Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-11-16
the Standard.
fur Inc StanuafI
ARMY OF KANAWHA.
CAMP FISHER, MAR MEADOW BLUFF, Va,
$50 nnes Vest of Richmond,
---------- - Nnu.r,,hnr Sth 1SEI 1

November 9Th, 1861.
Mu HoLpEs: Knowing the great anxiety which
Is felt 10y many nf the people of North Carolina
speeding the 18th regiment, | will endeavor, amid
many unavoidable interruptions, to give true state
ment of condition, believing that the truth,
though sad indeed will fall far short of the reports
in circulation.
Since the organization Of the regiment we have
lost by death sixty men, instead of $50 as reported
of these nine died in NOrth-Caiolna. One was
murdered there while absent from the regiment
Another was killed at Big Sewell Mountain by mis-
take while "n picket guard Then fifty eight men
have died by disease out of eight hundred and tir-
teen which is about one in fifteen We have lost
also two officers out Of thirtynne, which is one in
twenty. This is large mortality, but regiment
has not suffered more than Others Indeed doubt
i we have suffered as much the Georgans and
Mississippians, brigaded with US.
We naturally inquire the Southerners an iul-
beetle lace that they die thus like sheep with the
rot, OF have the commanders of these regiments
managed badly? By no means! but We have VIC.
lated great sanitary principle. We have changed
climate and modes Of living too suddenly, and this
with other accidental causes, has produced these
appalling results. In confirmation Of the views ex-
pressed by DR. Brown his letter to the Secretary
of War, written after his resignation, will give
you brief history of our regiment and narrative
of the campaign. ,-l7s.1 z-.s.-
The regiment was organized at Garysburg, N. c.,
on the 10th of July last Ii was composed of three
companies from Johnston county, two from Person,
one from Franklin, one from Cumberland, one from
Robson, one from 0nslow, and one from Beaufort.
This last company, account of sickness. was de-
tached before we left North-earolina and only nine
companies marched to Virginia. We were delayed
until the 18th of August in consequence of the diff
ficulsy m obtaining clothing and camp equipage-
At that time ost Vt the companies had been eight
weeks exposed to the malaria of the Roanoke
swalHps About half The men were enfeebled by.
measles, mumps, and pneumonia Some fiity-six
were left with one of the surgeons of the regiment
at Weldon and about the same number of GONZALES
cents were sent home to recruit their strength the
remainder proceeded to Richmond. 1t commenced
raining on Us at Petersburg, and We pitched our
tents IN kichmondsin storm. In consequence of
thsexposuTe several men just out of measles seken-
ed and were left behind when We left that CITY after
stay OF two days. " proceeded to this place
leaving SICK men at every point We stopped at
Our bseauent ardHous service has been in an un.
congenial climate during an unusually rainy season.
and It Is hardly an refrigeration to say that we have
not ut any time until quite recently passed more
than three days without rain, and we have been
exposed to many of them. add by way of appen-
dix, few brief extracts from my diary they may
be OF service to Lieut. Maury hereafter in his inete-
geological investigations = fs5s.
Our hrst, advance from this place to Anderson s,
beyond Big Sewell, Sept iIth@ was forced march
"f about twenty-three miles, q part Of the time in
the rain, to reinforce Gen. Floyd ut Gauley but we
we were unfortunately about thirty-six hours tho
late. as she bad repused the enemy and then fallen
back While we, were on Big Sewell working par
ties were engaged rfor;fyihg part of the time in
the raiR 70nr march from that place back to this
Sept. l1th) was in the night 1t commenced rain.
ing soon afttrswe Stated and rained upon us most
VI the night and for about three hours of the time
very hard. The roads were exceedingly muddy.
and We reachelcamp next morning greatly exhaust.
I'D. The consequence was a rapid increase Of our
lick list; aRdyghen, marched back TO Big Sewsl
10 rescue lien. Wise tSept. 24th,) was compelled
tn leave hehiud camp more than 100 sick men,
We ordered 20 march without t,aegaee or tents
ana while there from the night Of the 9th Sept I,
Oct lftnt We were exposed for part of the tin,
t. the Settper without tents IL rained upon as
Wilde we haa 40 sheltef, except SIGH as we coulS
hastily erect 10 TIE woods for three days Al frs
VIC were short OF provisions, having carried only
DAYS supply in our shayersacLs w. had no;,Ss,
coffee or wtiskey 70 stimulate s and mar, If y,
time tho rain was. soaSioent Az to extip,s,, -,
fires and this too ia . raw cold mountain cI;,,ss
When our tents arrived could obtain NO e.,
to place IN them aud until the could suli, cs,
nut logs and foar their ests they slept on the bar
ground During this time, the men were constar
N exposed erecting breast.works and stantin
et,ary rs seatnels or as picketS The latter dut,
h addition to its danger, is very unpleasant as
ERE or light is allowed Having spoken of breas
v,rks it will give you idea Of our lahors VIII,
inform you that the works erected by our briga,