The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-08-06
THE NORTH CARoLINIANs AT THE
BATTLE OF MANASSAS.


Capt York, of the 9th n c. Regiment, fur
rished the Raleigh Standard with the following
authentic account of the part Col. Fishers Regi
ment took in the great battle and victory of the
Zlst at Manassas:
The battle commenced in the morning with
heavy cannonading on the right and centre, both
sides maintaining their positions The dull boom
ing of the cannon was distinctly heard by US as
We were diselnbarking from the cars, and as soon
as that done, regiment was marched off in
quick time Notwithstanding our weary march
from Winchester, and though tired and apparently
exhausted, yet the terrible cannoradiug in the
centre and the right nerved every arm,
frightened every eye, and quickened every step
On went through the dust that rose in clouds,
until we reached point when we filed to the left
to a spring, where our canteens were filled with
fresh water by companies, and each company
received its water, were marched to the shade aud
allowed to lie down and rest. After the watering
operation was finished, we proceeded and were
halted under cover OF a hill in rear of one of our
batteries, and ordered to load and rest, ana immc
diately We loaded and laid our weary limbs upon
the grass and many fell into a doze notwithstand-
ing the battle was raging around us but men who
mad not slept for three nights on forced march
could sleep anywhere This was about O o'cock,
and the shone brightly, and the cannonading
became more intense, dense clouds of smoke rose
frou, the opposite hills, the earth shook with the
awful thunder, and continued to wax hotter and
hotter, when almost instantaneously the men cried
out, Col. Fisher we're ready" He replied, /
know that" Suddenly his clear voice rang out,
| "AttentiOn y when every man sprung with new
life to his place in ranks, shouldered his mueket,
and at the command g Forward march,, we moved
briskly up the hill and formed a line Of battle in
rear Of one Of our batteries, where could see
| distinctly the columns of smoke rising up from
the enemies batteries the opposite hills, while
the balls were whistling around us. Suddenly We
shifted position further to the let in road run
ming by thick wood, and still the balls we're
whstling over US. A slug from a ri1ed cannon
passed through our ranks, but there was waver-
ing, but intent the attack, you could read on
every brow the stern resolve to conquer or die.
Here stood resting with the
wounded lying around Us, and ever and anon some
would breathe his last; when again rang the
clarion voice, and led by our gal1nt Colonel we
filed through the dense tangled underground, and
sped onward until we struck ravne which led
directly up to Serman's battery, and were halted
with the two right flank companies under Capts
Frecland and York. within forty yards Of the
guns and regiment of the i. S. Army support
ing them. when the command of fire was given,
when we senced the battery at the fist fire
Capts. Kirkland and Avery led their men around
the point Of woods and charged the battery and
drove every man from the pieces. About this
time some officer cried out to firing, that we
we're firing into our own men.
Exposed to raking fire from the enemy and
fired into by our friends Col Fisher ordered us to
retreat, which was done in some disorder, owing
to the cry that firing into friends. And
it was here that the gallant Col. Fisher fell in
front Of the battery, leading on his men to the
charge. He was shot through the head with a
ball. May he rest in the soldiers heaven for a
nobler, braver, more gallant man never led a
column to victory. His Orderly brought his re-
mains to the Junction, and placed them in neat
coffin and Capt. York made all necessary arrange
ments and sent the body on to North Carolina
that it might sleep in the soil that gave him BIRTH
and in whose defence he offered up his life.
That portion of the Regiment rallied by the gal
liant Lightfoot and Webb, pitched into the hottest
of the fight, and joined in the final charge, when
the enemy were put to precipltate flight, and
Joined in the pursuit for several miles. No more
gallant spirits strobe that field, than 1t. Col
Lightfoot and Mai Webb The remainder Of the
regiment under different officers, fell in with other
regiments and fought to the last. No regiment
behaved with more bravery and gallantry than the
North Carolina 9th infantry, on that memorable
field. Led up into the hottest of the fight, within
few yards Of battery that was raking our army,
they delivered their fire with the deadliest pre-
cision. Our loss about sixty killed and
wounded. Among the officers, our gallant Col
Fisher fell early in the attack. 1t. Col Lighttoot
was wounded in the calf of the leg, but never
stopped although on foot, were all our field
officers. Capt Avery shot in the leg but like
brave man as he is, never left the field. 1t W.
2. Mangum was severely wounded in the left side.
The report that Maj. Webb killed is untrue
though exposed to most terrible fire, he escaped
uninjured
WHO TOOK sHERMAN's BATTERY!
Several regiments claim the honor Of silencng
and taking this battery. II taken by the 9th
Infantry, " c. State Troops. The regiment, as
l have stated, was led up within forty yards of it,
and their fire senced it, and Col. Lightfoot, Maj.
Webb, Capts Kirkland and Avery, and Lieuts
Avery and Mangum, marched right up to it with
their men, and passed beyond it, and received a
CALLING FIRE from the left, when they ordered
to cease firing and fall back. Maj Webb was
resting on one of the pieces, facing the fire, and
our men retreated in good order, all the while de-
ivering their fire.
THE FINAL RESULT.
About sunset, the enemy were charged by our
army and put in disorder, and ran like turkeys,
pursued BY our infantry cavalry and artillery, for
several miles, until darkness stopped them Our
Regiment was in the charge, under Col Lightfoot
and Maj. Webb.
The rumor that Col Lightfoot is severely
wounded ia false The rumor that Mai Webb was