Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-05-21
Ellis Light ARTILLERY.

Our readers have already seen q brief account OF
the performances the Peninsula, of this popular
battery, now under command of Capt B. G. Manly.
This City and the State feel proud Of this company.
1t is painful to learn of the hardshps of our brave
boys, and we would suggest that some arrangement
should be made by which they can be relieved and
supplied with clothes &C., as soon as possible.
The following extract from letter from member
of that company to his father in this City, will be
read with interest:
1--WE commenced falling back from Yorktown on
the first of May. Gen. McClaws' division brought
up the rear Gen. Simms brigade, to which our bat
terry is attached, belongs to that division The
enemy hotly pursued US, and on Sunday the 4th,
came up with our rear guard near Williamsburg,
and commenced heavy fire from q battery of six
pieces upon our infantry. Our battery had reached
Williamsburg when the order came to "about face"
and meet the enemy. You cannot imagine my feel
ings at that moment The town was filled with
women and children, who rent the air with their
shreks and cries. entreatng not to let the enemy
advance. Tears came to my eyes, sympathzing
with the poor creatures. l thought of the loved
ones at home, but this thought was dispeled by
three hearty cheers from the Mississippi boys who
supported our battery, in which our boys all joined
heartily. My heart was full, but my arm was
stronger. | felt just like fighting to the death.
There is nothing like cheer in fight.
lnree OF our pieces were OrQereu 10 occupy fOrt
Magruder, which was about 800 yards from the
enemy's battery, and the rife piece, a redoubt
the right We moved on at full gallop the whole of
right flank exposed to the full fire Of the enemy
Shell and shot flew around like hail. but we
gained the redoubt with one killed, slightly
wounded, and our horses all safe. We mounted
three guns and opened fire on the Yankee battery,
and silenced it in twenty minutes. Gems Johnston
and McClaws were present, and | learn they said
there was no better firing record We killed the
horses to two pieces and three cassons and disabled
another casson which could not be moved. The
enemy retired, leaving their pieces the field.
The first Richmond HowitZers came up after the
battery silenced, and fired three random shots.
Gen. McClaws ordered them TO take their horses and
bring the pieces to u.s. They did so, and offered
them to Capt Manly, but We did not want them, as
we were short of horses and men, We remained
in the redoubt until u o'clock at night, and as the
enemy did not make a second attack, we were re-
| leved by another battery (Kempers) and went on
| our way rejoicing
| see the Richmond papers claim that the How
| itzers took the battery They certainly did not
come upon the field until the fight was over. Our
| battery was the only one engaged in the tight. We
are not fighting for reputation but do not like
| to be misrepresented. Serg't Wrenshall, of our
company, shot through the calf of the leg, &C
cidentally the next day, when of the infantry
were cleaning out Their guns, by firing too low
| He is now in Richmond We were not in the fight
| OH MOnuiy numOer were killed. on OOtn SlucS
and McRae's regiment suffered more than any other
|
! We are now drawn up in line of battle, (the 14th)
! awaiting the enemy but | think he has been Suffi-
GENTLY amused On the evening Of the fight of the
| 4th our men threw away all of their baggage, as
to have fair play; hence, destitute of clothes,
except what we have on. have neither boots nor
Shoes except what can borrow. We
shall proceed to our line of breastworks on Chicka-
mahominy Greek in few days. had no idea that
our battery had such high reputation Our gen.
erals speak of it in extravagant terms"