The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-11-05
THE FIGHT AT LBEsBURG.
An interesting Account Confusion of the Enemy
An Interesting Incident, dc.
Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.

An interesting Account COHy 0soH ~ "'s enemy
An Interesting Incident, dc.
Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
Doubtless you have had various accounts of the
signal victory gained over "Old Abe's" forces
Leesburg on Monday, October Fl.
The ball was opened about o'clock, A. NJ, by
Captain Duff's Company of 18th Mississippi Vol
and firm that time, with occasional intermission,
the firing continued during the day. Towards
half-past three it became general, and from that
time until dark it was awful.
The 9Th Virginia regiment, commanded by
Col. Hunter, (than whom Drawer man treads not
the soil,) supported by Capt Fletcher's company,
of the 18th Mississippi Vol, CALAMITY led the
charge. Reinforced by the 18th Mississippi Vol,
Col. Burt, and 18th Mississippi Vol, Col. Feath-
erstone, the battle became general. Fiercely was
every inch Of ground contested, but nobly did our
brave boys bear themselves, until at last, after
having taken their battery of one rifed cannon
az pounder) and two howitzers, the enemy gave
way, and such rout it only be compared to
the famous run from the Plains Of Manassas In
their precipitate flight many disabled in
leaping the bluffs and precipices that line the
banks of the river and when that was gained ,
they threw of their implements of warfare,
stripped themselves to their mother skin" and
plunged, nuskrat-like, into the LiIlowy deep,
| trusting rather the surging waves Of the Potomac
than rebel bayonets As many az could accom-
modate themselves to boats did so; but in the
fright and flight all could not be thus favored,
and, in case, at least, that failed to cary
them safe to the Maryland shore-that land they
had recently polluted by their unhallowed tread,
and that signs, and groans and shrieks to be
delivered from the tyrant's heel. | say the boat
which which was crammed beyond its capacity,
sunk the middle of the stream, and 10 !!
scores, perhaps hundreds, found waery grave.
Hundreds Of others, In Attempting to swim the
Potomac were drowned.
Others may count the enemy slain on the battle
field; know not the number, but guess not less
than $50; tho wounded guess not less than 500,
and for the prisoners know to be not less than
700, making in all Of what | guess and know
killed, wounded, and prisoners, to be upwards of
thirteen hundred. The Federal forces were led
by Gen Baker, of Oregon, late Senator Of the
United States, who, as you have learned,
killed OF the battlefield l pause. Shall /?
Can l have sympathy for any man who invades
my home, and strives to lay waste the loveest
portion of Gods creation, destroy my property,
murder my wife and children? And shall | go
further, and record the beauty and booty" prn-
ciples of those invaders? But my heart sickens
at the thought. No; l have sympathy for
such; and thank God have none. Gen. Baker
was the tool of vile despot, to carry out the
subjugation-ah annihilation-of a people that
never harmed him. We all recollcct his boasted
threat in the Senate. But he has fallen We
therefore, let him rest
Our loss has been published as 800. Let me
say that is too large. 1t is not more than 100,
and have the means of knowing. The brave COL
Burt, of the 18th Mississippi Volunteers, is dead.
He died Saturday evening, the Both October.
a Drawer and more popular officer belonged not to
the Southern arny-his men were devoted to him
and IS fo1t nl,, INV bo
soldiers Immediately under his command, but also
by the citizens Of this place. By his gentlemanly
department lie had won upon the affections Of all
with whom he was associated; and the writer, who
had the pleasure of his acquaintance, would pay
passing tribute Of respect to his memory, and
plant flower upon his grave, and, without another
word, there leave him with the noble dead.
All battles and combats have their interesting
incidents and La.rbreadlh escapes. l know OF
several in this One incident must relate before
close, leaving the hair breadth escapes for
another communication.
When the contest became genera and in the
thlckest OF the fight, might be elderly
gentleman, not at all connected with the army,
with no impulse motive other than the same
that warns the heart and nerves the arm of all
true Southern men in the glorious of our
second independence, riding in the of the
line, encouraging the men to conquer or noby die
it suggested by the soldiers engaged, that George
Calvert, of Fauquer county, Va, should have
the commission OF General for his bravery and
happy influence that ocsasou. The old gen.
tleman would halloo at the top of his voice. where
" leaden and iron hail fell thick and fast
around him, to the men " Boys, if you fall God
grant you may have seat around the throne of
the God Of Battes-fght on, and the victory is
ours in time and in eternity-fortune favors the
brave-God will cave the brave-fcar not, no
harm shall come near you-not the smell of fire
shall be upon your garments
:: In the God of Battles trust
You are in glorious cause--fght on, my brave
boys ! fight on and may the Lord have mercy
upon you, and bring you off victorious"
/ will here venture an opinion and belief that
these, with other pious CALCULATIONS uttered by
that good, pious, whole-souled Southern gentle
man, whose locks have been whitened by the
frosts of three score years and ten, without dis
paragement, did as much, if not more, to en-
courage the men the battle field Of Leesburg to
deecs Of herosm, and to urge them from econ
quering to conquest" than did the General in
command with all his military skill and ability.
Such noble proofs and exhibitions of self-sacrii-
cling herosm should be recorded and with
pleasure I chronicle the
CoURr MATTERS The Court of General Ses-
sions aud Common Pleas, in session here last
week adjourned on Wednesday. The tria mof
D. W. Hay, charged with the murder of Joseph
Steele, came of on Wednesday and resulted in a
verdict IF cuiltv.--Jha casa ercite9 cons1 hle