Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-10-10
THE FIGHT AT FRANKLIN.

We were enabled yesterday, through the cour-
tesy of gentleman who had conyersed With an
officer presentat the fight TO gain few additional
particulars concerning the fight OF Friday last
The first approach of the enemy was heralded by
loud report from one of the Yankee gunboats, and
upon examination was discovered that three others
followed in the wake of the first large number
of Col. Ferrebee's Partizan Rangers. from North
Carolina, were quickly posted in the dense under
growth on the sides Of the river No sooner had
the gunboats got within range than the sharp
shooters opened on them quickly clearing the decks
For several hours the gun5oats endeavored to move
forward bu: fast they could supply the places
of their wounded and killed the new corners were
picked off when the enemy at last became disheart-
ened and retrogade movement of the steamers
commenced. Our sharpshooters followed the boats
for several miles down-the river, blazing away at
every crevice and aperture, where it was thought
bullet would be likely to find its way to Yankees
body. 1t is estimated that at least one hundred OF
the enemy were killed and wounded in this affair.
The fight on our side was conducted solely by the
sharp-shooters, not a piece of cannon having beer
brought into action. Our casualties were very
trifng. But two men were wounded, and neither
of them MORALLY.
During the afternoon Of Friday, the enemy
seen approaching in considerable force across the
country coming from the direction of Suffolk.
This new demonstration was made by about 2, 800
infantry, six pieces of artillery and from 800 to
500 cavalry. Captain Graham's Petersburg Bat
terry, and two sections of Capt Wrights Rocket
Battery, were ordered into position, and when the
enemy got within range, our gunners opened on the
vandsls with fine effect The fight continued for
two hours, when our shot and shell fell so fast
among the enemy, that they fled in great confusion.
Our men behaved admirably throughout the en-
gagement Capt. Graham's battery fired one shell,
which exploded in the very midst of Body of YAM
kee infantry, and has been since stated by q
farmer living near, killed six men. The enemy
carried off three wagon loads of killed and wounded.
The Confederates had one man wounded; none
killed.
Capt Wright's rocket guns are said to have
played havoc with the Yankee cavalry. The fierce
whzzing of the rocket, and its fiery train as it fell
among the Northern horsemen, produced great ter
ror among the horses, and the animals snorted, ca
vorted, pitched and reared, and then scampered off
in the widest confusion, unhorsing many Yankee
equestrian. One fellow, whose feet were jolted
from the stirrups, refined up his animal, to regain
footing, when rocket struck the horses head,
and the next moment the rider lay helpless and
bleeding against tree near by.
Our forces in high spirits at the result of this
first formidable demonstration, and anxious to get
another chance at the dastardly invaders. We have
now there force sufficient to repuse any effort the
enemy may make to cross the river let him try it
when he may.
II is little singular, that IN the morning re-
pulsed his gunboats with our infantry Gf dsmount-
ed rangers may be called Infantry and IN the after
noon, the Yankee infantry, artillery and cavalry
were compelled to take the back track by our ar
tillery alone.
The rocket battery used on this occasion was cap
tured from the Yankees at the battle of Gaines
Mill, in June last, and is thought to be the only
one of its kind on this continent 1t is said that
no body of cavalry can stand before it.-Pet. En-