I was 21 years old when the Civil War between the States occurred. In November 1861, I volunteered in Thad Siler's calvary company, which was in the first North Carolina calvary regiment, under Col Robert Ransom.

Nearly all my service was in Virginia. I was in the Seven Days' battle near Richmond, whe McClellan tried to capture the city. Gen Lee finally drove him to Malvern hill. He went to Morrison's landing, being protected by gun boats. During those battles we had to stay in line for action nearly all the time, but were not actually engaged at any time. During these trying times we had to do without food for three days at one time.

I was with Lee when he first crossed the Potomac river into Maryland. At Middletown we had an engagement in which my horse was wounded. We had to retreat. In this battle Captain Siler was wounded, and he and some of the boys were taken prisoners. My horse being lame, I had to abandon him and take it on foot to Harper's ferry. where General Stonewall Jackson was beseiging the enemy. I did the best I could for my horse. When we had to separate, I turned him into a fine field where there was plenty for a horse to feast on.

Before I got to Harper's ferry, Jackson had captured the place and had taken about 13,000 prisoners.

I was with Gen E B Stuart when his made his famous raid into Pennsylvania. We went as far as Chambersburg. We captured about two or three hundred horses, stayed all night in Chambersburg, and until about 9 o'clock next day - destroying some iron works. We then started on our return trip. We rode all day and all night and until about 9 o'clock next day, when we reached the Potomac river and crossed it, where we were safe, for the enemy did not follow. Many of our new horses gave out on that long 24 hour march.

During the fall and winter of 1862-3, we picketed on the Rappohanock river. We had an engagement after night at a bridge across the river. The enemy came up on the other side of the river to burn the bridge. The battle lasted about an hour, after which the enemy retreated, having failed of the object.

In September, 1863, we had a fight near Culpepper court house, Va. The enemy captured about 25 or 30 of our regiment, including me. They took us to Point Lookout, Md. I was there 18 months, then I was taken to Elmira, NY. We remained there six months, then I was paroled. I got home about March 25, 1865.