Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-10-16

For the Standard.
For the Standard.
THIRTEENTH RECT. N. G. VOLUNTEERS.
-CAxr Elias Fairta1 Co., "a,
-, Octnhar 1851 (

October y, 1901. }
Mn. EprroR :-Thinking that an occasional line
from our regiment might be fsome interest to your
readers especially to our friends at home snatch
a moment this morning to give you few items con-
corning our movements and whereabouts just now.
We are located on the road leading from Fairfax "
II. to the station on the Railroad Of that name
about equally distant between the two places. ou'
regiment, the 18th, is in Gen. Earlys origaaei w.
gether with the 9Th N. G. State troops Col Mon"
and the Gath Va, Vols, and one company esUm ~.
Artillery and Cavalry The officers OF our
are Col Jno. F. Hoke, 1t Col. !. w. Leak, MT
H. Christie. Adutant S. j. Young, ourgeo'i' g.
Hicks Ouartermaster, Capt f. 6. Chea'Ian IN
missary, Capt j. F. johnson. Chaplain n'' saooIe
BerryEco npany officers CaptS n p,snI,.lI Ear,
Cochran, Webb Horner, McOofh'e' D'"''
ris, Amis and Johnston fdo,c. in the
.oursae Judgment and ability OF Col Hohe. ~
,,oss.sse: in an eminent degree saat hrmness anu
poirsss on the field and that kindness ana care LOT
w. health and comfort of his troops, which are
necessary to constitute great and gooa co"iua.-
der Under all the hardships and prvations 10
which our men have been exposed, they have man
Tested the greatest cheerulness ana Willingness "
march at a moments notice to meet the enemy eve"
though arrayed against ten times their nuhoer.-
We have not been in sn engagement out nave peen
marched all over the country in search Oh n n
and hsve been quite in sight OF the enemy n"'''
and in full view of Alexandria and "asn'helon.L
We have suffered much from sickness, ana nave lost
como of onr best Young men, but our health Is now
much improved, and we hope soon to have our fuli
regiment well, and ready for duty
INT to return to our movements, IRON which
have wandered I must give you little idea OF
what We call the "pride, pomp and circumstance
of war, by hasty sketch OF some incidents connect
cd with short trip which we have just taken, ana
from which We returned in good health and spirits
We received orders last Thursday night, to cook
three DAVIS rstions, and be prepared to march oy
o'clock, A. NJ The order came at o'clock, ana
the camp was soon alive with the din and noise H.
ci,ent to such hurried preparations. we were nh-
der arms at the appointed tie and took up the line
of march 10 Sank's Crossroads, where we arrived
before daylight, distance Of three miles; we re-
manned all day awaiting farther orders, our baggage
and tents which had followed US being still in the
wagons. At night, we put up our tents temporari-
", and on the following morning were ordered 10
proceed to Springfield. By this time, it had com.
menced raining rapidly, and the roads were wet and
muddy; however, we went forward without finch
ing, and arrived at our destination about SHUTDOWN
the distance being Il miles. Here, we commenced
our preparations for the night by bivouacklng IN
the bushes, our tents and baggage being lett be-
hind. Though we were now within mile OF the
enemy, We soon were drying our clothes, and cook
ing our scanty meals around blazing fire. and were
as cheerful if all was peace and quiet around US;
but all earthly pleasure is cetng and trans'tory'
we were soon aroused from our "leaty abode. oy
the order from Colonel to form the Inc OF battle
Immediately. We sprung up without delay, and in
five minutes were in line and ready for orders. We
ascertained that our next point was Anandae, a
small village some three miles distant After wait
ing several hours for the arrival Of our advance
pckets, who had been ordered in, we started thro'
the dark, over road almost impossible on account
of the mud. Arrived at Anandale in due time, as
were expecting to meet the enemy there, but
found every thing in confusion, and general move
ment OF troops, artillery wagons, &c, all indicating
backward movement AS our advance IRON Ma
sons and Munsons Hill, Springfield and Anandale
were falling back upon the Accotink, small stream
OF run some three miles South Of the village, We
ordered to proceed to ford on the stream anc
there protect ourselves by temporary earth-works
We arrived at daylight and closed long and tire
some march by wading the creek. The men were
much exhausted, and threw themselves on thu
ground for an hours rest After reposing shor
time, they were aroused, and formed on the banks
Of the stream, where arms were stacked and thu
work of throwing up entertainments commenced
Two companies were thrown across the stream, t.
protect the road leading from Anandale, and were
stationed near the residence of Mrs. Ftzhugh, 6
lady of wealth, who is connected with the families
of Gen. Lee Gusts, and other distinguished F. F
VS.. This estate is one of the finest in this section
OF Virgina-the grounds are laid off and decorated
in splendid style and all the surroundings indicate
ease. wealth and refinement We were in hourly
expectation OF an attack we learned that the enc
my were occupying Springfield, and advancing the
scouting parties near our lines Our men evincet
the greatest anxiety to see them, and were deter
mined to dare all and do all that could do if at
tackled. Many exciting reports came inland fire.
quent discharges of cannon and musketry wer.
heard, but we were again destined to have no bat
tie, as the enemy did not advance. l must here
mention sad accident which occurred with one O
our companies while on picket duty. Captain Nc
Cerkle was stationed in advance, and while on post
one OF his men fired OH of our couriers who was
approaching in the night from the direction O
Anandale; he inflicted severe wound which caused
the death OF the man the next day. We have as
certained that the deceased was most excellen,
young man of this State and his unfortunate death
is much regretted; but have the qualification tc
know that the accident did not occur from any care
lessness or misconduct of the man who fired the
gum or from any want of instruction from his Cap
tam or other officer of our regiment from some
lnisconception OF ORDERS some want of proper in
srucons on the part Of the officer of the day, who
belonged to another regiment, there being three
regiments at the position on the creek.
We were particularly DESTROYS of having an en-
sagement while here, as our COL was part of thu
Tune in command of the post and we were satisfied
tn ina, ne only wanted an opportunity to make tn,
18th regiment shine among the best but the oppor
tnnity did not present ITSELF and after remaining
hve days, we were ordered back to camp
We can form no definite idea of what tho ,oovo
ments Of our army will be, in the futurc-but from
all that we can see and learn from those acona;nta,
with military matters, l am convinced that som
important movement is now on the tapis. nh
falling back from those positions which we ba
formerly occuped-the completion of our batterie
on the potomac-the recent arrival of Presider
DAVIS at Gen. Beauregards headquarters. all poir
to some great and momentous event: but Our con-
manders very prudently keep their own counsel
and we are entirely satisfied and ready at all time
to follow wherever they lead We are becomin
accustomed to the hardships ana Inconvenience :
camp.life, and our men all seem satisfied and deto
mined to do Their duty and should we be called sI
to meet the invader in batte's mapn;fcsnt,v sto.
array" we hope that conduct On the 6sld ~;
be such as to shed additional lustre unon tho hr;
fame Of our glorious old State. 20
But must close this family letter bv te,l;nr ~,