Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-07-26
The Stapoafo.
For the Standard.
For the Standard.
CAMP OF THE 24TH N. c. TRooPs,
Near Drury's Bluff, July II, '62. !

MR EDIToR:-Of the departure OF the regiment
from Petersburg on the oath ult, and its baptism
in fire on the Goth you have already been informed
A short account Of its movements since that day
NAV not be without interest to those of your read
ers Who have friends and relatives in its ranks
The dsy and night of the 26th were quietly spent
in camp which was bivouaelz IN pine grove, on
the williamsburg road near the field of battle,
known as the "Seyen Pines" where our soldiers
have otten proved themselves by their vaor worthy
of the freedom for which they are struggling. But
this is no time for rest and were soon reminded
by an order to march that we had not been brought
here to waste the hours in idleness. The signal Tor
"roast beef" "a tueus non LucendO, as we least
on bacon and crdckers,) was soon followed ny INC
stern order to "fall in" and in few minutes, We
were en- route to relieve three regiments VINO .,au
been on picket duty since the evening oil the zoII'
The left of our line rested on the WllliausouS
and the right occupied some rlne-pIs "InIn ""u
that morning been taken from the enemy oy Ooi'
Vance's regiment. As the Colonel was retlrtnG, 10
give Mace for Ms and had withdrawn from the smell
ter of the pits" the enemy opened hre upon nun
from the dense woods in 'front.' and wounded three
of his men. The gallant Colonel at once resumed
his nositIon and incensed at the cowardly attack,
stenped ont in front of the lines, and, waving his
can called upon the sneaking scoundrels to come on,
that he was ready for them. The invitation was
not accepted and few moments Afterwards MS
regiment retired, and ours occupied tue rlne-PiIS,
with orders to hold them at all hazards. Inc line
we were called to defend, extended nearly or quite
a mile through deep swamps and dense thIckeIS-
Col Clarke and Major Love were on the left, while
the right was under the immediate command OF the
Lieut. Colonel, Harris During the night, the enc
nv made two sharp attacks along our entire front,
with musketry and howitzers.' Our brave fellows
repulsed both with slight loss but as VIC afterwards
learned infcting a severe punishment upon the ell
emy. Early the next morning, the order came to
f0n and his OOSltlOIf and
strength The night had been sleepless-but the
men seemed eager to see the enemy whom thus far
they had only felt and heard. Stepping out OF the
rihe-pits, the line quietly formed, and throwing
out scouts in advance we moved steadily on IN open
order, and as rapidly as the dense underground
would permit Our approach was soon discovered,
and a rapid and heavy fire of muSketry was opened
upon us, aided almost Immediately by shells from
the battery which had annoyed US much the night
before throwing all their shells into very midst
fortunately, however, doing us no harm. Stepping
forward from tree to tree, brave fellows kept on
driving the enemy before them, and forcing them
back into their entertainments, which were too
strong and too numerously defended for our small
force TO attack. Having accomplished the object OF
the movement We fell back in good order, bringing
many trophies and three prisoners, the enemy pru-
IDENTIFY remaining in his works. In a few hours We
were relieved, and that night the enemy beat has
ty retreat leaving the ground strewed with their
and knapSackS. As soon as this retrograde
movement was discovered our entire force was Or
dered forward in pursuit, which was conducted as
rapidly as the Instructions thrown in our way by
the retreating enemy would permit. By about noon
of the LIST of july came up within striking dis
lance of MCClellanS army, whom we found engaged
by Lougstreets and Magruder's Divisions. Our
whole brigade (RanSOms) was Immediately formed
IN the woods, OH the left to repel an expected at
tack in that quarter. We could distinctly hear the
Of which Shnund that thp hattie
was raging on our right, while the shells which
constantly ieu near US, indicated that the enemy
were aware of, or suspected our position. Armi-
stead'S brigade on our right, similarly situated,
and for the same. purpose. In an hour or two it
moved off to take part in the battle, and the shouts
of the men, and the more furious discharges of mus
kerry told US that they IN the thickeSt of
the fight 1t was our turn next-and not long az
ter the oath, being the right of the brigade was
marched up to the edge of deep ravine into which
the enemy's shells were falling thick and fast, and
lying down awaited further orders In front of this
position distant about a mile, lay the enemy in
stront force, behind heavy Gatteries. The interve
ming space was an open, unduating country, with
out shelter of any kind-and across this troops
had for hours been charging in the face of supc-
rior force of infantry, and the best of McClcllans
batteries aided by the heavy guns of the Monitor,
which was lying in James River within range of
the field. The enemy fought desperately, well
knowing that upon the result of that days fight de-
pended the salvation of his army. In obedience to
the stern order, that battery mus: De taken"
coming directly from Gen. Lee himself, Col Clarke
commanded US to advance, without waiting for the
rest of the brigade, which, having farther to march,
had not yet arrived. Promptly and eagerly every
man sprang to his feet and advancing few PAGES
into the open field, halted and dressed. In line of
battle the gallant fellows, led by the Colonel who
by general orders was dismounted, dashed at a
1OThlp- nuicLr fbn fold oil
the dead and dying, and regardless of the danger
and the fearful evidence of it around, each man
seemed to be mindful only Of the honor of the "Uld
North State committed TO his care, and the sacred
cause in which he was fighting. At two-:hir0S of
the distance the Col halted his regiment to breathe
for the race, the heat and the speed were exhaust
ing-and ordered them to lie down. At this point
We Joine'l by the rest of the brigade aud adj
vanclns within Sevcntyfve yards Of the cnemy's
position, delivered fire which prisoners taken by
our regiment declare to have been terribly deStruc-
tive. We then charged, led by the Colonel and
shouting North Carolipa!" North Carolina ~
till We were so near to the battery that it seemed
ABOUT to fall into our hands-when fire of mus
kerry and grape was hurled upon u.s. before which
huma ity could not stand. The command was
given to retire, and our regiment fell back in per-
1ect order about hundred yards. We were not
beaten, though repulsed and eager to continue
the tight. But it was now quite dark and any COM
olncu movement Sucn as was necessary to carry
so strong position, was impossible. All that could
now be done was to bring off the command in safe
ty, an undertaking of little difficulty, but one
which our Colonel accomplished with so much sue
cess that the next morning all answered to their
names except those who had fallen upon the field,
or been taken by the enemy while searching for
wounded friends. Our proximity to the enemy and
the length of time we remained on the field, NAV
be Judged from the fact that we carried off with us
TWO OF the enemys pickets whom he had thrown
Out alIer the battle was over. Capt William B.
Gulley was killed while leading his men, and his
last words, as he fell, were Boys I'm kiled--but
stand by your company" Lieuts. John T. Town
send and Cornelius Page also killed and while
in their death mourn the loss of three most al
liant soldiers, we cannot but rejoice thai our list of
casualties is so small.
Report Of casualties in the a4th Reg'L North Car.
Diana Troops, (COL " j. Clarke,) on tie 25tA,
2Ith and 18th Of June and tile LIST Of july, 1862.
June 25Lh, near the Ssoen Pines.
hISeG-Corp'l James B Adams, company c.;
private WIN Scott cOmDanv T. -