Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-08-21
Correspondence of the Raleigh standard.
CAMP RHETT, Near Ndnassa, }
Aug. 18th. 1861.

aug. lOln, 1901.
MR. EDlToR:-I feel it my duty to notice, in this
public way, vile caumny against me, the repor;
OF which has been reaching me for the last thres
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 ungallantly but showed want of bravery,
fed from the field was arrested and tried for cow
ardice, &c.
In both battles endeavored 10 do my whole duty,
as an officer and North Carolnian.
l was often on horseback, riding up and dow
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 pr-
Yates to dlsmount and take my place in the entrench
ments, which | sometimes did while the balls wer.
flying over our heads and often piercing the fra
embankments, our brave men standing cooly await.
ing the enemy [ take no credit to myself for this
l only did my duty, but mention it to refute tha
lying calumny of my slanderers and take leave to-
say that every man did his duty, we'll and bravey,
on those memorable days.
In the evening of the 21st at least one hour ate,
the last gun had been fired at our Regiment, anG
when the thrilling glorious news first reached us
that the Yankees had been finally repuSed on the
right wing, distance from us of from three to fv,
miles, and were fleeing, and while the whole lin
was wild with joy, l galloped off to the right If
common with many officers of other Regiments, nc
Ill Tue Inaln HSnt, Tell III WIN lDe LynCn
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, | returned
across the field of the dead and dying, and back
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 beer
ordered to pursue, and was few minutes finding
our Regiment and getting through the mighty throne
to them, where we remained about one hour and {
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 l showed any want of bravery; and is
treated with that indignation and contempt that i:
deserves while on the other hand it is said and re-
peated by officers and privateS, that acted raShly
and exposed myself unnecessarily.
herewith append the statement in my defence,
refuting the base falsehoods made by 45 of the a
commissioned officers of the regiment two of tn. To-
having been absent when the statement was carried
round and the other, Lient Smith, being on sicl
leave at Charlottesville.
Thus it will be seen that every statement ha,
made is shOoon to he true by the bJare officers Of IT,
regiment uhO hare knoun me long, and sohO, in M.
military capacity, kROW me best and am prot
to know that in their expressions of confidence
esteem they reflect the sentiments of the privates
the regiment.
1t is regarded here as singular that should hi
been singled out to be thus made the subject of such
hetlish persecution; while 1t is gratifying to me to
learn that both friends and enemies whether polit
cal or personal, who have any character, are pre-
nouncing the report to be a miserable lie.
It were fatery to call such slanderers liars cow.
ards, and scoundres, though | do pronounce him.
or them, and shall regard any who may hereaft,
circulate the report with a view to my injury.
j. NJ LEACH
1t Col 18th Reu't n C. V