Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-11-16
:. pfu INA ssT4NnA URDAY nov d.
81 Is q z,.si..s:


. 9IsCaap ! 4rH ks6 n Q. yoIs.,
= - Aeadop Bt..f, Va, Nov. ., 1861.
W. W. Holden, Esq:
. DEAs SsR:=-In a pirate letter written yop rom
Big Sewelf Mountain q few days ago, intimated
that would at more convenient seasop write yon
q brief article for the miormation Of Jour readers
respecting the movements Of troops, the present
condition Of the regiment and other information IN
Western Virginia that would in all probability,
prove interesting %. yonrselh sand patrons. Our
career in the mountains. though difficult and Ey.,
ing one yet it has not been without partial success
Our troops have held their positions under many,
disadvantages With that cool resistance and marked
determination which ever characterizes true and
faithful soldiers. With Gen. Floyd at our head, we
feel assured of eminent success throughout the en-
5tire campaign His GOODNESS, his calm deliberations,
nay, more his chiyalrous and heroic adventures are
not bis least remarkable features-indeed, there Is
something more than chiyalry or heroism in his
department which indicate patriotism and courage
belonging to no ordinary man. He is as brave as
patriotic generous as be is possessed OF valor,
and such Is the confidence in his fidelity and skill
that no one questions his movements-all rush to
the support of his banner. His movements through
out the campaign have been well devised, and
crowned with more than ordinary success. It's
true his force has been inadequate to the demar DIS
of Western Virginia, yet he has fearlCssly con-
tended for the feld-6rst to advance and last to
retreat a-g.a ra-
The enemy having retreated from Sewell Mountain
in the direction Of Charleston, Gen. Floyd eager to
free the Kanawha Valley from Hessian power,
moved his brigade down the western side Of New
River TO Cotton Hill, a distance of sixty miles.
Cotton Hill is opposite the mouth Of Gauly, and
considered by military men highly important to the
Confederate forces it being strategic point over
looking the enemy's camp. Gen. Floyd will doubt
~ AZ. I 10
rumored, however, that the enemy has in the last
week evacuated the Kanawha Valley, and advancing
in the direction OF Kentucky with Floyd in his rear
but our late advices contradict this report and as
sures US that the enemy is still at Camp Gauley,
and that Gen. Floyd is occupying Cotton Hill
The l4th Regiment North-Carolina Volunteers,
though part Of Floyds command, did not accom-
pany the Brigade on its western march This reg
inent has suffered severely, resulting doubt from
long marches, exposure, and the climate OF Yves
tern Virginia. The typhoid fever, rheumatism,
pneumonia and camp fever are the prevalent dis
eases, and they now seem to prevail with more des
peration than ever. .-. -.... ....r
However excellent other North Carolina Reg-
ments may have been, however proficient they were
in the science Of military tactics detrac: nothing
from their merit when say the 14th was equal if
not superior to any regiment that ever LETT or re-
manned in the State of North. Carolina This the
public journals acceded to both in our State and
Virginia ....
The officers full and complete corps-were all
young, talented and educated gentlemen, many of
whom were professional characters and men OF
standing and merit ut home. The prvates, eight
hundred and seventy in number, were all healthy.
able bodied menthe friends and associates Of their
officers at honeywell drilled, and ready and
willing to defend and protect their countrys honor
yet these men, these sons Of North Carolina have
been sacrificed and unnecessarily so. in my opinion.
in the mountains of Western Virginia. They have
fallen by the highway from fatigue and exposure,
and died without proper attention or the necesSa-
ries of life. They have died in their tents, in the
valley huts, and mountain cabins, and buried in
binary boxes, and sometimes without boxes at all
In camp nothing is heard throughout the night but
coughs and groanS Of the SICK and often the prayers
Of the dying Our hospital presents no other scene
than sutferings, misery and death.
What is the cause Of this wholesale destruction
this unparalleled condition Of menS Let enquire.
First: The regiment is composed OF companies
from the interior and eastern portions Of the State,
and not being accustomed to hardships and expo
sure such rs We have undergone in this uncoage-
NAL climate, they have fallen with disease, and
many ill a mountain grave.
Second: The members Of the different compa-
MES, while stationed at Weldon, n. c., were pros
trated with severe attacks of measles and On the
verge of recovery ordered to the mountains of
Western Virginia. In connection with this disease,
the miasma of tents the long night marches through
rain, and mud, the cold chilling breezes Of the
mountains, the exposure Sewell without tents or
rations, prepared the men for pneumonia and other
diseases to which they are gwen. No houses for
hospitals were procured, no efforts were made to
obtain ambulances to the sick to established
hospitals, but left at Meadow Bluff in tents,
upon the cold damp ground, without cots, with but
one blanket, without attnndantS-thuS LETT to die,
in want of comfort If we are forced to remain in
the mountains during the winter, dare say not
will escape to tell his friends in North Carolina Of
the suferings of his comrades in Western Virginia.
Again, our regiment has been most shamefully
these privates been enlisted and not dollar have
they received for their services. Other regiments
have been paid off three months ago. The money
is ready for US in Richmond and why is it that we
cannot get itr Mr.. Editor, can you explain this
mystery to US? More anon. JOHNSTON