Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-05-22
From the state Journal.
Reporr Or Col. D. rs. nEcRns. sth N. G. Troops
HEAD QuAErERs, EARLEY's BRIGADE,
Nav l0tIr 1890

q y
HEAD QUAETERs, EARLEr's BRIGADE
May 10th, 1862.
GEaERAL have the honor to report under your
order the easnalties in the 5th n. O. regiment com
manded by NE on the 5h in the battle near iiiiaas-
burg.
About three O'Clock, D. M, my regiment was termed
in line of battle composed of the 9Th N. .. on the
right 23rd n. e., Col Hoke, next; 36tl Virglnls,
1t. Gel. White, next, and Oath Virginia, Col. Terry
on the extreme LETT with orders from Gen. Early TO as
certain The position and charge battery OF the tne
NV supposed 10 be stationed IN the woods in cur front
After the formation of the line moved forward
by the direction Of Major General d. M Hill, With
instructions approach the enemy close, with Taed
arms without firing until close upon them. The
line passed down nto a marshy ravine, and my reg-
ment formed ITSELF in a dense underground composed
chiefly OF pine which made the advance in line diff
cult On the verge of the field beyond, halted
and reformed the line and examined ior tie enemy s
battery Not seeing any indication OF his presence,
[ advanced the line about 100 Yards into the held.
and as Gid battery situated al distance OF IU6
to 900 Yards OH the left opened upon with SHE'LL
Immediately changed the direction of the line so as
to face TOWARDS this point and found that this battery
was posted in a skirt of woods near q redoaf.
around and on which there appeared to be at least
a brigade of the enemy. As soon as L made this
movement | found that tie line was broken, aud l
could nowhere see Colonel Hoke with the 23rd or
Lieut.. Col w hitiie with the 38th Virguia he ap-
proach tie battery through open held Of soft
earth without any for my troops, ard feeling great
anxiety, despatched my AdQant, Lieut.. McSae, and
iuior P.J. Sinclair TO Gen. Ill., with request TO be
Informed what battery | was to charge Major Sin
clair returned with that 10 charge the
battery which opend on u.s. and do it quickly I'M
meiotey lh1 line in motion, and the men spra0g of
at a rapid pace. About this time regiment, which
found atterwatd5 TO be the 24h Virginia Col Terry,
engaged the enemy at three Hundred yards to my
el in front and drove him OF houses towards
his redoubt. Finding the 23d and 38th sill absent, |
saw the Necessity Of connecting my line with this regi-
nent to support IT, and at the time to get the
cover Of the houses referred ordered my line to
ad eance 9bliquaiy the lett and when found my men
advancing rapidly, and not sufficiently Oblquey,
ordered halt passed 10 the front OF line aud urged my
move less rapidly and press sensbiy to the
lett, and 20 compose them | ordered them to lie down
TIE enemy had nov commenced to ie upon with bis
riffs, which began to be fatal and at this moment
observed Capt. Early, Gen. Earys Aid. distance
Oh my left, waving ne On. then pushed on. Ny
color bearer first struck dowD, then the flag was
seized by his c0mTade, VINO fell Immediately "A third
took it and shared the same fate, when Capt Berry
bins m Of Co A carried it until the staff was SILVER.
ed to pieces in his hand Under this fire OF grape fron
the artery, and vOieS from the infantry, the regiment
continued to advance until 0unda slight shelter ola low
leDce within hundred yards Of the reb0abt The fire
was terrific and my and off ers were falling every
side, and the 24lh Virginia, Immediately on my lett
suffering in like proportion had delivered my
fist fire at about $50 yards and my were now FIR
treating into The red0Gt. Al this time Col Terry tel
upon my lett Lieut.. Col HaiTgton aso and the lOrse
of my Maj0r, Sinclair had been killed under him. 1t.
Col BadGQn tell upon my light, and L found myself,
with Mai. biaury Ct the 24vi = r5njA, the only field
officers remaining Oh horse had previously sent ry
Adj't 10 Gen Hill announcing my loss aud the danger
OF ny position, earnestly begging reiniorcemens, but
f0diDg my force to- small, ami the position fatally de-
structjve, not wait his return out ordered my
command TO fall of d0Ea the cover OF the fence, and i'm
meeatey afterwards | received ordlr 10 retreat
lie Charge upon tie battery not at1; ded with
SUCCESS have no doubt it would have BEEN had the
23d North Carolina and the Ssh Virginia pariicpa-
IN the assault. How AelOiCaiy my officers and men
enGeavOred TO execute the charge entrusted to them the
list Il casualties reiO appended viii exhibit and it Is
q matter OF pride to the survivors, it Of ea3Cur-
ag1an to all engaged 10 know that their whole cen
duct der the direction and immediate personal
o0er ion OF their Nejgr and Brig. General the lat
ter Q. whom fell while bTay2ly leading the attack AL
of my officers and men behaved with courage, and no
disCr ni0atOn can be made among them. My regiment
is nov So reduced as to be fciant beg that it may
BE- speedily supplied, aud ! ask you, General in calling
TO the attention Of the Department this regiment, TO
suggest that my f st LeuteAuuta, who survived may
be assigned ID TIE COMMAND Of the companies who have
lost their Captains ~ attn wounds and Imprisonment
except ID The Csc Of Capt IL. {. Jones, who was
wounded bus scaped, and hope will soon resume bis
command
NV Adintant who vas with N. throughout tha fight
rendered me st valuable asSsa ce, and bis g0ol con
duct, sure, did uot fail attract yoac attention
beg bring u you notice another instance Of pat
r0tic acf 6n which meFi streWafd htr! Nicholson e.
Wastiigtsn. a Young gentleman of st. Louis had
volume rel private in my ranks. and On this oc
cason accompanied me as my Orderly On the field
He main aned his position by my side throughout,
delivered my ORDERS along the line with GOODNESS ant
| precision
! have the honor t. be,
Very respectfully,
Your obeIienI seyant,
D. K. MCRAE