Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-08-07
The Stapasfo.
rRoGREss OF THE WAR.

FULL AND RELIABLE DETAILS FROM OUR EXCHANGES.
Tse Eighth Georgia Regiment in the Battle at
t,5Ga en-, !, stone Bridge.
The following graphic description Of scenes on the
battle field and the gallant conduct OF the Eighth
Georgia Regiment, was written for the Richmond
Dispatch by gentleman who participated in the
fierce conflict Of the 2lst of July.
EIGHTH GEoRGIA REGIMENT.
On Thursday, the 18th inst, about Q P. NJ, this
Regiment left Winchester for Manassas, under com
mand Of Lieut. Colonel Montgomery Gardner: Coi'
Barlow had been for some weeks acting Brlgaaler
General Of Brigade consisting OF the tn o.n s.n
and 18th Georgia Regiments and battalion OF hen-
tuckians
The 9Th marched ~ miles over the mountains,
fording the Shenandoah, to Piedmont on the Ma
nassas Gap Railroad, arriving there about IL NJ,
Friday. The march was fatiguing in the extreme.
After delay of few hours they left for Manassas
on the cars, and slow, tedious ride brought them
to this point late Saturday morning. They marched
three and half miles to camp in the woods without
tents, and without food. EARLY next morning they
were ordered to the fight, where they arrived after
q circuitous, wearisome, and at times doublequlck
tramp between ten and twelve miles.
Breathless, tired, faint and footsore the gallant
fellows were eager for the ARRAY.
They were first ordered to support Pendleton's
Virginia Battery, which they did amid furious
storm of grape from the enemy. Inactive as they
WERE compelled to be under this fire, they stood
cool and unhurried
They we're finally ordered to charge Shermans
Battery. To do this it was necessary to cross an In
tervening hollow, covered by the enemys fire, and
establish themselves in thcket Aanking the enc
my's battery. They charged in manner that elici-
ted the praise of Gen. Johnston.
Gaining the thcket they opened upon the. enemy.
The history of warfare probably affords no instance
of more desperate fighting than took place now
From three sides fierce concentrated, murder Gus,
unceasing volley poured in upon this devoted and
heroic ask hundred" Georgians. The enemy ap-
peared upon the hill by thousands. Between
six and ten regiments were visible. 1t was hell
of bulletrain in that fatal grove. The ranks were
cut down as grain by scythe. Whole platoons
melted away as if BY magic. Cool, unainching and
stubborn, each man fought with gallantry, and
stern determination to win or die Not one fatered.
Col. Bartow's horse was shot under him. Adjutant
Branch fell, MORALLY wounded. Lieut. Col Gardner
dropped with a shattered leg. The officers moved
FROM rank to rank, from man to man, cheering and
encouraging the brave fellows. Some of them took
the muskets of the dead and began coolly firing at
the enemy.
1t was an appalling hour The shot whisted
and tore through trees and bones. The ground be-
came literally paved with the fallen. Yet the REM
nant stood composed and unquailing, carefully load
ing, steadily aiming, unerrlngly firing, and then
quietly looking to the effect of their Shots Mere
boys fought like veterans-unexcited, save with
that stern white heat" fameless exhiliraton that
battle gives to brave spirits.
After eight or ten rounds the regiment appeared
annihilated. The order was reluctantly given to
cease firing and retire. The stubborn fellows gave
no heed. 1t was repeated. Still no obedience. The
hattie spirit was up. Again it was given. Three
volleys had been fred after thefirst command. At
length they retired, walking and fighting. Owing
to the density of the growth part of the regiment
were separated from the colors. The other part
formed in an open field behind the thicket. The
retreat continued over ground alternately wood and
field. At every open spot they would reform, pour
volley into the pursuing enemy and again retire.
From the accounts of the enemy who stopped to
give water to the wounded and rife the dead. it
seems that the 9Th cut to pieces the 9th Massachu-
setts half demolished the Rhode Islanders and made
deadly havoc among the Regulars.
But a horrible mistake occurred at this point
Their own friends taking them for the enemy,
poured fatal fire upon their mutilated ranks.
At length they withdrew from the fight Their
final rally was with some sixty men of the six hun
dred they took in. Balaklava tells no more heroic
tale than this: Into the valley of death marched
the six hundred"
As they retired, they passed Gen. Beauregard.-
He drew aside, fronted raised his hat and said, II
salute the 9th Georgia with my hat off"
OF all the companies of the regiment the Ogle-
thrope Light Infantry suffered most They were
on the extreme right nearest the enemy, and thus
were more exposed. Composed of the first young
gentlemen of Savannah, their terrible loss will throw
gloom over their whole city.
An organization of five or six years standing they
were the fayorite corps of Savannah Colonel Bar
tow had long been Captain and idolized by them,
posed that his deep grief at the mutilation of his
boys caused him to expose his life more recklessly
than was necessary. He wished to die with them,
If be could not take them back home.
They fought with heroic desperation. All young,
all unmarried, all gentlemen, there was not Of
the killed who was not an ornament to bis comnu-
nifty and freighted with brilliant promise
In sending them to Virginia, Savannah sent her
best to represent her. and their loss proves how well
they stood up, how well that city was represented
upon field where all we're brave. :, ....-s
This company the first one to offer its servi-
ces to President Davis under the Confederate act
authorizing him to receive independent companies,
and had the honor of being the first received They
left home in dsobedience to the orders Of their Gov
ernor, and brought away their arms in defiance of
his authority, SO eager were they to 60 where our
country needed her best soldiers ger 10y
They were one Of the two companies that took
Fort Pulaski When there was riot expected in
Savanpah, early in the year, they called out to
queD i, with another corps. 80 - '..-a :
Their whole history is one of heroism. First to
seek peril, they have proved in their sad fate how
nobly they can endure it. 49,.
They will inevitably make their mark during the
continuance of this holy war They have enlisted
for the whole war, and not one will turn back who
can 60 forward, until it is ended, or they are com.
pletely annhated.
3, After the gallant 9th had retired with but frag
nent Col Barlow, by Gen. Beauregard's order,
brought up the It'll Georgia, exclaiming in reply to
Col Gartrell Of the 7th, who asked him where they
should go" Give me your flag, and will tell you
Leading them to their stand amid terrific fire,
ne posted the regiment fronting the enemy, and ex
claimed in those eloquent tones so full Of high feel
ing that his friends ever expected from him" Gen.
Beauregard says you must hold this position, and
Georgians, appeal to you to hold IT,"
REGARDLESS Of life, calamity riding amid the hot
test fire. cheering the men, inspiring them with his
tervent courage, be was shot in the heart and fell
from his horse They picked him up With bott