On April 11, 1865 the Second and Third Brigades of General George Stoneman's army, numbering about 3,000 men, crossed the Yadkin River at Shallow Ford on the way to Salisbury with the intention of burning down the Confederate Prison. The army's path took them directly through Mocksville. E. L. Gaither, a fifteen-year-old boy, was one of a group of 21 men, probably a Home Guard unit, who congregated at Elisha Creek Hill just north of town to defend Mocksville; shots were exchanged and the group scattered. The handwritten document lists the 21 men in the action. Transcription given in order of original folded document, not in order of shown images: Battle of Elisha's Creek. Jesse A. Clement, Acting General; B. Bailey, Colonel; James B. Mason, Adjutant; Wm. Fm Kelly, Captain; Samuel Rose, Aid de Camp; W. A. Clement, Courier; J. M. Johnson, 1st Rear Guard; D. C. Clement, 1st " do.; J. M. Clement, 2nd " do.; J. M. Newson, 3rd " " Captured; J. F. Martin, Flying Ordinance Serg't; E. D. Austin, General Directors; H. R. Austin, Superintendants; Samuel Saithan ?, Private; W. P. Call, do.; R. M. Austin, do.; Eli Gaither, do.; Nat Martin, Private, A. H. Harbin, do, Wm Jones, do, Bill James, do. The above being the number (though more officers than men) fought the Enemy 10000 strong at Elisha's Creek on the 10th of April, A. D. 1865. Brave, Brave they were, but fiercely were repulsed by their Commander taken with a leave, by a ? exercise of the action of ? & by the ? & any of falling back, were a nounced, which caused a general stampede & all did follow. So, So, the yell of the Yanks And the whistle of the balls Caused the steps of all much quicker. Atlas? An announcement privately within themselves were Given - Saying - Oh: Could I mount Oh: Could I fly, Oh: Could I ride the clouds & skys - Until I could secret myself from the sight of the Yankees eyes. And next of all, the bushes & hollows protected the whole comrade of bush whackers from the Yankees sight. And fiercely, bushes & hollows were their home until Stoneman was so far off - Communication of him could not be reach'd. So he that fights & run away His warish? notion may change. If not - He may live to fight another day - If all of them have returned to their lone houses again. The grace of God be with them now & forever - Amen.