Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-04-16
ZION The Hll.belough Hscordsr.l

CAMP OF 18TH REGMEsT N. Q. T.,
Lenoir County, Arch 18th, 1862 g.
4 Ma HsARYT Various unfa sorabe reports having
been. spread through the State concerning the be-
hay;oup Of the 18th North Carolina Troops I'D Cav
alrypin the battle near Newbern on the 18th inst,
deem Il q. duty , own to the men / commanded on
that day TO prouounce all such reports as regards
them false: Capt Turner was absent. having been
detailed to- purchase horses for the company, and
thus the command devolyed upon nee as next in rank
About O'Clock r. A on Thursday the 18th, Com
psnies A capt Hayes,( and z. {" Orange Cayal-
ry,'0 by order of General Branch. were disnounted
and ordered to report to ColoHel yanee f26th N %
The reason assigned for dsmountiBg US was toat we
were armed with long-ranse guns Co. a., having
Mississippi rifles, and Co, X. Halls carbine We
were placed by Col. Vance on the extreme right,
with Capt McRae's independent company Of infan-
try. A section Of Csptain Bren's battery under
Lieut. Williams was also posted here that night,
and Co. E. 18th N. c. 4. Captain Thomas, y next
morning. On Friday the 18th Instant my company
was removed about fifty yards to the left, on the
right of the 26th Regiment, by Lieut-Col Burgwin,
who commanded the right wing of the 26th and all
detached companies on its right About halfpast
seven the engagement commenced half a mile or
more to our left. About IL o'clock sent private
VIM. Rhew to have the horses moved from the place
where We had left them about mile to our left the
day before, and to place them in our rear. About
IL o'clock saw Lieut.. Colonel Burgwin approach
ing with the wing of the 2Gth. met him and ask
ed for orders. He said we were outfanked on the
lett and must retreat | returned to my company,
conducted it 20 the road about 80 yards to right
and told the men to get their horses and mount sup
posing Rhew had brought them to this point; but
not a horse~as 10 be found. They had been ridden
OF before Knew reached them, some say by the mi
litia; Others by men with uniforms. don't know
who rode them; but the nen came off on foot with
me, and We found the horses in kinston on our ar
rival there On Sunday morning
Not being able to find our horses, ordered
halt and placed my men with Lieut.. Col. Burgwin's
command. We retreated towards Newbern, but on
arriving in the old field near Col Lees camp, We
discovered both the railroad and county road bridge
to be fire. We then turned to the left and
reaching Brices creek in Mr.. Henry Bryan's planta
ton, were delayed some time in crossing not being
able to lind the boats. negro belonging to Mr.
Z. Foy, found them for US, and we succeeded IN
getting all the men, about seven hundred by
sunset Across the creek We joined Colonel Vance
with the rest of the 26th and Lieut. Col Hoke, with
portion of the SD. We retreated by way of
Trenton 10 kinston, where We arrived Sunday morn
ing the 18th inst, Col. Vance being in command of
all the troops senior officer. Lieut.. Col Bur
gwin deserves much praise for the manner in which
he conducted the retreat from the fertilization the
creek, suppressing every thing like panic and show
ing himself to be soldier and commander capable
OF leading his fellow soldiers under any circum-
stances. Lieut. John P. Lockhart was the only
commissioned officer with me. He behaved WELL
and assisted me in keeping the men together remain
ing behind with those who not able to keep ep
with the main body in the retreat. Lieut. j. V.
Moore was sick at home, and Corporal james R.
Harris acted as ID Lieut. Our company was not in
the engagement at all, though among the last to
leave the field If opportunity had offered think
! our friends would not have been ashamed of the
Orange Cavalry. Private JEFF Teasley, one of our
wasoners saved most of the officers baggage though
ordered several times by an officer to cut his mules
out and leave the wagon. lie refused to do So say.
ing that mules WAGNER and wagon generally
| went together" The men lost every thing, and
have received nothing yet, except what our friends
in Orange and the Soldiers Aid Society" at Hills
borough have sent them for which they will please
| accept our grateful thanks
Very respectfully.
WIN. A. GRAHAM, Jr.,
1st Lieut. Comdg Co. K. n. c. T.