The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-06-18
Correspondence of the Democrat.

FURTHER PARTICULARS
Correspondence of the Democrat.
Il Glorious Victory-We Lexington Of the Wa,
LIT Regiment from North Carolina corcreel
oil orer ciM Glory.
YORKTOWN, Va, June IL, 1861.
.. Editor Of Democrat: A battle was fought neal
this place on Monday last, and hastily send you
a short account By our friend Mr. VIM. Tiddy
bearer of dispatches to Gov. Ellis.
The first great battle for Southern Independence
has been fought. 1t is the Lexington of the war.
North Carolina and Virginia shoulders the glory
q of hard-won field.
A detachment of our force at Yorktown consist
ing of the lst n. c. Regiment Volunteers and some
Virginia troops, numbering in all about 1900,
proceeded to Bethel Church, Is miles below York
town. entrenched themselves and was there attack
ed on the morning of Monday the 10th inst. by
$500 of the enemy, including 800 of the famous
7th New York Regiment and Rec ment of New
York Zouaves. After a severe conflict of four or
five hours the enemy repulsed with great
slaughter They left Is or 90 dead near our lines,
others lay dead further off, and doubt they car
ried off large number of dead, dying and wound
cd. Their last and final retreat was in double
quick" throwing off their knapsacks, cartridge
boxes, &c Lieut. Col. WARDROBE of tho N. York
Regiment was kied-private Buhmann of the
vate hlclver Of the Charlotte Greys, contest the
honor of having killed the abolition leader. The
Yankee Colonel was standing log rallying his
men, when one of our gallant boys picked him off.
Only or of our companies really en-
gagged in the fight, the ground not permitting the
action of more. North Carolina and Virginia for
ees were all that were engaged. Three companies
of Cavalry arrived in time to pursue the flying
enemy.
A house being in the way of guns four of
Capt. Bridges company, the Edgecombe Guards,
volunteered to charge right in front of the enemy
to burn the house. They faced murderous fire,
but in the attempt one gallant fellow (Wyatt) was
shot in the head and died in few hours. The
other three lay down on their backs and returned
the fire. and finally succeeded in getting back into
their lines. In the meantime the house was set
on fire by our guns
The Hornets Nest Rifemen, under command
Of Lieuts. W A Owens and 4 d Gillespie Capt
Williams being sick and absent) behaved with
great bravery as did also Capt. Ross company,
The Charlotte Greys-these two companies being
nearest the point of attack. Indeed, all our men
acted nobly, whose praise is in every mouth
-- Only one of our whole force was killed and
wounded! Surely an enemy, numbering nearly
four to our one, raining cannon balls, she'll and
grape shot like hail. for three mortal hours, and
doing such little damage. must have been con-
IounucO Dy tnat mana that ever SlQeS with Justice
and eternal reetitude.
The Fayetteville companies and Lincoln Stars
are composed of as good grit as ever shouldercd
gun; and all in ALL our Regiment is composed of
the finest soldiers IN the world, because of their
moral and intellectual qualities.
Col Hill deserves all the honor that can be
heaped upon noble soldier. His experience as
well as bravery, placing him in the fore ground of
command. Indeed, our success in putting such
powerful enemy to such shameful defeat, is to
be greatly attributed 10 his GOODNESS and courage
1t Col. Lee and Maj Lane are all that we could
desire them to be: qualified for their post and
strangers to fear. Gen. Magruder commanded
the whole force, and is a brave and daring officer
One of our guns, which had been disabled by
our own gunners, fell into the hands of the enemy;
but they kept it only few moments, for the Edge
coDbe Guards charged upon them and recaptured
it, driving off some 1900 of the enemy.
I'VE took only three prisoners (not having much
use for prisoner). ! have just conversed with
one fellow who is from Vermont He is only q
months soldier, aud says when the time expires
thousands will return home from this unholy war
He reports 5000 men in Fort Monroe and 5000
Mt Newport News. They are dissatisfied and de-
sert on every opportunity
Our force returned to Yorktown, cheerful, in
good spirits, the wounded being but slightly in
jured, had good nights rest and ready for
the enemy again. 1t is thought tremendous
battle will soon be fought here.
During the battle, company Of the euemy's
Zouaves practised their fitting and tumbfing ma
nauvres up within few yards of q masked bat
terry Of ours, hoping to scare some of US by
their monkey actions; but when we opened FIRE,
the column fell like wheat straw before . scythe-
blade. Many poor fellow tumbled over for the
last time.
The people are fleeing from the lower end of
she peninsula in crowds leaving their farms, stock.
Do, at the mercy Of the enemy 10 order to save
themselves.
Every man is conscious he is fighting in just
cause, and 10 determined to know no defeat. Be-
sides, We are not fg Citing battles alone: and
If God be for US, who shall be against us"
Is Yours truly, SOuTHRON.