Dec, 1864 - there was a major Ice Storm that rolled across the South, and created misery for the soldiers trying to defend the Weldon Rail Road. The Weldon was the last line of supply for major war materials coming from overseas, and trough December of 1864 the port of Wilmington still had blockade runners providing supplies to Lee's Confederate Army still under Siege at Petersburg.

The Union V th Corps, under General Warren, left Petersburg with 30,000 troops to destroy as much of the Weldon Rail Road as they could. On parallel roads going south through Dinwiddie and Sussex County was a much smaller force led by A. P. Hill, and during the sleet, snow, and storm - a trail of red blood was left by the soldiers, who were without appropriate shoes.

Warren's men burned the communities close to the railroad, and twisted the railroad ties over fires of burning cross ties. As the Fifth Corps moved towards the small villages of Belfield and Hicksford, they were met by the Junior Reserve and Civil Defense Forces of North Carolina troops, who held in their defense, and were supported as Tar Heel Cavalry soon rode to the rescue. With A.P. Hill's men and the Cavalry of W.H.F. "Rooney" Lee closing in on Warren, a decision was made to return to Petersburg.

As Warren's marauders ventured into the outlying villages in Sussex County, they discovered quantities of Apple Jack Whiskey, and the Pillaging and Drunken Behavior of the Union troops got out of hand. Homes, Outbuildings, Livestock, were Destroyed, and Union troops Behavior turned Criminal. Some of the Union Troops found in the Communities by Tar Heel Cavalry, Were Shot and Killed - With their Bodies Stripped of their Clothing.

As Tar Heel Cavalry from the 3rd North Carolina Cavalry pursued and harassed the retreating Yanks, a trap was set with Yank Cavalry setting the bait. Yank Cavalry engaged and quickly retreated, and Co K of the 3rd (my ancestors Company) pursued the retreating Yanks - waiting Union Infantry along the road opened fire, with many of the 3rd Co K fellows falling from the saddle.

One of them a very young man, Thomas Coleman Walters, who would lose his life on December 10th, 1864. My ancestor survived the attack, but the following day - he very well may have been part of a revenge attack of historic consequences.

On the morning of the 11th of December, Scouts of the 3rd North Carolina found poor Tom Walters body by the road - beaten with gun butts beyond recognition. Their beloved Tom inspired the Scouts of the 3rd North Cavalry to pursue the stragglers of Warren's Division, and the dozen body of Scouts would ride down on and shoot and kill more than 200 of the retreating Yankee's, who had ravaged the Countryside and terrorized old men, women, and children.

Humphrey Co of that regiment would record in writing their deeds that day, and in December when it gets bitter cold, and the guns misfired in the Yank ambush of the 3rd Cavalry, I am thankful that my ancestor lived. But, I am comforted in knowing that he may have been part of the group of scouts that made the Yanks pay for their vile behavior.

Co K participants: Pvt. Julian S. Carr, would become the Commander of the United Confederate Veterans from 1921 - 1923, Pvt. Lacy Edwards would father my Grand Father - Israel Harding Edwards, Capt. Harding - the leader of the Company would be a hero to my family for generations (using today the name of Harding in their middle names), Pvt. Thomas Coleman Walters - A Young man, who's morbid death would inspire Tar Heels to seek pay back, and the Son of R. E. Lee - Who's stature and reputation would inspire the Cavalry from North Carolina and Virginia - "To Do Their Duty".

My ancestor, with Co K of the 3rd N.C. Cavalry -
And, perhaps - although there were 12 members of the 3rd NC Cavalry as casualties that day, thank goodness for the cold- the sleet., and guns that did not fire.

"Bobby Edwards, Norfolk Virginia"

Thomas C Walters