The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-06-25

In fact is the trying ordeal 70 which soldiers
be subjected to receive Ere which their orders
forbid them to return. Had single company len its
post our works would have been exposed. And the
constancy and discipline Of the unsngaged companies
not be too highly commended
A detachment Of fifteen cadets from the Military
Institute defended the howitzer u1der It Hudnal, and
| acted with great GOODNESS and determination.
| cannot speak in too high terms Of my two Aeld
officers Lieut. Col Lee and Maj Lane. Their services
nave been of the highest importance since takng the
field to the present moment Ny thanks are due In 40
especial manner to Lieut. Poteat adjutant, and
Lieut. Ratchford, aid, both Of them cadets Of the
N. C. Military Institute at Charlotte. The latter
eeiyed confusion in the forehead from grape-shot,
which nearly cost him his life.
Capt Bridgers, Company Al Lieut. Owens, command
ing company B; Capt Ross, company G; Capt Ashe,
company D; Capt Mcdowell, company Z; Capt Starr,
company Fl Capt Avery, company G; Capt Huske, eom-
pany H; Lieut. Whitaker, commanding company j. and
capt Hoke company K displayed great coolness judg-
mens and efficiency Lieut. Gregory is highly spoken
of by Maj Lane for soldery bearing the sh Leuts
Cook and Mcclellan company d, crossed over under
heavy FIRE to the assistance of the troops attached
the left also did Lieut. Cohen, company G. Lieut.
Hoke has shown great zeal, energy and judgment ~
| engineer officer on various occasions.
Corporal Geo Williams, company A. Henry
Wyatt Thomas Fallan. John Thorpe privates company
volunteered burn the house which concealed the
enemy Wyatt killed and the other three were re-
called.
Sergeant Thomas Stewart, and private VIM McDsn-
ELL company a, reconnoitered the position OF the enc
my and went far in advance Of our troops Private
Potts of Company B, is especially mentioned by his
company commander. So are Wyatt, company G;
" McDade, company D; Sergeant Young, Cor
poral John Dingler, privates G Adams, Gud-
ger, Morley, Jno Wright, Little, J F Jeu-
kins. company +; R W Steadnan, N Dye, II Ben
ton, J Smith, company r; G W BuhuIan James
McPae, company II.
Private Henry L Wyatt company A, mOrtally wound
ed; Lieut. W Ratchford, contusiOn privates Council
Rodgers and Chas Williams, company II, wounded Sc
verely; Patterson, company ID, slightly wounded;
Peter Poteet, company G, slightly wounded.
| cannot close this too elaborate report without
speaking in the highest terms of admiration Of the
Howitzer Battalion and its most accomplished COM
mander, Maj Randolph. lie has no superior
tillerst in any country, and hs displayed the mt
most skill and GOODNESS. The left Howitzer under
Lieut. Hudnal being nearest my works came under my
special notice. The of those follows:
Lieut. Hudnal, commanding. wounded Sergt
Hughes, II Pendeton R Peasants, w Caldwell,
Geo W HobSon w earthly Shook, wounded, L
Timberlake, Geo Hughes, John Werth, d Clark.
Permit me in conclusion pay we'll deserved COM
pment to the first Regiment of Volunteers. Their
patience under trial. perseverance under toll and
under fire have seldom been surpassed by veteran
troops. Afer working night and day, sometimes with
cut rents and cooking utensils, murmur has never
escaped them to my knowledge. They have done c.
large portion of the work the entertainments at
Yorktown we'll rs those at Bethel. Had all the
regiments in the field worked with the came spirit
there would not be assailabe point in Virginia. Az
ter the battle they shook hands acctonatey with the
spades calling them clever fellows and good friends.
The Influenced by high moral and religious
sentiments and their conduct has furnished another
example of the great truth that he who fears God will
do his duty to his country.
The Confederates had in all about twelve hundred
men in the action. The enemy had the regiments Of
Col Duryea Zouaves), Col Carr, Col Allen Col Bcne
dick and Col Wardrop (Massachusets) from Old Point
Comfort and FIVE companies of Phelps regiment from
Newport News. We had never more than 300 actively
engaged at any time The Confederate loss eleven
wounded, of these MORALLY. The enemy must have
lost 800 could not, without great disparage-
ment of their courage place their loss at lower figure
1t is inconceivable that 5000 should make pre-
clptate retreat without having sustained at least
this much of a reverse.
Let devoutly thank the living God for his wonder
full interposon in favor. and evncc gratitude
by the e1emplariness of our lives.
d. II. HILL
Colonel lSt Reg't N. g. Vol.