10th NCST, Company C
Artillery
Headquarters,
New
Hill, North Carolina
September
21, 1863
To
General Ashley Porter Copeland
Raleigh,
North Carolina
By order
of Captain Wayne Womble this report is hereby submitted.
General,
I am
profoundly grateful to Almighty God for the costly victory granted to us. It is
my pleasing task to announce to you the success achieved by this battery in
stopping and turning back Union penetration into western North Carolina.
Orders
were received into headquarters on the Evening of Tuesday the 16th. Our battery
proceeded with most haste but became entangled with cavalry and infantry
baggage trains. We became separated causing delayed entry into our
camp. Sgt Ted Staples was misdirected by cavalry couriers and did not arrive
into camp. The white horses did pull our guns safely in time to rest before
evening tattoo.
Our camp rejoiced
at the return of Eddie Bell and Steve Poplin who returned after recovering from
wounds received in action a year ago. In addition volunteers Mark
Summerville and Tony Abatangelo were present for the defense of their
homeland. Pvt Abatangelo was accompanied by his young son Peter. Corpl Poplin led
the entertainment that evening with his abundant talent on his banjer. Though
thick in the air, no gravity storms were reported. Big Sam, our servant, at
this time is missing.
Our
battery was presented by General Hampton with a gift of wall
and sibley tent that were captured from the Union. Additionally, our camp was
placed near buried Union stores. Apparently they had buried numerous war
equipment but our cannoneers were very effective in unearthing all sorts
of munitions. We now have an abundance of lead to return to our invaders.
The
morning of Sept 20th found us placed in battery. Beside us were what we first
thought were Quakers but later proved to be another battery. Their actions and
drill we did not recognize and their fire was not effective and only drew more
enemy counter battery to us. Great trees were splintered and felled.
Our hasty lunettes were shredded to bits by the flying missiles. We suffered
several casualties but managed to silence the two batteries shelling us. Our fire
was then directed by gallant Captain Womble to enemy infantry and our shells hotly
chased them to a distant cornfield with many casualties and two stands of
colors left on the field. Notable in this action were Levi Poplin who was
unflinching as he carried the rounds to the gun amid air filled with balls and
shell. Also notable were Peter Abatangelo who tirelessly carried powder and
shell from the caissons to the limbers under heavy fire. One well directed
shell killed all six horses but these young men carried on with their
task. These actions directly contributed to our success for this
battery.
With the
approach of darkness, a strong Union cavalry force probed our
positions. Much yelling and shots were heard coming from woods in our front. A
courier from the 26th NC ran to us with urgent requests for support in
driving the large force. Immediately we went into battery in the pitch
darkness. The South Carolina "Jonahs" betrayed our position before
we were ready and we again became the focus of intense small arm fire. Of note
in this action answering the call of duty were Corpl. Tyler Godwin and Pvt.
Blane McElreath. Corpl. Godwin, a courier, immediately stepped to the piece to
replace wounded as did Pvt. McElreath to whom he was conversing. With all coolness
they manned the gun as the air became thick with flying lead. Adding to their
peril were the guns of the SC battery as their tube became fowled beyond
repair, making them useless. With our guns alone, we were able to support the
26th and drive the probe back into the woods and beyond. Corporal Godwin and
McElreath volunteered along with others for a patrol later that evening resulting
in harassing fire and driving Union horses from their picket lines.
Sunday,
our battery was posted on the large hill protecting the plank road. Our support
was in the cornfield behind us. We opened on a large force of enemy infantry
coming at us with a long skirmish line and cavalry harassing our flanks. Our
support came up but were shot to pieces. Our piece suffered a misfire due to
new primers and our accurate fire was missed in the battery. This resulted in
the double quick of Union infantry at our position. We recovered long enough to
fire 2 rounds of canister before they were upon us. Our flags were saved. Capt.
Womble managed 3 rounds before being captured. Most of the battery personnel escaped
into the corn field behind us. Almost immediately the Union troops retreated
due to a large force of infantry and cavalry approaching. Capt. Womble was
recovered as were the guns. Our captured wounded were returned to us later.
With the
cessation of hostilities, we retired to our camp then retired to New Hill to
await further orders.
It has
been my honor to submit this report for your review.
I have
the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
Grover
Godwin
Act.
First Sergeant