Newton L. Bennett belonged to Company B of the 13th Regiment.  He joined after Gettysburg and was with this company until the surrender at Appomattox. He recalled: " In the battle of Spotsylvania, the fiercest engagement I ever witnessed, I fought sixteen hours without ceasing. The 'Bloody Angle,' shaped like a horseshoe, was taken by Hancock's
Corps just at break of day.  He captured Bushrod Johnson's Division with the artillery on the lines." 

"McGowan's Brigade of South Carolinians and Harris' Missippians were sent to retake the angle.  This they partially succeeded in doing with dreadful loss. Of the 34 of Company B who were in the battle, only 17 answered the roll call the next day.  Colonel Benjamin Brockman and his brother Jesse Brockman, received their death wounds at this battle." 

"My own hat and clothing were riddled with bullets, but I was unhurt.  I was in the redoubt next to the redoubt in which stood the famous red oak tree, sixteen inches in diameter, that was shot down by grape and mini balls. I was 15 feet of this tree and saw it fall, wounding Sgt. Kinard of Company G of Newberry and Simeon Boswell of my company.  I was on
picket lines of Petersburg when they were taken and surrendered. at Appomattox."

I almost shed tears a few moments ago as wrote a polite note declining a very kiine invitation from an old lady friend in the country, to come and spend the hollidays at, Brook-Hill, her splendid residence near Charlottsville.
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Brookhill information  --  submitted by Roy Tomlin:

Here is the information that I have on Brookhill by Mr. Minor.

The house was built circa 1810 on the north bank of the South Fork of the Rivanna River, Albemarle County, Virginia. It was built by James Minor, grandson of John Minor of "Topping Castle", Caroline County, and son of the James Minor who settled in Albemarle county around 1775.

Brookhill was built by James "Cutfinger" Minor shortly after he acquired the 534.5 acres from his brother, Dabney Minor, in 1809. According to Professor K. Edward Lays book entitled "The Architecture of Jefferson County", Minor earned his sobriquet as a young clerk when he cut off the forefinger of his writing hand to end his clerking days after he had become disenchanted with the prospect of spending the rest of his life working indoors. (page 132 of his book)

Brookhill is a two-story brick house with a Flemish-bond front facade and molded brick cornices. An unusual feature of Brookhill is the asymmetrical arrangement of the exterior and interior. The side-gable house features a solid stone foundation, sash windows, four interior end chimneys, and a 6-panel front door with a three light transon above. The interior of the house is defined by its carved woodwork. Federal style mantels and built-in cabinets are located in the formal rooms of the first floor. Although less ornate, the second floor bedrooms feature carved mantels. (Architectural Evaluation of Brookhill, 1997).

James Minor owned Brookhill until 1840. It is believed that James Minor was buried at Brookhill after his death in 1841, but the grave site is not known. The house and land were sold to Dabney Minor just prior to James Minor's death. Dabney owned Brookhill for just over a year when he sold it to Nelson Barksdale in 1841. In 1853, Brookhill was sold to John T.Barksdale. Charles Minor purchased the 577.25 acres which contained Brookhill from John T. Barksdale in 1857.

During Dr.Charles Minor's ownership, a school for boys was opened at Brookhill. The school opened in 1857 and operated until the outbreak of the Civil War. Classes were held in the house and students lived in a dormitory built on the property.

In 1863, after the death of Dr. Charles Minor, the house and 577 acres were sold to Susan Michie. (This may the the lady referenced in Dr. Peel's letter). She held the property intact for 24 years until her death in 1887. The property was subsequently sold to Captain H. Clay Michie. In 1898, Brookhill was sold by Captain Michie to his son, Francis S. Michie. The heirs of Francis Michie sold it to Professor Ernest J. Oglesby in 1932. Professor Oglesby lived at Brookhill until his death in 1989. Brookhill is currently owned by his heirs.
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*  Lucy Walker Minor
                 b. Nov 4 1818 d. Feb 23 1881 Bellevue VA
                    buried "Ridgeway", Albemarle Co VA
                 m. Dr. Charles Minor May 19 1835
                    b. Nov 4 1810 d. Dec 14 1861 Brook Hill, Albemarle Co VA