Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-09-11
Far The Journal,
CAnp 3RD BR1aApr 18Th july Is6

For the Journal
Carp sRD BR1aADe; 18Th july 1861.
EIa.Tn accordance with your order Of recent date,
reenrn Regimentai Commanders to make report of the
taken hY their respective commands in the recent
gagemens Respectfully beg leave to submit the following
On Wednesday, 25th june the Goth Regiment N G. T.,
under command of Col Alfred lyerson peng oroered 70
ceeded with the other regiments composing me 70
point within about of mile of the enemy mes nay
ing posted in reserve the edge ola skirt OF WOODS
the regiment was exposed for about an hourto very
heavy FIRE of shell from the enemys batteries hy when
we had wounded but without the opportunity OF
taking any active part in the severe skrmsEug In
! front. We then moved forward to line Of breast
works where we remained. still IN reserve until our
artillery coming up, the enemy's batteries senced,
and his troops completely driven from thsfeld About
NJ the regiment ordered to return to camp 20 pro-
vide three days raions and be prepared to march at a.
NJ that hour in the following morning (26th Junel the
the Chekahomny, till the brigade was halted about mile
from The bridge. Here remained till the enemy had
been attacked by our troops under Gen. a p Hill who
had crossed at point higher up river. We then
moved forward and crossed the swamp as sooa as Inc
bridge which had been destroyed by theleny had been
sufficiently repaired, night coming ca When we
we're formed in line Of hattie, within short distance from
MecbancsyIe in an open field rear Of and close to,
Of our batteries which was pouring heavy fire into the
enemys works in front, they replying brlsky most OF
damage It day entered The vage Of echan
icsville whan were ordered to halt tor an honr
batteries distant about half mile sheing the houses
asd especially hoep o., in which there were many
wounded men but iufictng no loss on this regiment
THIS battery having been sonced we passed up
half mile beyond the village, then tuning down through
The heids and woods Tor ABOUT TWO nue. "n. VIC ya
mil pond The enemy hA0ing himself hsnRed dlc
wait for or attack We saw but oae OF his men, pl
waite whom re took prsouer: while the knepsacks,
blankets &c, that strewn around, manifested The
haste and suddenneFs Of his retreat We then joined IL tn
pursuit of the enemy. down the Chickahcminy read til
cary in The afternoon, we learned he had taken very
strong position at Old arbor, and was prepared to ote
battle The egment ordered 20 take position TO Tho
left of the road, where remained about two hours
exposed the rapid and Constant fe Of shell ke up from
the ene4 batteries Rere two OF our men were seriously
one moftaY. wounded We ordered TO cross th
road prepare for action Having passed through opei
field, say abouJ 200 yards reached small piece o
WOODS beyond which was the open ground IN |heh th
had taken his poliion. The regiment had now th
opportunity Of opening fire. which continued fer hal
hour when they received orders from you TO charge
battery in The field about 400 yards eff and take at al
hazards They had advanced about ba WY uudeT ter
role fire. wien b. some MISUNDERSTANDING lh6 command re-
ire ated to within 20 ards the woods Here they were
peated and understood The regiment immediately acet
about advanced rapidy amid storm of grape, caniste
and nluskotry, and charged thu battery with yell. Th
charge was completely successful the enemy were driver
off and the battle flag of the regiment waved over then
columns, but the calSon8 vi: been removed no munoI
could be found constant and rapid fire o! musketry
was kept up against te eAeny d9rin2 Lneir retreat
and The battery was held by Us think tu ten minute
AT tits time HndU We were about TO be hanked by
large force Of the enemy and seeing no experience OF
Fen oroemenls tr other FegNants OF the Brigade we
reluctantly compelled to abandon the and
to position il the wood5 This not effected without
loss the enemy reached the battery in force very soor
after had commenced retreat. The character Of th
charge may be inferred from the severe loss which sustain
ed: officers and six pFiVatee killed. officers aut
1876 pryates wounded Lieutenant and several privae
taken prisoners. Among the killed 1t. Col F. j. Fai
Son wounded in the act Of turning CT the enmys
while Col. A. lverson disabled by wound before Tbs
regiment had advanced very far from the woods 1t may
also be mentioned that received u bullet holes
flag, while the sts nearly cut in two The enemy
having been again defeated 10 this action, and continuing
his retreat the moving of the 18th followed in pur
suit advancing about and halt miles to of The en-
emys hospitals, where compelled to remain til
A. M on Monday, 30h June-the enemy having destroy
ha the bridges, which he had
riouSy constructed the wide swamp of the Chcka
hominy. These having been repaired snd various other
instructions removed re-crossed the swamp
continued our march until we approached the White Oak
Swamp. During that night thrown out picket
! guard On Tuesday morning continuing march, we
crossed the Swamp and proceeded in the direction of NAL
ven Hill where we learned that the enemy had taken his
strongest position in large open fed with batteries
orcemens of fresh toos and in range of his gunboats
in the James River My command here ordered to charge
battery, distant than half mile, through open
field and fully exposed to fire that seemed to sweep its
surface with destructive missiles of every We
ed the fed with the other regiments of the Brigade and
led by yourself proceeded zoo or 500 yards towards the
battery where We halted and opened fire upon the enemy
This kept up for about hour when retired
the woods During the right endeayored to collect my
command, and withdrew with them TO field rear the battle
ground The next morning. the enemy being unable to
hold his position ol midabe continuing his
retreat to the m0e immediate of his gEnboas,
retired about two miles from tbs battle field having
ceiyed orders TO find suitable place to camp There
time not exceeding mile for The better convenience of
procuring water then ordered to return to the
miles from the city, the 10th inst In this last engage
ment lost p pryates killed, officers and 81 prvates
wounded. list o. these you will find accompanying this
report.
also required to specify the cases in which indivd-
uals have especially distinguished themselves by their
bravery in action. Some of these at my request, have
been named IL the company repors ard others wit
messed by myself yet all thai it Is utterly impossible
to discriminate correctly where many proved beyond
doubt their GOODNESS and in the field Knowing,
do, that with few exceptions, the entire regiment
has noby discharged IFS whole duty, cannot wound the
feelings Of men equally brave by singing cut few for
Communications feel p oud of the entire command. They
have deserved 1C Of their country, and my only regret is
the reparabe loss hch The regiment has sustained
CALAMITY indicating lis claims to favorable record among
the brave defenders of the South
Col IveFBon to whose skill the regmen chief
y indebted Tor its efficiency in the field though seriously
wounded, UI trust be restore to but the loss
of Lieutenant Colonel can be repaired Insens
BILE to far Lieutenant Colonel Fas equally
bic for the kindness OF hs heart and do hesitate
say that he beloved his memory cherished by
every officer and every soldier of his command cannot,
without trespassDg beg ond the mita Of this report
press myself would concerning tie merits Of the other
killed in the late engagement. May the gratitude of their
country be in proportion to the sacrifices they have
cheerfUly made.
Very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
WIN, H. TOON,
Msj. CONG Reg't.
| Capt. d. 2. HAGLsEY, A. A. General.
Public EzeeLiHg In CnslOVy.
At public meengof the citizens of Onsow, held in the
Court House Jacksonville Monday, ls day of Septem
| Iar A }LoF lIn TNrn1 dino II had