closer intimacy, the writer knew more of certain ones than of others. Some company officers were appointed but a short time before the writer was called away from the regiment, and whom he knew only by name.
No invidious discrimination is intended, for it is distinctly remembered that no officer of the Forty-sixth was ever charged with doing less than his full duty.
J. M. Waddill. Greenville. S  C,
9 April, 1901.