Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-06-09
The Fight near Richmond.

VIGIL VIC puIOul pdpCl " pics h"0N "NNN'
we gave it as our opinion that the f;ht at
Richmond had commenced and was then in
progress. Telegraphic dispatches received
the next morning, informed us that a most
sanguinary battle had been fought on the
day previous, MAY 31st) and would be resum-
ed that da%y-Sunday June list. Under our
War News head will be found the details OF
those two days fighting. On Monday, no
fighting occurred-our troops beng en-
gagged in strengthening their position and ou-
rying their dead. On the morning OF the Sd
Gen. Lee (who was in command, Gen. john
son having been wounded slightly and una
bic to keep his horse) addressed the troops
announcing there was to be no more retreat
ing OF. falling back, but henceforth the watch
word was to be "Victory or Death. The
address was received with enthusiastic shouts
by the army, and great eagerness evlnced to
continue the strife until victory, final and
complete, shall perch upon our banners. NO
intelligence Of a resumption Of the tight has
been received in this city up 20 the hour OF
writing this article-Jun e 9Th.
From the confused and conflicting accounts
to hand in the Richmond papers, 1t is I'M
possible to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion
as TO the results of the battles on Saturday
and Sunday. We take, It, however, that
but little decisive advantage was gained
on either side, the little, however, being in
our favor. Both sides contested the field
bravely, desperately, stubbornly. And from
the list of casualties to be found In other COL
umns, it will be seen that many of our best
and most distinguished officers were killed,
as well as hundreds of their brave commands.
The number slain on our side is variously eS-
timated at from five hundred to one thou
sand and our wounded at about loo. The
Yankee loss is said to be about 1900 killed,
nearly1 900 wounded and a like number taken
prisoners. Among those on our side reported
killed, no doubt many are in the hands OF
The report that Gen. Jos. Johnston had
been "severely but not dangerously woun-
ded," sent a thrill Of anxiety thro' the Con-
federacy. We are glad to learn that though
compelled to quit the field, his wound though
painful is not severe, and that he will soon
be on the field again.
The announcement of the death of Gen. J.
Johnston Pettigrew formerly Colonel of the
22d Regiment N. c. Troops,) spread a pail
gloom and sorrow over our entire city, which
was happily relieved on Wednesday night
by the intelligence that he was wounded and
a prisoner, and known to be still living
Universal sorrow was felt on the tidings O
the death of Col. Champ T.. n. Davis, of the
18th N. @. Troops, who had a host of friends
and acquaintances in this city. The SAM
may be said of Col. Lightfoot and Maio
Simontop, and other brave officers slain, VIII,
were known in this community.
or the North Carolina Troops engaged il
the fight on Saturday and Sunday, We SCI
mentioned the following the 18th, Col. Ande1
son 9th, Col. Fender 9TH, Col. Campbell
18th, Col. Scales; 14th, Col. Roberts 10Th
Col. Davis; 22d, Col. Lightfoot; 23d, Col
Christie and we arc assured by the Rich
mond papers and by persons who have Wis
ted the battle field and heard what the Com
manders say, that while all behaved wit
heroic courage and daring, none were NOR
distinguished for their bravery, their despel
ate fighting and terrible execution upon tn
enemy's ranks, than were they. Of the trut
of these testimonials, the large and mournfl
list of North Carolinian's killed and woun
ded, bears the most thrilling certainty. Fror
these two days battles, many hundreds
hearts and homes in our State have had deaf
and desolation carried to them.
And not only our own State, but the whol
Confederacy is in mourning-for every Stat
in the South, WI believe, had its represent;
tive in one or more Regiments in that blood
strife before Richmond, and has split som
of its best blood in defending the Capital {
the Confederate States of America. Than
God tho- "'"c"e1~1 in preventing the for
rom pressing its fire
AIRY comfort and II
N ones, and speed
ealth and sounc