Report of Captain J. A. Hopkins, Forty-Fifth North Carolina Infantry.
JULY 17, 1863.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the action of the Forty-fifth North Carolina Regiment, in the battle of July 1, 2, and 3, near Gettysburg, Pa.:
When our line of battle first formed, our position was on the right of the Second North Carolina Battalion, Forty-third, Fifty-third, and Thirty-second North Carolina Regiments on our right. In this order we advanced over a large, open field, during which the Forty-third and Fifty-third were moved to our left, the position of the Forty-fifth then being on the left of the Thirty-second and on the right of the Forty-third North Carolina Regiments.
After firing a short time, we were ordered to charge, in which a very gallant one was made, driving the enemy back, but could not reap the benefit of our gallantry, as we would have done had it not been for a deep railroad cut in which about a fourth of the regiment went to the bottom. The remainder fell back some 50 paces. Those who were in the cut soon came out, bringing with them several squads of prisoners, some 20 or 30 in number. The line was then formed on the crest of a hill, where we retained our position, under a heavy fire of grape, canister, and musketry.
During the reformation of this line, the regiment suffered more than it ever did in the same length of time. Lieutenants [George F.] Boyd and [W. E.] Harris were killed; Captain P. P. Scales mortally wounded; Lieutenant-Colonel [S. H.] Boyd, commanding, wounded; Lieutenant Samuel F. Adams, jr., wounded-refused to go to the rear, but remained until the fight was over. Our killed and wounded among the enlisted men were very heavy.
The regiment was next marched by the left flank, and was moved so as to obtain a position perpendicular to the railroad cut, and made a charge on the wood in our front, capturing 188 prisoners in this place and several smaller squads in other places. The flag of the Twentieth North Carolina Regiment was recaptured by Captain A. H. Gallaway, and handed by him to a member of that regiment. We also captured a very fine flag-staff and tassels; the remnants of what had been a fine Yankee flag were lying in different places. The scenes of the day then being over, the regiment retired near the railroad embankment, where we rested during the night.
July 2, the line of battle was formed in a beautiful grove, which skirted the northwestern part of the town, near a theological seminary. The position of the Forty-fifth North Carolina Regiment was on the right of the Forty-third and on the left of the Thirty-second North Carolina Regiments, Major John R. Winston commanding. Though wounded, he remained with the regiment. The fire of the enemy's artillery was very heavy for several hours. The line was somewhat screened by the crest of a small hill. Loss, only 1 killed; 10 or 12 wounded. Late in the evening, the regiment was moved forward nearly half a mile, mostly in an open field, where we were a part of the time under a severe fire of sharpshooters; but, taking warning in time, we escaped their fire by lying down. The line then fell back a short distance, and retired for the night.
July 3, the regiment marched very early to support General Johnson. Early in the day, the regiment was ordered over the crest of a hill to some breastworks that had been abandoned by the enemy, the Forty-fifth North Carolina Regiment being on the right and the Forty-third North Carolina Regiment on our left. The three extreme right companies were openly exposed, having no fortification before them. The enemy was on a height, and well fortified.
The line of fortification was not parallel with our line of battle, lacking perhaps 15 or 20 degrees, and about half the length of our line in front, and a short [distance] to the right and in rear of this line was another, leaving an open space between the two.
In a few minutes after we arrived at the abandoned breastworks, the enemy commenced moving from behind the first line of breastworks to the second. At that time almost every man of the regiment was firing into them as they passed the opening, certainly killing a great number. At times it seemed as if whole masses of them would fall. At one time this continued cross-fire kept up for about five minutes, in which time we killed more than in all our fighting before and after.
Our loss was 7 in both killed and wounded. Major Winston severely wounded; Captain [James F.] Hodges severely, Captains A. H. and Thomas S. Gallaway slightly, and Lieutenant [William] Paylor, slightly; Lieutenant James M. Benton killed late in the engagement, after showing as much or more gallantry than any officer in the regiment, though he was only seventeen years of age.
The fire was continued until our ammunition gave out. General Daniel being consulted, the Forty-fifth was relieved by the Thirty-second North Carolina Regiment. Then, retiring under the hill, remained there until nearly 11 p. m. The regiment was marched back through Gettysburg; built small fortifications during July 4, and marched in the direction of Fairfield the following night.
July 6, early in the morning, the regiment was sent to the rear, and to the right of the road we came, and ordered to take position on a hill which was covered with tall wheat. When we arrived there, the enemy had possession of the hill. We found them to be dismounted cavalry, with Confederate uniform in part. Some of the men hesitated to fire at first, but soon being asked to surrender, the fire commenced, and continued until the Yankees were driven back over the hill beyond a fence which was in hedge bushes, where there was a force held in reserve; what amount we did not learn, being then ordered to rejoin our brigade.
Officers and men all behaved so well, it would be difficult to say much more for one than for another.
Our loss was 1 killed and 3 wounded.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. HOPKINS,
Captain, Commanding Forty-Fifth North Carolina Regiment.
Captain W. M. HAMMOND,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
