not cut our way out and escape. Most of them were in favor of the attempt. They only waited for a word from me; but I would not give it. On the contrary, I urged them to acquiesce.
I do not remember the number we surrendered. It was between six hundred and seven hundred, men and officers. I do, however, well remember one thing—that not more than four men had been lost as stragglers during the trying march from Petersburg; and I can say almost, if not quite as much for every brigade in the division.
I never made any official report of these events.
The North Carolina Battalion at Averasboro'—Letter from General Taliaferro.
Dr. J. William Jones, Secretary Southern Historical Society:
My Dear Sir—It is but an act of justice that I should state that the communication of Captain Graham Daves in the March number of the Society Papers, meets my cordial approval, and that as far as I can I adopt it as a true and proper addendum to my report of the conflict at Averasboro'.
The efficiency and bravery of the North Carolina battalion in that action has been repeatedly mentioned by me since the war, and I have often regretted that I could not recall the name of its commander, whose gallantry was conspicuous and the subject of commendation by myself and others. I cannot remember now what reports were sent in to me by subordinate commanders—if in fact any were made—and thus, as I state in the report, the names of many deserving special notice were unhappily omitted. I do remember well, however, that I spoke to General Hardee of the gallant service of Captain (supposed to be Major) DeRosset, the officer in command of the North Carolina battalion, and that I designed to mention him particularly; and I think it not unlikely that I hastily wrote Georgia battalion for North Carolina battalion, and meant to fill the blank with the name of the North Carolina commander, supposed to be a Major, when I could have it reported to me. No troops are mentioned in the report by States or regiments, and therefore no special reference could be made to those from North Carolina.
I will add to this that the name of the Sergeant of artillery mentioned is Guibert, and the battery was that of Captain Le Gardeur, from New Orleans.
Respectfully and truly yours,
