Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 4.djvu/318

people that they must now prepare for war. He himself was among the first to volunteer. He raised in Cabarrus county a company of cavalry, of which he was chosen captain and which became Company F, First North Carolina cavalry, his commission bearing date May 16, 1861. He was promoted to major, August 26, 1863, and three months later to lieutenant-colonel. In June, 1864, he was commissioned brigadier-general, and succeeded to the command of the North Carolina cavalry brigade, consisting of the First, Second, Third and Fifth regiments. General Barringer was in seventy-six actions and was thrice wounded, most severely at Brandy Station. He had two horses killed under him at other engagements. He was conspicuous at the battles of Willis Church, Brandy Station, Auburn Mills; Buckland Races, where he led the charge; Davis Farm, where he was commander; and he was in command of a division at Reams Station. His brigade was distinguished at Chamberlain Run, March 31, 1865, when it forded a stream one hundred yards wide, saddle-girth deep, under a galling fire, and drove back a division of Federal cavalry, this being the last decisive Confederate victory on Virginia soil. On April 3, 1865, at Namozine church, he was taken prisoner by a party of "Jesse scouts" disguised as Confederates, Colonel Young and Captain Rowland among them, and sent to City Point along with General Ewell. President Lincoln, then at City Point, was at Colonel Bowers tent and asked that General Barringer be presented to him, jocosely adding, "You know I have never seen a real live rebel general in uniform." The President greeted him warmly, and was pleased to recall acquaintanceship with his elder brother, D. M. Barringer, with whom he served in Congress. General Barringer was then sent on to the old Capitol prison, and afterward transferred to Fort Delaware, where he was detained till August, 1865. While there, he had the opportunity of ascertaining the current of public sentiment in regard to