North Carolina Patriots of ’61: J. Sidney Setzer

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North Carolina Patriots of ’61: J. Sidney Setzer:

I enlisted at Newton, NC, in August 1861. We were the First NC Battalion; later Company A, 32nd Regiment. I was not the bravest of the brave, though participated in every engagement of my regiment engaged in (until captured). Beginning with a slight skirmish at Winston, NC, the battles of Gettysburg, Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court House being the most disastrous. During the three days battle at Gettysburg I witnessed about eight men in hand to hand struggle over a Federal flag, using butts of guns; one Confederate soldier only securing it.

Confronting Heights [the] third day, in front of Battery, and small arms [fire], I witnessed a number of our men torn asunder, threads of flesh thrown into low limbs of overhanging trees. We were on the banks of a deep ravine at edge of woods, the front being a steep field, and our only refuge was falling into the ravine, [we then] crawl[ed] to the left to front cover of woods, when we charged and dislodged the enemy for a time.

At dusk, when both armies began to retreat, I was on skirmish between the two and was slightly wounded, but remained with the command. Our retreat re-crossing [the] swollen Rappahannock, struck us under arms, compelling us to cling in groups of fours to avoid washing down[river].

After hard battles of [the] Wilderness to Spottsylvania Court House, half or more of our survivors were captured, including myself. The loss of life was appalling. Our captors, nearly drunk, howled “no quarter.” Interference of their officers saved us from massacre. We were rushed through their six lines of battle over more dead than I ever witnessed elsewhere. We were conveyed to Point Lookout, Md.; later to Elmyra, N.Y., suffering untold destitution at both places. I was paroled February 25, 1865, and sent to Richmond, and from there home. Was not exchanged, consequently was at home when the war ended. The hardships, dangers, etc., of the four years were almost intolerable.

After returning home I engaged in farming and school teaching in the common schools for a few years. Having no means to begin with in the way of money or inheritance of property, I bought a small farm in Caldwell County on credit. Was married and settled down where [my] wife and I labored together on the little farm until it was paid for. Then bought some interest in cotton mill, etc., in Granite Falls, NC, where I worked on salary and accumulated [savings].”

(The Catawba Soldier of the Civil War, George W. Hahn, Clay Printing Company, 1911, pp. 211-212)

North Carolina Patriots of ’61: J. Sidney Setzer