Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-08-21
Correspondence of the Raleigh Standard.
+ CAMP RHErr, tNear Aanassa,) Z

CAMP RHErr, tNear Aanassa,)l
~ u Aug. 18th, 1861. :.
Mr.. EDITOR II feel it my duty to notice, in this
pnoilc way, vile calumny against me, the report
OF which has been reaching me for the last three
days, as talked of in Raleigh and various places in
the State 1t is to the effect that in the battles of
Bull Run and Manassas, or Stone Bridge, not only
behaved ungalantly, but showed want of bravery,
ned from the field, was arrested and tried for cow
ardice, &C.
In both battles endeavored to do my pfole duty,
as an officer and North Carolinian.
was often on horseback, riding up and down
the lines, speaking words Of cheer to the brave
soldiers, and while thus in the saddle was exposed
to the heavy cannonading and Smelling of the enemy
and was again and again urged by officers and pri-
Yates to dsmount and take my place in the entrench
ments, which sometimes did while the balls were
flying over our heads, and often piercing the frail
embankments our brave men standing coolly await
ing the enemy. take no credit to myself for this,
l only did my duty, but mention it to reute the
lying calumny of my slanderers; and take leave to
say that every man did his duty, well and bravely,
on those memorable days.
In the evening Of the 21st at least one hour after
the last gun had been fired at our Regiment and
when the thrilling glorious news first reached us,
that the Yankees had been finally repulsed on the
right wing, distance from us Of from three to five
miles, and were fleeing, and while the whole line
was wild with joy, galloped off to the right, in
common with many officers of other Regiments, not
actually in the main fight, fell in with the Lynch
burg Cavalry as understood, and pursued the enc
my to Bull Run, and there hearing and believing
they were routed, and hoping they would be pur-
sued thus making the route complete, l returned
across the field of the dead and dying, and back at
half speed to our entertainments, where learned
our Regiment had left some 20 minutes or more
though they were still in hearing and pressed on
to the farther edge of the old field beyond Bull Run
where overlook the several Brigades that had been
ordered to pursue, and was few minutes finding
our Regiment and getting through the mighty thfong
to Them where we remained about one hour and a
half, and then marched back to our entertainments,
sleeping all night upon our arms
1t is strange news to every soldier of our Regi-
ment that | showed any want of bravery; and is
treated with that indignation and contempt that it
deserves while on the other hand it is said and
peated by officers and privates that acted rashly,
and exposed myself unnecessarily.
herewith append the statement in my defence,
refuting the base fasehoods, made by As of the 4S
commissioned officers of the regiment two of then.
having been absent when the statement was carried
round, and the other, Lieut. Smith, being on sick
leave at Charlottesville.
Thus it will be seen that every statement have
made is shopn to be true By the brace officers Of the
regiment scho hare kno,rn long, and scho, in my
to know that in their expressions of confidence and
esteem they reflect the sentiments of the prvates Of
the regiment
1t is regarded here as singular that should have
oeen singled out to be thus made the subject of such
heltish persecution while it is gratifying to me to
learn that both friends and enemies, whether politi-
cal or personal, who have any character, are pro-
nouncing the report to be miserable lie
It were attery to call such slanderers liars cow.
| ards, and scoundres, though do pronounce him,
them, and shall so regard any who may hereafter
circulate the report with view to my injury.
j. NJ LEACH,
| 1t. Col. 18th Reg't N. G. v.