Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-07-23
The STANDARD.
Col. yance,s Official Report.

10 lost to all shame have charged that he was mt
in the fight" For the qualification of our readefs
we have at length been able to obtain Col. fancds
official report and annex it hereto. Let his llbf-
l;rs and enemies read it and cover their faces.
HEADQUARTERS 96rn REG. N. G. Vols,
Kinston, NJ g., March nth, 1862. 81
GENERAL L. OBJ. BRANCH,
D'' Commanding District Pamlico:
GENERAL:-1 have to report in accordance with
military usage, the share of nv command in theop-
erations of last Friday.
Whilst in the temporary command OF the pos ol
New5ern on Thursday my regiment was orueref 10
Croaton Works, under command of Lieut. Colqnei
Burgwyn, to assist Col. Sinclair'S regiment shouiu
the enemy land below those works. Learning spOn
after that Col. Campbell was at his post nSta2ty
transferred to him my temporary command ana
proceeded to Croaton to assume command oil any
regiment. When near there met Col Sinclair re-
treating who informed that the enemy we're
landing in force at Fishers Landing, and nearer
still to the works | met Col. Campbell, who had
Just ordered my regiment to take the cars and re-
turn to Fort Thompson. Before my return 5bey
had been posted by Lieut.. Col Burgwyn in the Sc
ries of redans constructed by the right offhe
railroad, in the rear of Bullen'S Branch, extending
from the railroad to the swamp about 900 yards
from the road by Weatherby's At this road, as you
will remember, had constructed the night before
breastwork, commanding the passage of the swamp
skill in Engineering, untiring energy and Zeal
take pleasure in noticing favorahly And there was
placed section of Capt. Brem's Artillery, Lieut..
Williams commanding, Capt McRae'S company Of
infantry, with portion of the companies of CAPITA
Hays and Thomas End n. C. Cavalry, dismountedR
About two o'clock Friday morning, in compliance
with orders received / pushed companies E, X ands
b Of my right wing across the small swamp alluded
to, so as to make my extreme right rest on the bat
terry at the Wethersby road. This our position
on Friday morning which remained unchanged du
ring the day. except that two companies Of the SD
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
thrown beyond the swamp. You will perceive that
my forces covered almost much ground as all the
rest 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 unfinished
state Of our works there | placed the left under
command of Maj. Carmichael, and awaited the en-
gagement 1t began on my left wing about ten
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 lires-
Whenever they left the woods and entered among
the fallen timber of the swamp in our 'front.' they
and well directed fire from our lines, who with the
greatest GOODNESS watched for their appearance
The fight was kept up until about twelve o'clock,
when information was brought 10 me by Capt. j. Z.
Young, my Quartermastcr, who barely escaped with
life in getting to me, that the 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 lett wing and were several hundred
yards up the railroad, between me and Newber
also, that all the troops the field in full re-
treat except my command. This being So there
was alternative left me but to order an immedi-
ate retreat or be completely surrounded by all over
whelming force. Without hesitation | gave the
order. My men jumped out of the trenches, rallied
and formed IN the woods without panic or confu-
sion; and having first sent messenger with an or
der to Lieut. COL Burgwyn to follow with the forces
on the right, we struck across the Weatherby road
for BrlceS Creek, with the intention of getting into
the Poocksvie road. On arriving at the creek we
found only one small boat capable of carrying only
three men in which to pass over The creek here Is
too deep to ford, and about IS yards wide. Some
plunged in and swan over and swimming over NV
sell, rode over to Capt Whitford's house on the
Trent and through the kindness of Mr. Kit Foy, a
citizen, procured three moro small boats CARVING
one on our shoulders FROM the Trent with which we
hurried up to the crossing. In the meantime Lieut.:
Col. Burgwyn arrived with the forces of the right
wing IN excellent condition. and assisted me with
the greatest GOODNESS and efficiency in getting the
troops across, which, after four hours of hard labor
and the greatest anxiety, we succeeded in doing
Lieut.. Col. Il. saw the last man over before he on
tered the boat. regret TO say that three men were
drowned IN crossing ] must here mention fayora
Dy the good conduct of the the trrops under these
trying circumstances large Yankee force being
Drawn up IN view of our scouts about one mile
away, and their skirmishers appearing inst as the
rear got over. Musician B. F. johnson Comnanv
B. deserves particular mention for his exertions
having ferred over the greater portion of the
himself, assisted by negro boy. Once over, we
were Joined by Lieut. Col. Hoke 33rd regiment
with large portion of his command and took the
road Tor Trenton. We marched night and day.
stopping at no time for or sleep more than four
nourS We arrived at this place safely at Noon on
the 10th. The loyalty ard hospitality of the citi
zens greatly facilitated our march, furnishing ms
cheeriuly with provisions wagons, shelter and
guides. regret to say that many of our men, des
pairing OF the boats at the creek and determined not
70 De taken threw away their guns to swim over: a
serious loss to our Government but scarcely blama.
Die unoer the circumstances. This concludes the
narration OF the principal matters connected with
my command during the engagement and retreat
Inc number OF my killed and wounded has not vet
oeen ascertalned. Our baggage of course was lost.
butour sick were safely brought away Itremains for
me to speak of the noble dead We left upon the fsd
Maj A. b. Carmichael fell about IL o'clock M
oy 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 battle
Generous and open-hearted as he was brave and
SC9Valrous-he was endeared to the whole regiment
IGNORED be his memory. Soon after Capt W. P.
martin OF Co. also fell near the regmental coors
hlsn,y respected as man, brave and determined as
soldier, he was.equally regretted by his command
ana all who: knew him. The Goth regiment are
Justly proud OF their glorious fall The fate of
Capt Rand, of Co. D, is as yet unknown. When
last seen ne was almost surrounded by large force
1us a,saainng TO ny or surrender he fighting
Of his company who refused to leave him, Lent
Porter of Co. was also left behind, wounded
Capt A N. Mcmillan was badly wounded but oot
away safely. eo'
In regard to the behavior of my regiment gene.
rally am scarcely willing to mention particular in
stances OF galantry, where all did their duty Obser-
wing large portion of the regiment myself and
making dlicent innnirr az To thS 70. .....Il'