Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-11-20
THE ncuoprh
For the Standard.
IN'CAMp 14fH REG. N. G. YoLs.,
Msadew Bluff "a, Nov. 5, 1861,

For the Standard.
IN.CAMr 14rH REG. N. G. YoLs., {
NsadsD Bluff Va, Nov. s, 1861 q
" n Holden, Esq.:ssss. - ~ n .sss
DEAR SIa: --In private letter written you from
Big Sewell Mountain 8 few days ago, intimated
that would at more convenient season write you
brief article for the information of your 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 to Yourself and patrons Our
career in the mountains, though difficult and try
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 characterzes true and
faithful soldiers. With Gen. Floyd at our head we
feel assured of eminent success throughout the
tire campaign. His GOODNESS, his calm deliberations
nay, more his chivalrous and heroic adventures
not his least remarkable features-indeed there is
something more than chivalry or heroism in his
department which indicate patriotism and courage
belonging to no ordinary man. He is as brave as
patriotic, generous as he is possessed of valor
and such is the confidence in his fidelity and skill
that no one questions his movements-al 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 tield-frst to advance and last to
retreat.
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, distance of sixty miles.
Cotton Hill is opposite the mouth of Gauly, and
considered by military men highly important to the
Confederate forces, it I,eing strategic point over
looking the enemy's camp. Gen. Floyd will doubt
less Use this position to the best advantage. 1t is
rumored, however, that the enemy has in the last
week evacuated the Kanawha Valley. and adsanc ng
IN the direction of Kentucky with Floyd in his rear,
but our late advces contradict this report, and as
sures that the enemy is still at Camp Gauey,
and that Gen. Floyd is occupying Cotton Hill.
The 18th Regiment North Carolina Volunteers,
though part of Floyd's command, did not accom-
pany the Brigade on its western march This reg
iment has suffered severely, resulting no doubt from
long marches, exposure, and the climate OF W es.
tern Virginia. The typhoid fever, rheumatism,
pneumonia and camp fever are the prevalent dis
cases. and they now seem to prevail with more des-
peration than ever.
However excellent other North-Carona Rcgi.
mcnts may have becn. however proficient they were
in the science of military tactics, detrac: nothing
from their merit when | say the l4th was equal il
not superior to any regiment that ever left or re-
manned in the State of North Carolina. THIS the
public journals acceded to both in our State and
Virginia
The oticcrs-a full and complete corps-were all
young talented and educated gentlemen, many OF
whom were professional characters and men OF
standing and merit at home. The privates eight
hundred and seventy in number, were all healthy.
able bodied men-the friends and associates of their
officers at HONEYWELL drilled, and ever ready and
willing to defend ard 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 or
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 meny Let US enquire
First: The regiment is composed OF Companies
from the interior and eastern portions OF the State
and not being accustomed to hardshps and expo
sure, such as We have undergone in this unco,ge.
NAL climate, they have fallen with disease, and
many fill mountain grave
Second: The members of the different compa.
trated with severe attacks of measles. and On the
verge of recovery were 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 on Sewel without tents OF
rations, prepared the men for pneumonia and othe,
diseases to which they are gwen. No houses fol
hospitals were procured, no efforts were made tc
obtain anbuanccs to remove the sick to established
hospitals, but were left at Meadow Bluff in tents
upon the cold damp ground, without COTS with bu
one blanket, without attendantS-thus left 10 die
in want of comfort If we arc forced to remain ir
the mountains during the winter. dare say no
one will escape to tell his friends in North Carolina
the suferings of his comrades in Western Virginia
Again, our regiment has been most shameful,
treated IN respect to their pay. Six months hav'
these prvates been enlisted and not a dollar hav
they received for their services. Other regiment
have been paid off three months ago. The money
is ready for US in Richmond, and why is it that W
cannot get it? Mr.. Editor can you explain thi
mystery to US? More anon. JOHNSTON.