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Brigadier-General Archibald C. Godwin, though a native of
Norfolk county, Va., was associated throughout the war with the troops of
North Carolina.
Being engaged in business in the latter State at the beginning of hostilities, he entered the
Confederate service there and at first received a staff appointment.
Afterward he was commissioned colonel of the Fifty-seventh infantry, with which he served in the vicinity of
Richmond, Va., during the
Maryland campaign.
His first battle was at
Fredericksburg, where his regiment formed a part of
E. M. Law's brigade,
Hood's division.
On December 13th, during the fighting on
Hood's right, a considerable force of the enemy defiled from the bank of
Deep run, and advanced upon
Latimer's battery, driving in the pickets and occupying the railroad cut. The Fifty-seventh, supported by the Fifty-fourth, was ordered forward, and the
Federals were driven back and pursued some distance, after which the two regiments held the railroad until dark.
General Hood reported that it was with much pleasure that he called attention to the gallant bearing of both officers and men of the Fifty-seventh,
Colonel Godwin commanding, in their charge on a superior force of the enemy posted in a strong position.
In the
Gettysburg campaign his regiment was attached to
Hoke's brigade,
Early's division,
Ewell's corps.
He participated in the defeat of
Milroy at
Winchester, and the first day's
battle at Gettysburg.
Here
Col. I. E. Avery, commanding the brigade, was mortally wounded, and was succeeded by
Colonel Godwin, who retained command during the retreat.
He was in command of three regiments of the brigade, the Sixth, Fifty-fourth and Fifty-seventh, during the disastrous affair at Rappahannock Station, November 7, 1863, and was sent across the river to occupy a tete-du-pont, in support of
Hays' brigade.
They were soon assailed by overwhelming numbers.
Hays gave way, and
Godwin soon found himself cut off from the bridge and completely surrounded.
