Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-03-26
The Eight below Newhnrn.


documents. We have heretofore put together what
reliable persons and rumor have furnished MS, with
out endorsing in full .Eer correctness for it is evi
dent that the arrangement of the forces was such,
and the confusion which ensued after the falling
back of the militia, renders it impossible for any
one man dozen to state definitely what did take
place
Many of the rumorcd statements already publish
ed found to be entirely incorrect and we there
fore proceed to give such corrections as have come
to reliable gentleman IN the fight, states that
the entertainments commenced at Fort Thompson,
running west across the Railroad to swamp. We
suppose the line of entertainments vas from two
and half to three miles. Our informant says, that
beginning at Fort Thompson our forces were ar
ranged on this line as follows: First Col Lees regi
ment second, Col Sloans, third, Latham's and
Brems batteries then Col. CampbellS, then Col.
Snclars, then the militia, then the gap at the Rail
road, without artillery or infantry, then came four
companies of Col. Avery's regiment under 1t Col.
Hoke, and then Col. Vance's regiment near the
swamp, Capt, Rand's company being his left,
and Capt. WebsterS being on the right. This cor
responds very nearly with our former statement.
The rest of Col Avery's regiment are supposed to
have been in the rear as a reserve or TO have ad-
vanced too late to protect the gap at the Railroad
The early and sudden attack of the enemy seems
not to have been looked for.
1t appears that nearly the whole burden of the
fight on the left wing fell upon Col Campbes regi
ment, which was calamity and skillfuy met by that
experienced and able officer. He nobly sustained
his reputation in the old army, and we'll deserves
fha IF CHI hot
Col. Campbell had been put in command at New
bern Brgatlier General, as his rank and reputa-
ton soldier entitled him, the results of the bat
tie would have been different. Col. c., it appears,
received order to retreat until all the regiments
on the left and the Commanding General had left
the field A gentleman informs us who received
the information direct, that while this regiment
actively engaged in the trenches, Yankee regiment
passed through The gap at the Railroad and was
entering the trenches at Col. Camphelfs right
perceived Their blue coats led to their discovery
when Col. Campbell Immediately ordered his regi-
ment to leave the trenches and form. Only three
companies could execute the order in time Capt.
Taylor'S, Capt. DavidSon'S, and the other We have
forgotten. Major Z. D. Hall of New Hanover, and
not 1t. Col. Haywood, as stated in our last, We
are told, was ordered to lead the charge At once
he ordered those companies TO follow. Our old
friend Capt Taylor of NASH was in the charge, but
was at the time quite unwell and unable to speak
much above whisper; but his young Lieutenants
Haywood and Gloss, the former commanding the
right and the latter the left wing of the company,
gaantly and promptly executed his orders with the
val0r OF veterans. These three companies dashed
forward against the entire Yankee regiment, pour
ing into them we'll aimed discharge of muSketry,
which was returned by the enemy promptly, when
the intrepid Hall ordered the charge-on they went,
driving the enemy the entertainments and pill
ing up the slain foc One Yankee Captain fell over
the entertainments wounded when 1T. Campbell Of
one of the companies jumped over and seized him
apd brought him prisoner.
During the severe fighting which ensued, it is
said a boy about II years old who was holding sew
era horses amid shower of bullets and Shells was
wounded in the leg. H. Immediately called aloud
for some one to come and take the horses, exclam-
ing he wounded. As soon as some one took
the horses instead Of running off for help it is said
ne hoped to the trenches pouring vOley of abuse
upon the Yankees and called out for gun; one
was handed to him, and lie stood with the men
loading and firing, and fell back with them. Soon
it perceived that three Yankee regiments
moving to attack Col Campbell, having passed the
entertainments at other points. At once, he Or
dered his regiment to form on a hill near by. By
the time the order executed he discovered that
a regiment pressing him closely In front Tic
was about to order second charge when ne learn
cd that an order had been given to retreat and the
regiments in supporting distance of him had all
left.
By this time, he discovered two other Yankee
regiments his right and left 1t then he
commenced his retreat. preserving perfect order in
his regiment and covering its rear, at the same time
pouring deadly fire into the enemy. He was pur-
sued some four or five miles before he reached the
Clarcmont bridge, the old toll bridge over Trent
the Railroad bridge being then on fire. Here he
discovered numbers of supposed to belong to
Col. Avery's regiment, who perhaps were dispersed
after the capture of the Colonel making for the
bridge. Col Campbell here held the enemy at bay
until every rereating soldier passed the bridge and
then if We recollect rightly, set fire to the bridge
Soon after he took, the Trenton road, and reached
Kinston on Sunday morning, We believe, with his
regiment unbroken, except the dead and wounded,
with many of his men barefooted, blistered and
nearly exhausted
Col. Vance and 1t. Col. IIokc, with four compa-
MES of Col AveryS regiment still in the rear.
Col Vance must have commenced the retreat at
still later period and finding that he cut off by
the burning of the bridges, retreated across Brces
Creek and up the South side of Trent into Jones.
His men suffered severely. This retreat by Col.
Vance and It. Col Hoke, evinccs fine judgment and
military skill, and merits the applause of the coun-
try. We have not been able to get further par
ticul lrs.
The band attached to Col Vances regiment, it ap-
pears, reached Kinston the day before. Hearing of