Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-07-23
The Stapeafe.
=, v.,ce,s oficial Keyor,,

ne SSdN0Vss
co,. vance,s Official Report.
No honest man in North Carolina doubts that Col.
k,nce behaved With great GOODNESS and bravery in
The battle of Newbern His enemies, who seem to
no lost to all shame, have charged that he was mot
in the fight" For the qualification Of our readers
VIC have at length been able to obtain Col vance
official report and annex it hereto. Let his iloe!'
RS and enemies read it and cover their faces
HrApouARrERs 26rn RE N. G. VoLs,l
Kinston, N. c., March 18th, 1867
GENERAL L. OBJ. BRANCH,
Commanding District Pamt'eo:
GENERAL II have to report, IN accor1a"ce WIN
military usage, the share Of my command IN tue op'
erations of last Friday. -
Whilst in the temporary command o' 'ne Poeso
Newbern on Thursday, my regiment was orastsu ~
Croaton Works, under command OF Lieut.. Ooio"e,
Rnr,urn tn assist COL Sinclar's regiment should
ths ensmy land below those works. Learning soon
.fter that Col. Campbell was at his post instantly
transferred to him my temporary command, ana
proceeded to Croaton to assume command OIL my
srco;n,ent When near there met Col Sinclair re-
treating who informed me that the enemy were
landing in force at Fishers Landing and nearer
still to the works met Col. Campbell, VINO haa
lust ordered my regiment to take the cars and re-
turn to Fort Thompson. Before my return 'ney
had been posted by Lieut. Col. Burgwyn in the Sc
res Of redsns by me on the right Of the
railroad, in the rear of Bullen's Branch eXeenus
from the railroad to the swamp ABOUT o9o 49,,
fn,mthe road nv Weatherby's at this ROAD, as you
will remember. had constructed the night oeiorea
breastwork, commanding the passage OF the s"a'p'
with the assistance of Mr. Hawks, gentleman WHOSE
skill in Engineering, untlring energy anu Aea',
Take Measure in noticing favorahly. And there was
ulaced section of Capt. Brem's Artillery, Lieut.
Williams commanding, Capt McRae's company OF
infantry, with portion of the companies OF CaptS
IIays and Thomas End N. c. Cavalry, dismounted-
About two o'clock Friday morning, 10 compliance
with orders received, I pushed companies T. N anu
of my right wing across the small swamp aludeo
to, so as make my extrsme right rest on Tue cat
terry at the Wethersby road. This was our pos,tioh
on Friday morning. which remained unchanged gu
ring the day. except that two companies Of the $50
regiment, under Lieut. Col. Hoke, came to my assis-
lance about nine O'clock who were placed in the re-
dams vacated by my right companies, who were
thrown beyond the swamp. You will perceive that
nv forces covered almost as much ground as all the
res. of our troops together. Taking my own posi-
ton near the centre, little nearer to the right,
under Lieut. Col. Burgwyn, about whose position
was considerably uneasy, owing to the unnnlsned
state Of our works there, placed the LETT under
command of Maj Carmichael, and awaited the en-
minutes to eight o'clock, extending toward my right
by degrees until about half past eight when all the
troops in my command were engaged so far as the
swamp referred to. The severest fighting was on
my extreme left the enemy advancing under shelter
of the woods to within easy range of our lI2es-
Whenever they left the woods and entered among
the fallen timber of the swamp in our front, they
were driven back in confusion by the most deadly
and we'll directed fire from lines, who with the
greatest GOODNESS watched for their appearance
The fight was kept up until about twelve o'clock,
when information was brought to me by Capt j. I.
Young, my Quartermastcr, who barely escaped with
life in getting to me- that the enemy in great force
had turned my left by the railroad track at Woods
Brick Yard, had pillaged my camp, were firing in
reverse on my left wing, and were several hundred
yards up the railroad, between me and Ncwbcrn
ALSO that all the troops the field were in full
treat except my command. This being So there
was no alternative left me but to order an imnedi
ate retreat or be completely surrounded by over
wheming force. Without hesitation l gave the
order. My men jumped out of the trenches, rallied
and formed in the woods without panic confu
sion; and having first sent messenger with an or
der to Lieut. Col Burgwyn to follow with the force
on the right we struck across the Weatherby roat
for Brccs' Creek with the intention Of getting into
the Pollocksvile road On arriving at the creek We
found only small boat capable of carrying only
three in which to pass over. The creek here is
too deep to ford, and about rs yards wide. Sorns
plunged in and swan over and swimming over my
SELF l rode over to Capt Whtfords house, on thu
Trent and through the kindness Of Mr.. Kit Foy, a
citizen, procured three more small boats, carrying
one on our shoulders from the Trent with which WI
hurried up to the crossing In the meantime Lieu:
Col. Burgwyn arrived with the forces of the RICH
wing in excellent condition, and assisted me Will
the greatest GOODNESS and efficiency in getting tn
troops across which, after four hours of hard abo
and the greatest anxiety, we succeeded III doing
Lieut.. Col. B. saw the last man over before he en-
tered the boat regret to say that three men wer,
drowned in crossing | must here mention favora
bly, the good conduct of the the trrops under thes
trying circumstances, large Yankee force bein,
drawn up in view of our scouts about one mil
away, and their skirmishers appearing just as tn
rear got over Musician B. F. johnson, Compan,
B, deserves particular mention for his exertionss
having erried over the greater portion of the troop
himself, assisted by negro boy. Once over, W.
were Joined by Lieut. Col Hoke, S3rd regiment
with large portion Of his command, and took tn
road for Trenton. We marched night and day
stopping at no time for rest or sleep than fou
hours. We arrived at this place safely at noon o.
the 18th. The loyalty and hospitality of the Cit
zens greatly facilitated our march, furnishing u
eheerfuy with provisions wagons, shelter AM
guides. regret to say that many of our men, des
pairing of the boats at the creek and determined no
to be taken, threw away their guns to swim over;
serious loss to our Government but scarcely blama
bic under the circumstances This concludes tn
narration of the principal matters connected wit
my command during the engagement and retreat
The number Of my killed and wounded has not We
been asoertained. Our baggage of course, was lost
but our sick were safely brought away. Nremains 70
me to speak OF the noble dead We left upon the field
MAJ A. B. Carmichael fell about II o'clock A NJ
by shot through the head. whilst gallantlv hold
ing his post on the left under most CALLING fire
Drawer, nobler soldier never fell on field Of battlt
Generous and open-hearted as he was brave an
charlottesville was endeared to the whole regimen
Honored be his memory. Soon after Can't W T
Martin Of Co. also fell near the regimental color
highly respected as man, brave and determined !,
soldier, he was equally regretted by his commar
and all who knew him. The 26th regiment a,
Justly proud Of their glorious fall. The fate
Capt Rand, Of Co. D, is as yet unknown Whe
last seen ne was almost surrounded by large fore
but disdaning to fly or surrender, be was iightir
desperately with Lieut. Vlnson and large porto
., MS company who refused to leave him. Lieu
Porter Of Co: A was also left behind, wounded
capt A. N. Mcmillan was badly wounded. Init o,