Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-10-10
For the journal.
4 Gard.
October Cd, 1856

Many of your readers [ have no doubt, have
heard of or seen an article in late number Of the
State Journal, over the signature OF j. T. Jones,
Lieut. COL of the 9Th n. c. State Troops, which
purports to have for its object the vindcation Of
the reputation of that regiment, which, as the wrl
ter alleges, has been more than compromised by
the remarks of the Editors calling attention to
advertisement of mine in relation to volunteers.
[ confess that when the cause of the South is in
Jeopardy, her sons might be better employed than
in quarrelling among themselves. 1t would be
much more becoming the times and the Crisis that
our belligerent prOpensltles should be early and
promptly directed against the common enemy than
against each other. All true PATRIOTS l regret to
say, can in our day have abundant opportunities
to signaze their valor upon the battle field, with
out having recourse to unseemly examinations
which can only weaken ourselves and render the
parties thereto ridiculous in the eyes Of the public
Without arrogating to myself more than ordi-
nary share Of patriotism, I can, from the heart
say, that I would rather, under obloquy and mis-
representation, cooperate with the meanest and
poorest of my fellow-citizens, in any measure
which had for its object the independence of our
beloved country, than earn or wear the laurels OF
a Beauregard, when procured at the expense OF
laying even straw in the way of any patriotic ef-
fort ENJOY can meUer find resting place IN the
heart of the true patriot.
have nothing to say in reference to the para
graph which unfortunately has provoked the ire Of
my good friend Col. Jones, and seems also to have
destroyed his memory. It is not mine. neither
worded, dictated, nor penned it. 1t was simply a
kind compliment paid to myself by the Editors,
with the sole object in view of calling the attention
of tte young men of North Carolina to my adver-
tisement for volunteers. But, after all, what if
that paragraph, with the-exception of some rheto-
rical fourishes should prove substantially true, IN
every particular? What if Col. Jones himself
should be cited to prove its truth by his own Ian
guage, before the sight of the cupola Of the White
House had succeeded in destroying his memory of
events Phillip of Macedonia fasting, - and
Phillip after dinner, were two different persons.
In writing to the Adjutant General of this State,
Immediately after the battle, Col Jones, in speak
| inc Of the Chaplain, says: Mr.. S. would be a
valuable acquisition to any regiment. For bis
daring and cool bravery, and efficient services on
the 2lst ult., he cannot haze too much praise
aoho had no other support, cannot too htghty appre-
ciote has services" Now, it is to get my friends
and the public generally to suspend their judgment
upon the merits of the whole matter, until such
time as I shall be able to hear from Gen. Long
street, Col. Riddick, and other gentlemen who
were witnesses to my own and Col Jones' conduc4
on Manassas, that | write this card. Some letters
which these gentlemen have already written vii
appear shortly, butI hope to be able very soon te
supply others which will be more definite In then
information. l am as desirous as my friend Col
Jones can possibly be, to vindicate and MAINTAIN